Lotte Marts in China Stay Closed

Chicanery and forced closures of Lotte Mart stores continue apace in China in retaliation against Korea's decision to deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery from the U.S. here.

As of last Thursday, the one-month temporary closure of 48 Lotte Mart stores in China ended, but six were slapped with monthlong extensions while the rest still await fresh inspections from health and safety authorities before they can reopen.

Only one Lotte Mart in Hebei Province was given the green light to open again but lacks the inventory. That means 87 out of 99 Lotte Marts in China remain closed.