Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
Remote work in South Korea - statistics & facts
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a fundamental transformation in the way South Koreans work. During the pandemic, many companies gradually introduced various forms of flexible work programs, such as working from home, remote work, and hybrid work models. The government further encouraged employers to allow their employees to work from home, in part through financial subsidies and incentives. This can be seen as a major shift in what is commonly perceived as a rigid Korean corporate culture. In fact, flexible work arrangements were introduced in South Korea as early as 1997 to reduce long working hours, but with little success. Just until recently, the number of South Korean employees working under flexible work arrangements was less than one million. By August 2021, this number had more than quadrupled.
