Inside Korea Lens

  The Weight of Academic Credentials: The Power of SKY In South Korea, academic background is not just a line on a résumé—it is a form of symbolic capital that continues to carry enormous weight. Among all universities, three names dominate public imagination: Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University. Together, they are commonly referred to as SKY , a shorthand for prestige and success. Historically, the roots of this hierarchy go back to the colonial and postwar periods, when only a handful of universities produced most of the nation’s elites. During the rapid industrialization of the 1960s and 1970s, the pool of opportunities was narrow, and admission to these top universities became the most reliable ticket to upward mobility. The statistics speak for themselves. In the mid-2000s, roughly 80% of judges and 70% of prosecutors were SKY graduates. In large corporate law firms, as much as 90% of lawyers shared the same academic pedigree. Senior gover...

  Korea’s Academic Excellence on the World Stage Ask anyone about Korea, and images of K-pop idols, lightning-fast Wi-Fi, or futuristic gadgets usually come to mind. But beyond the pop culture and technology, there is another defining feature of the nation—its outstanding record in education and academic achievement. In international assessments such as the OECD’s PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), Korean students consistently rank among the very best. In the 2022 PISA results, Korea scored 527 in math, 515 in reading, and 528 in science. These scores were far above the OECD averages (472 in math, 476 in reading, 485 in science). In terms of rankings, Korea placed third in math, second in reading, and second in science among 81 participating countries. This isn’t a recent phenomenon. Since the early 2000s, Korea has been recognized as an “education model nation.” Its students’ success has often been cited by international media as proof of how dedication, ...

Korea’s Academic Excellence on the World Stage Ask anyone about Korea, and images of K-pop idols, lightning-fast Wi-Fi, or futuristic gadgets usually come to mind. But beyond the pop culture and technology, there is another defining feature of the nation—its outstanding record in education and academic achievement. In international assessments such as the OECD’s PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), Korean students consistently rank among the very best. In the 2022 PISA results, Korea scored 527 in math, 515 in reading, and 528 in science. These scores were far above the OECD averages (472 in math, 476 in reading, 485 in science). In terms of rankings, Korea placed third in math, second in reading, and second in science among 81 participating countries. This isn’t a recent phenomenon. Since the early 2000s, Korea has been recognized as an “education model nation.” Its students’ success has often been cited by international media as proof of how dedication, discipl...

 The Roots and Reality of Entrance Exam Competition In Korea, university entrance exams are more than just tests—they are defining events. Families describe the college entrance exam, known as the CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test or suneung ), as a turning point not only for the student but for the entire household. Streets go quiet on test day, planes are grounded during the listening section, and police escorts help late students reach exam halls on time. Few other nations dramatize an exam in quite this way. This intensity is rooted in Korea’s history. After the Korean War, the nation faced extreme poverty. Economic development in the 1960s and 1970s made education the primary vehicle for upward mobility. Korea lacked natural resources, so success depended on human capital. If a family could push one child into a top university, the ripple effects were profound: stable jobs, higher income, and prestige for the entire household. Even today, while alternative career paths...

 The Roots of “Ppalli-Ppalli”: A Historical Perspective When foreigners think of Korea, they often mention K-pop stars, Korean dramas, kimchi, or cutting-edge technology. Yet one of the most enduring and unique features of Korean life is encapsulated in a simple phrase: “ppalli-ppalli.” Literally meaning “hurry-hurry,” it is a call to action, an instruction, and in many ways, a philosophy of life. The roots of this cultural code stretch back to Korea’s modern history. After the Korean War ended in 1953, the nation was devastated. Entire cities were reduced to rubble, the economy was in ruins, and millions of people struggled simply to survive. In this context, speed became a necessity. The developmental era of the 1960s and 1970s turned “ppalli-ppalli” into a guiding principle. Under President Park Chung-hee, Korea embraced state-led industrialization. Massive projects like the Gyeongbu Expressway were completed in record time—less than three years. Export targets once thought ...

Korea’s Long Working Hours: History and Current Reality South Korea’s economic story is inseparable from its culture of long working hours. After the Korean War in the 1950s, the nation was devastated and one of the poorest countries in the world. To rebuild, policymakers and businesses emphasized sheer effort. During the rapid industrialization of the 1960s through the 1980s, long hours were not only common but celebrated as patriotic. Workers would often describe themselves as part of the national mission. Sacrifice was normalized, and late nights at factories or offices were framed as contributions to the nation’s future. At the time, slogans like “Work harder, live better” reflected the social contract: individuals gave their time and health, and in return, the country promised collective prosperity. This culture persisted well into the modern era. Even in the 1990s and early 2000s, Korea consistently ranked near the top of the OECD in annual working hours. In some years, worke...

A Global Reputation for Safety When foreigners arrive in South Korea, one of their strongest impressions is not necessarily K-pop, Korean food, or high-speed internet. Instead, many are struck by something more fundamental: the sense of safety in daily life. Before visiting, outsiders often imagine Korea as a tense country, constantly overshadowed by its northern neighbor or by scenes of political protests shown in the international media. Headlines highlight North Korea’s missile tests or large-scale demonstrations in downtown Seoul, so the expectation is often of a society that feels insecure or even unstable. Yet the reality could not be more different. Once in Korea, visitors quickly realize that the country is one of the safest places in the world to live and travel. The difference between expectation and reality is often described as “shocking.” People find themselves asking: “How is it possible that I can walk alone at 2 a.m. and feel perfectly fine?” or “Why does nobody wor...

 1. Duty and Social Expectation In South Korea, military service is more than a government policy or a constitutional clause—it is a deeply embedded cultural expectation . Article 39 of the Korean Constitution declares that all citizens have the duty of national defense, and this has translated into a conscription system that requires nearly all able-bodied men to serve for about 18 to 21 months. For generations, completing military service has been regarded as a rite of passage, a symbolic transition from youth to adulthood. Parents and older relatives often say, “You only become a real man after the army.” The expression captures how service is perceived not merely as a civic duty, but as proof of maturity, endurance, and responsibility. This mindset has been reinforced over decades of conflict and tension on the Korean Peninsula, where the possibility of military confrontation has never fully disappeared. Serving in the military therefore carries not only legal weight but als...

The Draft and the Challenge of a Shrinking Population For decades, mandatory military service has been a central part of South Korea’s identity, not just a legal obligation. Since the Korean War, the draft has been seen as an essential safeguard in a nation that remains divided and technically still at war. Every healthy young man has been expected to serve, and this system has shaped the way Koreans think about citizenship and responsibility. But in recent years, Korea has faced an undeniable reality: the pool of eligible draftees is shrinking . A record-low birthrate has sharply reduced the number of young men available for service. Between 2019 and 2025, the population of men in their 20s fell by nearly 30 percent. The military has already downsized by about 20 percent in just six years, and defense officials warn of a shortage of more than 50,000 soldiers. This is not just a matter of numbers—it directly affects readiness and national security. As the 2025 presidential election...

Society: Everyday Life Shaped by Division The division of Korea is not just a geopolitical fact—it is woven into the structure of everyday life. For decades, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) has symbolized constant tension, even though it lies only a short drive from Seoul. This reality has created a society where people live with both a sense of normalcy and an underlying awareness of potential crisis. Mandatory military service for young men is one of the clearest examples of how division has shaped institutions. It is not just a civic duty but a rite of passage that continues to influence debates about fairness, gender roles, and generational differences. Older generations who experienced war view the North as an immediate threat, while younger people—who have never interacted with North Koreans—often see it as a distant, abstract entity. For many in their 20s and 30s, reunification is no longer a priority. Instead, “managing division realistically” has become the prevailing mindset...