Story perspectives
South Koreans Flock to Japan for Jobs and Love
12/17/2025
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Story summary
- South Korean men are increasingly seeking employment and marriage opportunities in Japan.
- Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare shows South Koreans working in Japan rose from about 69,000 in 2020 to 75,000 in 2024.
- The rise reflects South Korea's challenging job market and high marriage expectations.
- Choi Geon-woo, a 34-year-old hotel-management graduate, described the South Korean job search as punishing and now works in real estate in Japan.
