In Korea, only 3.1% of the young unemployed received unemployment benefits(unemployment allowance) in 2014 as compared to that of the average 28.2% in OECD countries. The rate is just 1/10 of the OECD countries showing that unemployment benefits do not function properly as a social safety net for young people.
While the young job-seekers(especially those from low-income families) who don’t get to receive unemployment benefits rely on social assistance(including housing benefits), social assistance again is received by only 2% of the youth population in Korea(OECD average is 15%) ranking the lowest among OECD countries.
At the moment, it is necessary to introduce a separate support system focusing on youth population rather than expanding social assistance or introducing unemployment assistance.
*The full-text is available in Korean only.