Naro Launch

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The launch of the Korean space rocket Naro, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday, was canceled due to problems with the fire prevention system. The Naro is now set to go up today evening at 5:01 p.m.



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The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has set the blastoff, originally scheduled for yesterday, to Thursday afternoon. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute had inspected the space rocket overnight and said the leaked fire extinguishing system has not affected the rocket. The fuel and oxidizing agents have been being injected since two hours before liftoff. The final launch sign will be given 20 minutes prior to the blast-off. And automatic countdown will begin 15 minutes before the launch.



The Naro will take off after the first stage engine is ignited 3.8 seconds before. Yesterday, the schedule was canceled three hours before the launch because fire extinguishing agents spilt out of the fire prevention system installed around the launch pad. The launch had been canceled for numerous times. If it turns out a success this time, it’ll be a milestone in Korean space science history, which began with the launching of satellite Uribyeol-1 in 1992.



2. Job Growth



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The economic recovery has led to rising employment in the country. Last month, the number of jobs saw its biggest increase in more than eight years.



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This company makes plastic surgery equipment that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars per unit. Sales have doubled year-on-year, prompting the company to hire more workers.



[Soundbite] Kim Hyeon-jae (Woojin Selex Co.) : “In order to cover oaring orders, we’re building an extra plant and will also hire 50 more engineers in the second half.”



Economic recovery has helped create more jobs. The number of employed people rose around 586-thousand in May year-on-year, the biggest jump in eight years and one month. The private sector alone added 517-thousand workers, and is expected to hire more. The manufacturing sector hired 190-thousand more workers, the highest since August 2000. The combined number of workers in manufacturing has recovered to the four million level.



[Soundbite] Lee Geun-tae (LG Economic Research Inst.) : “Economic recovery, mainly in the manufacturing industry and exports, helps companies invest more. It improves employment in conditions significantly.”



Unemployment stayed at the three-percent level for the second consecutive month at 3.2 percent. Youth joblessness also dropped to the six-percent level. The improvement in the job market is adding pressure on the Bank of Korea to raise interest rates.



3. Ozone Alert



[Anchor Lead]



A heat wave has pushed up the temperatures in Korea into the 30-degree range for five days in a row. Seoul even issued the year’s first ozone warning yesterday.



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Temperatures above 30 Celsius heat up the streets. People shield themselves from sunlight with their hands and parasols, but the efforts are futile against the stifling heat. Pedestrians plunge their feet into the cold water or escape from the heat in the shade.



[Soundbite] “I stay inside or in the shade. I feel thirty and tired after walking.”



The prolonged scorching heat wave has prompted Seoul to issue the year’s first ozone warning for the entire city on Wednesday. Ozone in the lower atmosphere is created when nitrogen oxide in car exhaust reacts with sunlight. It is best to stay inside when an ozone warning is issued, because ozone may cause respiratory problems. More ozone warnings are likely to be issued throughout the country as the heat wave is forecasted to continue.



4. Water Recycling



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Recycling sewage water and rainwater is greatly helping resolve water shortages. A government plan for reusing water seeks to tackle the country’s water issues.



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A school of fish swims leisurely in an artificial river in a Seoul suburb. The water in the river is supplied from a nearby sewage treatment plant. The facility processes sewer water through three rounds of purification. The cost is one-third that of tap water and the recycled water is sold as industrial water to nearby factories.



[Soundbite] Bae Deok-gi (Bucheon City Hall) : “The total cost of using industry water is about 55 cents per ton, but recycled water costs only 18 cents. It’s very economical.”



Rainwater is also a great source of water. This provincial government collected rainwater to run its fountains and other water facilities. This saves 9-thousand tons of water and nearly 8-thousand dollars per year. But the country’s water reuse rate is just 10 percent, which prompted the government to devise a water recycling law.



New public facilities must install water recycling fixtures to be subsidized by the government.



[Soundbite] Jo Hui-song (Ministry of Environment) : “We promote the water recycling by subsidizing 50% of the facility installation fees.”



The national rate of water reuse is expected to jump as the private sector is also allowed to join the water recycling project.



5. Marine Leisure



[Anchor Lead]



The Korea International Boat Show and the World Match Racing Tour Korea Match Cup have opened in Hwaseong (화성), Gyeonggi Province. This is a great opportunity to see the present and the future of the marine leisure industry.



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A yacht speeds across the sea, leaving a trail of white foam. Sailors ride the waves and the wind to escape the summer heat. Roughly 400 local and overseas businesses are taking part in the five-day Korea International Boat Show, which started Wednesday. This year’s boat show features expanded trial programs for visitors such as yacht-riding. These events aim to publicize the importance of the marine leisure industry.



[Soundbite] Prof. Yu Heung-ju (Inha University) : “Marine leisure industry is important because it’s a valuable future growth engine.”



Overseas businesses are also showing interest in the Korean market.



[Soundbite] Mark Windsor (CEO, BDP Consulting Ltd.)



Gyeonggi Province also plans to shape the nation’s west coast into the heart of marine industry.



[Soundbite] Yu Yeon-chae (Head, Korea Int’l Boat Show Organizing Committee) : “We’ll complete the Golden Coast Project by building the Universal Studio in Hwaseong and wider sea routes in the west coast.”



Korea seeks to play a bigger role in the lucrative global marine leisure market growing by 10% annually.



