Digging Dirt

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The by-election for Seoul mayor is just two weeks away, and the two main candidates have stepped up their campaigns. Efforts at digging up dirt have also been put into high gear.



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The ruling Grand National Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor has met former U.S. vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin to discuss welfare policies.



[Soundbite] Na Kyung-won (Seoul Mayoral Candidate, GNP): "The rising of welfare policies is the hottest issue of the upcoming election."



Na Kyung-won will launch her official election campaign Thursday with former ruling party chief Park Geun-hye.



Na’s opposition opponent Park Won-soon has started an integrated campaign committee representing the liberal camp. Figures from the main opposition Democratic Party, including leader Sohn Hak-kyu, and from progressive civic groups attended the inauguration ceremony.



[Soundbite] Park Won-soon (Independent Seoul Mayoral Candidate): "Are you ready to greet the new Seoul Mayor? (Yes!) Thank you!"



The two parties had pledged to wage campaigns based on policies but mudslinging is heating up. The ruling party says the Japanese colonial government began drafting Koreans in 1943. So the party says Park Won-soon’s foster grandfather could not have been drafted and that the Democratic Party’s support for the candidate is illegal.



[Soundbite] Kim Sung-tae (Congressman, Grand National Party): "Lending or providing funds to independent candidates is illegal."



Park Won-soon’s camp claims Na invested in real estate when she ran for a proportional representation seat in the National Assembly.



[Soundbite] Woo Sang-ho (Co-Spokesman, Park’s Election Camp): "Candidate Na Kyung-won been looking for a building in Seoul during the campaign period."



Na’s camp says she bought a building for use as an office for her legal practice. Park claims the Japanese colonial government began drafting Koreans in 1938.



Banking Brakes



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Korean financial authorities are putting the brakes on generous dividend payments by domestic banks as such institutions are expected to reap record profits this year. This move is seen as a warning reflecting the U.S.-spawned “Occupy Wall Street” protests spreading worldwide. The financial sector is being urged to pay more attention to financial soundness when times are good.



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The net profit posted by 18 domestic banks in the year’s first half totaled over 8.5 billion dollars. For the whole of this year, the figure is expected to double to reach an all time level high. The key to their profitable business is the net interest spread, which is the gap between the interest rates on loans and deposits. Handsome profits lead to generous dividends.



[Soundbite] Bank Official (Voice Modified) : "We’re stock companies; we can’t completely ignore stockholders’ expectations."



Last year, seven Korean banks gave out 3.26 billion dollars in cash dividends. During crises, the banks received massive public subsidies -- over 74 billion during the financial crisis in the late 1990s and nearly 3.9 billion in the 2008 crisis.



Financial authorities have put a halt to their practice. Financial Supervisory Service Governor Kwon Hyouk-se met with bank chiefs on Monday and urged the banks to refrain from dividend payments and to reserve sufficient funds for difficult times.



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Lee Han-deuk (LG Economic Research Institute): Amid economic insecurity and a possible surge in household debt, banks need to reserve funds to shore up their capital soundness rather than doling out dividends.



It’s to be seen whether the banking sector can shake off the criticism that they draw in government aide during tough times when giving out lavish dividends during their booming days.



Workers Rights



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A global conference has opened in Seoul on the human rights of workers. Participants say business competitiveness is enhanced when social responsibilities such as workers’ rights and the environment are attended to.



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This is a scene of a strike at an automotive parts manufacturer. The union wants an end to the work shift system, which requires workers to switch from morning shift to night shift every week.



Service industry workers have to smile and be nice to customers all the time, but are suffering mentally. Workers at this department store complain about the company policy on treating customers like kings, saying it’s led to problems in staff treatment.



[Soundbite] Department Store Staff Member : "Attending to customers all day, we have no time to drink water when we’re thirsty or to go to the bathroom. That can be painful."



Discrimination against foreign or female staff also remains at certain workplaces. Awareness of workers’ rights at Korean companies are said to lag behind global standards.



[Soundbite] Ju Chul-ki (Sec. Gen., UN Global Compact Korea Network): "We must quickly perceive new global human rights standards but (domestic firms) are weak in that aspect."



Consumer awareness and expectations of social responsibility by business groups are rising. So experts say protection of workers’ rights is a must in raising business competitiveness.



Autumn Drought



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This past summer saw the heaviest downpours in a century, and extensive damage as a result. But in the fall, precipitation has decreased, and now the concern is drought.



