Super Antibody

[Anchor Lead]

Korean scientists have developed a super antibody said to be effective against almost all flu viruses. This promising antibody will be put on the market next year.



[Pkg]

Two hundred forty Koreans have died from H1N1 influenza. The antiviral drug Tamiflu was found to be ineffective in 11 cases. But Korean scientists have developed a super antibody that can fight the viruses that cause H1N1 and other types of flu. They’ve developed the world’s only technology for mass producing the antibody, which is separated from the blood of patients who were cured of H1N1 flu. The antibody has been proven to be effective in preventing avian, H1N1 and seasonal flu in animal tests conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This antibody is likely to be effective in preventing and treating flu after being put on the market.



[Soundbite] Dr. Han Sang-hun (Severance Hospital) : “The antibody can be given to prevent the flu infection among the high-risk group. It can also treat those who haven’t responded to treatment or have a drug-resistant virus.”



This breakthrough could make Korea the only country to possess independent technology to fight all strains of flu after the antibody is commercialized. The super antibody is expected to be available next year after undergoing clinical tests in the first half of this year.



2. E-Vehicle



[Anchor Lead]

Low carbon electric cars are viewed as the eco-friendly future of transportation, but technology and cost issues make commercializing them challenging. But a so-called “online electric car,” which recharges itself wirelessly, has been unveiled for the first time amid high expectations.



[Pkg]

This company was the first in Korea to begin developing high speed electric vehicles from 2006. They transform existing cars into electric cars by attaching an electric charger, controller and motor. Electric vehicles have almost no fuel cost and produces little carbon emission, but related facilities aren’t enough and the electric charger costs around 8,800 dollars, nearly the price of a car.



[Soundbite] Lee Jeong-yong (High Speed Electric Car Maker) : “Issues related to recharging, maintenance facilities and parts have yet to be resolved.”



Against this backdrop, an electric cable car whose battery capacity is only 20 percent of what it used to be, has begun operation. Developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, this car recharges power as it runs through electric wires buried five centimeters under ground. The magnetic field is converted into dynamic force to keep the car moving. The car is running only at the Seoul Grand Park for now but could possibly operate on city bus streets.



[Soundbite] Prof. Jo Dong-ho (Korea Advanced Inst. of Science & Tech) : “We’re going to use it for intersections, final bus stops and steep slopes, so wires only need to be buried in 20% of all lines.

The remaining issue is to minimize the initial infrastructure cost of laying the electric cords under ground which costs over 88,000 dollars per kilometer.



3. US Contribution



[Anchor Lead]

The U.S. House of Representatives has adopted its first resolution honoring Korean-American contributions to American society. The move shows that the political influence of the Korean-American community has grown substantially over the years.



[Pkg]

The U.S. House of Representatives has adopted a resolution recognizing Korean-American contributions to American society. The resolution is the first of its kind since Koreans began immigrating to the U.S. a century ago. The House has thus recognized the contributions of Korean Americans to American society. New Jersey congressman Scott Garrett wrote the resolution, and 50 fellow legislators signed it.



[Soundbite] Rep. Scott Garrett (U.S. Congressman) : “It’s just appropriate that we just take moment out to do a resolution and recognize the level of accomplishment.”



This resolution is considered a major achievement for the Korean-American community. The legislation is a testament to the far-reaching political influence and solidarity of Korean Americans.



[Soundbite] Kim Dong-seok (Korean American Voters’ Council) : “They key is political participation. It’s important to vote in elections. The resolution shows the voting power of Koreas in election district.”



But much work remains to raise the status and reputation of Korean Americans in American society. The Jewish-American community helps pass roughly 50 resolutions a year, which widens its political and economic influence. So the latest resolution is just a start for the Korean-American community to gain a greater presence and prestige in the U.S.



4. Joint Drill



[Anchor Lead]

The annual Korean-U.S. joint military operation Key Resolve has begun, and footage of the training exercise has been released to the media. In response, North Korea says it will continue to enhance its nuclear deterrent. Here’s more.



