Pedestrians striding pass the area have taken note of the colorful “반가워요”, Korean for “nice to meet you”, that has been inscribed from left to right underneath the unmistakable Apple logo. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — The pure white wall standing at the Sinsa-dong location of South Korea’s first Apple Store is wearing a friendlier face.
Pedestrians striding pass the area have taken note of the colorful “반가워요”, Korean for “nice to meet you”, that has been inscribed from left to right underneath the unmistakable Apple logo.
Until recently, a barricade was set up to shelter the construction work from view.
Until recently, a barricade was set up to shelter the construction work from view. (Image: Yonhap)
Apple Korea has stated it will release the official opening date at a later point. Most are of the belief that the Apple Store will open its doors before February.
While the Sinsa store is Apple’s first in South Korea, a variety of Apple products have been available at Belkin and Frisbee stores, while sales of iPhones were mostly handled by the top three wireless carriers – SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus.
Garosu-gil, Sinsa-dong, the neighborhood where the Apple Store is located. (Image: Korea Tourism Organization website)
The Cupertino-based tech giant has suffered a hit to its reputation recently due to a scandal in which it admitted slowing down older version iPhones. It has promised battery replacements to its customers for a discounted price of 34,000 won.
Despite Apple’s mea culpa, a reported 200,000 or more iPhone owners are making preparations to file a lawsuit against the company, according to firm Hanuri Law.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
