Aju Business Daily

South Korea's thirsty souls, especially soju lovers who favor the popular Korean liquor, are infuriated over price hikes at restaurants and bars.

For decades, soju has been the favorite drink of South Koreans because of its cheap price. A standard 360-milliliter bottle's average price at restaurants used to be 3,000 won (2.5 US dollars) but the price rose in the latter half of last year to 4,000 won. Now at some bars and dining places, a bottle of soju is priced at 5,000 won.

"I've been drinking soju because it's cheap. Now with that price, I would rather drink something else and more expensive," said a user "GobchangGobi" from a South Korean online community Clien. Another user "Okong" voiced discomfort: "Now, it is very disturbing to think I can't enjoy the Korean barbecue with soju anymore. It would cost too much."

Some were delighted at the price hike. "I wish restaurants raise the price even higher," said Jeong Won, a 43-year-old businessman in Seoul. "South Koreans should drink less. The heavy drinking culture should be ridden of."

According to Statistics Korea, a state statistical research agency, soju prices at restaurants and bars increased 11.7 percent on-year while retail prices at the street stores and convenience shops have stayed at 1,100 won.