기사 본문 영역
상세페이지
Climbing Record
입력 2010.04.28 (16:47) News Today
[Anchor Lead]
Champion mountaineer Oh Eun-sun has conquered the Himalayan peak of Annapurna. Thus, she has become the world’s first woman to climb all 14 peaks that stand above 8-thousand meters.
[Pkg]
Oh Eun-sun is nearly exhausted as each step proves to be a challenge. But she speeds up her hike as the summit comes into view. Oh reaches the top of Annapurna. She’s just 155 centimeters or 5-feet-one inches tall. But the climber has become the first woman in the world to conquer the 14 tallest Himalayan peaks. Oh unfolds the Korean flag. She clasps her hands to express gratitude and sobs.
[Soundbite] Oh: “Hurray! Hurray!”
KBS Announcer: “It’s unbelievable. She’s reached the summit.”
Oh quit her job in 1993 at age 28 and went off to the Himalayas. She scaled Gasherbrum II in 1997 as the first step in her quest to conquer all 14 Himalayan peaks. Oh went on to climb Kanchenjunga in May last year and Gasherbrum 1 in August. She became the world’s first woman in the past 13 years to conquer 13 of the 14 Himalayan peaks. Her most recent and 14th climb was on Annapurna, ending her long journey.
[Soundbite] Oh Eun-seon (Mountaineer) : “I’d like to share this joy with everyone. Thank you so much. Thank you.”
Oh reached the top of Annapurna around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday Korea Standard Time and is returning to her base camp.
2. Alpine History
[Anchor Lead]
Oh Eun-sun will go down in mountaineering history for her accomplishment, but she’s not the first Korean to make her mark. We look back now on the footsteps of Korean climbers of the past 33 years.
[Pkg]
The first Korean to reach global milestone was Go Sang-don who climbed mount Everest in 1977. He was only the 8th person in the world to conquer Mount Everest. But it was just the beginning. In 1987, Heo Young-ho climbed mount Everest in the most challenging winter season. The competition between Um Hong-gil and Park Young-seok led to a new world record. They challenged to become first in Asia to scale the 14 Himalayan peaks. In 2005, Park Young-seok achieved the world’s first mountaineering grand slam of climbing the 14 Himalayan peaks, the highest peaks on the seven continents and the South and North Poles.
[Soundbite] Park Young-seok (Mountaineer) : “We screamed and hugged each other seeing the 90°North mark on the GPS meter. It meant we didn’t have to go further.”
Female climbers continued to seek out new challenges. Oh has finally become the first woman in the world to scale the 14 highest Himalayan peaks.
[Soundbite] Um Hong-gil (Mountaineer) : “It’s a great accomplishment in the mountaineering history of Korea and the world.”
Four Koreans including Oh have now climbed the 14 peaks, the highest number claimed by any other country in the world.
3. Back on Track?
[Anchor Lead]
The Korean economy has exceeded expectations by growing 7.8 percent in the first quarter year-on-year. This has increased pressure on the Bank of Korea to raise the benchmark interest rate.
[Pkg]
The country’s growth rate is on a roll. The economy grew 7.8 percent in the first quarter year-on-year thanks to brisk manufacturing performance, especially in semiconductors. The year-on-year growth is the highest since the last quarter of 2002. All industries grew evenly in this year’s first three months. Private consumption contributed 1.5 percentage points and exports and government spending 1.2 percentage points to overall growth. This has raised pressure on the raising of the key interest rate.
[Soundbite] Kim Myeong-gi (Bank of Korea) : “The GDP growth is a big variable factor. It was even across most industries in the first quarter.”
But others still say a rate hike is premature. They say oil prices and the won-dollar exchange rates are volatile and that inflation has just begun to stabilize.
[Soundbite] Yun Yeo-sam (Daewoo Securities) : “Inflation pressures are still low. Korea should keep the key rate low to further boost the domestic spending rates.”
The Bank of Korea’s Monetary Policy Committee will decide whether to raise the key interest rate in its next meeting May 12th.
4. Green Hub
[Anchor Lead]
The ceremony celebrating the completion of the Seamangeum Seawall, which took nearly two decades to complete, was held Tuesday. President Lee Myung-bak said he will develop the reclaimed land into a hub city for green growth. Here’s more.
[Pkg]
The 33.9 kilometer Saemangeum Seawall is the world’s longest man-made dyke. A ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the seawall that took nearly two decades. President Lee Myung-bak said Saemangeum will become the economic hub connecting Eurasia and the Pacific Ocean. It’ll also be considered as important bridge between China and Japan.
[Soundbite] Lee Myung-bak (President) : “The Saemangeum seawall isn’t just an ordinary dyke. It’ll be the world’s leading economic hub.”
Lee also stressed that the seawall will lead Korea’s green growth along with the renovation of the peninsula’s four major rivers. The president said Korea’s first integrated green city will be built in the area.
[Soundbite] “Saemangeum will become a global green area where humans and nature can live together in harmony.”
Lee spoke of his plans to improve the water quality of the Mangyeong and Dongjin rivers and to build Asia’s biggest wetland park and eco park at Saemangeum. President Lee added that an industrial district specializing in renewable energy and an hi-tech agriculture complex will also be established.
5. Land Seizure
[Anchor Lead]
North Korea has increased tensions on the peninsula by seizing South Korean assets that it had frozen in the Mount Kumgang resort area. The South has said it will formulate countermeasures by early next month.
[Pkg]
North Korea has seized five South Korean-owned properties, including a center for holding reunions of separated Korean families. North Korean authorities replaced notices saying "frozen" with those saying "confiscated." The North has begun freezing South Korean private properties as well.
The South Korean Unification Ministry says the notices reading "frozen" were posted on facilities owned by 25 companies operating in the Onjeonggak tourist complex, and a spa and stores in the Mount Kumgang Htotel. Real estate owned by South Korean investors excluding those of Hyundai Asan Corp. has also been frozen. Hyundai Asan’s properties will be frozen Thursday.
