About Half of Koreans Feel Quality of Life Has Worsened

Forty-five percent of Korean people believe their quality of life has 'worsened' compared to that of five years ago while only twenty-seven percent responded it has 'improved'.
Job security, as opposed to salary levels, is regarded as the most decisive factor when ordinary people choose their occupation.
Traditionally it was the eldest son in the family who continued to live with his parents even after marriage. Now, it is generally acknowledged that an able son or daughter, regardless of their age or order of birth, can live with elderly parents. Three out of seven unmarried women do not think that marriage is an indispensible item.
These findings come from the survey of social statistics in 1998 released by the Statistics Administration on Friday.
According to the survey, most people in Korea regard health(36.7 percent of the total responses) as the most valuable item in their life, followed by money(30.5 percent), education(9.3 percent), job(8.3 percent), and rearing children(6.6 percent).
The ratio of women who hope to continue working after marriage increased to 26.8 percent from 20.9 percent in 1994.
Shang-bok Shim : simsb@joongang.co.kr