Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
GS Retail stirs controversy over lunchbox packaging
GS25's new dosirak packaging of late President Rhee Syngman / Korea Times file
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
GS Retail, an operator of convenience store GS25, is facing a growing backlash from some customers after introducing its new dosirak (lunch box) packaging of President Syngman Rhee (1875-1965) as an independence fighter.
Rhee remains a controversial figure, as there is still much debate on how to define Rhee's presidency and his role in shaping the nation before and after liberation in 1945.
Some respect him for laying the foundations for a modern country, while others disregard him as a ruthless authoritarian. He has also been blamed for solidifying the division of the Korean Peninsula.
GS25 rolled out the new packaging starting April 1 in commemoration of the centennial of the March 1 Independence Movement.
After facing severe criticism from consumers, the company said it had no intention of stirring controversy.
“We were not involved in the selection process. We received the list of veterans from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs,” an official at GS25 said.
“Some other stickers remain blank to memorialize the spirit of forgotten patriots and veterans.”
However, consumers criticized the retailer for not being more deliberate in its selection of names for the packaging.
“Even if the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs recognizes Rhee for his independence activities, GS Retail should have reviewed how he is regarded nowadays,” a consumer wrote online.
“The way they try to pass the buck to the ministry is disappointing,” another wrote.
The retailer explained that it has joined hands with the ministry to promote Korean history and pay tribute to independence activists.
Last August, GS25 launched a similar campaign to promote 100 independence activists.
GS Retail attached stickers of 100 independence activists on lunch boxes after receiving the names from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
It also created bracelets to support wartime sex slaves during the Japanese occupation, and distributed them to consumers.