Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Love and sex in South Korea - statistics and facts
South Korea was 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 allowed 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 LGBTQ+ rights, especially among younger generations, were slowly changing South Korea's conservative society.
Despite such changes, same-sex marriage was yet to be legalized in South Korea. To change this, the Seoul Queer Culture Festival had been held yearly in the country since the start of the 2000s, and the percentage of people in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage had 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. With higher support for same-sex marriage among younger generations alongside a growing acceptance of sexual self-determination, the way was paved for people to live freer sexual lives moving forward.
Waning influence of traditional beliefs on sex
Much of the traditional views on sex in South Korean society were rooted in Neo-Confucianism, which had differing standards of sexual morality based on gender and strictly considered the act of sex 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. Nowadays, single people in South Korea had around four partners before marriage on average, with most stating that they would start having sex within a month of dating. Furthermore, resolving one鈥檚 sexual desire and watching erotic videos became less stigmatized, underlining a more sex-positive atmosphere in the country.Reflection of love and sex in South Korea鈥檚 legal system
The legal code surrounding sex in South Korea had traditionally been conservative but was slowly revised over the last 30 years to reflect changes in how society viewed sex. In 2019, the South Korean Supreme Court allowed the import of adult products, such as sex dolls, on the grounds that those 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 was yet to be legalized in South Korea. To change this, the Seoul Queer Culture Festival had been held yearly in the country since the start of the 2000s, and the percentage of people in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage had 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. With higher support for same-sex marriage among younger generations alongside a growing acceptance of sexual self-determination, the way was paved for people to live freer sexual lives moving forward.
