Diversity and Inclusion in South Korea

Expats moving to South Korea, may not be sure what to expect of day-to-day life and societal norms here. Read on to learn about diversity and inclusion in South Korea. 

Accessibility in South Korea

South Korea is not particularly easy to get around, especially outside the capital. Since 1998, buildings with more than 300 square metres of floor space have been required to have accessibility ramps, but there are no requirements for smaller businesses to be wheelchair accessible. Many restaurants and smaller businesses don’t have ramps, so if you use a wheelchair, check before visiting one. Pavements in urban areas are generally wide and flat, but this isn’t true in more rural parts of the country. 

Public transport in Seoul has significantly improved and is mostly wheelchair accessible, although there are still some challenges. The Seoul Metro is accessible, and over 99 percent of stations have full lifts, and stairway lifts are available in the remaining stations. Subway cars are nearly flush with the platforms, so gap ramps are typically unnecessary. Over 70 percent of Seoul city buses are low-floor – more than double the national average of 34 percent – although wheelchair users sometimes face challenges with driver cooperation and kerb accessibility. Taxis specifically for people with disabilities are also available in Seoul, although these are in high demand and should be booked well in advance.

Useful links

• Seoul Danurim: Korea Accessible Tourism
• Visit Seoul: Accessibility Information

LGBTQ+ in South Korea

LGBTQ+ rights are limited in South Korea. Homosexuality isn’t illegal, but there’s no same-sex marriage, and gay couples cannot adopt. There is also generally less public support for LGBTQ+ rights than in many other Asian countries. The last decade has seen some growth in LGBTQ+ support in South Korea, particularly among younger generations.

There’s no comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation protecting LGBTQ+ individuals, and legal gender change requires surgery, which is a significant burden on transgender individuals. In July 2024, South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples should receive spousal health insurance benefits, marking the first legal recognition of social benefits for same-sex couples in the country. 

Some cities are more LGBTQ+ friendly than others. In Seoul, for instance, people speak of a gay scene "hiding in plain sight". ‘Homo Hill’ in Itaewon is a hotspot for the international crowd, and LGBTQ+ locals favour Jongno.

There's an annual Pride parade in Seoul, although organisers have faced challenges getting their preferred venue at Seoul Plaza, with the city government denying permits. Anti-LGBTQ protestors are unfortunately a frequent feature at the event, but turnout is strong and growing, with over 150,000 attendees in 2024.

Useful links

• Korea Rainbow Foundation
• Queer Archive
• Ddingdong Crisis Intervention Center

Gender equality in South Korea

Women account for 46 percent of tertiary education enrolment in South Korea, and over 55 percent of Master’s-level students are female. There’s increased enrolment of young women in higher education and the growth of women’s participation in the labour force, which reached 56 percent in 2024.

Despite this, the country has the highest gender pay gap among OECD states. South Korea raised its minimum wage by 5 percent in both 2022 and 2023, 2.5 percent in 2024, and 1.7 percent in 2025, in an attempt to narrow the gender wage gap.

Landmark parental subsidies introduced in 2025 doubled paternity leave from 10 to 20 days and increased parental leave benefits to 2.5 million won per month, up from 1.5 million won. This would allow professional women to return to work sooner and mitigate the risk of further increasing the gender pay gap while on maternity leave.

Alongside the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, several organisations are collaborating to advocate for the protection and empowerment of women across society and in the workplace.

Useful links

• Korean Women’s Associations United
• Korea Women’s Fund

Women in leadership in South Korea

Although South Korea is an established democracy that elected its first female president in 2013, South Korean society holds some traditional views about the role of women in the home and workplace.

Female representation on corporate boards in South Korea remains low, with women holding just 3 percent of inside director positions and 24 percent of outside director positions at top companies in 2024. Since the implementation of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act in 2022, which effectively outlaws all-male boards for large corporations, female board membership has been gradually increasing.

Mental health awareness in South Korea

Rates of mental illness, particularly depression, are high in South Korea, especially considering its status as a developed country. About 25 percent of South Koreans experience mental illness at least once in their life.

The high rates of mental illness, as well as the severity of symptoms, can be partially attributed to the avoidance of mental health treatment. When left untreated, symptoms of mental illness tend to worsen over time. Only 7 percent of those with a mental disorder diagnosis seek treatment.

Moving abroad can take a toll on mental health. Expats face higher risks of depression and anxiety due to factors like loneliness, cultural adjustment stress, and work-related burnout. Recognising these challenges and seeking support early can make a significant difference.

Universal health insurance provided by the government covers psychiatric treatment and medication, although psychotherapy and counselling sessions are typically not covered and must be paid out of pocket. Check whether your insurance policy requires a referral before seeing a psychiatrist. If you have international insurance, you’ll most likely be able to skip this step and go directly to a psychiatrist.

English-speaking psychiatrists are available in Seoul and other major cities. Seoul has several private specialised counselling services aimed at expats that are run by professionals from abroad.

Useful links

• Seoul Counseling Center
• National Center for Mental Health

Unconscious bias education in South Korea

In South Korea’s traditionally homogeneous society, unconscious bias toward foreigners and ethnic minorities can affect workplace dynamics. As the country’s foreign population grows, awareness of these biases becomes increasingly important for creating inclusive work environments.

Unconscious bias refers to the automatic stereotypes or attitudes an individual holds about groups of people different to themselves. These ideas are not purposefully adopted but rather develop subtly over time, and people tend to hold unconscious biases about groups they never or rarely come into contact with. As a result, they’re often inaccurate and based on assumptions.

Unconscious bias can profoundly impact both personal and work conditions. In the workplace, unchecked bias undermines vital aspects of the company, negatively impacting employee performance, retention and recruitment. In a bid to create a better work environment, many companies are beginning to institute unconscious bias training. There are also a fair few online resources that can be used to improve self-awareness regarding bias.

Useful links

• Harvard Implicit Association Test
• Nonprofit Ready: Unconscious Bias Training

Diversification of the workforce in South Korea

South Korea is home to 2.65 million foreigners (5 percent of the population), most of whom come from China (36 percent), Vietnam (12 percent), and Thailand (7 percent), with the United States accounting for 6 percent. Western expats moving to South Korea are frequently drawn by competitive salaries in sectors like technology and education, along with a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other developed Asian economies.

You can expect to encounter a reasonably diverse work environment in the large multinational companies based in Seoul. The offices of international firms buzz with a blend of languages, with staff sourced from all over the world.

Studies show that workplace diversification is hugely beneficial to companies and employees alike. In recognition of this, many of South Korea’s largest companies are setting up diversity and inclusion programmes.

Safety in South Korea

Although there are incidents of bag-snatching, pickpocketing, and petty theft in larger cities such as Seoul and Busan, the crime rate in South Korea is low. As with any major city, some areas are considered unsafe at certain times, even though, for the most part, cities such as Seoul are safer than most large American cities.

Follow standard safety precautions, such as locking doors, being aware of personal belongings in crowded areas and tourist hotspots, avoiding walking alone at night through isolated areas, and only using reputable taxi companies.

Read more: Safety in South Korea

Calendar initiatives in South Korea

4 February – World Cancer Day 
March – TB Awareness Month 
3rd Thursday of May – Global Accessibility Awareness Day 
10 September – World Suicide Prevention Day 
October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month 
10 October – World Mental Health Day 
14 November – World Diabetes Day 
1 December – World AIDS Day