Korea-EU FTA

[Anchor Lead]

The bilateral free trade agreement between Korea and the European Union is tentatively set to take effect from July 1, 2011. The final decision had been put off several times due to Italy’s opposition but an agreement has finally been drawn at an EU Council meeting Thursday. Here’s more.



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Korea and the European Union have decided to have the bilateral free trade agreement tentatively take effect from July 1st, 2011. This agreement has been drawn at the EU diplomatic council meeting held Thursday local time in the wake of the EU summit meeting. Italy had requested to have the provisional date of effect to be set after January 1st, 2012. But according to the Korean foreign affairs ministry, Korea and the European Union have discussed the matter and have finally come to an agreement. Accordingly, the two sides have finally wrapped up free trade talks which begun in May 2007 and can now begin procedures for ratification. Normally, the parliaments of Korea and all 27 EU countries will have to agree on ratification to have the free trade pact take effect. But to speed up the process, Korea and the EU have agreed to have the agreement take effect with just Korea and the European Parliament’s consent.



[Soundbite] Kim Jong-hoon (Korean Trade Minister): Though it’s provisional, 99% of the agreement will take effect. It’s not much different from a regular effectuation.



From Korea’s point of view, the EU is the second largest trade partner following China. After the trade pact takes effect, EU countries will remove customs on 99 percent, and Korea on 96 percent of industrial products in the following three years.



2. Nuclear Tech



[Anchor Lead]

Korea builds nuclear power plants for other countries but it imports three key nuclear technologies at a hefty price. Korea has successfully developed one of the three, the maintenance management information system, which serves as the brain of atomic plants.



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A reactor is installed at the No. 3 Singori nuclear power plant which is under construction. This plant was exported to the United Arab Emirates but the three key nuclear technologies were purchased from abroad at 430 million dollars. But Korea has now developed the maintenance management information system. This technology is used to control more than 1,000 computers to operate the plant and prevent the plant from causing troubles or breaking down.



[Soundbite] Kim Kook-hun (Dir., Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction): The biggest merit is the system will be increase plant usage and reduce breakdowns.



The International Atomic Energy Agency has acknowledged the Korean technology as competitive as those of the U.S. or France. The technology will be applied from the Sinuljin nuclear plants No. 1 and 2 whose construction began this year. This will save over 340 million dollars per two plants.



[Soundbite] Lee Ung-gwon (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co.): The system will be applied to all plants which will be built from now on and help to boost safety and credibility.



Korea aims to self-develop the other two technologies by 2012.



3. Medical Hub



[Anchor Lead]

A cancer patient who gave up treatment in Japan has been cured after taking a new medicine being developed in Korea. Global pharmaceutical companies are choosing Korea for clinical testing thanks to the nation’s medical research infrastructure and workforce.



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This Japanese woman, in final stage lung cancer, came to Korea to test a new anti-cancer medicine. A new lung cancer treatment, found nowhere else in the world, is being clinically tested at Seoul National University Hospital. The patient gave up treatment in Japan but her cancerous lump disappeared after taking the medicine.



[Soundbite] Takako Oshima (Lung Cancer Patient): I had no energy and couldn’t move but I’m healthy and working again after taking the medication.



This is the lung of a terminal lung cancer patient who had three months to live. Both lungs are filled with cancer cells that appear white. However, after the patient took another new medicine being tested in Korea for ten months, the cancer cells disappeared completely. It’s a miracle.



[Soundbite] Seo Jun-sik (Lung Cancer Patient): I used to play tennis before falling sick. Now I can play two sets and it’s no problem.



Global pharmaceutical firms are choosing Korea for clinical testing of new medicine.



[Soundbite] Dr. Kim Dong-wan (Seoul National Univ. Hospital): Korea has a lot of skilled medical staff and advanced medical and scientific technology including in diagnosis and examinations.



If ongoing clinical tests prove to be successful, Korea will likely become a beachhead for the development of new drugs.



4. Cancer Survivors



[Anchor Lead]

Cancer patients are often considered to be cured when they live for more than five years. Nowadays, patients are living longer and longer thanks to earlier detection and constantly advancing treatments.



