Gov’t Estimation: More Than 2.5 Million South Koreans Addicted To Smartphones

In this Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012 photo, passengers operate their smartphones on a subway in Seoul, South Korea. Across the entire population, South Korea’s government estimated 2.55 million people are addicted to smartphones, using the devices for 8 hours a day or more, in its first survey of smartphone addiction released earlier this year.

In this Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 photo, South Korean students check their smartphones after classes at Bibong Middle School in Hwaseong, South Korea. Students agreed to hand in their smartphones when they arrive at school in the morning and get them back when they leave for home after classes. <AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon>