Despite economic recovery, South Korea's real household income has fallen for eight straight quarters while income distribution has also weakened.
 
According to Statistics Korea data, the monthly average nominal household income recorded four-point-five million won in the third quarter, up two-point-one percent from a year ago.
 
However, inflation-adjusted real household income edged down zero-point-two percent to post a decrease for the eighth consecutive quarter since late 2015. 
 
Indicators of income distribution have also worsened.
 
The disposable income of people in the top 20 percent income bracket was five-point-two times higher than that of the bottom 20 percent during the July to September period, compared to four-point-eight fold in last year's third quarter.
 
The disposable income disparity has increased for the seventh straight quarter, pointing to deteriorating social polarization.