LSN News › Vietnam

Business · Vietnam Bureau

Centenarian South Korean insurance agent still works daily after 43 years

A 100-year-old woman in South Korea continues her daily commute to the office to sell insurance policies, defying typical retirement expectations. Her decades-long career with the same company has made her a notable example of longevity and sustained workplace engagement in the nation.

LSN Vietnam · 27 September 2026

Centenarian South Korean insurance agent still works daily after 43 years

The insurance agent, who reached her centennial milestone, maintains a regular work schedule at her branch office in South Korea, where she signs new contracts with clients. Her four-decade tenure with the insurance company began when she was 57 years old, an age when many workers begin considering retirement.

Despite her advanced age, she continues to report to work and actively engage in client relations, demonstrating consistent productivity in her role. Her daily presence at the office has drawn attention as an unusual case of extended workforce participation in South Korea, where demographic challenges including rapid aging have become increasingly prominent.

The centenarian's sustained career reflects both personal determination and evolving attitudes toward work and longevity in South Korean society. Her example raises questions about retirement age standards and the potential for continued employment among older adults who maintain physical and mental capability.

South Korea faces significant demographic shifts, with the nation's elderly population expanding while the working-age population shrinks. Stories of active seniors remaining in the workforce contribute to broader discussions about extending productive years and redefining traditional retirement timelines in the country.