[Anchor Lead]
As the incumbent administration prepares to pack up and leave office, its final performance evaluation has been released.
[Pkg]
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism received a high score for implementing its core policies. It recently set several milestones that included promoting Korean culture, which peaked in popularity thanks to the hit song "Gangnam Style," achieving good results during the London Olympics, and attracting 10 million foreign tourists to the nation. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense received a poor grade for the loopholes in national security that was revealed with the defection of a North Korean soldier. The Ministry of Environment, too, failed in getting a high score due to the mishandling of a deadly hydrofluoric acid leak, while the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission’s performance received a poor rating because of a series of technical problems in the nation’s nuclear plants. The Defense Ministry and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission were evaluated poorly in three out of seven categories. The National Science & Technology Commission, the Ministry of Government Legislation, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and the Cultural Heritage Administration received unsatisfactory assessments in two areas.
[Soundbite] Jeong Yun-su (Civil Member, Government Performance Evaluation Committee): “We’ll benchmark he best practice cases to enhance the quality of government policies. As for the poor cases, we’ll analyze and devise measures to improve them.”
The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the National Police Agency and the National Tax Service received the lowest rating for the way they handled civil complaints. But some say the evaluation was insufficient as some 20,000 ordinary people who participated in the survey were only allowed to assess the government’s performance as either "excellent" or "average."
2. Prosecutor Reform
[Anchor Lead]
With a series of corruption cases involving prosecutors putting growing public pressure on them, prosecutors are drafting a list of self-reform measures.
[Pkg]
Senior prosecutors from the across the country gathered at the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office on the evening of November 22nd to discuss reform measures for the prosecution. The atmosphere of the meeting was reportedly quite serious. Chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office Kim Jin-tae reminded the prosecutors to keep in mind that their rights were not theirs from the start but rather were given and entrusted to them by the public. President of the Legal Research & Training Institute No Hwan-gyun pointed out that the public has not only lost their trust in the prosecutors but are even enraged at their scandalous behavior. Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Prosecutor-General Han Sang-dae acknowledged the need for reform. He said all measures to be drawn up are under review. He also said that during a high level meeting of prosecutors on November 15th, various measures were discussed, including the abolishment of the Central Investigation Unit of the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office, the introduction of a standing special counsel team, and the formation of an investigative bureau on the irregularities of senior public officials. The prosecutor-general reported that the participants of the meeting were split on the first two measures and all were opposed to the third idea. The prosecutors have long protested the scrapping of the Central Investigation Unit. The fact this was even discussed testifies to the sense of the present crisis within its circle. The prosecutors will hold two more similar meetings for further discussions. A finalized reform plan is expected to be announced early next month at the latest.
3. Foreign Workers
[Anchor Lead]
Korean society is on an obstacle-filled path towards multiculturalism, and the number of migrant workers in the country has now almost reached 800,000. Many domestic businesses can’t operate without foreign workers anymore.
[Pkg]
Some 500 workers gather early in the morning to find jobs. About 80 percent of them are from China. They’re taken to their workplaces in vans. This area in the city of Ansan has a large population of migrant workers of various nationalities. Of some 790,000 migrant workers in Korea, about half are Korean-Chinese. Many foreigners working in Korea are also from Southeast Asia, Russia, North America and Europe. Most of them work in the manufacturing, food and hospitality sectors. Recently, many migrant workers have been landing jobs in the farming regions as well. Since the implementation of work permits for migrant workers in 2004, the production inducement effect of migrant workers reached 31 billion U.S. dollars between 2004 and last year. This year alone, it will likely exceed nine-billion U.S. dollars. About 70 percent of migrant workers in the nation work as laborers. Two thirds of them earn less than 1,850 dollars a month, while about a third work more than 60 hours a week. Experts say that this could lead to the deterioration in the quality of the job market.
[Soundbite] Geum Jae-ho (Korea Labor Institute): “When companies hire cheap foreign labor, they tend to neglect improving their productivity and competitiveness.”
The issue of illegal foreign residents also remains unresolved, as the number of migrant workers with expired five-year work permits is expected to reach 60,000 by the end of this year.
4. Dying Alone
[Anchor Lead]
More and more people are dying alone in Korea these days, a tragic indicator of how families and communities have changed over the course of the nation’s rapid economic development.
[Pkg]
These makeshift urns are unclaimed because the families of the deceased either cannot be reached or refuse to come pick them up. In Seoul, the number of people who died alone surged from 203 in 2009 to 273 in 2010, surpassing the 300 mark last year. In the past, most of those who died alone were senior citizens, but nowadays, they include younger people as well. Some 300,000 seniors are at the risk of dying alone, as 25 percent of the elderly living alone do not have children. The government has introduced the U-care system, which utilizes sensors installed in the homes of the seniors who live alone. When the sensors detect no movement for a long period of time, they send alerts to welfare centers. Some local governments also provide helpers for the elderly to keep them company. But only 240,000 seniors who are living alone, or 20 percent of the total population of the elderly living alone, receive benefits from the government. Restoring strong ties within the local communities is urgent in order to prevent people from dying alone in the era when there are many estranged families.
5. Seniors Skip Class
[Anchor Lead]
With the dreaded national college entrance exam out of the way, the nation’s high school seniors have made themselves scarce at school as they focus on preparing for the university days ahead.
[Pkg]
At around 11 a.m., high school seniors pour out of the school gate carrying their bags. Normally, school should end at 3:00 p.m. but ever since they finished their college entrance exams students are getting off at this hour. Some of them head to private institutes to prepare for their university essays. Many of those applying for an art or physical education major even skip school and go straight to private institutes in the morning. Many schools are leaving the matter of attending or not attending school at the students’ discretion so that they can focus on their university applications.
[Soundbite] “After the college entrance exam results are out we don’t go to school. (You mean it’s vacation from then on?) Yes, most schools do it that way.”
Because classes at school aren’t conducted as usual after college entrance exams, many schools are not able to meet the annual requirement of 190 days of class. Student counseling and supervision are not handled well, either. Some in the education sector are saying that the schools’ academic schedule and management rules should be modified for high school seniors considering the diverse methods and schedules for applying to universities.
6. Fox Failure
[Anchor Lead]
An attempt to re-establish the nation’s fox population on Mount Sobaek has proven just how difficult restoring decimated animal species is going to be.
