Bilateral Talks

[Anchor Lead]
South Korea and Japan have reiterated that inter-Korean dialogue is needed before the six-party nuclear talks are resumed. The position was confirmed in a meeting of foreign ministers in Tokyo.

[Pkg]
The foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan have agreed that the two Koreas must resume dialogue before the six-way talks are restarted. They also say talks merely for dialogue are meaningless and urge the North to take action.

[Soundbite] Kim Sung-hwan (Foreign Minister) : "The North must show a positive attitude that progress can be seen. Seoul, Washington and Tokyo all strongly agree on this matter."

Following defense talks last month, the two sides also agreed to consider conditions for bilateral cooperation in defense and security. This refers to expansion of cooperation to areas such as intelligence, munitions and sea rescue. Maehara also pledged to ensure the smooth return of historical Korean materials, like the royal protocols of the Joseon Dynasty.

[Soundbite]

Seiji Maehara (Foreign Minister of Japan): We'll put in efforts to have the books returned as soon as possible.

Japan repeatedly urged a future-oriented relationship between the two countries. But Tokyo said nothing about Seoul's request to hold joint studies on history textbooks.

2. Kim's Birthday

[Anchor Lead]
Yesterday was North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's 70th birthday, and various events were held in the reclusive country to mark the occasion. But the food distribution that usually takes place on this day did not occur this year. Here's more.

[Pkg]
North Korea was in a festive mood yesterday, celebrating its leader Kim Jong-il's birthday. Pyongyang residents visited the Mansudae Assembly Hall to congratulate Kim's birthday.

[Soundbite]

(Pyongyang Resident): We believe that our country will soon become strong and great. Today, we're celebrating the greatest holiday of the year.

North Korean residents crowded to the exhibition showcasing Kimjongilia, a flower named after the North Korean leader. It is an interesting sight to foreign tourists.

[Soundbite]

(U.S. Tourist)

The North Korean central TV broadcast programs praising Kim all day long.

[Soundbite]

Congratulations! Congratulations! Happy birthday!

But the occasional food distribution given every year on Kim's birthday did not take place this year, proving the North's food shortage.

[Soundbite]

(Ryanggang Province Resident (Voice Modified)): Didn't the neighborhood unit give out tickets? (No.) No holiday food tickets? (No, there's none.)

The birthday celebration praised Kim Jong-il and his successor Kim Jong-un to strengthen the third generation power succession.

3. IOC Inspection

[Anchor Lead]
The International Olympic Committee today conduct its second day of onsite inspections of Pyeongchang County as the region bids for the 2018 Winter Games. Visits to sports facilities followed presentations given by the bid committee.

[Pkg]
The IOC delegation begins inspecting sports facilities and transportation at 9 a.m. The first stop is a ski jumping facility. The world-class venue has two courses, one of which is 125 meters and the other 98 meters. The inspectors looked around the 160-meter-high ski jumping course before receiving a briefing about Pyeogchang's plan for the opening and closing ceremonies. The team's final morning schedule was a visit to Bogwang Phoenix Park, where a snowboarding course will be built. The IOC inspectors in the afternoon visited Yongpyong Resort and a site to house an alpine skiing course in Jeongseon. They also checked construction plans and transportation. The IOC delegates enjoyed quick and easy access to the sports facilities. Less than 30 minutes are needed to get to any of the venues. The Pyeongchang bidding committee told the the inspection team that the county has undergone a tremendous transformation into a perfect Olympic town over the past four years. Events were also held to win over the IOC inspectors. Residents took to the streets to enthusiastically welcome them. The bidding committee's presentation Wednesday is also said to have drawn a good response from the IOC delegates.

4. Biorhythm Gene

[Anchor Lead]
Jet lag is a common nuisance after long-distance trips. The disruption of the body’s biorhythm is the culprit, and a team of Korean researchers has found the gene that controls that biorhythm.

[Pkg]
This video is about a daily life of a high school student who prepares for the college entrance exam. Routine behavioral activities, repeating based on a 24-hour cycle are called circadian rhythm. A team of researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has found a new gene that controls the circadian rhythm in the central nervous system. The discovery is the result of a four-year work on behavioral processes of fruit flies. Some ten genes related to biorhythm had been found. But the new gene is thought to affect the secretion of a key protein that controls human biorhythm. Researchers removed the new gene from a fruit fly and compared it with a normal one. The result shows that the essential protein considerably reduced in the mutated fly. And the reduction led to the disruption of biorhythm of the fly.

[Soundbite] Prof. Choe Jun-ho (KAIST) : "Fruit flies that have the gene named 24 maintain the regular circadian system. But the circadian cycle of fruit flies lacking the gene goes over 27 hours."

The discovery of the new gene is said to be landmark, since the gene controls protein in a different way from other similar genes. The finding is expected to be an important breakthrough in addressing jet lag or sleep disorder. The achievement will be published in the February issue of the world renowned science journal Nature.

5. Nutrition Bars

[Anchor Lead]
Black beans and the medicinal herb ashitaba are popular health products. And they’ve now been packaged into bars.

[Pkg]
Office worker Kim Hyeon-jeong has eaten black beans every day for one year. She grounds black beans for breakfast and roasted beans for a snack.

[Soundbite]

I carry them with me because they help postpone aging and I often make soy milk at home. But it's a complicated process.

But consumers can soon eat black beans without hassle. The Rural Development Administration has developed nutritious bars using black beans and the Ashitaba plant, both of which have excellent anti-aging properties. The nutritious value of black beans remains intact because beans are frozen immediately upon harvesting, dried and ground. A clinical study on 46 Americans has found that two bars a day improve the anti-oxidizing ability of blood 10 to 15 percent. This postpones aging and prevents geriatric diseases.

[Soundbite] Jo Su-muk (Rural Development Administration) : "This product has no side-effects because it's only made with plant-based powder."

The nutritious bars have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a functional food product. Exports to the U.S. to begin in June are expected to boost sales of Korean agricultural produce.

6. