Failed Missile Launch

[Anchor Lead]

North Korea attempted to launch a missile from its east coast to mark late leader Kim Il-sung's birthday. However, the launch appears to have failed, according to a South Korean military source. Here's more.

[Pkg]

North Korea had attempted a missile launch from its east coast early this morning. It appears the missile was a Musudan, North Korea's mid-range ballistic missile with a 3,000-kilometer range, which was moved forward recently. However, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that the launch attempt appeared to have ended in failure. Previously, the South Korean and American military authorities have been closely monitoring the situation up north, after confirming that North Korea had deployed a mobile launch pad loaded with a Musudan missile to the vicinity of Wonsan in Gangwon Province. The likelihood of missile launch was projected to be quite high today, since it is Kim Il-sung's birthday and the weather was clear. The Musudan is known to have a range that can cover the entire Korean Peninsula and Japan as well as the U.S. military bases in Guam. Some 50 missiles have been deployed for action since 2007, but this is the first time an actual attempt has been made to launch it. The South Korean military believes there may be additional missile launches by the North and is beefing up its responsereadiness. Meanwhile, the North did not declare a no-sail zone prior to the latest missile launch. The failure to issue the minimal safety alert is likely to stir up intense backlash from the international community.

2. NK Party Meeting

[Anchor Lead]

North Korea has selected leader Kim Jong-un as the head of the next Workers' Party meeting slated for early next month, and has launched preparations for the meeting. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have begun escalating yet again with the specter of further North Korean provocations looming large.

[Pkg]

North Korea has held a national meeting to mark Kim Il-sung's birthday, which is known in the North as "the Day of the Sun."But the meeting focused more on praising Kim Jong-un's achievements, with the North proclaiming itself a nuclear superpower.

[Soundbite] Kim Yong-nam(President, Presidium of Supreme People's Assembly, NK) : "He was at the forefront of the revolution and promoted economic and nuclear development, relentlessly fostering our nation's defense capabilities."

Pyongyang has also begun official preparations for the seventh Workers' Party meeting slated for early next month. The North has been exerting arduous efforts to organize the meeting. In particular, Pyongyang announced that Kim Jong-un was unanimously selected to lead the Workers' Party meeting.

[Soundbite] Korean Central TV (N. Korea) : "Kim Jong-un's great achievements in making our country a military and nuclear superpower will guarantee us a bright future for many centuries to come."

With the next party meeting fast approaching, attention is being focused on possible additional provocations from the North, through actions such as a nuclear test or missile launch.Observers say the geopolitical situation on the Korean Peninsula will likely reach a climax, either deteriorating further or entering a new phase depending on Kim Jong-un's choices on the occasion of the Workers' Party meeting.

3. Japan Earthquake

[Anchor Lead]

A strong earthquake rocked the Kumamoto region of Japan's Kyushu Island last night. The trembles were felt in the southeastern regions of South Korea as well as Jeju Island, but no damage has been reported on the Korean Peninsula.

[Pkg]

A magnitude-7 earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture in the southern island of Kyushu, Japan around 9:30 p.m. last night. The Busan Regional Office of Meteorology and fire stations in the vicinity, about 300 kilometers away from the epicenter, received dozens of inquiries about the tremor.

[Soundbite] Nam Ho-seung(Nam District, Busan Resident) : "I live in a four-story building and the entire building shook. The desk was shaking too."

Around the same time reports of earthquake ensued in the southern region, where the cities of Ulsan, Gyeongju and Pohang are located, as well as in Jeju Island. The Korea Meteorological Administration's Earthquake and Volcano Center announced that its seismograph showed that tremors between magnitudes one and two were detected in the southeastern and Jeju regions in the aftermath of last night's earthquake in Japan.However, the KMA explained that the quake generated only a little shaking in South Korea and the vibration wasn't strong enough to cause any damage. In fact, no damages have been reported in the areas that felt the seismic movement.

4. Raising the Sewol

[Anchor Lead]

The project to raise the sunken Sewol ferry and find the bodies of nine missing passengers has begun in earnest. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries says the ferry will likely be lifted in July barring inclement weather conditions.

