Minimum-age and compulsory education laws have allowed South Korea to successfully integrate and mainstream national efforts to address the less deplorable, nonhazardous forms of child labor. Child labor is strictly monitored in order that children’s education and health are prioritized. The worst forms of labor, however, are usually illegal and invisible, making them harder to examine. Existing data is inadequate, making it difficult to discuss the level of child labor in South Korea before, during, and after industrialization. Images of children in mills and factories show that child labor did increase and become more exploitative during the initial stage of the country’s industrialization. Further back in history, child labor in South Korea remained invisible. This piece discusses what is known about the history of child labor in South Korea as well as child labor today and in the future. It is clear that South Korea is working to increase the costs and decrease the benefits of hiring child labor. Research on the matter is expanding.
