South Korea’s employment data show women in their late 30s reaching a 71% employment rate last year, above the 70% rate for men in their late 20s for the first time since records began in 2000. The broader employment rate for women in their 30s reached 74% from January to August this year, reflecting more mothers remaining in or returning to work, wider parental-leave use, shared childcare, and rising non-marriage and later-marriage trends. At the same time, younger men face prolonged weakness in manufacturing, construction, petrochemicals, shipbuilding, shipping and other male-heavy industries, as well as reduced graduate hiring and employer preference for experienced workers. The report warns that persistent difficulties for men in their late 20s could worsen low birth rates, reduce the skilled-worker supply and weaken productivity.