Scapegoat Mechanism in Korea

This paper explores the persistence of the scapegoat mechanism in contemporary Korean society. Through the lens of gendered double standards, hierarchical oppression, collectivism, and historical-cultural continuity, it examines how marginalized individuals—particularly women and other “non-normative” figures—become targets of collective aggression. Using the case of actress Kim Sae-ron and contrasting responses to similar cases involving male celebrities, the study reveals how traditional patriarchal Confucian values, military culture, collectivist psychology, and post-colonial trauma continue to shape the Korean psyche and institutional behaviors