Seoul — South Korea is at a demographic tipping point that’s making it even more important to address the gender inequality that’s discouraging millions of women from working. With the nation’s workforce projected to begin a steady decline after peaking in 2017, the gap between the labour force participation rate for women (53.1%) and men (74.5%), looks like a critical weak point for the economy. Newly elected president Moon Jae-in acknowledged the issue when he urged parliament to approve his plan for an extra budget that includes training for women returning to work after maternity leave, and funding to help women with start-up companies. "The discontinuity in women’s careers is a loss for the nation," he told members of parliament on June 12. The drop in women’s participation is severe for those in their thirties as they marry and have children. "There are some real difficulties," said Chung Hyun-back, who is Moon’s pick as gender equality minister. The problem for women "comes f...
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