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Park Jin-hai

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.

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Hyundai revs up compact SUV competition

Models stand next to Hyundai Motor’s all new Tucson compact SUV during a launch event at The K Hotel, Tuesday. The third-generation Tucson comes with two engine types — a downsized 1.7-liter diesel and a 2.0-liter diesel. The price tag ranges from 23.4 million won to 29.2 million won depending on its trim. / YonhapAll new Tucson unveiledBy Park Jin-haiHyundai Motor unveiled its third generation all new Tucson in Seoul, Tuesday, targeting to expand the fast-growing compact SUV market.The nation’s largest automaker says it is confident that with its new emphasis of “basics” the vehicle will put a stop to the younger generations’ rush to buy imported car brands, as well as expanding its global footprint in the fastest-growing segment.“The Tucson is the first SUV that applied our new philosophy of making innovations in the basics after the new Genesis and Sonata. It is the injection of all our potential,” said Kwak Jin, executive vice president of domestic sales division during the launch event at The K Hotel in southern Seoul.The latest Tu

Mar 17, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

Hyundai Tucson SUV's global sales to surpass 4 million

Hyundai Motor’s SUV TucsonBy Park Jin-haiHyundai Motor said Sunday that the cumulative sales of the popular compact SUV Tucson are expected to surpass 4 million this month, 11 years after its 2004 launch.It will therefore reach the 4-million mark in the shortest period among domestic SUVs.It sold 3.95 million units of the Tucson as of the end of February.With average monthly sales of 45,000 units, the number will likely to reach 4 million this month, making the model the first Korean SUV to claim the honor in record time.In comparison, its rival Toyota Motor’s Ray 4 reached the 4 million sales mark in 2013, 18 years after its launch.The Tucson posted 1 million sales in 2008 and touched the 3 million mark in 2013.The unprecedented sales are partly explained from its increasing popularity in Europe. The vehicle emerged as the Hyundai’s best-selling model in Europe, selling a total of 94,166 units there last year, taking over the sales record of i20 compacts that enjoyed strong demand previously.  Hyundai’s third–generation all-new Tucson that had a gl

Mar 15, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Hyundai Tucson SUV's global sales to surpass 4 million
Companies

Lotte enrages small-store owners

By Park Jin-haiSmall-store owners want Lotte to stop work on its new shopping complex in Sangam-dong.  They have organized a committee to take collective action against the heavyweight retailer.“It will completely destroy mom-and-pop shops in the neighborhood,” said an official from the emergency committee. “The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Mapo District Office should hold hearings to evaluate the impact of the shopping mall on the region’s overall business by listening to people’s voices.”Lotte plans to break the ground for the shopping mall in the latter half of this year. The complex will include a department store, a movie theater and a discount store on 33,000 square meters of land.The area is already crowded with big and small retail shops. The proposed complex is within one kilometer of Mapo traditional market. Two other traditional markets are also in the vicinity. A total of 116 discount stores and department stores are within 5 kilometers.  Sales at small shops near the three major shopping centers ― Yeongdeungpo Time

Mar 15, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

Hyundai's R&D centralization plan faces local opposition

North Jeolla Province opposes automaker’s research centralization planBy Park Jin-haiHyundai Motor’s plan to relocate research staff to centralize its research activities is facing opposition from local communities.The world’s fifth-largest carmaker drafted a 2 trillion won investment plan in February, whereby it will boost its less competitive commercial vehicle segment by transferring its commercial vehicle sector researchers in Jeonju to its central Namyang Research Center in Gyeonggi Province, and having the personnel remaining in Jeonju focus more on production over the next five years.According to the plan, some 350 researchers from 520 total staff will move out in the first half of this year.Hyundai’s self-help plan, however, has invited opposition from local communities and politicians, who see it as a “brain drain” and fear that it will disable its automobile cluster function.The Jeollabuk-do Provincial Assembly adopted a motion last week calling for the scrapping of the plan. In a written statement, it said, “When the auto industry

Mar 9, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

Hyundai Heavy retirement program draws protest

By Park Jin-haiHyundai Heavy Industries’ (HHI) early retirement program targeting female workers is drawing protest from the labor union.The union is accusing the company of seeking to reduce its staff on the base of gender and educational background.The moribund shipbuilder that posted a 3.25 trillion won operating loss last year has announced that it has been receiving voluntary retirements since Wednesday from among some 600 female workers, who have been employed more than 15 years and graduated either from high school or a two-year college.The company’s labor union calls the company’s program “discriminatory and old-fashioned.”“Some 1,300 workers in managerial posts already left the company under a voluntary retirement program in January. If the company carries another program targeting female workers, we will protest it at all costs,” said the union in the statement released on Friday.Angered female union members held a meeting two days ago.“Some 250 people convened that day. Some of them said they were under pressure to apply for

