S Korea December jobless rate falls to 4-year low

SEOUL, Jan 10 (Reuters) South Korea's unemployment rate dropped to a four-year low of 3.3 per cent in December, data showed on Wednesday, providing relief over concerns about a slowdown in economic growth.

The December jobless rate compares with a November rate of 3.4 percent, which was a six-month low.

The number employed fell by 33,000 to a seasonally-adjusted 23.25 million in December, the National Statistical Office said.

South Korea's unemployment rate was 3.4 percent to 3.5 percent between November 2005 and November 2006.

The finance ministry said last week that around 300,000 new jobs would be created in 2007. The finance minister said his ministry would aim to help develop local service industries to create more high-quality jobs.

REUTERS AKJ KP1033