Pyongyang is known to be planning to complete the freeze on South Korean properties by Friday. But no South Korean workers have been expelled yet. Seoul says Pyongyang’s freeze and confiscation of South Korean-owned real estate are unacceptable, and will formulate countermeasures by early next month.
6. Cold Spell
[Anchor Lead]
The nation is seeing unusual weather in late April. Temperatures have plunged and winds are blowing as strong as during a typhoon. This afternoon’s highs were the lowest for late April in 100 years.
[Pkg]
This tire shop is bombarded by a gust of wind blowing at 15 meters per second.
[Soundbite] Tire Shop Employee : “I found this car parked here. The store didn’t entirely collapse thanks to this car.”
A roof was blown off by strong winds at a residential and commercial building in Seoul. The roof fell on cars, but no one injured. The wind flipped over umbrellas and shattered building window and the glass splinters fell on the ground. It was hard to stand straight in the winds.
[Soundbite] “The wind is blowing really hard. It’s raining too much to walk outside, even with an umbrella.”
The cold air brought by the gusty winds plunged the temperature. Cold air of minus 30 degrees Celsius has been swirling five kilometers above sea level since Tuesday and descended to the Korean Peninsula.
[Soundbite] Kim Seung-bae (Korea Meteorological Admin.) : “Minus thirty degrees Celsius of cold air hovers over Korea which is unusual for late April.”
The afternoon highs for Wednesday range around ten degrees Celsius in the central region. It’s the lowest in a century since weather forecast began in Korea.
7. Life Savers
[Anchor Lead]
Emergency rescue workers constantly risk their lives on the job to save others. The KBS 119 Awards have honored the 20 most outstanding of these courageous workers.
[Pkg]
Black smoke covers the sky. Flames from a warehouse devour and swallow up everything around. Five emergency rescue workers are sent inside to search for trapped people. An explosion occurs shortly afterwards, and workers are quickly ordered to withdraw. But only four of the rescue workers come out.
[Soundbite] “Jin-tae’s still inside!”
Chief emergency fire officer Kim Jin-tae finally comes out a little later with burns all over. He has had three skin implants on his face, but two thirds of his scars remain. Kim says he’ll never forget his nightmare, but adds he cannot wait to get back to work.
[Soundbite] Kim Jin-tae (National 119 Rescue Services) : “The thought that I saved someone’s life makes me forget about the dangers and hard work.”
Kim is among this year’s winners of the KBS 119 Awards for displaying selflessness and courage in saving lives. Around 300 emergency rescue workers are injured or killed every year in the line of duty. Only 20 rescue workers received the KBS 119 Award this year. But similar praise should go to the estimated 9-thousand-262 emergency rescue workers nationwide.
8. Virtuoso Tours
[Anchor Lead]
Spring must be the season of symphonies. A series of world-class orchestras led by famed maestros are coming to Korea to showcase their music.
[Pkg]
British Philharmonic Orchestra is coming to Korea for a return performance after 15 years. Korea’s classical music lovers are looking forward to the music of maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy. Recovered from her finger injury, renowned Korean violinist Chung Kyung-wha, also returns to the stage after five years.
[Soundbite] Chung Kyung-wha (Violinist) : “The performance is filled with my passion. I’m performing as if it’s my last show.”
The Philadelphia Orchestra is famous for its elaborate and majestic string section. It’s under the direction of Maestro Charles du Toit. Korean audiences are looking forward to hear the harmony created by the maestro and the orchestra, which paired up in late 2008. In May, the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to visit Korea. Roger Norrington is famous for drawing out uncluttered but rich sound. The BBC Symphony Orchestra presents unfeigned and natural music. The orchestra is a veteran of countless performances. Czech-born Chief Conductor Jiri Belohlavek has been at the helm since 2006. Fans of classical music anticipate an enriching spring filled with the music presented by these world-famous orchestras.
9. Buddhist Cuisine
[Anchor Lead]
People are paying attention to Buddhist cuisine as a healthy alternative to the artificial and heavy food of modern society. No meat, fish or artificial additives are used in Buddhist food. A wide variety of Buddhist dishes were presented at a recent food festival.
[Pkg]
Buddhist monks and believers are busy early in the morning at Beopju Temple on Mount Songni They’re moving tables and cooking utensils in preparation for a Buddhist food festival.
[Soundbite] Ven. Borim (Beopju Temple) : “This event has been prepared to introduce Buddhist cuisine to people.”
The temple is crowded with visitors who don’t want to miss a chance to eat original Buddhist dishes. Five-thousand people visited the temple on a single day. Thirty kinds of Buddhist dishes are presented at the festival. The temple is filled with delicious smells, as cooking demonstrations begin.
[Soundbite] Yeo Bong-ja (Buddhist Food Culture Institute) : “Buddhist cuisine is eaten at temples. It tastes simple and natural with no additives used.”
Instead of artificial additives, powered beans or perilla seeds are used in Buddhist dishes. Certain ingredients are forbidden in Buddhist food, such as onions, garlic, leeks and scallions, since they are thought to stimulate aggression, libido and greed.
[Soundbite] Ven. Jeokmoon (Buddhist Cuisine Institute) : “The ingredients are thought to cause anger, ignorance, impatience and greed in people.”
At temples, seasonal vegetables are the secret to making healthy dishes without sacrificing taste. This is a vegetable and nut salad. This watery wild herb kimchi catches the eye with its color. Five-colored lotus root rice is also a popular dish. Some people make note of the recipes. Following the exhibition, the dishes are offered to visitors. The food goes like hot cakes. Visitors are captivated by the simple, light taste of Buddhist cuisine.
[Soundbite] “Buddhist food is healthy. You enjoy the fresh, natural ingredients.”
A Buddhist cooking competition has been held.
[Soundbite] “You can’t use artificial additives, preservatives, meat and fish.”
Buddhists who have made temple food for 40 years are judges of the contest.
[Soundbite] “This showed unique way of making dishes with fresh greenery.”
Twenty-five dishes were presented and the grand prize goes to rice cakes made with medicinal herbs. Judges recognize the winner’s success in heeding the complicated traditional cooking method. Buddhist food is known for its healthiness and simplicity. Many palates are embracing Buddhist cuisine with the trend toward healthy living.