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The radish field where sprouts should be budding this time of year is so dry that it has cracked open. Although harvest time is quickly approaching, nearly half of this bean field has withered away.



[Soundbite] Byeon Un-yong (Farmer): "Due to drought, the sprouts aren’t budding and the harvest is poor. At least three leaves should have come out."



Needing ample amounts of water, these persimmons are not ripe enough due to the dry weather.



An average of 86 millimeters of rain fell nationwide during a two month period from mid-August. This is only 20 to 30 percent of the rainfall recorded during the same period in past years. As a result, the nation’s capital Seoul as well as Gyeonggi, Gangwon and Gyeongsang Provinces and parts of Jeju Island are regions where damages to crops are prevalent and have been designated as drought risk areas.



The current situation is poles apart from the record devastating downpour, three times the average level that inflicted enormous damage across the country this past summer. The continental high pressure front has kicked in from mid-August, which has drastically cut the amount of rainfall.



[Soundbite] Kang Yeong-jun (Korea Meteorological Administration): "The low rainfall is forecast to continue. The fall drought could continue through winter."



The come and go of the monsoon and drought season this year is yet another proof that climate change triggered by global warming is only accelerating.



Korean Ginseng



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Korean red ginseng is known for its health benefits abroad as well as at home. The international food standards body will now use Korea’s permissible chemical levels for agricultural red ginseng as the global standard.



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Red ginseng, called "hongsam" in Korea, is known to prevent cancer and boost immunity. To make red ginseng, fresh ginseng roots are put in a steamer for hours and air dried. Red ginseng was first made in Korea 1,000 years ago.



[Soundbite] Piao Lecien (Chinese Tradesman): "Korean red ginseng is pricier than Chinese but it’s still very popular."



The Codex Alimentarius Commission will set the Korean standard for the agricultural chemical levels for red ginseng as the global standard. Korean red ginseng is the latest traditional product whose standards have been adopted abroad, joining kimchi and regular Korean ginseng. Procedural approval will be concluded by spring early next year. So a country exporting red ginseng will have to follow the agricultural chemical levels set by Korea. The U.S. and China are Korea’s main competitors in ginseng, and will likely suffer a blow as they lack standards for agrichemicals.



[Soundbite] Jo Jae-yeol (Head, Gimpo-Paju Ginseng Cooperative Assn.): "China and the U.S. have marketed their red ginseng on low prices. But following this decision, their products will inevitably fall behind Korean red ginseng."



Korea exported 86 million U.S. dollars worth of red ginseng products last year. The country’s profile in the global ginseng market will grow further with the international adoption of its red ginseng standards.



Jewelry Theft



[Anchor Lead]



A jewelry shop in a traditional market in Seoul’s Dongsomun-dong district has been robbed by a trio who drilled a hole in the shop’s wall to steal over 85 thousand U.S. dollars worth of jewelry. Police are now on the hunt for the suspects.



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This is a jewelry shop at a traditional marketplace. A hole can be easily seen in the wall of the bathroom right beside the store. Three burglars drilled this hole to steal around 50 items of jewelry from the shop. The gang secretly drilled a hole measuring about 30 centimeters so that the shop owner wouldn’t notice, and they slipped out the jewelry piece by piece through the hole.



[Soundbite] Victim : "I was surprised. I didn’t think’ anyone could steal them. But when I raised the shutter, they were gone. I never imagined this could happen."



The jewelry stolen by the trio is worth around 76,800 U.S. dollars.



[Soundbite] Nearby Store Owner : "Normally, they’d take off the doors or drill a bigger hole. How did they make such a small hole and take the stuff with a long stick? They’re smart criminals."



The police are searching for the burglars who were caught on the surveillance camera of a nearby store.



Traditional Tiles



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Production has begun of traditional tiles to be used in the restoration of the Seoul gate of Sungnyemun, which was burned by an arsonist in 2008. Here’s how the traditional tiles are being made as the country rebuilds its National Treasure No. 1.



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An arsonist set fire to Sungnyemun in 2008. All of the traditional gate’s roof tiles were broken and needed replacing.



A worship rite is performed in front of a solidly made loess kiln. Then a ceremony is held to kindle a traditional kiln where tiles for Sungnyemun will be baked.



Traditional tile kilns of the Joseon era were made by digging caves in slopes, giving rise to the name "climbing kilns." They’ve been restored for the first time. Some 22,000 tiles for use in the restoration of Sungnyemun will have been baked here by March next year. First, clay is trampled to make dough and cut into smaller pieces. Then it’s placed in round molds to let the surface harden. When the clay pieces are shaped well, they’re dried and baked in a kiln. That’s how tiles are made according to the traditional Joseon method.



