DIFUSI NORMA GLOBAL KESETARAAN GENDER DI KOREA SELATAN TAHUN 2015-2023
Keywords:
CEDAW, Gender Equality, norm diffusion, South Korea
Abstract
This research discusses the diffusion of global gender equality norms in South Korea through the analysis of the Norm Diffusion theory by Martha Finnemore and Kathryn Sikkink. The main focus is on how the gender equality norms initiated by the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) are implemented in South Korea. Despite ratifying CEDAW in 1984, South Korea still faces significant challenges in achieving gender equality, largely due to strong patriarchal and Confucian values. This study identifies that the diffusion of gender equality norms is hindered by local political opportunity structures and weak grassroots movement support. Additionally, low publicity and awareness of CEDAW among the public and cultural barriers slow down the process of norm cascade and internalization of gender equality norms. The study concludes that to improve the acceptance and implementation of gender equality norms in South Korea, there needs to be significant changes in societal attitudes and more proactive government policies
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References
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Cho, M. and Büthe, T. (2021), From rule-taker to rule-promoting regulatory state: South Korea in the nearly-global competition regime. Regulation & Governance, 15: 513-543.
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Hur, S.W. (2011). Mapping South Korean Women’s Movements During and After Democratization: Shifting Identities.
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Kim, D. (2011). Promoting Migrants’ Rights in South Korea: NGOs and the Enactment of the Employment Permit System. Asian and Pacific Migration Journal, 20(1), 55-78
Kim, H-K. (2009). Should feminism transcend nationalism? A defense of feminist nationalism in South Korea, Women's Studies International Forum, 32(2).
Kim, H. & Park, S. (2020). Gender Equality in South Korea: Progress and Challenges. Asian Journal of Women's Studies, 26(1), 65-83.
Kim, J. (2021). The Resurgence and Popularization of Feminism in South Korea: Key Issues and Challenges for Contemporary Feminist Activism. Korea Journal, 61(4).
Kim, K-A. (1996). Nationalism: An advocate of, or a barrier to, feminism in South Korea. Women's Studies International Forum,19(1-2).
Kim, N. H.-J. (2015). The Retreat of Multiculturalism? Explaining the South Korean Exception. American Behavioral Scientist, 59(6), 727-746.
Kim, S. (2024). South Korea’s World’s-Lowest Fertility Rate Drops to New Record Again. Time. https://time.com/6835865/south-korea-fertility-rate-2023-record-low/
Kim, S., Young, N., & Lee, Y. (2019). The Role of Reproductive Justice Movements in Challenging South Korea’s Abortion Ban. Health and Human Rights Journal, 21(2).
Kim, S-K., & Kim, K. (2011). Gender mainstreaming and the institutionalization of the women's movement in South Korea. Women's Studies International Forum, 34(5).
Koo, J. (2020). South Korean cyberfeminism and trolling: the limitation of online feminist community Womad as counterpublic, Feminist Media Studies, 20:6, 831-846.
Lamont, C. (2015). Research Methods in International Relations. Sage Publications
Lee, J., & Jeong, E. (2021). The 4B movement: envisioning a feminist future with/in a non-reproductive future in Korea. Journal of Gender Studies, 30:5, 633-644
Lee, S., & Hudson, V. M. (2022). Rising backlash against gender equality in South Korea undermines stability. The Diplomat. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2022/10/rising-backlash-against-gender-equality-in-south-korea-undermines-stability/:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Lee, Y. (2019). The Cultural Challenge to Gender Equality in South Korea. Journal of Korean Studies, 24(2), 213-235.
Lim, S. (2014). Compliance with International Norms: Implementing OECD DAC Principles in South Korea. Globalizations, 11:6, 859-874
Mo, C. H., & You, S. (2025). The fight over gender equality in South Korea. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved from https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/04/the-fight-over-gender-equality-in-south-korea?lang=en:contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
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Nam, S-H. (2010). The Women's Movement and the Transformation of the Family Law in South Korea. Interactions Between Local, National and Global Structures. European Journal of East Asian Studies, 9(1):67-86
OHCHR. (2018). CEDAW/C/KOR/CO/8: Concluding observations on the eighth periodic report of the Republic of Korea. Di akses melalui https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/concluding-observations/cedawckorco8-concluding-observations-eighth-periodic-report
OHCHR. (2022). CEDAW/C/KOR/CO/9: Concluding observations on the ninth periodic report of the Republic of Korea. Di akses melalui https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/cedaw
Oyvat, C., & Onaran, O. (2022). The effects of social infrastructure and gender equality on output and employment: The case of South Korea. World Development, 158.
Park, K. R., & Park, Y. S. (2024). Addressing institutional challenges in sustainable development goals implementation: Lessons from the Republic of Korea. Sustainable Development, 32(1), 1354–1369.
Park, S. (2017). Between Globalization and Nationalism: The Politics of Immigration in South Korea. Asian Perspective 41(3), 377-402.
