{
  "id": 353553,
  "title": "Better but unequal, Part II",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/better-but-unequal-part-ii",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-09T07:12:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20260809/better-but-unequal-part-ii"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In my previous article, I highlighted reasons for believing that women's status in Korea has improved in numerous ways, including longevity and personal freedom. Korea remains dedicated to a society where everyone has equal opportunities, yet there continues to be significant gender inequality that requires more progress and changes on both societal and private levels. This piece will delve deeper into the situation of Korean adult, married women, referred to as ajumma or nowadays as gasa gwalissa in certain contexts. It is crucial to acknowledge the age and class aspects of being an individual. There is diversity in women, ranging from those who work to those who are middle- and upper-class. I have categorized these groups as ajumma, jubu, or jungsangcheung jubu, and samonim, respectively. Compared to ajumma, middle-class and upper-class women enjoy more favorable life prospects, mainly due to their access to higher status, education, and income/wealth, all else being equal. However, they are still constrained by societal expectations that often prompt women to remain as homemakers rather than resuming or entering work post-childbirth, and to maintain a private life rather than engaging in public activities.",
  "summary": "In my last column, I discussed some factors informing my opinion that the status of women in Korea today has improved in several respects, from life expectancy to autonomy. Korea continues to aspire to an equal opportunity society but is unequal in gender terms and in need of further change and reform, public and private. This column continues the discussion by focusing on factors for Korean…",
  "key_points": [
    "Korean women's status improving in longevity and personal freedom",
    "Gender inequality persists, requiring more progress",
    "Middle-class and upper-class women have better life prospects"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The persistence of significant gender inequality in Korea despite overall improvements in women's status highlights the need for targeted changes to address uneven progress across different socioeconomic groups.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Better but unequal, Part II",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/better-but-unequal-part-ii-354368",
        "published": "2026-08-09T07:27:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}