Divorces Dwindle 13% 'Thanks to Mandatory Counseling'

The number of divorces in December last year dropped 13.6 percent compared to the same month in 2011 and stood at 8,900, Statistics Korea said Tuesday.

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That was the biggest monthly drop since 2004.

Divorces increased 3.1 percent on-year in October 2012, but fell 4.8 percent in November.

"In November, the government made it mandatory for parents who are separating to get counseling, and this had a huge impact", said an official at Statistics Korea.

Divorcing parents must receive counseling following their separation and submit a letter to court confirming that they have done so.

But experts say that the economic slump also played a part in the decline in divorces because couples tend to think twice about going their separate ways at time when it would be tougher to fend for themselves.

"Divorces are closely related to the economy", said one lawyer. "We may see the number of divorces fall even further".