Seoul: South Korea added slightly more than 100,000 jobs in January, marking the slowest on-year growth in 13 months, data showed Wednesday. The number of employed people rose by 108,000, or 0.4 percent, from a year earlier to 27.99 million last month, according to the data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the latest figures represent the smallest on-year gain since the country saw a loss of 52,000 positions in December 2024. The modest increase in employment highlights a prolonged slump in the manufacturing and construction sectors, which has been a persistent issue for the nation's economy.

In addition, youth employment fell for the 21st consecutive month, underscoring ongoing challenges for young job seekers in South Korea. This trend poses significant concerns for policymakers as they strive to address unemployment issues among younger demographics.

The data reflects broader economic challenges facing South Korea as it navigates through global economic uncertainties and domestic sectoral shifts.