Story: It was once the center of student nightlife in the South Korean capital.
But Nokdu Street in Seoul is much quieter now.
Previously bustling bars were often deserted and drinkers once spilled onto the streets.
It’s a clear sign of the decline of South Korea’s once-infamous drinking culture.
Quan Zhengshu, the owner of the pancake house, witnessed all this.
She said the street used to be so packed with people that you couldn’t even see the ground.
The change was driven by Korean companies cutting back on after-get off work drinking, which was once an almost integral part of workplace life.
In 2007, a court ruled that it was illegal for senior employees to force subordinates to drink, which helped embolden female employees to say “no” to drunken parties.
Many women complain about sexual harassment and its impact on parenting.
At the same time, high inflation and interest rates are keeping all consumers wary of spending.
Increasing numbers of young people are also rejecting the whole idea of a social life based on drinking.
Son Hyeon-seo is the chairman of the Alcoholics Anonymous Association at Samyok University in Seoul.
She said she decided to take action after seeing a friend get into danger while drunk.
This has caused huge losses to the city’s nightlife industry.
An index measuring local restaurant sales hit a record low last year.
The number of karaoke parlors has dropped by nearly 3,000 over the past four years.
Back at the pancake shop, Jun didn’t know what to do.
She said she leased the store two years ago … and hasn’t had any inquiries since.
