The heavy drinking is a serious problem in our society. In Korean culture, however, individuals are generally excused and forgiven for violent behavior which occurs while drinking. Korean cultural images of the association between alcohol and violence are also evidents in films, drama, nobles, and violence: and second that drinkenness and family violence are often described as a masculine and excusable behaviors. Unfortunately, there is few empirical evidence of the link between alcohol and family violence in Korea.
The purposes of this study are to explore the alcohol consumption level of Koreans, and to examine the relationship between the heavy drinking and intra-family violence, and the linkage between drinking and family violence with socio-economic status.
The study found that majority Korean men consume a quite amount of alcohol weekly basis. 50% of the male respondents report that they drink about a bottle of soju one or twice a week and surprisingly 20% of the men drink about a bottle of soju more than three days a week. The study also found statistically significant relationship between alcohol and wife beating. The heavy drinkers are more violent to their wives than the less drinker.