Seoul, South Korea – A recent analysis of tax data has revealed a stark disparity in earnings among self-employed individuals in South Korea. The study, conducted by the National Assembly's Budget and Finance Committee, found that the top 0.1% of self-employed earners in the country bring home an average annual income of over 1.5 billion won ($1.1 million USD), with Seoul residents seeing even higher average earnings of over 2.5 billion won.

The data, released on [Date], shows that while the average annual income for self-employed individuals in South Korea is 18.59 million won, the median income is significantly lower at 6.37 million won, highlighting a skewed distribution of wealth within this demographic.

Regional disparities were also evident. While cities like Daegu, Busan, and Seoul boasted higher average incomes, regions including Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Chungnam reported lower figures. Notably, the gap between the top and bottom 20% of earners was most pronounced in Seoul, where the top 20% earned 154 times more than the bottom 20%.

"The widening income gap among self-employed individuals is a serious concern," said Rep. Park Seong-hun, who requested the data. "It not only hinders national unity but also fuels social unrest and instability. We need to implement policies that promote upward mobility and create a more equitable society."