Members of the Women Workers’ Solidarity Council hold a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Thursday, calling for the introduction of a gender equality disclosure system ahead of International Women’s Day. Newsis

A new global survey released Thursday found that Korea exhibits the world’s second-widest gap between men and women in their perception of sufficient progress in gender equality.

The 2026 International Women’s Day survey, conducted by Ipsos and King’s College London’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, found that 65 percent of Korean men believe gender equality has gone far enough, compared to 42 percent of women — the second-widest gap among 29 countries represented in the survey and more than twice the global average of 11 percentage points.

Overall endorsement in Korea of gender equality having “gone far enough” rose to 53 percent from 39 percent in 2019, with increases seen among both men and women.

The poll, conducted online from Dec. 24, 2025, to Jan. 9, covered 23,268 adults in 29 countries.

Korean men were the least likely in the survey to identify as feminists, with just 13 percent using the label, compared to 28 percent of Korean women; both figures sit well below global averages.

Support for women’s leadership among Korean men was the lowest measured: Only 35 percent agreed that outcomes would improve if more women held positions of responsibility in government and business, compared to 58 percent of Korean women; and only 36 percent of Korean men said gender equality would be unattainable without more female leaders in politics and commerce, compared to 52 percent of Korean women.

At the same time, the study suggests Koreans reject rigid hierarchies and some traditional gender norms at home.

Nearly three in four respondents, or 72 percent, disagreed that a wife should always obey her husband, and most respondents opposed restricting expressions of affection between friends based on gender.

Many also challenged strict breadwinner roles: 57 percent said it posed no problem when women earn more than their husbands, while only 15 percent saw an issue when men stay home to raise children. Opinions remained divided, however, on masculinity, caregiving and whether men who assume such roles are more attractive.

Source: Korea Times News