The Minute to Read (Weekdays) series provides a quick overview of significant events in Korea everyday, conveniently condensed into a one-minute read. Here’s a recap of what happened yesterday: Oct. 28.
Freshman dropout rates spike at SNU as students pivot to medicine
Seoul National University (SNU) saw a record 235 freshmen dropouts last year, particularly among science and engineering students, as many left to retake the college entrance exam in hopes of entering medical school. The dropout rate rose by 46% over two years, with students in the College of Engineering, Agriculture, and Natural Sciences most affected. Experts believe heightened competition for spots in medical programs and recent government plans to expand medical school admissions have driven this trend, with an increasing number of students quitting as early as their first semester.
Thousands of elite North Korean soldiers reportedly mobilize near Ukraine
North Korean troops reportedly arrived in Russia’s Kursk region on Oct. 23, with thousands more expected to reach front-line positions near Ukraine this week. According to The New York Times, an elite North Korean unit traveled from Vladivostok and is set to join Russian forces in counteroffensives against Ukraine. If deployed, significant casualties are anticipated due to North Korea’s outdated military equipment facing Ukraine’s modern drone and combat technology. In response, South Korea is coordinating with NATO and discussing potential military aid to Ukraine, with high-level consultations scheduled in Belgium and Washington, D.C., in the coming days.
Record employment for young Koreans masked by surge in temporary jobs
South Korea’s employment rate for people in their 20s reached a record high of 61.7% in August, but this growth is largely attributed to a rise in contingent or temporary jobs, according to Statistics Korea. Of the 3.389 million employed South Koreans in their 20s, 43.1% are in non-regular positions lacking long-term job stability, marking the highest percentage since tracking began in 2003. Meanwhile, full-time, permanent jobs for this age group have declined over the past decade, pushing many young people toward part-time or freelance work while they seek stable employment. A similar trend is seen among teens, with 89.9% of wage-earning 15- to 19-year-olds in contingent roles, reflecting limited opportunities across younger age groups.
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