In Korea, asking job applicant’s personal information now illegal

SEOUL — From Wednesday, prospective employers cannot ask job seekers for information unrelated to the positions they are being hired for.

The Employment Ministry said Tuesday that a revised hiring law prohibits employers from collecting information irrelevant to job performance and engaging in behavior that may harm fairness in the recruitment process.

Asking about a job applicant’s weight, height, place of birth, marital status and assets is subject to a fine of up to 5 million won under the new law, unless it is relevant to the job. Personal information about the applicant’s family members, such as their level of education and occupation is also off-limits.

The revised law also imposes a fine of up to 30 million won for those who solicit or coerce hiring, or exchange money, gifts or services in the hiring process.