Women’s labour market transitions during COVID-19: division of gender roles and the gendered labour market in South Korea (2018–2020)

ABSTRACT This study takes a closer look at the reasons behind women’s exit and entry from the labour market before and after the impact of Covid-19 (2018–2020) in South Korea. By running a random effects probit regression on KLoWF panel data, we find that the pandemic crisis put at risk the employment levels of the less skilled, but we also notice considerable employment resilience. Ultimately, women’s labour market transitions during the Covid-19 pandemic highly depend on women’s understanding of their contribution in the public and private spheres and work-family arrangements.