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Disheartened Graduate Faces Job Market Bias in South Korea

2/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Lee Hyun-jun, a 22-year-old college student from Gwangju, South Korea, says he is disheartened about job prospects after completing mandatory military service.
Online job applications prioritize graduates from Seoul's prestigious universities, known as "SKY".
He had hoped to succeed based on his skills and efforts, but now feels constrained by societal rankings tied to educational institutions.

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Story summary

Lee Hyun-jun, a 22-year-old college student from Gwangju, South Korea, says he is disheartened about job prospects after completing mandatory military service.
Online job applications prioritize graduates from Seoul's prestigious universities, known as "SKY".
He had hoped to succeed based on his skills and efforts, but now feels constrained by societal rankings tied to educational institutions.