Champion mountaineer Oh Eun-sun has conquered the Himalayan peak of Annapurna. Thus, she has become the world’s first woman to climb all 14 peaks that stand above 8-thousand meters.
[Pkg]
Oh Eun-sun is nearly exhausted as each step proves to be a challenge. But she speeds up her hike as the summit comes into view. Oh reaches the top of Annapurna. She’s just 155 centimeters or 5-feet-one inches tall. But the climber has become the first woman in the world to conquer the 14 tallest Himalayan peaks. Oh unfolds the Korean flag. She clasps her hands to express gratitude and sobs.
[Soundbite] Oh: “Hurray! Hurray!”
KBS Announcer: “It’s unbelievable. She’s reached the summit.”
Oh quit her job in 1993 at age 28 and went off to the Himalayas. She scaled Gasherbrum II in 1997 as the first step in her quest to conquer all 14 Himalayan peaks. Oh went on to climb Kanchenjunga in May last year and Gasherbrum 1 in August. She became the world’s first woman in the past 13 years to conquer 13 of the 14 Himalayan peaks. Her most recent and 14th climb was on Annapurna, ending her long journey.
[Soundbite] Oh Eun-seon (Mountaineer) : “I’d like to share this joy with everyone. Thank you so much. Thank you.”
Oh reached the top of Annapurna around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday Korea Standard Time and is returning to her base camp.
2. Alpine History
[Anchor Lead]
Oh Eun-sun will go down in mountaineering history for her accomplishment, but she’s not the first Korean to make her mark. We look back now on the footsteps of Korean climbers of the past 33 years.
[Pkg]
The first Korean to reach global milestone was Go Sang-don who climbed mount Everest in 1977. He was only the 8th person in the world to conquer Mount Everest. But it was just the beginning. In 1987, Heo Young-ho climbed mount Everest in the most challenging winter season. The competition between Um Hong-gil and Park Young-seok led to a new world record. They challenged to become first in Asia to scale the 14 Himalayan peaks. In 2005, Park Young-seok achieved the world’s first mountaineering grand slam of climbing the 14 Himalayan peaks, the highest peaks on the seven continents and the South and North Poles.
[Soundbite] Park Young-seok (Mountaineer) : “We screamed and hugged each other seeing the 90°North mark on the GPS meter. It meant we didn’t have to go further.”
Female climbers continued to seek out new challenges. Oh has finally become the first woman in the world to scale the 14 highest Himalayan peaks.
[Soundbite] Um Hong-gil (Mountaineer) : “It’s a great accomplishment in the mountaineering history of Korea and the world.”
Four Koreans including Oh have now climbed the 14 peaks, the highest number claimed by any other country in the world.
3. Back on Track?
[Anchor Lead]
The Korean economy has exceeded expectations by growing 7.8 percent in the first quarter year-on-year. This has increased pressure on the Bank of Korea to raise the benchmark interest rate.
[Pkg]
The country’s growth rate is on a roll. The economy grew 7.8 percent in the first quarter year-on-year thanks to brisk manufacturing performance, especially in semiconductors. The year-on-year growth is the highest since the last quarter of 2002. All industries grew evenly in this year’s first three months. Private consumption contributed 1.5 percentage points and exports and government spending 1.2 percentage points to overall growth. This has raised pressure on the raising of the key interest rate.
[Soundbite] Kim Myeong-gi (Bank of Korea) : “The GDP growth is a big variable factor. It was even across most industries in the first quarter.”
But others still say a rate hike is premature. They say oil prices and the won-dollar exchange rates are volatile and that inflation has just begun to stabilize.
[Soundbite] Yun Yeo-sam (Daewoo Securities) : “Inflation pressures are still low. Korea should keep the key rate low to further boost the domestic spending rates.”
The Bank of Korea’s Monetary Policy Committee will decide whether to raise the key interest rate in its next meeting May 12th.
4. Green Hub
[Anchor Lead]
The ceremony celebrating the completion of the Seamangeum Seawall, which took nearly two decades to complete, was held Tuesday. President Lee Myung-bak said he will develop the reclaimed land into a hub city for green growth. Here’s more.
[Pkg]
The 33.9 kilometer Saemangeum Seawall is the world’s longest man-made dyke. A ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the seawall that took nearly two decades. President Lee Myung-bak said Saemangeum will become the economic hub connecting Eurasia and the Pacific Ocean. It’ll also be considered as important bridge between China and Japan.
[Soundbite] Lee Myung-bak (President) : “The Saemangeum seawall isn’t just an ordinary dyke. It’ll be the world’s leading economic hub.”
Lee also stressed that the seawall will lead Korea’s green growth along with the renovation of the peninsula’s four major rivers. The president said Korea’s first integrated green city will be built in the area.
[Soundbite] “Saemangeum will become a global green area where humans and nature can live together in harmony.”
Lee spoke of his plans to improve the water quality of the Mangyeong and Dongjin rivers and to build Asia’s biggest wetland park and eco park at Saemangeum. President Lee added that an industrial district specializing in renewable energy and an hi-tech agriculture complex will also be established.
5. Land Seizure
[Anchor Lead]
North Korea has increased tensions on the peninsula by seizing South Korean assets that it had frozen in the Mount Kumgang resort area. The South has said it will formulate countermeasures by early next month.
[Pkg]
North Korea has seized five South Korean-owned properties, including a center for holding reunions of separated Korean families. North Korean authorities replaced notices saying "frozen" with those saying "confiscated." The North has begun freezing South Korean private properties as well.
The South Korean Unification Ministry says the notices reading "frozen" were posted on facilities owned by 25 companies operating in the Onjeonggak tourist complex, and a spa and stores in the Mount Kumgang Htotel. Real estate owned by South Korean investors excluding those of Hyundai Asan Corp. has also been frozen. Hyundai Asan’s properties will be frozen Thursday.
Pyongyang is known to be planning to complete the freeze on South Korean properties by Friday. But no South Korean workers have been expelled yet. Seoul says Pyongyang’s freeze and confiscation of South Korean-owned real estate are unacceptable, and will formulate countermeasures by early next month.
