earticle

영어

Lower birth rate and longer average life span are driving our country to so called-Aging Society-step by step. In particular, Korea also becomes a country at the rapidest speed of the world in aging. Aging society involves many social and economic problems. So it requires national-wide political countermeasures. However, we have actually insufficient social security system against this aging society and have lack of employment even for the aged. In addition, the aged of ours mostly have insufficient or even poor financial conditions. That is why the aged in low income class may critically result in one of social problems. Furthermore, the retirement of the aged employee from economic activities may lead to lower population participating into economic activities. In fact, they have remarkably contributed to the economic growth of Korea over last four decades. If the aged are not properly employed, welfare budget will increase along with lower general labor productivity than now so that national development will remain at standstill. Accordingly, we have to make proactive efforts to enhance the employment of the aged. Methodologically, it is required to approach the employment of the aged in the level of alternative policy for relieving national and social sustenance expenses and overcoming lack of labor manpower, beyond existing social benefit level. For these purports, this study focuses on outlining basic characteristics of labor market for the aged in Korea and examining legal and political challenges in terms of labor market for the aged.