The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Thu, August 11, 2022 | 05:51
Business
'Cool-biz' dress code in vogue
쿨비즈 열풍에 휩싸인 한국
Posted : 2012-06-12 16:20
Updated : 2012-06-12 16:20
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

KT&G employees wearing shorts and sandals talk with a business partner in a lounge at the company headquarters in southern Seoul, Thursday.
/ Courtesy of KT&G

By Lee Hyo-sik

Japan initiated the current global trend for the ``cool-biz’’ dress code as part of its efforts to reduce electricity consumption, following an explosion at the Fukushima nuclear power plant early last year after an earthquake triggered a tsunami.

Since the incident, the Japanese government has shut down all nuclear power plants, causing chronic electricity shortages across the country.

The idea behind cool-biz attire is that if workers wear only shorts, short-sleeve shirts and no jackets and ties, demand for air-conditioning will reduce.

Facing a probable electricity shortage this summer, which is widely expected to be one of the hottest in recent years, both the government and private enterprises here have quickly followed suit encouraging employees to dress casually.

Among government agencies, Seoul Metropolitan Government took the initiative on June 1 by allowing public servants to wear shorts and sandals in the office through August. But still those who deal with citizens in person or meet people in a business situation are encouraged to dress formally.

The city government also signed a memorandum of understanding with district governments, civic groups and private firms to encourage people to join the energy saving campaign.

``In the past, employees had to wear a suit in summer, which was said to have reduced worker productivity. But this year, they can work dressed casually,’’ a Seoul city spokesman said. The city expects the casual dress code will help lower office temperatures by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius.

Fearing a repeat of the nationwide rolling blackout last September, that affected over 6 million households and businesses, high-ranking bureaucrats are also taking part in the cool-biz movement.

On Tuesday, President Lee Myung-bak and ministers attended a Cabinet meeting in short sleeves in an effort to save energy.

Businesses striving to cut utility costs

Samsung Group, KT&G, Korean Air and many other companies have jumped on the bandwagon to deal with higher electricity costs ahead of the peak summer season.

In May, Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO), the state-run electricity supplier, asked the government to allow it to raise utility bills by an average of 13.1 percent to improve its worsening balance sheet and help reduce power consumption.

In response, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy has hinted at upping electricity charges by more than 5 percent soon, despite concerns over growing inflationary pressure. Utility charges were raised twice in August and December over the past year.

KT&G said Thursday that it will join Seoul city’s cool-biz movement, permitting employees to wear shorts and sandals. It is the first time the country’s largest cigarette maker has liberalized workplace dress codes since it was established in 1987.

``Workers have responded positively to the casual dress code, saying they can work more efficiently. They also say the cool-biz fashion helps turn down air-conditioning,’’ a KT&G spokesman said. ``Employees will also turn off lights during lunch hours and refrain from using paper. Our electricity saving campaign will help lower utility bills and improve our corporate image.’’

Samsung Group, the country’s largest conglomerate, also launched a group-wide ``save power’’ campaign on May 30, which will continue through September. The movement aims to slash electricity consumption by 5 percent in manufacturing plants and by 10 percent in offices.

``We have lessened air-conditioning at workplaces. Instead, we allowed employees to take off their jacket and wear shorts,’’ a Samsung Group spokesman said.

The conglomerate also said employees are required to turn off computers during lunch hours and after leaving the office, stressing it will actively participate in the nationwide power-saving campaign.

The country’s two flagship flight carriers ― Korean Air and Asiana Airlines ― have also adopted the casual dress code, which is surprising for business-to-consumer companies.

Korean Air said early this month that employees do not have to wear a tie from June to September. ``Studies show that body temperatures fall by about 2 degrees Celsius without putting on a necktie. This will help use save energy in summer,’’ a Korean Air spokesman said.

But pilots, flight attendants and employees dealing with customers in person are still required to dress formally.

Asiana Airlines allows employees to leave their ties at home from June 1 to Sept. 15. ``We introduced cool-biz attire in June 2008 to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and raise worker productivity. But cabin crews and employees in customer service departments still need to follow a formal dress code,’’ the company said.

쿨비즈 열풍에 휩싸인 한국
전력난을 타개하기 위해서 일본에서 시작된 쿨비즈 열풍이 올해 한국 사회의 뜨거운 화두로 떠올랐다. 정장대신 간편한 짧은 소매 셔츠와 바지를 입어서 냉방에 사용하는 전기를 줄이자는 운동이 관광서 및 기업에서 불고 있다. 정부 기관에서는 서울시가 가장 먼저 발벗고 나섰다. 서울시는 직원들이 반바지 샌들 차림으로 출근하는 것을 독려하고 있다. 기타 정부부처로 에너지 절감차원에서 직원들에게 정장대신 편한 차림으로 출근해서 근무하도록 격려하고 있다. 정부 뿐만 아니라 KT&G 삼성 대한항공 등 많은 기업들이 전기료 절감차원에서 쿨비즈 운동에 동참하고 있다.
Emailleehs@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Korea urged to take preemptive steps to deal with climate change-induced disasters
  • Musinsa's new store becomes hot spot in southern Seoul
  • What Seoul's worst rainfall in 115 years looked like
  • Flood damage to vehicles during torrential rain to hit insurers
  • 'Children must play right now'
  • Bill Gates expected to meet with top business leaders in Korea
  • Seoul reiterates that '3 Nos' policy is not commitment to China
  • Han River sunset cruise: Seoul's new tourist focal point
  • [INTERVIEW] Polish arms deal may well lead to greater opportunities for Korea: expert
  • Samsung, LG seek to spur demand for premium appliances at IFA
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • BLACKPINK to start world tour in October BLACKPINK to start world tour in October
    • [INTERVIEW] Im Si-wan finds own narrative for villain role in 'Emergency Declaration' [INTERVIEW] Im Si-wan finds own narrative for villain role in 'Emergency Declaration'
    • 'Free Chol Soo Lee': How young Korean immigrant's wrongful conviction led to pan Asian American resistance movement 'Free Chol Soo Lee': How young Korean immigrant's wrongful conviction led to pan Asian American resistance movement
    • 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family' 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family'
    • Musical 'Kinky Boots' tells people to love themselves as they are Musical 'Kinky Boots' tells people to love themselves as they are
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group