Group 1 - South Korea's fertility rate has dropped to a record low of 0.72 in 2023, the lowest globally and less than half of the OECD average of 1.6 [1] - The aging population in South Korea is increasing at a faster rate than any other developed country, with the proportion of people aged 65 and older expected to exceed 40% by 2050, up from 17.9% in 2023 [1] - The elderly dependency ratio is projected to rise from 28% in 2023 to 44% by 2050, and could reach 117% by 2082, making it the highest among OECD countries [1] Group 2 - South Korea has the highest elderly poverty rate in the OECD, with 40% of older adults living below the poverty line, attributed to a weak national pension system [2] - Only 37% of South Koreans aged 55 to 64 are still employed, with many exiting the labor market prematurely, averaging retirement at 49.4 years old [2] - Companies in South Korea often prefer to lay off older employees due to the financial burden of higher salaries for long-tenured workers, leading to subtle layoffs [2] Group 3 - Japan has implemented various policies to encourage continued employment, including raising the mandatory retirement age and providing employment options for older workers [3] - By 2023, Japan's employment rate for those in their 60s reached 63% due to these reforms [3] - Despite awareness of the need for labor market reforms in South Korea, achieving such changes is challenging and requires a consistent reform approach [3]