6. Cold Spell
[Anchor Lead]
The nation is seeing unusual weather in late April. Temperatures have plunged and winds are blowing as strong as during a typhoon. This afternoon’s highs were the lowest for late April in 100 years.
[Pkg]
This tire shop is bombarded by a gust of wind blowing at 15 meters per second.
[Soundbite] Tire Shop Employee : “I found this car parked here. The store didn’t entirely collapse thanks to this car.”
A roof was blown off by strong winds at a residential and commercial building in Seoul. The roof fell on cars, but no one injured. The wind flipped over umbrellas and shattered building window and the glass splinters fell on the ground. It was hard to stand straight in the winds.
[Soundbite] “The wind is blowing really hard. It’s raining too much to walk outside, even with an umbrella.”
The cold air brought by the gusty winds plunged the temperature. Cold air of minus 30 degrees Celsius has been swirling five kilometers above sea level since Tuesday and descended to the Korean Peninsula.
[Soundbite] Kim Seung-bae (Korea Meteorological Admin.) : “Minus thirty degrees Celsius of cold air hovers over Korea which is unusual for late April.”
The afternoon highs for Wednesday range around ten degrees Celsius in the central region. It’s the lowest in a century since weather forecast began in Korea.
7. Life Savers
[Anchor Lead]
Emergency rescue workers constantly risk their lives on the job to save others. The KBS 119 Awards have honored the 20 most outstanding of these courageous workers.
[Pkg]
Black smoke covers the sky. Flames from a warehouse devour and swallow up everything around. Five emergency rescue workers are sent inside to search for trapped people. An explosion occurs shortly afterwards, and workers are quickly ordered to withdraw. But only four of the rescue workers come out.
[Soundbite] “Jin-tae’s still inside!”
Chief emergency fire officer Kim Jin-tae finally comes out a little later with burns all over. He has had three skin implants on his face, but two thirds of his scars remain. Kim says he’ll never forget his nightmare, but adds he cannot wait to get back to work.
[Soundbite] Kim Jin-tae (National 119 Rescue Services) : “The thought that I saved someone’s life makes me forget about the dangers and hard work.”
Kim is among this year’s winners of the KBS 119 Awards for displaying selflessness and courage in saving lives. Around 300 emergency rescue workers are injured or killed every year in the line of duty. Only 20 rescue workers received the KBS 119 Award this year. But similar praise should go to the estimated 9-thousand-262 emergency rescue workers nationwide.
8. Virtuoso Tours
[Anchor Lead]
Spring must be the season of symphonies. A series of world-class orchestras led by famed maestros are coming to Korea to showcase their music.
[Pkg]
British Philharmonic Orchestra is coming to Korea for a return performance after 15 years. Korea’s classical music lovers are looking forward to the music of maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy. Recovered from her finger injury, renowned Korean violinist Chung Kyung-wha, also returns to the stage after five years.
[Soundbite] Chung Kyung-wha (Violinist) : “The performance is filled with my passion. I’m performing as if it’s my last show.”
The Philadelphia Orchestra is famous for its elaborate and majestic string section. It’s under the direction of Maestro Charles du Toit. Korean audiences are looking forward to hear the harmony created by the maestro and the orchestra, which paired up in late 2008. In May, the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to visit Korea. Roger Norrington is famous for drawing out uncluttered but rich sound. The BBC Symphony Orchestra presents unfeigned and natural music. The orchestra is a veteran of countless performances. Czech-born Chief Conductor Jiri Belohlavek has been at the helm since 2006. Fans of classical music anticipate an enriching spring filled with the music presented by these world-famous orchestras.
9. Buddhist Cuisine
[Anchor Lead]
People are paying attention to Buddhist cuisine as a healthy alternative to the artificial and heavy food of modern society. No meat, fish or artificial additives are used in Buddhist food. A wide variety of Buddhist dishes were presented at a recent food festival.
[Pkg]
Buddhist monks and believers are busy early in the morning at Beopju Temple on Mount Songni They’re moving tables and cooking utensils in preparation for a Buddhist food festival.
[Soundbite] Ven. Borim (Beopju Temple) : “This event has been prepared to introduce Buddhist cuisine to people.”
The temple is crowded with visitors who don’t want to miss a chance to eat original Buddhist dishes. Five-thousand people visited the temple on a single day. Thirty kinds of Buddhist dishes are presented at the festival. The temple is filled with delicious smells, as cooking demonstrations begin.
[Soundbite] Yeo Bong-ja (Buddhist Food Culture Institute) : “Buddhist cuisine is eaten at temples. It tastes simple and natural with no additives used.”
Instead of artificial additives, powered beans or perilla seeds are used in Buddhist dishes. Certain ingredients are forbidden in Buddhist food, such as onions, garlic, leeks and scallions, since they are thought to stimulate aggression, libido and greed.
[Soundbite] Ven. Jeokmoon (Buddhist Cuisine Institute) : “The ingredients are thought to cause anger, ignorance, impatience and greed in people.”
At temples, seasonal vegetables are the secret to making healthy dishes without sacrificing taste. This is a vegetable and nut salad. This watery wild herb kimchi catches the eye with its color. Five-colored lotus root rice is also a popular dish. Some people make note of the recipes. Following the exhibition, the dishes are offered to visitors. The food goes like hot cakes. Visitors are captivated by the simple, light taste of Buddhist cuisine.
[Soundbite] “Buddhist food is healthy. You enjoy the fresh, natural ingredients.”
A Buddhist cooking competition has been held.
[Soundbite] “You can’t use artificial additives, preservatives, meat and fish.”
Buddhists who have made temple food for 40 years are judges of the contest.
[Soundbite] “This showed unique way of making dishes with fresh greenery.”
Twenty-five dishes were presented and the grand prize goes to rice cakes made with medicinal herbs. Judges recognize the winner’s success in heeding the complicated traditional cooking method. Buddhist food is known for its healthiness and simplicity. Many palates are embracing Buddhist cuisine with the trend toward healthy living.
