Trading Blows

[Anchor Lead]

The Defense Ministry has denounced a group of Catholic priests for comments they made that appeared to support North Korea’s shelling of Yeonpyeong Island three years ago.

[Pkg]

The Defense Ministry in Seoul said in a statement on Sunday that North Korea's shelling of Yeonpyeong Island is clearly an invasion and its torpedoing of South Korean naval vessel Cheonan an illegal military provocation. The Defense Ministry criticized a group of Catholic priests for justifying the North's provocations.

[Soundbite] Wi Yong-seop(Spokesman, Ministry of National Defense) : "The priests' remarks insult South Korean soldiers who sacrificed their lives for national security, the victims and their families. They’re irrational and irresponsible. During a special mass they held in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, on Friday, the group of liberal Catholic priests urged President Park Geun-hye to step down and made remarks that seemingly supported North Korea's shelling of Yeonpyeong Island three years ago."

[Soundbite] Park Chang-sin(Catholic Priests' Association for Justice) : "What should North Korea do if the South and the U.S. continue to hold military drills near the NLL? The North should fire. That’s why it shelled Yeonpyeong Island."

The ministry stressed that the priests' remarks will weaken South Koreans' will to defend the inter-Korean sea border Northern Limit Line. The ministry also reiterated that it will deal with any provocations from North Korea sternly. It vowed to ruthlessly punish any masterminds that carry out or support the provocations.

2. World Bank

[Anchor Lead]

The president of the World Bank Jim Yong Kim has vowed all-out support for North Korea, such as energy and other resources, in the case of a political breakthrough.

[Pkg]

In an interview with KBS prior to his visit to Korea next month, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim outlined the World Bank's support for implementing reforms in North Korea. He promised full and swift support to the North only if it reaches a political compromise.

[Soundbite] Jim Yong Kim(President, World Bank) : "We cannot go forward until there is a political breakthrough, but we are ready at any time."

Kim cited Myanmar as an example of support provided by the World Bank and the U.S. government. He said that North Korea can also receive a vast amount of help in terms of energy and financial resources and stressed that Myanmar serves as a good example to the North.

[Soundbite] "Just like we did in Myanmar and very quickly provide sources of energy, support the local communities, all the things that we know North Korea needs."

The World Bank president added that when conditions are right, he could make a personal visit to North Korea.

3. Paralympic Committee

[Anchor Lead]

For the second time in a row, Korea has been named a member of the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board. Saenuri Party politician Na Kyung-won is now a member.

[Pkg]

Candidate Na Kyung-won has been elected member of the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board. Voting took place yesterday in Greece to select 10 board members. Na's name was first to be called out. Of the 150 ballots, she won 99, or nearly two-thirds of all the votes. This feat comes as a result of the member nations' expectations for change and Na's campaign strategies to help support underdeveloped countries. This is Korea's second time being chosen as the IPC member in a row. Over the next four years, it will exercise the right to vote on the committee's key issues, including regulations and the approval of member states.

[Soundbite] Na Kyung-won(Member, International Paralympic Committee) : "I want to implement sports diplomacy to help Korea play a new role in cooperating with underdeveloped nations."

Prior to the elections, the Korean delegation held a briefing on Korea's preparations for the Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics. Meanwhile, North Korea obtained approval as an IPC member-state for the first time. With Na's election, Korea once again is making a testimony over its rising status in the international sports arena.

4. Japan Revelations

[Anchor Lead]

Newly discovered documents are shedding light on Japanese colonial atrocities, with a list of Korean names dating back to the 1923 Kanto Earthquake and the 1919 March First Independence Movement.

[Pkg]

New lists of Koreans killed during Japan's colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula were found during the recent relocation of the Korean Embassy in Tokyo. One of the lists names Koreans who were massacred in Japan in the midst of an earthquake. The document also shows in detail how they were killed. For example, Han Yong-seon from Changyeong, South Gyeongsang Province was killed with an iron hook. Cha Hak-gi from Haman, South Gyeongsang Province, was killed with a bamboo spear. Park Nam-pil of Ulsan was killed with a pickax. The new list gives more detailed information than a previous one drawn up by the government for two years from 1957. The other new list shows detailed information of more people who were killed during Japan's quelling of the March First Independence Movement in 1919. With the latest information, one-hundred-74 people are now up for consideration for the title of "patriot."

