SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of South Koreans playing golf has increased due following the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, the number of individuals who enjoy swimming has declined.
According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of 9,000 Koreans over 10 years of age across the country, 6.8 percent of the respondents said that they enjoy playing golf on a regular basis.
The share of those who enjoy playing golf among the total population has been on an upward trend, rising from 5 percent in 2019 to 5.5 percent in 2020 and 6.8 percent in 2021.
Even in the ranking of admission among community sports clubs, golf enjoyed a 7.4 percentage point increase to 21.8 percent to rank first, overtaking soccer (16.5 percent).
In contrast, swimming declined from 10.6 percent in 2019 to 4.3 percent in 2021, reflecting the fact that it’s difficult to wear a mask underwater.
The top sport for those who exercise on a regular basis was walking (41.4 percent), followed by hiking at 13.5 percent and fitness at 13.4 percent.
Image Credit: Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture & Tourism Organization / Seoul’s Seongdong District Office / photonews@koreabizwire.com
