Subjective inequality in South Korea: Perception, belief, and discontent

This study examines subjective inequality in South Korea, stressing the multi-dimensional and domain-specific nature of subjective inequality with its broader socio-political implications. Based on a comprehensive survey of current inequalities in Korea, three dimensions of subjective inequality (perception, belief, and discontent) are explored over two principal domains of inequality (opportunities and outcomes). In particular, the new measure of subjective inequality, inequality discontent, is first developed and proposed in this study. The results show that Koreans perceive the level of outcome inequalities (income and wealth) as higher than opportunity inequalities (education and employment), but interestingly, they also believe that inequality of outcomes should be higher than that of opportunities. The level of discontent, however, was found to be equally high across all domains and areas. The utility of discontent as a new concept of subjective inequality is empirically tested against regression analysis of redistributive government interventions. This emphasis on the multi-dimensional and domain-specific understanding of inequalities better elucidates the public’s reactions to socioeconomic inequalities and enables the development of more appropriate inequality policies in Korea and beyond.