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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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Companies

Hyundai, Kia plan to speed up China marketing

By Park Jin-haiHyundai Motor and Kia Motors say that they will beef up their sales network in China to strengthen their presence in the world’s fastest-growing market.Hyundai will increase the number of its dealers to 1,000 from the current 920 within this year, while its sister firm Kia will also up its dealers to 885 from the current 785, according to the companies.  Industry sources say that it is a preemptive step to secure sales networks ahead of their fourth China plant in Changzhou and fifth plant in Chongqing on which the companies will start construction within this year.  “The dealership will grow in the midwestern part of China. So far we have focused on big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, but see their growth has reached its limit. Thus, smaller midwestern cities of Chongqing and Xuchang will also see our dealerships grow within this year,” said a Hyundai official.When Hyundai increase its dealerships to 1,000, it will become the second foreign automaker to have more than 1,000 shops in China following Shanghai GM, which currently runs 1,269

Mar 23, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

James Bond's Aston Martin launched here

Models stand next to British supercar maker Aston Martin’s Rapide S, Vanquish and DB9, at the British Embassy in Seoul, Friday. The firm plans to introduce 11 models to Korea to provide a wider choice for customers. / YonhapBy Park Jin-haiDr. Ulrich BezAston Martin chairmanAston Martin, better known as the makers of James Bond’s car, roared into the Korean market Friday, heating up the already intense competition in the country's growing luxury sports and supercar market.Kiheung International, which also imports Harley-Davidson, was designated as the authorized dealer and importer of Aston Martin, which announced the sales of such models as the DB and Vanquish.“It is such an iconic brand,” said British Ambassador Charles Hay, at a media event at the British Embassy in Seoul. “For a young boy and girl growing up in the U.K., it is everybody’s dream one day to have an Aston Martin.”Dr. Ulrich Bez, chairman of Aston Martin, said he was convinced the brand was right for Korea. “It is for those who love special and who love design and e

Mar 20, 2015By Park Jin-hai
James Bond's Aston Martin launched here
Companies

Hanwha expected to benefit from merger

By Park Jin-haiThe share prices of Hanwha Corp., the parent company of Hanwha Group specialized in defense business, are expected to perform strongly on a positive earnings outlook, analysts said Friday. They said the company’s proposed merger with Samsung Techwin will further bolster its defense segment. The stock closed up 1,700 won or 5.15 percent at 34,700 won, while the benchmark KOSPI closed down 0.65 points or 0.03 percent at 2,037.24. “Unlike other affiliates, Hanwha recorded an operating profit that beat market expectations last year, boosted by robust sales in its core aerospace and defensive business,” said Park Joong-sun, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities.The proposed merger last year with Hanwha TechM, a machinery and technology unit, will start creating synergy this year, he said.Other analysts also said the stock is expected to maintain upward momentum.Kang Sun-a, an analyst at KB Investment and Securities, said, “From the first quarter, sales from guided weapon Cheonmu, worth 150 billion won, will boost its bottom line. T

Mar 20, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

KHNP steps up nuclear security

The construction of the Shin Hanul No. 1 and No.2 reactors is underway in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province. Both 1,400 megawatt reactors are scheduled to go online in April 2018. / Courtesy of KHNPBy Park Jin-haiCho SeokKHNP CEOKorea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has beefed up security against potential future cyber attacks to calm public fears about the safety of nuclear energy.“Through the Fukushima disaster and the cyber attacks, people are afraid of anything nuclear. Yet, it is still one of the cleanest and soundest energy sources,” a company official said.He said that the level of security is rock solid, as there are multiple layers of protection.“The moment a reactor is detected to be electrically manipulated, it will instantly switch to a manual mode to allow total control of the situation,” he added.The number of cases where reactors are stopped to check for a malfunction for such reasons as aged parts has been on the decrease.In 2012, nine such cases were reported, but it dropped to six in 2013 and five in 2014.The state power operator says it has

Mar 19, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

Hyosung to take over importer of Ferrari, Maserati

By Park Jin-haiHyosung Group will take over FMK, the official dealer for Italian supercars Ferrari and Maserati.Hyosung is already an official importer of Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Lexus brands.It said Wednesday it would buy the entire 100 percent stake in FMK, an affiliate of DongA One, for 20 billion won.  Flour maker DongA One is selling FMK shares to improve its financial structure.DongA One, which posted 77.6 billion won in net profit last year, is selling its assets including affiliates and plants worth nearly 100 billion won.Hyosung said it wanted to expand its auto imports operation.“It will create synergy to boost our existing import car business,” said a company official.Maserati sold 723 vehicles here last year, up 500 percent from a year earlier.In February, visiting Maserati Japan CEO Fabrizio Cazzoli said Korea was the country with the fastest purchasing growth in the Asia Pacific region and that he expected to see another 70 percent growth in sales this year.Thanks to the success of the Maserati brand, FMK has been expanding its showrooms and serv

Mar 18, 2015By Park Jin-hai
Companies

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
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