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This woman has lived 23 years more after receiving breast cancer surgery. She had almost given up hope when her hair completley fell out after cancer treatment.



[Soundbite] Jeong Sun-hui (Breast Cancer Patient): I thought it was time for me to prepare for death. But I still had so many things to do



This man had been diagnosed with late stage stomach cancer 13 years ago and had to get his entire stomach removed. He lives a healthy life now with no recurrences of the illness.



[Soundbite] Jo Jun-tae (Gastric Cancer Patient): You must have a strong will and determination to live. You should also eat less.



A university hospital has surveyed some 28,000 cancer patients and found that more than 10,000 of them had survived for over a decade. The increasing number of cancer patients has had treatment techniques advance. This is why more and more patients are living over ten years after being diagnosed with cancer. Those who have survived more than a decade have been designated as special members of the hospital gathering to share their experiences in fighting cancer. These shared experiences are expected to give hopes to many cancer patients.



5. Brand Exports



[Anchor Lead]

A Korean hotel chain has opened a branch in the heart of Moscow known to be a difficult place to run a business. A Korean motor company has also opened a car museum in front of the Kremlin to raise Korea’s national brand value.



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Korea’s Lotte Hotel has opened on Smolenskaya Street at the center of Moscow. The oriental indoor garden and the Russian decorations on the front wall are drawing attention from Russian medias. Russian reporters agree that it is the most luxurious looking hotel in Moscow.



[Soundbite] Helena (Reporter, "Professionals"): It’s one of the well-designed hotel in Moscow.



The hotel staff are educated to greet customers with warm smiles and kind manners, which is the common way to greet guests in Korea. This helps raise Korea’s image in Russia. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group has opened a brand Museum in front of Kremlin Palace. The museum was founded to let consumers learn about cars and experience them before making purchases.



[Soundbite] Denis (Hyundai Motor, Russia Branch): We’ve opened near the Kremlin to draw powerful Russian clients.



By doing so, Korean brands are boosting high quality images of Korea in the Russian market.



6. G20 Prep



[Anchor Lead]

An anti-terrorism special forces unit which has been training for the security of the Group of 20 Summit in November has unveiled its skills.



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Terrorists have intruded into a G20 summit hall and the special forces unit comes to the rescue. Five terrorists are holding 30 people hostage. Three tactical teams enter the hall through the windows and doors and attack the intruders. This time, a bus is hijacked. The agents identify the hostage location and complete an explosion, infiltration and rescue operation within ten seconds. And when a plane is hijacked, the anti-terrorism officers’ accurate grasp of the situation and prompt action are critical to operational success.



[Soundbite] Maj. Im Seung-jae (Special Forces, Anti-Terror Unit): We’re training hard, with pride and honor, for the success of the Seoul G20 Summit. We’ve prepared many practical drills.



The anti-terror agents swiftly and safely process the mock explosives. They also demonstrated precise shooting skills and various response measures to potential acts of terror. The Army held talks with government agencies involved in the G20 Summit patrol and escort operation and examined their security plans.



7. Epic Performance



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Pianist Lee Kyung-sook is often called "the mother of Korean pianists." The 66-year-old musician recently performed all 18 of Mozart’s piano sonatas.



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Pianist Lee Kyung-sook used to consider Mozart’s "Piano Sonata No. 1" as the most notorious piece in the world. She now performs it, looking back on the memory of her scary teacher who taught her how to play it. When performing Mozart’s "Sonata No. 2," pianist Lee Kyung-sook reminisces pianist Baek Keon-woo, while "Sonata No. 8" reminds her of her friends. When performing all 18 of Mozart’s sonatas, Lee reminisces on her life as a musician.



[Soundbite] Lee Kyung-sook (Pianist): Despite his short life, Mozart experienced a lot. His life inspires me to look back on my life.



Lee has earned the title "the mother of Korean pianists" by ushering in the era of professional performers and serving as a dean of music colleges. She often performs all of each prominent composer’s works, which she says she does to hone her skills. Lee also urges her juniors to never fall into complacency.



[Soundbite] Art is about constant work. If you gain everything too early, you stop aiming higher.