[Pkg]

Korean and U.S. navy soldiers jump into the air risking their lives on a 30 meter tight rope. Though the grounds are slippery due to the snow, the soldiers land accurately on the spot. The two navies are training together to enhance compatibility in joint operations.



[Soundbite] Lieutenant Senior Ji Su-min (Marine Corp.) : “We improved mountain battle compatibility and it’s been a good opportunity to grow closer with U.S. soldiers.”



For this year, the simulated battle training is conducted to enhance compatibility at war situations. Other operations mobilizing equipment and work forces such as measures against terrorist attacks, transporting the wounded and restoring harbor facilities have also been carried out. Regarding the joint exercise by the U.S. and Korean military forces, Pyongyang claims that it’s training for attacking the North and deems it provocative.



[Soundbite] N. Korean Central TV : “As long as the U.S. continues provocative military intimidation, we’ll keep strengthening our nuclear deterrent.”



But North Korea’s attitude towards the exercise has softened compared to last year. Pyongyang added that it is ready to talk, mentioning peace agreements and denuclearization.



5. Korean Snacks



[Anchor Lead]

Foreign tourists used to shop at chic boutiques in Seoul’s Myeongdong district or upscale department stores. But their favorite shopping spots now include the supermarket. The most popular products for visitors to Korea are surprisingly cookies and other snacks.



[Pkg]

This large supermarket is near the Myeongdong district of downtown Seoul. More than 100 Japanese tourists flock to the snack section every day. Travel guides list butter cookies and sticky rice pies as must-have items. Individually packed Korean citrus tea is another popular item among foreigners.



[Soundbite] Tsukamoto Wako (Japanese Tourist) : “Korean cookies are so popular that I bought them for my friends.”



[Soundbite] Kawashima Fumiko (Japanese Tourist) : “I received Korean citrus tea from one of my friends from Korea. I loved it, so I came here to get more.”



Four of the top ten items purchased by foreigners at this store last year were snacks and cookies.



[Soundbite] Gwon Eun-suk (Japanese Interpreter) : “When I started working here, Japanese shoppers looked for dried seaweed, kimchi or liquor. But now they prefer snacks.”



[Soundbite] “Hope you enjoy shopping.”



Chinese tourists and businessmen are the main customers at this supermarket near the Incheon Port International Passenger Terminal.



[Soundbite] Yang Rwei (Chinese Entrepreneur) : “I spend about $700 every time I’m here.”



Foreigners looking for Korea’s unique flavors make up the bulk of supermarket customers.



6. Makgeolli Drama



[Anchor Lead]

A brand of the Korean rice wine “makgeolli” will be marketed in Japan by taking advantage of the KBS drama “Winter Sonata,” which was a huge hit in the island nation. This is a new kind of Korean Wave, or Hallyu, export, fusing traditional food with cultural content.



[Pkg]

The drama series ’Winter Sonata’ shot off the start of the Korean Wave when Japan’s NHK first aired it in 2004. Six years later, the drama is now lending help to promoting traditional Korean food. The first Winter Sonata Makgeolli will be produced. All of it will be exported to Japan, so the brand name is in Japanese.



[Soundbite] Bae Hye-jeong (Head, Liquor Company) : “Makgeolli will be tested by the Japanese. We’re feeling quite a lot of pressure.”



Five million bottles will be exported in the next two years. The amount is worth nearly 5.3 million dollars or 70 percent of Korea’s total makgeolli shipments.



[Soundbite] Baek Seop (Japanese Importer) : “Winter Sonata is well remembered in Japan. The product will be sold fairly well.”



The main target customer of the Korean liquor in Japan is expected to move beyond ethnic Koreans and reach the Japanese public. This may be just the beginning of Hallyu helping to promote and globalize Korean food.



7. Pioneer Artist



[Anchor Lead]

When it comes to Korean video artists, the late Paik Nam June is the most widely known. But while Paik was based in the U.S., another Korean artist here at home established a homegrown style of video art. Here is a tribute to the artistic world of Park Hyun-ki on the 10th anniversary of his death.



