Joint Military Division

[Anchor Lead]

We begin with the latest in the Seoul-Washington alliance. South Korea and the United States will form a new joint military division. In peacetime, each country will command its own unit and participate in joint exercises, but in wartime the two forces will join as one unit.

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For the first time, South Korea and the U.S. will form a joint military division in early 2015.The joint division will be comprised of South Korea's eighth mechanized infantry division and the U.S.'s 2nd Infantry Division's 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team and 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade.In normal times, 30 command officers each from South Korea and the U.S. will run the newly-established force, as joint staff. Each side will maintain its own chain of command.In the case of war, the South Korean mechanized division will be attached with the U.S. Second Infantry Division and participate in combat missions together.The joint division will be headed by the commanding officer of the U.S. Second Infantry Division with a South Korean brigadier general as second-in-command.

[Soundbite] Maj. Gen. WI SEUNG-HO(Chief, Joint Chiefs of Staff) : "The new military unit will be more effective for holdingjoint exercises, which will help improve the joint defense posture. In the future, it will also provide opportunities to strengthen inter-operability of allied missions."

This joint division was established to boost collaborative defense capabilities and still maintain strong deterrence against North Korea while Washington cuts back on its military budget.

[Soundbite] SIN IN-GYUN(Representative, Korea Defense Network) : "The U.S. can't bring additional combat divisions when it is cutting back its defense budget. So the U.S. needs South Korean troops."

Even after U.S. armed forces in Korea moves its headquarters to Pyeongtaek, some units of the new joint division will remain to conduct combined military exercises. The remaining troops will be able to fill up the vacuum in combat forces in northern Gyeonggi Province and support the tripwire weakened by the planned relocation of U.S. forces farther south of the border.

2. N. Korea Nuke Program

[Anchor Lead]

Signs have been detected showing that North Korea may have resumed operation of its nuclear reactor in Yongbyon. Global concerns are growing over the regime's nuclear development.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed in its annual report the discharge of vapor and cooling water at North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear site.The IAEA considers this evidence of a nuclear reactor in operation.The finding is based on an analysis of satellite photos taken since last month.North Korea claimed in April last year that it will resume operating its reactor to secure nuclear deterrence.The 5 megawatt graphite reactor in Yongbyon has been considered to be capable of producing plutonium used in manufacturing nuclear weapons.The IAEA expressed concern in its report that Pyongyang's nuclear development plans are a serious problem. It also said that the continuation of repairs and construction work on the Yongbyon site supports North Korea's claim that it is advancing its nuclear capabilities.Since the North kicked out IAEA inspectors from the country in 2009, the nuclear watchdog has not been able to access the site for hands on inspection.The Yongbyon reactor's operations were suspended at the time when North Korea declared that they would be restarted last year. Earlier in 2008, apparently as a trust building tactic, the North revealed the demolition of its reactor cooling tower.

3. Increasing Suicide Rate

[Anchor Lead]

The World Health Organization reports that Korea’s suicide rate more than doubled since the year 2000. Ranking only behind Greece, Korea has been requested by the WHO to take strong action.

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Korea's suicide increase rate has been found to be second highest in the world.The findings came from a World Health Organization survey profiling suicide rates around the world for 12 years, from 2000 and 2012.In Korea, it was found that 13.8 people per 100,000 committed suicide in the year 2000. However, the rate since grew by 109.4 per cent to 28.9 suicides by 2012.This is the second highest increase rate in the world, topped only by Cyprus.But the issue is more serious for Korea, as the number of suicides in Cyprus stands at 5 people per every 100,000, whereas Korea's statistics nears 30 per 100,000.The WHO also reported that more than 800,000 people commit suicide annually worldwide, which translates to one death every 40 seconds.The suicide rate was the highest among the elderly over 70 years of age. In the 15-to-29 age bracket, suicide was cited as the second most prevalent cause of death.The WHO urged its member nations to come up with more measures to discourage people from taking their own lives. Suicide is considered one of the largest threats to public health.

4. Energy Market Reform

[Anchor Lead]

President Park Geun-hye has urged an ease to entry barriers into the electricity industry in order to foster a healthy free market. And as an incentive to electric vehicle owners, starting next year, you’ll be able to sell back any excess electricity to the government.

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President Park Geun-hye attended a forum on the energy industry on Thursday, and demonstrated a showcase on "smart home" features with minimal energy use.She also reviewed a new way for people to save up electricity from their charged electric cars and sell the saved energy back to the Korea Electric Power Corporation.President Park vowed to ease entry barriers into the electricity market to enable private firms and citizens to produce and sell energy.

