Korea's Low Happiness: The Real Reason

Among the world's top 10 economies. Per-capita GDP above $30,000. Education levels at the top of the OECD. Universal national health insurance. By objective measures alone, the country has everything it needs to be happy.

And yet its happiness ranks near the very bottom of the OECD.

Why?

Before answering that question, we first need to look at the foundation on which the modern society we live in was built.

Since the Enlightenment of the 18th century, Western civilization has developed on one clear premise. What John Locke's Two Treatises of Government (1689), Rousseau's The Social Contract (1762), and Kant's Perpetual Peace (1795) all argued in common was the proposition that **“all human beings are equal.”**

This was not merely an ideal. Actual history shows just how powerful a foundation for civilization this premise is.

The American Declaration of Independence (1776)

“All men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

The United States founded its nation on this principle of equality.

The French Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789)

“Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.”

The French Revolution toppled absolute monarchy and the estate system, and enshrined this principle in its very first article.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

Having lived through two world wars, humanity established this principle as a universal standard for the international community.

**Freedom of expression**: If everyone is equal, then minority voices must be respected too. This is the foundation of democratic decision-making.

**Capitalism**: After England's Glorious Revolution (1688), the Bill of Rights (1689) expanded individual rights, and capitalism developed—a system in which every individual, regardless of status, has the opportunity to act as an economic agent.

**Separation of powers and democracy**: A system in which equal individuals form and run society of their own free will. A system that prevents the concentration of power and guarantees individual rights.

**Historical cases**: The American civil rights movement, the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, and the Indian independence movement were all struggles for human equality, and in the societies where these movements succeeded, democracy and the economy developed more healthily.

Some think of “equality” as the exclusive property of the West. But history proves that it is a **universal human value**.

During China's Sui and Tang dynasties, the civil service examination system (科擧制) was put in place. It was a system in which anyone with ability, regardless of status, could become an official by passing an exam. It broke the hereditary privilege of the aristocracy and opened opportunity to commoners as well.

This system was a governing principle that ruled East Asia for over 1,300 years, and it became the foundation for the idea that “before ability, all stations are equal.”

Through the Meiji Restoration, Japan abolished its feudal class system and declared the equality of the four classes (四民平等). It dismantled the rigid hierarchy of samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants, and established the principle that all citizens are equal before the law.

After this equalizing measure, Japan achieved rapid modernization and economic development.

Through the Gabo Reform, Korea legally abolished the class system dividing yangban (the nobility) and commoners. And after liberation, the land reform under the Syngman Rhee government (1949–50)—for all its limitations—dismantled the landlord-centered structure of land ownership and distributed land to farmers.

This equalizing measure became the decisive foundation of Korea's economic development. Combined with the equalization of educational opportunity, it produced the miracle of growing into a top-10 economic power in a single generation.

China's examination system, Japan's Meiji Restoration, Korea's land reform. The development these three East Asian nations achieved, each in its own era, all began on the common foundation of **“the equalization of status.”**

This is no coincidence. Equality is not the exclusive property of the West; it is **a universal condition for the advancement of human civilization**.

Sweden, Norway, Denmark. What do these countries—the ones that top the UN World Happiness Report—have in common?

It is their **strong consciousness of equality**.

In these countries, the conviction that “every person is equal in themselves” is deeply rooted throughout society. No occupation is considered noble or base, individual choices are respected, and even where economic inequality exists, human respect is equal.

The result is high life satisfaction.

So what about Korea?

“Parental advantage” and the “gold-spoon discourse” have become everyday language. The belief that “effort pays off” is wavering, and the resignation that “it's all decided at birth anyway” is spreading.

While the Nordic countries design their societies on the belief that “opportunity is equal for everyone,” in Korea the perception that “we are unequal from birth” is growing stronger.

Universities are sorted into SKY, regional flagship national universities, and “no-name local schools.” Among jobs, doctors and lawyers sit at the top, civil servants in the middle, and small and mid-sized companies at the bottom. The level of respect you receive shifts with your age, your gender, your academic pedigree.

In the high-happiness Nordic countries, the principle that “jobs merely differ; human worth is the same” is at work. Korea, too, needs the conviction that “regardless of one's job or academic pedigree, human worth is equal.”

The culture of gapjil—abuse of power—persists. From boss to subordinate, from customer to employee. The older you are, the higher you rank, no questions asked, and group pressure crushes individual choice. Phrases like “know your place” and “figure out where you stand” are messages that deny an individual's worth.

In the high-happiness Nordic countries, individual choices and opinions are respected. Korea, too, needs a culture in which individuals can freely express their opinions and have them respected.

Let's compare a Swedish janitor with an employee at a large Korean corporation.

