Memo Leak Findings

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After weeks of speculation, prosecutors finally say allegations of Jeong Yun-hoe's meddling in state affairs and ordering his aides to tail the president's brother, Park Ji-man, are false. Here's more on the interim results of the probe into the presidential memo leak scandal that has gripped the nation.

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Prosecutors have concluded that the Cheong Wa Dae memo leak scandal was a self-fabricated scenario created by former presidential secretary Cho Eung-chon and police superintendent Park Kwan-cheon. The prosecutors say the leaked memo on Jeong Yun-hoe's alleged meddling in state affairs contained false information.

[Soundbite] Yoo Sang-beom (Prosecutor, Central District Prosecutors' Office) : "We have confirmed that the "secret meetings with 10 secretaries" were non-existent and that the accusations with regard to Jeong Yun-hoe's acts and remarks were all false."

Superintendent Park Kwan-cheon has personally admitted that the accusation of Jeong ordering his aides to secretly follow the president's brother, Park Ji-man, was groundless. In other words, Park's accusations with regard to Jeong Yun-hoe and Park Ji-man were all fake. The prosecutors presume that former presidential secretary Cho Eung-chon secretly delivered 17 Cheong Wa Dae documents to Park Ji-man via superintendent Park Kwan-cheon and other figures. Based on the interim results of the probe, the prosecutors have put Cho and another police officer who secretly photocopied the leaked memos, on trial without physical arrest.

2. Animal Disease Risk

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South Korea’s international status as a country free from animal diseases is at risk with reports of cases of foot-and-mouth disease and highly pathogenic bird flu arising in recent weeks.

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This stream in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, is frequented by ducks and migratory birds. On January third, a common teal captured here tested positive for a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza. A ban was immediately issued on the sale of chickens and ducks by some 80 farms within a 10-kilometer radius from the stream.

[Soundbite] Kim Seong-sik (Animal Disease Prevention Manager) : "To prevent the farm from being infected from the virus, we require sterilization for visiting vehicles."

This is the fifth case of highly virulent bird flu reported in South Korea this winter. Confirmed cases have been focused within a period of just 2 weeks, near streams in North Chungcheong Province and Gyeonggi Province. Farm owners have blocked the entrances to their farms and taken quarantine measures, but they remain on high alert against the spread of the disease by infected migratory birds.

[Soundbite] Chicken Farmer : "Chicken farmers get nervous when migratory birds approach. There are no solutions except for sterilization measures and avoiding going out."

Farmers are concerned that if the epidemic is not contained in time, it could result in a disaster.

3. Lotte World Warning

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The Seoul Metropolitan Government has warned it will cancel Lotte World Tower's temporary operating permit if another accident occurs at the facility. The warning comes in the wake of the discovery of cracks in the building's parking lot and Lotte's failure to respond properly to the situation.

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The underground parking lot of the Lotte World Tower is deserted. That's because the facility needs to be repaired after several cracks were found on the floor. The cracks were discovered at the end of last year, prompting the Seoul Metropolitan Government to launch an emergency inspection. But Lotte announced its stance belatedly through an expert who denied there were any problems. The Seoul city government took issue with Lotte's late response and attempts to conceal problems.

[Soundbite] Jin Hui-seon (Housing Policy Official, SMG) : "We believe Lotte must reinforce its safety management response system with focus on swiftness, transparency and professionalism."

Seoul city has warned it would take stern action, such as cancelling the temporary permit for the building, if any more accidents occur in the facility before Lotte devises safety measures. The Lotte World Tower received a temporary permit for its opening in October last year, but it was ordered to suspend the operation of some of its facilities due to water leaks in its aquarium, shaking cinema screens and cracks in the ceiling. Currently, a close examination of the building is underway.

4. Strawberry Exports

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It has been nearly impossible to export strawberries, since it’s so difficult to prevent rot and keep the fruit fresh. But a new method has been developed to help keep strawberries fresh for more than ten days, making it finally possible to export the fruit to overseas markets.

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Winter strawberries are in season in South Korea. Korean strawberries are popular overseas as well, but exports have been hampered by difficulties keeping them fresh. Shipping by planes is unprofitable, while the fruit would likely spoil in the period it takes to transport by ship. A new packaging method has been developed to keep strawberries fresh, potentially overcoming this limitation. Freshly harvested strawberries are placed into airtight containers, which are then injected with carbon dioxide gas. The concentration of the gas is maintained at an appropriate level for three hours, and the strawberries are ready. Ten days later, the strawberries exposed to carbon dioxide gas have remained fresh in their original color. Untreated strawberries have gone bad, their colors darkened. The sugar content of the specially treated strawberries is at the most ideal level of 12 brix. Their strength level is 30% higher.

[Soundbite] Kim Ji-kang (Researcher, RDA) : "When treated with carbon dioxide gas after harvest, a substance which hardens the cell walls increases in concentration. This hardens the strawberries."

As the new packaging method can keep strawberries fresh for more than ten days, it has made possible the export of the fruit to Southeast Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.

5. Smart Home Strategy

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The futuristic concept of the "smart home," where consumers can control their appliances using their smart devices, is gradually becoming a reality. A growing number of mobile service carriers are switching their business strategies from smartphones to home automation by increasing investment in the smart home market.

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The walls act as a huge screen. Users can check the weather forecast and traffic updates in real time, adjust the room temperature or manipulate other home appliances with their hands. All of the electronic devices in this "futuristic home" are connected to the Internet. Smart homes are gradually becoming a reality. Furniture featuring touch screens and smartphone applications enabling users to regulate their gas valves were already released last year. More than ten kinds of smart home appliances, such as robot cleaners and lighting devices, will be released in March this year.

