South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 2.6% in September 2026 from 2.7% in August, its lowest level since September 2024. The economy added 113,000 jobs during the month, extending gains for a fourth consecutive month and lifting total employment to 29.27 million, up from 29.15 million a year earlier. Job growth was driven primarily by health and social welfare services, which added 247,000 positions, followed by transportation and storage (+91,000) and financial and insurance activities (+81,000). In contrast, employment declined in accommodation and food services (-135,000), agriculture, forestry and fishing (-170,000), and education services (-42,000).