Tuition Campaign

[Anchor Lead]
Parents of university students in Korea are staging a campaign to delay tuition payment given the lack of effective solutions to combat high tuitions. The government and the ruling party have agreed to spend a considerable portion of the national budget to ease the financial burden of going to college.

[Pkg]
This is a tuition bill sent by a university in Seoul. The bill says more than 46-hundred U.S. dollars in tuition must be paid by late this month. University students sigh over the steep amount.

[Soundbite] Park Ja-eun (Chief, University Student Organization) : "Students are discouraged to see the same amount of tuition as the first semester on their bills."

Parents have come forward to fight high university tuition. Parents' organizations will stage a campaign to delay tuition payment for this year's second semester.

[Soundbite] Jeong Myeong-su (Head, Parents' Organization) : "(Delay payment on tuition) is legal; it can deal a blow to colleges."

The government and the ruling Grand National Party have agreed to spend more of the government budget on easing the financial burden of attending college. The exact amount of financial support will be set in a government and party policy coordination meeting next month.

2. Chaebol Economy

[Anchor Lead]
Industry concentration on a few conglomerates which manufacture and supply most of the items in the market is at a record high. This means that the economic structure centered around conglomerates, known as chaebol, still has not improved.

[Pkg]
This company recycles used tires. Tire recycling was once exclusive to small and medium-sized companies. However eased restrictions in 2006 opened the way for conglomerates to step in. Since conglomerates can afford to slash their prices, smaller companies cannot compete against them.

[Soundbite] O Yeong-gyu (Executive, Tire Recapping Company) : "It's stressful because we must compete fiercely and sell at a loss"

Conglomerates are expanding their areas to the industries dominated by small and mid-sized businesses. Sales of top ten chaebols accounted for a record 41 percent of all manufacturers in Korea in 2010, up from 34 percent in 2005. This means that market share is highly concentrated to chaebols. Compared with GDP, the weighting of the top 30 chaebols in various assets has returned to levels during the 1997 foreign exchange crisis.

[Soundbite] Wi Pyeong-ryang (Economic Reform Research Institute) : "The Chaebol-centered economy has resumed, as in 1997. It signals another crisis can be caused by them."

The chaebol-centered economy is raising concerns that the Industrial Ecology of relevant businesses may collapse.

3. Price Fixing

[Anchor Lead]
Two companies that produce the overwhelming majority of Korea's karaoke machines have been charged with price fixing. They've allegedly conspired to raise prices together instead of lowering them, raising the fees for consumers.

[Pkg]
Kumyoung and TJ Media dominate the Korean karaoke machine market. They supply programs for new songs in addition to karaoke machines and remote control devices. Karaoke business owners have no choice but to buy from either of the two companies.

[Soundbite] (Noraebang Owner) : "We have no choice; we need to raise the prices if they want us to. We don't know the details of the (price structure.)"

The two companies control a whopping 99 percent of the market. The Fair Trade Commission says both companies conspired with each other to keep the supply prices of new songs high. Kumyoung and TJ Media are known to have discussed in 2007 raising prices together instead of competing to lower them. They raised prices for programs for new songs just one day apart. The hike was a whopping 50 percent. The collusion didn't stop there. Both companies fixed the prices of karaoke machines, remote control devices and song lists.

[Soundbite] Song Sang-min (Korea Fair Trade Commission) : "It involves sales staff who checks price trends every month and prices set by other company."

The Fair Trade Commission has fined both companies 5.2 million U.S. dollars and issued a corrective order.

4. Leukemia Alert

[Anchor Lead]
A survey shows that the occurrence rate of leukemia is high among residents living near the U.S. military base Camp Carroll in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang Province. Allegations have been raised that toxic defoliants were buried around the base back in the 1970s, chemicals which can lead to cancer.

[Pkg]
This woman has lived in a village near Camp Carroll for 23 years. Her son died in 1989, one year after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

[Soundbite]

I'm really devastated. I can't live this way. I miss (my son.)

Park has been working at Camp Carroll for over two decades. He lives next door to the U.S. military base. His 15-year-old son has been suffering from aplastic anemia for five years. The cases have become known since doctors of Association of Physicians for Humanism conducted a study of 48 households living near camp Carroll. The study found that four out of the two hundred people studied of 48 households have leukemia or aplastic anemia.

[Soundbite] Prof. Ju Yeong-su (Hallym University) : "Only one to five out of 100,000 people get leukemia. It's a very rare disease. It means this is a rare case."

Leukemia is very closely related to dioxin. The doctors' organization is urging the government to conduct an epidemiological study on the residents of the region.

5. Depression

[Anchor Lead]
A study has found that depression is more prevalent among people who think they're underweight as well as smokers and drinkers. It’s further proof that mental and physical health are closely related.

[Pkg]
This 30-something woman has sought medical help because of depression. Her condition has worsened after her weight plunged to 33 kilograms because of poor appetite.

[Soundbite] (Depression Patient (Voice Modified)) : "It's even hard to walk around the street; I feel like people are staring at me thinking I'm too skinny."

Many men suffering from depression smoke or drink to cope with stress. A portrait drawn by a depression patient shows himself shrouded in smoke.

[Soundbite] Kim Seon-hyeon (Art Therapist) : "The patient drew these pillars to support himself because he thinks he's too sleepy, depressed and listless."

A survey has found that men who drink alcohol are more than twice as likely to experience depression symptoms. The risk for smokers is 1.2 times higher. People who think of themselves as underweight are one and a half times more likely to suffer from depression.

[Soundbite] Prof. Seo Ho-seok (Kangnam Cha General Hospital) : "Symptoms of depression include poor appetite and weight loss; you feel like you're extra skinny."

