S. Korea's jobless rate drops to 3.7 pct in July

SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's unemployment rate fell to the lowest
level in six months in July amid growing signs a protracted economic slump might
be nearing an end, a government report showed Wednesday.

The jobless rate stood at 3.7 percent last month, down from 3.9 percent the
previous month, according to the report by the National Statistical Office. It
was lower than a median forecast of 3.9 percent in a recent poll by Yonhap
Infomax, the financial news arm of Yonhap News Agency.
The economy, however, shed 76,000 jobs last month compared with a year earlier,
turning around from a year-on-year job growth in June -- the first gain in six
months -- by adding 4,000 positions, the report showed.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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