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Resilience and volatility in lifelong learning participation: A crisis-response analysis of South Korea’s 18-year journey (2007-2024)

Sun Joo Yoo 1 2 *
1 Design for Learning Lab, SOUTH KOREA2 Kongju National University, SOUTH KOREA* Corresponding Author
Educational Point, 2(2), 2025, e130, https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17291
Publication date: Oct 16, 2025
Research Article
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ABSTRACT

This longitudinal study examines the volatility and crisis resilience of adult lifelong learning participation in South Korea over an 18-year period, elucidating complex dynamics that transcend simple linear growth patterns. Drawing on nationally representative data from the Korean Survey of Lifelong Learning Individual Participation (KEDI, 2007-2024) covering 99,327 adults, this study applied crisis-response analytical frameworks to elucidate participation fluctuations. Empirical analysis revealed significant volatility with participation rates fluctuating from 29.8% (2007) to 33.1% (2024), experiencing peaks of 41.7% (2019) and dramatic declines during the COVID-19 pandemic (40.0% to 28.5%, 2020-2022). While generational and regional disparities demonstrated convergence during stable periods, they exhibited expansion during crises, revealing differential vulnerability patterns. These findings challenge prevailing assumptions about linear progress in lifelong learning development and underscore the critical importance of building crisis-resilient adult education systems.

KEYWORDS

lifelong learning volatility crisis resilience adult education policy Korea participation fluctuations pandemic response

CITATION (APA)

Yoo, S. J. (2025). Resilience and volatility in lifelong learning participation: A crisis-response analysis of South Korea’s 18-year journey (2007-2024). Educational Point, 2(2), e130. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17291
Harvard
Yoo, S. J. (2025). Resilience and volatility in lifelong learning participation: A crisis-response analysis of South Korea’s 18-year journey (2007-2024). Educational Point, 2(2), e130. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17291
Vancouver
Yoo SJ. Resilience and volatility in lifelong learning participation: A crisis-response analysis of South Korea’s 18-year journey (2007-2024). Educational Point. 2025;2(2):e130. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17291
AMA
Yoo SJ. Resilience and volatility in lifelong learning participation: A crisis-response analysis of South Korea’s 18-year journey (2007-2024). Educational Point. 2025;2(2), e130. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17291
Chicago
Yoo, Sun Joo. "Resilience and volatility in lifelong learning participation: A crisis-response analysis of South Korea’s 18-year journey (2007-2024)". Educational Point 2025 2 no. 2 (2025): e130. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17291
MLA
Yoo, Sun Joo "Resilience and volatility in lifelong learning participation: A crisis-response analysis of South Korea’s 18-year journey (2007-2024)". Educational Point, vol. 2, no. 2, 2025, e130. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17291

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