- Climbing Record
-
- 입력 2010-04-28 16:47:02
[Anchor Lead]
Champion mountaineer Oh Eun-sun has conquered the Himalayan peak of Annapurna. Thus, she has become the world’s first woman to climb all 14 peaks that stand above 8-thousand meters.
[Pkg]
Oh Eun-sun is nearly exhausted as each step proves to be a challenge. But she speeds up her hike as the summit comes into view. Oh reaches the top of Annapurna. She’s just 155 centimeters or 5-feet-one inches tall. But the climber has become the first woman in the world to conquer the 14 tallest Himalayan peaks. Oh unfolds the Korean flag. She clasps her hands to express gratitude and sobs.
[Soundbite] Oh: “Hurray! Hurray!”
KBS Announcer: “It’s unbelievable. She’s reached the summit.”
Oh quit her job in 1993 at age 28 and went off to the Himalayas. She scaled Gasherbrum II in 1997 as the first step in her quest to conquer all 14 Himalayan peaks. Oh went on to climb Kanchenjunga in May last year and Gasherbrum 1 in August. She became the world’s first woman in the past 13 years to conquer 13 of the 14 Himalayan peaks. Her most recent and 14th climb was on Annapurna, ending her long journey.
[Soundbite] Oh Eun-seon (Mountaineer) : “I’d like to share this joy with everyone. Thank you so much. Thank you.”
Oh reached the top of Annapurna around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday Korea Standard Time and is returning to her base camp.
2. Alpine History
[Anchor Lead]
Oh Eun-sun will go down in mountaineering history for her accomplishment, but she’s not the first Korean to make her mark. We look back now on the footsteps of Korean climbers of the past 33 years.
[Pkg]
The first Korean to reach global milestone was Go Sang-don who climbed mount Everest in 1977. He was only the 8th person in the world to conquer Mount Everest. But it was just the beginning. In 1987, Heo Young-ho climbed mount Everest in the most challenging winter season. The competition between Um Hong-gil and Park Young-seok led to a new world record. They challenged to become first in Asia to scale the 14 Himalayan peaks. In 2005, Park Young-seok achieved the world’s first mountaineering grand slam of climbing the 14 Himalayan peaks, the highest peaks on the seven continents and the South and North Poles.
[Soundbite] Park Young-seok (Mountaineer) : “We screamed and hugged each other seeing the 90°North mark on the GPS meter. It meant we didn’t have to go further.”
Female climbers continued to seek out new challenges. Oh has finally become the first woman in the world to scale the 14 highest Himalayan peaks.
[Soundbite] Um Hong-gil (Mountaineer) : “It’s a great accomplishment in the mountaineering history of Korea and the world.”
Four Koreans including Oh have now climbed the 14 peaks, the highest number claimed by any other country in the world.
3. Back on Track?
[Anchor Lead]
The Korean economy has exceeded expectations by growing 7.8 percent in the first quarter year-on-year. This has increased pressure on the Bank of Korea to raise the benchmark interest rate.
[Pkg]
The country’s growth rate is on a roll. The economy grew 7.8 percent in the first quarter year-on-year thanks to brisk manufacturing performance, especially in semiconductors. The year-on-year growth is the highest since the last quarter of 2002. All industries grew evenly in this year’s first three months. Private consumption contributed 1.5 percentage points and exports and government spending 1.2 percentage points to overall growth. This has raised pressure on the raising of the key interest rate.
[Soundbite] Kim Myeong-gi (Bank of Korea) : “The GDP growth is a big variable factor. It was even across most industries in the first quarter.”
But others still say a rate hike is premature. They say oil prices and the won-dollar exchange rates are volatile and that inflation has just begun to stabilize.
[Soundbite] Yun Yeo-sam (Daewoo Securities) : “Inflation pressures are still low. Korea should keep the key rate low to further boost the domestic spending rates.”
The Bank of Korea’s Monetary Policy Committee will decide whether to raise the key interest rate in its next meeting May 12th.
4. Green Hub
[Anchor Lead]
The ceremony celebrating the completion of the Seamangeum Seawall, which took nearly two decades to complete, was held Tuesday. President Lee Myung-bak said he will develop the reclaimed land into a hub city for green growth. Here’s more.
[Pkg]
The 33.9 kilometer Saemangeum Seawall is the world’s longest man-made dyke. A ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the seawall that took nearly two decades. President Lee Myung-bak said Saemangeum will become the economic hub connecting Eurasia and the Pacific Ocean. It’ll also be considered as important bridge between China and Japan.
[Soundbite] Lee Myung-bak (President) : “The Saemangeum seawall isn’t just an ordinary dyke. It’ll be the world’s leading economic hub.”
Lee also stressed that the seawall will lead Korea’s green growth along with the renovation of the peninsula’s four major rivers. The president said Korea’s first integrated green city will be built in the area.
[Soundbite] “Saemangeum will become a global green area where humans and nature can live together in harmony.”
Lee spoke of his plans to improve the water quality of the Mangyeong and Dongjin rivers and to build Asia’s biggest wetland park and eco park at Saemangeum. President Lee added that an industrial district specializing in renewable energy and an hi-tech agriculture complex will also be established.
5. Land Seizure
[Anchor Lead]
North Korea has increased tensions on the peninsula by seizing South Korean assets that it had frozen in the Mount Kumgang resort area. The South has said it will formulate countermeasures by early next month.
[Pkg]
North Korea has seized five South Korean-owned properties, including a center for holding reunions of separated Korean families. North Korean authorities replaced notices saying "frozen" with those saying "confiscated." The North has begun freezing South Korean private properties as well.
The South Korean Unification Ministry says the notices reading "frozen" were posted on facilities owned by 25 companies operating in the Onjeonggak tourist complex, and a spa and stores in the Mount Kumgang Htotel. Real estate owned by South Korean investors excluding those of Hyundai Asan Corp. has also been frozen. Hyundai Asan’s properties will be frozen Thursday.
