Grim Details

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Military investigators have discovered out the horrendous details of what happened on the day when Private First Class Yoon died. A report with similar content was submitted to then-Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, but the military concealed this in its parliamentary report early this week.

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On April 8, the following day after Private First Class Yoon's death, then-Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin received the following report. It outlined the details of Yoon's torture and said that after his transfer to the division he had been continuously beaten and abused. This shows that the military police of the 28th Army Division was aware of the details of Yoon's torture on the day he died, such as how he was forced to swallow toothpaste and lick spittle off the floor. The details were reported to the chain of command and the following day were submitted to the Ministry of National Defense. The ministry insists that the minister only received a summary and was unaware of the details of Private Yoon's torture.

[Soundbite] KIM MIN-SEOK (Spokesman, Ministry of National Defense): "At the time the minister of national defense and the army chief of staff said they learned about the case when it was reported by the media."

Shortly after receiving the report, the military ordered a series of measures, such as a meeting of high-ranking officials, a close investigation of all army divisions, and an order to eradicate corporate punishment in the army. This shows that high military officials may have already realized the seriousness of the case. The National Defense Ministry has also been found to have provided false details of the case to the National Assembly. The ministry's report submitted to parliament on August 4 says that the military learned about Private Yoon's suffering after April 15. That's at least one week later than the actual date. The public outcry over the way the military handled the report of army violence continues to escalate as more and more allegations are being revealed.

2. Preventing Abuse

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President Park Geun-hye has stressed the importance of education to prevent human rights abuses in the military. She emphasized that humanities education is important when it comes to creating a new military culture.

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Chairing a meeting of the Presidential Committee for Cultural Enrichment yesterday, president Park Geun-hye stressed the importance of strengthening education at home and at school. Park posited that fostering individuals of high character and creativity can be a way to root out human rights abuses in the military.

[Soundbite] PARK GEUN-HYE (President): "Fostering individuals of strong character is a fundamental measure to address human rights abuses in the as well as school bullying and violence."

The president said that human rights abuses in the military must not end with legal punishment only, but progress to fundamental measures to treat mental wounds. She also said that the education of humanities is important in creating a new military culture. After one Marine officer introduced a reading program which was found to be effective in dealing with at-risk soldiers, the president said that commanders should also recognize the need for humanities programs and make allowances to implement them. Following the meeting, Park made a surprise visit to a movie theater in downtown Seoul to see the mega-hit film "Roaring Currents." The presidential office said that the unexpected visit was part of the president's efforts to foster a spirit of cooperation for economic revitalization and national reform.

3. Death Penalty

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Two Korean nationals dealing with illicit drugs have been executed in China. It's the first execution of South Koreans in China in ten years. One more Korean drug dealer is awaiting death penalty in the country.

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The Baishan Intermediate People's Court in Jilin Province in China executed two South Korean nationals yesterday- a 53-year-old identified only by his surname Kim and a 45-year-old with the last name Baek. It was the first execution of South Koreans in China in ten years. The previous execution took place in 2004. Chinese public security officials arrested Kim in 2011 for smuggling about 15 kilograms of methamphetamine from North Korea on 14 occasions. He sold 12 kilograms of the substance to Baek, who in turn allegedly sold it to an organization in Korea. It was the third execution of South Korean nationals abroad. Another South Korean national, a 56-year-old Chang, is to be executed as early as this week for drug smuggling and trade. Over the past five years China executed at least 12 foreign nationals for drug trade, including one British citizen, five Japanese, five Filipinos, and one Pakistani. Sources say the South Korean government pleaded for clemency to stop the executions, but China rejected the request, citing fairness to criminals from other countries.

4. Blocking Ebola

[Anchor Lead]

With the spreading fear of the Ebola outbreak in Africa, the National Assembly is urging the government to take preemptive measures to block the entrance of the deadly virus into the nation. Lawmakers called for a thorough quarantine process as a preventive measure.

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A contingency parliamentary inquiry of government agencies focused on the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Lawmakers urged the government to ensure the safety of Korean expatriates in the four West African countries.

[Soundbite] MOON HYUNG-PYO (Health & Welfare Minister): "We will send a domestic medical team and epidemiological investigation team to ensure the safety of Koreans there."

The government was also asked to dispel people's fears about the disease.

[Soundbite] Rep. KIM MI-HYUL (Parliamentary committee on health & welfare): "Are you saying that direct contact with bodily fluids can lead to infection, but infection won't occur if the virus is transferred first to a chair and then to a hand?"