Pressley, M. A. & Harris, K. (2022). South Korea’s Experiment With Gender Equality. The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2022/06/south-koreas-experiment-with-gender-equality/
Roh, J. (2019). Feminist menstrual activism in South Korea (1999–2012). Asian Journal of Women's Studies, 25:1,
Sangmin, B. (2011). International norms, domestic politics, and the death penalty comparing Japan, south Korea, and Taiwan. Comparative Politics, 44(1), Pages 41 – 58
Shim, Jung-In. 1985. A Theoretical Investigation for Establishing Direction of the Women’s Movement. Women I:200–255.
Song-Woo, H. (2010). Mapping South Korean Women’s Movements During and After Democratization: Shifting Identities. Springer Science+Business.
UNDP. (2023). Human Development Report 2022/23: Gender Development Index (GDI). United Nations Development Programme. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/thematic-composite-indices/gdi
UN Women. (2000). Diambil kembali dari The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women:
https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/cedaw.htm#:~:text=French%2C%20Rus
sian%20%2C%20Spanish-
World Economic Forum. (2023). Global Gender Gap Report 2023. https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-gender-gap-report-2023/
Zhang. X. (2010). Global Forces and Corporate Reforms in South Korea. International Political Science Review, 31(1), 59-76.
Zimmerman, B. (2023). South Korea’s 4B Movement Lowers the Birth Rate in a Fight for Gender Equality. The International Affairs Review: https://www.iar-gwu.org/blog/iar-web/south-koreas-4b
Amnesty International. (2023). Republic of Korea: Submission to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: 86th Pre-sessional Working Group, 27 February – 3 March 2023, List of Issues. Di akses melalui https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa25/6391/2023/en/
Bajpai, K & Laksmana, E. A. (2023). Asian conceptions of international order: what Asia wants, International Affairs, Volume 99, Issue 4, Pages 1371–1381,
Bryman, Alan. (2012). Social Research Methods. 4th ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Chan, R. (2021). Gender Discrimination in South Korea. The Mcgill International Review. https://www.mironline.ca/gender-discrimination-in-south-korea
Chang, P-H., & Kim, E-S. (2005). Women’s Experiences and Feminist Practices in South Korea. Seoul: Ewha Womans University Press.
Ching, M., & Louie, Y. (1995). Minjung feminism. Korean women's movement for gender and class liberation. Women's Studies International Forum, 18(4).
CHO, Y. (2000). Country Paper: South Korea. In THE FIRST CEDAW IMPACT STUDY (pp. 187-202). THE CENTRE FOR FEMINIST RESEARCH, YORK UNIVERSITY.
Cho, M. and Büthe, T. (2021), From rule-taker to rule-promoting regulatory state: South Korea in the nearly-global competition regime. Regulation & Governance, 15: 513-543.
Cortell, A. P., & Davis, J. W. (2005). When Norms Clash: International Norms, Domestic Practices, and Japan’s Internalisation of the GATT/WTO. Review of International Studies, 31(1), 3–25. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40072069
Delhaye, C. (2022, November 30). President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality: A reflection of a South Korean society plagued by growing anti-feminism. Institut du Genre en Géopolitique. Retrieved from https://igg-geo.org/en/2023/01/23/president-yoon-suk-yeols-decision-to-abolish-the-ministry-of-gender-equality-a-reflection-of-a-south-korean-society-plagued-by-growing-anti-feminism/:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Finnemore, M.., & Kathryn, S. (1998). International Norm Dynamics and Political Change. International Organization, Vol. 52, No. 4, pp. 887-917
Glasius, M., Kaldor, M., & Anheier, H. (2005). Global civil society 2004/5. SAGE Publications Ltd,
Gress, D. R., & Paek, J. (2014). Differential Spaces in Korean Places Feminist Geography and Female Managers in South Korea. Gender, Work and Organization, (21)2
Heo, M. (2010). Women's movement and the politics of framing: The construction of anti-domestic violence legislation in South Korea, Women's Studies International Forum, 33(3).
Hur, S.W. (2011). Mapping South Korean Women’s Movements During and After Democratization: Shifting Identities.
Jung, G., & Moon, M. (2024). “I AM A FEMINIST, BUT . . .” Practicing Quiet Feminism in the Era of Everyday Backlash in South Korea. Gender & Society, 0(0).
Kardina, & Yurisa, A. M. (2021). Analisis Gender Based Violence dalam Konvensi Cedaw pada Isu Kekerasan Seksual di Korea Selatan. Jurnal Ilmu Hubungan Internasional, 1(2), 156-170.
Kim, D. (2011). Promoting Migrants’ Rights in South Korea: NGOs and the Enactment of the Employment Permit System. Asian and Pacific Migration Journal, 20(1), 55-78
Kim, H-K. (2009). Should feminism transcend nationalism? A defense of feminist nationalism in South Korea, Women's Studies International Forum, 32(2).
Kim, H. & Park, S. (2020). Gender Equality in South Korea: Progress and Challenges. Asian Journal of Women's Studies, 26(1), 65-83.
Kim, J. (2021). The Resurgence and Popularization of Feminism in South Korea: Key Issues and Challenges for Contemporary Feminist Activism. Korea Journal, 61(4).
