Sentence Suspended

Hello and welcome to KBS World News Today. It’s Friday, the 7th of September. An appeals court has sentenced Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-koo to 3 years in prison for embezzlement and breach of trust, but the ruling granted him a five-year stay of execution, prompting heavy criticism that he got off lightly because he is a conglomerate chief.



An appeals court has found Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-koo guilty of embezzling 90 billion dollars, illegally subsidizing troubled affiliates, and trying to transfer management rights to his son. He faces three years in prison. A lower court had given the chairman three years, but the appeals court added a stay of execution of five years. The main reason for the suspended sentence was Chung's influence on the national economy. The judge says he doesn't want to gamble with the economy... despite calls for Chung to serve time. The business tycoon will instead perform community service. Chung has also pledged to donate a bulk of his fortune to society, write columns in dailies and economic magazines, and give a two-hour lecture to businessmen about the rule of law. The ruling has invited harsh criticism from many civic groups. They say conglomerate owners are again getting away with just a slap on the wrist.

INT>Kim Young-hee/ Attorney-at-law
It's incomprehensible that Chung was ordered to write columns and give lectures on law observance when he should be the one getting the lecture.

The Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, however, has applauded the ruling.
The leading civic group calls the verdict balanced... in that it punished Chung, but did not disregard his economic contributions. Speculation is rising over whether Chung will donate more than 800 million dollars to society over the next seven years... under the ruling.



President Roh Moo- held a summit with U.S. President George Bush on Friday in Australia on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference. Roh explained Seoul's stance for the upcoming inter-Korean summit and discussed with Bush North Korea's nuclear issue, the six-way nuclear talks, Korea's FTA with the U.S. and the inclusion of South Korea in the U.S. visa waiver program. On Saturday, Roh will attend the first round of the APEC Conference to explain Korea's climate change response, and join other heads of state in adopting a special declaration on climate change and achieving compromise on the World Trade Organization's Doha round.



Harvest time is just around the corner but the monsoon season still continues on in southern parts of the peninsula. Weather forecasters say it will continue to rain in the Gangwon and mid-eastern regions through Sunday.



This year, the monsoon season is continuing through early autumn in Korea. It has rained almost everyday from late August until Friday. Busan has seen rain for 12 days straight.And rain has also continued to fall in Gwangju for eleven days in a row. Precipitation is nearly as the same as rainfall during the regular summer monsoon season. Rice should have been golden ripe by this time of the year. But rice plants are plagued with insects and disease - and in some places rice paddies are submerged all because of the recent heavy rain. Grapes have taken up excessive amounts of water due to frequent rain. And because of that, they are less sweeter and thus not good enough to sell.

INT> Lee Ho-yeon/Naju, S. Jeolla Prov.
This year's harvest is smaller. The rice turns stiff when pounded.

Because rain clouds continue to form, the rain season continues through early fall. And more rain clouds are made as the southern coast’s seawater temperature stays high at 28 degrees Celsius, which is similar to the summertime temperature and the cold air is moving southwards from the northwestern atmosphere.

INT> Yun Won-tae/Korea Meteorological Admin.
It usually rains in early autumn but this year we're getting continuous heavy rains due to the large amount of vapor and unchanging barometric conditions.

It will continue to rain until Sunday in Korea’s mid-eastern regions and high tides will continue in the region's coastline.



The Women's Army of the Republic of Korea is celebrating its 57th anniversary this year. More than 4-thousand female soldiers work alongside servicemen. Here's how far women soldiers have come and what issues need addressing. Here’s our detailed report.



Captain Park Ji-won became Korea's first female fighter pilot five years ago.

INT>Captain Park Ji-won/8th Fighter Wing
I hardly get scared when flying.

The Air Force Academy has produced 22 female pilots since 1997, when it began accepting female cadets. First Lieutenant Kim Min-hee is an information officer on the 2-thousand ton battle ship "Jeonnamham." She says she's had many episodes on board during offshore operations with some 150 male sailors... that usually last three weeks each.

INT>1st lieutenant Kim Min-hee/Info officer
The soldiers get embarrassed when I enter while they're showering or changing clothes.

