Kimchi refrigerators are a hot battle zone

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Kimchi refrigerators are a hot battle zone

In November, sales of kimchi refrigerators soar. But the firms that manufacture these near necessities for Korean households gear up much earlier in the year to grab a larger market share. Samsung Electronics Co. and its rival LG Electronics Inc. are rolling out 20 to 30 new models starting this month. Both companies claim they will be the No.1 seller by the end of the year. Samsung Electronics unveiled 20 new models on Aug. 4, whose capacities range from 132 liters (30gallans) to 202 liters. The new models offer a “tailored fermentation system,” producing the best-tasting kimchi, a Samsung official said. In accordance with the time of the year, consumers can choose to ferment kimchi in the traditional way or use the refrigerator to provide the dish year round, the official said. “With the launch of the new models this time around, we will raise our market share to 45 percent, affirming our leading position in the industry,” said Lee Moon-yong, vice president of Samsung Electronics. LG Electronics introduced a total of 37 new models yesterday. The products range in capacity from 160 liters to 240 liters. LG’s new products feature a function that stops fermentation when the kimchi reaches the desired stage. “With our advanced technology, the new models can retain the kimchi’s taste for a 50 percent longer period of time,” an official from LG said. WiniaMando Co., a third player in the kimchi refrigerator industry, was scheduled to introduce several new models before the end of this month. by Kim Chang-gyu
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