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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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Tracing freedom fighters in Russian Far East

The Shinhanchon Memorial Monument was set up in August 1999 by the Institute of Koreans Abroad to commemorate the history and meaning of the freedom fighters. Korea Times photos by Kwak Yeon-sooThis is the fifth in a series of articles highlighting overseas independence fighters on the occasion of the centennial of the March 1 Independence Movement ― ED.By Kwak Yeon-sooVLADIVOSTOK, Russia ― On a steep hillside in the Russian far eastern city of Vladivostok, three iconic monuments have endured a turbulent history, symbols of Korean identity reminding the public of ethnic Koreans who longed for their homeland's liberation from the 1910-45 Japanese occupation. The tallest monument that stands in the middle represents South Koreans while the monument on the right represents North Koreans and that on the left side signifies the Korean diaspora scattered all across the world.In 1863, many Koreans crossed the Tumen River in search of a better life and arrived in the Primorsky Krai region, which sits near the borders of Korea and China. About 13 Korean households first settled in Tizinhe Vil

Mar 14, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Tracing freedom fighters in Russian Far East
  • Ussuriysk, foothold of Korea's independence movement
Trends

Ussuriysk, foothold of Korea's independence movement

The Koryo Culture Center is a place where people can witness the history of anti-imperial activities and the resettlement of ethnic Koreans in detail. Korea Times photos by Kwak Yeon-sooBy Kwak Yeon-sooUSSURIYSK, Russia ― Some 98 kilometers north of Vladivostok, the city of Ussuriysk served as the foothold of the Korean independence movement. It is where a large number of ethnic Koreans first settled and a handful of monuments still stand today to commemorate their sacrifice. The Koryo Culture Center is a place where people can witness the history of anti-imperial activities and the resettlement of ethnic Koreans in detail. Kim Valeria, a former president and current editor of the Koryo Sinmun, said, “The center has a big meaning for us as we are eager to share the deep-rooted history of freedom fighters in Russia. The center keeps records of culture and traces of Korea. Here we also offer Korean language classes and publish monthly newspapers in Russian.” Ahn Jung-geun and Hong Beom-do monuments stand proudly in front of the culture center to greet visitors.Ahn Jung-geun

Mar 14, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Ussuriysk, foothold of Korea's independence movement
  • Tracing freedom fighters in Russian Far East
Companies

Retailers following Hyundai Motor for talks with card firms

Seen above are stickers showing credit card partnerships at a restaurant in Myeong-dong, Seoul, in this file photo. Korea Times file By Kwak Yeon-sooE-mart and other retailers are benchmarking Hyundai Motor to more effectively deal with demands from credit card companies that stores pay higher card transaction fees, according to company officials Thursday.The officials said higher card fees could curtail their promotional activities and even force them to raise prices at the expense of shoppers.Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors have completed negotiations with credit card issuers on transaction fees as the card issuers agreed to terms set by Korea's top two carmakers.Hyundai and Kia pressed domestic card firms by threatening to end business ties with eight of them ― Shinhan, KB Kookmin, Samsung, Lotte, Hyundai, NH NongHyup, Citi and KEB Hana Cards ― unless the card issuers accept their terms.For instance, Hyundai and Shinhan agreed to raise the fee rate by

Mar 14, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Retailers following Hyundai Motor for talks with card firms
Companies

Ready for opening

Workers are preparing for the opening of E-mart Traders' first Seoul branch in Wolgye-dong on Thursday. The warehouse-based wholesaler said it intends to outpace rivals by offering high-quality, low-cost products. It plans to open three more stores in Seoul this year. Yonhap

Mar 13, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Ready for opening
Companies

Kyochon founder quits

Kyochon F&B chairman Kwon Won-gang / Courtesy of Kyochon F&BBy Kwak Yeon-sooKyochon F&B chairman Kwon Won-gang resigned from his post, saying he will hand over the post to someone outside of his family for more transparent and professional management, Korea's largest chicken franchise said Wednesday.In a ceremony held Wednesday at the food firm's headquarters in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, to commemorate Kyochon's 28th anniversary, Chairman Kwon said he will officially resign from all posts and transform the family-owned business into a public company.“To envision the future and achieve innovation amid rapidly changing external factors, we need a new leader who can help navigate uncertainties,” Kwon said.“We need a more transparent, specialized management system in order to keep moving forward.”The announcement comes not long after the company came under fire for its abusive work culture. In October, surveillance footage of the chairman's distant relatives assaulting staff members at a kitchen in one of the franchise stores went viral three years afte

Mar 13, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Kyochon founder quits
Companies

Hite Jinro to release new lager brand

Hite Jinro's new lager brand Terra / Courtesy of Hite JinroBy Kwak Yeon-sooHite Jinro said Wednesday it will release its first new lager brand in six years next week. The sub-brand dubbed Terra will hit domestic store shelves on March 21. The product is designed to provide a more “refreshing taste” compared to other beers already on the market. Fine dust concentration in Korea has caused rising consumer demand for light, pure tastes in beer, according to Hite Jinro.An excellent beer made from Australian Golden Triangle (AGT) malt, Terra will be marketed toward customers interested in health and wellness. Beer contains carbonic acid that forms naturally during the fermentation process. At a press conference for unveiling Terra, CEO and President Kim In-kyu said the blonde lager brand will sharpen Hite Jinro's brand identity and restore its profitability. “For the last few years, we were hurt by consumers' changing tastes and elevated competition with foreign beer competitors,” Kim said. “The teams have worked intensively on creating Terra to revive the sa

