The students presented their self-introduction and study plans to the professor for corrections. He looked closely at the materials and made the necessary changes. Later a text message came from the student: "Professor, I failed the exam. I wanted to give you good news ... The professor would always answer giving hope: "Do not be discouraged. A better opportunity in the future will appear."
About 23% of all unemployed in Korea are young; the highest figure among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries. Koreans in the army number 610,000, so a huge number of young people, half of the Korean army, can't find a job. This is happening every year and getting worse.
If the state and society can't solve the problem of youth employment the "hermit-type loner" like in Japan will be entering our society. In Japan, the 'Hikikomori' is a term used to describe modern day hermits who now number nearly half a million of the youth who have become social recluses. The professors feel this is spreading to the Korean society and will become a serious social problem.
Let us think for a moment on the great number of students graduating from college who can't find a job and he wonders if his own child was in that predicament what it would mean for family and society. You would have many of the walking dead in society, a great loss.
Article #32 of the Korean Constitution states that "All citizens have the right to work. The state clearly strives to promote the employment of workers and guarantees the appropriate wages." The government has proposed a number of possibilities but as of now, the professor says there is no policy to fundamentally solve the problem except for the expansion of public employment.
At the end of last year, a survey of job seekers at an internet portal site asked the young people what four-letter phrase would best express the situation of the young in the new year. The phrase that was selected by the greatest number was:'(枯木死灰), like an old tree without life— A person without spirit or desire.
This is the year of the Golden Pig a lucky year. The country and society need to join forces, to make jobs for the youth not only in Korea but also abroad. Young people should not be despairing anymore. If they begin to despair, they can become Korean red vests like the French yellow vests.
On the first day of the New Year, he wants to recall the 'prayer of peace' "Where there is despair, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness let me bring your light. Where there is sadness, let me bring joy."
