my timesThe Korea Times
yeonskwak

Kwak Yeon-soo

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.

Go to Email

Read more

Companies

SK Innovation's PR campaign goes viral online

A scene from SK Innovation's PR campaign video. / Courtesy of SK InnovationBy Kwak Yeon-sooSK Innovation's new public relations campaign, “Imagination Into Reality,” has exceeded 20 million views within 27 days of its launch, making it the fastest-growing PR campaign so far, the company said Thursday.SK Group's energy and chemical subsidiary released five 12-second videos in March to promote its corporate philosophy and vision. They feature the company's innovative and creative works.The videos have gained wide popularity online for their compelling storytelling, clear message and impact on the industry. They created a lot of interest on social media, generating over 700,000 views in just a day.Social media users have also commented on how well the videos represent SK Innovation as a company.“Before watching the video, I had no idea what SK Innovation was,” one social media user said. “The video clearly changed my perspective about the company with its strong and clear message.”Riding on the soaring popularity of the series, SK Innovation recently

Apr 4, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
SK Innovation's PR campaign goes viral online
Companies

Coffee shops brew more tea

A customer tries a variety of teas at a Starbucks Coffee shop in Hanam. / Courtesy of Starbucks Coffee KoreaBy Kwak Yeon-sooStarbucks and other coffee franchises here are rushing to introduce a wider range of tea-based options to increase sales as coffee consumption appears to have reached saturation point, industry analysts said Thursday.According to Korea Customs Service data, volumes of imported coffee fell to 143,000 tons in 2018, down 1.8 percent from the previous year. Coffee imports had been rising steadily in recent years, with inbound shipments reaching 145,600 tons in 2017, up from 41,000 tons in 2016 and 128,000 tons in 2015, the data showed. The vast majority of Korea's coffee is imported. Industry analysts say the first decline in imports in six years is a sign that the domestic market has become saturated and consumers are now seeking something different.“Koreans love coffee so much that the number of coffee chains has seen a continued rise in recent years. By contrast, the average sales per store have been decreasing,” an industry watcher said. “There

Apr 4, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Coffee shops brew more tea
Companies

At bargain price

Models pose with the Electro Man Smart UHD TV at an E-mart store in Seoul, Wednesday. The retail giant said the 50-inch TV can be purchased for 399,000 won ($351) in its stores nationwide. Yonhap

Apr 3, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
At bargain price
Companies

'Sleeponomics' growing rapidly in Korea

By Kwak Yeon-sooKi Eun-hye, a freelance interpreter in her 30s, recently made a big purchase, buying an adjustable bed for 3.8 million won ($3,450). Although she spent a significant amount of money on the new bed, she claims it has brought her life-changing benefits.“Many still think of adjustable beds as hospital beds, but they offer unparalleled comfort. They offer a more restful sleep, and I can read and work in bed comfortably,” Ki said. “The zero gravity setting relieves back pain, giving me extra comfort.”Kang Jung-hwa, an office worker of five years, frequently goes to a nearby nap cafe during her lunch hour to recover from stress and fatigue.“I visit nap cafes whenever I don't have lunch meetings,” Kang said. “I like the cozy atmosphere, and lying in a hammock refreshes me.”Like Ki and Kang, more and more Koreans are opening their wallets, despite stagnant income growth and the tight job market, to purchase goods and services that help them get a good night's sleep.According to the latest sleep study by the Organization for Econ

Apr 3, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Sleeponomics' growing rapidly in Korea
Companies

Lock & Lock founder accused of bribing Vietnam officials

By Kwak Yeon-sooLock & Lock founder Kim Joon-il / Korea Times fileLock & Lock founder and former Chairman Kim Joon-il has been accused of providing cash and entertainment to government officials in Vietnam in a bid to gain business favors.According to leaked internal documents obtained by JTBC, the General Department of Vietnam Customs imposed a total of 2.56 billion won ($2.25 million) on Lock & Lock Vietnam in October 2014 for selling exportable products on the local market.However, the subsidiary reported that it cut down taxes to 400 million won and spent 140 million won as business expenses.Kim Yong-hee, then financial officer of Lock & Lock Southeast Asia Region, revealed that founder Kim had ordered to pay the officials to avoid paying higher taxes.He also claimed that Lock & Lock Vietnam Corporate had spent a total of $1.8 billion on illegal lobbying from 2013 to 2017.Kim described Lock & Lock founder as a “man who sought unfair business advantages by illegal lobbying.”The Vietnam subsidiary confirmed that the leaked documents belong to the

