SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Korea Bizwire) — As the end of year approaches, a growing number of South Koreans are expected to either drink alone or have drinking parties at home as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp. conducted a survey in which 65.7 percent of respondents said their drinking habits had changed from the pre-coronavirus era.
Among them, 87.3 percent said they drink at home, and 45.2 percent said they drink alone following the virus outbreak.
Medical experts warned that drinking alone at home may lead to excessive drinking and alcohol abuse.
“Drinking alone is harder to control, with a higher chance of alcohol dependence,” said Prof. Cho Sung-joon from Kangbuk Samsung Hospital.
“It is harder to receive feedback when drinking alone, raising the risk of falling into various problems.”
Image Credit: Kangbuk Samsung Hospital / Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com