A study conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs found that only 25.4% of South Korean adults perceive social mobility as active, while 59.2% consider it average and 15.4% deem it inactive. This survey involved 3,000 adults aged 19 and above, conducted between May 18 and June 20 of the previous year.

The primary reason for the perceived lack of social mobility is attributed to the influence of parents' economic power and social background, with 43.4% of respondents highlighting it as a significant factor. The report indicates that phenomena like wealth inheritance and asset polarization negatively affect attitudes towards social mobility. Additional obstacles identified include a divided job market and the influence of one's region of origin or social networks, which further complicate upward mobility.

The authors of the study recommend the establishment of a "social asset system," providing individuals with government-funded assets up to a certain age that must be utilized exclusively for self-improvement purposes, such as education or vocational training. They suggest that vouchers controlling the use of these assets may be more effective than cash to help address the growing concerns around social inequality and mobility in South Korea.