Defense Lines

[Anchor Lead]

Intersecting Air Defense lines across the Asia-Pacific have increased tensions in the region. Seoul says it has no intention of notifying China if military or private aircraft cross the Chinese Defense Zone.

[Pkg]

About 1400 South Korean private jets fly through the Chinese air defense zone each week. Recently Korean airlines received instructions from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport saying that they don't have to notify China of their flight plans until the government comes up with final guidelines. That's because private jets' flight plans are automatically sent out to the relevant countries. The ministry also cited the so-called "right of innocent passage," which allows airplanes and ships to pass through international waters as long as they don't harm neighboring countries.

[Soundbite] Kim Min-seok (Spokesman, Ministry of National Defense): "Private jets have the right of innocent passage, so they don't have to respond to China's air defense zone claims."

Different countries are showing different opinions on the issue of China's air defense zone. Japan has suspended flight notifications of its private jets, while the United States has advised China's neighbors to let China know of their flight plans. Korean airlines will, therefore, have no clear options until the government announces the new boundaries of Korea's air defense zone.

[Soundbite] Airline Official (Voice Modified): "Airlines are caught in between and don't have clear options. "

Meanwhile, the government's meeting to discuss the expansion of the nation's air defense zone has been postponed.

2. Dokdo Sovereignty

[Anchor Lead]

A seminar discussing Korean sovereignty over the Dokdo islets has opened to mark the 70th anniversary of the Cairo Declaration, establishing Korea’s independence from Japan.

[Pkg]

One of the reasons Japan continues to claim sovereignty over the Dokdo islets lies in the San Francisco Peace Treaty. Japan asserts that the treaty, which was drafted by the U.S., only mentions Ulleung Island as being part of Korea's territory and says nothing about Dokdo. Japan argues that this exclusion indicates the U.S. government acknowledges that Dokdo doesn't belong to Korea. A seminar opened recently, bringing together former and incumbent officials from South Korea and the U.S. They said that the U.S. government's stance is quite the opposite of what Japan says.

[Soundbite] Prof. Lee Seo-hang (Dankook University): "RUSK NOTE could be argued as lacking sufficient understanding of the historical facts."

[Soundbite] Larry Niksch (Researcher, Congressional Research Service): "To look at the earlier drafts of peace treaty, and come up, and publish, make public some answers to these unanswered questions."

Some experts say that once confidential information on Japan's lobbying at the time the San Francisco treaty was signed is disclosed, Japan's position will further lose ground. The participants also presented information confirming Korea's sovereignty over the Dokdo islets, such as documents showing that after the collapse of the Japanese colonialization of Korea, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers excluded Dokdo from Japanese territory.

[Soundbite] Kim Hak-jun (Director, Northeast Asian History Foundation): "History is a window through which we look to the future"

An American scholar made a presentation supporting the legitimacy of the geographic name "East Sea." The seminar marking the 70th anniversary of the Cairo Declaration was organized to raise awareness of the Dokdo issue in American society.

3. Digitizing Broadcasts

[Anchor Lead]

Broadcasting companies spent nearly two billion U.S. dollars on digitizing their TV services last year. However, they’re still waiting for the promised government support.

[Pkg]

The digitalization of TV broadcasting was supposed to improve video image and allow viewers to enjoy more channels. However, Korean digital TV only brought a better video image without increasing any channels.

[Soundbite] Lee Ji-seon (Digital TV Viewer): "I bought an expensive TV set, because they said TV services would go digital. But the number of channels has not increased. I don't feel any changes."

Broadcasting companies had to spend more than one-point-85 billion U.S. dollars for this government-driven project. However, they did not receive the promised financial support. On the other hand, the U.S. government provided three billion U.S. dollars to broadcasters for the digitalization of TV. The Japanese government spent more than two-point-seven billion to aid broadcasting firms introduce digital TV services. A special law on digital TV, which was enacted in 2008, stipulates raising broadcasting fees and reforming the advertisement system for broadcasting companies. However, none of those measures has been realized.

[Soundbite] Son Gye-seong (Korean Broadcasters Association): "Broadcasters made huge investments because they believed the government's promise. But the government has failed to give financial support."

In a statement, the Korean Broadcasters Association urged the government to provide the promised financial support as soon as possible and to permit a rise in channels.