[Soundbite] YANG BYEONG-GUK (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention): "Anything aside from direct contact is considered to be safe."

Demands were also made for the government to present accurate information in order to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings regarding certain countries or regions.

[Soundbite] Rep. NAM IN-SOON (Parliamentary committee on health & welfare): "We should pay attention to possible violations of human rights and unnecessary prejudice against certain regions."

Lawmakers also stressed the importance of thorough quarantine and management measures to prevent the entrance of the deadly Ebola virus into the nation.

[Soundbite] Rep. MOON JEONG-LIM (Parliamentary committee on health & welfare): "The government must make quarantine questionnaires including versions in French for people entering the country from Africa."

[Soundbite] Rep. LEE MYOUNG-SU (Parliamentary committee on health & welfare): "I ask you to manage and supplement the quarantine system more thoroughly."

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has vowed to take all necessary preventive and quarantine measures both domestically and for travelers abroad.

5. Cass Criticism

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The Cass beer brand has been on the receiving end of some nasty criticism, with people saying the beer smells like a disinfectant. The brewer Oriental Brewery has decided to take legal action against those who it says spread rumors exaggerating the product's health risks. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will investigate.

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Complaints over the smell of disinfectants in Cass beer products continue to pour in. Oriental Brewery, which produces Cass beer, denies any problems in the product manufacturing. The company says the products might have gone bad during their distribution due to high temperature and exposure to the sun. However, groundless messages calling on consumers and especially women of childbearing age to avoid Cass beers that were produced during a certain period have been spreading fast on mobile messengers. Oriental Brewery has decided to take legal action against what it claims to be "malicious rumors." The company also requested a police investigation into those who spread the rumors deliberately to hurt the company. As the controversy continued to brew, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety decided to closely re-investigate the alleged smell in Cass beer products. During previous on-the-spot investigations the ministry concluded that the products were safe, but consumers continued to question their health risks. When re-investigating Cass beer, the ministry will check any problems in its distribution and the presence of health hazards in the smell of certain Cass products. The ministry will also conduct laboratory tests to examine Oriental Brewery's claim that beer can smell like a disinfectant when exposed to the sun.

6. Lotte World Site

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The construction site of "Lotte World" tower has been made public for the first time since it began. Lotte Group has requested the Seoul city government to approve the partial opening of the skyscraper. However, the metropolitan government has not yet given the okay.

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The second "Lotte World" consists of a 123-story skyscraper and three commercial buildings. With their construction completed, the three commercial buildings are preparing to open. They will house facilities including a shopping mall and a movie theater. However, the Lotte Group has not yet received the approval needed to open the three commercial buildings. The company says it will prepare necessary measures by next Monday.

[Soundbite] KIM JONG-CHEON (Executive, Lotte Corporation): "The Seoul city government instructed us to take supplementary measures by August 18th. We have completed the supplementar measures with expert advice."

Concerns over safety and traffic are blocking the opening of the facilities. With the Lotte World tower still under construction, people could get involved in potentially fatal accidents in the adjacent commercial buildings. Fears have also been raised that traffic congestion will get worse in the area, as the buildings are expected to draw up to 200-thousand visitors a day. The Lotte Group says that a six-layer shield around the tower can prevent the dropping of construction materials and scattered dust. It also insists that a change in the traffic system can prevent excessive congestion. However, the company has failed to explain exactly what caused the sinkholes on nearby roads and a drop in the water level of Seokchon Lake.

[Soundbite] SEOK HUI-CHEOL (Official, Lotte Engineering & Construction): "The water level of Seokchon Lake would have to fall below two meters before it can have an effect on ground water. Currently the water level remains above two meters."

The Seoul city government, the Songpa District Office and Lotte separately commissioned studies on the buildings' safety to experts. It remains to be seen whether the city government will give the green light for a partial opening of the second Lotte World next week.

7. Saved in Korea

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A Chinese man touring Korea suffered a stroke, but local doctors were able to act quickly and save his life. Here’s the story.

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A 67-year-old Chinese tourist named Zhou Kai Jun arrived in Korea last month. While touring the country, however, he lost consciousness and was rushed to a hospital in Cheongju. He was diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction caused by hardened arteries. He could have been brain-dead if he didn't receive treatment within 3 hour period. The local doctors were able to unblock the clogged blood vessel and save his life.

[Soundbite] Dr. PARK JUNG-GYEOM (Hana General Hospital): "When he was admitted, he was totally unconscious and his left side was paralyzed. Since he is Chinese and didn't have anyone traveling with him, we treated him from a humanitarian basis."

