{
  "id": 354368,
  "title": "Better but unequal, Part II",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/better-but-unequal-part-ii-354368",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T07:27:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20260809/better-but-unequal-part-ii"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In my previous column, I examined the progress made towards gender equality in Korea, highlighting improvements in areas such as life expectancy and personal autonomy. However, despite aspirations for a society with equal opportunities for all, significant gender disparities persist, necessitating further reforms in both public and private domains.\n\nThis follow-up column will explore the experiences of Korean mature, married women, often referred to as ajumma, or sometimes called gasa gwalissa in certain contexts. It is crucial to acknowledge the intersection of age and class when examining the status of these women. There are distinct categories of women based on their socioeconomic status: working, middle-class, and upper-class ajumma.\n\nThe life prospects of middle-class and upper-class women are generally more favorable compared to their ajumma counterparts. These women have greater access to higher status jobs, education, and higher income/wealth levels, all else being equal. However, they are still constrained by societal expectations that may discourage women from entering the workforce or resuming work after childbirth. Additionally, they face pressure to maintain a \"proper\" womanly presence in public spheres, whether for civic involvement or other 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": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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",
        "published": "2026-08-09T07:12:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}