[Soundbite] PARK GEUN-HYE(President) : "Outdated institutions and regulations must be revamped as soon as possible to enable electric cars and power charging stations to fill the role of power plants. Information technology should also be utilized for people to save energy through smart ways in their daily lives."

The president also called for active efforts to open up the electric vehicle recharging services market to the private sector. She further stressed that uniquely Korean energy models utilizing domestic technology should make inroads into overseas markets.

[Soundbite] "I propose 3 slogans we can remember. The first is "into the market," the second is "into the future" and the third is "into the world.""

President Park repeatedly urged ministers to work on deregulation at the earliest possible date.

5. College Grad Unemployment

[Anchor Lead]

A new study has found that one out of every two college graduates this year cannot find jobs. In fact, there are so few jobs for young people that college graduates are unable to find employment even if they go on desperate job searches.

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26-year-old Lee Mun-seon graduated two years ago with a bachelor's degree in Korean literature from a national university.After graduation, Lee was unable to find the right job. Now she studies during the day and works part-time at night.She previously worked at a supermarket and a restaurant, and now earns $585 a month assisting someone with a disability.Her anxiety has grown as it has taken her quite some time to find a decent job after graduation. She says it's difficult to begin her career.

[Soundbite] LEE MUN-SEON(Job-seeking College Graduate) : "I don't want to get a job that I don't want to do. But that can be perceived as being irresponsible."

Kim Da-nim just graduated from a four-year university.She deferred her graduation for a semester to strengthen her qualifications. She has a grade point average of 4.0, achieved 880 points in TOEIC, a proficiency certificate in a second foreign language, but she still hasn't found a job.

[Soundbite] KIM DA-NIM(Job-seeking College Graduate) : "I'm going to try harder to make up for my anxiety. I will keep trying, keeping in mind that this is my last resort."

Korea's job shortage is so severe that many college students take leave of absence for six months to a year to study foreign languages abroad or prepare for employment.

[Soundbite] JEONG HYO-YEOL(College junior on a leave of absence) : "I don't know where to find a job or if I should beef up my qualifications. People say that it's much better to have gone on a six-month language training program abroad than to have done nothing."

It is a sad reality for Korea's college graduates in their 20's to be jobless and distressed even with college diplomas in hand.

6. Busy Chuseok Markets

[Anchor Lead]

Traditional markets in rural areas are bustling about ahead of the Chuseok holiday. Follow us to a marketplace that opens every five days in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province filled with the holiday spirit and generosity.

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At the fisheries corner in this rural market, vendors and customers wrangle over shark meat and yellow croaker which are essential items for ancestral rites.

[Soundbite] "Give me five yellow croakers, not the small ones."

Newly harvested chestnuts are also a must buy.Shoppers are thorough and shrewd in their hunt for holiday foods.

[Soundbite] KIM TAE-NAM(Customer) : "I'm out here for the first time and all the products look good. Shopping for items for ancestral rites requires more attention. This year, I'm going simpler and will buy less."

Traditional Korean rice treats are also a staple at markets during the holiday.The huge sound of the machine is quite startling but the rice treat never disappoints.At a 50 year old sesame oil shop, an elderly couple toasts sesame seeds in a pot and squeezes out the savory oil.The aroma of the oil spreads far and wide.Vendors are excited to see customers crowded in all corners of the market for the first time in a very long while.

[Soundbite] LEE GWANG-JOO(Merchant) : "Customer numbers have increased. I sold a lot, about two to three times the usual."

Despite the sluggish economy and various tragic headlines in the news recently, the mood at the market and the generous spirit are as high as ever heading into the thanksgiving Chuseok holiday.

7. Farming Technology

[Anchor Lead]

State-of-the-art technology is making the work of volunteers in farming areas easier these days. Take a look at how college students lend a helping hand to farmers by using some of the latest technological advancements.

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A flying object that looks like a spaceship soars into the sky, its' propellers spinning vigorously.The remote controlled machine sprinkles pesticide over a rice field.A world first, this pesticide-spraying multicopter was developed by researchers from a Korean university.And now, volunteers can help farmers with their hard work by using state-of-the-art technology instead of physical labor.The sole purpose of developing unmanned pesticide sprayers is to help local farms, which are seriously understaffed. They have been successfully used in Cheolwon, Gangwon Province and Jindo, South Jeolla Province.

[Soundbite] NOH JEONG-HO(Doctorate Student, Korea Aerospace University) : "I am glad that we were able to help the elders in farming areas by developing this machine."

The unmanned pesticide sprayers will be released in the market early next year. With each machine equipped with six propellers, they can fly stably while spraying pesticides accurately. They can even auto-spray pesticide on designated areas.Domestic unmanned pesticide sprayers cost and weigh only a third as much as Japanese-made ones, although their performance levels are similar.

