The number of Koreans suffering from alcoholism keeps on rising. According to statistics compiled by the National Health Insurance from 2007 to 2011 and released on Sunday, the number of people treated for alcoholism jumped 18 percent from 66,196 in 2007 to 78,357 last year, marking an average annual growth rate of 4.3 percent.

Associated medical costs rose 12.5 percent a year on average from W119 billion to W190.5 billion (US$1=W1,091).

As of last year there were 63,859 male and 14,498 female alcoholics. People in their 50s made up the largest number at 22,966.