The number of South Koreans who choose not to work has marked the sharpest increase in two and a half years.
 
According to Statistics Korea on Saturday, people who were categorized as "having rested" rose 15-point-five percent year-on-year to over one-point-69 million last month. 
 
This is the highest figure for the month of October since data began to be compiled in 2003.
 
The increase in growth is also the highest since the 16-point-seven percent posted in April 2015.
 
This category of people includes those who are able to work and are without serious illness but simply prefer to take a rest.
 
They are not counted among the economically active population and therefore do not statistically fall under the unemployed.
 
But there is a high chance that the "resting" demographic could become unemployed or entirely give up looking for a job.
 
A Statistics Korea official attributed the growth to an increase in the elderly population and a tight job market for young people.