The government has decided to revise relevant regulations to allow the jobless to draw the full amount of unemployment allowances if they take jobs at understaffed small- and medium-sized firms.

Current regulations allow the unemployed to draw half of their unemployment allowances after getting new jobs.

The decision was made in a meeting to address unemployment issues, presided over by Vice Finance and Economy Minister Kim Jin-pyo. The participants also decided to seek revision of relevant laws to offer unemployment benefits to those who voluntarily left firms undergoing downsizing but have not found new positions.

The government decided to launch an overall inspection of 320 vocational training centers to learn whether they offer proper training programs.

The government will also revise regulations to provide up to 65 million won or 49,000 dollars to the unemployed to help them establish new businesses on their own. The loans could be renewed for up to six years.

Current regulations allow up to 50 million won or 37,800 dollars for loans which can be used for a maximum of three years.