This study aims to analyze the characteristics, causes, and context of youth unemployment.This study will focus, in particular, on why youth unemployment needs more attentionthan in any other age group. The young are relatively disadvantaged compared to the middle-aged who enjoy first mover advantage. This is why the segmentation accordingto age group in labor markets is considered a primary issue in social policies, includinglabor market policy. Based on these arguments, this study discusses two major issues. First,based on theoretical discussions regarding labor markets and unemployment, this study will look at some general ideas and particulars that the young unemployed have. Youth unemployment has both ‘general characteristics’, as a sub category to unemployment and‘demographical particularities’ as unemployment issues particular to certain age groups. Second, this study will examine where unemployment among the young in South Koreastands by looking at the current status and structure of the youth labor market in SouthKorea. By doing so, this study will discuss what youth unemployment policies should bepursued both politically and economically, in order to address these issues.

FOREWORD
 LABOR MARKET, UNEMPLOYMENT AND YOUTHUNEMPLOYMENT: THEORETICAL DISCUSSION
  Theories of Labor Market
  Comprehensive Understanding of Unemployment
  Characteristics of Unemployment among the Young
 YOUTH LABOR MARKET IN SOUTH KOREA:PRESENT SITUATION
  Youth Unemployment in South Korea: Present Conditions
  Youth Unemployment in South Korea: Causes
  Youth Unemployment in South Korea: Current Situation and Issues
 IN PLACE OF CONCLUSION: POLITICAL ECONOMY OFYOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT POLICIES
 

• Bo-young PARK(Associate Professor at the Department of Social Welfare, Far East University, Eumseon)