Pyongyang is known to be planning to complete the freeze on South Korean properties by Friday. But no South Korean workers have been expelled yet. Seoul says Pyongyang’s freeze and confiscation of South Korean-owned real estate are unacceptable, and will formulate countermeasures by early next month.
6. Cold Spell
[Anchor Lead]
The nation is seeing unusual weather in late April. Temperatures have plunged and winds are blowing as strong as during a typhoon. This afternoon’s highs were the lowest for late April in 100 years.
[Pkg]
This tire shop is bombarded by a gust of wind blowing at 15 meters per second.
[Soundbite] Tire Shop Employee : “I found this car parked here. The store didn’t entirely collapse thanks to this car.”
A roof was blown off by strong winds at a residential and commercial building in Seoul. The roof fell on cars, but no one injured. The wind flipped over umbrellas and shattered building window and the glass splinters fell on the ground. It was hard to stand straight in the winds.
[Soundbite] “The wind is blowing really hard. It’s raining too much to walk outside, even with an umbrella.”
The cold air brought by the gusty winds plunged the temperature. Cold air of minus 30 degrees Celsius has been swirling five kilometers above sea level since Tuesday and descended to the Korean Peninsula.
[Soundbite] Kim Seung-bae (Korea Meteorological Admin.) : “Minus thirty degrees Celsius of cold air hovers over Korea which is unusual for late April.”
The afternoon highs for Wednesday range around ten degrees Celsius in the central region. It’s the lowest in a century since weather forecast began in Korea.
7. Life Savers
[Anchor Lead]
Emergency rescue workers constantly risk their lives on the job to save others. The KBS 119 Awards have honored the 20 most outstanding of these courageous workers.
[Pkg]
Black smoke covers the sky. Flames from a warehouse devour and swallow up everything around. Five emergency rescue workers are sent inside to search for trapped people. An explosion occurs shortly afterwards, and workers are quickly ordered to withdraw. But only four of the rescue workers come out.
[Soundbite] “Jin-tae’s still inside!”
Chief emergency fire officer Kim Jin-tae finally comes out a little later with burns all over. He has had three skin implants on his face, but two thirds of his scars remain. Kim says he’ll never forget his nightmare, but adds he cannot wait to get back to work.
[Soundbite] Kim Jin-tae (National 119 Rescue Services) : “The thought that I saved someone’s life makes me forget about the dangers and hard work.”
Kim is among this year’s winners of the KBS 119 Awards for displaying selflessness and courage in saving lives. Around 300 emergency rescue workers are injured or killed every year in the line of duty. Only 20 rescue workers received the KBS 119 Award this year. But similar praise should go to the estimated 9-thousand-262 emergency rescue workers nationwide.
8. Virtuoso Tours
[Anchor Lead]
Spring must be the season of symphonies. A series of world-class orchestras led by famed maestros are coming to Korea to showcase their music.
[Pkg]
British Philharmonic Orchestra is coming to Korea for a return performance after 15 years. Korea’s classical music lovers are looking forward to the music of maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy. Recovered from her finger injury, renowned Korean violinist Chung Kyung-wha, also returns to the stage after five years.
[Soundbite] Chung Kyung-wha (Violinist) : “The performance is filled with my passion. I’m performing as if it’s my last show.”
The Philadelphia Orchestra is famous for its elaborate and majestic string section. It’s under the direction of Maestro Charles du Toit. Korean audiences are looking forward to hear the harmony created by the maestro and the orchestra, which paired up in late 2008. In May, the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to visit Korea. Roger Norrington is famous for drawing out uncluttered but rich sound. The BBC Symphony Orchestra presents unfeigned and natural music. The orchestra is a veteran of countless performances. Czech-born Chief Conductor Jiri Belohlavek has been at the helm since 2006. Fans of classical music anticipate an enriching spring filled with the music presented by these world-famous orchestras.
9. Buddhist Cuisine
[Anchor Lead]
People are paying attention to Buddhist cuisine as a healthy alternative to the artificial and heavy food of modern society. No meat, fish or artificial additives are used in Buddhist food. A wide variety of Buddhist dishes were presented at a recent food festival.
[Pkg]
Buddhist monks and believers are busy early in the morning at Beopju Temple on Mount Songni They’re moving tables and cooking utensils in preparation for a Buddhist food festival.
[Soundbite] Ven. Borim (Beopju Temple) : “This event has been prepared to introduce Buddhist cuisine to people.”
The temple is crowded with visitors who don’t want to miss a chance to eat original Buddhist dishes. Five-thousand people visited the temple on a single day. Thirty kinds of Buddhist dishes are presented at the festival. The temple is filled with delicious smells, as cooking demonstrations begin.
[Soundbite] Yeo Bong-ja (Buddhist Food Culture Institute) : “Buddhist cuisine is eaten at temples. It tastes simple and natural with no additives used.”
Instead of artificial additives, powered beans or perilla seeds are used in Buddhist dishes. Certain ingredients are forbidden in Buddhist food, such as onions, garlic, leeks and scallions, since they are thought to stimulate aggression, libido and greed.
[Soundbite] Ven. Jeokmoon (Buddhist Cuisine Institute) : “The ingredients are thought to cause anger, ignorance, impatience and greed in people.”
At temples, seasonal vegetables are the secret to making healthy dishes without sacrificing taste. This is a vegetable and nut salad. This watery wild herb kimchi catches the eye with its color. Five-colored lotus root rice is also a popular dish. Some people make note of the recipes. Following the exhibition, the dishes are offered to visitors. The food goes like hot cakes. Visitors are captivated by the simple, light taste of Buddhist cuisine.
[Soundbite] “Buddhist food is healthy. You enjoy the fresh, natural ingredients.”
A Buddhist cooking competition has been held.
[Soundbite] “You can’t use artificial additives, preservatives, meat and fish.”
Buddhists who have made temple food for 40 years are judges of the contest.
[Soundbite] “This showed unique way of making dishes with fresh greenery.”
Twenty-five dishes were presented and the grand prize goes to rice cakes made with medicinal herbs. Judges recognize the winner’s success in heeding the complicated traditional cooking method. Buddhist food is known for its healthiness and simplicity. Many palates are embracing Buddhist cuisine with the trend toward healthy living.
