Back in Korea

[Anchor Lead]

Some 80 ethnic Koreans from Japan's earthquake- and tsunami-stricken Sendai region have arrived in Korea. They're glad to be safe, but their thoughts are with those left behind.

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They thought they would never see their loved ones again. They're grateful to have returned home safely.

[Soundbite] “Thank you for coming back home safely.”

But they're still worried about other relatives still in Japan.

[Soundbite] “Where's dad? (He's at home.) At home? Is he okay? Is everything okay back there?”

Some 80 ethnic Koreans who were evacuated from the Korean consulate in Sendai since the earthquake returned home on a Korean Air flight. Their lives in Japan were destroyed and all they bring home are awful memories.

[Soundbite]Kim In-hye (Korean Resident of Japan): “When the quake hit, I was really scared. I screamed a lot because I was terrified. My child peed in the street.”

[Soundbite]So Gyeong-ha (Korean Student in Japan): “I realized that I needed to get out of the building but I fell down. So I crawled out.”

They burst into tears over being safe but cannot forget the neighbors they left behind.

[Soundbite]Son In-ja (Missionary): “We're back but those still in Japan are worried about aftershocks. I can't stop crying whenever I think about them.”

Some 4-thousand ethnic Koreans reside in northeastern Japan. Most of them want to come to Korea but are struggling to find transportation.

2. Civil Relief

[Anchor Lead]

Korean civic relief groups are heading to Japan on the fifth day of the aftermath of last Friday’s disaster. One group recruited more than 150 volunteers online in just three days.

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Members of Korean civic relief organizations arrive at Incheon International Airport to fly to Japan. They are carrying emergency food supplies, electric saws, a cutting device and cameras for rescue purposes. They will assist in searching for the missing and providing food in the Sendai areas.

[Soundbite]Go Jin-gwang (Humanity Renewal Association): “Looking back on past experience, experts are urgently needed in disasters. We need expert help.”

The seven members leaving for Japan are all veteran officers with dozens of years of experience. They have helped in the Sampoong Department Store collapse, the 911 terror attack in the U.S. and the recent earthquake in New Zealand. The 150 volunteers recruited online will also fly to Japan.

Another Korean group which left for Japan on Saturday is also facilitating its relief efforts there. They are helping the Japan Self Defense Forces to rescue stranded senior citizens. They also give out food to people who are taking shelter at local gyms.

[Soundbite]Park Hyeon-deok (Korean Church Relief): “We are supporting the Japan Self Defense Forces and comforting and feeding the people who lost their homes.”

The Korean chapters of global relief agencies including World Vision will also determine when and how many personnel to dispatch to Japan as soon as they conclude onsite inspection.

3. Quake Donors

[Anchor Lead]

Domestic campaigns to raise money to help relief efforts in Japan are gaining speed. Japan has expressed gratitude for the donations, especially those from elderly Korean women who were forced to provide sex for the Japanese military in World War II.

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Japan's quake victims lost everything in an instant. Koreans are sending donations to their troubled neighbor. Elderly women who were forced to provide sex to Japanese soldiers also lend a helping hand.

[Soundbite]Yang Geum-deok (Former Sex Slave): “Honestly, it was tough for me to come here. But this 83-year-old grandmother still wanted to help.”

[Soundbite]Won Yong-gi (119 Rescue Officer): “Korea stands by Japan. You can do it!”

Japanese residents in Korea are also seen at donation sites.

[Soundbite]Arakawa Iwa (Japanese Resident in Korea): “I'm sincerely thankful for Korea's help in this time of need. I hope Japan will be restored quickly.”

Japanese media are covering this wave of charity in Korea. Japanese Ambassador to Seoul Masatoshi Muto also thanks Koreans for their support.

[Soundbite]Masatoshi Muto (Japanese Ambassador to Korea): “We'll never forget the warm hearts that Koreans have shared with the Japanese people.”

Koreans have put aside their bitter memories of Japan to help victims of the devastating earthquake.

4. Emergency Drill

[Anchor Lead]

The situation in Japan has people the world over wondering what they would do if a disaster struck in their area. Here are some ways to stay safe in case of an earthquake.

