South Korea sold its 69-hour working week idea as a family-friendly solution. But women say the culture is stacked against them

South Korea is experiencing a plummeting birth rate as families struggle with work-life balance and younger generations opt out. (ABC News: James Oaten)

South Korea is grappling with twin problems: its population is ageing rapidly, and workers are grinding themselves to the bone.

In the search for solutions, the government recently proposed extending the work week to create greater flexibility for families, but women say the move would only further entrench traditional gender roles.