Seoul-Tokyo Summit

[Anchor Lead]

The first summit between the Park Geun-hye administration and Japan will likely take place on November 2nd. Seoul has proposed bilateral summit talks to Tokyo on the sidelines of the upcoming trilateral summit among South Korea, China and Japan.

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The presidential office says it has decided to hold a bilateral summit with Tokyo on the sidelines of the trilateral summit talks among South Korea, China and Japan slated for November 1st. The Cheong Wa Dae said Seoul has proposed bilateral talks to Tokyo on November 2nd and is waiting for its response. If the summit takes place, it will be the first bilateral summit of the Park Geun-hye administration with Japan. Attention is focusing on whether the talks will serve as an opportunity to solve the prolonged conflict between Seoul and Tokyo, stemming from historic issues, territorial disputes and the issue of former sex slaves of the Japanese army. The agenda of the summit will include North Korea's nuclear issue, the geopolitical situation in Northeast Asia and the expansion of Japan's Self-defense Forces. What's drawing particular attention is Tokyo's attitude on the issue of former sex slaves and solutions that it will propose.

[Soundbite] Park Geun-hye(President, Speech to IISS, USA (Oct. 16)) : "I believe that the talks with Japan will be meaningful if they produce any results on the issue of former sex slaves, which the Korean public is greatly concerned about."

On October 31st, President Park Geun-hye will hold talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who is to visit Korea for the trilateral summit. The two heads of state will discuss ways to promote relations between Korea and China and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

2. Emotional Farewells

[Anchor Lead]

The inter-Korean family reunions are over. It was difficult for the families to say their goodbyes, knowing that they very likely would not be reunited again in their lifetime. We bring you scenes from the emotional farewells.

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Daughters sing a song as a gift to their father whom they may never see again.

[Soundbite] "I miss the times when I played there."

The father says that he has no regrets even if he were to die right away.

[Soundbite] Koo Sang-yeon((Age 98), Reunited with N. Korean 2 Daughters) : "I have no regrets now. The way can be traversed only when there is sun. I have lived a long life."

The daughters make a final bow to their father.

[Soundbite] "Stay healthy, father!"

A mother sheds ceaseless tears, faced with parting once again from a son whom she has met for the first time since his abduction by North Korea 43 years ago. The son does his best to soothe his crying mother. Will they be able to meet again in their lifetime? Stretching her hand out of the bus window, a woman calls out to her older brother.

[Soundbite] "I love you, brother! My little sister is the best!"

Passengers rub their hands over the windows.

[Soundbite] "Let's meet again the day the nation is reunited!"

[Soundbite] "Stay in good health until we meet again."

A mother cries out for the son she leaves behind. Outside the bus, a woman sorrowfully waves goodbye to her departing older brother, not knowing when they might meet again.

3. Finding a Solution

[Anchor Lead]

Now that the separated family reunions have come to an end, attention shifts to whether a fundamental solution to the issue of separated families can finally be found. Here's more.

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The unprecedented actions of the heads of the South and North Korean delegations at the week-long separated family reunions drew particular attention. Ri Chung-bok, the head of the North Korean delegation, for the first time showed willingness to discuss the issue of allowing separated families to exchange letters and maintain contact on a regular basis.

[Soundbite] Ri Chung-bok(Chairman, N. Korea's Red Cross) : "Our republic wants to alleviate the pain and suffering of separated families and improve inter-Korean ties."

It has been confirmed that Red Cross officials from South and North Korea held three official meetings and two meetings behind closed doors during the reunions. In an interview with KBS, South Korean Red Cross President Kim Sung-joo said the two sides held close discussions on allowing separated families to confirm if loved ones are still alive, exchange letters and hold video reunions.

[Soundbite] Kim Sung-joo(President, S. Korea Red Cross) : "We produced a positive outcome because the North Korean side discussed various humanitarian issues with us with open minds."

But some say that many hurdles still lie ahead because the North could have used the talks as a strategy to resume the long-stalled Mt. Kumgang tours.

4. Processed Meat Risk

[Anchor Lead]

The World Health Organization has raised an alarm against processed meat, saying in a recent report that ham and sausage rank alongside cigarettes and asbestos as a major cause of cancer. Strong protests are expected from the livestock industry. Here is the story.

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Ham and sausages are popular food items in modern cuisine, thanks to their convenience and variety of flavors. However, the World Health Organization has designated processed meats as group 1 carcinogens. The claim is that consuming a certain amount of processed meat daily raises the risk of developing cancer.

[Soundbite] Kurt Straif(WHO Int'l Agency for Research on Cancer)

The UN health body explained that chemicals added to extend the shelf life of processed meats can have a harmful effect.

[Soundbite] Dr. Abdollah Ghavami(London Metropolitan Univ.)

The WHO report also said that there is evidence that red meat such as beef and pork are carcinogenic. However, a heated dispute is expected, as the livestock industry and some academics have voiced strong protest, saying that no clear link has been found between processed meats and cancer.

5. Kickboxer Summoned

[Anchor Lead]

Kickboxer Choi Hong-man was recently sued for failing to pay off a debt to his acquaintance. He was released from the prosecutors' office after an eight-hour investigation. Prosecutors say they plan to summon Choi once again.

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Kick boxer Choi Hong-man was interrogated for eight hours after being sued for failing to repay over 90 thousand U.S. dollars that he had borrowed from his acquaintance. The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutor's Office said Choi was released at around 3 a.m. Tuesday. Choi declined to comment on reporters' questions while exiting the prosecutors' office. The prosecutors said they would decide whether or not to request an arrest warrant for Choi after investigating the matter further. On October 20, a court issued an arrest warrant for Choi for his failure to respond to the summons several times while he was staying in Japan. Choi voluntarily appeared at the prosecutors' office at 7 p.m. Monday, six days after the warrant was issued. The kick boxer was sued by his acquaintance from Hong Kong for borrowing tens of thousands of U.S. dollars in 2013 and failing to repay his debt. Another acquaintance reported Choi to police in October last year for failing to pay back around 22,000 U.S. dollars, but the case was dismissed after Choi paid back part of the debt.