6. Hanji Fabrics



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Demand is rising for fiber extracted from traditional Korean paper called hanji thanks to its eco-friendly nature. Accordingly, the government is pushing the development of technologies to mass produce hanji fabric.



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A thin white thread comes out of a paper cutter. This is fiber for hanji, a traditional Korean paper, and the main material of hanji textiles. The hanji thread is used to make environmentally friendly textiles. The 100-percent natural material is made from paper mulberry wood and has a variety of uses. The fabric is used in products such as clothing, car seat covers and shoes.



[Soundbite] Kim Dong-hun (CEO, Hanji Manufacturer) : “Demand for natural fabrics is going up. Hanji fabric made of mulberry fiber holds great potential.”



But the supply of paper mulberry wood is insufficient, and the fiber’s price is about triple that of ordinary fabrics. So the government is investing around 11 million U.S. dollars to develop technologies for mass producing mulberry pulp.



[Soundbite] O Yeong-su (Korea Inst. for Knit Industry) : “We’ve created a market for mass production and commercialization of hanji fabrics. We need to transform potential into actual objects.”



The project is slated for completion in 2015. Afterwards, the hanji industry is expected to see stronger price competitiveness and faster growth.



7. Dental Care



[Anchor Lead]



It’s common knowledge that sweet foods are bad for your teeth. But it turns out that sticky foods are worse.



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This office worker goes to the dentist to cure cavities. She has a history of dental decay for the past five years, so she has stayed away from sweets.



[Soundbite] Min Gyeong-eun (Patient) : “I try to avoid eating candies or chocolate. My teeth are susceptible to cavities.”



Candies are often known as the major cause of dental decay, but sticky deposits are worse for teeth. Cavity occurs when bacteria multiply from food residues between teeth. According to the Korean Dental Association, sticky snacks such as jellies or the traditional Korean rice cake injeolmi cause dental cavities more often than sweets including soft drinks or chocolate. Extra care is needed to prevent dental cavities because bacteria multiply more easily from food deposits in summer. Fruit and vegetables are recommended, for they hardly get stuck between teeth.



[Soundbite] Lee Jeong-uk (Seoul Dental Association) : “Fruit and vegetables clean the surfaces of your teeth. You’re recommended to eat them more often to keep your teeth healthy.”



Dentists advise people to remove all food residues by flossing or using interdental brushes.



8. Slow Sales



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Turning to World Cup news, Red Devils T-shirts are usually hot sellers in Korea when soccer’s biggest event approaches. But sales are lacking this year, as is World Cup fever. Here’s why.



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Seoul Plaza is dyed red. All the fans unite to cheer for the Korean national soccer team. The number of Red Devils T-shirts sold reached 15 million in 2002 and ten million in 2006. But sales are slow this year. A company last month prepared 10-thousand of the T-shirts to sell at street stalls for Korea’s home exhibition game versus Ecuador. But just 6-hundred were sold. Another fashion company prepared one million Red Devils T-shirts but has sold only 250-thousand.



[Soundbite] Nam Yeong-eun (Clothing Manufacturer) : “I guess it’s because of the nation’s tragic news we had prior to the games.”



The sinking of the naval warship Cheonan and the local elections have resulted in a less-than-festive mood for the World Cup.



[Soundbite] “I guess people are spending time more quietly since the Cheonan incident.”



New fee requirements for broadcasting the games at large public venues have also hampered World Cup fever.



[Soundbite] “People didn’t like the attempts to make commercial use of the World Cup.”



The World Cup is just one day away, but fervor for the tournament in Korea is subdued.



9. Island Getaway



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To many, visiting an island means a long boat ride and potentially a bout of seasickness. But some islands are closer to the city than you might think. Let’s get a closer look at these getaways, which offer experiences for the eyes and the palate.



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Seungbong Island is just a 50 minute boat ride away from the city of Incheon. The seaside mountain path surrounded by pine trees offers an exquisite view. Pine trees at the seaside have a unique fragrance different to those in the mountains.



[Soundbite] “The pines smell different because of the sea winds”



Another ten minutes from Seungbong Island is the beautiful Saseungbong Island. It’s most loved for its fine sand beach.



[Soundbite] “I feel like I’m in a totally different world. It’s awesome!”



[Soundbite] “I feel like everything on this island is mine.”



The island also boasts some special cuisine. These days it’s crab season. Crabs are caught and brought in from the west coast.



[Soundbite] “Crabs taste much better on the island.”



Visitors can also go fishing using nets.



[Soundbite] “Let’s go fishing!”



No special skills are needed. All you have to do is pull up the net.



It’s a great opportunity for the kids to have a new experience. The fish are cut and sliced into sashimi to eat on the spot.



[Soundbite] “Delicious!”



The next stop is the peaceful Deokjeok Island. You can get a full view of the waters of the west coast from the mountain top.



[Soundbite] “It’s great to be able to enjoy the sea and mountain at once right next to the city.”



The island’s specialty is dishes made of young stingray called ganjami in Korean. The stingray sashimi mixed with vegetables and sweet and sour red pepper sauce is most famous for its soft texture. When visiting Deokjeok Island, you can’t miss out on clam digging in the mud flats. The tidal flats are cluttered with short-necked clams. A bunch of clams appear when the ground is lightly raked.



[Soundbite] “Clams are everywhere.”



It’s a vast natural playground for the children.



[Soundbite] “We’re going to make clam noodles.”



These hidden jewels of the sea are just a hop, skip and a jump from the city, making them a great option for busy folks looking to get away.