Over the past four decades, South Korea has undergone a remarkable process of economic development, leading to its current status as a renowned centre of innovation and cultural influence. Nevertheless, beneath this outward appearance, a pervasive and profoundly entrenched form of gender inequality pervades the labour market. This is evidenced by the country's continuous ranking at the bottom of the glass ceiling index, a publication of The Economist. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of gender inequality in the Korean labour market, with a particular emphasis on the cultural, political and social dimensions of the issue.

Shin Young Park is lecturer in International Business Management, with a research focus on labour markets, inequality and intercultural competencies.