"Although we need 21 trillion won ($18.3 billion) annually to create (810,000 public jobs), we do not lack money," Moon said during a ceremony to launch the job creation committee on his campaign team.

"We have more than enough if we have the willingness to create jobs, and adjust priorities in our budget plans."

Moon claimed that South Korea is expected to face a sharp decline in the number of economically active population starting in 2020, which indicates that the unemployment issue can eventually be eased.

The presidential hopeful said the country can also create more jobs in the private sector by limiting work hours and inducing employers to instead hire more workers. (Yonhap)