Kim, K-A. (1996). Nationalism: An advocate of, or a barrier to, feminism in South Korea. Women's Studies International Forum,19(1-2).
Kim, N. H.-J. (2015). The Retreat of Multiculturalism? Explaining the South Korean Exception. American Behavioral Scientist, 59(6), 727-746.
Kim, S. (2024). South Korea’s World’s-Lowest Fertility Rate Drops to New Record Again. Time. https://time.com/6835865/south-korea-fertility-rate-2023-record-low/
Kim, S., Young, N., & Lee, Y. (2019). The Role of Reproductive Justice Movements in Challenging South Korea’s Abortion Ban. Health and Human Rights Journal, 21(2).
Kim, S-K., & Kim, K. (2011). Gender mainstreaming and the institutionalization of the women's movement in South Korea. Women's Studies International Forum, 34(5).
Koo, J. (2020). South Korean cyberfeminism and trolling: the limitation of online feminist community Womad as counterpublic, Feminist Media Studies, 20:6, 831-846.
Lamont, C. (2015). Research Methods in International Relations. Sage Publications
Lee, J., & Jeong, E. (2021). The 4B movement: envisioning a feminist future with/in a non-reproductive future in Korea. Journal of Gender Studies, 30:5, 633-644
Lee, S., & Hudson, V. M. (2022). Rising backlash against gender equality in South Korea undermines stability. The Diplomat. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2022/10/rising-backlash-against-gender-equality-in-south-korea-undermines-stability/:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Lee, Y. (2019). The Cultural Challenge to Gender Equality in South Korea. Journal of Korean Studies, 24(2), 213-235.
Lim, S. (2014). Compliance with International Norms: Implementing OECD DAC Principles in South Korea. Globalizations, 11:6, 859-874
Mo, C. H., & You, S. (2025). The fight over gender equality in South Korea. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved from https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/04/the-fight-over-gender-equality-in-south-korea?lang=en:contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Motin, D. (2024). South Koreans Blame Feminism for Demographic Collapse. EastAsiaForum. https://eastasiaforum.org/2024/02/16/south-koreans-blame-feminism-for-demographic-collapse/
Nam, S-H. (2010). The Women's Movement and the Transformation of the Family Law in South Korea. Interactions Between Local, National and Global Structures. European Journal of East Asian Studies, 9(1):67-86
OHCHR. (2018). CEDAW/C/KOR/CO/8: Concluding observations on the eighth periodic report of the Republic of Korea. Di akses melalui https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/concluding-observations/cedawckorco8-concluding-observations-eighth-periodic-report
OHCHR. (2022). CEDAW/C/KOR/CO/9: Concluding observations on the ninth periodic report of the Republic of Korea. Di akses melalui https://www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/cedaw
Oyvat, C., & Onaran, O. (2022). The effects of social infrastructure and gender equality on output and employment: The case of South Korea. World Development, 158.
Park, K. R., & Park, Y. S. (2024). Addressing institutional challenges in sustainable development goals implementation: Lessons from the Republic of Korea. Sustainable Development, 32(1), 1354–1369.
Park, S. (2017). Between Globalization and Nationalism: The Politics of Immigration in South Korea. Asian Perspective 41(3), 377-402.
Pressley, M. A. & Harris, K. (2022). South Korea’s Experiment With Gender Equality. The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2022/06/south-koreas-experiment-with-gender-equality/
Roh, J. (2019). Feminist menstrual activism in South Korea (1999–2012). Asian Journal of Women's Studies, 25:1,
Sangmin, B. (2011). International norms, domestic politics, and the death penalty comparing Japan, south Korea, and Taiwan. Comparative Politics, 44(1), Pages 41 – 58
Shim, Jung-In. 1985. A Theoretical Investigation for Establishing Direction of the Women’s Movement. Women I:200–255.
Song-Woo, H. (2010). Mapping South Korean Women’s Movements During and After Democratization: Shifting Identities. Springer Science+Business.
UNDP. (2023). Human Development Report 2022/23: Gender Development Index (GDI). United Nations Development Programme. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/thematic-composite-indices/gdi
UN Women. (2000). Diambil kembali dari The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women:
https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/cedaw.htm#:~:text=French%2C%20Rus
sian%20%2C%20Spanish-
World Economic Forum. (2023). Global Gender Gap Report 2023. https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-gender-gap-report-2023/
Zhang. X. (2010). Global Forces and Corporate Reforms in South Korea. International Political Science Review, 31(1), 59-76.
Zimmerman, B. (2023). South Korea’s 4B Movement Lowers the Birth Rate in a Fight for Gender Equality. The International Affairs Review: https://www.iar-gwu.org/blog/iar-web/south-koreas-4b
Published
2025-07-28
How to Cite
Putri, O., & Soetjipto, A. W. (2025). DIFUSI NORMA GLOBAL KESETARAAN GENDER DI KOREA SELATAN TAHUN 2015-2023. Indonesian Journal of International Relations, 9(2), 227-248. https://doi.org/10.32787/ijir.v9i2.683
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