One out of every 10 Koreans has considered suicide over economic difficulties, a survey suggests. Some half of the respondents thought of themselves as belonging to the lower class, and only three in 10 or 28.9 percent are satisfied with their situation. Half of the younger respondents between 15 and 24 chose government agencies and public corporations as their favorite employer, reflecting their tendency to prefer job security to other factors, such as a working environment where they can unleash their ambition and creativity. The National Statistical Office on Monday published the survey of some 70,000 people over 15 on their life in Korea conducted between July 16-25.
Suicidal thoughts
Some 10.3 percent of respondents had felt like killing themselves at least once over the last year. The biggest proportion was among those in their 40s with 12.7 percent, followed by those in their 50s with 11.6 percent and those in their 30s with 10.5 percent. The no. 1 reason was economic difficulties with 48.2 percent of these, followed by family discord with 15.4 percent and loneliness with 12 percent. Teenagers named poor academic grades and college entrance as their main reason for suicidal thoughts. Among 20-somethings it was economic difficulties and problems at work, and among the over-30s economic hardship. The lower the income bracket, the more they felt like killing themselves. While 5-6 percent of those with more than W3 million (US$1=W928) in monthly income had considered suicide, the figure rose almost three times to 15.8 percent for those with less than W1 million in monthly income.
¡®Low class'
Some 45.2 percent of respondents said they belonged to the lower class considering their income, job, financial assets and educational background, up from 42.4 percent in 2003. By contrast, the proportion who consider themselves middle class went down from 56.2 percent in 2003 to 53.4 percent, and those who think of themselves as high society rose slightly from 1.4 percent to 1.5 percent. In short, economic problems and worsening employment security over the last three years persuaded more people that their social status deteriorated from middle to lower class.
Three out of every 10 who consider themselves middle and lower class said their children¡¯s economic situation was unlikely to be better than their own (28 percent and 30.3 percent). Almost half of them said it is unlikely their own social and economic status will improve despite their life-long efforts (43.7 percent in the middle class and 50.8 percent for the lower class). Hyundai Economic Research Institute managing director Yoo Byung-kyu said, "The worsening economic situation and bleak prospects for the future make people less willing to actively participate in economic activities and overcome challenges.¡±
Job security
Those between 15 and 24 chose public servant as their favorite job with 33.5 percent, followed by employee with a big corporation with 17.1 percent, professional such as lawyer with 15.4 percent, employee with a public corporation with 11 percent, and their own business with 9.8 percent. That means almost half or 44.5 percent preferred the job security of government agencies and state-run companies to other factors. Those between 15 and 18 (35.9 percent) favored government agencies as their future workplace even more than those between 19 and 24 (31.7 percent). Those over 15 considered income (31.7 percent) and employment security (32.6 percent) the most important factor in choosing their job, far higher than their own talent and interests (12 percent).
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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