Apr 2, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Lock & Lock founder accused of bribing Vietnam officials
Companies

To help plant more trees

Models promote recycled toilet paper as part of the retailer's eco-friendly campaign at its outlet in Seoul, Tuesday. To mark Tree Planting Day, April 5, 1 percent of toilet paper sales will be donated to planting trees. Yonhap

Apr 2, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
To help plant more trees
Companies

Samsung C&T's fashion unit struggling in China

By Kwak Yeon-sooThe 8 Seconds flagship store at Huaihai Road in Shanghai, China closed in July 2018. / Courtesy of Samsung C&TSamsung C&T's fashion division suffered a 25.7 billion won ($22 million) loss in China last year, following the closure of its SPA brand shop in Shanghai due to sluggish sales, the company said Monday.The company's Shanghai subsidiary saw a sharp turnaround from an 8.3 billion won surplus in 2017. It is Samsung C&T's fashion division's only subsidiary operating in China.Industry officials regard the failure of the 8Seconds fast fashion brand as one of reasons for its poor performance. “The closure of 8Seconds stores in Shanghai created a huge loss for the Chinese subsidiary,” an official at Samsung C&T said. “Other brands, except for 8Seconds, have all posted a surplus in China.” Some of the other brands that have entered the Chinese market are casual brand Beanpole and men's apparel brand Rogatis and Galaxy.The fast fashion brand 8Seconds opened its first flagship store in Huaihai Road, Shanghai in China in 2016, target

Apr 1, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Samsung C&T's fashion unit struggling in China
Companies

Hanon Systems acquires Magna's fluid control unit

By Kwak Yeon-sooHanon Systems logoHanon Systems has acquired the fluid pressure and control unit of Magna International, becoming a leading full-line supplier of thermal and energy management systems. Korea's largest manufacturer of air-conditioning and heating systems for vehicles completed the 1.35 trillion won ($1.2 billion) acquisition last Friday.The unit provides automakers with thermal and energy management systems that improve conventional and electrified power efficiency. These technologies can be applied to internal combustion engine vehicles as well as hybrid and electric vehicles.Hanon Systems said it expected the deal to significantly contribute to the company's focus on e-mobility by increasing business in electrified systems through its brushless DC motor and electronic cooling fan, and electronic water pump and transmission oil pump technologies. The products are key components for hybrid and electric vehicles.About 4,100 employees at nine manufacturing and engineering facilities across Europe, North America and Asia are involved. It is estimated that the combined ann

Apr 1, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Companies

BMW Korea names new CEO

By Kwak Yeon-sooNewly appointed CEO of BMW Korea Han Sang-yun. / Courtesy of BMW KoreaBMW Group Korea has named Han Sang-yun as its new CEO, replacing Kim Hyo-joon, who has headed the company here for 20 years.Han will be in charge of business operations, while Kim, who has been leading the local unit since 2000, will remain as chairman, according to the Korean unit of the German auto giant, Monday.“Kim has been at the helm of BMW Korea for nearly 20 years and we truly value his outstanding contribution to our company,” Hendrik von Kuenheim, BMW group senior vice president of the Asia-Pacific Region, said in a statement. “We are grateful that he will continue to share his knowledge, market insight and experience with us, in his role as chairman. “With Han, I am confident we have a worthy successor to Kim and I look forward to working with him more closely.”Han has 25 years' experience in the automotive industry. He was head of sales and marketing for MINI in Korea before becoming BMW Malaysia CEO in 2016. Since returning to Korea last year, he has served

Apr 1, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
BMW Korea names new CEO
Others

Hyundai's Neuville wins WRC Corsica

Thierry Neuville, right, and co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul celebrate after their victory at 2019 World Rally Championship (WRC) Corsica Linea Tour de Corse in France, Sunday (local time). Courtesy of Hyundai Motors

Apr 1, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Hyundai's Neuville wins WRC Corsica
previous page
173174175176177
next page

Top 5 stories

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.