After her performance, the audiences, which included her middle-aged and young fans, clap enthusiastically, sparing no praise for her impressive performance.



8. Rice Campaign



[Anchor Lead]

Senior citizens living alone who have no one to spend the holidays with tend to feel the loneliest during holidays like Chuseok, the Korean thanksgiving. To show warmth to such lonely people, a campaign is underway to deliver rice to the unfortunate.



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Volunteer workers carry the rice to deliver to senior residents living alone. This year’s rice is being delivered to lonely seniors who have no one to spend the holidays with.



[Soundbite] Baek Sun-yeo(89) (Aid Recipient): I was worried about the holidays, but now I’m not because I got the rice and have stuff to eat.



The rice is delivered with Chuseok rice cakes called songpyeon. Visits are made to multiracial families having a hard time making ends meet as well. The entire family lightens up at the arrival of the guests. A total of 460 tons of rice are to be given out for the love rice campaign. The rice is worth nearly 858,000 U.S. dollars. The rice is delivered to some 21,000 households including low-income families, multi-racial families and former North Korean defectors and 125 free meal centers.



[Soundbite] Kim Jae-hong (President, KT&G Social Welfare Foundation): Farmers are worried about dropping rice prices. We’re trying to help the farmers and those who aren’t well off at the same time.



This campaign is a good example for reminding businesses their responsibility to look after the underpriviledged and share with them.



9. Holiday Sales



[Anchor Lead]

The soaring prices of fruit and vegetables due to the weather conditions this year are a heavy burden for many Koreans to bear as they prepare for Chuseok. So, we bring you some helpful tips to help you get through the break without breaking the bank.



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This is a traditional marketplace in Seoul. It’s crowded with people shopping for Chuseok. But prices are much higher than usual. But here, there’s no need to worry. The 30 minute sale held every Wednesday at some of the shops allows shoppers to buy vegetables, meat and seafood at around 30 percent off.



[Soundbite] Hurry up! I have to go buy other stuff before the sale ends.



Every second of savings is precious for thrifty housewives.



[Soundbite] Peaches were 10,000 won (US$8.60) but I got it for 7,000 won after getting 30% discount. I also bought pork at 3,500 won which is originally 6,000 won.



[Soundbite] I only spent less than 7,500 won on meat, fruit and greens. I’d usually spend around 15,000 won.



Lottery tickets are given out with every purchase.



[Soundbite] Oh no! I’ve got nothing.



A Korean wrestling match called ssireum is also held. The prize money amounts to around 260 U.S. dollars.



[Soundbite] I’m going to shop with this money.



This lucky shopper has got their Chuseok food covered with the prize money. Here’s another traditional market. These two women can’t seem to take their eyes off something.



[Soundbite] (Beef ribs are on sale!)

I need some, too. Let’s go!



As it’s not easy getting around in the vast marketplace, these large screens inform shoppers about what’s going on in the market. The women hurry off after reading something on the screen. This shop is offering a special 30 percent Chuseok discount for beef rib sets. Customers who buy more than about 25 dollars worth can have their groceries delivered for free. You can even have gifts delivered to family and friends living far away.



[Soundbite] I can’t visit my parents this year so I’m sending them gifts instead. I trust the service because I saw how the stuff I bought are delivered.



This is an apartment complex in Daegu. Residents have gathered to wait for something.



[Soundbite] We’re going Chuseok shopping together.



Through phone reservations, the City Hall lends out a tour bus for free to help people shop for Chuseok more conveniently. These shoppers have chosen to go to the Jukdo Market in Pohang where you can buy fresh seafood at wholesale prices. Located at the seaside, the place is stocked with all kinds of seafood. An octopus that usually costs more than 86 dollars in the city costs only around 43 dollars here. One kilogram of gizzard shads are sold at less than nine dollars, and shark meat, a special Chuseok food in the Gyeongsang Provinces, can also be purchased at a lower price.



[Soundbite] With Chuseok nearing, prices are rising but shopping for seafood near the beach is 20% cheaper than at inland markets. I’m happy.



Traditional markets nationwide are offering special Chuseok discounts and holding interesting events in the run up to next week’s holiday.