Power Shift

[Anchor Lead]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s son Kim Jong-un has been given a high-level position in the North Korean Workers’ Party, along with the rank of general. It looks like the succession process has been put into motion.



[Pkg]

Kim Jong-un has officially become the successor to his father, Kim Jong-il. North Korea’s Central News Agency reported recently that at the 3rd meeting of the Workers’ Party of North Korea, Kim Jong-un was named vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and received a high-ranking position in the Workers’ Party. The Central Military Commission oversees the North’s military policies and is its highest military organ. Kim Jong-un’s appointment as its vice-chairman means that he’s now the most powerful man in North Korea’s military, after his father. Kim Jong-il, for his part, was re-appointed as the general secretary of the Workers’ Party and the chairman of the Central Military Commission. Kim Jong-il’s younger sister, Kim Kyong-hee, is now in charge of the Workers’ Party’s political affairs. Kim’s brother-in-law and vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission, Chang Sung-taek, was appointed as a candidate for the political department of the Workers’ Party and he also serves on the Central Military Commission. The North’s Central News Agency said the Workers’ Party meeting was held on a grand scale on Tuesday in Pyongyang and ended the following day after a closing speech delivered by North Korean Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Kim Yong-nam.



2. US Response



[Anchor Lead]

While scoffing at Kim Jong-un’s potential inheritance of the dictatorship from his father, Washington has begun analyzing what influence it will have on its North Korea policy. Here’s more.



[Pkg]

Regarding Kim Jong-un’s third generation succession of North Korean leadership made official, Washington said that it was like watching a TV reality show.



[Soundbite] Philip Crowley (Spokesman, U.S. State Dept.)



Meanwhile, it stated that it was keeping close watch on the situation and was analyzing what influence the succession will have on its North Korean policies. Washington confirmed that North Korea’s denuclearization will remain on its agenda regardless who becomes the new leader. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had said that the new leader must be pursuaded that the future will only brighten up when Pyongyang chooses to drop its nuclear arms program. Furthermore, the U.S. government also made it clear that the six-way talks will be resumed and Washington will talk with Pyongyang only after inter-Korean relations have improved. Washington added that the world will still have to wait and see whether the accession of Kim Jong-un to power is made successfully.



3. Inter-Korean Law



[Anchor Lead]

A new special law is being promoted for regulating matters between residents of South and North Korea. There is currently no law for resolving family issues or private property matters between residents of either side.



[Pkg]

Kim and her former husband had been split up when they were still in their twenties after the Korean War broke out. Six decades later, they’re both remarried and each have new families, but they still miss each other.



[Soundbite] Kim Gye-sil (Oct. ’07): If I see him once more, all I have to say is to stay healthy.



But not all separated inter-Korean families have sweet memories about their long-lost relatives on the other side of the border. A man who had moved to the South during the Korean War remarried and had a new family but also had children left behind in the North. The man died and his bereaved children in the North and their step-siblings in the South have filed a case over the inheritance of property left behind by their late father. Such matters are likely to occur more often when the two Koreas are eventually reunited. As so, the South Korean government is promoting a new special law to refer to when resolving such inter-Korean family and property affairs. When a separated inter-Korean couple are to be reunited, each individual’s rights will be respected but the latter marriage after division of the two Koreas will be given stronger protection than the former marriage from before the division. When children on both sides are to inherit the property of their deceased parents, children living in South Korea will get special approval for their contribution in expanding the property if they have done so. After collecting further opinions, the Ministry of Justice is planning to submit the bill to the National Assembly late this year.



4. Seoul Parade



[Anchor Lead]

An event marking the 60th anniversary of the recapture of Seoul from the North Korean army was held on Tuesday. At the ceremony, President Lee Myung-bak vowed to strengthen the nation’s military.



[Pkg]

Supersonic advanced trainer T-50 jets fly gracefully in the sky. The special air force squad Black Eagles shows off impressive stunts, from fly-by to accurate formation flight techniques. Over thirty helicopters and jet fighters including F-15K are also featured. An honor guard ceremony is presented by the Army, Navy and Air Force, while war veterans marched in a parade. The public applauds generously to the march, which stretches over one kilometer all the way from Gwangwhamun to Seoul City Hall.



[Soundbite] It’s good to see our soldiers so brave and living up to people’s expectations.



The special army squad presents a martial arts performance featuring skillful moves. The public is fascinated to see the honor guard drill performance. At the event, President Lee Myung-bak praised the national army for its efforts and pledged to overhaul the army to inspire more young people to serve in the military and support its capacity in maintaining world peace. The event marking the 60th anniversary of recapturing Seoul from North Koreans was held simultaneously with the event marking the 62nd National Army Day and was the largest in scale to date.



5. Building Boom



[Anchor Lead]

Korean construction companies continue to set milestones in the Middle East. Their number of orders has hit another all-time high this year.



[Pkg]

This power generation facility built by a Korean company is the largest by far in the Arab Emirates. Once it’s completed next year, it’ll supply 20 percent of the electric power used in Dubai. Early this month, a Korean construction company won the bid to build the world’s largest desalination plant in Saudi Arabia. The project is estimated at 1.5 billion dollars.



[Soundbite] Hwang Hae-jin (Dir., Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction): It’ll likely be easier for us to win ordershere than in the U.A.E. or Kuwait because we’ll use Korean-made construction materials.



In the first eight months of the year Korean construction firms won 38 billion dollars worth of orders in the Middle East. That’s 2.6 times as much as last year, and the largest amount by far. The Financial Times of the U.K. wrote that Korean builders have dominated the Middle Eastern construction market over the past six years.



