By Jihye Lee

South Korea's biggest conglomerates disclosed large-scale hiring plans to bolster youth employment and expand in new business areas.

Samsung Group said Thursday that it plans to hire 60,000 people over the next five years, focusing on its semiconductor, biotechnology and artificial-intelligence businesses.

The company said it will add 12,000 workers annually as part of its push to "be at the forefront of fostering new businesses and creating jobs for the youth."

SK Group also announced plans to add 8,000 employees in 2025, on top of roughly 4,000 hired in the first half of the year. The conglomerate said the recruitment will prioritize AI, semiconductors and "digital transformation" businesses.

The group added that the plans will take place "despite changing environments with the introduction of AI, geopolitical uncertainties and rapidly shifting financial conditions," and said hiring young workers will strengthen South Korea's competitive edge in AI.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group said it is considering expanding its youth hiring initiatives. The automaker had originally planned to recruit 7,200 new employees this year, and will aim to increase that number to 10,000 next year.

Hiring will focus on new business areas, while its youth internship program will be doubled from 400 a year to around 800 in 2026, Hyundai said.

Steelmaker Posco echoed the initiatives, saying it plans to add 15,000 employees over the next five years.

The hiring plans come as South Korea's newly appointed president, Lee Jae-myung, faces pressure to tackle youth unemployment, a key issue in a country grappling with an aging population and low birthrate.

Shares of Samsung Electronics closed 2.9% higher. Affiliate Samsung C&T rose 1.9% and Samsung Biologics gained 0.9%. Hyundai Motor closed 1.2% higher.

Write to Jihye Lee at jihye.lee@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 18, 2025 06:24 ET (10:24 GMT)

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