Internet addiction is still a somewhat controversial idea, with some rejecting the whole idea while others plan treatments. The Korean Ministry of Public Administration and Safety, or MOPAS, takes the idea seriously enough to set up a counseling service for Internet addiction. Users can log into www.iapc.or.kr or call 1599-0075 to get counseling, and the lines are open from 9am to 2am every day.
Partial service started on the 29th of of April, but the service is expected to go online fully in June.
MOPAS said that Internet addicts prefer anonymity, quick replies, and online communication, which is what the web site provides.
An article in Forbes cited statistics on Internet addiction in Korea recently by quoted KADO president Youngi Son who estimated that as much as 15% of Korea's population have an unhealthy attachment to the Internet. That would be 7 million people.
Some symptoms that the Ministry said to watch out for were avoiding physical activity and social life to go online; neglecting responsiblities at home, work or school to surf the web; feeling a constant need to go online and denying the possibility of being an Internet addict.
