Internal labor markets and the effects of structural change: Job mobility in Korean labor markets between 1998 and 2000

Female labour force participation and second birth rates in South Korea

“…Many life-long employment positions were converted into irregular ones. A lot of workers found themselves either in temporary jobs or unemployed (Kye 2008b). A sense of insecurity was felt in every corner of society.…”

The effects of English training abroad on labor market outcomes in Korea

“…These characteristics are most prevalent in the internal labor market, although the external labor market also exhibits these characteristics to some degree. For employees in the internal labor market, long-term employment guarantees job security and the seniority wage system results in considerably higher wages for longtime employees (Jung & Cheon, 2001a, 2004Kye, 2008). Furthermore, enterprise unionism ensures that those in the internal market have the bargaining power to adjust their wages, bonuses, pension benefits, and even key business decisions such as new employment decisions and layoffs (Rowley, Benson, & Warner, 2004;Hwang, 2003;Song, 1999).…”

Economic crisis and women’s labor force return after childbirth: Evidence from South Korea

“…Its economic achievement was globally recognized when Korea became a member of the OECD in 1996. During this boom period many large Korean companies developed their own internal labor market system that offered insiders considerable job stability and relatively high salaries (Kye 2008a). However, the Asian financial crisis in late 1997 brought uncertainty to this relatively stable situation.…”

“…The previous employment protection system was abolished. The labor market was overhauled and restructured and the system of internal labor markets weakened (Kye 2008a). To protect themselves many firms laid off workers and full-time employment positions were converted to part-time and temporary jobs.…”

“…A large number of workers found themselves either in temporary jobs or unemployed. Workers at large companies with an established internal labor market system were less likely to experience job turnover than workers from other companies (Kye 2008a). It was not until 2002 that the country regained its economic growth.…”