6. Sparkling Water

[Anchor Lead]

The market for carbonated water has expanded exponentially, as more and more consumers want sparkling water to add a little zip to their day. But, in spite of the growing popularity of carbonated water, the related regulations appear lacking.

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This is a carbonated water section at a large supermarket. Some 40 brands of domestic and imported sparkling water are on display.

[Soundbite] Yoo Soo-min(Gwanak Dist. Seoul) : "I've tried drinking it, because it is said to have beauty and health benefits."

Carbonated water refers to slightly acidic water containing carbon dioxide. It is a type of water, but laws on drinking water in Korea have no clear definition. In its administrative rules, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety simply defines carbonated water as a type of carbonated beverage, along with soft drinks. Plain carbonated water with only carbon dioxide gas is sometimes distinguished from beverages that also contain additives, but they are all marked as carbonated water.

[Soundbite] Ma Eun-jeong(Yeongdeungpo Dist. Seoul) : "I was very confused at first. Many products are categorized as beverages, not water."

In particular, concerns that the acidity of carbonated water might lead to negative effects such as dissolving calcium in the human body have given rise to calls for more stringent regulation.

7. Duty Free Competition

[Anchor Lead]

Competition among corporate giants for licenses to operate new duty free shops in Seoul continues to escalate. In order to gain an edge in the selection process, conglomerates are making a series of social contribution pledges.

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This is Shinsegae's second attempt to obtain a license for a duty-free shop in downtown Seoul. Following Lotte and Doosan's pledges to fund social contribution programs, the retail giant has promised to give back nearly 240 million U.S. dollars to society.

[Soundbite] Sung Young-mok(President, Shinsegae DF) : "We've been steadfastly honoring our pledges to share the wealth. We will continue to honor those promises as we've been doing."

Corporate big names are scrambling to show social responsibility in order to gain an edge in the their attempts to win duty-free shop licenses. In order to hold on to its duty-free shops at its main store downtown and its location at the World Tower in Jamsil, Lotte has also promised to provide nearly 133 million dollars to support the surrounding commercial areas. In its attempt to keep a duty-free shop in the Walker Hill Hotel, SK plans to announce its business strategy and co-existence roadmap tomorrow. Winners of the licenses to run three new duty-free shops in the city will be decided next month.

8. Entertainment News

[Anchor Lead]

Former member of the boy band U-Kiss, Dongho, will be one of the youngest idols to ever get married when he ties the knot next month. We have that and much more in today's show biz news.

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Former U-Kiss member Dongho is to get married next month. Dongho, who turned 21 this year, posted an announcement about his November 28th wedding in which he said that although he is young, he had discussed it thoroughly with his bride and asked his fans to give their blessings. Korean thriller "The Phone" has topped the box office over the weekend, a first for a Korean film opening in October. "The Phone" sold about 613,000 tickets over the three days since its release on the 23rd, rising to first place in the weekend box office rankings. Actor Song Il-kook has moved to a new management agency. Song entered into an exclusive contract with C JeS Entertainment, which also manages such hot stars as Choi Min-sik, Lee Jung-jae and Hwang Jung-eum. He has seldom appeared in dramas since he gained popularity in a variety show he stars in with his triplets. But now he's set to play the lead role in "Jang Yeong-sil," a KBS historical drama about a brilliant Joseon-era scientist slated to air next January.

9. Flower Tea

[Anchor Lead]

Flowers are pleasing to the eyes and the nose, but they can also taste great in a hot cup of tea. Today, we introduce good autumn floral teas, brimming with a delightful aroma and rich in nutrition. Let's take a look.

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The entire field is white as if it was blanketed by snow.

[Soundbite] Yong Geum-ok(Flower Farmer) : "Siberian chrysanthemum flowers are known as the queen of autumn flowers."

Siberian chrysanthemum flowers are said to have the greatest medicinal effect around this time of the year. Now, let's make some tea with the plant. Wash the petals in running water and leave them on a woven tray to drain. Next, steam them in a pot for two or three minutes and dry them at 40 degrees Celsius for two to three days. Leave them upside down to keep their original floral forms.

[Soundbite] Shin Won-jun(Oriental Medicine Doctor) : "Siberian chrysanthemum flowers have long been used as a medicine to warm the body up. It is good for indigestion or to help Women with irregular menstruation."

Roast the petals of cosmos flowers in an electric pan about ten times. This is to preserve the weak scents of cosmos flowers.

[Soundbite] Heo Ki-soon(Floral Tea Expert) : "We repeatedly roast the petals to remove water while keeping their taste and scent."

The wide petals of cockscomb flowers are torn down to make tea. One more step called "yunyeom" is needed in making tea with cockscomb flowers. The petals should be rubbed by hand. The rubbing, a step also taken in making green tea, is aimed at breaking the surface of the petals and drawing out more flavor. When roasting, it is necessary to gently press cockscomb petals in the pot to spread the heat evenly. Preserve floral teas for longer by keeping them in airtight containers in a cool and dry place. So those are some tips on enjoying floral teas to the fullest.

[Soundbite] "Wait until the dried blossoms bloom after you pour in hot water. Drink the tea right away as it will tastes sour if the petals are left in water for too long. You can re-brew it 3-5 times."

Nothing’s better than a good cup of hot floral tea to keep the chill of autumn at bay.