[Soundbite] Prof. Park Geol-sun(Chungbuk National University) : "The list will be used as a basis to designate more people as patriots in recognition of their sacrifice for the nation's independence."

Another recent revelation is that independence fighter Yu Gwan-sun and her whole family were killed by Japan, following the 1919 independence movement.

5. Milyang Towers

[Anchor Lead]

The construction of the first 52 power transmission towers in Milyang is almost complete, but local residents aren’t giving in just yet. Residents who oppose the project are preparing a massive rally.

[Pkg]

The first of the 52 power transmission towers in Milyang is almost ready to begin operating. The steel tower measures 107 meters in height and weighs 200 tons. Its construction is set to be completed this Wednesday after a few finishing touches. The tower was finished 57 days after its construction was resumed by the Korea Electric Power Corporation.

[Soundbite] Kim Seok-heon(Korea Electric Power Corporation Official) : "Four more towers will be assembled since their preliminary construction is now over."

The building of the other towers is also gaining speed. It takes about two weeks to assemble each one. The Korea Electric Power Corporation plans to complete three towers within this year and the remaining towers by May of next year. But the local residents continue to stage protests. Some 50 residents are still are demonstrating at several construction sites.

[Soundbite] Kim Yeong-ro(Protesting Resident) : "We usually come here as early as 5 or sometimes 6 a.m. About 50 residents come here each day."

They are enduring the cold in tents, absolutely refusing to give up. More clashes between the residents and the electric power authorities could occur as civilians are scheduled to take 70 large buses to the protest location on November 30.

6. Temple Restored

[Anchor Lead]

A Buddhist temple in Gangwon Province fell to a wild fire eight years ago. With a thorough review of historical documents, workers have been able to restore the temple; with an early fire detection system.

[Pkg]

A one-thousand-300-year-old Buddhist temple was destroyed by wild fires in 2005. People felt helpless as they watched the blaze destroy the historical relic.

[Soundbite] Jo Ok-hyeon(Visitor) : "My heart was broken. I felt as if my body melted down. All the people would have had the same feeling."

The restoration of Naksan Temple in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, was completed eight years and seven months after the disaster. The temple's main building and other cultural treasures, including a bronze bell, were also restored to their original state. The temple's gate and pagoda were rebuilt in three phases during the three-thousand days, based on historical records.

[Soundbite] Jeong Nyeom(Monk, Naksan Temple) : "The 1,300-year-old temple was rebuilt to its original form, based on a painting drawn by Joseon Dynasty era artist Kim Hong-do in the 18th century."

Twenty-one fire extinguishers were installed around the temple. Some 80 surveillance cameras and heat detectors are in operation around the clock. Upon the completion of the restoration, the remaining task is to protect and preserve the great historical relic.

7. Changing Homes

[Anchor Lead]

There’s no mistaking the fact that Koreans are having fewer children. In fact, the average family size has dropped from 4.4 to 3.4 persons per family in the last 20 years. This has profound effects on housing.

[Pkg]

This apartment on sale can now have a different number of rooms. The basic 110 square-meter model has three bedrooms, but it can be switched to a two-bedroom one. Another apartment was designed to take down a wall to combine two bedrooms into one. There are less rooms for a household with three or fewer people. In the late 1970's when apartments became popular, people favored units with many rooms. In general, a 110 square-meter unit used to have four bedrooms, allowing three generations to live under one roof. In the 1980s and 1990s the layout was changed to accommodate four-member households, with a couple and their two children. Then it was reduced to only three rooms, but the design included a master bathroom.

[Soundbite] Choe Jeong-min(Korea Land & Housing Corporation) : "Since the floor plan included two bathrooms, we enlarged the master bedroom with a master bathroom attached to it."

