At the end of last year, there was an increase in the price of soju. Starting with this, there were also increases in the priceses of snacks and ice cream.

 Recently, beverages such as beer and carbonated drinks have increased in price.

 Since then, there are many humble class people worried about their 'heavily priced shopping basket'.

 The cost of soju was marked up 5.52%, and the price increase of Hite Jinro's soju changed from 961.70won to 1015.70won a bottle. Consistently, Lotte Confectionery's biscuit price was marked up by 8.4%, and after a month ice cream was raised by 100won.

 One after the other, Haitai Confectionery & Food and Lotte Food products were also raised by 100won.

 CROWN Confectionery not only marked up their products by 8.4%, but also reduced the weight average by 12.2%.

 In addition, beverage prices have increased altogether. The Coca Cola price was marked up by 5%. Going into detail, it is interesting to compare CoCa Cola's past and present prices.

 In 2011, CoCa Cola's price was 1,325won. This price was raised to 1,629won in 2012, 1,742won in 2013, 1,856won in 2014, and then 1,932won in 2015. The resultant price increase is 53.1% compared to five years ago.

 The CoCa Cola Company said, "since the costs of raw sugar and crude ingredients have been raised, it's out of our hands."

 Civic groups criticize the CoCa Cola Company severely however, because the raw sugar and crude ingredients prices are going down lately.

 Along the same line, the consumer organization said that The CoCa Cola Company had reported the raw sugar and crude ingredients increased cost was the reason why they increased the beverage’s price.

 In reality, raw sugar and crude ingredient prices have constantly decreased since 2013, and in years to come they foresee that the costs will continue to be marked down.

 The issue of Heavy Shopping Basket price will give many humble class people a hard time in 2017. We should think about this price increase.

L.L.F Reporter Hye-jin Jeoung