Doctors say people who feel depressed all day for more than two weeks should seek medical help.

6. Home Security

[Anchor Lead]
These days, houses with keyless digital door locks have become sitting ducks for thieves. Burglars visit houses with real estate agents or home owners, saying that they are looking to move in. And then they steal the digital lock numbers during the visit.

[Pkg]
A man enters an apartment with a realtor. A few minutes later, the man comes back to the apartment building and takes away a television. He stole digital lock numbers during his first visit.

[Soundbite] (Realtor (Voice Modified)) : "He saw me punching in (the numbers). He came back, punched them in and stole everything. I thought he was just a customer."

This 34-year-old man was caught by police. His targets were homes empty for most of the time. He stole lock numbers when real estate agents or home owners opened the door. He could easily memorize lock numbers because they were simple.

[Soundbite] Sen. Pol. Lee Jeong-jae (Heungdeok Police Station) : "You need to look around before entering. If you think the numbers have been leaked, change them immediately and regularly."

In Busan last month, a person hid behind a staircase and watched the owner pressing the lock numbers. Cautions are required when entering keyless homes.

7. Energy Day

[Anchor Lead]
Key government institutions and buildings nationwide have taken part in an energy saving campaign. The movement comes ahead of "Energy Day" on Monday.

[Pkg]
Large buildings around Seoul City Hall disappear into the dark at 9 p.m. Facilities across the nation including the government building in Daejeon hold a five-minute "energy diet," or reduced power consumption. "Turn Lights Off, See Stars" is a voluntary energy conversation campaign.

[Soundbite]

Three, two, one, go!

The electric bulb lights up when 100 people step on a pedal. They go for the world record for generating electricity using their bodies.

[Soundbite]

It's tough but rewarding; I'm glad I can generate energy on my own.

If everyone raises the temperature on their air conditioners by one degree Celsius each, the power saved is equal to that of a nuclear power plant with a capacity of 10 million kilowatts.

[Soundbite] Kim Jae-ok (Co-President, Korea NGO's Energy Network) : "Saving energy is like building a new power plant. We are like power plants."

General electricity use rose little last month due to the large number of rainy days. But power usage will likely surge from the third week of August, when people return from vacation.

8. Smartoon Fest

[Anchor Lead]
Internet comics, or "Web-toons," are a big hit in Korea, and are now available for your smartphone. So-called "smartoons" are being featured at this year’s 14th Bucheon International Comics Festival.

[Pkg]
Comic books have evolved into "Webtoons" on the Internet. It is now more popular than offline comic books. Recently, comic books have made their way into portable devices including smartphones and tablet PCs. Smartoon is opening a new era.

[Soundbite] Ha Il-gwon (Cartoonist) : "Most Webtoons were enjoyed by scrolling down the page; we've added voices and motions. We're trying out new things."

Readers can turn to the next page by pressing the middle of the screen. Readers can also select the next scene thanks to a user-created plot. These pieces have been created by cartoonists from abroad. These new types of digital comics are available at the festival.

[Soundbite] Park Jae-dong (Chairman, Operations Committee) : "We examine and talk about what Korean cartoonists are doing and how things are going to turn out to be in the future."

The Bucheon cartoon festival features various exhibitions and experience events. They include a special exhibition for the late Kim Jong-rae, a first-generation cartoonist in Korea.

9. Summer Trip

[Anchor Lead]
Yeongwol in Gangwon Province, where the Dong River flows, has lots of fun things to do in the summer like river rafting and donkey rides in the mountains. We take you there now.

[Pkg]
The Dong River winds through the Yeongwol landscape. At this time every year, an endless stream of vacationers pours in. These folks are getting ready to go rafting.

[Soundbite]

Let’s go!

They take off down the river. The waters of the Dong are relatively calm, so it’s a good place for beginners to try rafting for the first time. They take in the beautiful scenery as they float down the river. A few patches of white water keep things interesting.

[Soundbite]

It's fun!

During the break, rafters can relax and have fun in the water. And if you flip over the raft, it becomes a slide.

[Soundbite]

It's really fun. It’s like a roller coaster on water. Come to the Dong River in summer!

After our trip down the river, we headed to the mountains.

[Soundbite]

I came because I heard there’s someone here that looks just like me.

The donkeys are here to give rides to visitors.

[Soundbite]

I'm here to ride a donkey.

Donkey treks through the mountains are a big draw here. A guide grabs the reins and the ride begins. The visitors take in the scenery from their perches.

[Soundbite]

My kids are on a break; it’s good to spend time with them in the mountains where the air is clean.

It isn’t always smooth sailing with donkeys.

[Soundbite]

Stop eating and let's go. Move it!

It’s not easy to get a hungry donkey to get back on the trail. Families create great memories together here.

[Soundbite]

You can usually only see at the zoos. It's nice to see and ride a real one.

Now it’s time to try some of the local specialties.

[Soundbite]

You can’t come to Yeongwol and not try it. The bitter taste is so good.

These are marsh snails from the river.

[Soundbite]

Marsh snail is a specialty here.

[Soundbite] Jeong Myeong-ok (Restaurant Owner) : "We make a soup for hangovers and a lot of other food using marsh snail. It's supposed to be detoxifying."

Snail soup is said to be a good hangover cure. The snails are ground in their shells and soaked to bring out the flavor. Chives and soy paste are added to the soup along with other vegetables. Then in go the snails. This soup is said to restore your appetite on hot summer days. Fried savory pancakes called bumchimgae are also served up here. Let’s find out how it tastes.

[Soundbite]

It's bitter and chewy. It’s really good.

[Soundbite]

Come to the Dong River for the summer!

A trip to Yeongwol is a great way to beat the summer heat.