The Women's Army of the Republic of Korea was launched on September 6, 1950... with nearly 500 soldiers. The number has gradually increased to 755 in 1990, 2,100 in 2000 and more than 4,000 in 2005. About 44-hundred women serve as soldiers in Korea... including as officers.

INT> Kim Jeong-mi/ Army 9th Division
The army gives men and women equal opportunities and it also rewards you equally.

Female soldiers say they're generally satisfied with their military lives... but find it tough to handle pregnancy and child care.

INT>Lim Tae-hun/Korea Women's Hotline
Interview results show that satisfaction differs a lot after enlistment. Many have experienced sexual discrimination after being appointed to their units.

So the military has begun to improve working conditions for women soldiers.

INT> Flight Colonel Park Gyeong-ja/Nat'l Defense Min.
We're drawing up a more flexible working system and policies to help female soldiers with child birth and child care issues.

The Defense Ministry will raise the women soldier population to seven percent of its combined forces... and that of female commissioned officers to five percent by 2020. The Women's Army of the Republic of Korea is more than five decades old... and has emerged as a major part of the country's military.



The National Tax Service says tax revenues in the first half of the year surpassed 79 trillion won, an increase of more than 15 trillion won from last year. That's 57 percent of the targeted amount of 139 point 4 trillion won for the year. The National Tax Service says it expects the total amount of tax revenues to reach 150 trillion won by the end of the year, exceeding the target amount by more than 11 trillion won.



Although the employment situation for people with disabilities has improved vastly over the years, they still have a hard time getting jobs, even when they have the necessary credentials.



This disabled woman opened a flower shop nine years ago after earning a flower arrangement certificate. The business is not exactly booming, but she makes enough to raise her family.

INT>Kim Geum-sun/ Has grade 4 disability
I was happy to open this store and work everyday.

She is one of the lucky ones. She was at least able to open her own business. To many disabled people, getting work is still very difficult even if they hold various certificates.

INT> Heo Hye-sook/ Chef
I had to overcome prejudices against the disabled even after I got my chef's certificate. Some thought that food made by a disabled person is dirty.

Many still try to pay less for the work done by the disabled people. Some are skeptical of their abilities and reluctant to even give them work.

INT> Park Myeong-i/ Ceramic artisan (grade 1 disability)
The value of our work is the same as those by ordinary craftsmen. But some think less of our work.

The participation rate for the disabled women in Korea's economy is estimated to be around 20%. They don't have any grand wishes. All they want is what everyone else wants
- to work and to be part of the society.



A southeastern city known for its historical and cultural treasures, is hosting an international festival. The Gyeongju World Culture Expo will open Friday for a 50-day run.



Gyeongju Tower rises 82 meters from the ground... with the nine story wooden pagoda of Hwangryong Buddhist Temple carved in the center. The structure is one of the key pieces of architecture symbolizing the southeastern city. The Expo Culture Center is showing videos and displays. Its design is based on the egg based on the myth on the founding of the Silla Dynasty in the 1st century B.C., symbolizing the revival of Silla culture. These two newly built buildings are featuring 13 programs under themes such as cinema, performance arts and displays. Interactive programs are also available for visitors.

INT> Oh Su-dong/Organization committee
The space has been reborn into a world level cultural park. We hope it turns out successful.

INT> Kim Kwan-yong/Gov. of N. Gyeongsang Prov.
With 30 countries taking part, it will help boost Korea's global position.

The government of North Gyeongsang Province has invited around 2-thousand cultural figures from Korea and abroad for the opening ceremony Thursday evening.



Chuseok Costs Down 3.5%

The Korea Price Research Center says the average cost of food for the ancestor worship ritual of the Full Moon Harvest holiday this year will be 3.5 percent lower than last year, at 117,500 won. The center based its estimate on prices of 23 food items sold at conventional markets in Seoul.

Key Rate Frozen at 5%

The Bank of Korea has decided to maintain the country's annual key rate for this month at five percent.

No Progress in Abductees Issue

The working-level meeting between North Korea and Japan has ended without progress in the issue of Japanese abductees held in the North. But the two sides have agreed to do their best to resolve their past issues to normalize bilateral ties.



Korean scientists found that a substance from Korean silkworm cocoons boosted memory and learning capabilities. The discovery is expected to help develop pharmaceutical goods and eventually increase the incomes of silkworm farmers.