[Soundbite] Han Hyeong-jun (Important Intangible Cultural Properties): "It takes more effort and determination because it’s the No. 1 national treasure. That’s why I pray to god deep in my soul when making the tiles."



The tiles will be attached to the roof of the traditional gate in May next year to restore Sungnyemun to its original form.



Army Rain



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Rain, the renowned singer and actor, joined the Korean army Tuesday for his military service. Fans from all over the world gathered to bid him farewell.



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After a long wait, world star Rain finally makes his appearance and fans cheer. He first bows and then thanks his fans for their continuous support for the past ten years since his debut.



[Soundbite] Rain (Singer): "I’m sorry to leave making such a racket. I will do my best. Thank you."



After a short farewell, Rain gives a salute to his fans who begin to cheer and yell once again. Fans cannot leave the site even after the star leaves.



[Soundbite] Indonesian Fan



More than 500 fans from abroad, including Japan, China and Hong Kong, have flocked to the site to see Rain for the last time before he joins the army to show him how much people from around the world love him.



[Soundbite] Japanese Fan : "I hope he does well during the two years. And I’ll wait to see him at his concert in Japan in two years later."



Since his debut a decade ago, Rain has risen to global stardom. Now with his name Jung Ji-hoon printed on his chest, he is now in the military and has to fulfill his service for 21 months in the army.



Home Cafes



[Anchor Lead]



For a lot of people, a cup of coffee is a vital part of the day. In Korea, that coffee is often of the freeze-dried instant variety, but the real thing has made massive inroads in recent years. However, coffee is very often overpriced at cafes. So, here are some ways to get your fix without breaking the bank.



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Without coffee, the day just isn’t the same for a large number of people. Yu Han-na makes her own coffee at home.



[Soundbite] "Welcome to my home cafe!"



One side of her kitchen has been made into a mini cafe. She’s done it up just like a place you’d visit to get a cup of coffee while out of the house. She can make all kinds of different coffees, from an ice latte to a caramel macchiato, just like a professional barista.



[Soundbite] Yu Han-na (Homemaker): "This is a milk steamer. You can warm milk or make milk foam for cafe lattes or cappuccinos. It’s very convenient."



Before she put together her home cafe, she used to spend about 130 U.S. dollars a month on coffee. That’s now down to around 26 dollars.



[Soundbite] "(How does it taste?) It’s very delicious."



[Soundbite] "It’s like it’s from a coffee shop."



[Soundbite] Jang Seong-gun (Husband): "I can have coffee anytime I want. And my family has grown closer as we talk more with each other."



These days, more and more people are interested in making their own coffee to suit their personal tastes.



[Soundbite] "I come every week to learn how to enjoy good coffee."



This is a coffee making club. The first step to making good coffee is knowing how to choose beans. Some say that the beans that are evenly colored and similarly sized are the good ones. Today, they’re learning how to roast the beans at home.



[Soundbite] "Adjust the flame so the beans won’t burn. First you begin with a big flame and reduce it to mid level."



The key to using a frying pan to do your roasting is to adjust the flame correctly and to stir quickly.



[Soundbite] "It takes some work but I’m happy to be able to enjoy coffee."



The process brings out the special color, scent and flavor of the beans.



[Soundbite] "It’s tastier than popcorn. I like it, and it’s not bitter."



The roasted beans are then ground with a hand mill. It’s time for a taste.



[Soundbite] "As it’s made of beans I roasted myself, the scent is rich and the flavor fresh. I’ve never experienced such a taste before. It was really great."



Now, let’s meet some people who enjoy their coffee in a cozy cafe-like atmosphere at work. The place looks like a coffee shop, but all the drinks served here are free.



[Soundbite] Son Mi-yeong (Company Department Manager): "The office atmosphere has really improved since it was introduced. Employees are more satisfied with their job and this has enhanced work efficiency as well."



[Soundbite] "It’s delicious. Our office coffee is the best!"



[Soundbite] "I think our office coffee tastes the best, too. I even crave it on weekends."



The cafe is on the first floor of the office building. The idea is to cut down on the time employees spend on picking up their coffee, and efficiency has been improved.



[Soundbite] "When I’m stressed up, I come down for a cup of sweet coffee. It helps me get rid of stress and come up with many new ideas."



A cup of coffee in a cafe can cost a pretty penny in Korea, but these people are finding a way around that.