Latest news with #Wonju
South China Morning Post
15 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Woman fined for sexual misconduct in South Korea after pulling down colleague's trousers
A South Korean court has fined a woman in her fifties for sexual misconduct after she pulled down a male colleague's trousers – and his underwear by accident – in front of other employees in what she claimed was a prank. On Saturday, the Chuncheon District Court ordered the woman to pay a fine of 2.8 million won (US$2,000) and undergo eight hours of sexual violence prevention education, according to The Korea Herald newspaper. The woman had claimed she had intended to play a practical joke – commonly known as 'pantsing' – on a male colleague in his twenties when she pulled down his trousers, and his underwear by accident, at a restaurant kitchen in a Wonju, Gangwon province, on October 3 last year. However, prosecutors found that she had sexually humiliated the man and charged her with an indecent act by compulsion. The judge later dismissed her claim that she meant it as a joke. In sentencing, however, the court took into account the fact that the woman had no criminal record and was remorseful. She had knelt down and apologised to both the victim and his parents. In Confucian South Korean society, men are expected to stay strong and silent, so male victims tend to choose not to come forward. However, a government survey released on Monday showed that men do face sexual harassment at work too, Yonhap news agency reported.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Move over sesame – in Korea, perilla oil is making a comeback
Long before it gained recognition as a health food, perilla oil held a place of quiet importance in Korean kitchens and farmlands. Known as deulgireum in Korean, the aromatic oil has deep roots in Korean culinary and agricultural history, dating back thousands of years. Despite its longevity, perilla oil saw a decline in popularity in the late 20th century, as processed vegetable oils and imported fats became more common. Perilla seeds – said to rival sesame seeds – are the focus at Okhee Mill. Photo: @okhee_mill/Instagram Moon Ji-Yeon didn't always see perilla oil as her calling. A passionate traveller, she previously wrote for Lonely Planet Magazine Korea, but she lost her job when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Instead of following other career options, she chose to return to her hometown of Wonju, Gangwon Province, to carry on the family business of oil pressing. Advertisement 'At first, I just wanted to help my mum – the work is physically demanding,' Moon, owner of artisanal perilla roastery and cafe Okhee Mill, said in a recent interview. 'Then I saw how much satisfaction my mum got from her work. Customers would bring their own perilla or sesame seeds and pay for the pressing service. And when they left, they said 'thank you' – that made her happy and dedicated.' Inspired, Moon began months of study to take over her mother's business and became fascinated by perilla seeds and oil. She named the roastery-cafe in honour of her mother, Ok-Hee, preserving a piece of family legacy in every seed. 'Perilla seeds are a very unique and attractive ingredient,' she said. History of perilla A display of perilla oil products at Okhee Mill. Photo: @okhee_mill/Instagram Unlike sesame , which originated in India and the Middle East's milder climates, perilla – a leafy plant in the mint family – thrives in tougher climates. It is believed to have been introduced to the Korean peninsula from China in ancient times. According to the National Institute of Crop and Food Science, the first mention of the cultivation of perilla in Korea was in Hyangyakjipseongbang, a 15th-century medical book published during the reign of the Joseon Dynasty's (1392-1910) King Sejong . Farmers in mountainous regions often grew perilla as a hardy, reliable crop. According to Lim Jong-yeon, a certified trainee of National Intangible Cultural Heritage-designated Joseon royal court cuisine, perilla oil was widely used in the royal kitchen during the Joseon era. Perilla vs. sesame Visitors can pick up an array of perilla-related gifts, including a set of oils. Photo: @okhee_mill/Instagram Though they may resemble each other, perilla and sesame differ in flavour and growing conditions. Sesame seeds, often roasted, are widely used in Korean cuisine as a garnish for everything from vegetable dishes to sauces and dips. Their oil, chamgireum in Korean, is a kitchen staple known for its savoury and nutty flavour, and is used in dishes like bibimbap (steamed rice mixed with vegetables and meat) and various salads.