Champion mountaineer Oh Eun-sun has conquered the Himalayan peak of Annapurna. Thus, she has become the world’s first woman to climb all 14 peaks that stand above 8-thousand meters.
[Pkg]
Oh Eun-sun is nearly exhausted as each step proves to be a challenge. But she speeds up her hike as the summit comes into view. Oh reaches the top of Annapurna. She’s just 155 centimeters or 5-feet-one inches tall. But the climber has become the first woman in the world to conquer the 14 tallest Himalayan peaks. Oh unfolds the Korean flag. She clasps her hands to express gratitude and sobs.
[Soundbite] Oh: “Hurray! Hurray!”
KBS Announcer: “It’s unbelievable. She’s reached the summit.”
Oh quit her job in 1993 at age 28 and went off to the Himalayas. She scaled Gasherbrum II in 1997 as the first step in her quest to conquer all 14 Himalayan peaks. Oh went on to climb Kanchenjunga in May last year and Gasherbrum 1 in August. She became the world’s first woman in the past 13 years to conquer 13 of the 14 Himalayan peaks. Her most recent and 14th climb was on Annapurna, ending her long journey.
[Soundbite] Oh Eun-seon (Mountaineer) : “I’d like to share this joy with everyone. Thank you so much. Thank you.”
Oh reached the top of Annapurna around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday Korea Standard Time and is returning to her base camp.
2. Alpine History
[Anchor Lead]
Oh Eun-sun will go down in mountaineering history for her accomplishment, but she’s not the first Korean to make her mark. We look back now on the footsteps of Korean climbers of the past 33 years.
[Pkg]
The first Korean to reach global milestone was Go Sang-don who climbed mount Everest in 1977. He was only the 8th person in the world to conquer Mount Everest. But it was just the beginning. In 1987, Heo Young-ho climbed mount Everest in the most challenging winter season. The competition between Um Hong-gil and Park Young-seok led to a new world record. They challenged to become first in Asia to scale the 14 Himalayan peaks. In 2005, Park Young-seok achieved the world’s first mountaineering grand slam of climbing the 14 Himalayan peaks, the highest peaks on the seven continents and the South and North Poles.
[Soundbite] Park Young-seok (Mountaineer) : “We screamed and hugged each other seeing the 90°North mark on the GPS meter. It meant we didn’t have to go further.”
Female climbers continued to seek out new challenges. Oh has finally become the first woman in the world to scale the 14 highest Himalayan peaks.
[Soundbite] Um Hong-gil (Mountaineer) : “It’s a great accomplishment in the mountaineering history of Korea and the world.”
Four Koreans including Oh have now climbed the 14 peaks, the highest number claimed by any other country in the world.
3. Back on Track?
[Anchor Lead]
The Korean economy has exceeded expectations by growing 7.8 percent in the first quarter year-on-year. This has increased pressure on the Bank of Korea to raise the benchmark interest rate.
[Pkg]
The country’s growth rate is on a roll. The economy grew 7.8 percent in the first quarter year-on-year thanks to brisk manufacturing performance, especially in semiconductors. The year-on-year growth is the highest since the last quarter of 2002. All industries grew evenly in this year’s first three months. Private consumption contributed 1.5 percentage points and exports and government spending 1.2 percentage points to overall growth. This has raised pressure on the raising of the key interest rate.
[Soundbite] Kim Myeong-gi (Bank of Korea) : “The GDP growth is a big variable factor. It was even across most industries in the first quarter.”
But others still say a rate hike is premature. They say oil prices and the won-dollar exchange rates are volatile and that inflation has just begun to stabilize.
[Soundbite] Yun Yeo-sam (Daewoo Securities) : “Inflation pressures are still low. Korea should keep the key rate low to further boost the domestic spending rates.”
The Bank of Korea’s Monetary Policy Committee will decide whether to raise the key interest rate in its next meeting May 12th.
4. Green Hub
[Anchor Lead]
The ceremony celebrating the completion of the Seamangeum Seawall, which took nearly two decades to complete, was held Tuesday. President Lee Myung-bak said he will develop the reclaimed land into a hub city for green growth. Here’s more.
[Pkg]
The 33.9 kilometer Saemangeum Seawall is the world’s longest man-made dyke. A ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the seawall that took nearly two decades. President Lee Myung-bak said Saemangeum will become the economic hub connecting Eurasia and the Pacific Ocean. It’ll also be considered as important bridge between China and Japan.
[Soundbite] Lee Myung-bak (President) : “The Saemangeum seawall isn’t just an ordinary dyke. It’ll be the world’s leading economic hub.”
Lee also stressed that the seawall will lead Korea’s green growth along with the renovation of the peninsula’s four major rivers. The president said Korea’s first integrated green city will be built in the area.
[Soundbite] “Saemangeum will become a global green area where humans and nature can live together in harmony.”
Lee spoke of his plans to improve the water quality of the Mangyeong and Dongjin rivers and to build Asia’s biggest wetland park and eco park at Saemangeum. President Lee added that an industrial district specializing in renewable energy and an hi-tech agriculture complex will also be established.
5. Land Seizure
[Anchor Lead]
North Korea has increased tensions on the peninsula by seizing South Korean assets that it had frozen in the Mount Kumgang resort area. The South has said it will formulate countermeasures by early next month.
[Pkg]
North Korea has seized five South Korean-owned properties, including a center for holding reunions of separated Korean families. North Korean authorities replaced notices saying "frozen" with those saying "confiscated." The North has begun freezing South Korean private properties as well.
The South Korean Unification Ministry says the notices reading "frozen" were posted on facilities owned by 25 companies operating in the Onjeonggak tourist complex, and a spa and stores in the Mount Kumgang Htotel. Real estate owned by South Korean investors excluding those of Hyundai Asan Corp. has also been frozen. Hyundai Asan’s properties will be frozen Thursday.
Pyongyang is known to be planning to complete the freeze on South Korean properties by Friday. But no South Korean workers have been expelled yet. Seoul says Pyongyang’s freeze and confiscation of South Korean-owned real estate are unacceptable, and will formulate countermeasures by early next month.
