Military Service Members Job Fair opens in Ilsan.

Over 15,000 service members and 160 companies participate.

AI Experience Center and Short-Term Officer Matching Hall introduced for the first time.

Service members explore post-service employment opportunities during the opening of the 2026 Military Service Members Job Fair at KINTEX in Goyang on April 28.

The 2026 Military Service Members Job Fair, showcasing the potential and future value of young service members, opened on April 28 in Hall 7 at KINTEX in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The job fair, held annually since 1998, runs through April 29 to support service members seeking employment. The event has established itself as a platform where service members access company information and recruitment opportunities, while employers assess their potential and job fit.

This year, under the theme “Special Mission! Catch Jobs for Tomorrow,” Over 15,000 service members and 160 companies and public institutions are participating. A total of 26 entities, including government and private organizations, provided sponsorship and support to help service members transition successfully into civilian society.

The opening ceremony was hosted by the Director of the Office of Personnel and Welfare at the Ministry of National Defense. Service member representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps also attended, underscoring the significance of supporting service members’ employment.

This year, reflecting the rapidly evolving recruitment landscape, an “AI Experience Center” is being introduced for the first time. At the AI Experience Center, service members can simulate real-world job interviews, build job readiness, and receive objective feedback on their strengths and aptitudes.

A Short-term Officer On-site Matching Hall has also been newly introduced to support the employment of short-term officers. With HR officers from six companies highly interested in hiring military officers conducting on-site interviews and recruitment counseling, the Ministry of National Defense expects participants to experience real hiring processes and gain opportunities to demonstrate their leadership and practical capabilities.

The fair also offers tailored programs addressing employment-related inquiries from service members nearing discharge. At two seminar halls, HR managers and successfully employed veterans provide guidance on post-discharge career planning and job-specific strategies, helping service members address practical employment concerns.

At the Mentoring Hall, current and former employees from companies and public institutions provide counseling on recent recruitment trends and role-specific core competencies based on their professional experience. At the one-on-one consulting hall, professional counselors help service members design career paths tailored to their individual circumstances.

The Ministry of National Defense operates the Military Service Members Job Fair website (https://motijobfair.com) to establish the event as a sustainable platform for employment opportunities, rather than a one-time event.

The website offers employment support services, including job postings, online career counseling, AI-based mock interviews, resume consulting, and company matching.

Kim Seong-jun, Director of the Office of Personnel and Welfare at the Ministry of National Defense, said, “This job fair was prepared in the belief that military service for service members who have dedicated themselves to the nation is not a pause in one's career, but a period of preparation for a confident transition into civilian society. The event provides companies with an opportunity to recognize the limitless potential and future value of service members, while offering participants a stepping stone to a new leap forward, built on the courage, responsibility, and leadership they have developed during their service.”

By Chae-Mu, Im <lims86@dema.mil.kr >

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