Growing Popularity of Internet Sites for Left-Handed

With the popularity of shops offering items for left-handed people, Internet shopping sites are following suit hoping to cash in on the growing trend.

About 2 million people are left-handed in Korea, about 5 percent of adults and 17 percent of children. Until now, they have suffered the inconveniences of living in a right-handed world.

In May, Alzzamart,an Internet shopping mall (www.alzzamart.com), opened a special corner for left-handed people.

Hyundai Department Store launched ''Left-handed Paradise'' on their Internet shopping site (www.e-hyundai.com). In February, a special Internet shopping site ''Left Land'' (www.leftland.com) began selling about 200 goods like kitchen utensils, scissors, sporting goods and office accessories.

Lefthand (www.lefthand.co.kr), which offers useful information and life necessities for left-handers, is getting good marks from left-handed surfers.

The Hyundai Department Store in Shinchon held an exhibition and a bargain sale of over 200 essential items for left-handed people, from May 16 to 22.

The Ulsan branch will host their own event from June 5 to 11 and Pusan from June 7 to 11.

Taehwa Rubber Gloves, the largest Korean rubber glove manufacturer, has developed a special package, with only 2 left-hand gloves, and plans to begin marketing it this month. Many customers had complained that the right-hand glove, in a traditional set of rubber gloves, wore out more quickly than the left one. Prompting the company to introduce a set containing only two right-hand gloves. The left-handed glove set is the company''s response to similar complaints from left-handed people.

by Choi Joon-ho