Four out of five teenagers in Korea use a mobile phone. According to a study of 6,000 adolescents aged 12 to 18 in Korea, Japan, China, India, and Mexico, Korea boasted an 80 percent distribution rate of cell phones among teens, followed by Japan (77.3 percent), Mexico (64 percent), China (48.9 percent), and India (30.6 percent), the GSM Association of 3G wireless network operators and KTF said Tuesday.

The distribution rate among first graders at middle school was 87.7 percent in Korea but only 50 percent in Japan.

"The reason mobile phones are so popular in Korea is that they are considered a basic necessity and protective measures for teenagers including blocking adult services and requiring adult licenses are already widespread," the association said in a press release.

The standard for choosing a phone also varied by country. Koreans attached great importance to both function and design, whereas the Chinese valued the sound quality above anything. Indians thought the durability of batteries was the most important factor.