The number of temporary workers in South Korea rose 7.5% year over year to nearly 4.9 million in September, according to data released by Statistics Korea. The number of temporary workers had risen by 6.9% year over year in August. The data is not seasonally adjusted.

Looking at total employment of all types, the number of employed persons in South Korea was up 2.5% year over year. Xinhua reported the growth was at the fastest rate in 7.5 years.

Industries with the largest increases in employment year over year in September included “electricity, transport, communication and finance” which saw employment rise by 8.3%. It was followed by “business, personal, public service and others” with a year-over-year increase of 4.3%.

South Korea’s unemployment rate rose to 2.7% in September from 2.6% in August on a seasonally adjusted basis.