Government officials said the shortfall is partly due to fewer people retiring than anticipated, affecting early hirings. Some suspect that state enterprises are reluctant about new employment, burdened by a policy push to turn their temporary workers into regular staff as the government seeks to improve job stability.

Officials, however, say the employment target will still be met since the recruiting season by public institutions is mostly concentrated in the fourth quarter.

"The initial goal can be reached as the Korea Electric Power Corp., National Health Insurance Service and other major state enterprises will carry out hirings," a Ministry of Strategy and Finance official said. (Yonhap)