In this report, the authors analyze the social, cultural, and political drivers for existing gender inequality and explore the best models for social change to improve gender equity in South Korea. In South Korea, and in most countries in the Asia-Pacific region, significant pay gaps, inflexible workplace cultures, and social expectations of women to be the primary caregivers for children and households pressure women to withdraw from the labor force. Most women's work at home is also not considered as contributing to the economy. These gender inequalities are often part of a larger pattern across society, despite the implementation of policies and laws to promote gender equity. Overcoming such barriers to achieving equality requires transformational approaches to changing the political, legal, and social environments.

The authors present a topic-specific narrative literature review on South Korea's gender equity status, the historical-cultural influence on gender equity, and policy changes in the past 50 years. The report focuses on two specific themes: (1) gender equity in well-being, marriage, and fertility and (2) gender equity in the household and labor market. The authors incorporate brief discussions of the papers presented at a November 2022 gender equity conference throughout these themes, with the full papers included in a separate annex. Finally, they provide an update on the latest South Korean policy priorities and a set of recommendations for improving gender equality in South Korea.