13. Korean Women in Leadership in an Asian Context

Asia is economically and culturally diverse, as it has been shaped by cultural and historical influences. In Chap. 13 we situate Korean women’s leadership in the context of Asia and discuss the current status of Korean women in leadership in relation to women in Asia, as well as the challenges they face. Compared with the rest of Asia, Korean women hold a lower proportion of corporate and political leadership positions. Like many other Asian countries, Korean women often face patriarchy and traditional gender role expectations, which often cast women as inferior and the primary domestic caregivers. Institutional challenges and support also differ across Asia, yet progress is being made in Korea and elsewhere to improve the environment for women’s leadership.