[Pkg]
A pair of the endangered Korean red fox, a male and a female, was released into the wild in Mount Sobaek National Park last month to replenish the species’ dwindling population. Unfortunately, the female fox died, and the GPS signal tracking the male fox stopped suddenly on November 20th. After a search of 21 hours around the area where the signal stopped, the male fox was found with his left forepaw caught in a snare. If the fox had struggled when it was being helped by the rescuers, it could have lost its paw. The fox’s bones were not damaged, but its skin had to be stitched up. Due to severe swelling and possible ligament damage, the fox’s paw had a high risk for amputation. The national park authorities say the fox will be treated at a hospital near Mount Sobaek for the time being and will be later transferred to the Species Restoration Technology Institute in Gurye, South Jeolla Province for its recovery. With the female fox dead and the male badly injured, the ambitious project to save the Korean red fox population now faces a crisis. Last year, park authorities have discovered and removed some 27,000 pieces of hunting equipment, such as traps and snares, which is another obstacle that Korea must tackle in order to save the nation’s endangered red foxes.
7. Healthy Livers
[Anchor Lead]
It’s no secret that exercise improves your life in many ways. Now, it’s been shown that it can also reverse non-alcoholic fatty liver.
[Pkg]
This man in his 40s once weighed over 100 kilograms. He now sweats daily as he cycles. After a year of regular exercise, his liver function measurements, which were three times higher than normal from a fatty liver, dropped down to normal levels. Fatty liver symptoms that could be observed through ultrasound also disappeared. According to a university hospital’s analysis of some 70,000 adults, regular exercise reduced the risk of non-alcoholic fatty livers by 20 to 30 percent. Liver function measurements rises in the case of fatty livers also dropped by 15 to 26 percent. When a fatty liver is left untreated, it could develop into hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver and raise the risk of cardiovascular problems. However, there is currently no special medication to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver patients.
[Soundbite] Prof. Bae Ji-cheol (Samsung Medical Center): “Needless energy that is strangely accumulated in the liver causes fatty livers. If you exercise regularly, you consume the energy and remove the fat from the liver.”
To see these effects, you should do an exercise that causes you to sweat for at least thirty minutes a day, three times a week for three months straight. But too much exercise can result in liver failure so doctors advise not to burn off weight too quickly. Losing one kilogram or more in just a week can be dangerous.
8. Korean Cinema
[Anchor Lead]
Some Korean directors and actors have been working in Hollywood recently. Take a look.
[Pkg]
This movie starring Nicole Kidman was directed by the Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, who also directed the hit movie "Old Boy." Park joined hands with Hollywood because of a global film distribution network.
[Soundbite] Park Chan-wook (Film Director): “I’d be happy if, by producing movies in the United States, I could draw in even a few more viewers.”
And this movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger was directed by Kim Ji-woon, who is famous for his movie "The Good, the Bad, the Weird." A new film from director Bong Joon-ho is set to open soon in North America. Many Korean actors are also establishing their presence in Hollywood. Actor Lee Byung-hun has already appeared in several Hollywood blockbusters. And actress Bae Doo-na appears in a new film from director Larry Wachowski, who directed "The Matrix." Korean filmmakers and actors are increasingly gaining popularity and a stronger presence in Hollywood, which has run out of ideas for new movies. The addition of Korean talent is adding a fresh new take and spurring originality in Hollywood’s latest films. What’s more, films starring Korean actors and actresses can easily become hits in Asia, where the Korean culture is already quite popular. Their advancement into Hollywood is also of great help to Korea’s cinematography.
[Soundbite] Park Deok-ho (Korean Film Council): “If we can make it into Hollywood, not just Korea, new directors and actors can get more recognition in the country.”
By establishing their presence in Hollywood, Korean filmmakers and actors are not only laying a foundation to learn from Hollywood’s advanced film production techniques, but are also making Korea a shining star in the global arena.
9. Trash to Treasure
[Anchor Lead]
Social enterprises are at the forefront of recycling these days. Here’s how these places turn one person’s trash into another person’s treasure.
[Pkg]
This workshop specializing in glass art transforms discarded bottles into artworks. Many of them come in handy in everyday life.
[Soundbite] Nam Geun-ho (Owner, Glass Art Work Shop): “You can use this as an air freshener by putting potpourri in here. You can also make a glass bottle frame or clock by inserting a napkin in a translucent glass bottlee.”
All these works were made from old bottles.
[Soundbite] “I didn’t know what to do with empty bottles. I can exchange them for 30 won(US￠2) to 40 won, but I turn them into artworks that costs 100 times as much, from 30,000 to 40,000 won.”
And this accessory shop sells all kinds of bags made with various materials. Their secret lies in used clothes.
[Soundbite] Hwang Yong-un (Staff, Bag Manufacturing Firm): “We sort out clothes that can’t be recycled anymore because of defects and need to be re-designed.”
All the bags here are made with clothes that someone thought they couldn’t use anymore. This place can even recycle the leather from old sofas.
[Soundbite] Lee Chan-sik (Staff, Bag Manufacturing Firm): “These are men’s trousers. We make bags using the fabric, except for outdated or polluted parts.”
Things that otherwise would have been thrown away are transformed into new fashion accessories.
[Soundbite] “People are used to throwing things away after using them just once. We study the materials and try to come up with ways to make old things into new ones so that more people can use them instead of doing away with them. We’re going to continue studying this.”
Horse race tracks also produce waste that can be turned into money. This stable is full of horse droppings. It may seem far from desirable to most, but to this woman, it’s a valuable resource.
[Soundbite] “(Is even the smell of it good?) It doesn’t smell at all. After three months of fermentation, it has been reborn into an excellent compost for plants.”
Horse manure is rich in organic substances and serotonin.
[Soundbite] Baek Hye-suk (Horse Manure Processing Firm): “After hearing about the benefits of horse manure abroad, we decided to give it try, and it worked really well.”
The value of horse manure has been proven scientifically.
[Soundbite] “Even Household has some discarded plants; if you add about 20 percent of horse manure to them the soil will become renewed. It’s called “soil change.”
This flower garden is fertilized with horse manure.
[Soundbite] “This outstanding product was made with horse manure. I hope it will help promote farming even in urban areas.”
Knowing that garbage can be turned into cash may make you think twice about what you throw away.
As the incumbent administration prepares to pack up and leave office, its final performance evaluation has been released.
