Unveiling the Influences on the Gender Pay Gap

South Korea has made tremendous progress towards having a more gender-equal society since joining the OECD. Nevertheless, the nation still struggles with having the greatest gender wage disparity among developed nations.

Why is this taking place when Korean women have advanced so much in recent years?

The gender wage gap problem in South Korea is examined in this article through a feminist perspective, revealing the causes of gender disparity and analysing the impact of patriarchal traditions, societal standards, and other difficulties that working Korean women must deal with. It also draws attention to recent initiatives and regulations designed to close the gender wage gap and the increase of anti-feminist sentiments among young men. But first, we need to start from the beginning.

How does the OECD define the Gender Pay Gap?

The OECD clarified the gender wage gap as the difference between the median earnings of men and women relative to the median earnings of men. It added their data referred to full-time employees and self-employed people.

According to data from the OECD, South Korea has made some strides in reducing the gender pay gap, although substantial disparities still persist. The gender pay gap in the country decreased from 36.7% in 2016 to 31.24% in 2022, indicating gradual improvement. However, it remains higher than the average gender pay gap observed in the European Union (EU) or OECD countries. In 2020, the average gender pay gap among OECD nations was 12.0%, underscoring the significant discrepancy in South Korea and emphasizing the necessity for targeted measures to address and narrow this gap.

Both South Korea and Germany have taken steps to tackle gender inequality, although they encounter distinct challenges in their respective efforts. In Germany, the gender pay gap has shown a decline, reducing from 15.8% in 2016 to 13.66% in 2021 (the percentage for 2022 is pending release by the OECD). This indicates a comparatively lower pay gap when compared to South Korea.

Germany has advanced this cause by putting in place a number of policies, such as laws promoting gender equality and pay transparency. However, South Korea also implemented some policy changes that aided in the transition to a more gender-equal society, one of which was parental leave reform.

Parental leave time

Parental leave plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality and addressing the unequal distribution of care work in South Korea. It provides an opportunity for both parents to participate in childcare responsibilities and supports women’s labor force participation, contributing to their economic empowerment.

Yet, due to patriarchal traditions, women are still expected to take full responsibility as mothers and housewives to take care of their children, which is also referred to as “motherhood penalty”.

For instance, in society, a woman's role as a “good mother” is often associated with devoting her entire life to raising her children. Conversely, a working woman who cannot be with her kids all the time may not align with the traditional definition of a “good mother” as perceived by society.

Some traditional people even seek daughters-in-law who are prepared to completely give up their occupations and become housewives, which is a very prevalent social phenomenon. Therefore, it is clear that women face social pressure while deciding whether to stay in or leave their careers.

Family expectations of women in the positions of mothers and housewives have an impact on parenting, and patriarchal culture shapes these expectations.

Despite South Korea's historical resistance to change regarding parental leave time, recent data indicates a positive improvement in this area.

Nevertheless, women still tend to invest more time in household responsibilities in their own families, which are typically undervalued and overlooked in economic terms, leading to disparities in pay and gender inequality.

Unpaid Work Time

According to the OECD, women in South Korea bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid work.

The significance of unpaid work time extends beyond individual households and has broader societal implications. The unequal distribution of unpaid work perpetuates gender inequality by reinforcing the notion that caregiving and domestic responsibilities are primarily women's responsibilities.

Women's opportunities to pursue their professional objectives are constrained by the widespread belief that they should prioritize taking care of their families. Additionally, both married and single people earn significantly different amounts depending on whether or not they have children. Because they work fewer hours, married women who frequently stay at home to care for their children are paid even less than before. The majority of a woman's human capital is determined by her marital status and her role in the home; yet, these cultural conventions impede progress towards gender equality and contribute to the gender pay gap.

Moreover, unpaid work time is often invisible in economic measurements and policies, leading to an underestimation of women's contributions to the economy. Despite that, South Korea’s current president Yoon Suk-Yeol and his campaign relied heavily on the exploitation of an anxious youth male demographic, blaming women for societal issues like slow economic growth.

Corporate Culture in South Korea

For a long time, men have ruled the South Korean corporate sector. The leading businesses in South Korea, such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai, which are run by the so-called „chaebol families,“ are responsible for the majority of the country's economic output, yet they haven't yet done much to promote workplace diversity.

In fact, these conglomerates prefer to hire men because women are at “risk” of getting pregnant, since it’s very rare for women to come back to work after maternity leave. Oftentimes, they re-enter the job market in an underemployment status (for example, as non-regular employees) due to the suspension of their careers for years.

Less than 1000 women held senior executive positions in Korea's 500 largest corporations, according to a research by the Gender Ministry that examined the data. Many of the female executives in these significant Korean corporations are related to the families that hold the majority of the stock. This demonstrates that it is very difficult for a woman without family connections to advance in the business sector and become an executive, which contributes to the severe under-representation of women in the corporate world.

