Turnover rate at 0.8%, a quarter of the 3.3% average across all workplaces

S&I Corporation among 100 firms honored; 118 individuals recognized for contributions

Firms to get preferential loan rates, government procurement points and dedicated hiring channels on Employment24

[Courtesy of the Ministry of Employment and Labor]
[Courtesy of the Ministry of Employment and Labor]

Companies designated last year as South Korea's "Top Job-Creating Companies" saw their employment grow more than four times faster than the national average. Their turnover rates stood at just a quarter of those at ordinary workplaces, according to government data released Thursday.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor said it selected 100 top job-creating companies and honored 118 individuals for their contributions to job creation. The ceremonies — the "2026 Top Job-Creating Companies Certification Ceremony" and the "Government Awards Ceremony for Job Creation Support" — were held Thursday at Peace and Park Convention in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

The 100 companies selected this year posted an average employment growth rate of 10 percent last year. That is more than four times the 2.3 percent rate recorded across all workplaces with 20 or more employees. Their turnover rate came in at 0.8 percent, far below the 3.3 percent average for all workplaces.

By industry, manufacturing accounted for the largest share with 35 companies, followed by professional, scientific and technical services with 23 and information and communications with 13. Wholesale and retail accounted for 12, and business facility management for eight.

By company size, businesses with 20 to fewer than 300 employees made up the largest group at 48. This was followed by 29 companies with 300 to fewer than 1,000 employees and 23 companies with 1,000 or more employees.

S&I Corporation, named a top company for the third consecutive year, increased its workforce to 1,593.5 employees last year, up 269.1 employees, or 20.3 percent, from the previous year. The company rehired all employees who reached mandatory retirement age last year and improved safety management systems at about 250 worksites, recording zero serious accidents for four consecutive years.

BH EVS, selected for the second straight year, grew its workforce from 152.9 to 210.8 employees, a 37.8 percent increase. The company hires an average of nine new employees per month and operates a flexible working-hour system along with special summer vacation benefits.

Spacecraft manufacturer Innospace expanded its workforce from 171.6 to 250.8 employees, up 46.1 percent. As of the end of last year, employees aged 34 or younger accounted for 55 percent of its total staff. THN also grew its workforce by 25.9 percent over the past year. The number of workers aged 34 or younger rose from 227 at the end of 2023 to 308 at the end of last year.

Government awards for job creation support went to 118 people in total. Of these, 76 were in the job creation category, 34 in the youth job social contribution category and eight in the senior employment promotion category.

Kim Sung-yong, CEO of Jin Infra, received the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit for expanding hiring of young and skilled workers. The company's workforce grew from 286 employees at the end of 2023 to 404 at the end of last year, an increase of 118 employees, or 41.3 percent.

Kim Jun-seok, chairman of ADTechnology, received the Iron Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit. The company increased its number of young employees from 190 in 2023 to 299 last year, a 57.4 percent rise. Of the 89 new hires last year, 73, or 82 percent, were young workers.

Kim Tae-han, president of Kyongnam Bank, received the Stone Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit. He was recognized for making his bank the first regional bank to join the "Future, Tomorrow Work Experience" project. The bank has provided internship opportunities to 117 young people in the region from 2024 through this year.

Top job-creating companies receive benefits under 71 support programs, including preferential loan rates and credit ratings from financial institutions, extra points in government procurement and deferred tax investigations. They also receive priority support for funding to purchase industrial accident prevention facilities and equipment. The Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to open dedicated hiring channels for top companies on the Employment24 platform and on private recruitment platforms.

"The government will actively support companies so they can create more jobs and better workplaces," Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon said.


fact0514@heraldcorp.com