[Pkg]
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism received a high score for implementing its core policies. It recently set several milestones that included promoting Korean culture, which peaked in popularity thanks to the hit song "Gangnam Style," achieving good results during the London Olympics, and attracting 10 million foreign tourists to the nation. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense received a poor grade for the loopholes in national security that was revealed with the defection of a North Korean soldier. The Ministry of Environment, too, failed in getting a high score due to the mishandling of a deadly hydrofluoric acid leak, while the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission’s performance received a poor rating because of a series of technical problems in the nation’s nuclear plants. The Defense Ministry and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission were evaluated poorly in three out of seven categories. The National Science & Technology Commission, the Ministry of Government Legislation, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and the Cultural Heritage Administration received unsatisfactory assessments in two areas.
[Soundbite] Jeong Yun-su (Civil Member, Government Performance Evaluation Committee): “We’ll benchmark he best practice cases to enhance the quality of government policies. As for the poor cases, we’ll analyze and devise measures to improve them.”
The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the National Police Agency and the National Tax Service received the lowest rating for the way they handled civil complaints. But some say the evaluation was insufficient as some 20,000 ordinary people who participated in the survey were only allowed to assess the government’s performance as either "excellent" or "average."
2. Prosecutor Reform
[Anchor Lead]
With a series of corruption cases involving prosecutors putting growing public pressure on them, prosecutors are drafting a list of self-reform measures.
[Pkg]
Senior prosecutors from the across the country gathered at the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office on the evening of November 22nd to discuss reform measures for the prosecution. The atmosphere of the meeting was reportedly quite serious. Chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office Kim Jin-tae reminded the prosecutors to keep in mind that their rights were not theirs from the start but rather were given and entrusted to them by the public. President of the Legal Research & Training Institute No Hwan-gyun pointed out that the public has not only lost their trust in the prosecutors but are even enraged at their scandalous behavior. Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Prosecutor-General Han Sang-dae acknowledged the need for reform. He said all measures to be drawn up are under review. He also said that during a high level meeting of prosecutors on November 15th, various measures were discussed, including the abolishment of the Central Investigation Unit of the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office, the introduction of a standing special counsel team, and the formation of an investigative bureau on the irregularities of senior public officials. The prosecutor-general reported that the participants of the meeting were split on the first two measures and all were opposed to the third idea. The prosecutors have long protested the scrapping of the Central Investigation Unit. The fact this was even discussed testifies to the sense of the present crisis within its circle. The prosecutors will hold two more similar meetings for further discussions. A finalized reform plan is expected to be announced early next month at the latest.
3. Foreign Workers
[Anchor Lead]
Korean society is on an obstacle-filled path towards multiculturalism, and the number of migrant workers in the country has now almost reached 800,000. Many domestic businesses can’t operate without foreign workers anymore.
[Pkg]
Some 500 workers gather early in the morning to find jobs. About 80 percent of them are from China. They’re taken to their workplaces in vans. This area in the city of Ansan has a large population of migrant workers of various nationalities. Of some 790,000 migrant workers in Korea, about half are Korean-Chinese. Many foreigners working in Korea are also from Southeast Asia, Russia, North America and Europe. Most of them work in the manufacturing, food and hospitality sectors. Recently, many migrant workers have been landing jobs in the farming regions as well. Since the implementation of work permits for migrant workers in 2004, the production inducement effect of migrant workers reached 31 billion U.S. dollars between 2004 and last year. This year alone, it will likely exceed nine-billion U.S. dollars. About 70 percent of migrant workers in the nation work as laborers. Two thirds of them earn less than 1,850 dollars a month, while about a third work more than 60 hours a week. Experts say that this could lead to the deterioration in the quality of the job market.
[Soundbite] Geum Jae-ho (Korea Labor Institute): “When companies hire cheap foreign labor, they tend to neglect improving their productivity and competitiveness.”
The issue of illegal foreign residents also remains unresolved, as the number of migrant workers with expired five-year work permits is expected to reach 60,000 by the end of this year.
4. Dying Alone
[Anchor Lead]
More and more people are dying alone in Korea these days, a tragic indicator of how families and communities have changed over the course of the nation’s rapid economic development.
[Pkg]
These makeshift urns are unclaimed because the families of the deceased either cannot be reached or refuse to come pick them up. In Seoul, the number of people who died alone surged from 203 in 2009 to 273 in 2010, surpassing the 300 mark last year. In the past, most of those who died alone were senior citizens, but nowadays, they include younger people as well. Some 300,000 seniors are at the risk of dying alone, as 25 percent of the elderly living alone do not have children. The government has introduced the U-care system, which utilizes sensors installed in the homes of the seniors who live alone. When the sensors detect no movement for a long period of time, they send alerts to welfare centers. Some local governments also provide helpers for the elderly to keep them company. But only 240,000 seniors who are living alone, or 20 percent of the total population of the elderly living alone, receive benefits from the government. Restoring strong ties within the local communities is urgent in order to prevent people from dying alone in the era when there are many estranged families.
5. Seniors Skip Class
[Anchor Lead]
With the dreaded national college entrance exam out of the way, the nation’s high school seniors have made themselves scarce at school as they focus on preparing for the university days ahead.
[Pkg]
At around 11 a.m., high school seniors pour out of the school gate carrying their bags. Normally, school should end at 3:00 p.m. but ever since they finished their college entrance exams students are getting off at this hour. Some of them head to private institutes to prepare for their university essays. Many of those applying for an art or physical education major even skip school and go straight to private institutes in the morning. Many schools are leaving the matter of attending or not attending school at the students’ discretion so that they can focus on their university applications.
[Soundbite] “After the college entrance exam results are out we don’t go to school. (You mean it’s vacation from then on?) Yes, most schools do it that way.”
Because classes at school aren’t conducted as usual after college entrance exams, many schools are not able to meet the annual requirement of 190 days of class. Student counseling and supervision are not handled well, either. Some in the education sector are saying that the schools’ academic schedule and management rules should be modified for high school seniors considering the diverse methods and schedules for applying to universities.
6. Fox Failure
[Anchor Lead]
An attempt to re-establish the nation’s fox population on Mount Sobaek has proven just how difficult restoring decimated animal species is going to be.