And even if a female makes it to an executive position, they will still earn less money than their male counterparts, as the following visualization shows.

How is the Korean government responding to the gender pay gap?

Political resentment and the climax of misogyny in the 2022 election led to Yoon Suk-Yeol's (a member of the People Power Party) political ascension in spite of incremental advances over the previous few years.

During his campaign, President Yoon Suk-Yeol's focus appeared to be on addressing the concerns of frustrated men in their 20s who were facing challenges in securing stable employment and affordable housing. Some young men saw themselves as victims of what they termed „reverse sexism“ and attributed societal issues like a low birth rate, economic growth, and meritocracy to women, which sparked tensions.

In response to these sentiments, President Yoon Suk-Yeol proposed abolishing the National Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, asserting that structural sexism was no longer a prevailing concern.

Additionally, some conservative anti-feminists supported this move and expressed the view that women's involvement in feminist movements, such as #MeToo, as well as preferential treatment through women's universities and gender-based job quotas, had disrupted the meritocratic system.

It's essential to recognize that some men perceive women as posing greater threats to economic mobility and societal welfare. However, it is important to take a broader perspective and acknowledge that the wealthiest and most powerful elites in Korea can also contribute to economic stagnation by dominating the market, leading to challenges such as income inequality, youth unemployment, and political corruption. Holding all accountable, regardless of gender, for their actions can be a more comprehensive approach to address these issues effectively.

What is the solution to South Korea’s Gender Pay Gap?

In order to address and resolve this issue, it’s essential to fully acknowledge its complexity.

Not only is misogyny pervasive as a tactic of political populism, but it also violently manifests itself in daily life.

The increasing polarization of gender roles in South Korea, which some attribute to President Yoon and the country's political establishments, is a matter of concern. In response, women have been asserting themselves. After the #MeToo movement in 2018, some women decided to prioritize their careers over starting families, leading to South Korea's fertility rate dropping to 0.78 in 2022, the lowest in the world. To address the declining birth rate, it is essential for South Korea to tackle its gender equality challenges effectively.

South Korea requires significant structural reforms, including updated and comprehensive equal pay legislation, to effectively address the gender pay gap. These reforms should aim not only to eliminate discriminatory practices against women but also provide additional benefits and support to women who balance work and childcare responsibilities. Additionally, it is crucial for Korean society to confront and overcome cultural biases that undervalue women's work and confine them to specific gender roles.

To ensure equal opportunities for women's development, it is imperative to dismantle patriarchal structures that systematically disadvantage them in Korean society. By taking these actions, South Korea can foster a more inclusive and equitable environment where women have the same opportunities as men to flourish and contribute to society.

Reflexion

Deutsche Version

Ich hatte mich zunächst durch den Roman “Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982”, der sich mit Misogynie und institutioneller Unterdrückung von Frauen in Südkorea befasst, inspirieren lassen, diesen Artikel über den Gender Pay Gap in Südkorea zu verfassen, da dieses Thema von großer gesellschaftlicher Bedeutung ist und in den letzten Jahren vermehrt öffentliche Aufmerksamkeit erhalten hat.

Mein Ziel war es, die patriarchalischen Wurzeln dieser Ungleichheit aufzuzeigen und einige zugrundeliegenden Faktoren zu beleuchten, die dazu führen, dass Frauen in Südkorea im Durchschnitt weniger verdienen als Männer. Außerdem soll der Artikel nicht nur informierend sein, sondern auch Diskussionen über das Thema anregen.

Ich habe mich ebenso dafür entschieden, den Artikel über den Gender Pay Gap in Südkorea auf Englisch zu verfassen, um eine breitere Leserschaft zu erreichen und das Thema international zugänglich zu machen.

Darüber hinaus ermöglichte mir die Verwendung von Englisch, auf eine Vielzahl von Ressourcen zuzugreifen und eine breitere Palette von Quellen für meine Recherche zu nutzen. Viele wissenschaftliche Artikel, Statistiken und Berichte zu diesem Thema sind auf Englisch verfasst, was mir eine fundiertere und umfassendere Darstellung des Gender Pay Gap in Südkorea ermöglichte.

Wie bin ich vorgegangen?

Meine Recherche begann mit einer umfassenden Untersuchung von verlässlichen Quellen, um aktuelle Statistiken und Daten über den Gender Pay Gap in Südkorea zu finden.

