According to the “2025 Health Perception Survey,” the percentage of Korean adults who do not exercise at all has risen to 12.7%, a significant jump from previous years. When including those who exercise less than once a month, over 21% of the population is effectively living a sedentary lifestyle. While Koreans score high on personal hygiene (4.2/5.0), their engagement in active physical or social activities remains alarmingly low.
The primary culprit is “Time Poverty,” with 72.2% of non-regular exercisers citing a lack of time as the biggest obstacle. With some of the longest working hours in the world and an average of two hours spent commuting daily in the Seoul metropolitan area, many find themselves physically and mentally exhausted by the end of the day. This exhaustion leads people to choose passive rest, such as watching TV or using smartphones, rather than active workouts at the gym.
Experts emphasize that this is a structural issue rather than a lack of personal will. About 74.3% of respondents agree that national investment in health must be expanded, particularly to address the challenges of an aging society. As individual efforts reach their limits, there is a growing consensus on the need for systemic changes and policy support to integrate physical activity into the daily lives of overworked citizens.
[ONLINE-KOREA: Letter from Korea]
South Korea has the dishonorable reputation of being a “physically inactive nation.” In an attempt to defy that statistic, I somehow managed to break my own elbow and knee instead😭
Last winter, I came across a workout called “Tyson Push-ups” on YouTube. Driven by a surge of groundless confidence—thinking I could finally get that lean, toned physique—I jumped into it, which turned out to be the end of my luck. Instead of becoming a “Tyson,” I ended up living the life of a “patient” all winter. The only things I gained as compensation for taking a break from exercise were extra weight and a body that gets out of breath far too easily😰💦
I have truly realized that whether it is studying or running a business, everything is ultimately a “battle of stamina.”
Please, do not let your ambition outpace your physical limits like I did. I sincerely hope you take good care of your health with exercises that truly “fit you.”After all, good health is the prerequisite for enjoying any of life’s pleasures💪❗
ONLINEKOREANEWS.COM 
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