Silkworm cocoons are dissolved in special liquid to extract an effective substance. And then the substance is processed into powder. It's a type of special protein named BF-7. The MRI photo on the right shows a brain on BF-7. Compared to the brain of a person who only took placebo on the left, it shows more activity in the part of the brain that carries out cognition and memory functions. Brain wave measurement confirmed extra brisk brain activities.

INT>Dr. Youn Young-chul/ChungAng U. Med. Center
Despite a reduction in amplitude, the reaction accuracy and speed have improved. It shows high performance for low levels of concentration.

A clinical test on high school students and adults has also shown that their memory and concentration were improved by an average of 20 to 30%.

INT>Dr. Jeong Hee-yeon/ Seoul National U.
A person who took BF-7 can memorize 10 items, while a person who didn't memorize only 6.

BF-7 was not only patented but also selected as one of the top 100 scientific discoveries in Korea.

INT>Lee Gwang-gil/ Rural Develop. Administration
It could boost the incomes of silkworm farmers and lead to the development and exports of pharmaceutical products.

Once the memory enhancement effect of BF-7 is approved by the Korean Food and Drug Administration, it could go into commercialization as early as this year.



The pilot operation of the world's largest passenger jet, Airbus A380, was held in Korea Thursday. The 73-meter long plane with each of the wings 80 meters wide has two levels and can accommodate more than 800 passengers.



The health and fitness boom in Korea has led to a rebirth of the traditional Korean martial art taekwondo. The martial art is now gaining fame as a fun and easy leisure sport.



Watching taekwondo in the Summer Olympics or at a demonstration can be hard to follow. But the Korean martial art is taking root in everyday life. Stiff taekwondo moves have been redesigned into rhythmic and more easier techniques... to produce "Taekwon-aerobics."

INT>Lee Yeong-suk/Taekwon-aerobics develop. cmt.
We hope the combination of Korean dance and basic Taekwondo moves becomes a hit worldwide.

Taekwon jump rope is also a hit among young lovers of extreme sports. Complex jump rope moves are combined with breathtaking breakfalls and creative strikes.
The new sport requires creativity and imagination.

INT>Gang Dae-seong/Taekwon jump rope demonstrator
The timing of the Taekwondo moves is very thrilling.

Taekwondo moves have been rediscovered as an exercise for enhancing muscle power and flexibility. The traditional Korean martial art has once captured the spotlight... this time as a daily sport.



It's said that the less you use your brain, the more it degenerates. On the other hand, even adults as well as children can develop their brains, by using them actively and have the nerve cells grow. Today, we’re going to show you some games that are helpful in enhancing your brain power.



This is the children’s brain development research institute in Gyeonggi Province. Brain development is a hot trend these days in Korea. More and more parents are sending their kids to special institutes for enhancing brain development. Experts say doing the right activities at the right time is important as different parts of the brain develop at different times.

INT> Lee Eun-mi/Children’s Brain Develop. Inst.
This is for five year olds to develop the right brain. It's an activity for children to look at the whole and find details and also perceive shapes and forms.

For seven year olds, the age when linguistic functions are developing, enhancing logical thinking is important.

INT>Because we need to take a bath when we're dirty.

INT> Because trees produce oxygen from sunlight.

Finding connections between picture cards and the child’s experience is a good game for developing logical thinking abilities. Meanwhile many Koreans are curious about their brain age. More and more people are having their brain age measured. The brain age is measured by analysis of the brain waves produced during two types of tests. One is for testing how well the testee absorbs visual information and the second test, how well information is processed.

INT>Your ability to take in information is 10 yrs younger than your actual age.

Here are some easy ways to train your brain at home. Reciting a given number backwards helps develop both the left and right hemispheres. Guessing the number of marbles just by hearing them shaken together is good for improving your concentration. Looking at a painting for a while and describing what you remember enhances your ability to obtain and process information.

INT>Nam Jeong-wuk/Brain Develop. Research Center
Kids tend to look at paintings fast. But studying them in detail is more effective for brain development.

People today are more interested in their physical and brain age rather than their actual age. This is a growing trend as more and more people are looking to live healthier and smarter.