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A magnitude 7 quake shakes up this house in an earthquake drill. Outside, it's hard to stand up straight due to the powerful tremor.

[Soundbite] “Now that I’ve gone through it, the reality really sinks in.”

There are some tips to avoid the crisis. First of all, it's important to shut the gas valve at home. Then, residual current circuit breaker must be pulled down and doors must be left open.

[Soundbite]Jeong Seung-gi (Firefighter): “The door gets crushed and it won't open later when you need to escape. So leave it open from the beginning.”

Then people need to hide under a table and hold onto the legs. There're also precautions during evacuation. Evacuees need to cover up their nose and mouth with a towel to minimize the amount of fumes they breathe in and watch out obstacles on the street such as rocks.

[Soundbite] “Touch the wall and lower your body.”

If an earthquake hits while a person is in an elevator, it's important to press all the buttons to get off at the next floor it stops.

5. Import Prices

[Anchor Lead]

The rise in import prices has broken a two-year high. Fears are growing that prices will remain volatile longer than expected.

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This is a large discount store in Seoul. A large number of fish sold here are imported, and prices of fish keep rising.

[Soundbite] “Imported mackerels used to be cheap but nowadays one costs about six to eight thousand won (US$7).”

The Bank of Korea says import prices rose nearly 17 percent last month year-on-year. This is the highest surge since February 2009. Prices of produce and fisheries rose the most. That of corn rose 33 percent, wheat 77 percent and coffee 64 percent. Higher import prices are gradually affecting household expenses over time. The rise in oil import prices is expected to affect household expenses a month later, that of natural gas four months later, and higher prices of produce and fisheries within six months. Global supply shaken by the earthquake in Japan will likely affect prices as well.

[Soundbite]An Sun-gwon (Korea Economic Research Institute): “The earthquake may affect supply of steel, parts, materials and fisheries products and create a big burden on domestic prices.”

So prices are feared to remain volatile throughout this year's latter half in contrast to the government's goal of achieving price stability within the first half.

6. Repatriation

[Anchor Lead]

North Korea has agreed to accept 27 of 31 of its fishermen who drifted into South Korean waters last month. The question now is why Pyongyang has changed its stance after first insisting that all 31 be repatriated at once.

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North Korea sent a telephone message via its Red Cross on Tuesday, asking Seoul to repatriate twenty seven North Korean fishermen who drifted to the South Korean waters last month. Pyongyang said it only decided to accept the 27 fishermen because their loved ones were waiting for them. Before, the North insisted that Seoul repatriate all 31 fishermen including the four who wanted to remain in the South. The government has decided to accept the North's request for humanitarian reasons and will repatriate the fishermen and their vessels via the Yellow Sea. The date of repatriation will be discussed with the North because a wind and wave advisory has been issued in the sea. The North has agreed to accept the 27 fishermen 12 days after Seoul notified of its intention to repatriate them. The North has criticized the South harshly for trying to retain the fishermen. North Korean authorities posted messages and videos from the families of the fishermen on the Internet to urge the repatriation of all 31 crewmen. The North's decision to accept only 27 crewmen has raised expectations that Pyongyang is willing to return to the negotiating table.

7. Documentaries

[Anchor Lead]

Popular KBS TV documentaries will soon be played in movie theaters. KBS and a theater chain will also open a theater exclusively for documentaries next month in Seoul.

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The KBS HD documentary "Asian Corridor in Heaven" was the world's first on ancient trade routes spanning Nepal, the Himalayas, Tibet and India. "Congo" features impressive images of tropical forests in the Congo. "Human Land" is about the difficult lives of Asian people. All of these KBS documentaries have received rave reviews from viewers.

They will soon open in theaters. KBS has joined hands with CJ CGV to set up a theater exclusively for documentaries.

[Soundbite]Gil Hwang-young (Executive Managing Dir., KBS): “Korea's video industry will develop further if the public has more opportunity to watch high-quality, impressive productions.”

KBS and CJ CGV will also produce content combining TV shows and cinematography.

