The International Bar Association (IBA) Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) has published the Republic of Korea Results Report, shedding light on gender disparity within the country’s legal profession. Despite a notable increase in the number of female lawyers in Korea since the late 20th century, the report uncovers persistent under-representation of women at all hierarchical levels.
Prepared by the Gender Equality Centre of the Korean Bar Association (KBA), this Report marks the seventh instalment of the 50:50 by 2030 project, a longitudinal study investigating gender inequity in law, co-sponsored by the IBA and the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation.
Sara Carnegie, IBA Legal Projects Director, expressed gratitude to the Korean Bar Association for spearheading this endeavor, emphasising the collaborative effort’s significance in broadening the project’s reach and generating valuable insights. Young Hoon Kim, President of the KBA, echoed this sentiment, stressing the imperative to confront the systemic barriers hindering women’s advancement within the legal sphere.
According to KBA research, in 2023, out of 28,118 practising lawyers in South Korea, only 8,269 were women, comprising a mere 29 per cent. A comparative analysis across other jurisdictions participating in the 50:50 by 2030 initiative reveals Korea trailing behind in female representation, lagging notably behind countries like the Netherlands, Chile, Spain, England and Wales, and Nigeria.
In 2023 out of 28,118 practising lawyers in South Korea, only 8,269 were women
Key findings from the survey indicate that while women constitute 25 per cent of law firm employees, they occupy just 13 per cent of senior positions. Similarly, in the corporate sector, although comprising 28 per cent of in-house lawyers, women hold a mere 12 per cent of senior roles. The public sector presents a marginally better scenario, with 35 per cent female representation among lawyers and 29 per cent in high-level roles.
Efforts to address these disparities include advocating for a more inclusive workplace culture, implementing flexible work arrangements, establishing parental leave policies, and expanding childcare facilities. The KBA has established a Gender Equality Centre to conduct research and training aimed at promoting gender equity within the legal profession. Additionally, the Korean Government’s five-year plan to bolster the number of female lawyers, particularly in the public sector, has shown promising results.
Sung Hee Kwon, General Manager of the KBA’s Gender Equality Centre, emphasised the urgent need for concerted action, citing statistics indicating Korea’s continued struggle with gender inequality, as highlighted in the Global Gender Gap Report.
The 50:50 by 2030 initiative, initiated by IBA President Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama, aims to address these disparities by compiling global empirical evidence and proposing remedies aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal on gender equality. To date, six reports have been published, with ongoing efforts to collaborate with stakeholders worldwide in pursuit of gender parity in the legal profession.
