NHRCK Concludes University-Only Youth Job Programs Are Discriminatory
Ex Officio Investigation Results in Recommendations to 19 Local Governments
On October 21, 2025, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK, Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho) issued recommendations to 19 local governments to take corrective measures following an ex officio investigation into youth employment programs.
The investigation, which examined 120 local government programs, found that limiting such programs only for university students constitutes discrimination against other young people.
Background of the Investigation
The NHRCK launched the ex officio investigation in response to complaints and media reports highlighting that numerous local governments were operating administrative internship and part-time job programs that systematically excluded young people who were not enrolled in university.
The Commission's Committee on Discrimination Remedy (Subcommittee Chair: Standing Commissioner Lee Sook-jin) determined on April 25, 2025, that such practices risk normalizing educational discrimination in public policy. The investigation was initiated pursuant to Article 30, Paragraph 3 of the NHRCK Act and covered 120 programs across local governments nationwide.
Understanding the Context
1. What are Youth Job Programs?
Local governments in Korea operate various employment initiatives for young people, including administrative internships, part time positions in government offices, and temporary work programs. These programs aim to provide work experience, help young people understand how public sector is operated, and offer financial support.
2. Ex Officio Investigation
This refers to investigations initiated by the NHRCK on its own authority, rather than in response to individual complaints. The Commission can launch such investigations when it identifies patterns of potential discrimination affecting multiple people.
Investigation Findings
The NHRCK's investigation of 120 local government youth employment programs revealed the following:
a. 10 local governments had never operated university only programs or were not currently doing so. 24 local governments had previously operated programs exclusively for university students but discontinued them before May 2025, prior to receiving notification of the NHRCK's investigation, through ordinance amendments or program plan revisions.
b. 39 local governments had operated university-only programs in the past but amended their ordinances or revised internal plans during the investigation process after May 2025. These governments have either expanded eligibility to all young people or are in the process of doing so.
c. 28 local governments operated university student programs alongside general youth programs (ages 18-45). These governments provided employment opportunities through various approaches: operating separate programs for different groups, applying different recruitment methods within a single program based on university enrollment status, or prioritizing young people for specific roles within programs open to all residents. However, the university-focused programs showed no significant differences from other youth employment programs in terms of wage levels, work locations, or job duties, except for being limited to school vacation periods.
d. 19 local governments continue to operate youth employment programs exclusively for university students. These governments maintained their current approach, stating that expanding eligibility would not align with the programs' original purpose and objectives.
NHRCK's Determination of Discrimination
The Committee on Discrimination determined that operating programs exclusively for university students constitutes discrimination against other young people for the following reasons:
a. The programs' stated objectives apply broadly to all young people, not just university students.
b. The purposes of local government youth employment programs,including administrative participation, understanding public sector work, gaining social experience, and receiving financial support,represent opportunities commonly needed by young people in general, not exclusively by university students. The primary duties involved (organizing documents, providing assistance, etc.) do not require university education as a prerequisite.
c. While administrative intern and similar youth employment programs initially emerged during economic crises to address unemployment among university graduates, they have since evolved to align with their fundamental purpose of addressing "youth unemployment" without educational limitations. Additionally, the Korean government has been implementing policies to foster diverse talent based on career paths and aptitudes, including expanding recruitment of high school graduates in the public sector.
NHRCK Recommendations
The NHRCK has recommended that the 19 local governments still operating youth employment programs only for university students develop plans to expand program eligibility.
