이 누리집은 대한민국 공식 전자정부 누리집입니다.
Biz News Korea(Eng)
S. Koreans smoke and drink more soju after political scandal
- Collected
- 2016.12.07
- Distributed
- 2016.12.09
- Source
- Go Direct
According to a study conducted by Maeil Business Newspaper on cigarette sales trend at a large-sized convenience store chain in Korea, tobacco sales rose by 4 percent in October and 3.7 percent in November against the same months of last year, accelerating from 2.6 percent average gain in August-September period.
Share of cigarette sales against total monthly revenue at the convenience store chain increased to 45.3 percent in October-November period from 43.2 percent from the previous two-month period.
Koreans took up more smoking out of outrage and frustration upon learning how a friend of the president was able to enjoy a broad range of power from state management to strong-arming large companies to cough out donations or run personal favors. The scandal has led to weekly candlelight vigils for the sixth consecutive week with the latest rally pulling in nearly 2 million people across the nation to streets of downtown Seoul to march near the Blue House crying out for the president’s immediate resignation.
In another sign of public discontent leading up to a bad habit is underscored by the rise in sales of soju, popular hard liquor for common Koreans. Soju sales jumped 19 percent in October on year.
“Political insecurity on top of economic insecurity has worn down Koreans more in the year-end period when people usually feel most down and stressed,” said Kwak Keum-joo, psychology professor at Seoul National University.
By Baek Sang-kyung
[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]