Dabei stützte ich mich hauptsächlich auf Daten von der Organisation für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (OECD), da sie bekanntermaßen zuverlässige und vergleichbare Informationen liefert. Ich analysierte auch Daten von anderen seriösen Quellen wie Statista, um das Thema aus verschiedenen Perspektiven zu betrachten. Um das Bild vollständig zu erfassen, recherchierte ich ebenfalls gründlich die gesellschaftlichen und kulturellen Faktoren, die zum Gender Pay Gap in Südkorea beitragen könnten. Dazu las ich wissenschaftliche Studien und Artikel, um eine fundierte Basis für meinen Artikel zu schaffen.

Nachdem ich alle relevanten Daten zum Gender Pay Gap in Südkorea zusammengetragen hatte, versuchte ich einen strukturierten Aufbau für meinen Artikel zu erstellen. Vor dem Verfassen des Artikels übertrug ich die unterschiedlichen Statistiken der OECD auf Microsoft Excel und organisierte sie in einer übersichtlichen Form, um die Daten ansprechend zu präsentieren. Anschließend nutzte ich Datawrapper, um die Visualisierungen zu erstellen, die meine Argumente und Erkenntnisse besser veranschaulichen konnten. Diese visuellen Darstellungen waren wichtig, um komplexe Zusammenhänge verständlich zu machen und dem Leser einen klaren Überblick über die Gender Pay Gap-Situation in Südkorea zu bieten.

Nachdem ich die Daten in anschaulicher Form präsentieren konnte, begann ich mit dem eigentlichen Verfassen. Dabei legte ich besonderen Wert darauf, die Informationen logisch miteinander zu verknüpfen und eine stringente Argumentation aufzubauen. Ich wollte sicherstellen, dass die Leser den Kontext und die Hintergründe des Gender Pay Gap in Südkorea verstehen und sich ein umfassendes Bild von den zugrundeliegenden Problemen und Herausforderungen machen konnten.

Was hat aus meiner Sicht gut geklappt und was nicht?

Ein Aspekt der gut funktionierte war die Recherche und allgemein das Finden von einer breiten, zuverlässigen Datenbasis. Besonders die OECD bietet öffentliche, umfangreiche und aktualisierte Informationen, die es mir ermöglichten, aussagekräftige Visualisierungen zu erstellen und fundierte Argumente in meinem Artikel zu präsentieren.

Eine Herausforderung, die ich während des Schreibens dieses Artikels erlebte, war die Komplexität des Themas und das Problem, wie ich den Artikel strukturieren könnte.

Der Gender Pay Gap ist ein multidimensionales Problem, das von einer Vielzahl von Faktoren beeinflusst wird. Es war eine Herausforderung, diese Fülle an Informationen in einen gut strukturierten und leicht verständlichen Artikel zu überführen, ohne dabei an Tiefe und Relevanz zu verlieren. Außerdem war es für mich sehr schwer, neutral zu schreiben, da dieses Thema für mich eine große Bedeutung trägt und ich persönlich von den Ungleichheiten und Herausforderungen, mit denen Frauen in Südkorea konfrontiert sind, stark berührt bin. Die tief verwurzelte Geschlechterungleichheit und der Gender Pay Gap sind Themen, die soziale Gerechtigkeit und Gleichberechtigung betreffen, und es war eine Herausforderung, meine persönlichen Empfindungen und Überzeugungen von meiner Berichterstattung fernzuhalten. Jedoch habe ich mich bemüht, die Informationen sachlich und nüchtern darzulegen, ohne meine eigenen Meinungen einzubringen oder in emotional geführte Argumente zu verfallen.

Was habe ich gelernt / mitnehmen können?

Diese journalistische Erfahrung hat mir verdeutlicht, wie wichtig es ist, Themen wie den Gender Pay Gap mit Sorgfalt und Gewissenhaftigkeit zu behandeln. Es erfordert gründliche Recherche und das Hinterfragen von Stereotypen und kulturellen Vorurteilen, um ein umfassendes Bild zu zeichnen und mögliche Lösungsansätze aufzuzeigen. Gerade jetzt, wo Südkorea durch ihre Popkultur an Reputation gewonnen hat, bekommt man selten die negativen Seiten des Landes mit, was dazu führt, dass man allzu fast das Land idolisiert und somit dessen Schattenseiten ausblendet. Dies ist auch eines der Gründe, weswegen ich es essenziell fand, über diese Thematik zu berichten.

Insgesamt hat mir die Arbeit an diesem Artikel eine tiefergehende Perspektive auf die geschlechtsspezifischen Ungleichheiten in Südkorea ermöglicht. Es hat mich motiviert, mich weiterhin für eine gerechte und inklusive Gesellschaft einzusetzen und durch meine journalistische Arbeit Bewusstsein für derartige Ungerechtigkeiten zu schaffen.

