[The Typing Baker] "Inequality Is Not Inevitable"

27 Keywords Exploring Inequality in Korean Society

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] Daily life is tough, but competition is getting fiercer. South Korea has the highest Piketty index in the world, indicating asset inequality. The Piketty index calculated by Democratic Party lawmaker Goh Yong-jin using data from the Bank of Korea was 9.6 times. Several Western countries range between 5 to 6 times. Even China, which has raised alarms over polarization, recorded 7.3 times as of last year. South Korea’s inequality is 'dizzying.'

Is inequality natural? In South Korean society, which has entered the ranks of developed countries, inequality is not viewed as it is. Rather, it is said that it is 'justice' for capable people to live well. Poverty and suffering are blamed on one’s own incompetence. Sociologist and author Cho Hyung-geun criticizes this as the reckless behavior of vested interests. He points out that their words, which once urged patience until becoming a developed country, have changed.

From Industrial Accidents to Minimum Wage... The Shadows of Inequality in Korean Society

South Korea is a society with two sides: the world’s number one in inequality and a developed country. The author summarizes the pains and issues our society faces in 27 keywords. Chapter 1 is 'A World Where Inequality Deepens.' It examines ongoing inequalities through various cases such as the 'precariat' (a compound English word meaning precarious and proletariat) representing unstable workers, inheritance tax and hereditary capitalism related to the Samsung family, and regional extinction.

Chapter 2, 'A Society Where Everyone Is Safe,' begins with industrial accidents and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. Using the case of the late Lee Seon-ho’s safety accident at Pyeongtaek Port, it uncovers the shadows of Korean society. Then, through public rental housing, basic income, and minimum wage, it considers ways for ordinary people in Korea to sustain their lives. Especially in the minimum wage section, it strongly criticizes the political circles and media that scheme competition among the 'Eul' (the weaker party). It finds the opposition to minimum wage increases, which argues that the difficulties of self-employed people and small businesses hit by COVID-19 should be considered, surprising. The crisis of small businesses and the self-employed is structural, and they were already at their limits before the minimum wage increase.

Prosperity Theology and Meritocracy... Distorted Concepts

Chapter 4, 'To Hear the Voices of the Socially Weak,' enters the author’s area of expertise, social issues. It addresses the Anti-Discrimination Act, refugees, and defamation by factual reporting, criticizing the burning desires and prejudices of ordinary people in society. The author’s concerns extend even to religion. The first topic of Chapter 5, 'Perspectives on Success,' is prosperity theology. It examines the origins of faith in fortune and misfortune, success-oriented religion, and distorted meritocracy.

Meritocracy originally meant justice and equality. It means that income, status, and power are distributed based on individual abilities such as intelligence, effort, achievement, and contribution, rather than inherited status, gender, or race. However, in mid-20th century Western society, as traces of the 'aristocracy' disappeared and meritocratic 'elites' emerged, it began to fade. The author criticizes, "Elites justified the huge rewards they received as the result of fair competition based on ability, unlike past aristocrats, while labeling those who did not succeed as 'lacking ability.' Thus, meritocracy changed from a progressive ideology aiming for equality to a conservative ideology justifying inequality and discrimination."

The author rapidly surveys vast topics over seven chapters to view Korean society. Some topics may seem too briefly covered from some perspectives, and sometimes the arguments may feel sparse. But the underlying theme is clear. Korean society has various problems and also the capacity to fix them. He emphasizes, "An equal society will not come from the benevolence of the powerful; ultimately, ordinary people must unite their will and strength," and "History shows that solidarity and cooperation have also been beneficial for growth."

Reading Inequality Society by Keywords | Written by Cho Hyung-geun | Sodong | 322 pages | 17,000 KRW