The rate of employment growth has dropped to a six-year low due in large part to the results of restructuring the struggling shipbuilding industry. 
 
The Ministry of Employment and Labor on Monday released a report on labor market trends in October, saying that the number of employees increased by two-point-four percent, or 292-thousand, to 12-point-65 million, compared to the same month last year. 

Despite a steady growth in the number of employees, the pace was the lowest since September 2010.
 
Concerns over the perils of the frigid job market are growing, as electronics and IT companies are cutting their hiring, following the steps of shipbuilders.
 
However, employment picked up in the air transportation, food and chemical industries, thanks to a jump in budget airline passengers and greater exports boosted by the Korean culture boom overseas.
 
A ministry official explained that the employment growth rate has been declining in the manufacturing industry due to layoffs by shipbuilders. However, the official assessed improvements in the air transportation, food and chemical industries as positive signs.