Abschließend betrachtet war das Schreiben dieses Artikels über den Gender Pay Gap in Südkorea eine herausfordernde, aber lohnenswerte Erfahrung. Ich hoffe, dass mein Artikel dazu beitragen kann, das Bewusstsein für diese wichtige Problematik zu stärken und einen Beitrag zur Förderung der Gleichberechtigung zu leisten.

English Version:

I was initially inspired to write this article on the Gender Pay Gap in South Korea by the novel „Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982,“ which deals with misogyny and institutional oppression of women in South Korea. This topic is of great societal importance and has increasingly garnered public attention in recent years.

My goal was to highlight the patriarchal roots of this inequality and shed light on some underlying factors that result in women in South Korea earning less on average than men. Additionally, the article aims not only to inform but also to stimulate discussions on the topic.

I also decided to write the article on the Gender Pay Gap in South Korea in English to reach a broader audience and make the issue accessible internationally.

Furthermore, using English allowed me to access a variety of resources and utilize a broader range of sources for my research. Many scholarly articles, statistics, and reports on this topic are written in English, which enabled me to provide a more informed and comprehensive portrayal of the Gender Pay Gap in South Korea.

How did I proceed?

My research began with a comprehensive examination of reliable sources to find current statistics and data on the Gender Pay Gap in South Korea.

I primarily relied on data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as it provides reliable and comparable information. I also analyzed data from other reputable sources such as Statista to consider the topic from various perspectives. To fully capture the picture, I also thoroughly researched the societal and cultural factors that could contribute to the Gender Pay Gap in South Korea. This involved reading scholarly studies and articles to establish a solid foundation for my article.

After gathering all relevant data on the Gender Pay Gap in South Korea, I attempted to create a structured framework for my article. Before writing the article, I transferred the different OECD statistics to Microsoft Excel and organized them in a clear format to present the data effectively. I then used Datawrapper to create visualizations that could better illustrate my arguments and insights. These visual representations were crucial for making complex connections understandable and providing readers with a clear overview of the Gender Pay Gap situation in South Korea.

Once I could present the data in an illustrative form, I began the actual writing process. I placed particular emphasis on logically linking the information and constructing a coherent argument. I wanted to ensure that readers understood the context and backgrounds of the Gender Pay Gap in South Korea and could gain a comprehensive understanding of the underlying issues and challenges.

What worked well from my perspective and what didn't?

One aspect that worked well was the research and generally finding a broad, reliable database. Particularly, the OECD provides public, extensive, and updated information that allowed me to create meaningful visualizations and present informed arguments in my article.

One challenge I experienced while writing this article was the complexity of the topic and the issue of how to structure the article.

The Gender Pay Gap is a multidimensional problem influenced by a variety of factors. It was challenging to transfer this wealth of information into a well-structured and easily understandable article without losing depth and relevance. Additionally, it was very difficult for me to write neutrally, as this topic is significant to me, and I am personally deeply affected by the inequalities and challenges faced by women in South Korea. The deeply ingrained gender inequality and Gender Pay Gap are issues concerning social justice and equality, and it was challenging to keep my personal feelings and beliefs separate from my reporting. However, I endeavored to present the information objectively and dispassionately, without injecting my own opinions or resorting to emotionally driven arguments.

What have I learned / taken away?

This journalistic experience has underscored for me the importance of treating topics like the Gender Pay Gap with care and diligence. It requires thorough research and questioning of stereotypes and cultural biases to paint a comprehensive picture and highlight possible solutions. Especially now, as South Korea has gained reputation through its pop culture, one rarely encounters the negative sides of the country, leading to almost idolizing it and thus ignoring its darker aspects. This is also one of the reasons why I found it essential to report on this issue.

Overall, working on this article has provided me with a deeper perspective on gender inequalities in South Korea. It has motivated me to continue advocating for a just and inclusive society and to raise awareness of such injustices through my journalistic work.

In conclusion, writing this article on the Gender Pay Gap in South Korea was a challenging but rewarding experience. I hope that my article can contribute to raising awareness of this important issue and to promoting equality.

Methodoly

This article extensively explored the patriarchal origins of the gender pay gap in South Korea, drawing on multiple sources for evidence. The visualizations in the article relied on data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which openly provides data sets to the public. For instance, data on the overall gender wage gap across different countries, parental leave duration, and time spent in unpaid work were obtained from the OECD website. Additionally, the data used in the last chart, which depicted the gender pay gap in South Korea by occupation, was sourced from Statista.

It is worth noting that the provided data only encompasses the binary genders of female and male, without accounting for other gender identities.

To bolster the overall research on this subject, the article referenced numerous other articles that address the gender pay gap issue comprehensively. By utilizing various reputable sources and data, the article aimed to shed light on the underlying factors contributing to the gender pay gap in South Korea and provide a well-informed perspective on the topic.