Mar 6, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

Renault Samsung aims to sell 1,000 EVs

Park Dong-hoon, center, sales chief and vice president of Renault Samsung Motor, speaks ahead of a ceremony to open the International Electric Vehicle Expo on Jeju Island, Friday. / YonhapBy Park Jin-haiRenault Samsung Motor said Friday that it aims to sell 1,000 electric vehicles (EVs) here this year.  “Our annual sales goal for the year is 1,000, about one-third of the amount the government is looking to have people purchase this year,” said Park Dong-hoon, sales chief and vice president of Renault Samsung.He made the remarks ahead of a ceremony to open the International Electric Vehicle Expo on Jeju Island.“Our goal is to become an industry leader in the Korean electric car market,” he added.Renault Samsung's flagship SM3 ZE electric car is the country's No. 2 best-selling EV, after Kia Motors' Soul EV. It sold 309 last year.He said the electric vehicle market in Korea is still limited as people mostly buy them with government subsidies.“The lack of charging stations and the law restricting their installation near apartment buildings should

Mar 6, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Renault Samsung aims to sell 1,000 EVs
Companies

Boral sees huge growth potential in Korean market

Boral CEO Mike Kane speaks during an interview with the Korea Times at USG Boral’s Seoul office in Samseong, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo Shim Hyun-chulBy Park Jin-haiBoral, a leading Australian building materials maker, sees huge potential in the Korean market as demand for remodeling of buildings and apartments grows.Boral CEO Mike Kane said Korea was one of the four most important markets for the company, along with Australia, Thailand and Indonesia.“Korea and Australia lead the way in terms of business size and scope in developed markets,” Kane said in an interview with The Korea Times.  “We look to Korea to help us bring operations around Asia up to the standards of Korea.”The company, which mainly produces plasterboard, started business here in 1998 and has been expanding market share.Kane, who chose Korea as the first destination for his Asia trip, said that the most interesting part of the Korean market was the remodeling boom.“A lot of repair and remodeling work is done in shops that are converting to different formats and different l

Mar 5, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

POSCO to partner with Saudi Arabian fund to build auto plant

By Park Jin-haiPOSCO, the world’s third-largest steelmaker, forged a strategic partnership with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) in the construction and automobile areas.POSCO Chairman Kwon Oh-joon, who has been accompanying President Park Geun-hye’s Middle East entourage, met with the PIF secretary general Abdulrahman Almofadhi to sign an agreement on Wednesday.Under the agreement, the Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund will invest $1 billion in POSCO E&C, a construction arm of the Korean steelmaker.It will also consider making a joint venture with POSCO to cooperate in its project to manufacture cars in the Middle East country.Earlier, sources from business circles and investment banks had that Daewoo International, a subsidiary of POSCO, concluded a contract with the PIF in February to establish a state-run carmaker. “Both companies share the view that they need to prepare for the post-oil era, especially when the global energy market becomes increasingly vulnerable to outside factors,” said the company in the statement.Daewoo

Mar 4, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

Hyundai, Kia to strut their stuff at Geneva

Hyundai Motor’s all new TucsonBy Park Jin-haiFour models from Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors will make their global debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in a bid to boost sales in Europe.The nation’s top automakers will unveil the all-new Tucson SUV, i20 coupe, cee’d GT hatchback and Sportspace concept wagon at International de l’Automobile Salon in Geneva on March 3.Hyundai’s popular five-seat compact SUV Tucson is leading the pack. The first fully changed model in six years features a bold design, centered on a big hexagonal front grill and fluid bodyline.It is one of the company’s first cars to show the touch of new design director Peter Schreyer, who created Kia’s famous K series look.The Tucson was been Hyundai’s best-selling model in Europe last year, selling more than 94,000 units and surpassing sales of the i20 compact there.Kia’s concept wagon Sportspace is a high-performance grand touring vehicle, ideal for long-distance travel.The car, developed at the company’s design center in Europe, has a simple, dynamic shap

Mar 1, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Hyundai, Kia to strut their stuff at Geneva
Companies

Seoul Motor Show kicks off April 3

By Park Jin-haiThe Seoul Motor Show, with the theme “Experience the Technology, Feel the Artistry,” begins a 10-day run from April 3 at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province.Organizers said Tuesday the 10th show would be the biggest, with a record 33 automakers participating.Nine domestic brands, including Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, GM Korea, Renault Samsung and Ssangyong, will display their latest vehicles. Twenty-four foreign car makers, including five first-timers such as Lamborghini and Sunlong Bus, will also be represented.Lamborghini will unveil three sports cars. Bentley will display three super cars and Maserati will unveil seven models."This year, visitors can learn and experience not only technological advances, but also the core values and culture of cars, including philosophical and artistic values and craftsmanship,” said Kim Yong-geun, secretary-general of the motor show’s organizing committee.Six world, nine Asian and 18 Korean vehicles will debut during the event.Hyundai will unveil one world premiere, one Asian premiere and two concept cars, whil

Feb 24, 2015By Park Jin-hai
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