Program covers dangers of debt-fueled investing and youth-targeted fraud

Practical topics include apartment subscriptions and year-end tax filing

Applications accepted through university job support centers

A university campus. The image is not directly related to this article. [Yonhap]
A university campus. The image is not directly related to this article. [Yonhap]

The Financial Supervisory Service is launching a financial education initiative to help job seekers build asset management skills and protect themselves from virtual asset investment fraud and high-paying overseas employment scams.

The FSS announced Tuesday it will run its "2026 Youth Financial Lecture Series" targeting university students nearing graduation and those preparing to enter the workforce. The program is designed to help young people on the cusp of working life learn basic asset management and get their finances off to a stable start.

The initiative comes as growing interest in stock investment among university students has raised concerns about debt-fueled investing and get-rich-quick thinking. A rise in virtual asset-linked investment fraud and high-paying overseas job scams targeting young people also prompted the effort.

The curriculum centers on financial basics for those entering the workforce for the first time, covering how to build seed money, sound investment practices, and managing spending, debt and credit.

Sessions will examine the pitfalls of excessive leveraged investing and walk participants through real cases of investment fraud — including schemes that promise high returns or involve impersonators posing as employees of virtual asset exchanges or foundations — along with prevention tips. The program also addresses illegal schemes targeting young people, such as proxy deposit fraud and high-paying overseas employment scams, and explains how to respond.

The series also covers practical financial knowledge for those starting out in working life. It guides participants on managing finances early in a career and saving for housing costs, and introduces essential financial products such as the housing subscription savings account. It also explains how to calculate comprehensive income tax, complete year-end tax settlements and make the most of available deductions.

Universities may choose from in-person lectures, instructional videos or printed materials. In-person sessions run from Nov. 2 through Dec. 18, with FSS financial education professors visiting each campus to deliver two-hour lectures.

The video component consists of four short animated episodes — each running about five minutes — covering spending management, lump-sum savings, risk management and fraud prevention. A companion textbook covering topics such as building and using savings, taking out insurance, managing debt and credit, and avoiding financial fraud is also available.

Universities wishing to offer the lectures may apply through the FSS e-Financial Education Center website by Oct. 19. Students nearing graduation and those preparing for employment can sign up for sessions offered at university job-plus centers nationwide. The centers, which support young people with career planning, job hunting and entrepreneurship, operate at 121 universities across the country.


forest@heraldcorp.com