Liquor Sales only at Liquor Stores from 2003

A goverment agency is pressing to ban the sale of alcohol in supermarkets, convenient stores and other outlets and restricting sales to only specially designated 'liquor stores' from 2003. The Juvenile Protection Committee (JPC) announced on December 1 that it was negotiating with the Finance and Economy Ministry and the National Tax Administration to introduce the new system.
The JPC plans to implement the new system in December, 2003 after five years of promoting the plan to overcome the nation's customs and the convenience. It also plans to regulate the region, opening times, and customers who buy alcohol.
The liquor store system is used generally in the U.S., Britain, and Japan. These countries classify liquor as a 'very dangerous and special beverage' and regulate the distribution system of wholesale, retail, and consumption.
Kang Jee Won, the head of this committee said, 'Only in Korea can any retailer sell liquor. The system needs reform and improvement to prevent juvenile delinquency stemming from drinking.'