this avenue runs north and

south of the south korean capital of seoul. near the center of the city where agencies and cooperations are found. it's a district called noryangin. it carries ooanother name, the district of job seekers. job hunters line the street of avenue. many of the schools prepare students necessary for becoming civil servants such as government officials or police officers. at 7:00 a.m., more than 10,000 job seekers arrive at the district. in 2018, there are between 20 and 200 applicants per job opening for civil servants. south koreans are seeking steady income. it's become common to spend three to four years studying g after cocollege.

>> the weak economy is creating tough job markett with the incoe gap fueling concerns about the

future. amid the prolonged difficulties for job seekers, some young people are trying to skucceed o their own by launching their own businesses or going overseas. this episodes follows young south koreans taking their first steps into society as they struggle to find their paths.

>> he graduated from university with a major in police administration. he's now 30 years old.

>> when he first took the exam the competition was 17 people for each job. last year there were 32 applicants for every opening. he's made it to the final interview twice but was rejected both times.

>> at schools for job hunting, the instructors doors are always open. they b believe emotional suppor is vital.

>> around 7:00 p.m. as classes at prep schools ends for the day, business picks up for street vendors. they offer simple meals for 3 u.s. dollars each. students eat quickly and return to school to study on their own. he used to order from these street vendors but stopped two years ago. he couldn't stand the fact every

year there were fewer familiar faces among the students. felt he was falling behind his peers. now when classes end, he goes straight home. his room is just 15 square meters. the cut down on living expenses, he shares this room with a friend he met at prep school.

>> he's facing his third attempt at the final interview. if he doesn't pass this time, only he can decide what to do. the issue of young south koreans difficulty landing jobs became prominent in 2014 when the unemployment rate for them reached 9%. the percentage has remained bleaeak without signsns of reco. kim kihum has studied job

hunting among young people in south korea.

>> in spring of 2016, asia insight reported on south korea as the youth unemployment rate hit the highest in history. we interviewed a man who quit job hunting to work part-time and another who attempted to switch jobs due to the intense workloads. we also spoke with a woman who worked to convey these voices to the government. now we'll take a look at their current situations. yeouido is the center of south korean politics and economics. he ran for parliament three years ago has been appointed party leader. however, not a single party member has been elected to serve in parliament.

>> he can't bring about change without parliamentary seats so she continues to seek her own way. leong acquired d a job but quit due to long hours. he was aimingg to find a new jo before he turned 30. he has since been em ploployed major pharmaceutical firm and now works as a sales rep.

>> kim quit her full time job at a trading company in april 2018. she's now searching for a new job. she graduated from a university specializing in forn languages three years ago. she first got a job at a translation company but quit after three months. she obtained certification while working as a contract employee and got a job at a trading company. at least now considering leaving south korea.

>> she feels reluctant to get rid of her books on job hunting.

>> her family consists of her parents and younger brother. although determined to work over

seas, she's avoided talking to her parents. she didn't want to hear their concerns or criticism of her dreams.

>> instead of add justing herself to an employer, she wants to be herself and test her own potential. with conventional firms unable tosoever the problem of joblessness among youth, the south korean government is taking measures to help young people launch their own firms. this facility launched in 2017

offers free work space. numerous events are held here. currently 170 cerertified start-ups use the space.

>> one group gathered $60,000 by winning numerous start-up events. the founder is a university student who, along with a friend, took a leave of absence from the prestigious university. he and his peers are developing and testing smartphone apps to help the physical lly challenge enjoy theater shows and concerts.

>> on this day, he decided to visit a theater within his alma mater's compounds. he had taken part in school theater where he had gotten ideas while performing.

the theater director had served as a great source of advice since he came up with the idea of launching a business. he came here because the app he developed is almost completed. this is famous stage in seoul where professionals also perform. the idea popped up when they talked about inviting physically challenged friends to their theater performances.

>> after he developed the theater app for the hearing impaired, one theater decided to employ it. it will be put to use in june. as south korea's job market continues to deteriorate, the economy shows no signs of improving. this spring, another group of new college graduates will join the job market. this young generation is now gathering its courage to build a future for itself.

>> u.s. airstrikes in syria and iraq. five sides targeted all belong to an iranian backed militia. that group blamed for attacks on iraqi rocky bases housing american forces. 200 people freed in a controversial prisoner swap between pro-russian separatists in ukraine. g