South Korean Women in Politics : Why So Few?

South Korean Women in Politics : Why So Few?

  What factors could account for the low representation of South Korean women in politics? In South Korea discrimination against women is decreasing and women are not less ambitious politically than men. Certainly there are more qualified women than the 105 who served in the Assembly over the last 58 years. But, because of child responsibilities, women tend to start their political careers late make it hard for them to catch up with males. The quota system and large districts are two successful devices to speed women"s representation. Women"s political representation in South Korea could be greatly expanded through policy and institutional changes.