• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.77-109
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• 2005

On the basis of the Korea Labor and Income Panel Survey for the 1997 through 2003 period, this paper investigates if the income distribution has become more bi-polarized since the recent financial crisis. The polarization measure developed by Esteban and Ray(l994) and Duclos, Esteban, and Ray(2004) indicates that the distribution of total income has become much more bi-polarized than unequalized for the entire sample period. Second, the rapid increase in the bi-polarization measure is attributed to the enhanced within-group homogeneity among the lower-income group as well as the widening gap between the two groups in the mean income level. Third, no such pattern exists in the distribution of labor income. Overall, the findings in the current study would support the hypothesis of a centrifuging society which is characterized by the slow disappearance of the middle class and the formation of two poles and which is observed in the United States and the United Kingdom among others.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.827-858
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• 2011

In Korea, various environmentally harmful subsidies are granted in agriculture, fishery, energy, electricity, transportation, steel and shipbuilding industry. Examples include tax-exempt fuel for agriculture & fishery, VAT- exemption for briquette & anthracite, temporary subsidy for fuel, production stabilizing subsidy for coal mining, subsidy for briquette. Korea's yearly total subsidy in energy area is about 5,291 billion won, among them is 4,870 billion won. To reduce air pollutants and to mitigate climate change, Korea has to review the phase-out of environmentally harmful subsidies and the phase-in of environment-friendly subsidy. The reduction or removal of environmentally harmful subsidies will enhance economic efficiency and bring about environmental benefits. Economic efficiency means less use of inputs, which reduces environmental cost and improves social benefits. This paper applies the Shoven and Whalley's model to the Korean economy and analyzes the general equilibrium incidence effects of reforming environmentally harmful subsidies in the energy and electricity in Korea. We consider several counterfactual scenarios in which current environmentally harmful subsidies are reduced or abolished, compare them with the reference case in the economy, and evaluated the change in efficiency costs and distributional incidence of tax reforms related to subsidies.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.423-432
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• 2005

This study reviewed the consumption patterns of high-income households and analyzed the ratio of major 6 expenditure categories including food at home, food away from horne, education, clothing, entertainment, and housing expenditure to total expenditure. We employed data from two different years (1997 and 1998) so that we could investigate the influence of the economy depression on the patterns and items ratio of consumption, For this purpose, the Daewoo Panel data were used. Also, data analysis was done with descriptive statistics, t-test, and regression analysis. The regression analyses were used to investigate the determinants of the high-income households' consumption patterns. The results of this study showed that food away from home, among 6 consumption items, seemed to be significantly affected by the depression, but still high-income households seemed not to lessen education expense. We included independent variables such as age, income, job, gender, debts and the likes. It was found that the age of reference person affected the amount of expenses for food, clothing, and entertainment. Other independent variables influenced different consumption categories. The results of this study would be useful for marketing strategies of fashion industries.

• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.31-62
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• 2018

Using matching and difference-in-differences estimation method, this study estimates causal effects of health shocks on employment and income of full-time workers aged 40-55. Acute hospital admissions lower significantly the employment probability and earnings. The changes in employment and earnings persist up to three years after the health shock. The economic impacts of health shocks vary by socioeconomic status and job characteristics among individuals. Irregular workers are more likely to leave their jobs after health shocks than regular workers. Among irregular workers, the probability of leaving labor market after health shock decreases with the size of the firm.

• Social Workers
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• no.3 s.35
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• pp.32-35
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• 2005

