Lifelong education achieves its goals when it improves people's quality of life and when it brings social cohesion and development. University continuing education (UCE) has contributed to the expansion of higher education opportunities in terms of its quantity. However, we have to look further than sheer volume of activity. Original ideals of lifelong education are declining these days due to changes in society and in learners, and because of the commercialisation of UCE. Furthermore, UCE has some problems in actualising lifelong learning society. This paper offers a critical overview of Korean university continuing education. To analyse this system, the characteristics of participants, factors that influence participation in UCE and their effects on learning given the current status of UCE in Korea are examined.