Even on a low salary, the Swedish janitor receives the respect of “I do work that society needs.” Their human worth is not diminished by their occupation. Their life satisfaction is high.

The Korean corporate employee, even on a high salary, is endlessly compared to “someone higher up.” Strip away the company nameplate and they're treated as “just some ordinary person.” Their life satisfaction is low.

In a society with a weak sense of equality, even those who earn a lot feel deprived as they look at “someone higher up.” Even those with a good job feel unhappy as they think of “a better job.” Even those who succeed feel inferior as they look at “someone more successful.”

In a society with a strong sense of equality, wherever you stand, you feel “I am a person of worth.” Whatever your work, you believe “I deserve respect.” Because you don't compare yourself to others, your life satisfaction is high.

The systems that denied equality ultimately collapsed. Nazi Germany's racism, South African apartheid, the party-member privileges of the old Soviet Union, the feudalism of medieval Europe, and the rigid caste-like societies of East Asia. All of them either crumbled under their internal contradictions or were transformed through reform.

Conversely, the societies that established the value of equality achieved sustainable development.

Not only the West's United States, Britain, and Nordic countries. In East Asia, too, China through its examination system, Japan through the Meiji Restoration, and Korea through land reform and the equalization of education laid the foundations for economic development.

Korea's low happiness is not because “we are poor.” It is because “we do not respect one another as equal human beings.”

We have already achieved economic growth. What we need now is **a shift in perception**.

A society where every occupation is respected. A society where you are valued for yourself as an individual, not for your academic pedigree or your age. A society where, even amid economic inequality, human respect at least is equal.

Only on the foundation that “all people are equal” can we finally speak of true happiness.

History has already shown us. Now it is our turn to choose.

When we talk about social problems, we often emphasize “inequality.” Income inequality, educational inequality, inequality of opportunity. These critiques are certainly important.

But I propose a different direction.

Why? These two are not simply opposite concepts. They are matters of an entirely different dimension.

If we emphasize inequality, our goal becomes “reducing the gap to zero.”

But this is mathematically impossible. People's abilities differ, their efforts differ, and luck intervenes. In a capitalist economy, economic gaps inevitably arise.

No matter how hard we try, perfect equality can never be achieved. The goal is lim → 0, but we can never reach it.

The result is **a permanent sense of failure**.

On the other hand, if we emphasize equality, our goal becomes “respecting every person as a human being.”

This can be pursued infinitely. The culture of mutual respect can grow ever deeper, the guarantee of basic rights can expand ever wider, and discrimination can diminish ever further.

The goal is lim → ∞, and we can keep moving toward it.

The result is **a gradual sense of achievement**.

This difference produces completely different outcomes for society as a whole.

When we emphasize the awareness of equality, the individual feels “I, too, am a person of worth.” Self-esteem rises, and trust in society is born.

Self-esteem and trust lead to active participation. People cooperate, contribute, and solve problems together.

As a result, society as a whole advances, and more opportunities are created. And this, in turn, raises the possibility of realizing equality.

As the awareness of equality grows even stronger, the virtuous cycle continues.

When we emphasize inequality, the individual feels “I am being discriminated against.” A sense of deprivation arises, and distrust of society grows.

Deprivation and distrust lead to resignation or anger. People give up on participating, or they inflame conflict.

As a result, society stagnates or splinters. Opportunities shrink, and the gap deepens further.

As the phenomenon of inequality becomes ever more visible, the vicious cycle continues.

The same situation comes to be received in completely different ways.

**A person with a strong sense of equality:**

- “My work matters too”

- “I, too, am contributing to society”

- Happiness ↑

**A person who emphasizes inequality:**

- “That person's got it good—born with a gold spoon”

- “I'll never make it anyway”

- Happiness ↓

Even in the exact same economic position, life satisfaction differs completely depending on which side you emphasize.

| | Emphasizing Equality | Emphasizing Inequality |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | 100% awareness of equality | 0% gap |
| Achievability | Infinitely pursuable | Absolutely impossible |
| Psychological effect | Hope, achievement | Frustration, anger |
| How it's measured | “How much have we improved?” | “How much is still left?” |
| Result | Virtuous cycle | Vicious cycle |

Inequality is a **phenomenon**. There is a part of it that can never be eliminated.

Equality is a **direction**. We can advance toward it infinitely.

Emphasize the phenomenon, and society stops. Emphasize the direction, and society moves forward.

I emphasize equality.

We must continually reinforce the conviction that “every person is equal in themselves,” and on that basis build a better society.

Pointing out inequality is necessary, too. But it must not become the goal.

**Only when we emphasize the direction of equality does the virtuous cycle finally begin.**

This is the only way to make individuals happy, to advance society, and to carry civilization forward.

**Princeps**

Building AI for everyone.

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