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First of Its Kind Among Local Governments! From Global Experience to Domestic Return Employment: “Busan Youth Global JOB Challenge Project”

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The Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced the launch of the “Busan Youth Global JOB Challenge Project,” a first-of-its-kind initiative among Korean local governments that connects globally experienced young professionals with local businesses, strengthening the regional economy while expanding employment opportunities for youth.

○ This project is the first local government initiative to establish a structured support system from overseas work experience to domestic return employment and regional settlement.

○ It aims to address the challenges faced by returnees — such as lack of information and job mismatches — while offering local companies access to globally minded talent, ultimately invigorating the Busan economy.

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The project offers:

• ●Matching opportunities between returnee youth and local companies to prevent career disruption

• ●Intern support funds for companies hiring returnees as full-time employees

• ●Customized training and onboarding education for young job seekers through the “Busan Youth JOB Growth Project”

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The project unfolds in three main phases:

① Identification of Returnee Youth with Overseas Work Experience
 - In cooperation with Busan Employment and Labor Office, HRD Korea, and the City’s Office of Education
 - Targeting participants of national and university-based overseas job training programs (e.g., WELL, K-Move, etc.)

② Matching Youth with Busan-Based Global Companies
 - Starting June 10, up to 50 companies headquartered in Busan will be recruited via www.busanjob.net
 - Selected companies that hire returnees as full-time employees will receive:
  • Intern support of KRW 1 million per person per month (up to 3 months)
  • Results to be individually notified following screening

③ Post-Hire Retention and Support
 - Connection to the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s “Youth Employment Leap Incentive Program”
 - Provision of onboarding training and mentoring programs for newly hired young employees

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Kim Gwi-ok, Director-General of the City’s Youth & Industrial-Academic Support Bureau, stated:
“We aim to serve as a bridge so that globally experienced youth can return to our region and enter employment without a career gap.”
She added, “The global mindset and practical skills they bring will become new growth engines for Busan’s economy, and we will continue to discover and promote policies that support their return and stable employment.”

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[Appendix] Project Overview

Project Name: 2025 Busan Youth Global JOB Challenge Project

Objective: To connect globally experienced youth with local companies that require talented professionals, thereby supporting regional settlement and mutual growth
  → Overseas Work Experience → Return & Job Matching → Regional Settlement

Target:

• ●50 youth participants with overseas work experience

• ●Busan-headquartered global companies

Structure:

• 1.Overseas Work Support
   • Pre-departure training (25 hours)
   • On-site work experience (2 months, KRW 3 million per person)
   • Job-readiness programs (Busan Youth JOB Growth Project)

• 2.Matching with Global Companies
   • Internship subsidy for companies hiring returnees
    – KRW 1 million per person/month, up to 3 months
    – Total budget: KRW 240 million (municipal funds)

• 3.Employment Retention
   • Youth Employment Leap Incentive (up to KRW 7.2 million per person/year)
   • Onboarding training and mentoring

Operating Agency: Busan Employers Federation
Company Eligibility: Small and mid-sized global businesses located in Busan
Recruitment Period: June 10 (Tue) 9:00 a.m. – June 27 (Fri) 6:00 p.m.
Application: Online submission via Busan Job Portal (www.busanjob.net)

Timeline:

• ●June 2025: Call for applications, document submission, and selection

• ●July–September 2025: Matching, internships, job transitions

• ●October–December 2025: Wage support, mentoring, follow-up monitoring

• ●February 2026: Final report and evaluation