Top-down efforts to change the tide Big businesses have recently been paving additionally free of discrimination and guaranthe way for more women in top positions, with tees basic working conditions. It also aims to women taking a slew of high-profile jobs in the create 250,000 female-friendly social service past few years. In 2012, five Korean banks jobs, reduce working hours and expand public announced appointments of female execu- and in-company child care services. Samsung Group and Lotte both responded tives, and Deutsche Bank Korea appointed its first female chief earlier this year. While this to Park’s call to get women back to work by is a promising trend, women are still under- offering flexible part-time positions with benrepresented in public institutions. In January efits included. In November last year, Sam2013, it was reported that women accounted sung announced that it would create 6,000 for 272 of the 2,993 directors at 288 public high-level part-time jobs with accommodating institutions, with only 16 of these agencies work hours. However, in February it was rebeing run by female executives. Early last year, ported that the conglomerate hired just over a group of lawmakers proposed a bill to imple- 1,000 women mainly in their 30s and 40s due ment a quota that would see women account to the underwhelming number of applicants. Several government departments have for 30 percent of board members of state-run corporations and public organizations in five come together to fulfill Park’s pledges, and years — emphasizing how difficult it is for 4.6 trillion won ($4.4 billion) has reportedly been allocated by the Ministry of Strategy and women to break the glass ceiling. This issue did not go unnoticed by President Finance this year for government projects rePark. In her presidential campaign in 2012, lated to supporting women in the workplace. Park pledged to increase employment by the New measures include replacing maternity end of her term. Then in June 2013, the Min- leave and paternity leave with a single pateristry of Employment announced its “Road Map nal leave, which will make it more attractive to Achieve a 70 Percent Employment Rate,” for men to take time off work. Women who which aims to create an average of 476,000 decide not to take leave can instead opt to jobs annually by 2017 and, in the process, work a shorter workweek for 60 percent of make the workplace more accessible to wom- their base salary for two years, an increase en. The road map aspires to encourage a work from 40 percent in the current system. However, Song from the KWWA sees these and life balance by creating decent part-time jobs that meet voluntary personal needs and is government plans as a way to fulfill targets
The new generation A new generation of women is now entering Korea’s workforce. While their perception of a woman’s role in a corporation has changed since their parents’ generation, the discrimination that awaits them hardly has. Park Heewon, a graduate student at Ewha Womans University, has already been warned by her family to prepare for gender discrimination when she enters the workforce. “My grandma still works in a company and every time I meet her, she’s like, ‘No matter how (great) of a degree you have, a master’s or a Ph.D., there’s this invisible ceiling and it’s difficult for you to go up (the corporate ladder), especially if you are planning to get married,’” she says. “One of the reasons I came to graduate school was I didn’t want to face discrimination when I get into a company.” Ahn He-rim, a graduate student in Seoul who acquired most of her education abroad, says that while she receives encouragement from her parents to do what she wants, gender stereotypes are reinforced. “I have a younger brother and Mom says to him, ‘You have to have economic stability.’ And I say to her, ‘I’m a girl, I can make money too, better than him.’ She says, ‘I know that, but in this Korean society that’s not acceptable, and I don’t want you
to face prejudice or discrimination because you tried to be different,’” she says. While Ahn believes things are beginning to get better for working women in terms of maternity leave, she feels that Korean society is hindering further progress because it is still a young country. “We had to go through a war and colonization and building up our economy. We had to do those things first and rights came after,” she says. “It’s taking us a little bit more time because we are trying to do it in such a short period.” For Park and Ahn, the inability to change the perception that a woman should quit her job to raise a family is further marred by a fear that society has placed on being different. Even with government efforts to make the corporate environment better for women, marriage still tops the list of reasons Korean women quit their job, according to a report released by the Federation of Korean Industries earlier this year. Park Sang-eun, an illustrator, feels that she has been labeled an “outsider” for not adhering to the Korean female stereotype. At 37 she is divorced, has no children and feels that women are being forced to choose between having a career or having a family.
The after-work socializing culture in Korean business is viewed as a way to bond with work colleagues and seniors on a less formal basis. Recently, however, it has garnered attention for eliciting inappropriate behavior from seniors toward their employees. But women often feel that they can’t report such harassment, and accept it as a part of working life. rather than to supply quality jobs. “The government has just limited (women’s) time and work ability,” she says. According to Song, government policy that reduces work hours is leaving fewer women with regular secure jobs and endorsing a patriarchal culture. “This opportunity by the government has limited a woman’s ability to work. They are focusing more on women raising their kids, not on their ability to work in society,” she says.
‘Don’t say to us, “You must be a homemaker or get married soon.” We just want to live our lives. Just let us live our lives.’ Park Sang-eun, illustrator
“My generation, we don’t think that we have to be a homemaker. We don’t think like that, but Korean companies and the government (think) if we have a job then we have to lose our children, or if we choose our children we have to lose our job,” she says. In the midst of all this negativity, she says she feels that a change is happening, but is not sure if Korea is ready to embrace it just yet. “Koreans know that society is changing a lot, but they are following the same old rules,” she says. She says she hopes for the day women are able to have more freedom to do what they want instead of following outdated traditions. “Don’t say to us, ‘You must be a homemaker or get married soon,’” she says. “We just want to live our lives. Just let us live our lives.”
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