Ajumma — Engine for Korea’s Social Progress
By Bernard Rowan
Contributing Writer
I would argue that the horizon of a society is charted by the growth of its efforts to empower those who are its foundation. The ajumma of Korea fit this speculation. They have shown their power in helping to make Korea what it is today.
They are part of the foundation of Korea's industrialization and advanced technological and knowledge economy ― as mothers, wives, and workers. We should make sure that the ajumma of today and tomorrow can extend further the path of Korean progress, as an example for the world. Let us think about the lives of Korea's ajumma.
Ajumma account for nearly half of all Korean workers. They tend to work in part-time, daily, temporary, or seasonal occupations. They do so to support their families, today in greater numbers than ever. More of them work longer, in particular those who are heads of household, often for 40 or more hours per week.
The wages for Korean women may be over one-third less than wages for men, and too many of the ajumma work without healthcare, pension, or unemployment benefits, but this
Feb 19, 2010
