Probably attributable to a time lag as the Korean GDP per capita in the 1960's was close to sub-Saharan African levels + military junta rule that stymied liberal education for a good cohort of the population. Countries like Spain also show similarities to Korea and when looking at youth scoring, things tend to be more equal.
Generally free + outlets like the NYTimes are based in Seoul.
Taiwan is more free than Korea but due its political predicament, it is not a candidate for the bureaus.
As for Japan, after a series of controversial bills were passed under Abe, their ranking dropped like a rock over the past decade and it is getting worse with so-called "press clubs" that are reluctant to criticise the govt due to how access is granted.
Being a doctor in Japan has too many requirements and has a strong network tied to schools with the "good old boys".
If they have English skills, many aim for America and other Anglophone nations. But ironically, the American Medical Association pushed for caps on schools and residencies like their Korean counterparts and it was rather humorous seeing trainee doctors complaining about this.
