SEOUL, March 12 -- South Korea is one of the most generous countries when it comes to paternity leave, offering up to 53 weeks. But few fathers take advantage of this benefit for fear that it will penalise them in their careers, according to a recent survey.

Some 85 per cent of the 1,720 South Koreans questioned for a KCTU Research Centre survey said they were reluctant to take paternity leave "due to fear that they would be subject to disadvantages in promotion or performance reviews," reports The Korea Herald. A large proportion also fear that it will penalise them financially, reducing their income (80.6 per cent).

What's more, many South Koreans are reluctant to take paternity leave for fear of what people will say. Three quarters o...