South Korean programs offer job training and support for business restarts

South Korea is offering support for young people seeking work and small-business owners trying to start again after closing a business.

This year, 53 companies are running 72 job-training academies in fields including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, finance and biotechnology.

Companies help design and deliver the training, which teaches practical skills for jobs they need to fill.

The labor ministry plans to expand the program from 8,200 unemployed young people this year to 50,000 next year.

A separate program offers former small-business owners advice, mentoring and up to 20 million won in government funding to restart.

One restaurant owner who received mentoring said monthly sales rose from about 23 million won to 28 million won within two months of opening.

The programs and other employment services will be introduced at a job fair in Seoul on Oct.

14 and 15.