사회복지공동모금회에 의하면 지난 '희망 2005 이웃사랑캠페인'에서 전년보다 개인기부나 기업기부가 각 60% 이상씩 늘어났다고 한다. 경제가 최악이라고 다들 말하지만 국민들의 따뜻한 마음은 최악이 아니였던 것이다. 이렇게 모인 금액은 우리가 흔히 말하는 불우이웃, 즉 빈곤층과 소외계층에 나누어져 지원된다. 그런데 문제는 이러한 분위기가 정부보다는 국민들에게 더 강하게 어필되고 있는 느낌이다. 우리나라 빈곤층은 1997년 경제위기 이후 급격히 늘어 1999년 정점에 이른 뒤 2000년부터는 감소추세였다. 그러나 2003년 기점으로 절대빈곤률과 상대빈곤률이 다시 높아지고 있으며, 특히 상대빈곤층은 최악의 상태였던 1999년보다 높아졌으며 중산층은 줄고 고소득층은 늘어 사회가 양극화 되고 있다. 가난의 굴레를 벗어나기가 쉽지 않다고는 하지만 그나마 사회안전망이라 할 수 있는 국민기초생활보장제도도 빈곤층에게 인간다운 아름다운 삶을 보장받게 해주지 못하고 있는 것이 사실이다. 또한, 정부의 복지정책의 근간이 되는 기본 실태조사좌도 그 신뢰성에 문제로 제기하고 있는 현 상황과 대책을 알아보고자 한다.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.449-455
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was found the risk factors of cataract by gender in elder and older Korean adults. Methods: We investigated the data for 5,024 (men 2,163 people, women 2,861 people) people, aged 40-95 years, from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We divided into two groups (group 1: 40-64 years, group 2: 65-94 years). We divided into two groups (group 1: 40-64 years, group 2: 65-94 years). Cataract was decided in case of at least one eye with lens opacity. We presented significant odds ratio (OR) increase of cataract according to the obesity and socioeconomic information including house income and education level after adjusting for diabetes, hypertension, high triglyceride, outside active, smoking and drinking habits in two groups with distinction of sex. Results: House income (or education) was strongly related to the prevalence of agerelated cataract in all groups. In models adjusting for all other related factors, cataract patients with lower income and education had a higher prevalence of cataract (group1: OR, 1.84[1.17-2.91], OR, 3.00[1.90-4.74], group 2: OR, 3.47[2.53-4.74], OR, 7.44[5.41-10.23] for men. In comparison, for women, cataract patients with lower income, lower education and obesity had a higher prevalence of cataract (group1: OR, 1.72[1.14-2.60], OR, 4.48[2.72-7.38], OR, 1.40[1.10-1.82], group 2: OR, 2.32[1.70-3.16], OR, 29.99[20.31-44.28], OR, 1.27[1.04-1.54]). Conclusions: Factors of low socioeconomic status were associated with age-related cataract in Korean. Obesity-cataract association was stronger in women.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.79-113
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• 2003

This study is intended to explore an income level necessart for the old-age by income Status. Firstly, it is verified whether there is significant difference between old-age and working age or not. Secondly, if their difference is found, it will be identified that it is determined by certain factors. Thirdly, it is brought out needful income level for the old-age living through analysing old-age consumption expenditure level over working age. The results in this research are as follows. Firstly, there is a significant difference between old-age and working age. Secondly, the major factors which generated difference between old-age and working age consumption expenditure are income, household size, and age. Thirdly, the income level necessary for oldage living is on average 61 %. By income status, it is 90-100% for low income status, 60-70% for middle income status, 50-60% for high income status.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.132-141
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• 2012

This current survey was conducted to examine consumer attitudes toward factors determining beef purchasing and improving distribution systems. The frequency of beef purchasing was shown to reflect social and economic status, where inhabitants in large cities, such as Seoul, with higher salaries showed a higher frequency. In addition, consumers that were in their forties bought beef more frequently than consumers that were in their twenties. Consumers in Seoul and the megalopolis with a monthly income of higher than 200 million won preferred to purchase meat from department stores and discount markets. In contrast, people in small cities with lower incomes tended to buy meat from butcher shops and brand shops. In a question regarding unsatisfaction factors of retail beef, individuals that were in their thirties with a high income had concerns associated with packaging problems. For people under thirty with low income, the consistency of quality and price were the prime concerns. In regards to the beef grading system, consumer response varied between inhabitants, monthly income and age group, where consumers from small cities that were in their twenties and forties with a low income had a negative viewpoint. For the differential beef distribution system, housewives between the ages of 30 and 40 from a small city with an income higher than 200 million won had a positive response; however, a large number of consumers were not familiar with this system. The most demanding beef cuts were in the following order: loin, flank and rib. In addition, the most important factors determining purchasing beef were as follows: price, breed and portion.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.700-709
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• 2016

This study examined the importance of the skin care source on the consumer's general characteristics (lifestyle, residential district and income). The questionnaire survey results showed that women in their twenties choose dermatologic clinics as the best source for skin care. The three-way ANOVA using three variables (lifestyle, residential district and income) showed notable differences between the dermatologic clinic, newspaper?magazine, family?friends, and internet sources. Some suggestions for a marketing strategy were made. For example, newspaper?magazine targeting high income consumers is a good means for dermatologic clinics in Seoul and the Internet is better than other sources for other industries in Daejon.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.331-341
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• 2019

The purpose of this analysis is to examine the effects of health expenditure on income inequality on household income after the financial crisis by using the household income survey form 1996 to 2016. The main results are as follows. First, after the financial crisis, the gross income inequality of households has been changing steadily, though there has been a slight change in each year. Second, high-income earners spend more on health care expenditure by income level. Therefore, unequal levels are maintained. Third, the Gini coefficient of income excluding health care expenditure was calculated. The results of the analysis are larger than the Gini coefficient of total income. Income inequality is intensified by the expenditure of health care expenditure of households. The inequality of household income due to health care expenditure has been increasing steadily since the financial crisis. Efforts such as strengthening the protection of health insurance have been continuously carried out for the purpose of reducing the burden of the national medical expenses. However, it does not contribute to resolving income inequality. In the future, it will be necessary to provide a more selective medical support system to reduce the medical expenditure of the low income class.