[Pkg]
A pair of the endangered Korean red fox, a male and a female, was released into the wild in Mount Sobaek National Park last month to replenish the species’ dwindling population. Unfortunately, the female fox died, and the GPS signal tracking the male fox stopped suddenly on November 20th. After a search of 21 hours around the area where the signal stopped, the male fox was found with his left forepaw caught in a snare. If the fox had struggled when it was being helped by the rescuers, it could have lost its paw. The fox’s bones were not damaged, but its skin had to be stitched up. Due to severe swelling and possible ligament damage, the fox’s paw had a high risk for amputation. The national park authorities say the fox will be treated at a hospital near Mount Sobaek for the time being and will be later transferred to the Species Restoration Technology Institute in Gurye, South Jeolla Province for its recovery. With the female fox dead and the male badly injured, the ambitious project to save the Korean red fox population now faces a crisis. Last year, park authorities have discovered and removed some 27,000 pieces of hunting equipment, such as traps and snares, which is another obstacle that Korea must tackle in order to save the nation’s endangered red foxes.
7. Healthy Livers
[Anchor Lead]
It’s no secret that exercise improves your life in many ways. Now, it’s been shown that it can also reverse non-alcoholic fatty liver.
[Pkg]
This man in his 40s once weighed over 100 kilograms. He now sweats daily as he cycles. After a year of regular exercise, his liver function measurements, which were three times higher than normal from a fatty liver, dropped down to normal levels. Fatty liver symptoms that could be observed through ultrasound also disappeared. According to a university hospital’s analysis of some 70,000 adults, regular exercise reduced the risk of non-alcoholic fatty livers by 20 to 30 percent. Liver function measurements rises in the case of fatty livers also dropped by 15 to 26 percent. When a fatty liver is left untreated, it could develop into hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver and raise the risk of cardiovascular problems. However, there is currently no special medication to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver patients.
[Soundbite] Prof. Bae Ji-cheol (Samsung Medical Center): “Needless energy that is strangely accumulated in the liver causes fatty livers. If you exercise regularly, you consume the energy and remove the fat from the liver.”
To see these effects, you should do an exercise that causes you to sweat for at least thirty minutes a day, three times a week for three months straight. But too much exercise can result in liver failure so doctors advise not to burn off weight too quickly. Losing one kilogram or more in just a week can be dangerous.
8. Korean Cinema
[Anchor Lead]
Some Korean directors and actors have been working in Hollywood recently. Take a look.
[Pkg]
This movie starring Nicole Kidman was directed by the Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, who also directed the hit movie "Old Boy." Park joined hands with Hollywood because of a global film distribution network.
[Soundbite] Park Chan-wook (Film Director): “I’d be happy if, by producing movies in the United States, I could draw in even a few more viewers.”
And this movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger was directed by Kim Ji-woon, who is famous for his movie "The Good, the Bad, the Weird." A new film from director Bong Joon-ho is set to open soon in North America. Many Korean actors are also establishing their presence in Hollywood. Actor Lee Byung-hun has already appeared in several Hollywood blockbusters. And actress Bae Doo-na appears in a new film from director Larry Wachowski, who directed "The Matrix." Korean filmmakers and actors are increasingly gaining popularity and a stronger presence in Hollywood, which has run out of ideas for new movies. The addition of Korean talent is adding a fresh new take and spurring originality in Hollywood’s latest films. What’s more, films starring Korean actors and actresses can easily become hits in Asia, where the Korean culture is already quite popular. Their advancement into Hollywood is also of great help to Korea’s cinematography.
[Soundbite] Park Deok-ho (Korean Film Council): “If we can make it into Hollywood, not just Korea, new directors and actors can get more recognition in the country.”
By establishing their presence in Hollywood, Korean filmmakers and actors are not only laying a foundation to learn from Hollywood’s advanced film production techniques, but are also making Korea a shining star in the global arena.
9. Trash to Treasure
[Anchor Lead]
Social enterprises are at the forefront of recycling these days. Here’s how these places turn one person’s trash into another person’s treasure.
[Pkg]
This workshop specializing in glass art transforms discarded bottles into artworks. Many of them come in handy in everyday life.
[Soundbite] Nam Geun-ho (Owner, Glass Art Work Shop): “You can use this as an air freshener by putting potpourri in here. You can also make a glass bottle frame or clock by inserting a napkin in a translucent glass bottlee.”
All these works were made from old bottles.
[Soundbite] “I didn’t know what to do with empty bottles. I can exchange them for 30 won(US￠2) to 40 won, but I turn them into artworks that costs 100 times as much, from 30,000 to 40,000 won.”
And this accessory shop sells all kinds of bags made with various materials. Their secret lies in used clothes.
[Soundbite] Hwang Yong-un (Staff, Bag Manufacturing Firm): “We sort out clothes that can’t be recycled anymore because of defects and need to be re-designed.”
All the bags here are made with clothes that someone thought they couldn’t use anymore. This place can even recycle the leather from old sofas.
[Soundbite] Lee Chan-sik (Staff, Bag Manufacturing Firm): “These are men’s trousers. We make bags using the fabric, except for outdated or polluted parts.”
Things that otherwise would have been thrown away are transformed into new fashion accessories.
[Soundbite] “People are used to throwing things away after using them just once. We study the materials and try to come up with ways to make old things into new ones so that more people can use them instead of doing away with them. We’re going to continue studying this.”
Horse race tracks also produce waste that can be turned into money. This stable is full of horse droppings. It may seem far from desirable to most, but to this woman, it’s a valuable resource.
[Soundbite] “(Is even the smell of it good?) It doesn’t smell at all. After three months of fermentation, it has been reborn into an excellent compost for plants.”
Horse manure is rich in organic substances and serotonin.
[Soundbite] Baek Hye-suk (Horse Manure Processing Firm): “After hearing about the benefits of horse manure abroad, we decided to give it try, and it worked really well.”
The value of horse manure has been proven scientifically.
[Soundbite] “Even Household has some discarded plants; if you add about 20 percent of horse manure to them the soil will become renewed. It’s called “soil change.”
This flower garden is fertilized with horse manure.
[Soundbite] “This outstanding product was made with horse manure. I hope it will help promote farming even in urban areas.”
Knowing that garbage can be turned into cash may make you think twice about what you throw away.
■ 제보하기
▷ 카카오톡 : 'KBS제보' 검색, 채널 추가
▷ 전화 : 02-781-1234, 4444
▷ 이메일 : kbs1234@kbs.co.kr
▷ 유튜브, 네이버, 카카오에서도 KBS뉴스를 구독해주세요!
- Final Report Card
-
- 입력 2012-11-23 16:12:02
[Anchor Lead]
As the incumbent administration prepares to pack up and leave office, its final performance evaluation has been released.
