Inequality and Political Trust in Korea

What are the political consequences of inequality in outcomes and inequality in opportunity? This paper examines the effect of perceived inequalities on trust in political institutions in Korea. We argue that citizens’ perceptions of income inequality and inequality in opportunity have a trust-eroding effect. When citizens perceive that their government and political elites are responding to their demand for “a fair share,” their political trust increases. Our analysis of the 2009 Korea General Social Survey finds that perceived income inequality has a negative effect on political trust among Korean citizens. We also find that perceived inequality in education and job opportunities further erodes citizens’ trust in political institutions.