Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Real Reality]

Nearly Half of Married Couples Divorce Last Year

South Korea's divorce rate is climbing to the top, with nearly half of the nation�s marriages ending in divorce, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said on Sunday.

The country's divorce rate, which stood at 47.4 percent last year, is estimated to surpass the 50-percent mark in the near future, according to a report compiled by the ministry and the Catholic-based Kkottongnae Hyundo University of Social Welfare.

Currently, Korea's falls slightly behind the United States at a 51-percent divorce rate and Sweden at a 48-percent. Advanced countries such as Norway, Britain, Canada and France all had lower divorce rates with 44 percent, 42 percent, 38 percent and 33 percent, respectively.
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200312/kt2003122817313012020.htm

[weatherman]

Looks like a social trend that in twisted korea, might become fashionable. Like you are nobody if you haven't been divorce

[Moldy Rutabaga]

It would be interesting to know if these are new marriages that are ending in divorce, or all marriages. As divorce seems to have quickly become acceptable or fashionable, there may be torrents of older, bad marriages which will end, and then the rate could drop dramatically. Or not. Does anyone know more about this?

Ken:>

[komtengi]

A collegue of mine works in Market Research and hes had a look into the statistics, he said the majority of these divorces are in the early stages on marriage. Generally in the first 2 years.

[Real Reality]

Korea likely to lead world in divorce
Korea is expected to have the highest divorce rate in the world soon, a report published yesterday by the Health and Welfare Ministry said.
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2003/12/29/200312290018.asp

[jaebea]

I don't think many of us would be too surprised, especially with some of the more intimate run ins and personal observations through time spent here.

The social climate almost encourages infidelity, and here's another feather to the cap that Koreans can jokingly "boast" about leading the world in.

Boo.. :/

jae.

[Tiger Beer]

Yes, the divorce rates are alarming. I remember a few years ago when I lived in Pusan, and Koreans would tell me that divorce isn't an option here.

It was always considered really bad for the woman. No one would ever want to marry a divorced woman. Seems like times have changed. Men could do whatever and say whatever and demand whatever as women had no choice in the matter.

Generally though, Korea with the many many young people regularly drinking.. the internet.. the social climate - people constantly meeting each other. Its no surprise that its common. I think most foreigners have also met married women who show interest in them or others as well. Seems like a lot is going on under the surface.

I particularly believe Korean women are very well adept at lying and saying what needs to be said and pretending.. as they've had a lifetime of practice to hide things from parents, older generation, family and friends, etc.. its no wonder it doesn't carry right on through to the marriage as well.

In addition, the 'marriage' here is based on woman servitude to the man. Men expect a young beautiful woman to play the role of his mother and serve his every need. Women aren't buying into it anymore.. particularly with how much fewer women then there are than man. The rules are changing quite a bit.

When the divorce rate gets high, it means women are having more alternative choices and don't have to deal with traditional strongly male-oriented and dominated stuff.

[Gord]

[Real Reality]

"Nearly Half of Married Couples Divorce Last Year" is the title of the article.

Gord, does your avatar relate somehow to this story?

"More moms going down, to ensure grades go up!"
http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/waiwai/0201/020106moms.html

[matko]

That explains all the mother/son themed porn in Japan!!!!!

[maxxx_power]

That article is disturbing on so many levels.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Would love to see a credible article dealing with the reasons for the rapid increase.

One guy I know divorced his wife because she wouldn't 'serve' his parents. Another guy I know married a hooker, then had second thoughts when he found out she wasn't entirely retired. (He, his drunk buddies and their rent-a-girls were on the way to the love motel when he ran into his wife, hanging on the arm of another man. )

[jaebea]

The look on the respective faces would have been completely *priceless*

:)

jae.

[itaewonguy]

the issues of divorce in korea are CRAZY!!

mostly its about!

MONEY! and serving the parents inlaws!

many young brides also really enjoyed their free days.. then got married to MR ADUSI who want let her go out anymore! doesnt trust her, wants her home by 9pm every night to make his dinner... some girls put up with that because they are stupid. others FLIP THE BIRD and say F O!
just becuase you marry someone, doesnt mean you OWN them!!
korean guys and many other guys around the world really need to learn this...

I know of 5 divorced couples...

1: divorced because she wanted to sleep around, wasnt sasitfied with her husband lazy arse, no mates, spends all day playing games.. so she had affairs all the time.. finally left his arse and her kid..

2: this girl broke up because his parents were F%^$# CRAZY., they taught just because their little prince son married a woman. they got a life long slave. she as forced to do everything for him and his parents..
not too mention she was treated like s h i t ... after 5 years of marriage.
they sleep with each other maybe 10 times.. had different rooms.. and she was forced to stay home all the time.. finally she left him .. he being the childish korean he is.. wont let her see her son.

3: old couple.. father was cheating on the wife for so long.. finally the ajuma had the power inside to kick his arse to the curb...

4: This couple again with a child.. she was crazy. he was a really nice guy.
but she was one of those psycho girls.. who would spend WAY to much money! and go out drinking all night then complain. she was always depressed to be marriage.. so she dumped the husband and kid.. and left.
never heard from her again..

5: young couple.. he lost his job,.. so her parents encourge her to divorce him and find another man.. so she did...

of course there are thousands of stories.. but thats a few I know of..

yes korea is now the 3rd largest divorce rate country in the world..
man.. and population size. WOW.. I remember 10 years ago,.. divorce was a really rare thing... now look at it..
I remember 5 years ago.. people couldnt even show skin on music tv.
now look!! worse than america...
I think korea soon will lose all its traditional values.. and they will turn around and blame America for it..

[Derrek]

Itaewon guy is right.

And they will (and already do) blame the USA for it all, when everyone knows it's those darned Kiwi's who are turning the women into desperate sex-crazed vampires!

*just teasing*

But seriously, you are dead-on with what you've said. One thing that really alarms me is one Korean ajumma who is my age and thinks of divorce. Her husband is good to her and loves her, but she's just tired of being "a mom" and so darned busy. She's also not attracted to him at all anymore. Just hates having sex with him.

She is now flirting online and seeking an affair -- ugh... angers me.

I knew another ajumma in the exact-same situation last year. She told me that her daughter overheard her tell her husband she was going to move out, and her daughter later pleaded with her just to, "love daddy and me and don't go."

As you can imagine, it was hard for her to hear that from her little girl (maybe 4 or 5 years old), but she still left. Horrible.

Not just a korean problem, obviously, but it still angers me because I know these men were good to their wives.