In recent months, the number of self-employed workers in South Korea has decreased by over 200,000, dropping to 5.5 million. This represents a return to pre-pandemic levels and is lower than the figure recorded during the IMF financial crisis. Domestic demand stagnation, high inflation, and elevated interest rates are exacerbating difficulties for self-employed workers, and those who persevered after COVID-19 are increasingly closing their businesses. Experts emphasize that the downward trend in self-employed workers will continue and that job support policies for closing business owners are necessary.
