By This may be a rise in the unemployment rate, but still this rate is still quite low compared to the roughly 10% unemployment plaguing the US:
The nation was found to have posted a four-point-eight percent unemployment rate in January.
According to employment data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from three-point-six percent in December to four-point-eight percent in January. The increase was the largest of 22 OECD member nations surveyed.
Thirteen OECD members including Korea saw their unemployment rates rise from the previous month.
The OECD report said, however, that Korea’s high rate will most likely be temporary. [KBS Global]
It is the sad reality. No mistake...
11:09 am on March 15th, 2010 1
South Korea's real unemployment rate (those counting who have given up on looking) are close to 10%. The real unemployment rate in America is around 25% and rising.
2:44 pm on March 15th, 2010 2
It all goes in cycles Tom, you were in IMF not to long ago and already are showing signs of a downward spiral. Korea saves less per household then households in the States and that was once the opposite. Just remember that the U.S. always stays on top in world order where as Korea never cracks the top 10. Your jeleousy shimes through Tom but can't say that I blame you considering Korea is the punching bag to everyone around them.
3:52 pm on March 15th, 2010 3
It depends on how you define real unemployment rate. The 10 percent in the USA are the people who show up to claim unemployment insurance and are still looking for jobs. Sure there are more who have given up, but I don't think that adds up to anywhere near 25%.
That 25% figure you've seen may include under-employed workers — those working in temporary or menial skill jobs well below their eduction, skill level. That might be equivalent to Korea's Irregular Workers.
I haven't found current statistics on the percent of irregular workers in Korea, but I heard at one time it was quite high.
10:01 pm on March 15th, 2010 4
Not to mention those who have given up on finding jobs and live off welfare.
10:02 pm on March 15th, 2010 5
…or have lost their unemployment insurance and have no choice but going on welfare.
10:04 pm on March 15th, 2010 6
You don't have to worry about Korea which punches above its weight. At least Korea doesn't owe 500 trillion dollars and the budget deficit doesn't equal 90% of its economy like the US is.
On paper, you guys are bankrupt in more ways than one.
10:09 pm on March 15th, 2010 7
America's social security and welfare will not last. They're robbing the future for the present. Watch what will happen once they're forced to cut them off. The feeling entitlement will cause a violent street revolution.
Of course, similar hardship may happen to Korea as well once the global economy comes crashing down. But Korea doesn't have the selfish suburban lifestyle that Americans have. Koreans will just go back to the system of extended family and group reliance. Also, Koreans don't have to depend on driving long distances on gas guzzling cars, since they'll just rely on public transportation.
4:11 am on March 16th, 2010 8
Don't worry a Korean who calls himself Tom, Korea will also face economic problems again, it's the way of things and it's just a matter of time. I'll be here to repeat back to you and others about it too
I'm sure when this happens, and it will, Korea will once again look to foreigners to help save them…as always.
At least America will dig itself out without the help of the IMF.
And here's something. The US has helped many countries by forgiving loans and providing economic aid to these countries over the years, why can't American debt be forgiven to an extent? Not that the US needs it, but still, why not?
No one, not even Korean nationals can deny the above. If it wasn't for the US over the last seven decades setting Korea free and providing security for it's economy to develope, Koreans would still living in mud huts. And no, Korea sending mercenaries to Vietnam does not make up for anything. These aren't anecdotes, like Tom uses, either.
I love how Korean nationals can't wait for the US to fall, but it won't fall and they'll be left with kimchi on their faces. At worst the world political and economic scene will become, once again, bipolar instead of unimultipolar.
The economies of India, Vietnam, China and Brazil will become more developed and Korea will no longer be needed or be a desirable trading partner. I say good riddance.
Despite all the crap that's happened the US is STILL 1st
and Korea is still 13th or 15th depending on how you look at it. 
Is this not correct? Just yes or no answers please.
Oh yeah, if the US economy fails like many Korean nationals seem to hope for, what will happen to the Korean economy?
OK, let's hear more anecdotes that most Korean nationals like to spew off.
6:56 am on March 16th, 2010 9
Maybe Korea will go all the way back to the 1950's and be overrun by the North and have to cry out for international help, again and again and again and again… poor Tom, you are a sad lost soul…
9:29 am on March 16th, 2010 10
Korea doesn't have a selfish suburban lifestyle??
This is one of the silliest statements I've ever seen you make – and that is saying a lot.
When was the last time you were in Korea? 1975?
The ONLY thing that means ANYTHING in Korea is MONEY. I'm not saying this attitude doesn't exist in America – but it's not even in the same league as Korea.
This is like saying Korean men are going to go back to wearing sat-gat and han-bok on a daily basis.
It ain't gonna happen. Them days are long, long gone.
And so are the days of families living together. The last couple of generations have completely forgotten the tradition of the eldest son living with and taking care of the parents. When an entire society has completely changed the way it does something, you don't just flip a switch and go back to the old ways.
How could you not realize this?
4:23 am on April 24th, 2010 11
http://rokdrop.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/ico…
why is everyone so argumentative http://rokdrop.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/ico…
4:23 am on April 24th, 2010 12
http://rokdrop.chttp://rokdrop.com/wp-includes/im…
8:18 am on April 24th, 2010 13
US may have an unemployment rate of 10 percent for those looking for jobs and probably has at least 10 percent on govenment welfare who do want or need a job. Tom's discussion on the trade imbalance has merit. We should stop buying things made in China, India, Korea, etc, but doing this would cause major problems in those countries. Controlling overseas countries by being their main customer may be cheaper than having a war. Looks like the VA claims for PSTD alone will break the bank in the next 50 years. I wonder if we bring in more fags they will be less prone to PSDT claims?