The Paradox of Economic Growth and Gender Equality in South Korea

This study examines the complex relationship between gender inequality and economic growth in South Korea over the past two decades. Despite South Korea's remarkable economic advancement, its persistent gender inequalities challenge conventional assumptions about economic development fostering gender equality. By examining labor market dynamics, the institutionalization of care labor, and the positions of women's organizations, this study reveals a crucial paradox: while statistics show improvements in women's labor participation and social spending, these changes obscure underlying structural inequalities. This finding contributes to feminist theoretical debates on the neoliberal cooptation of feminist movements, demonstrating how neoliberal reforms have created opportunities for feminist advancement while simultaneously reinforcing structural gender inequalities. Finally, this study sheds light on care workers’ collective action as a critical site for examining new political momentum. Their struggles illuminate both the contradictions within the expanding care economy and the possibilities for reimagining feminist politics and social protection in contemporary South Korea.