Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon has expressed concerns about the decline in employment and South Korea's contracting number of self-employed, despite a recovery in private consumption.<br />During his weekly meeting with related ministers on Thursday, the PM said South Korea's private consumption jumped nearly three percent on-year, the biggest increase in seven years, but investment fell two-point-three percent.<br />He said fewer people are eating out, but more are going on overseas trips and while online transactions are on the up, offline shopping is suffering.<br />Pointing to widening income distribution and an increase in the number of people in the low-income bracket, the Prime Minister identified South Korea's aging society and poor employment for the deterioration.<br />He also called on industries, consumers and the government to be aware of the situation and respond wisely. <br />
