Number of S. Korea's newborns plunges in August

SEOUL, Oct. 28 (Yonhap) -- The number of babies born in South Korea fell sharply in August from a year earlier despite the government's efforts to encourage childbirth, a government report showed Tuesday.

According to the report by the National Statistical Office, the number of newborn
babies totaled 38,200 in August, down 5,800 or 13.2 percent from the same period
a year earlier. In the first eight months of this year, 317,300 babies were born,
compared with 328,000 a year before.
The decline is attributed to a relatively sharp rise in the number of births in
2007, as many people believed that babies born during the "year of the golden
pig" will enjoy prosperity. The pig is the 12th and final animal in the Asian
zodiac and many here cherish the animal as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
The number of marriages also declined, the report showed.
Couples who tied the knot in August came to 23,800, down 2,300 or 8.8 percent
from a year earlier. The figure brought the number of marriages during the first
eight months of this year to 218,100, compared with 226,100 a year ago.
Divorces fell sharply, according to the report. A total of 6,400 cases of divorce
were filed in August, down 4,900 or 43.4 percent compared with the same period of
2007. During the eight months of this year, 80,600 couples had filed for divorce,
down 3,200 from a year ago.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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