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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.

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Companies

Starbucks Korea under fire for mishandling sexual harassment

A Starbucks Coffee location / Korea Times fileBy Kwak Yeon-sooStarbucks Coffee Korea CEO David Song / Courtesy of Starbucks KoreaStarbucks Coffee Korea has come under fire for allegedly mishandling complaints from an employee who claimed her male coworker had sexually harassed her in the workplace.The employee in her 20s began work in 2018 as a barista at a Starbucks location in Jongno-gu, Seoul. She said her coworker harassed her three times in February, which included inappropriately touching her thigh.After she reported the incidents, Starbucks Korea management ignored her complaints and allowed the alleged offender to continue working with her instead of promptly separating the two.“I made it clear that I feel unsafe and uncomfortable alongside him, but nothing happened to him afterwards. It doesn't look like Starbucks Korea considers sexual misconduct a serious matter,” the female employee told local broadcaster SBS. According to Starbucks' manual on handling workplace sexual harassment, the company must separate the complainant from the alleged harasser immediately

Mar 31, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Starbucks Korea under fire for mishandling sexual harassment
Others

Seoul Motor Show draws crowd

The 2019 Seoul Motor Show at KINTEX Exhibition Center was packed with a huge crowd over the weekend, with visitors checking out the latest cars, innovative automotive products and technologies. The 10-day motor show under the theme of “Sustainable Connected Mobility” will last through April 7. Yonhap

Mar 31, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Seoul Motor Show draws crowd
Companies

Paris Baguette completes bread factory in Tianjin

The SPC Tianjin plant / Courtesy of SPC Group By Kwak Yeon-sooParis Baguette has completed building a production facility in Tianjin, China, in line with its strategic move to expand across the country, brand owner SPC Group said Thursday. Korea's largest bakery chain said it invested 40 billion won ($35.2 million) to build the bakery on a 20,800 square meter site in the Xiqing Economic and Technological Development Area (XEDA), making it the largest of SPC's 12 overseas production facilities.XEDA is located near nine highways and a high speed railway, and is close to Tianjin Port, which will simplify logistics for Paris Baguette in supplying products across China.The plant was built in a move designed to consolidate operations and expand production in China. SPC Group chairman Hur Young-in attended the opening ceremony along with Chinese officials to celebrate the completion of SPC's largest factory. The factory can produce 390 items ― not just bread and cake, but

Mar 28, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Paris Baguette completes bread factory in Tianjin
Companies

LX creates social value from spatial information

LX Director Kim Taek-jin speaks during an inter-ministry workshop on the “Establishment of a National Master Plan on Spatial Information Infrastructure 2020-2025” in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Jan. 23. Courtesy of LXBy Kwak Yeon-sooKorea Land and Geospatial InformatiX Corp., or LX, is ramping up its efforts to address social responsibility as the state-run geospatial information provider.LX, which offers fast and accurate survey services and various cadastral spatial data services, won high ratings in performance evaluations of Korean state-owned enterprises and quasi-public institutions for its public-friendly policies. The company has earned high grades for two consecutive years.Last year, LX established a “social value center” and promoted a shared growth business model through building the “LX Dream Center” and “Overseas Help Center.” It has collaborated with industry, academia and the government to lead the development of the spatial information business and create an innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem to better support the needs of s

Mar 27, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
LX creates social value from spatial information
Companies

OB stokes beer price hikes

OB said Tuesday the prices of its major beer brands, including Cass, Premier OB and Cafri, will go up by an average of 5.3 percent starting April 4. Graphic by Cho Sang-wonBy Kwak Yeon-sooConsumers and restaurant owners are expressing frustration with Oriental Brewery (OB) for the brewer's decision to hike beer prices by 5.3 percent from April 4. Beer lovers complain it will be more financially burdensome to have a glass of beer with family or friends as many struggle with soaring housing prices and the tight job market. People running restaurants and other eateries say it will be difficult to charge more, despite higher beer prices, in fear of losing customers amid sluggish domestic consumption.“Why don't domestic beer companies take measures to upgrade instead of raising the price?” Jeon Hyung-joon, 29, a regular beer consumer, said. “From now on, I'd rather spend more money on imported beers or prestigious or specialty beer brands.”Another beer consumer, who asked not to be named, said “I'm worried OB's shift will lead to a collective price rise. If t

Mar 27, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
OB stokes beer price hikes
Companies