[Pkg]
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism received a high score for implementing its core policies. It recently set several milestones that included promoting Korean culture, which peaked in popularity thanks to the hit song "Gangnam Style," achieving good results during the London Olympics, and attracting 10 million foreign tourists to the nation. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense received a poor grade for the loopholes in national security that was revealed with the defection of a North Korean soldier. The Ministry of Environment, too, failed in getting a high score due to the mishandling of a deadly hydrofluoric acid leak, while the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission’s performance received a poor rating because of a series of technical problems in the nation’s nuclear plants. The Defense Ministry and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission were evaluated poorly in three out of seven categories. The National Science & Technology Commission, the Ministry of Government Legislation, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and the Cultural Heritage Administration received unsatisfactory assessments in two areas.
[Soundbite] Jeong Yun-su (Civil Member, Government Performance Evaluation Committee): “We’ll benchmark he best practice cases to enhance the quality of government policies. As for the poor cases, we’ll analyze and devise measures to improve them.”
The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the National Police Agency and the National Tax Service received the lowest rating for the way they handled civil complaints. But some say the evaluation was insufficient as some 20,000 ordinary people who participated in the survey were only allowed to assess the government’s performance as either "excellent" or "average."
2. Prosecutor Reform
[Anchor Lead]
With a series of corruption cases involving prosecutors putting growing public pressure on them, prosecutors are drafting a list of self-reform measures.
[Pkg]
Senior prosecutors from the across the country gathered at the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office on the evening of November 22nd to discuss reform measures for the prosecution. The atmosphere of the meeting was reportedly quite serious. Chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office Kim Jin-tae reminded the prosecutors to keep in mind that their rights were not theirs from the start but rather were given and entrusted to them by the public. President of the Legal Research & Training Institute No Hwan-gyun pointed out that the public has not only lost their trust in the prosecutors but are even enraged at their scandalous behavior. Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Prosecutor-General Han Sang-dae acknowledged the need for reform. He said all measures to be drawn up are under review. He also said that during a high level meeting of prosecutors on November 15th, various measures were discussed, including the abolishment of the Central Investigation Unit of the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office, the introduction of a standing special counsel team, and the formation of an investigative bureau on the irregularities of senior public officials. The prosecutor-general reported that the participants of the meeting were split on the first two measures and all were opposed to the third idea. The prosecutors have long protested the scrapping of the Central Investigation Unit. The fact this was even discussed testifies to the sense of the present crisis within its circle. The prosecutors will hold two more similar meetings for further discussions. A finalized reform plan is expected to be announced early next month at the latest.
3. Foreign Workers
[Anchor Lead]
Korean society is on an obstacle-filled path towards multiculturalism, and the number of migrant workers in the country has now almost reached 800,000. Many domestic businesses can’t operate without foreign workers anymore.
[Pkg]
Some 500 workers gather early in the morning to find jobs. About 80 percent of them are from China. They’re taken to their workplaces in vans. This area in the city of Ansan has a large population of migrant workers of various nationalities. Of some 790,000 migrant workers in Korea, about half are Korean-Chinese. Many foreigners working in Korea are also from Southeast Asia, Russia, North America and Europe. Most of them work in the manufacturing, food and hospitality sectors. Recently, many migrant workers have been landing jobs in the farming regions as well. Since the implementation of work permits for migrant workers in 2004, the production inducement effect of migrant workers reached 31 billion U.S. dollars between 2004 and last year. This year alone, it will likely exceed nine-billion U.S. dollars. About 70 percent of migrant workers in the nation work as laborers. Two thirds of them earn less than 1,850 dollars a month, while about a third work more than 60 hours a week. Experts say that this could lead to the deterioration in the quality of the job market.
[Soundbite] Geum Jae-ho (Korea Labor Institute): “When companies hire cheap foreign labor, they tend to neglect improving their productivity and competitiveness.”
The issue of illegal foreign residents also remains unresolved, as the number of migrant workers with expired five-year work permits is expected to reach 60,000 by the end of this year.
4. Dying Alone
[Anchor Lead]
More and more people are dying alone in Korea these days, a tragic indicator of how families and communities have changed over the course of the nation’s rapid economic development.
[Pkg]
These makeshift urns are unclaimed because the families of the deceased either cannot be reached or refuse to come pick them up. In Seoul, the number of people who died alone surged from 203 in 2009 to 273 in 2010, surpassing the 300 mark last year. In the past, most of those who died alone were senior citizens, but nowadays, they include younger people as well. Some 300,000 seniors are at the risk of dying alone, as 25 percent of the elderly living alone do not have children. The government has introduced the U-care system, which utilizes sensors installed in the homes of the seniors who live alone. When the sensors detect no movement for a long period of time, they send alerts to welfare centers. Some local governments also provide helpers for the elderly to keep them company. But only 240,000 seniors who are living alone, or 20 percent of the total population of the elderly living alone, receive benefits from the government. Restoring strong ties within the local communities is urgent in order to prevent people from dying alone in the era when there are many estranged families.
5. Seniors Skip Class
[Anchor Lead]
With the dreaded national college entrance exam out of the way, the nation’s high school seniors have made themselves scarce at school as they focus on preparing for the university days ahead.
[Pkg]
At around 11 a.m., high school seniors pour out of the school gate carrying their bags. Normally, school should end at 3:00 p.m. but ever since they finished their college entrance exams students are getting off at this hour. Some of them head to private institutes to prepare for their university essays. Many of those applying for an art or physical education major even skip school and go straight to private institutes in the morning. Many schools are leaving the matter of attending or not attending school at the students’ discretion so that they can focus on their university applications.
[Soundbite] “After the college entrance exam results are out we don’t go to school. (You mean it’s vacation from then on?) Yes, most schools do it that way.”
Because classes at school aren’t conducted as usual after college entrance exams, many schools are not able to meet the annual requirement of 190 days of class. Student counseling and supervision are not handled well, either. Some in the education sector are saying that the schools’ academic schedule and management rules should be modified for high school seniors considering the diverse methods and schedules for applying to universities.
6. Fox Failure
[Anchor Lead]
An attempt to re-establish the nation’s fox population on Mount Sobaek has proven just how difficult restoring decimated animal species is going to be.
