Barton, Frederick DurrieShin, Christine J.2025-08-042025-08-042025-04-04https://theses-dissertations.princeton.edu/handle/88435/dsp013j333569zDespite progress in gender equality in international political spheres, women remain underrepresented in diplomatic institutions, particularly in societies where traditional gender norms remain influential. This thesis explores the progress made towards gender equality in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of South Korea and Japan, drawing on interviews with diplomats, public statements, policy reports, data sets, media coverage, and government websites. Through a comparative analysis, it explores the extent of gender disparities in diplomatic leadership, the historical and institutional barriers sustaining these gaps, and the effectiveness of existing policies aimed at fostering gender inclusivity. The findings indicate that South Korea achieved gender parity in diplomatic recruitment nearly two decades earlier than Japan, yet promotion rates have been rising at a similar pace for both countries. As more women enter mid-level positions, it remains uncertain whether a glass ceiling will hinder their advancement to senior leadership. While the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries have made strides toward gender inclusivity, deeply entrenched cultural expectations limit the impact of institutional policy reform. This thesis situates its analysis at a pivotal moment when women are approaching the threshold mid-level leadership, and the coming decade will be critical in determining whether structural barriers persist at the highest levels of diplomacy. This thesis concludes with policy recommendations to promote female representation in South Korea’s and Japan’s diplomatic corps, strengthening diplomatic effectiveness and contributing to more inclusive and sustainable peacebuilding efforts. As one of the few studies examining gender representation in non-Western diplomatic institutions, this research contributes to the growing call for globally representative scholarship in international relations.en-USPrinceton University Senior Theses