Korea Times Digital Content Reporter
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.
Hyosung Group Chairman Cho Hyun-joon, left, presents a baseball bat to Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, president of Mexico, as a gift at the National Palace in Mexico City, Wednesday. The company said its ATM manufacturing arm Hyosung TNS will supply 8,000 bank machines worth 203 billion won ($174 million) for Mexico's Rural ATM Project by the end of 2020. / Yonhap
Visitors learn about Hyundai Mobis' auto parts technology at the China International Import Export (CIIE) held in Shanghai, Thursday. / Courtesy of Hyundai MobisBy Kwak Yeon-sooHyundai Mobis has unveiled a batch of strategies to bolster localization in China with an aim to supply auto parts to major global automakers operating there, the company said at the China International Import Export (CIIE) held in Shanghai, Thursday.The nation's biggest auto parts supplier said it will localize all stages of management ― from business planning and research and development (R&D) to production and quality control ― to gain a competitive edge in producing high value-added auto parts.“Developing tailored products to meet a variety of needs of customers has become an essential part of our business amid intensifying competition and stagnant sales growth in the vehicle market in China,” a Hyundai Mobis official said. The five major localization strategies include developing core auto parts technologies, strengthening cost competitiveness, establishing a local procurement system, subd
BlackBerry Technology Solution Senior Vice President of Sales Kaivan Karimi speaks during a press briefing to discuss “The Essential Role Safety and Security Play in Korea's Automated Future” at Le Meridien Hotel in Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of BlackBerryBy Kwak Yeon-sooBlackBerry vowed to expand its presence in the automotive software market by deploying infrastructure for electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles, the company said Wednesday. Under the topic “The Essential Role Safety and Security Play in Korea's Automated Future,” BlackBerry Technology Solution Senior Vice President of Sales Kaivan Karimi shared some of the mega trends for 2050 and stressed the importance of software and its security. Future mega trends include demographic change, accelerating urbanization and technological breakthroughs including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous transportation and advances in electric vehicle technology.“As everything becomes software, the safety, security and real-time deterministic performa
By Kwak Yeon-sooThe government has placed a presale price cap on privately built apartments in Seoul as part of its efforts to curb soaring housing prices, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Wednesday.The price cap system will be applied to four affluent southern Seoul districts and four other districts in the city where apartment prices have been surging in recent months.Twenty-two areas of four districts south of the river and five areas of four districts north of the river are subject to the price cap system, according to the land ministry.The latest measure comes a month after the ministry revised the Enforcement Decree of the Housing Act to execute the presale price cap system for new apartments built on private sites amid signs of rising housing prices. “Lower interest rates and ample liquidity in the market amid economic slowdown have increased demand for new homes in Seoul,” Land Minister Kim Hyun-mee said during a housing policy review committee meeting held at Government Complex in Sejong.“As a result, presale prices of newly b
Kia Motors Executive Vice President Kim Sang-dae, left, and Kakao M CEO Kim Sung-soo pose for a photo with a Kia Seltos compact SUV at BEAT360 in Seoul, Tuesday. The two signed a partnership agreement to sponsor the Melon Music Awards (MMAs) 2019 and strengthen cultural marketing promotions. The Seltos, released in July, will be displayed at the MMAs. / Courtesy of Kia Motors
S-Oil CEO Hussain Al-Qahtani, right, poses for a photo with Coal Briquettes for Neighbors in Korea Director Lee Dong-seob, left, and 60 employees in an impoverished neighborhood in Hongje-dong, Seoul, Tuesday. The company delivered coal briquettes to low-income residents in Seoul. / Yonhap
Golfzon's first flagship store in the U.S. located at Chelsea Piers in Connecticut / Courtesy of GolfzonBy Kwak Yeon-sooGolfzon, Korea's leading golf simulator provider, has recently opened its first flagship store under the brand name “Zstrict” at Chelsea Piers in Connecticut, the company said Tuesday.Zstrict is the company's new indoor golf entertainment and practice facility, whereby golfers accomplish missions to earn extra points. They can later spend the points on food and beverages or other games.The store is equipped with cutting-edge golf simulators and food and beverage (F&B) facilities, according to Golfzon.“Zstrict will become a leading 'sportainment' business by combining swing plate variable ground settings with luxurious F&B facilities,” a Golfzon official said. “It will give golfers an unmatched, real-play experience.”According to Golfzon, there are four service modes ― regular, challenge, tournament and arcade ― allowing visitors to enjoy all aspects of an actual golf game. The company added that Zstrict will offer virtual
Models pose next to the All-New Explorer during a launch event at Sebitseom in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Ford KoreaBy Kwak Yeon-sooFord Korea has launched the All-New Explorer, the facelift version of the company's best-selling full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV), to compete against Hyundai Palisade and Kia Mohave. The sixth-generation Explorer features beefed-up specs and a trendier design, and is expected to further ignite the SUV boom in the country. “The all-new Explorer is a good urban-outdoor car that could be with you whenever and wherever,” Ford Korea CEO Jung Jae-hee said during the press conference.According to Ford Korea, the Explorer has been crowned Korea's top export SUV in 2017 and 2018. “The all-new Explorer will set a new standard for full-size SUVs,” Jung said. Its 2.3 liter-GTDI engine boasts a power output of 304 horsepower and a maximum torque of 42.9kg.m. The four-cylinder engine alongside the 10-speed automatic with select and smart-charging alternator enhance power and drivability, according to the company. The seven-seater's ampl
Pernod Ricard Korea Marketing Director Florent Leroi speaks during a press conference to introduce Royal Salute's collaboration with contemporary artist Kristijana S. Williams at Banyan Tree Club & Spa in Seoul, Monday. / Courtesy of Pernod Ricard KoreaBy Kwak Yeon-sooPernod Ricard Korea has teamed up with contemporary artist Kristijana S. Williams to promote its luxury whisky brand Royal Salute.The French distiller's local subsidiary said Monday it will run an art exhibition until Nov. 18 to commemorate the release of Royal Salute 21-year-old blended malt.The Royal Salute art exhibition will allow visitors to sample the new whisky and enjoy the collection of illustrations that were inspired by the Royal Menagerie formerly in London. “We believe that our artistic collaboration will allow whisky lovers to feel British wit and humor and inspire the international whisky market in Korea,” said Florent Leroi, marketing director of Pernod Ricard Korea. Leroi said that Pernod Ricard expanded the Royal Salute's lineup recently with the global launch of its 21-year-old blended
By Kwak Yeon-sooA 58-year-old housewife surnamed Lee plans to skip gimjang, or the annual kimchi-making process, this year and buy a small quantity of packaged kimchi instead. Before this year, she used to make kimchi with her sister and other family members every year for 30 years.“I decided to skip gimjang this year because a variety of kimchi is now available at supermarkets, individual side dish sellers and even convenience stores at all times,” Lee said. She used to make kimchi on weekends with other family members and her sister who came over to help out. But she began to feel that making tons of kimchi for the winter months was a waste of time.“As I've gotten older, it's become much harder for me to make over 100 kilograms of kimchi, even with the help of others,” she said. “Buying kimchi may be more expensive, but it can reduce the burden on family members responsible for making the kimchi.”Like Lee, more and more households are foregoing traditional gimjang as it requires excessive labor.Traditionally, households with many family members w