Articles by Choi Jae-hee
Choi Jae-hee
cjh@heraldcorp.com-
Is Korean fried chicken something to be proud of?
Korean fried chicken is expanding its global reach, captivating the paletes of many abroad. On its home turf, however, debate is roiling over its size, taste and even a lack of supposed “Koreanness” of the beloved dish. Local food critic Hwang Kyo-ik sparked debate when he complained of the size of Korean chickens, which he said is the reason for Korean fried chicken relying too much on sauce, instead of the meat itself. Korea is the only place in the world where broiler ch
National Dec. 3, 2021
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Friend for hire
“You look stunning! Your dress looks so much prettier than the pictures you showed me,” I told the glowing bride as I walked into a wedding chapel waiting room covered in white flowers. “The other girls are on their way.” She smiled, thanked me for being there and gave me a hug which was surprisingly natural given that it was the first time we had met. At 15,000 won ($12.60) for an hour and a half, I was hired to be her friend for her wedding day. My first job as
Culture Dec. 2, 2021
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Left out: Vaccinated foreigners in S. Korea face ‘discrimination,’ restrictions
Daniel, a 33-year old Canadian working as a university professor in Seoul, had no other option but to spend 10 days alone at home in July after returning from a three-month trip to Canada. “I went to Canada in April to attend my grandmother’s funeral and spent much time with relatives and friends, while receiving both shots of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine there. The thing is, when I was getting ready to return to Korea, I was told by the Korean Embassy in Toronto that I wasn’t elig
Social Affairs Nov. 26, 2021
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“백신 패스 외국인 차별” 주한 EU∙이탈리아 대사 잇따라 우려 표명
주한 EU∙이탈리아 대사가 해외 백신 접종자에 대한 정부의 ‘방역 패스’ 적용에 한국인과 외국인 간 차별이 있다며 우려를 제기했다. 마리아 카스티요 페르난데즈 주한 유럽연합 대사는 25일 본지와의 인터뷰에서 “(백신 패스 적용에 있어) 한국인과 외국인 거주자가 구별되는 것은 안타까운 일이다. 국내 거주 외국인들이 해외에서 백신을 완전히 맞았음에도 불구하고 인정을 못 받아 일상에 불편을 겪고 있다”며 “외국인에게 까다롭게 적용해야만 하는 의학적 등의 이유는 없어 보인다. 주한 EU 대표부는 (해당 지침)에 차별적 성격이 있다고 보고 있다”고 밝혔다. 정부는 1일 단계적 일상 회복 조치에 따라 실내 체육시설 등 감염 다발 시설이나 고위험 시설에 대해 방역 패스를 도입했다. 방역 패스 적용 시설에 들어가려면 쿠브(COOV·전자예방접종증명)앱이나 쿠브에 연동된 카카오, 네이버 등 전자출입 명부 플랫폼
한국어판 Nov. 25, 2021
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EU envoy speaks out on S. Korea’s ‘discriminatory’ vaccine pass system
EU Ambassador to South Korea Maria Castillo Fernandez on Thursday criticized the Korean government’s “vaccine pass” system, saying it discriminates against foreigners working and residing here who have been vaccinated overseas. Under the country’s “living with COVID-19” policy, in effect since Nov. 1, those who wish to enter high-risk public places such as gyms, karaoke establishments, public bathhouses and buffets must present proof of vaccination or n
Diplomatic Circuit Nov. 25, 2021
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98% of Koreans won’t be affected by higher comprehensive real estate tax: ministry
Most taxpayers will not be subject to the comprehensive real estate holding tax, which was earlier raised to prevent speculative property purchases, the government said Friday in a bid to ease growing public concerns as this year’s payment period approaches. “Criticism has risen that a large number of ordinary people will be charged with higher rate taxes. As for such exaggerated concerns, I would say bills of comprehensive real estate holding taxes will not be delivere
Economy Nov. 19, 2021
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D&C Mineun, Wanfeng Group team up for development project in Laos
Real estate investment firm D&C Mineun has signed a business partnership with Shanghai-based Wanfeng Property to take part in the company’s development project in the Thatluang Lake Special Economic Zone in Laos, supported by the Laotian government, officials said Wednesday. Chairmen of the two companies held the signing ceremony with Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, president of the Lao Front for National Construction, who also serves as a politburo member of the Central Com
Market Nov. 17, 2021
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Co-buying: Survival strategy for MZ generation amid real estate bubble
Kang, an office worker in his 20s, recently became a co-owner of a commercial building located in Seoul’s Gangnam district worth 10 billion won ($8.47 million) with a capital of only 5,000 won. “Earlier in December last year, I participated in a joint investment project led by a local fintech firm to buy a building named Yeoksam London Vill, a recently built eight-story commercial property in Gangnam. I invested 5,000 won and received 38 won as dividends in July, acquiring one sha