[Soundbite] YU JAE-SIK(Official, Gasan Agricultural Co-op) : "Pest control is a difficult task. We are very grateful to researchers for helping us solve this problem. I think we will use this machine a lot from now on."

College students can now help farmers in a more efficient way by using advanced technology.

8. Show Business Report

[Anchor Lead]

After one of its members died in a tragic car accident this week, Ladie’s Code finds one of its songs which was released a year ago, top the domestic charts. In other news, tickets to Seo Tai-ji's comeback concert were sold out in just 20 minutes. Here's more from the world of show business.

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This song was released by the group Ladies' Code in September 2013. Although it's been a year since the song's release, it recently topped nine domestic real-time music charts, including Melon and Bugs. The song became a hit after it became known that one of the group's members, Eun-bi, who died recently in a car accident used to say that her wish was to see the group's songs top music charts. Fans of Ladies' Code urged the public via social networking sites to listen to the group's music. Thanks to their efforts, the deceased singer's wish finally became a reality. Listeners have been posting messages wishing that Eun-bi may rest in peace, and for a fast recovery by another group member, Rise, who is in critical condition. Over six thousand tickets to singer Seo Tai-ji's comeback concert were sold out in just 20 minutes. Seo Tae-ji's latest concert comes five years after his last one. It will take place at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on October 18. Music group JYJ is all the rage lately in Japan. The group's second album, which was released in July, topped Japan's Tower Record music chart. JYJ's agency says it's unprecedented for a music album to beat local artists and top music charts even before it officially goes on sale in Japan.

9. Seed Diet Trend

[Anchor Lead]

The latest weight loss fad is the so-called "seed diet," which makes you feel full by eating soaked basil or chia seeds. But how do these seeds make you lose weight? Let’s find out.

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Seeds are packed with healthful nutrients.And these seeds are leading the latest health trend inKorea.Which ones are most in demand?That would be basil seeds.

[Soundbite] KIM YEONG-HUN(Seed Store Owner) : "Basil seeds are added to Indian and Vietnamese dishes. They are filling, suppress your appetite, stimulate the intestinal activities to discharge impurities from your body. They have been used as a weight loss supplement in Korea since two or three years ago."

Chia seeds are also popular since they're known to help with weight loss.Resembling sesame seeds, chia seeds have more Omega-3 fatty acids than salmon. They are one of the most sought-after health foods. Chia seeds come from a tropical plant that used to be enjoyed in ancient Central and South Americas. Packed with nutrients, the tiny black and white seeds are known as a super food.Another type of seed is considered a super food.This homemaker enjoys tea brewed with the seeds from this plant.She never forgets to drink the tea before having greasy food. What is in this tea?

[Soundbite] PARK SANG-OK(Citizen) : "This is tea made with meadow buttercup or fennel seeds. I have a weak stomach, but this tea helps with my digestion. I enjoy the tea often since it's easy to drink and fragrant."

Fennel is a perennial plant, which usually grows in the shaded areas of the woods.The entire plant is used for medicinal purposes, but its seeds, in particular, do wonders for our body.

[Soundbite] Prof. YIM KYEONG-SOOK(University of Suwon) : "Fennel seeds are rich in vitamin E, also known as tocopheral. Vitamin E is an effective antioxidant that prevents oxidation damages by removing reactive oxygen species, which destroys cells in our body."

Fennel seeds are used widely to bring out the flavors of many culinary creations.Adding some fennel seeds when cooking pork helps the food taste lighter, because the seeds absorb the pork grease.However, pregnant women should not eat fennel seeds, because they tend to cause womb contraction. So it's safer to drink tea brewed with fennel seeds.This homemaker says she just started eating seeds.

[Soundbite] YU YEONG-SUN(Citizen) : "I'm going to try this because I've been told thatit's good for my health and weight loss."

When basil seeds come in contact with water, they quickly expand to several times their original size.The most common way to consume basil seeds is to just drink the seeds soaked in water for 20 minutes.They tend to stay in the stomach and make you feel fuller longer, which is why basic seeds are known to help with weight loss.The sticky proteins in the seeds are known to remove toxins from the intestines.There are several different ways to consume basil seeds.The best proportion for a basil seed drink is one part seeds and nine parts water. If you find it hard to drink the water-and-seed mixture, you may have them with your favorite juice.But there are some precautions you have to be aware of.

[Soundbite] Prof. YIM KYEONG-SOOK(University of Suwon) : "Basil seeds and chia seeds have high moisture absorption rates, causing the human body to quickly become dehydrated. So drink lots of water. Also, the seeds can impede the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and medicinal substances, so children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people taking medicationshould be careful when consuming seeds."

Seeds are the latest health food fad, but you must have information about the various seeds to get the most out of these super foods.