Why did gender inequality lag GDP per capita and human development growth in Korea over 1976-1996?

South Korea’s economic growth (EG) miracle has been a source of discussion since the 1990s. The assumption of relatively equitable distribution of resources should be contested, as a growing base of evidence shows that human development (HD) and gender parity improvements are not automatic. To that effect, this dissertation asks the question of why the gender equality index (GEI), a subset of the historical index of human development (HIHD) lagged, despite GDP per capita and HIHD growth. It is hypothesised that the widening of the gender pay gap (GPG) during 1976-1996, was predominantly responsible for worsening the GEI, leading to the divergence between GDP, HIHD and GEI. The occupational wage survey (OWS) conducted annually since 1971, by the South Korean Ministry of Labour is used to perform econometric analysis to understand the GPG time trend and how it was impacted by marital status and the introduction of trade unions. The results demonstrate that whilst earnings increased, the GPG widened, with marital status and trade unions offering explanations for increased discrimination. My findings provide support for analysing the benefits of redistribution on a gendered basis and making a case for gender equality improvements on both an intrinsic and instrumental level. Much further research can be done in this area, especially in the quantification of culture and its ongoing legacy on societal gendered roles in determining GPG inter alia.