Mar 13, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Hite Jinro to release new lager brand
Companies

Dufry benefits from policies for SMEs

Travelers shop at duty free stores in Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2 in this file photo. Korea Times fileDomestic retailers complain about 'reverse discrimination' By Kwak Yeon-sooThe eligibility of Dufry Thomas Julie Korea for operating arrivals duty free shops has been a contentious issue as the Korean subsidiary of Dufry is categorized as a small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME), according to industry analysts, Tuesday.With only a day left until bidding closes March 14, home-grown retailers say the Korean subsidiary of the world's largest duty free store operator should not be allowed to bid for arrivals shops. By June, only one store run by an SME will have been allowed to open at the arrival terminals of Incheon International Airport.The government amended the Korean Customs Acts in 2013 to promote the growth of SMEs, excluding retail giants such as Lotte, Shilla and Shinsegae from bidding. The Korea Customs Service (KCS) regards Dufry Thomas Julie Korea as an SME, saying it meets all requirements to participate in the bidding because the Korean subsidiary own

Mar 12, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Dufry benefits from policies for SMEs
Companies

Shares of YG Entertainment hit hard by Seungri scandal

By Kwak Yeon-sooYG Entertainment's CEO Yang Hyun-sukInvestors are rushing to dump shares of YG Entertainment over the escalating scandal involving Seungri, a member of its iconic boy band Big Bang.YG, one of Korea's three major K-pop management agencies, is home to top K-pop artists Big Bang, BLACKPINK, iKON and WINNER, but its stock has been losing value fast in line with Seungri's fall from grace. The 29-year-old singer is facing multiple allegations over whether he condoned drug use and sexual assaults at a nightclub Burning Sun, where he served as a public relations director, and attempted to buy sex services for foreign investors. The scandal involving Seungri also includes alleged corrupt ties with district police officers. Seungri of K-pop boy band Big BangAmid mounting criminal investigations, Seungri announced via Instagram Monday, that he will quit show business.On Tuesday, YG shares finished trading at 35,900 won ($32), down 3.36 percent from the previous day. It marked the lowest stock price since Nov. 23, 2018.A day earlier, the shares plunged 14 percent compared to the

Mar 12, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Shares of YG Entertainment hit hard by Seungri scandal
  • YG in crisis
  • 'Don't go there': Angry fans boycott Seungri's ramen restaurants
  • YG founder accused of 'lax control' of Seungri
People & Events

Former CJ Vice Chairman Lee Chae-wook dies at 73

By Kwak Yeon-sooFormer CJ Group Vice Chairman Lee Chae-wook Courtesy of CJFormer CJ Group Vice Chairman Lee Chae-wook has died at age 73.The cause of death was not disclosed, but Lee long suffered from chronic lung disease. Lee, who took the post at Korea's food and entertainment giant in 2013, had been with CJ for five years until he stepped down in March last year citing health issues. He began his business career at Samsung Construction & Trade (C&T), a trading company of Samsung Group, from which the CJ Group spun off in 1993.After serving as an executive at Samsung C&T's overseas business division until 1989, Lee worked as the Chairman of General Electric (GE) Korea between May 2005 and January 2007. He also served as the president and CEO of state-run Incheon International Airport Corp. between September 2008 and January 2013. He then joined CJ as Vice Chairman of the CJ Korea Express Corp before chairing CJ Corp.“He was one of the leading figures in guiding successful growth of CJ Corp. A truly inspirational figure in our company, Lee will be missed,” C

Mar 11, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Former CJ Vice Chairman Lee Chae-wook dies at 73
Arts & Theater

Around Town 1

Lux Trio will be the next performers featured in this series. Courtesy of Kumho Art HallClassical ConcertsBeautiful Thursday Concert Series: Lux TrioKumho Art Hall March 14The Kumho Art Hall will be featuring a performer every Thursday to spread classical music culture in Korea. One of the upcoming performers is classical ensemble Lux Trio featuring pianist An Eun-yoo, violinist Lee Jae-hyeong and cellist Chae Hoon-sun. The trio was founded in Berlin in 2014. All three musicians studied together from a young age throughout middle and high school. They have won various international competitions including ones in Germany and Italy. At the performance, they will be playing works by Haydn, Martinu, and Smetana. Tickets cost 30,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.Korean Symphony OrchestraGangdong Art CenterMarch 14Founded in 1985, the Korean Symphony Orchestra is one of the nation's most famous orchestras and puts on over 90 performances each year. The ensemble has an official exclusive contract with the National Theater of Korea and often per

Mar 7, 2019By Kwak Yeon-soo
Around Town 1
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