He was also at risk of becoming an illegal alien, because he had entered Korea on a 72-hour visa waiver. The hospital asked the Chinese embassy in Korea for help and called the man's family in China to come to his side. Fortunately, he recovered faster than other patients suffering from the same condition. Even though he was still not fully conscious, he managed to repeatedly thank those who had helped him.

[Soundbite] ZHOU KAI JUN (Chinese Tourist): "I thank Korea. I will never forget it."

He has returned to his home country with unforgettable memories and a grateful heart.

8. Roaring Currents

[Anchor Lead]

"Roaring Currents," a movie about the legendary Admiral Yi Sun-Sin, has attracted seven million moviegoers, faster than any other films in Korean history, and is breaking all sorts of records on its way to the top of box office. One of the reasons for the film's success is the Korean and Japanese ships and props reproduced with near perfect historical accuracy.

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Joseon period armor features tightly woven leather and iron pieces. They are designed to protect the body as well as to facilitate movement. Meanwhile, Japanese armor and helmets grab attention with flashy colors and elaborate decorations. They seem to belong in a museum, but these are actually props used in the movie "Roaring Currents."

[Soundbite] LEE JI-SEON (Audience): "They've become more detailed. I think the technique of making props, such as ships and armor, is improving."

The sturdy Panokseon was the primary battle ship of the Joseon navy. Its construction followed the instructions in shipbuilding blueprints from the Joseon era. As a result, this new vessel is actually seaworthy. The life-sized Japanese battleship can't be found even in Japan.

[Soundbite] "A Japanese maritime museum was amazed as well. They hinted this was even better than what they could make."

From the port to the weapons and costumes... the props used in the movie seem to transport us back to 400 years ago.

[Soundbite] JANG CHUN-SEOB (Artistic director, "Roaring Currents"): "These are thoroughly based on historical materials. One mistake could have created major problems."

The movie's realism, maximized by historical accuracy, has captivated audiences and powered its success at the box office.

9. Summer Nights

[Anchor Lead]

It's said the best temperature range to sleep in is from 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. Undoubtedly it's a challenge to meet this cool temperature in the hot summer. So work on other ways such as using a fan or changing your bedding to create the most sleep friendly environment as possible.

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If afternoon highs hover above 30 degrees for multiple days, the daytime heat continues into the evening resulting in what's known as tropical nights. As sleepless nights continue, more and more people suffer from tropical night syndrome showing symptoms of reduced concentration and indigestion. This man has come to the hospital for exactly such symptoms.

[Soundbite] KIM HEE-CHEOL (Citizen): "It's so hot these days, I don't sleep well at night. I'm tired and sleepy so I came to receive a polysomnograph."

The patient was first reminded of certain habits that hinder sleeping. Then he received a polysomnograph to be checked for physical symptoms he exhibits during sleep. He didn't show any of the more serious habits of snoring or grinding his teeth but he did shuffle about a lot. The reason being room temperature. He tossed and turned even more as the temperature rose above 28 degrees. This also affected his brain waves. His brain waves were stable up until about 25 degrees but became irregular when the temperature hit 30. Unstable brain waves means he's not in a deep sleep.

[Soundbite] SIN HONG-BEOM (Director, Sleep Clinic): "The body temperature must go down by about 0.3 degrees for a person to fall into a deep sleep. If the surrounding temperature remains high at night, body temperature will not fall which makes it difficult for people to sleep. They also wake up more often during the night."

Bad habits people resort to to invite sleep are also a problem. Alcohol is a hindrance to sleep. You'll wake up often to go to the bathroom. Taking a cold shower to beat the heat can also chase off the sleep as well.

[Soundbite] "If you drink alcohol to fight the tropical nights, you'll get to sleep for now. But as you sober up, you will also wake up. This prevents a sound, deep sleep. Once you're up, it's difficult to sleep again. If you take a cold shower, your skin contracts and it prevents the diffusion of heat from your body. It's better to take a warm shower."

On a muggy summer night, adjusting the right temperature and humidity is the beeline to a good night's sleep. Turn off the AC at least an hour before you go to bed. And don't let the fan wind directly blow at your body. Place the fan in an airway so it can help ventilation to lower room temperature. Using a bamboo mat can also help lower body temperature as bamboo has high heat conductivity. When you're hungry, don't go for greasy food at night. Drink milk or grab a banana, which contain serotonin and helps you fall asleep. Are the tropical nights affecting your sleep these days? How about changing where you sleep? A sound sleep is essential to a productive day. Make it happen following the simple tips we introduced.