50-year Journey of Ergonomics in South Korea: Achievements and Prospects

The paper commemorates five decades of ergonomics in South Korea, examining its historical development, key accomplishments, and future directions. By analyzing 1,504 abstracts from the Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea (JESK) published between 1982 and 2024, the study applies BERTopic modeling to identify significant research trends. Key focus areas include physical and cognitive ergonomics, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, safety management, and human-computer interaction (HCI). The paper also reflects on major milestones, such as the 2024 international Ergonomics Association Congress Organized by ESK in Jeju, underscoring the growing global prominence of South Korea in ergonomics and human factors. The study concludes by discussing the evolving role of ergonomics in addressing emerging technological challenges, including artificial intelligence and human-centered design, providing a comprehensive reflection on the field's past and its future prospects.