Status quo of gender equality in South Korea
South Korean society is trying to promote women's rights, but the gap between men and women is still large. In particular, employment rates for men and women across age groups show significant differences. While the male employment rate remains relatively stable from 30 until retirement age, the female employment rate peaks in the late twenties and declines significantly until age 40. This can be explained by the fact that around 1.4 million women annually leave their jobs after marriage because of parenting and housework. These career breaks for women are perceived as a main factor for the gender pay gap.
Nevertheless, women are increasingly engaged in leadership or decision-making positions in society. Around 22 percent of women were in managerial positions, while 36.8 percent were company CEOs. In the South Korean government, about 19 percent of women were elected to the National Assembly in 2022, which has shown a slow but steady increase in women’s representation.
How do South Koreans see the future of gender equality in their society?
According to one survey, only a minority of respondents are optimistic that gender inequality will improve soon. During the process of rapid modernization, South Korea has suffered a conflict between traditional and modern values. Many Koreans still believe that men should be primarily responsible for raising the family or that women should take care of the children even if they work. In addition, the #MeToo movement and the novel ' Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982' reignited the issue of gender equality and sparked widespread discussion.
Nevertheless, South Korea is approaching a gender-equal society. The government strengthened parental leave laws in order to reduce career interruptions for women and put in efforts to increase re-employment opportunities. Furthermore, there is a growing awareness that men should actively participate in housework as well, and the actual number of men taking parental leave to take part in parenting has also increased significantly. It is expected that gender inequality will gradually decrease as equal opportunities for education and social advancement become the norm among younger generations.
