South Korean People Suffer From Poverty and Agony

South Korean People Suffer From Poverty and Agony

Though the south Korean government tries tooth and claw to win over the people's mindset crying for the “grassroots-friendly policy”, it is no more than a deception and the people's livelihood is getting worse.

The figures and facts bellow graphically show the reality of their wretched livelihood.

- Destitute Bracket

Even according to the data released officially by the puppet regime the destitute bracket in south Korea numbers 5.85 million as of September 2009.

Taking into consideration the fact that 200,000~300,000 independent businessmen who eke out relying on small stores and stands go bankrupt recently every month, the destitute bracket is continually increasing.

- The Jobless

As of October 2009 the officially unemployed number 799,000 (8.6% increase compared to that of October 2008), according the official data of the puppet regime.

However, the actual jobless amount to 2.94 million if adding those who gave up the job-seeking.

If 3.78 million workers who are temporarily employed or barely living alive, the jobless number over 6.72 million.

Owing to the economic crisis the unemployment rate of the young people, in particular, are increased by 7.6% (6.6% in 2008) and one of ten women employees lost the job.

Besides, as many as 8 million part-timers and 5.74 million independent businessmen are overcome by fear of dismissal and bankruptcy that would befall to them at any time.

- Household Income and Debt

As of late October 2009, the average monthly income of households decreased by 3.3% as against that of 2008, recording the highest decrease since 2003.

Meantime, their average monthly debt increased 1.4 times their income or 4 times more than that of the 1998 foreign currency crisis.

- Consumer Prices

The rate of common price hike between January and September of 2009 was 2.8% on the average but the foodstuffs prices which directly affect the people's living rose by 4~10% at the same period.

- Tax and Other Burdens

The tax per capita in 2009 amounted to 4.34 million Won on the average and is expected to increase by 4.4% this year.

In addition, the individual burdens including pension and insurance dues from their income amount 5.599 million Won in 2009 and would increase by 6.4% this year.

- Education

A family in south Korea should pay 232 million Won of money for bringing up a child from the cradle to university graduation, and this figure is 16.8% more than that of 2003.

It takes some 157,000 US$ from the cradle to middle school graduation, and over 54,000 US$ for 4-year university graduation (13,500 US$ annually).

- Health Care

With the new influenza raging throughout south Korea last year, the price of cold medicine rose by 16.9%, vitamin complex by 16.4% and outpatient medical treatment by 7.2%, imposing a heavy burden on the people.

As a result, 1,500 persons were infected with the new influenza on the daily average in mid October 2009, but the number went up to over 10,000 in November and 117 persons died till late November last year, so many people were seized with terrible fear.

- Housing

Families without their own house are as many as 7 million in south Korea and 10% of them, not affording to pay the rented house, lead an inhuman life in shanties, vinyl houses and dugouts.

In regards to housing price, an 80m²-space flat of the “nest dwelling” which is offered recently by the conservative regime by reducing the price by half as compared with that of the surrounding areas is 280 million Won, so the “lifetime desire for my own house” is still faraway dream.

- Social Evils

For 5 years since 2004 the 5 major crimes such as murder, robbery, rape, larceny, and violence increased by 90,000 cases; rape and robbery increased by 30%, violence by 6.3% and murder 2.3%.

In particular, 135,000 juvenile criminals (less than 20 years old) were apprehended in 2008, and crimes by the young people drastically increased and their method got further atrocious.

Meanwhile, the suicide rate caused by difficulty of job-seeking, hardships of living and various diseases increases by 13% every year. 12,858 persons committed suicide in 2008, or two times as many as that of 2001.

More recently an American newspaper reported that at present suicide in south Korea numbers 26 among every 100,000 population and this rate is 2.5 times more than that of the US and bigger than that of Japan.

The elder suicides (more than 61 years old) increased 5 times more than that of 1989 and the portion of the elder among all the suicides increased 3 times, too.

These facts go to plainly show that the present conservative group is a corrupt and incompetent group which only pursues anti-popular and pro-conglomerate policy disregarding the people's right to existence.