BMW to introduce 29 models at Seoul Motor Show

The BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe / Courtesy of BMW KoreaBy Kwak Yeon-sooBMW will introduce 29 models at the upcoming 2019 Seoul Motor Show scheduled for Thursday, including the Concept M8 Gran Coupe, the M4 GT4, the classic Mini electric, the M2 Competition, the New X7 and the New Z4 among others.Under the theme “Connect with the future of BMW,” BMW Korea will present its BMW i Vision Dynamics and the BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe, stressing future mobility and the innovative design of the automaker.BMW will showcase the New Z4 premium roadster and the New X7, a flagship sport utility vehicle, to be released this year. In addition, the company will set up its so-called “M Town” at the motor show to introduce the M4 GT4, M2 Competition, M5 Individual Edition and other high-end models. BMW Motorrad will be introducing the New S 1000 RR, a new supersport motorcycle.The company will also debut all-electric concept cars, the classic Mini and the Mini David Bowie edition for the first time in Asia to celebrate “MINI 60 Years of Inspiration.” Apart from unveilin

Mar 27, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
BMW to introduce 29 models at Seoul Motor Show
Companies

Starbucks capitalizing on booming breakfast market

Starbucks Korea launched five types of morning boxes that are available at Starbucks Korea chains nationwide. Courtesy of Starbucks KoreaBy Kwak Yeon-sooStarbucks Coffee Korea is actively capitalizing on the growing breakfast market as more and more Koreans are starting to buy something to eat on their way to work or school amid their increasingly hectic lifestyles.The Korean unit of the world's largest coffee chain has rolled out “morning boxes,” consisting of items such as English muffins and Mexican burritos, mostly for people in their 20s and 30s who find it difficult to prepare breakfast as they live by themselves. Five types of morning boxes are available at Starbucks Korea chains nationwide ― the “Basil Penne,” “Mexican Burrito,” “Bacon Cheese Ciabatta,” “English Muffin,” “Ham and Egg Crepe.” They are all priced at 5,900 won ($5). “The English muffin tastes similar to an Egg McMuffin but is slightly more delicious,” Kang Hee-su, who has tried the English muffin at a Starbucks chain, told The Ko

Mar 26, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Starbucks capitalizing on booming breakfast market
Companies

Hankook Tire leads premium market via 'innovative' R&D

HANKOOK TECHNODOME, Hankook Tire's core R&D facility in Daejeon. / Courtesy of Hankook TireBy Kwak Yeon-sooHankook Tire is looking to lead in the premium original equipment (OE) tire business with its advanced research and development (R&D) amid a rapidly changing business environment.The nation's leading tire manufacturer said it intends to expand investment and develop innovative technologies centered on its R&D facility, the HANKOOK TECHNODOME. The facility, located in Daejeon, plays a key role in boosting mid- to long-term R&D for future tire technology. It currently manages Hankook Tire's four overseas research institutes in the U.S., Germany, China and Japan.Founded in 2016, the facility possesses a Driving Simulation Center capable of carrying out virtual driving tests on major race tracks, including Formula 1.The TECHNODOME is also equipped with the Suspension Parameter Measuring Machine, which records all digital values of a car's features when driving. This ensures accuracy of test results. At the Tire Noise Measuring Room, researchers study noise, one of th

Mar 26, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Hankook Tire leads premium market via 'innovative' R&D
Others

Pairing wine with meat

Models promote meat and wine at E-Mart's Yongsan branch in Seoul, Monday. The discount chain said it will offer a five percent discount on wine when purchased along with beef, pork or chicken. Yonhap

Mar 25, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Pairing wine with meat
Companies

OB launches campaign to address importance of water

OB CEO Bruno Cosentino, third from left, and employees set up bulletin boards with information about water scarcity and a list of ways to conserve water. Courtesy of OBBy Kwak Yeon-sooOriental Brewery (OB) launched its “No water for 6 hours” campaign to raise public awareness about the importance of preserving clean water as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity.On Wednesday, about 250 employees at OB's headquarter in Seoul spent a six-hour period during which no water was used. Drinking water, coffee, tea and other beverages and using water in office restrooms and kitchens were restricted between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to increase conservation awareness. In eight out of 10 households in countries suffering from water shortages, women and girls usually bear the responsibility for collecting water, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, they often spend up to six hours a day walking for water. OB employees were also encouraged to walk the “water track” to experience the same challenge as those who do this task every day. In additio

Mar 25, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
OB launches campaign to address importance of water
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