consumption Archives | Be Korea-savvy
South Koreans Show Strong Willingness to Reduce Consumption for Climate, Study Finds

South Koreans Show Strong Willingness to Reduce Consumption for Climate, Study Finds

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – A majority of South Koreans are willing to cut their annual consumption by 15% or more to combat global warming, according to a recent international survey that highlights the country’s growing environmental consciousness. The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs released a report comparing climate change perceptions across 10 [...]

Seoul Residents Cut Back on Fruits and Vegetables, Increase Meat Consumption

Seoul Residents Cut Back on Fruits and Vegetables, Increase Meat Consumption

SEOUL, Aug. 23 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent study has revealed a significant change in the eating habits of Seoul’s residents over the past decade, with a notable decrease in fruit consumption and an increase in meat intake.  According to a report titled “Analysis of Seoul Citizens’ Dietary Habits and Policy Directions” released by the Seoul [...]

As Prices Soar in South Korea, Eco-Friendly Purchases Take a Back Seat

As Prices Soar in South Korea, Eco-Friendly Purchases Take a Back Seat

SEOUL, Jun. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – Park, a 30-year-old office worker, recently made an uncharacteristic choice while shopping online: Instead of her usual environmentally friendly detergent, she added a regular brand to her virtual cart.  Since starting to live independently in 2021, Park had used biodegradable sponges, shampoo bars and other eco-friendly products. But with prices [...]

Consumer Sentiment Dips to 6-month Low in May amid Rising Prices, High Rates

Consumer Sentiment Dips to 6-month Low in May amid Rising Prices, High Rates

SEOUL, May 21 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s consumer sentiment declined to a six-month low for May amid high inflation and market rates, a central bank poll showed Tuesday. The composite consumer sentiment index stood at 98.4 this month, down from the previous month’s 100.7, the lowest since November last year, according to the survey [...]

Consumer Sentiment Snaps 3-month Rise in March amid Rising Prices, Slumping Spending

Consumer Sentiment Snaps 3-month Rise in March amid Rising Prices, Slumping Spending

SEOUL, Mar. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s consumer sentiment snapped an improvement for the third consecutive month in March amid soaring prices of farm goods and a slump in private spending, a central bank poll showed Tuesday. The composite consumer sentiment index stood at 100.7 this month, down from 101.9 the previous month, according [...]

Survey Shows Decline in Kimchi Consumption Across South Korea

Survey Shows Decline in Kimchi Consumption Across South Korea

SEOUL, Mar. 21 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent survey has revealed that 4 out of 10 households in South Korea have family members, primarily children, who do not consume kimchi, the traditional dish of fermented vegetables. As households increasingly rely on store-bought kimchi, there is a growing demand for clearer labeling regarding levels of spiciness and [...]

Economic Pressures Shape Divergent Spending Patterns Among South Korean Consumers

Economic Pressures Shape Divergent Spending Patterns Among South Korean Consumers

SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – In the face of persistent high inflation and interest rates, South Korean consumers have been navigating the economic landscape with markedly polarized spending habits. This trend, underscored by recent studies from Lotte Home Shopping and WiseApp, reveals a complex interplay of ‘value-seeking consumption’ and ‘revenge spending’, shaping the country’s retail [...]

National Assembly Speeds Up Efforts to Outlaw Dog Meat Consumption in S. Korea

National Assembly Speeds Up Efforts to Outlaw Dog Meat Consumption in S. Korea

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — Legislative efforts to end dog meat consumption in South Korea are picking up speed amid rare political unity following the presidential office’s outspoken support for ending the centuries-old practice. Calls to end the practice are not new in South Korea, where butchering or eating dog meat is neither explicitly [...]

Consumers Cut Spending amid High Interest Rates and High Inflation

Consumers Cut Spending amid High Interest Rates and High Inflation

SEOUL, March 15 (Korea Bizwire) — Impacted by high interest rates, high inflation and a stagnant job market, South Korea’s consumption has been on a downward trend since the autumn of 2022. According to data from Statistics Korea, the nation’s seasonally adjusted retail sales index stood at 103.9 in January, down 5.03 percentage points compared [...]