Won So
Research lead covering South Korea
South Korea is experiencing a sexual revolution, with long-standing restrictions on sex and relationships fading away. Although popular dating apps such as Noon Date, Tinder, and Amanda now allow people to conveniently find romantic partners or casual flings, this was not always the case. Women challenging traditional gender roles, a growing acceptance of premarital sex, and increasing support for LGBTQIA+ rights, especially among younger generations, have slowly been changing South Korea's conservative society.
Single people in South Korea nowadays have, on average, around four partners before marriage, with most stating that they would start having sex within a month of dating. Further, resolving one’s sexual desire and watching erotic videos became less demonized, showing a more sex-positive atmosphere.
Despite such changes, same-sex marriage has yet to be legalized in South Korea. To change this, the Seoul Queer Culture Festival has been held yearly in the country for the past 20 years, and the percentage of people in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage has more than doubled during this time. A recent national social survey showed that more than 44 percent of South Koreans have embraced the LGBT community. The extensive support for same-sex marriage alongside growing acceptance of sexual self-determination has paved the way for people to live freer sexual lives, especially for younger generations.
Waning influence of traditional beliefs on sex
Much of the conservative views on sex in Korean society are rooted in Neo-Confucianism, which clearly defines differing standards of sexual morality based on gender and sex strictly as a tool for procreation. However, with the rise of the feminist movement and the encouragement of sexual liberation from the late 90s onward, the influence of this belief system gradually declined and attitudes toward premarital sex became more relaxed. Marketing for contraception shifted from focusing on preventing unwanted children within the family to later being a medium through which romantic love could be fully enjoyed both in and outside of marriage.Single people in South Korea nowadays have, on average, around four partners before marriage, with most stating that they would start having sex within a month of dating. Further, resolving one’s sexual desire and watching erotic videos became less demonized, showing a more sex-positive atmosphere.
Reflection of love and sex in South Korea’s legal system
The legal code surrounding sex in South Korea has traditionally been conservative but has slowly been revised in the last 30 years to reflect changes in how society views sex. In 2019, the South Korean Supreme Court allowed the import of adult products, such as sex dolls, on the grounds that these products fell within the private sphere and should be outside the scope of government intervention. Previously, the import of such products had been completely banned.Despite such changes, same-sex marriage has yet to be legalized in South Korea. To change this, the Seoul Queer Culture Festival has been held yearly in the country for the past 20 years, and the percentage of people in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage has more than doubled during this time. A recent national social survey showed that more than 44 percent of South Koreans have embraced the LGBT community. The extensive support for same-sex marriage alongside growing acceptance of sexual self-determination has paved the way for people to live freer sexual lives, especially for younger generations.