[Pkg]

The sunken Sewol ferry will be lifted without separating it into segments. None of the ship's parts will be cut because the bodies of the missing passengers may still be trapped inside.

[Soundbite] Simon Burthem(Head of TMC UK-based ship-raising consultants)

A safety net has been installed around the ferry and the pier to prevent the loss of victims' bodies. Currently, operations to secure buoyancy are under way. Air bags will be installed both inside and outside the ferry to reduce the submerged weight of the ship from 8300 to 3300 tons. The forward part of the ferry will be lifted next month. In June, steel lifting beams will be installed at the bottom. Subsequently, the Sewol ferry will be placed on a floating dock while still in the water, and in July it will finally be transported onto land. However, the lifting process is expected to hit numerous snags because of the rapid currents in the area and poor underwater visibility of less than a meter.

5. Finding their Roots

[Anchor Lead]

Many Korean adoptees overseas hope to find their roots through DNA tests. Next we bring you the story of some of the Korean-born adoptees who have succeeded in finding their birth families over the past six months through DNA comparisons.

[Pkg]

Bianca was adopted by a Dutch family when she was just six months old. After reaching adulthood, she came to Korea to find her birth parents but the only information remaining at the adoption agency was a document indicating where she was found and a few photographs. Her last hope hinges on a DNA test.

[Soundbite] Bianca van Omen(Adopted to the Netherlands)

Several adoptees have found their roots through DNA tests. Five Koreans adopted into American families have already found their birth families over the past six months.

[Soundbite] Sarah Savidakis(Adopted to U.S.)

So far roughly 1,000 Korean adoptees have provided their genetic information.But the key is whether their biological families in Korea would consent to DNA testing. To encourage their participation, Korean adoptees overseas are coming back to Korea to get involved in publicity campaigns to raise awareness. Thanks to their earnest efforts, families that were hesitant in providing their DNA for fear of judgment are opening up their hearts.

6. Learning About the North

[Anchor Lead]

The Ministry of Education is poised to promote education in schools about North Korea to prepare for national reunification. So far, South Korean school children had few opportunities to learn about life in the North.

[Pkg]

A blindfolded tagger follows the sounds of claps while trying to catch other kids.This is a North Korean children's game that resembles its South Korean version.

[Soundbite] "(How did you feel after playing this game?) I realized that we are one nation because this game is so similar to our games."

Children also discuss what kinds of jobs may appear after the South and the North unite.

[Soundbite] "I thought there would be few jobs, but I was surprised to learn that there will be a lot of new jobs."

Such hands-on classes about national unification have been provided so far only at designated schools. But from now on they will be held in all elementary, middle and high schools. The Education Ministry plans to publish and distribute textbooks about unification for each specific school level. It has also advised schools to expand classes on national unification to ten hours a year.Elementary school children will learn about folk games played in the North and its dialect. Middle school students will learn about the history of national division, and high schools will teach their students about the financial costs and profits associated with unification.

[Soundbite] Kim Dong-won(School Policy Unit, MOE) : "We plan to operate about ten study clubs to train the teachers and have them complete courses on unification during training."

Last year the percentage of students who said that unification was necessary after receiving education on the issue was 12 percent higher than for those who had not received such lessons.

7. Pro Golf Mentors

[Anchor Lead]

Women golfers belonging to the Korea Professional Golf Association played the role of instructors to aspiring youths. Here’s more on their contributions.

[Pkg]

This sixth grader hopes to improve her drive shot.Pro golfer Park Sung-hyun known for her long shots checks the youngster's drive posture and provides a solution.

[Soundbite] Park Sung-hyun(Pro Golfer) : "It's better to spread your left foot a little when addressing."

This middle school student always felt nervous when her ball fell into a bunker. But now that she's been taught by a top-level pro golfer, she has grown more confident.

[Soundbite] Baek So-won(Student, Mangun Middle School) : "My bunker shot wasn't very good,but she taught me well."

