Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Traveller]

This is the prize money for running the Comrades International Marathon in South Africa (It's about R7/$, but that's not the point):

PRIZE MONEY
Prize money will be awarded to the first ten Men and Women

Position Men Women
Position 1 R220,000.00 R220,000.00
Position 2 R110,000.00 R110,000.00
Position 3 R82,500.00 R82,500.00
Position 4 R44,000.00 R44,000.00
Position 5 R33,000.00 R33,000.00
Position 6 R20,000.00 R20,000.00
Position 7 R17,600.00 R17,600.00
Position 8 R15,500.00 R15,500.00
Position 9 R13,200.00 R13,200.00
Position 10 R11,000.00 R11,000.00

Cash Hot Spots
R 5,500 for the first runner (man and woman) to the designated position before Halfway.
R11,000 for the first runner (man and woman) to the Halfway.
R16,500 for the first runner (man and woman) to the designated position after Halfway.


2001 London Marathon prize money

Men's winner: $55,000
Women's winner: $55,000
Men's sub 2:07 bonus: $50,000
Women's sub 2:22 bonus: $50,000
1st and men's world record: $125,000 plus other bonuses
1st and women's world record: $125,000 plus other bonuses

This is the prize money if you run the Seoul marathon:
Prize money
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th


Male ＄80,000 ＄40,000 ＄25,000 ＄15,000 ＄10,000 ＄8,000 ＄5,000 ＄4,000 ＄3,000 ＄2,000


Female ＄40,000 ＄20,000 ＄15,000 ＄10,000 ＄5,000 ＄3,000

Total prizes for men: $192,000
Total for women: $93,000
Qualifying time requirements: same
Entrance fees: Same.

Apparently the positions 7-10 is worth nothing for a woman, however for men, it's worth $14,000, apart from the obvious inequality prior to that.

Prizes for 2007 Chuncheon Marathon:

Place Men Women

1st 30 million won (about $32,000), trophy & plate : 10 million won (about $10,000), trophy & plate

2nd 15 million won (about $16,000), trophy & plate : 5 million won (about $5,000), trophy & plate

3rd 7 million won (about $7,000), trophy & plate : 3 million won (about $3,000), trophy & plate

4th 5 million won (about $5,000), trophy & plate : 1 million won (about $1,000), trophy & plate

5th 1 million won (about $1,000), trophy & plate : 1 million won (about $1,000), trophy & plate

6th 1 million won (about $1,000), trophy & plate : 1 million won (about $1,000), trophy & plate

Distance: Same
Entry requirments: Same
Fees: Same

A woman in first and second place, is equal to a man in 4th and 5th place?

Chances are I would never acheive any of these places, however it sets the tone prior to even considering to take part. Why would I pay money to be slapped in the face?


South Africa is considered a developing country,while Korea has a Newly Industrialised Economy(NIE), and is on the cusp of being classified as Developed. Something as basic as marathon prizes are an excellent indication of equality and development. Needless to say, I will not, ever, run a marathon here.

[Otherside]

Can't argue with the facts, but in many sports women earn less than men.

When talking about prize money, one doesn't need to look further than tennis to this. Three of the four grand slams offer equal prize money for men and women...Wimbledon, does not. There is another thread somewhere here which argues that women only play 3 sets vs. the 5 that men play and thus should be paid less.

I'm going to sit on the fence on this one.

[Homer]

Shhhttt other side...don't you know this is a Korea only issue!

Stop making so much sense and being so normal...it is scaring some of the natives on Daves.

However on thing is true: it is a sad fact that sports reward women and men differently when it comes to money, endorsements (money again) and recognition. Men on average get more money and coverage. Women get less money and often fight for coverage.

It is about revenue (at least the excuse)...the media outlets say there is a larger audience for men..hence higher advertising revenues and such..so they pay more. It is a vicious circle that is hard to break because the mens sports get more coverage, hence generate more revenue, hence the men get more money...

You can see it at all levels and in most if not all pro-sports.

[Traveller]

People complain about the new visa requirements and other xenophobic issues in Korea. The fact of that matter is, if you're woman here, first you're a woman, so your position on the scale is one level down, then you're a foreign woman which means you're even further down.
Many issues that woman have here, men don't have, because at least they are a man so that counts in your favour somewhat. Dealing with xenophobia and sexism is not the easiest thing.

That is the point I'm trying to highlight.

Foreigners are often treated in ways that is unacceptable for Koreans to do to each other, and foreign women are often treated in ways that is totally unacceptable for Korean woman, or a Korean child for that matter.

At least in Middle Eastern countries the lines are clear, here they pretend we're all equal, and then have marathon winnings at half. As for Wimbledon, the thread having started after this one, strangely enough, I agree, women shouldn't be paid the same amount, we don't play an equal length game, however 42km is 42km and I have no doubt that the individual who decided on the amount that is worthy of a woman, has never run 42km.

I think when men see topics like this, many immediately presume it's an attack at the male species in general. Not so. We are different, our abilities are different, but don't sprout equality shite when the proof is in the pudding.
The reaction would be very different if the winnings were for Koreans and foreigners as apposed to men and women, or better yet, black runners,white runners, Asian and Korean.