PHOTOS: Exam-takers' mecca in Seoul faces decline amid shifting career prospects
By Park Jong-hyeokPosted : July 12, 2024, 17:53Updated : July 12, 2024, 17:53
SEOUL, July 12 (AJU PRESS) - Seoul's Noryangjin Goshichon area, long known as a mecca for test-takers, is facing an unprecedented downturn as interest in civil service careers wanes.
The neighborhood, once bustling with aspiring civil servants from across the country, now struggles with declining enrollment in its numerous academies.
This year, competition for government positions hit an all-time low, reflecting a shift in job seekers' preferences away from public sector careers.
The trend has significantly impacted Noryangjin's local economy, with the district dotted with vacant building spaces.
A food street in Noryangjin, Seoul, remains quiet during lunchtime on July 12, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
Shuttered food stalls line the once-bustling food street in Noryangjin, Seoul, on July 12, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
A building in Noryangjin, Seoul, displays a large "For Rent" banner on July 12, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
An electronic billboard on a building in Noryangjin, Seoul, displays advertisements for available rental spaces on July 12, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
A typical multi-story building in Noryangjin, Seoul, photographed on July 12, 2024. The structure's layout, featuring floors dedicated to academies and small eateries, reflects the traditional setup of this exam preparation hub, now grappling with economic challenges. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
A placard hangs on a studio apartment building undergoing demolition in Noryangjin, Seoul, on July 12, 2024. The sign reflects ongoing conflicts between residents and district officials over urban renewal plans in the neighborhood. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok
A photo of a street in Noryangjin, Seoul, on July 12, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok