범 없는 골에 토끼가 왕 노릇 한다.

This proverb originates from a time when tigers were prevalent in Korea, symbolizing power and authority. The absence of a tiger (범 없는 골, 'beom eopneun gol' - 'a valley without a tiger') creates an opportunity for a weaker animal, like a rabbit (토끼, 'tokki'), to assume a position of dominance (왕 노릇 한다, 'wang noreut handa' - 'acts like a king'). The saying highlights how, in the absence of genuine power or strong competition, even the less capable can appear mighty and take control. It speaks to situations where a vacuum of authority allows those who would otherwise be insignificant to rise to prominence, often due to a lack of significant opposition rather than inherent strength or merit. The proverb implies that such power is often superficial and temporary, contingent on the continued absence of true power. It is frequently used to describe scenarios in politics, business, or social dynamics where an individual or group gains influence primarily because more formidable entities are absent or disengaged.