Women professional golfers have assumed the role of instructor for the day. They taught the young golfers various techniques, such as how to make drive shots, putts, and bunker shots. The pro golfers reminisced about their days as novices and willingly shared their experiences.

[Soundbite] BaeSeon-woo(Pro Golfer) : "They're promising golfers and future rivals. I have high expectations for them. They're cute."

Through these special golf lessons for aspiring pro golfers, the older players cheered on the dreams of young students, while the young participants promised to become great golfers.

8. “Hometown Report”

[Anchor Lead]

The KBS TV show "Hometown Report," which debuted 25 years ago and airs every evening, has marked its 6000th episode. A special festival was held to celebrate the occasion by distributing seeds of indigenous Korean crops free of charge.

[Soundbite] (KBS TV show "Hometown Report" marks 6000th episode) : "'Hometown Report' is marking its 6000th episode today!"

[Pkg]

The KBS TV show "Hometown Report" has been dedicated to introducing homegrown Korean food products and the lives of elderly people in rural areas. The show has turned 25 this year and recently aired its 6000th episode.

[Soundbite] Lim Chun-taek(Anyang, Gyeonggi Prov. Resident) : "I enjoy watching their segments about food, and it also helps me learn about the hardships that people in farming areas face."

The show has been hosted by 27 anchors since its premiere with announcers Lee Keum-hee and Park Yong-ho as its very first hosts. The production crew of the show has traveled a combined distance of 6.6 million kilometers to bring viewers the latest from rural areas nationwide.That's long enough to circumnavigate the globe 166 times and travel between the Earth and the Moon eight times. "Hometown Report" has become a signature show that connects urban and rural areas, and brings people of all ages together. Its next goal is to promote an eco-friendly lifestyle.

[Soundbite] AhnSeong-jin(Producer, "Hometown Report") : "We will provide more information about an eco-friendly lifestyle so that young viewers can sample and enjoy it."

A festival marking the show's 6000th episode will be held until tomorrow. Visitors will receive the seeds of indigenous Korean crops free of charge.

9. Extraordinary Rice Rolls

[Anchor Lead]

Rice rolls often offer a savory delight in just one bite. Unique varieties of rice rolls are riding a wave of popularity, as they are delicious and beautiful. In today' Yum Yum TV, we will bring you into the world of rice rolls.

[Pkg]

A round-shaped food catches the eyes of diners at a Korean buffet restaurant in Seoul. It is a rice roll made with chicken, ginseng, jujube and sticky rice, the ingredients for samgyetang, the traditional Korean dish of ginseng chicken soup.

[Soundbite] Stefano di Salvo(Chef, Korean Buffet Restaurant)

The one bite-sized roll is eaten with some broth, offering the diner a new experience.

[Soundbite] Lee A-ruem(Seoul Resident) : "It is pretty and convenient to eat."

Now, here is a 50-centimeter-long, enormous pork cutlet roll, bigger than a grownup's arm. The key ingredient to this roll is pork. The meat must be centimeter and a half thick. If the meat is too thin, it can be torn easily. If the meat is too thick, it can overwhelm the flavors of other ingredients. Place a variety of cheese and vegetables on the pork, and roll them up together. Coat the roll in flour and egg before frying it in oil. Arrange two 25-centimeter pork cutlet rolls together and add some bean sprouts at the center. Your enormous pork cutlet roll is ready.

[Soundbite] "It is not only long but also tastes good."

Let's make some rolls on our own. First up is a beef and vegetable roll. Mix soy sauce, sugar, salt and cooking wine. Leave thin beef in the marinade for 15 to 20 minutes. Don't forget to remove blood from the meat before marinating it. Spread the beef flat and add vegetables. Then roll them up together. Roast the roll well and slice it into bite sized pieces. Now, let's make a bacon and chicken breast roll. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper and cook the meat in a double boiler. Slice the chicken breast down and blend with dried cranberries, almonds, cream cheese, mayonnaise and sugar. Place the mixture on a wide sheet of bacon and roll it up. Bake it in a pan for two minutes. Now, you can have a delicious but light-tasting roll of bacon and chicken breast. These savory rolls are a great choice to boost your appetite in spring.