Under the context of high uncertainty and insecurity in work and life across the world, the notion of
lifelong learning has become a large-scale of national and international policy and practice, which
conducts an essential role to the individual growth as well as the prosperity of the nation state.
Among the areas of education and learning, adult learning and education (ALE) has become a key
component of lifelong learning, which UNESCO has recently reconfirmed its importance with the
publication of the 3rd Global Report of Adult Learning and Education (GRALE III). The purpose of
this study was to analyze the multilateral level of discussions of ALE in GRALE III to investigate
the current state of Korean adult education with its five criteria - policy, governance, financing,
participation, and quality. The results of the investigation as follows: First, there has been a
significant progress in ALE policymaking; Second, governance has been more decentralized than
before and the stakeholders in diverse levels have been encouraged to cooperate; Third, ALE is still
seriously underfunded and sometimes misfunded; Fourth, participation in ALE increased overall while
it also could increase inequality; Fifth, more diverse data sets are needed to monitor the progress of
ALE.