By Kim Tae-jong
The business community is delaying or canceling marketing events as the nation is gripped by sorrow over the sinking of the ferry Sewol.
Firms have asked executives and employees to refrain from participating in entertainment events.
Samsung Group temporarily postponed a concert for cadets at the Korea Military Academy, which was scheduled for April 25. Everland, an amusement park run by Samsung Group in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, canceled a cherry blossom festival which was originally scheduled to take place April 18-20.
On April 17, a day after the ship sinking, the group requested its executives and employees to refrain from drinking and playing golf.
LG Group has also postponed a gala show titled "the LG Whisen Rhythmic All Stars 2014" on April 26 and 27, featuring rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae. The group also stopped holding marketing events at baseball stadiums.
"All people in the country are mourning for the victims," an official from LG Group said. "We believe it is right to postpone all the marketing events in this difficult time."
SK Group also suspended SK Telecom's TV commercials, in which celebrities repeatedly say "looking good, looking good" to promote its telecommunications services.
Lotte World indoor amusement park also said it has canceled a night party that was scheduled to run from 10:30 p.m. on April 25 to 5 a.m. the following day. It will refund tickets that it sold through online shopping malls. It will also stop holding marketing events through social networking sites. Lotte Duty Free Shop has also cancelled a concert scheduled for April 19 and 20.
POSCO cancelled the Euro-Asian Philharmonic Orchestra led by renowned conductor Gum Nan-se on April 19 and POSCO Youth Concert, and LS Group has postponed an event to celebrate its affiliate E1's 30th anniversary.
Fashion brands also postponed their sporting events for similar reasons.
New Balance and Adidas postponed marathon events, which were scheduled to kickoff on April 20. Outdoor brand North Face cancelled a fan meeting event in Daegu on April 26, which was originally planned to be held with actor Yoo Yeon-seok and Lee Yon-hee present.
Liquor companies have also decided to stop airing commercials produced in festive modes and cancel free sampling events at major discount stores.
K-Biz, an organization for small and medium-sized enterprises, canceled a news conference to launch a new committee and an event marking loan service Yellow Umbrella's surpassing the 400,000-contract mark. The federation of Korean Industries has cancelled its annual spring sports event.
"We are very careful even in talking about cancelation of events and donations, as such remarks may be seen as part of marketing strategies," an official from one of major conglomerates said. "We are trying not to stir unnecessary controversy."
Instead, companies have made donations for those who are engaged in rescuing operations and the families in despair.
SK Telecom has installed more telecommunication equipment in the port area near the sea where rescue operations are taking place in supporting the rescue efforts.
LG Household & Care donated daily necessities such as toothpaste and soap to parents of the victims and missing passengers from the Sewol, who have lived in an emergency temporary camp in Danwon High School in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province and the indoor Jindo gymnasium in South Jeolla Province.
Korean Air has donated 25,000 bottles of water and 1,000 blankets to a rescue center in Jindo. Hyundai Samho dispatched 200 divers and voluntary corps to the rescue site.
The business community is delaying or canceling marketing events as the nation is gripped by sorrow over the sinking of the ferry Sewol.
Firms have asked executives and employees to refrain from participating in entertainment events.
Samsung Group temporarily postponed a concert for cadets at the Korea Military Academy, which was scheduled for April 25. Everland, an amusement park run by Samsung Group in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, canceled a cherry blossom festival which was originally scheduled to take place April 18-20.
On April 17, a day after the ship sinking, the group requested its executives and employees to refrain from drinking and playing golf.
LG Group has also postponed a gala show titled "the LG Whisen Rhythmic All Stars 2014" on April 26 and 27, featuring rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae. The group also stopped holding marketing events at baseball stadiums.
"All people in the country are mourning for the victims," an official from LG Group said. "We believe it is right to postpone all the marketing events in this difficult time."
SK Group also suspended SK Telecom's TV commercials, in which celebrities repeatedly say "looking good, looking good" to promote its telecommunications services.
Lotte World indoor amusement park also said it has canceled a night party that was scheduled to run from 10:30 p.m. on April 25 to 5 a.m. the following day. It will refund tickets that it sold through online shopping malls. It will also stop holding marketing events through social networking sites. Lotte Duty Free Shop has also cancelled a concert scheduled for April 19 and 20.
POSCO cancelled the Euro-Asian Philharmonic Orchestra led by renowned conductor Gum Nan-se on April 19 and POSCO Youth Concert, and LS Group has postponed an event to celebrate its affiliate E1's 30th anniversary.
Fashion brands also postponed their sporting events for similar reasons.
New Balance and Adidas postponed marathon events, which were scheduled to kickoff on April 20. Outdoor brand North Face cancelled a fan meeting event in Daegu on April 26, which was originally planned to be held with actor Yoo Yeon-seok and Lee Yon-hee present.
Liquor companies have also decided to stop airing commercials produced in festive modes and cancel free sampling events at major discount stores.
K-Biz, an organization for small and medium-sized enterprises, canceled a news conference to launch a new committee and an event marking loan service Yellow Umbrella's surpassing the 400,000-contract mark. The federation of Korean Industries has cancelled its annual spring sports event.
"We are very careful even in talking about cancelation of events and donations, as such remarks may be seen as part of marketing strategies," an official from one of major conglomerates said. "We are trying not to stir unnecessary controversy."
Instead, companies have made donations for those who are engaged in rescuing operations and the families in despair.
SK Telecom has installed more telecommunication equipment in the port area near the sea where rescue operations are taking place in supporting the rescue efforts.
LG Household & Care donated daily necessities such as toothpaste and soap to parents of the victims and missing passengers from the Sewol, who have lived in an emergency temporary camp in Danwon High School in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province and the indoor Jindo gymnasium in South Jeolla Province.
Korean Air has donated 25,000 bottles of water and 1,000 blankets to a rescue center in Jindo. Hyundai Samho dispatched 200 divers and voluntary corps to the rescue site.
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