Recent data show Korean university students would rather find work in large conglomerates than the public sector.
According to a survey by the Korea Economic Research Institute on some 3,500 students, 23 percent said they want to work for a big company.
Twenty percent said they preferred public institutes, while 13 percent favored mid-sized firms.
In contrast, last year's survey showed state-owned enterprises being the most popular choice at 25 percent.
The institute attributes the change to private companies doing more to ensure workers have a better work-life balance, plus more pay.