South Korea’s dramatic economic growth and impressive democratization over recent decades mask deep-seated societal divisions that threaten its political stability, according to a new report from UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and the Berggruen Institute.

The report, part of the 2024 Berggruen Governance Index project, highlights South Korea’s rapid ascent from a war-torn country to a highly developed democracy with robust state capacity and public goods provision. Despite these achievements, a recent unsuccessful coup attempt by former President Yoon Suk-yeol has laid bare persistent societal fractures.

Key challenges identified include intense polarization regarding historical views on authoritarianism, relations with North Korea, stark gender inequalities, and pronounced economic disparities driven by a culture of overwork and limited social mobility. The nation ranks highest among the 38 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in gender wage gaps and working hours, contributing to significant generational and gender divides.

However, the report emphasizes South Korea’s strengths, notably its highly educated and civically engaged population, as critical factors in overcoming these internal challenges. It advocates for leveraging the country’s advanced technological sectors to sustain economic growth while addressing societal grievances.

The authors stress that confronting these lingering fractures is essential to preserving South Korea’s remarkable achievements in governance, democracy, and economic prosperity.

The Berggruen Governence Index Project (BGI) analyzes the relationship between democratic accountability, state capacity and the provision of public goods. It builds upon prior work that examined the impact of governance and democracy on the quality of life. It is a collaborative project between the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, the Hertie School, and the Berggruen Institute.