Report shows 17 pct of Seoul National University students at risk of alcoholism

SEOUL, April 15 (Yonhap) -- Nearly two out of every 10 students at South Korea's
premier university are in danger of becoming an alcoholic, an internal survey
said Wednesday, an alarming result that follows two student deaths from excessive
drinking.

Up to 17.4 percent were categorized as being at a "high risk" of health problems
including alcohol addiction due to frequent drinking, according to Seoul National
University's survey of 431 of its students. The university has about 30,000
students.
While a majority of those surveyed said they drink two to four times a week -- 56
percent of males and 44 percent of females -- less than 5 percent said they
"never drink." Only 12 percent of male students and 34 percent of female students
said they drink less than once a week.
Two college students died last month after binging, and at least 10 students have
died from over-drinking in the past five years, according to the Korea Education
and Research Information Service.
Schools are trying to discourage drinking parties, at which 54 percent of college
students and 65 percent of freshmen say they are often forced to drink against
their will, according to a recent survey by job portal Career.
Drinking at freshman welcoming parties is a widespread "rite of passage" in
Korea, and is seen as a way of building fraternal relations and as an outlet
after years of rigorous studying to pass college entrance exams.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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