With the number of family members dwindling to three, apartments these days only have two bedrooms. But, they have a larger kitchen and dining room, and also a living room.

[Soundbite] Jang Gyeong-il(Executive Director, Hyundai Development Company) : "We created more space than the number of bedrooms so that people can have more room to enjoy their lives."

As families get smaller, the residential layouts are changing as well, with less bedrooms.

8. Hoppang Season

[Anchor Lead]

As winter sets in, it’s the season for steaming hot buns. It’s been 40 years since hot buns or Hoppang were first introduced in Korea, and the tough competition has sparked new flavors and fillings.

[Pkg]

Hot buns called hoppangs in Korea were first marketed 42 years ago with the idea that people can "enjoy diner-style hot buns at home." So far, 5.2 billion buns have been sold in Korea. That translates to three buns a year for every person. Round steamers have popped up this winter, too. Fluffy, steaming buns of all colors tempt people passing by. The dough is made with flour and rice flour and then is stuffed with various fillings. Next, the buns are placed on paper and then steamed in huge steamers. The hot bun factories are only open during the winter months. They have kicked off their operations this week, signaling the official arrival of winter.

[Soundbite] Gang Do-hyeong(Hoppang Producing Factory) : "Hoppangs are seasonal products, so it's hard to automatize the production lines. Instead, skilled workers make them by hand."

Over the past 40 years, hoppang producers have been always making changes to the bread to keep its image and taste interesting. Three major hoppang companies have vied for a market larger than 75 million US dollars in annual revenue. There used to be only two kinds of fillings - red beans and vegetable. But now there are 11 types, including pizza and curry. Hot buns have undergone numerous transformations over the last four decades to survive in this tough business.

9. Food Dehydrators

[Anchor Lead]

Food dehydrators are part of a new trend in food, with annual sales topping 47 million dollars. What affect does this have on nutrition, not to mention the electricity bill?

[Pkg]

We visit a mother who says she enjoys using a food dehydrator. Ji-hyeon has always had an interest in healthy eating. She bought this device two years ago. Her five-year-old daughter is snacking on a dried banana. In fact, she prefers dried fruit over store-bought cookies.

[Soundbite] Seong Ji-hyeon(Housewife) : "It's difficult for kids to peel and eat apples and pears. But they can always take out dried food. It's convenient."

The dehydrator dries out food rapidly with hot air. This definitely saves time over natural drying techniques, which can take two to three days. You can buy foods in season, dry them and eat them all year round. It also helps reduce food volume for storage.

[Soundbite] "Once we had a lot of fruit lying around. We wanted to eat them all but storage is always an issue. Apples are better but bananas turn black in just a week. It's a waste."

We experimented with drying an apple. The process is simple. Slice the fruit into thin slices and put them into the machine. Set the temperature and time. Moist fruit can take up to ten hours to dry. The temperature is set to 65 degrees. The dried apples are ready to eat. But how do they taste?

[Soundbite] "It's good."

Korean moms used to dry all kinds of vegetables and fruits to feed their families year round. Drying in the sun is known to be good for producing vitamin D. But vitamin D can be supplemented by ample sunlight exposure. Otherwise, there's little difference between the nutrients found in the natural drying process and using a dehydrator. In fact, the dehydrator can be safer as it prevents exposure to dust or other foreign materials.

[Soundbite] Prof. Kim Yong-hwi(Sejong University) : "There's not much difference in nutrients between natural drying and using the dehydrator. But you should be more attentive when drying in the sun as food out in the air can go bad easily."

There's another concern for mothers. The device must be left on for ten hours or more. The power costs can be a worry.

[Soundbite] "There's no big worry if I use it sparingly like three to four times a month but if I use it daily, electricity is a concern due to the progressive power fare system."

Is there any way to save energy? Slice foods as thinly as possible to get the crisp effect faster. And spread out the slices so they don't touch each other to speed up the drying time. Also put in as much food as you can in the dehydrator to make the most of the running time. Wise use of the gadget will promote healthy eating habits. Also be wise in purchasing the most fitting dehydrator for your needs through thorough research.