[Soundbite] O Eung-cheon (Regional Chief, Korea Business Center): We’re planning to invest mostly in infrastructure including freeway or railway construction. The Middle East will continue to be the biggest market.



The Middle East holds a big promise of yet another construction boom as oil-producing nations in the region continue to make construction orders.



6. Golden Peanuts



[Anchor Lead]

Udo Island near Jeju Island is famous for its exquisite landscapes and peanuts. At this time of year, the islanders are awaiting the peanut harvest.



[Pkg]

A farmer sprays water with much care over a peanut field. But it’s not ordinary water; the water contains gold. Pure gold is electrolyzed to two nanometers and mixed into the water. The gold substance is absorbed by the nuts through the roots. Results of analysis by a government approved institute say one kilogram of peanuts contain a maximum of 20 micrograms of gold.



[Soundbite] Kang Chang-yun (Golden Peanut Farmer): We can expand profits up to three times more than ordinary farms by planting highly profitable crops and improving functions.



The golden peanut is produced only on Wu Island under a contract with the company specializing in the field and which holds the related patent. Around ten tons have been produced this year on five farms. A sales contract has already been signed with a department store in Seoul. As gold is known to be effective in strengthening immunity and preventing aging, the peanuts are expected to be sold at a price two to three times higher than ordinary peanuts.



[Soundbite] Lee Jong-seok (President, Nanotech Company): You could eat gold, but it was unknown how to help the body absorb it. We produced golden crops so you can consume it naturally.



Processed foods using golden peanuts like chocolate coated peanuts are also to be produced next year.



7. Heroes’ Welcome



[Anchor Lead]

South Korea’s under-17 women’s soccer team returned home Tuesday after winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup over the weekend in Trinidad and Tobago. Free from the stress of the games, the team enjoyed a hero’s welcome.



[Pkg]

The under-17 women’s soccer players were nearly unknown when they left Korea for the World Cup but they’ve returned as global champions. Crowds gathered at the airport applauded and cheered, welcoming the girls home. It’s the first time South Korea has won a FIFA tournament. Striker Yeo Min-ji, who was both the tournament’s top player and top scorer, stands out.



[Soundbite] Yeo Min-ji (Forward): I crave for a home made meal.



The teens were candid in remarks about their victory.



[Soundbite] Kim A-reum (Captain): Our coach looks like a grandpa. He’s really nice and gentle.



The families, extremely proud, were happy to be reunited with them.



[Soundbite] Kim Mi-ja (Lee Jeong-eun’s Mother): I want to tell her that I’m so proud of her. I want to hug her tight and never let her go.



The athletes attended a special KBS welcoming concert and let loose. They enjoyed the performance of celebrity singers. The team’s last schedule on Tuesday was a lunch with President Lee Myung-bak at the Blue House.



8. Korean Drawing



[Anchor Lead]

Korea’s largest-ever drawing exhibition has opened in Seoul. It showcases drawing as the fundamental element of art.



[Pkg]

This painting by artist Kim Chang-ryeol vividly depicts water drops. But this is what the painting from the famous series looked like 30 years ago when the artist just started drawing. The water drops look impressively lucid. Astro Boy is a popular cartoon character. Since it first appeared in drawings in 1993, it has remained the main character of the "Astro Boy" series.



[Soundbite] Lee Dong-gi (Artist): Drawings have a significant value because of their primative ideas and because they show the process of creation.



Drawings usually refer to the sketches of completed artworks. But nowadays drawings are recognized as independent works because the contemporary art values the process rather than the result of art creation. This drawing shows the photo of a running train with its roof covered by white fabric. It attests to the versatility of drawings. The exhibition brings together more than 300 drawings of top Korean artists and teaches visitors about the 30-year history of Korean art.



9. Garden Cafes



[Anchor Lead]

Garden cafes in the heart of the big city lure visitors with the promise of an autumn afternoon amid the plants and paths. Today we’ll take you to some places just like this that are great for enjoying the mild fall weather.



[Pkg]

Visitors stroll along a path lined with colorful foliage. Autumn is in the air. This path along a murmuring stream is located in a fairy-tale-like garden.



[Soundbite] I’m always in the city. Strolling in the woods is very pleasing.



The garden measures more than 10-thousand square meters. It boasts a wisteria tunnel, a path through the autumn woods and more than 50 bird nests. This scenic garden cafe under the blue sky provides a respite for its customers. A stroll in the breeze makes a stay here relaxing and romantic. It’s also an ideal place for families.



[Soundbite] It’s good to take time out of my busy schedule to look at the flowers. I don’t usually have much time to enjoy flowers. I like this place.



It’s as if time stands still at this old tile-roofed house in Seongbuk-dong. It’s the former home of novelist Lee Tae-jun, who was regarded as one of the best writers during the Japanese colonial period. Ten years ago, the house was opened to the public. Now it’s an elegant cafe with a beautiful garden.



[Soundbite] I come here to look at the scenery. It’s a very nostalgic place.



It’s a small, cozy garden, with blooming flowers. A cup of traditional tea in this classic cafe is a great way to take in the beauty of autumn.



[Soundbite] I feel close to nature here because this place is located at the foot of a mountain. When I look at this garden, I feel like I’ve enjoyed my life



And this cafe has an indoor garden that is reminiscent of a path through the woods. Diverse tree species grow here.



[Soundbite] Many of our customers like nature. We have customers of all age groups, from the elderly to young couples. Everyone likes this place.



This seat next to a window offers a bird’s-eye view of the city. Rain or shine, this place allows visitors to enjoy the beauty of any season through this large window.



[Soundbite] There are many plants here and the mood is very romantic. Looking out this large window makes me feel refreshed.



At this time of year, the weather is just right for spending some relaxing moments at a garden cafe.