韓国の就職“地獄”を脱出、日本で働くことを選ぶ新卒の若者たち「日本は天国、韓国には戻れない」
A growing number of Korean new graduates are opting to work in Japan, fleeing what they describe as Korea's severe job market "hell." They are reportedly calling Japan's working environment "heaven" and emphatically state they don't want to return to Korea, which is quite shocking. Online comments reflect this sentiment, with remarks like "feeling the change of times" and "it used to be the other way around."
Related Keywords
Hell Joseon (헬조선)
"Hell Joseon" is a neologism widely used among young Koreans, meaning "hell-like Korea." It symbolizes the despair and dissatisfaction of youth with Korea's severe economic disparity, intense competition, soaring real estate prices, and a sense of a blocked future. Specifically, the wage and welfare gap between large corporations and small-to-medium enterprises is significant, forcing young people into fierce competition for limited positions at major companies or in public service. Many young people, exhausted by this competition and feeling limited opportunities for success, have come to describe their own country as "hell." For instance, among those in their 20s and 30s, a sense of resignation, such as "even if I succeed, I can't live well" or "effort isn't rewarded," has spread, accelerating the movement to seek overseas migration or employment. This term transcends mere slang, becoming a social phenomenon that encapsulates the structural problems facing Korean society.
N-po Generation (N포세대)
The "N-po Generation" (N포세대) refers to the situation where young Koreans are forced to give up many important aspects of their lives due to economic and social pressures. "N" signifies an indefinite number, and the number of things given up has increased over time, evolving from the "3-po Generation" (giving up dating, marriage, and childbirth) to the "5-po Generation" (adding employment and homeownership), and then the "7-po Generation" (further adding human relationships and hope). Ultimately, it became the "N-po Generation," representing a state where almost all hopes in life must be abandoned. This is set against a backdrop of unstable employment, low wages, soaring living costs and education expenses, and abnormally high housing prices. Statistics show that the unemployment rate among young Koreans is high, and even when they find jobs, they are often non-regular positions or offer insufficient pay for the working hours. In such circumstances, many young people give up on planning their future and are caught up in momentary consumption or daily survival, a serious issue that diminishes the vitality of society as a whole.
Job Spec Competition (취업 스펙 경쟁)
"Job Spec Competition" (취업 스펙 경쟁) refers to the fierce competition among young Koreans to accumulate all kinds of "specs" (qualifications/abilities) beyond academic background, such as high TOEIC scores, various certifications, internship experiences, volunteer activities, and overseas study experience, to secure employment at major corporations or popular job sectors. In Korea, employment at a few large, chaebol-affiliated companies is considered to signify economic stability and social success, with few other recognized options. Therefore, students spend vast amounts of time and money from university enrollment until graduation, continuously polishing "specs" that will be advantageous for job hunting. For example, a TOEIC score of over 900, multiple difficult certifications, and internship experience at a major corporation are now considered almost "basic" requirements. This excessive spec competition not only imposes a significant mental and economic burden on young people but also raises concerns about the negative consequence of focusing on creating a "superficial resume" rather than genuine skill development. As a result, many young people who lose out in this competition feel as though their abilities and worth have been denied, often leading to detrimental effects on their mental health.