New figures show that average Koreans are still saddled with heavy debt burdens. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that six out of 10 middle-aged Koreans in their 40s and 50s have outstanding loans, with mortgages accounting for over half of the cases.

In contrast, only 10 percent of people in their 20s and 30 percent for those in their 30s are in debt, according to the survey on 500 people nationwide that was released by the KCCI.

Four in five young people were also saving more than people in middle age -- mostly to prepare for marriage.

According to the Civil Rights Commission in April, newlyweds this year need over W200 million to get married and find a place to live (US$1=W1,130).