[Soundbite]Kim Joo-hyung (CEO, CJ CGV): “We believe that this will boost Korea's documentary film market.”

The documentary theater will open at CGV Daehangno in Seoul next month.

8. School Leagues

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A weekend league for young athletes is marking its third anniversary this year. The organization has created a strong foundation and is receiving lots of support.

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The elementary, junior and high school weekend league was launched in 2009 for young soccer players. The purpose of the league is to guarantee the rights of student athletes to get lesseons by holding matches on weekends and holidays. The school has already taken firm root. Students say studying has boosted their self-esteem and helped them improve relationships with their classmates.

[Soundbite]Jo Hang-yong (Middle School Student): “I feel satisfied when I know the answers to questions on TV quiz shows.”

The league has also changed parents' perception of schools' sports departments. The number of soccer teams in elementary, middle and high schools has increased by 100. About 84 percent of players say they are satisfied with the weekend league. Coaches also say that unlike their concerns, the weekend league has improved students' athletic skills. The league has received continuous support from an educational company and its main broadcaster KBS.

[Soundbite]Kim Jin-guk (Chief Executive, Korea Football Assn.): “I believe that the league will live up to our expectations as it’s already operating well.”

The weekend league is now spreading to baseball and basketball as well. The positive effects of the league have changed the physical education paradigm of schools nationwide.

9. Business Tips

[Anchor Lead]

An increasing number of people are starting up their own businesses. Going it alone can seem like a daunting task, but it’s simpler than you expect. Here are some stories about successful small business owners.

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This bakery is filled with the smell of fresh bread and cakes.

[Soundbite] “The bread and cakes are so delicious. I'm not a frequent visitor. But I try to come if I can.”

[Soundbite] “Everything is handmade, so it’s great.”

These women are the owners of this bakery that satisfies even the pickiest of its customers.

[Soundbite]Sin Seong-ae (Co-Owner): “We invested a small amount of money to open this store. We work together and share everything, so we’re really proud of ourselves.”

Each invested 44-hundred dollars to open the shop. They did the interior decorating themselves to reduce costs. They have great baking skills and care about every ingredient.

[Soundbite] “They use no artificial flavors or colors, and make everything by themselves. The bread and cakes are really good.”

Customers are captivated by the products of the bakery. The owners say that they are happy to be doing what they want, and that the money isn’t the important part.

[Soundbite]Kim Hye-jang (Co-Owner): “We don't earn a big money. But we’re happy to make and sell good products.”

Here is a tiny little restaurant.

[Soundbite]Lee Song-hui (Owner): “This is a one-table restaurant.”

The owner transformed a garage with a budget of 88-hundred dollars eight years ago.

[Soundbite] “The restaurant is extra small. But we make from 8 to 9 million won(US$7-8,000) a month.”

The restaurant is so small that it can only serve four groups of people a day. It offers Italian dishes tailored to the taste of each customer.

[Soundbite]An Yeong-dae (Chef): “Customers have to make reservations so we can make food tailored to each person. We can serve fresh food and focus on each customer.”

The owner doesn't need to hire other employees and spend money on labor costs, since the restaurant is so small. And the customers like the hands-on service.

[Soundbite] “I feel like a queen, because they’re cooking just for me.”

This woman started her own business with an unimaginably small budget.

[Soundbite] “The whole store isn’t my shop. Only this shelf belongs to me.”

This small shelf is the entire store Jeong Nan-young runs. Each of the 100 shelves belongs to different owners. In other words, this store consists of 100 different ultra-tiny shops.

[Soundbite]Gu Jin-yeong (Staff): “We rent out shelves. People borrow shelves to sell products. It's simple.”

The shelves are rented out for around two dollars to 35 dollars. A month has passed since she rented a shelf and started her own business. She calculates her monthly sales and settles accounts.

[Soundbite] “I earned 211 dollars this month.”

Borrowing a shelf is a great idea for starting a business without the usual financial burden.

[Soundbite] “I feel proud of myself if someone buys what I made.”

Some people are challenging themselves to realize their dreams by developing their hobbies into professions. Starting a business is less difficult than you think, if you take the time to prepare for following your passion.