The dominance of Korean beer in the domestic market is being challenged as drinkers turn to a wide range of affordable imported beer and wine and a culture of drinking alone at home spreads.

Superstore chain E-Mart said Wednesday that Korean beer accounted for just 21.4 percent of its alcohol sales in 2018, down four percent from 2017.

The proportion of imported beer rose to 25.3 percent, and that of wine to 22.7 percent.