[Pkg]
A pair of the endangered Korean red fox, a male and a female, was released into the wild in Mount Sobaek National Park last month to replenish the species’ dwindling population. Unfortunately, the female fox died, and the GPS signal tracking the male fox stopped suddenly on November 20th. After a search of 21 hours around the area where the signal stopped, the male fox was found with his left forepaw caught in a snare. If the fox had struggled when it was being helped by the rescuers, it could have lost its paw. The fox’s bones were not damaged, but its skin had to be stitched up. Due to severe swelling and possible ligament damage, the fox’s paw had a high risk for amputation. The national park authorities say the fox will be treated at a hospital near Mount Sobaek for the time being and will be later transferred to the Species Restoration Technology Institute in Gurye, South Jeolla Province for its recovery. With the female fox dead and the male badly injured, the ambitious project to save the Korean red fox population now faces a crisis. Last year, park authorities have discovered and removed some 27,000 pieces of hunting equipment, such as traps and snares, which is another obstacle that Korea must tackle in order to save the nation’s endangered red foxes.
7. Healthy Livers
[Anchor Lead]
It’s no secret that exercise improves your life in many ways. Now, it’s been shown that it can also reverse non-alcoholic fatty liver.
[Pkg]
This man in his 40s once weighed over 100 kilograms. He now sweats daily as he cycles. After a year of regular exercise, his liver function measurements, which were three times higher than normal from a fatty liver, dropped down to normal levels. Fatty liver symptoms that could be observed through ultrasound also disappeared. According to a university hospital’s analysis of some 70,000 adults, regular exercise reduced the risk of non-alcoholic fatty livers by 20 to 30 percent. Liver function measurements rises in the case of fatty livers also dropped by 15 to 26 percent. When a fatty liver is left untreated, it could develop into hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver and raise the risk of cardiovascular problems. However, there is currently no special medication to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver patients.
[Soundbite] Prof. Bae Ji-cheol (Samsung Medical Center): “Needless energy that is strangely accumulated in the liver causes fatty livers. If you exercise regularly, you consume the energy and remove the fat from the liver.”
To see these effects, you should do an exercise that causes you to sweat for at least thirty minutes a day, three times a week for three months straight. But too much exercise can result in liver failure so doctors advise not to burn off weight too quickly. Losing one kilogram or more in just a week can be dangerous.
8. Korean Cinema
[Anchor Lead]
Some Korean directors and actors have been working in Hollywood recently. Take a look.
[Pkg]
This movie starring Nicole Kidman was directed by the Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, who also directed the hit movie "Old Boy." Park joined hands with Hollywood because of a global film distribution network.
[Soundbite] Park Chan-wook (Film Director): “I’d be happy if, by producing movies in the United States, I could draw in even a few more viewers.”
And this movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger was directed by Kim Ji-woon, who is famous for his movie "The Good, the Bad, the Weird." A new film from director Bong Joon-ho is set to open soon in North America. Many Korean actors are also establishing their presence in Hollywood. Actor Lee Byung-hun has already appeared in several Hollywood blockbusters. And actress Bae Doo-na appears in a new film from director Larry Wachowski, who directed "The Matrix." Korean filmmakers and actors are increasingly gaining popularity and a stronger presence in Hollywood, which has run out of ideas for new movies. The addition of Korean talent is adding a fresh new take and spurring originality in Hollywood’s latest films. What’s more, films starring Korean actors and actresses can easily become hits in Asia, where the Korean culture is already quite popular. Their advancement into Hollywood is also of great help to Korea’s cinematography.
[Soundbite] Park Deok-ho (Korean Film Council): “If we can make it into Hollywood, not just Korea, new directors and actors can get more recognition in the country.”
By establishing their presence in Hollywood, Korean filmmakers and actors are not only laying a foundation to learn from Hollywood’s advanced film production techniques, but are also making Korea a shining star in the global arena.
9. Trash to Treasure
[Anchor Lead]
Social enterprises are at the forefront of recycling these days. Here’s how these places turn one person’s trash into another person’s treasure.
[Pkg]
This workshop specializing in glass art transforms discarded bottles into artworks. Many of them come in handy in everyday life.
[Soundbite] Nam Geun-ho (Owner, Glass Art Work Shop): “You can use this as an air freshener by putting potpourri in here. You can also make a glass bottle frame or clock by inserting a napkin in a translucent glass bottlee.”
All these works were made from old bottles.
[Soundbite] “I didn’t know what to do with empty bottles. I can exchange them for 30 won(US￠2) to 40 won, but I turn them into artworks that costs 100 times as much, from 30,000 to 40,000 won.”
And this accessory shop sells all kinds of bags made with various materials. Their secret lies in used clothes.
[Soundbite] Hwang Yong-un (Staff, Bag Manufacturing Firm): “We sort out clothes that can’t be recycled anymore because of defects and need to be re-designed.”
All the bags here are made with clothes that someone thought they couldn’t use anymore. This place can even recycle the leather from old sofas.
[Soundbite] Lee Chan-sik (Staff, Bag Manufacturing Firm): “These are men’s trousers. We make bags using the fabric, except for outdated or polluted parts.”
Things that otherwise would have been thrown away are transformed into new fashion accessories.
[Soundbite] “People are used to throwing things away after using them just once. We study the materials and try to come up with ways to make old things into new ones so that more people can use them instead of doing away with them. We’re going to continue studying this.”
Horse race tracks also produce waste that can be turned into money. This stable is full of horse droppings. It may seem far from desirable to most, but to this woman, it’s a valuable resource.
[Soundbite] “(Is even the smell of it good?) It doesn’t smell at all. After three months of fermentation, it has been reborn into an excellent compost for plants.”
Horse manure is rich in organic substances and serotonin.
[Soundbite] Baek Hye-suk (Horse Manure Processing Firm): “After hearing about the benefits of horse manure abroad, we decided to give it try, and it worked really well.”
The value of horse manure has been proven scientifically.
[Soundbite] “Even Household has some discarded plants; if you add about 20 percent of horse manure to them the soil will become renewed. It’s called “soil change.”
This flower garden is fertilized with horse manure.
[Soundbite] “This outstanding product was made with horse manure. I hope it will help promote farming even in urban areas.”
Knowing that garbage can be turned into cash may make you think twice about what you throw away.
As the incumbent administration prepares to pack up and leave office, its final performance evaluation has been released.