[Soundbite] Park Jun-seok (Media Business Unit, SK Telecom) : "We are planning to build platforms for smartphone services that we want to develop in a joint effort with mid and small-sized manufacturers."

The global smart home market was recorded at 48 billion U.S. dollars last year and is predicted to surpass 100 billion dollars by 2018. Korean mobile service providers are also investing heavily in the development of home automation and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies as their future growth engines.

6. Mobile Shelter

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Ten years ago, a bus was transformed into a mobile shelter for delinquent juveniles, offering hope and a place to go for runaway teens. Over the last decade, some ten-thousand runaways have actually decided to return home, thanks in large part to the mobile shelters.

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With an open mind, Moon Hyun-kyung listens to the concerns of runaway teenagers. She now has a license to counsel youths, but she herself was once a runaway. A bus she came across on the streets helped her to begin a new life.

[Soundbite] Moon Hyun-kyung (Youth Counselor) : "I wanted to offer words of advice to troubled teens, like my counselor did for me."

This bus transformed into a mobile shelter for delinquent juveniles is stocked with snacks and entertainment equipment. It has been touring Seoul for ten years to serve as a shelter for runaway teenagers. It begins as just some simple recreation at first. But through repeated visits, more than ten-thousand teenagers have been persuaded to return home or to go to proper shelters.

[Soundbite] Kim Na-young (Shelter User) : "It's friendly and comfortable. It feels burdensome to enter shelter homes, but this mobile shelter is easy to use."

Plans are in place to increase the number of mobile shelters from one to four, extending a helping hand to even more at-risk youths.

7. Celebrity Contributions

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You've probably seen a number of celebrities making donations at the end of the year. In recent years, famous stars have taken a larger role in social issues and now offer some hands-on contributions in combination with their monetary support.

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Firefighters put their lives at risk to fight fires. But insufficient budgets have forced some firefighters to wear work gloves made with cotton instead of heat-resistant, firefighting gloves. One K-pop group noticed this problem. The members donated forty pairs of fire-retardant gloves to the Jeonnam Fire Service, saying they hoped the items would reach those who really needed them.

[Soundbite] Lee Min-hyuk (Member, BTOB) : "They're short of even basic goods. We thought all of us could pitch in a little and help them out."

This comedian stepped up to counsel students who were involved in school violence.

[Soundbite] "I very much missed my grandmother, who used to beat me and made me work."

He spoke to the students about his difficult childhood and his life as a father of two sons.

[Soundbite] Hong In-gyu (Comedian) : "I was really touched when he asked me, "Can I make it too? If so, I will trust you and try.""

Singer Lee Sun-hee donated over 90,000 U.S. dollars to a KBS program which helps the less fortunate gain economic independence. She said she could relate to the show's mission and hoped the money would go to help those featured in the show. As celebrities take increasing interest in social issues, more of them are directly taking part in providing solutions to problems.

8. Entertainment News

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Long-time love birds, actor Kim Moo-yeol and actress Yoon Seung-ah, have announced that they're finally getting married after three years of dating. This story and more coming up on today's show biz news.

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Musical actor Kim Moo-yeol and actress Yoon Seung-ah are to be married in April. Their management agencies announced that they will wed on April 4th, having dated for three years. Their wedding will be a private one, with only family and friends in attendance. Both have movies coming out this year. Kim will star in "NLL - Battle of Yeonpyeong" and Yoon in "Murder Request." Idol band CN Blue's "Can't Stop" was named the most beloved K-pop song in Taiwan last year. A Taiwanese music show selected the ten hottest songs of 2014 and "Can't Stop" was ranked in fourth place, the highest among K-pop songs. The top two spots went to Taiwanese singers, and "Let It Go" from the Disney animated film "Frozen" took third place. So Chan-whee, a top singer in the 90s, released on Tuesday a new digital single titled "Glass Heart." Her latest song is the result of collaboration by the same composer and lyricist who wrote her biggest hit, "Tears."

9. House Party Tips

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More and more people are hosting small get-togethers at their homes with family and friends. Here are tips on preparing a good house party without spending big money.

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In Korea, a growing number of people have parties with their loved ones at their homes. An expert shares her secrets to a successful house party.

[Soundbite] Kim Eun-young (Party Planner) : "Rather than preparing various dishes, it's best to have one dessert, three main dishes and one salad on the menu."

Seafood tomato stew goes well with alcoholic drinks. Eggplant with mozzarella cheese and noodle salad are good options for a main dish. A dish of fruit canapes is prepared as a dessert. With all these good dishes, the party looks successful. A woman is throwing a party at her house. She herself has prepared all the foods. This was possible because she purchased and served half-prepared products. A wide variety of half-prepared foods are available on the market. In coming up with a menu for an at-home party, take advantage of the convenient ready-made foods and add one or two dishes you make yourself.

[Soundbite] Ha Seong-sil (Gangseo District, Seoul) : "In this small family era, it's wonderful to gather with all my loved ones."

Don't feel burdensome about preparing foods for an at-home party. Treating your guests with finger foods is good enough. With no need to use forks or spoons, these easy-to-pick-up foods are perfect for a party at home. Mix it with chopped onions and mayonnaise. Put the mixture on bread. Here is a wonderful dish of salmon rillettes. Mix salsa with chopped onions and parsley and add a little to oysters.

[Soundbite] Jeong Seo-young (Culinary Expert) : "The usual hot pepper paste and vinegar sauce makes it difficult to enjoy the taste of oysters. However, salsa sauce removes the fishy smell of oysters while making it taste fresh."

Serve a plate of vegetable sticks and a bean-based dip. To make the dip, just blend chickpeas, lemon juice and garlic together. This might be the easiest yet healthiest party food to prepare. A simple but warm gathering with your friends and family at home is a good way to beat the winter cold.