4. Executive Drive

[Anchor Lead]

Thousands of ambitious young Koreans enter the rolls of this nation’s behemoth corporations with dreams of becoming executives. Only a handful can make their dreams come true.

[Pkg]

O Se-cheon was recently promoted to the executive level. O has worked really hard since he joined the company 23 years ago.

[Soundbite] O Se-cheon (Executive, LG CNS): "I feel I’m rewarded for my hard work. My family congratulated me. I am determined to work harder."

Executives are given extra incentives, like private offices and cars. Only one percent of a large company's workforce can reach this position. Over the past five years, large corporations have increased the number of their employees by 30 percent and their sales have jumped 40 percent. However, the rate of workers being promoted to the executive level has not changed. Some executives jokingly call themselves "temporary workers," since on average, they stay with the position for some four years.

[Soundbite] Park Ju-geun (CEO, CEO Score): "Large Korean companies are leading the global economy. So experts with bright business ideas are the ones who are likely to be tapped as executives."

Korean companies are increasing their promotion of employees based on meritocracy. Last week, LG Group and GS Group appointed new executives solely based on their business performance. In Samsung Group, half of the eight presidents of affiliates were from Samsung Electronics, which posted a record-high profit.

5. Social Health

[Anchor Lead]

Keeping socially active may hold the key to reducing the risk of geriatric disease among women going through menopause. Here’s more.

[Pkg]

This woman in her 60s has been performing volunteer work three times a week after she went through menopause ten years ago. The results of her checkup showed that her blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and body fat levels are normal.

[Soundbite] Lee Jae-suk (Menopausal Women): "I’m healthy because I eat regularly, walk and talk a lot."

When women go through menopause, the risk of developing geriatric diseases goes up, as their bodies start producing less female hormones, which protect heart and blood vessels. But the results of a study conducted by Gangnam Severance Hospital show that women who continue working full or part time after menopause have a 34 percent lower risk of geriatric diseases. That's because social activities have the same energy-boosting effect as exercise.

[Soundbite] Prof. Lee Yong-je (Gangnam Severance Hospital): "Social activities are as important for the body as exercise. They lower insulin resistance, blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors."

By staying socially active, menopausal women and even the elderly can keep cardiovascular diseases and diabetes at bay.

6. Hairtail Bargain

[Anchor Lead]

Fresh hair tail was once one of the most expensive fish varieties money could buy, but prices have plunged recently. Here’s a look at why.

[Pkg]

Hairtail are being sold at rock bottom prices at this fisheries' market. A hairtail is about a dollar and 40 cents. The price of the fish has halved over the past two months.

[Soundbite] Choe Gang-jun (Vender): "The supply of fresh hairtail began increasing two or three months ago."

The supply of fresh hairtail has tripled over the past three months. It is more than twice as much as the supply during the same period last year.

[Soundbite] O Taek-yun (National Fisheries Research & Development Institute): "The temperature in the sea was around 1.1 degrees Celsius in 2011 and 2012. It was lower than usual. The average water temperature has risen this year. We think the higher temperature is attributable to the increased supply of hairtail."

The retail prices of hairtail have dropped 40 percent from last year. The price of fresh hairtail used to be nearly double that of frozen ones. But these days, the price gap has closed as the cost of fresh hairtail is now only about 30 percent more expensive than the frozen ones. Some super markets are even selling both the fresh and frozen hairtail at the same price.

[Soundbite] Kim Ju-ho (Head, Large Supermarket Marine Product Dept.): "Hairtail sell for 3,300 won (US$3) per head. It’s cheaper than mackerel. The prices of fish have been falling, since consumers are reluctant to eat fish due to concerns over possible radioactive contamination."

Hairtail are now as cheap as mackerel.

7. Cleft Lip Help

[Anchor Lead]

A cleft lip or palate can be debilitating and a source of agony for people around the world. Surgery is often required to address it, and Korean doctors have answered the call in Vietnam for the last 10 years.

[Pkg]

More than half of the milk being fed to this baby spills out of its mouth. A congenital defect in his palate prevents him from drinking it properly.

[Soundbite] "Mom, mom"

He has a hard time pronouncing words.

[Soundbite] Thuy (Mother): "Eating is the hardest and he's often ill."

Insufficient medical facilities in the area and the family's financial conditions have made it difficult for him to receive proper treatment. But the family has now been given hope by a corps of Korean dentist volunteers who've offered him a free operation. The mother couldn't help but worry over the long-awaited surgery. The hour-long operation was a success.

