The Role of Women in Korean Society

Over the course of a century, the status of Korean women has evolved dramatically, and today they represent nearly half of South Korea's active workforce.

The position of women in traditional Korean society was far from enviable. Confined to the home, their role was limited to following the precepts of Confucian morality. They were expected to be patient, virtuous, and above all to bear a male heir to perpetuate the family line.

It was in the late 19th century that the condition of Korean women began to improve with the country's opening to the outside world. During the first half of the 20th century, under Japanese occupation, Korean women proved to men their determination and courage in the struggle for independence.

Following the end of Japanese colonization in 1948, the young Korean republic enshrined equality of rights between men and women in its constitution. Women went on to contribute significantly through their labor to South Korea's remarkable economic boom. By 1998, women in the workforce numbered 8 million, representing nearly 47% of the active population. They are represented in numerous sectors of activity. Nevertheless, positions of responsibility in government and the private sector remained overwhelmingly reserved for men.

The Korean Government's Commitment to Improving Women's Status

The Korean government has actively participated in advancing women's status by implementing concrete measures in their favor. In 1983, the National Committee for Women was established, and that same year saw the birth of the Institute for the Development of Women's Status. By 1998, there were three women in government: the chair of the Presidential Commission on Women's Affairs, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, and the Minister of Health and Welfare.

While the status of Korean women improved substantially during the second half of the 20th century, the weight of Confucian tradition remains quite strong. For example, Koreans place great importance on their children's academic achievement, whether boys or girls, but the son remains the essential element for the continuity of the family line.