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Average Annual Salary in South Korea Rises by Over 1 Million Won, Tax Data Shows

Average Annual Salary in South Korea Rises by Over 1 Million Won, Tax Data Shows

SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) –  South Korean workers reported an average annual income of 43.32 million won in 2023, an increase of more than 1 million won from the previous year, according to year-end tax settlement data.  The number of high-income earners making over 100 million won annually reached 1.39 million, while 33% of workers [...]

South Korea’s Social Mobility Stagnating as Income Class Divisions Deepen, Study Shows

South Korea’s Social Mobility Stagnating as Income Class Divisions Deepen, Study Shows

SEJONG, Dec. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – Less than 20% of South Koreans moved up the income ladder in the past year, according to new data released by Statistics Korea on December 17, highlighting growing concerns about social mobility in the country. The comprehensive “Income Mobility Statistics 2017-2022″ report, which analyzed data from 11 million individuals, reveals [...]

Well-Off Newlyweds Make Up Growing Share of Korean Marriages

Well-Off Newlyweds Make Up Growing Share of Korean Marriages

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Korea Bizwire) – One in five newlywed couples in South Korea earned more than 100 million won annually last year, with the proportion reaching over 30% in Seoul, according to new government data.  Statistics Korea’s “2023 Newlywed Couples Statistics” released on December 15 showed that the total number of newlywed couples, including remarriages, decreased [...]

Income Inequality Linked to South Korea’s Plummeting Birth Rate, Study Finds

Income Inequality Linked to South Korea’s Plummeting Birth Rate, Study Finds

SEJONG, Oct. 15 (Korea Bizwire) – As South Korea grapples with one of the world’s lowest birth rates, a new study suggests that rising income inequality may be a significant contributing factor, prompting calls for integrated redistribution and birth support policies.  The research, presented at a recent fiscal policy forum by Lee Jong Ha, a professor [...]

Study Reveals Alarming Suicide Risk Among Low-Income Diabetics in South Korea

Study Reveals Alarming Suicide Risk Among Low-Income Diabetics in South Korea

SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Korea Bizwire) – A new study from South Korea has uncovered a disturbing link between diabetes, economic hardship, and suicide risk, highlighting the urgent need for social attention and practical support for vulnerable patients. The Korean Diabetes Association (KDA) reported on October 8 that low-income individuals with diabetes face a suicide risk 4.34 times [...]

Stark Income Inequality Among South Korea’s Professional Classes

Stark Income Inequality Among South Korea’s Professional Classes

SEJONG, Oct. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent analysis of tax data has revealed significant income disparities within South Korea’s professional sectors, with lawyers and accountants showing particularly pronounced inequality.  According to a report released on October 7 by Park Sung-hoon, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, the top 10% of earners in these professions accounted [...]

Gov’t Expands Financial Support for Low-income Earners, Small Businesses

Gov’t Expands Financial Support for Low-income Earners, Small Businesses

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — The government on Wednesday unveiled additional financial support for low-income earners that include complete debt forgiveness for those who are willing but unable to repay their loans. The move comes amid sharp increases in household debts and the number of people going bankrupt. The number of people filing for [...]

230,000 South Korean Self-Employed Pay Higher Health Insurance Despite Lower Income

230,000 South Korean Self-Employed Pay Higher Health Insurance Despite Lower Income

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent analysis of South Korea’s health insurance system has revealed a significant disparity affecting many self-employed individuals. According to data from the National Health Insurance Service, approximately 230,000 self-employed business owners are paying health insurance premiums based on their highest-paid employees’ salaries, even when their own incomes are lower.  [...]

Tax Data Exposes Worsening Income Crisis for South Korea’s Self-Employed

Tax Data Exposes Worsening Income Crisis for South Korea’s Self-Employed

SEJONG, Sept. 23 (Korea Bizwire) – A stark revelation about the economic struggles of South Korea’s self-employed population has emerged from recent tax data, showing that nearly 75% of individual business owners reported monthly incomes below 1 million won in 2022.  The figures, released by the National Tax Service and analyzed by Representative Park Sung-hoon of [...]

South Korean Workers Turn to Side Gigs as Cost of Living Soars

South Korean Workers Turn to Side Gigs as Cost of Living Soars

SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent survey has revealed that approximately 80% of South Korean workers are either currently engaged in side jobs or considering taking on additional work, highlighting the economic pressures faced by many in the country’s workforce.  The survey results, released by the job search app Albamon on August 29, polled [...]