This study attempted to analyse the conditions and nature of adult learners' lifelong education participation in Korean society. The comprehensive data collecting design include perceptions, conditions of lifelong education participation and needs analysis. Furthermore, this study analysed the data set by specified criteria such as life-cycle, gender, level of schooling, level of income, and occupations. Data collection was conducted among 5 major cities: Seoul, Gwang-ju, Chun-chon, Chang-won, and Geum-san. Total number of survey samples were 3,050 according to population distributions. Results of this study indicated that the participants in lifelong education rely more on practical(economic) factors than personal preferences. Also, cost and time were the most important prohibiting factors while public support is considered inadequate. This study also showed that the characteristics and patterns of adult learners' participation for the lifelong education are diverse and various by the demographic variables of adult learners such as life-cycle, gender, level of schooling, level of income, and occupations. Information on lifelong education were generally disseminated by word of mouth which suggested the necessity for constructing a systematic information channels and networks regarding lifelong education. In conclusion, efforts to promote and enhance lifelong education in Korea needs to be based on the diversity and specific nature of adult learners' conditions and education needs.

Adult learner, lifelong education participation