Report: Korea Internet Users Top 10 Million

The number of Internet users in Korea has passed the 10 million mark, according to two separate surveys cited by local media.

One survey, conducted by market research firm Research and Research Co. on behalf of the Ministry of Information and Communication and the National Computerization Agency (NCA) found Korea passed the landmark at the end of 1999, the media reported.

The survey found twice as many men as women used the Internet and users tended to log on frequently with two-thirds reporting they were online at least once every two to three days, said the Korea Herald newspaper. Web sites related to computers and the Internet itself were most popular, with 60 percent of those surveyed reporting they visited such sites, with entertainment sites and news services following in the ranking, said the newspaper.

Among those surveyed, 68 percent reported the Internet was a chief tool for acquiring information for personal purposes, added the Korea Times. It also said users ranked games and entertainment, online chatting and e-mail as other reasons for logging on.

Among complaints from local users, speed ranked number one at 46 percent with cost and lack of content following at 18 percent and 11 percent respectively, reported the Yonhap news agency.

Earlier in January, local research firm I-Click also released the results of a study into Internet use and estimated 10 million people online in the country.

That survey also looked at e-commerce and found books were the most popular item to be bought online, according to the Korea Times. CDs and video tapes followed as the second most popular purchase.

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