Seongnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Launches "Youth Employment Leap Incentive Program" for Local Companies

by Lee jonggu

Published 04 Feb.2026 17:40(KST)

Up to 7.2 Million Won in Support for Youth Hiring

The Seongnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Gyeonggi Province (Chairman Jung Youngbae) announced on February 4 that it will operate the Ministry of Employment and Labor's "Youth Employment Leap Incentive Program" to support the creation of youth jobs.

2026 Youth Employment Leap Incentive Program information image. Provided by Seongnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Youth Employment Leap Incentive Program is a system that supports both employers and young workers, and is being promoted to encourage new hiring of young people and to promote employment stability. When hiring on a permanent basis, applications can be submitted within three months from the date of hiring, and corporate support funds are provided for up to one year from the date of hiring.

Eligible companies are priority support enterprises whose headquarters are located in Seongnam-si, Gwangju-si, Hanam-si, Icheon-si, Yeoju-si, or Yangpyeong-gun, and that have had an average of at least five employees insured under employment insurance over the past year. In addition, they must meet related requirements such as having a prescribed weekly working time of at least 28 hours and paying wages that are at or above the level set by the Minimum Wage Act.

Eligible participants (new permanent employees) are young people aged between 15 and 34 on the date of hiring, including those who have difficulty finding employment such as the unemployed for four months or longer, those with a high school diploma or less, and young people whose cumulative period of employment insurance coverage is less than one year after graduating from their last school.

This program is operated by distinguishing between the Seoul metropolitan area and non-metropolitan areas, and when applying by business unit, eligibility is determined based on the location of the headquarters workplace.

The support consists of providing an incentive of 7.2 million won for up to 12 months from the date of hiring for young people who are newly hired as permanent employees and whose employment is maintained for at least six months.

Companies wishing to participate in the 2026 Youth Employment Leap Incentive Program can inquire with the Department of Black Education, or, if they wish to apply online, they can access Employment 24, select "Seongnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry" as the operating organization, and then submit their application.