Labor Ministry-backed job fair opens public and private hiring to young adults with developmental disabilities

About 120 university students with developmental disabilities, young job seekers and their parents gathered at a recruitment briefing on Thursday that laid out hiring routes into public service and private companies, the labor ministry said.

The event, held at Nazareth University and organized with the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities, gave job seekers a direct look at hiring systems and job types across the public sector, public institutions and private companies.

Agency officials walked participants through the hiring procedures for civil service positions reserved for people with disabilities, followed by a talk session with a current public official with a developmental disability, who described preparing for the exam and daily life after being appointed. KOTRA presented its internship and regular hiring programs for people with disabilities, covering clerical and administrative roles and the selection process.

"It is important for university students and young job seekers with developmental disabilities to encounter not only recruitment information but also the work they will take on after joining and a range of employment cases, so they can choose a career that fits their strengths and aptitudes," said Ko In-cheol, head of the agency's employment consulting department. "We will continue to help them prepare for jobs in diverse fields through support that takes account of their characteristics and employment needs."

The private sector portion featured Ieum, a company that creates inclusive jobs together with Kia, which outlined plans to hire about 100 people into regular positions across three on-site areas: confectionery and cafe work, and facility management. Successful applicants will complete customized training through the agency and begin work in the first half of 2027.

Musinsa Retail Service described its Special Part-Timer program, a job category for people with disabilities, and how it has expanded employment across its offline stores nationwide. The company introduced store roles that include organizing clothing in warehouses and cleaning and tidying shops and storage areas, and shared the hiring procedure and practical advice on preparing to apply.