Market Nov. 16, 2021
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Shinhan Investment partners UK advisory firm to support bio firms’ overseas entry
Shinhan Investment said Monday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with PharmaVentures, a UK-based leading advisory firm providing whose main clients are health care life science companies, to diverse its investment banking services. Under the partnership agreement, the two companies will boost cooperation in supporting South Korean biotech and pharmaceutical companies to advance to the global stage, while arranging international firms’ investments in the domestic health car
Market Nov. 15, 2021
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Number of Koreans with W1b in assets climbs 10%
Amid liquidity-driven booms in the real estate and stock markets amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people with assets of more than 1 billion won ($847,000) increased by over 10 percent last year from a year earlier, a report showed Sunday. The number of Koreans with financial assets worth over 1 billion won stood at 390,000 last year, taking up 0.76 percent of the total population, according to the Korea Wealth Report 2021 released by KB Financial Group Research Institute. The
Market Nov. 14, 2021
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Citibank Korea strengthens community outreach programs, ESG drive
As part of efforts to grow together with the local community, Citibank Korea, the South Korean unit of Citigroup, has carried out diverse social contribution programs, while beefing up management activities focused on environmental, social and governance factors, or ESG, the lender said Thursday. Based on three principles, including employee participation, long-term commitment and leading activity, the foreign bank has continuously fostered a volunteer culture among employees for its corp
Market Nov. 11, 2021
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Efforts needed to improve ESG disclosure system: report
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea’s financial groups have been gearing up for the so-called “sustainable financing,” centered on environmental, social and governance factors, or ESG, but global ESG experts urged them to make their ESG disclosure system more sophisticated, according to research shared with the Korea Herald report Wednesday. Sustainable financing refers to a bank’s financial services like loans for companies’ sustaina
Market Nov. 10, 2021
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Citigroup’s retail closure in Korea to cost max W1.8tr: reports
The US-based global banking giant Citigroup will reportedly spend up to $1.5 billion, or 1.8 trillion won, on the withdrawal of its retail business in South Korea, according to news reports Tuesday. The group said in a regulatory filing that its expenditure on severance pay for employees at the Korean subsidiary’s retail banking operations will range between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion. It will pay the envisioned personnel costs in phases by the end of next year, the Wall Street Jour
Market Nov. 9, 2021
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Citibank Korea committed to supporting ESG drive in corporate sector
Citibank Korea, the South Korean unit of Citigroup, has ramped up efforts to gain an upper hand in sustainable financing, focused on environmental, social and governance factors, to support local companies’ ESG management, the lender said Sunday. Sustainable financing refers to a bank’s financial services, ranging from loans to bonds, designed to provide financial support for sustainable economic activities and projects of private companies or public entities. The prolonged COVID-19
Market Nov. 7, 2021
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Regulators vow deregulation for new growth engines in finance
The chiefs of South Korea’s two main financial regulators -- the policymaking Financial Services Commission and the market watchdog Financial Supervisory Service -- have met with the heads of major insurance companies and banking groups here to discuss policy initiatives to support the growth of market players through deregulation, the two said Wednesday. “The rapid digital transformation of finance and the growth of online platform businesses are rapidly changing the nation’s
Market Nov. 3, 2021
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