Educational spending by households reached a record-high 15.3 trillion won (13.6 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of this year.

According to the Bank of Korea Sunday, the figure was up more than nine percent from the same period last year.

Thus 6.2 percent of a family's household consumption was taken up by educational fees, up one-tenth of a percentage point from last year.

The central bank said Koreans do not cut back on education despite a worsening financial situation.

Transportation costs accounted for 11.8 percent of household spending, up from 11.4 percent amid high global oil prices. That of medical spending remained at 5.2 percent.

Reported by KBS WORLD Radio

Source: english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub.php?menu=3&key=2008090702