Woman laws at South Korea
Here’s a current and comprehensive overview of women’s legal rights and protections in South Korea:
1. Foundations: Equality, Governance & Institutions
Constitutional Equality & CEDAW
South Korea constitutionally guarantees equality between genders and has incorporated key international treaties, including CEDAW, directly into domestic law
Ministry for Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF)
Originally formed in 2001 and re-established in 2010, MOGEF is the main government body that coordinates gender-policy planning, equality enforcement, violence prevention, and partnerships with civil organizations
2. Family Law, Violence & Harassment
Family Law Reforms
Key updates to family law since the 1960s led to fairer divorce asset division, shared parental rights, and gender-neutral inheritance practices. The exclusion of the exogamy law and the abolition of the family-head system in 2005 marked significant institutional shifts away from patriarchal traditions
Domestic Violence Legislation
Enacted in 1998, the Special Act for the Punishment of Domestic Violence and the Act on the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Protection of Victims empower courts to issue restraining orders, ensure custody arrangement support, and mandate offender education
Marital Rape Recognized
In 2013, South Korea’s Supreme Court acknowledged marital rape as illegal and punishable—though not yet codified in statutory law
3. Reproductive Rights & Abortion Law
Decriminalization of Abortion (2021)
The Constitutional Court struck down the 1953 abortion prohibition in 2019, leading to full decriminalization starting January 1, 2021. No penal or legal sanctions now apply to abortion access
Legal & Systemic Gaps Persist
Despite decriminalization, the absence of new laws has created a legal void. Public healthcare systems have not adapted, safe access remains patchy, approvals for key abortion medications (like mifepristone) are lacking, and cost and stigma continue to inhibit access
4. Digital Rights & Sexual Violence
Deepfake Porn Criminalized
South Korea has enacted laws criminalizing both creation and consumption of non-consensual deepfake pornography following a wave of digital sex crimes that disproportionately targeted women, exposing serious gaps in education and regulation
5. Societal Trends, Feminism & Political Dynamics
Gender Pay Gap & “Backlash”
South Korea has the largest gender pay gap in the OECD. Recent years have seen a societal backlash against feminist movements—such as 4B ("bi" as in “no marriage, no childbirth, no sex, no dating”)—fed by conservative political rhetoric and perceptions of reverse discrimination
Shift Toward Gender-Equal Politics
In the 2025 presidential election, a surge of support from young women helped elect liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung, signaling public pushback against anti-feminist policies and calls to strengthen gender equity structures, including reviving MOGEF and enacting tougher protections for women
Summary Table
| Domain | Status in South Korea |
|---|---|
| Equality & Governance | Constitutional equality, CEDAW in force, MOGEF leads gender policy |
| Family Law & Violence | Reformed family law; domestic violence laws in place; marital rape judicially banned |
| Reproductive Rights | Abortion decriminalized (2021); access remains inconsistent |
| Digital Violence Protections | Deepfake pornography criminalized amid rising digital sex crimes |
| Societal & Political Dynamics | Backlash against feminism; rising activism and political support for gender rights |
Final Thoughts
South Korea has laid out a strong legal foundation for women’s rights—with gender-equal legislation, domestic violence prevention, and reproductive autonomy decriminalized. Yet enforcement and social acceptance lag behind. Emerging threats like digital violence have prompted legal action, while the feminist movement continues to evolve amid controversy and backlash.
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