Abstract
A falling fertility rate, increasing longevity, government “social investment” strategies to achieve the transformation from industrial to post-industrial economy, and increased state support to help women balance family and work responsibilities – all these influences have produced mixed results for the poorly paid female care workers in low-status jobs in the Republic of Korea. The author summarizes policy changes and reports on interviews with childcare and elder-care workers, policy experts and researchers, showing that though increased regulation and expansion of public childcare have led to some improvements, the deregulation and marketization of eldercare have resulted in worsening conditions for elder-care workers.