6. Cold Spell
[Anchor Lead]
The nation is seeing unusual weather in late April. Temperatures have plunged and winds are blowing as strong as during a typhoon. This afternoon’s highs were the lowest for late April in 100 years.
[Pkg]
This tire shop is bombarded by a gust of wind blowing at 15 meters per second.
[Soundbite] Tire Shop Employee : “I found this car parked here. The store didn’t entirely collapse thanks to this car.”
A roof was blown off by strong winds at a residential and commercial building in Seoul. The roof fell on cars, but no one injured. The wind flipped over umbrellas and shattered building window and the glass splinters fell on the ground. It was hard to stand straight in the winds.
[Soundbite] “The wind is blowing really hard. It’s raining too much to walk outside, even with an umbrella.”
The cold air brought by the gusty winds plunged the temperature. Cold air of minus 30 degrees Celsius has been swirling five kilometers above sea level since Tuesday and descended to the Korean Peninsula.
[Soundbite] Kim Seung-bae (Korea Meteorological Admin.) : “Minus thirty degrees Celsius of cold air hovers over Korea which is unusual for late April.”
The afternoon highs for Wednesday range around ten degrees Celsius in the central region. It’s the lowest in a century since weather forecast began in Korea.
7. Life Savers
[Anchor Lead]
Emergency rescue workers constantly risk their lives on the job to save others. The KBS 119 Awards have honored the 20 most outstanding of these courageous workers.
[Pkg]
Black smoke covers the sky. Flames from a warehouse devour and swallow up everything around. Five emergency rescue workers are sent inside to search for trapped people. An explosion occurs shortly afterwards, and workers are quickly ordered to withdraw. But only four of the rescue workers come out.
[Soundbite] “Jin-tae’s still inside!”
Chief emergency fire officer Kim Jin-tae finally comes out a little later with burns all over. He has had three skin implants on his face, but two thirds of his scars remain. Kim says he’ll never forget his nightmare, but adds he cannot wait to get back to work.
[Soundbite] Kim Jin-tae (National 119 Rescue Services) : “The thought that I saved someone’s life makes me forget about the dangers and hard work.”
Kim is among this year’s winners of the KBS 119 Awards for displaying selflessness and courage in saving lives. Around 300 emergency rescue workers are injured or killed every year in the line of duty. Only 20 rescue workers received the KBS 119 Award this year. But similar praise should go to the estimated 9-thousand-262 emergency rescue workers nationwide.
8. Virtuoso Tours
[Anchor Lead]
Spring must be the season of symphonies. A series of world-class orchestras led by famed maestros are coming to Korea to showcase their music.
[Pkg]
British Philharmonic Orchestra is coming to Korea for a return performance after 15 years. Korea’s classical music lovers are looking forward to the music of maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy. Recovered from her finger injury, renowned Korean violinist Chung Kyung-wha, also returns to the stage after five years.
[Soundbite] Chung Kyung-wha (Violinist) : “The performance is filled with my passion. I’m performing as if it’s my last show.”
The Philadelphia Orchestra is famous for its elaborate and majestic string section. It’s under the direction of Maestro Charles du Toit. Korean audiences are looking forward to hear the harmony created by the maestro and the orchestra, which paired up in late 2008. In May, the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to visit Korea. Roger Norrington is famous for drawing out uncluttered but rich sound. The BBC Symphony Orchestra presents unfeigned and natural music. The orchestra is a veteran of countless performances. Czech-born Chief Conductor Jiri Belohlavek has been at the helm since 2006. Fans of classical music anticipate an enriching spring filled with the music presented by these world-famous orchestras.
9. Buddhist Cuisine
[Anchor Lead]
People are paying attention to Buddhist cuisine as a healthy alternative to the artificial and heavy food of modern society. No meat, fish or artificial additives are used in Buddhist food. A wide variety of Buddhist dishes were presented at a recent food festival.
[Pkg]
Buddhist monks and believers are busy early in the morning at Beopju Temple on Mount Songni They’re moving tables and cooking utensils in preparation for a Buddhist food festival.
[Soundbite] Ven. Borim (Beopju Temple) : “This event has been prepared to introduce Buddhist cuisine to people.”
The temple is crowded with visitors who don’t want to miss a chance to eat original Buddhist dishes. Five-thousand people visited the temple on a single day. Thirty kinds of Buddhist dishes are presented at the festival. The temple is filled with delicious smells, as cooking demonstrations begin.
[Soundbite] Yeo Bong-ja (Buddhist Food Culture Institute) : “Buddhist cuisine is eaten at temples. It tastes simple and natural with no additives used.”
Instead of artificial additives, powered beans or perilla seeds are used in Buddhist dishes. Certain ingredients are forbidden in Buddhist food, such as onions, garlic, leeks and scallions, since they are thought to stimulate aggression, libido and greed.
[Soundbite] Ven. Jeokmoon (Buddhist Cuisine Institute) : “The ingredients are thought to cause anger, ignorance, impatience and greed in people.”
At temples, seasonal vegetables are the secret to making healthy dishes without sacrificing taste. This is a vegetable and nut salad. This watery wild herb kimchi catches the eye with its color. Five-colored lotus root rice is also a popular dish. Some people make note of the recipes. Following the exhibition, the dishes are offered to visitors. The food goes like hot cakes. Visitors are captivated by the simple, light taste of Buddhist cuisine.
[Soundbite] “Buddhist food is healthy. You enjoy the fresh, natural ingredients.”
A Buddhist cooking competition has been held.
[Soundbite] “You can’t use artificial additives, preservatives, meat and fish.”
Buddhists who have made temple food for 40 years are judges of the contest.
[Soundbite] “This showed unique way of making dishes with fresh greenery.”
Twenty-five dishes were presented and the grand prize goes to rice cakes made with medicinal herbs. Judges recognize the winner’s success in heeding the complicated traditional cooking method. Buddhist food is known for its healthiness and simplicity. Many palates are embracing Buddhist cuisine with the trend toward healthy living.
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