In South Korea, separate surnames can leave moms feeling left out
Gender
Children overwhelmingly receive father’s last name based on long-standing tradition
Choi Ji-mu, left, and her husband live in Japan. Her child and husband share the last name “Lee.” (Photo by Mana Takada)
TOKYO — Women in South Korea in principle keep their surnames unchanged after marriage while children take their father’s last name, a tradition that values fathers’ lineage in a patriarchal society.
