The South Korean government’s forklift licence exam is becoming more popular amongst the nation’s over-50s, according to a Korea Herald report.

Citing the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, the report said more than 218,000 people in their 50s took government tests in 2023, accounting for 12.2% of all those taking the exams.

The biggest motivation for sitting the government exams was to further careers or start a new business.

"We wholeheartedly support those in their 50s gearing up for a second act by acquiring national technical qualifications," said Lee Woo-young, head of the Human Resources Development Service of Korea.

"We will continue to strive to operate qualification tests that are practical and relevant to workforce needs."

The most popular exam among people in their 50s in 2023 and 2022 was forklift licence.

In the three years prior, the most popular exam was the cooking certificate for Korean food.