[Pkg]

A pile of pebbles lies in harmony with stones shown on a TV screen. Reality and the visual come hand in hand. This monitor’s slightly tilted to one side, but the water inside is exactly horizontal to make the TV look like a fish tank. Park Hyun-ki was the first to feature video art in Korea in the mid-1970s. His debut in the field was inspired by Paik Nam June. But unlike Paik’s extensive use of graphics and technology, Park used the TV set as a means to communicate with nature. Park projected the image of pristine natural objects such as rocks and water on a TV monitor to question the correlation between the artificial and natural.



[Soundbite] Yang Chan-je (Gallery Hyundai) : “Park focused on the Korean culture and style.”



His outstanding Oriental and meditative video art works of the 1970s and 80s were globally recognized. Park died relatively early at age 58 due to stomach cancer. But his forward looking and experimental vision still shines ten years after his death.



8. Late for School



[Anchor Lead]

A woman in her 70s has discovered the joy of studying late in her life. She’s ahead of her classmates not only in age and academic passion, but also in grades.



[Pkg]

A lecture is in full swing at this college classroom. An old lady, who appears to be older than the professor, sits in the front row, listening intently to the lecture. She is 75-year-old Jo Min-jeong, who entered college last year. She was the oldest college freshman. Some people were concerned that she may not be able to keep up with the studies. But her grade point average last semester was 4.2 out of 4.5. She earned A-plus in six out of ten classes.



[Soundbite] Jo Min-jeong (75, Joongbu University) : “My memory is not as good as other students, so I go over the material at least ten times and read books over and over again.”



She dropped out of college when she got married. At the encouragement of her family, she entered college again to study Korean medicine.



[Soundbite] Kim Tae-heon (Joongbu University) : “She studies hard and gets along with other students who are much younger than her.”



Since she started college later than other people, she feels more passionate about studying.



[Soundbite] “If I could, I want to go to graduate school after getting a bachelor’s degree.”



Age is only a number to this lady who is trying to fulfill her lifelong dream at a later age.



9. School Rebirth



[Anchor Lead]

Old abandoned schools commonly seen in the countryside are no longer eyesores. They have been turned into inns or cultural centers to provide visitors with nostalgic memories and unique experiences.



[Pkg]

Golden waves of tall reeds roll in the wind. Tourists take in the beautiful scenery while walking along the trail that runs along the river.



[Soundbite] “The place is great for lovers to go for a stroll and not attract too much attention.”



Not far from the reed field stands an old school building. This school was closed in 1999, but has been renovated into a special village where visitors can experience rural life. Scenes from the past are resurrected inside the classrooms. With its old stove, used organ, and small chairs and desks, the classroom is right out of the 1960s.



[Soundbite] “I can hardly remember. But I feel like I’m back in my childhood.”



In the next room a make-your-own-tofu program is underway. Children trying their hands at turning the millstone can’t seem to contain their excitement. Cooked soybeans are ground and then salt water is added to make tofu.



[Soundbite] “It tastes great because we made it ourselves.”



Staying overnight in the classroom is the climax of this field trip to the renovated school. Visitors relive the day as they fall asleep on the classroom floor. This once-closed school offers a variety of art programs. It’s Haeoreum Art Village, located at the southernmost tip of the Korean Peninsula. The school had stood neglected for five years before it was transformed into the art village in 2003.



[Soundbite] Jeong Geum-ho (Haeoreum Art Village) : “This is an open space where people can enjoy art and make friends with locals.”



The village features a wide range of folk craft items and artistic household accessories.



[Soundbite] “It’s better than museums because kids can do a variety of activities here. I think it’s a fantastic idea.”



This do-it-yourself crafts course is particularly popular. Empty chicken or duck egg shells are decorated in one activity. There is also a pottery class.



[Soundbite] “I love it because the family can share school memories together at this place.”



During the afternoon, visitors can also listen to guitar melodies at the village. The music is from a small concert which takes place on the school’s front lawn. A family trip to these renovated school buildings can bring back delightful childhood memories for parents and provide new experiences for children.