By Kang Seung-woo
Park Hyun-wook has recently begun to spend more time at a pub before going home.
Although the 31-year-old salesman who works for a local pharmaceutical company is not a heavy drinker, he often turns to alcohol whenever he is stressed out at work.
Like him, a large number of salaried workers depend on alcohol, an online job market information provider said.
In a survey of 684 office workers, Incruit found that 27.3 percent of the respondents tend to drink alcohol to unwind, with men accounting for 32.1 percent and women for 22.3 percent.
“Even though I do not drink a lot every time, I often visit a pub near my home,” Park said.
“I see many women around me who often go drinking too.”
According to the study, 35.2 percent drink once or twice a week, but 6.1 percent drink alcohol three or four times a week.
“I usually drink twice a week and sometimes three times, but there are also some who drink a lot on weekdays,” he said.
Office workers say they drink mainly due to stress from their jobs.
“When I am stressed, I go have a drink. Sometimes, I suffer a hangover after boozing, but I think it is very effective to refresh me,” said Jin Eui-chul, an administrative staff at a hospital in Daegu.
Park was on the same line with Jin.
“When I get reprimand from my boss, I become passive. But drinking helps me get back on track,” he said.
However, they are cautious about making a habit of drinking, in other words, becoming an alcoholic.
The survey showed that 9.1 percent of those questioned ― 12.5 percent in men and 5.4 percent in women ― said they needed counseling or treatment for alcohol.
In addition, 7.1 percent of them are under treatment due to alcoholism.
“My family and I are worried that drinking will affect my health. So, I will try to reduce my alcohol intake,” Park said.
Meanwhile, most people surveyed think the Korean drinking culture is negative, according to the survey.
They believe that in order to change the drinking culture here, people should first change their perception that drinking is an extension of work.