South Korea’s major companies increased their hiring of new employees in the first half of the year despite the coronavirus pandemic, reports The Korea Bizwire, citing data from CEO Score. According to CEO Score, 460 out of the country’s top 500 firms by sales had a combined workforce of 1,503,643 as of the end-June, up 13,667 from a year earlier. Their net employment increase came to 5,259 in the January-June period, which contrasts with a decrease of 3,930 a year earlier. CEO Score said those large companies increased their hiring in the first half due to improved performances and greater demand for working from home and online classes. Out of the 22 business sectors, 13 recorded on-year increases, with information technology, electric and electronics, and pharmaceutical sectors hiring more than two years earlier. In contrast, the auto and auto parts industries posted the largest net decline, with banking, insurance, communications and shipbuilding sectors also posting decreases.