South Korea has entered a super-aged society, with more than 20 percent of its population aged 65 or older, marking a structural shift that extends beyond demographics and into the foundations of the economy and legal system. As life expectancy continues to lengthen toward what is often described as the “140-year life era,” traditional assumptions about population, wealth accumulation, and social participation are increasingly being challenged. This demographic transition calls for a reexamination of how law engages with long-term social change, rather than addressing issues only after risks and conflicts have already materialized.

Shinyoung Choi, Partner at Cha & Kwon Law Offices, emphasizes that the role of law must evolve from reactive regulation to forward-looking institutional design. According to Choi, the legal system should not merely respond to problems arising from aging but should proactively establish rules that support a stable, technology-driven future. In particular, she highlights the importance of enabling asset liquidity and capital circulation so that accumulated wealth can remain active and productive throughout longer lifespans, rather than becoming locked within rigid structures ill-suited to a super-aged society.

Choi further stresses that meaningful adaptation to demographic change requires a fundamental shift in employment systems. Age-based frameworks, she notes, are no longer compatible with extended life expectancy and changing economic realities. Instead, employment must transition toward role- and capability-based systems that allow individuals to participate productively across different stages of life. Such a transformation, she argues, is not merely a labor policy issue but a legal one, requiring deliberate rule-making that aligns population structure, wealth flow, and technological development into a coherent and sustainable social framework. (법률신문 2026. 01. 14.) 

URL : 140세 시대, 인구와 부, 인구와 법