[Pkg]
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism received a high score for implementing its core policies. It recently set several milestones that included promoting Korean culture, which peaked in popularity thanks to the hit song "Gangnam Style," achieving good results during the London Olympics, and attracting 10 million foreign tourists to the nation. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense received a poor grade for the loopholes in national security that was revealed with the defection of a North Korean soldier. The Ministry of Environment, too, failed in getting a high score due to the mishandling of a deadly hydrofluoric acid leak, while the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission’s performance received a poor rating because of a series of technical problems in the nation’s nuclear plants. The Defense Ministry and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission were evaluated poorly in three out of seven categories. The National Science & Technology Commission, the Ministry of Government Legislation, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and the Cultural Heritage Administration received unsatisfactory assessments in two areas.
[Soundbite] Jeong Yun-su (Civil Member, Government Performance Evaluation Committee): “We’ll benchmark he best practice cases to enhance the quality of government policies. As for the poor cases, we’ll analyze and devise measures to improve them.”
The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the National Police Agency and the National Tax Service received the lowest rating for the way they handled civil complaints. But some say the evaluation was insufficient as some 20,000 ordinary people who participated in the survey were only allowed to assess the government’s performance as either "excellent" or "average."
2. Prosecutor Reform
[Anchor Lead]
With a series of corruption cases involving prosecutors putting growing public pressure on them, prosecutors are drafting a list of self-reform measures.
[Pkg]
Senior prosecutors from the across the country gathered at the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office on the evening of November 22nd to discuss reform measures for the prosecution. The atmosphere of the meeting was reportedly quite serious. Chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office Kim Jin-tae reminded the prosecutors to keep in mind that their rights were not theirs from the start but rather were given and entrusted to them by the public. President of the Legal Research & Training Institute No Hwan-gyun pointed out that the public has not only lost their trust in the prosecutors but are even enraged at their scandalous behavior. Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Prosecutor-General Han Sang-dae acknowledged the need for reform. He said all measures to be drawn up are under review. He also said that during a high level meeting of prosecutors on November 15th, various measures were discussed, including the abolishment of the Central Investigation Unit of the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office, the introduction of a standing special counsel team, and the formation of an investigative bureau on the irregularities of senior public officials. The prosecutor-general reported that the participants of the meeting were split on the first two measures and all were opposed to the third idea. The prosecutors have long protested the scrapping of the Central Investigation Unit. The fact this was even discussed testifies to the sense of the present crisis within its circle. The prosecutors will hold two more similar meetings for further discussions. A finalized reform plan is expected to be announced early next month at the latest.
3. Foreign Workers
[Anchor Lead]
Korean society is on an obstacle-filled path towards multiculturalism, and the number of migrant workers in the country has now almost reached 800,000. Many domestic businesses can’t operate without foreign workers anymore.
[Pkg]
Some 500 workers gather early in the morning to find jobs. About 80 percent of them are from China. They’re taken to their workplaces in vans. This area in the city of Ansan has a large population of migrant workers of various nationalities. Of some 790,000 migrant workers in Korea, about half are Korean-Chinese. Many foreigners working in Korea are also from Southeast Asia, Russia, North America and Europe. Most of them work in the manufacturing, food and hospitality sectors. Recently, many migrant workers have been landing jobs in the farming regions as well. Since the implementation of work permits for migrant workers in 2004, the production inducement effect of migrant workers reached 31 billion U.S. dollars between 2004 and last year. This year alone, it will likely exceed nine-billion U.S. dollars. About 70 percent of migrant workers in the nation work as laborers. Two thirds of them earn less than 1,850 dollars a month, while about a third work more than 60 hours a week. Experts say that this could lead to the deterioration in the quality of the job market.
[Soundbite] Geum Jae-ho (Korea Labor Institute): “When companies hire cheap foreign labor, they tend to neglect improving their productivity and competitiveness.”
The issue of illegal foreign residents also remains unresolved, as the number of migrant workers with expired five-year work permits is expected to reach 60,000 by the end of this year.
4. Dying Alone
[Anchor Lead]
More and more people are dying alone in Korea these days, a tragic indicator of how families and communities have changed over the course of the nation’s rapid economic development.
[Pkg]
These makeshift urns are unclaimed because the families of the deceased either cannot be reached or refuse to come pick them up. In Seoul, the number of people who died alone surged from 203 in 2009 to 273 in 2010, surpassing the 300 mark last year. In the past, most of those who died alone were senior citizens, but nowadays, they include younger people as well. Some 300,000 seniors are at the risk of dying alone, as 25 percent of the elderly living alone do not have children. The government has introduced the U-care system, which utilizes sensors installed in the homes of the seniors who live alone. When the sensors detect no movement for a long period of time, they send alerts to welfare centers. Some local governments also provide helpers for the elderly to keep them company. But only 240,000 seniors who are living alone, or 20 percent of the total population of the elderly living alone, receive benefits from the government. Restoring strong ties within the local communities is urgent in order to prevent people from dying alone in the era when there are many estranged families.
5. Seniors Skip Class
[Anchor Lead]
With the dreaded national college entrance exam out of the way, the nation’s high school seniors have made themselves scarce at school as they focus on preparing for the university days ahead.
[Pkg]
At around 11 a.m., high school seniors pour out of the school gate carrying their bags. Normally, school should end at 3:00 p.m. but ever since they finished their college entrance exams students are getting off at this hour. Some of them head to private institutes to prepare for their university essays. Many of those applying for an art or physical education major even skip school and go straight to private institutes in the morning. Many schools are leaving the matter of attending or not attending school at the students’ discretion so that they can focus on their university applications.
[Soundbite] “After the college entrance exam results are out we don’t go to school. (You mean it’s vacation from then on?) Yes, most schools do it that way.”
Because classes at school aren’t conducted as usual after college entrance exams, many schools are not able to meet the annual requirement of 190 days of class. Student counseling and supervision are not handled well, either. Some in the education sector are saying that the schools’ academic schedule and management rules should be modified for high school seniors considering the diverse methods and schedules for applying to universities.
6. Fox Failure
[Anchor Lead]
An attempt to re-establish the nation’s fox population on Mount Sobaek has proven just how difficult restoring decimated animal species is going to be.
