The Justice Ministry said Friday it has become the first central government agency to employ a minor on probation as a part-timer to encourage private firms to hire probationers and parolees to help their rehabilitation.

It will retain the minor for up to six months while helping him find a job. He will be paid some ¥100,000 per month if he works four days a week as an administrative assistant.

If he finds a job, the ministry will employ another minor on probation to replace him.

The ministry has called for local governments and companies to employ probationers and parolees in a bid to discourage recidivism. In 2012, 27.2 percent of those who re-offended were jobless, while those with work accounted for only 7.2 percent of recidivists.