[Soundbite] Prof. Sin Hyo-geun (Chonbuk National University Hospital): "He would be admitted for a week. After then he should be able to drink milk and heal painlessly."

This pro bono medical service started back in 2004 when a doctor suggested helping children with congenital defects derived from the Vietnam War. Since then, roughly 300 local children have received free operations from such volunteer doctors from Korea.

8. Airborne Exhibition

[Anchor Lead]

A special photo exhibition has opened in Seoul with a unique, uplifting appeal. Celebrity jumps caught on camera are sure to put a smile on your face.

[Pkg]

Audrey Hepburn's skirt flares up as she jumps joyously. She has a big, girlish smile on her face. This is Marilyn Monroe, a major sex symbol of the 60s. And this is actress-turned-Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly. Even U.S. President Richard Nixon put aside his serious demeanor and jumped up into the air with a slight grin. Who had the gall to make these celebrities and policians jump? It was famed photographer Phillippe Halsman. Halsman holds the highest number of LIFE Magazine cover shots at 101. He is one of the most esteemed photographers who has launched modern portrait photography, which goes beyond the simple faces by capturing the inner essence of the person.

[Soundbite] Ham Ju-hyeon (Curator): "He made them jump so that they could shed their pretensions, masks, authorities or conventions and show their most childlike, innocent selves."

Some 200 pieces of Halsman's portraits are on display in Korea now. For the local audience, the exhibition features the jumps of champion weightlifter Jang Mi-ran, Olympic figure skater Kim Yu-na and other local celebrities.

9. Mountain Enclave

[Anchor Lead]

Bonghwa of North Gyeongsang Province is situated in the mountains, so it's traditionally been a tough spot to visit. Thanks to recent developments in transportation to the area, more and more people are checking out the village charm.

[Pkg]

Bonghwa is renowned for its beautifully preserved nature and breathtaking landscape untouched by urbanization. It takes just three hours to get here from Seoul, and tourists love the beauty of the region.

[Soundbite] "We have come here since we heard that we can experience the old times and history together."

This path was used by peddlers during the Joseon Dynasty era hundreds of years ago.

[Soundbite] Kim Mi-jeong (Cultural Heritage Commentator): "This path was used by peddlers who bought salted mackerel, salt, seaweed and octopus at Uljin and Heungbu markets to sell them at Chungyang market in Bonghwa. The path remain as it was then, reflecting their tough lives."

The old path was rediscovered four years ago. The peddlers' path is part of a trekking trail linking Cheongsong, North Gyeongsang Province, and Yeongwol, Gangwon Province. The vestiges of Joseon peddlers can be found along the paths in Bonghwa.

[Soundbite] Seo Heon-su (Visitor): "In the past, peddlers climbed up this hill, carrying loads of 40 kilograms on their backs."

The path testifies to how tough life was for peddlers in old times. While trekking along the trail,tourists may feel as if they are traveling back in time hundreds of years ago. Professional tour guides are on standby to give detailed historical explanations. People can learn about history and refresh themselves simultaneously along the long walk.

[Soundbite] "I enjoyed nature. It was tough to walk along this path. But I had a lot of fun."

Now is time to savor the memories of old times. People gather at a small station in a rural village. They are up for a mountainous train ride. Some 30-thousand people use the canyon train each month. It retains the look and feel of trains operated in the 1970s. The train takes tourists to a ride of 27 kilometers twice a day. Passengers are fascinated by the picturesque scenery outside.

[Soundbite] "My stress was blown away. I feel light-minded."

The train stops at Yangwon Station, which is Korea's first privately funded station. It is also the nation's smallest station, and little has changed here over the past 20 years. Passengers can buy the village's local specialties and farm produce during their brief stay.

[Soundbite] "Can you give us a discount? This is the last train."

The train brings a new life to the remote mountainous village.

[Soundbite] Jeong Gu-ja (Visitor): "I can buy local products during stops at stations. It's great."

[Soundbite] "The train will soon leave. Get aboard please."

Tourists appreciate the plain yet romantic atmosphere of the rural village up to the last minute. Now it's time to get back to everyday life.

[Soundbite] On Bong-dae (Visitor): "While seeing the beautiful scenes, I remembered the days when we were dating. I miss those days."

Rural villages can be a good destination for your winter trips with the power to rejuvenate your soul.