More S. Koreans working in agriculture, forestry, fishery sectors due to economic slump from pandemic

The number of agricultural, forestry, and fishery sector employees has totaled 1.45 million last year, up 50,000 from 2019’s pre-COVID-19 level, according to the state-run Korea Employment Information Service.

The monthly average for the January to October period, estimated at 1.47 million, was also 10,000 more from the same period last year.

The trend was attributed to the economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the report, the primary factor for the trend was that households that are engaged in agriculture while being employed in other industries shifted their concentration on agriculture due to the economic slump.

Those over 60 years old account for about 70 percent of those employed in the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sectors.