[Pkg]
A pair of the endangered Korean red fox, a male and a female, was released into the wild in Mount Sobaek National Park last month to replenish the species’ dwindling population. Unfortunately, the female fox died, and the GPS signal tracking the male fox stopped suddenly on November 20th. After a search of 21 hours around the area where the signal stopped, the male fox was found with his left forepaw caught in a snare. If the fox had struggled when it was being helped by the rescuers, it could have lost its paw. The fox’s bones were not damaged, but its skin had to be stitched up. Due to severe swelling and possible ligament damage, the fox’s paw had a high risk for amputation. The national park authorities say the fox will be treated at a hospital near Mount Sobaek for the time being and will be later transferred to the Species Restoration Technology Institute in Gurye, South Jeolla Province for its recovery. With the female fox dead and the male badly injured, the ambitious project to save the Korean red fox population now faces a crisis. Last year, park authorities have discovered and removed some 27,000 pieces of hunting equipment, such as traps and snares, which is another obstacle that Korea must tackle in order to save the nation’s endangered red foxes.
7. Healthy Livers
[Anchor Lead]
It’s no secret that exercise improves your life in many ways. Now, it’s been shown that it can also reverse non-alcoholic fatty liver.
[Pkg]
This man in his 40s once weighed over 100 kilograms. He now sweats daily as he cycles. After a year of regular exercise, his liver function measurements, which were three times higher than normal from a fatty liver, dropped down to normal levels. Fatty liver symptoms that could be observed through ultrasound also disappeared. According to a university hospital’s analysis of some 70,000 adults, regular exercise reduced the risk of non-alcoholic fatty livers by 20 to 30 percent. Liver function measurements rises in the case of fatty livers also dropped by 15 to 26 percent. When a fatty liver is left untreated, it could develop into hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver and raise the risk of cardiovascular problems. However, there is currently no special medication to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver patients.
[Soundbite] Prof. Bae Ji-cheol (Samsung Medical Center): “Needless energy that is strangely accumulated in the liver causes fatty livers. If you exercise regularly, you consume the energy and remove the fat from the liver.”
To see these effects, you should do an exercise that causes you to sweat for at least thirty minutes a day, three times a week for three months straight. But too much exercise can result in liver failure so doctors advise not to burn off weight too quickly. Losing one kilogram or more in just a week can be dangerous.
8. Korean Cinema
[Anchor Lead]
Some Korean directors and actors have been working in Hollywood recently. Take a look.
[Pkg]
This movie starring Nicole Kidman was directed by the Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, who also directed the hit movie "Old Boy." Park joined hands with Hollywood because of a global film distribution network.
[Soundbite] Park Chan-wook (Film Director): “I’d be happy if, by producing movies in the United States, I could draw in even a few more viewers.”
And this movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger was directed by Kim Ji-woon, who is famous for his movie "The Good, the Bad, the Weird." A new film from director Bong Joon-ho is set to open soon in North America. Many Korean actors are also establishing their presence in Hollywood. Actor Lee Byung-hun has already appeared in several Hollywood blockbusters. And actress Bae Doo-na appears in a new film from director Larry Wachowski, who directed "The Matrix." Korean filmmakers and actors are increasingly gaining popularity and a stronger presence in Hollywood, which has run out of ideas for new movies. The addition of Korean talent is adding a fresh new take and spurring originality in Hollywood’s latest films. What’s more, films starring Korean actors and actresses can easily become hits in Asia, where the Korean culture is already quite popular. Their advancement into Hollywood is also of great help to Korea’s cinematography.
[Soundbite] Park Deok-ho (Korean Film Council): “If we can make it into Hollywood, not just Korea, new directors and actors can get more recognition in the country.”
By establishing their presence in Hollywood, Korean filmmakers and actors are not only laying a foundation to learn from Hollywood’s advanced film production techniques, but are also making Korea a shining star in the global arena.
9. Trash to Treasure
[Anchor Lead]
Social enterprises are at the forefront of recycling these days. Here’s how these places turn one person’s trash into another person’s treasure.
[Pkg]
This workshop specializing in glass art transforms discarded bottles into artworks. Many of them come in handy in everyday life.
[Soundbite] Nam Geun-ho (Owner, Glass Art Work Shop): “You can use this as an air freshener by putting potpourri in here. You can also make a glass bottle frame or clock by inserting a napkin in a translucent glass bottlee.”
All these works were made from old bottles.
[Soundbite] “I didn’t know what to do with empty bottles. I can exchange them for 30 won(US￠2) to 40 won, but I turn them into artworks that costs 100 times as much, from 30,000 to 40,000 won.”
And this accessory shop sells all kinds of bags made with various materials. Their secret lies in used clothes.
[Soundbite] Hwang Yong-un (Staff, Bag Manufacturing Firm): “We sort out clothes that can’t be recycled anymore because of defects and need to be re-designed.”
All the bags here are made with clothes that someone thought they couldn’t use anymore. This place can even recycle the leather from old sofas.
[Soundbite] Lee Chan-sik (Staff, Bag Manufacturing Firm): “These are men’s trousers. We make bags using the fabric, except for outdated or polluted parts.”
Things that otherwise would have been thrown away are transformed into new fashion accessories.
[Soundbite] “People are used to throwing things away after using them just once. We study the materials and try to come up with ways to make old things into new ones so that more people can use them instead of doing away with them. We’re going to continue studying this.”
Horse race tracks also produce waste that can be turned into money. This stable is full of horse droppings. It may seem far from desirable to most, but to this woman, it’s a valuable resource.
[Soundbite] “(Is even the smell of it good?) It doesn’t smell at all. After three months of fermentation, it has been reborn into an excellent compost for plants.”
Horse manure is rich in organic substances and serotonin.
[Soundbite] Baek Hye-suk (Horse Manure Processing Firm): “After hearing about the benefits of horse manure abroad, we decided to give it try, and it worked really well.”
The value of horse manure has been proven scientifically.
[Soundbite] “Even Household has some discarded plants; if you add about 20 percent of horse manure to them the soil will become renewed. It’s called “soil change.”
This flower garden is fertilized with horse manure.
[Soundbite] “This outstanding product was made with horse manure. I hope it will help promote farming even in urban areas.”
Knowing that garbage can be turned into cash may make you think twice about what you throw away.
이 기사가 좋으셨다면
-
좋아요
0
-
응원해요
0
-
후속 원해요
0
오늘의 핫 클릭
실시간 뜨거운 관심을 받고 있는 뉴스
헤드라인
많이 본 뉴스
-
각 플랫폼에서 최근 1시간 동안 많이 본 KBS 기사를 제공합니다.
-
각 플랫폼에서 최근 1시간 동안 많이 본 KBS 기사를 제공합니다.
-
각 플랫폼에서 최근 1시간 동안 많이 본 KBS 기사를 제공합니다.
이 기사에 대한 의견을 남겨주세요.