Say "Sound Sleep Industry" Instead of "Sleeponomics"

Recommended Korean Alternatives for "Sleep Tech" and "Recliner":
"Sound Sleep Technology" and "Angle-Adjustable Cushioned Chair"

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of the Korean Language recommended on March 29 that the term "sleeponomics" be replaced in Korean with "sukmyeon industry" or "sukmyeon economy," meaning "sound sleep industry" or "sound sleep economy." They also suggested Korean alternatives for "sleep tech," "recliner," and "silver surfer," recommending "sukmyeon technology" (sound sleep technology), "angle-adjustable cushioned chair," and "digitally savvy senior," respectively.

"Sleeponomics" refers to industries or economic phenomena related to products and services that help people sleep better. The selection of the alternatives "sound sleep industry" and "sound sleep economy" reflected the results of a public survey. In a national acceptance survey of about 1,000 people conducted from March 22 to 24, 95.4% of respondents said the alternatives were appropriate.

"Sleep tech" refers to technologies that develop products to aid sound sleep. "Recliner" means a comfortable chair with a backrest or footrest that can be freely adjusted. "Silver surfer" refers to seniors who are proficient in using the internet or smart devices. During the "New Words Committee" meeting held from March 19 to 21, the Ministry and the Institute selected "sukmyeon technology," "angle-adjustable cushioned chair," and "digitally savvy senior" as the respective alternatives.

The New Words Committee is a panel that provides easy-to-understand Korean alternatives for difficult foreign neologisms before they become widespread. Experts from a variety of fields, including Korean language, foreign languages, education, public relations and publishing, information and communications, and media, participate in the committee. The Ministry and the Institute plan to continue promoting the use of these alternatives, encouraging government agencies and media outlets to take the lead in adopting them.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.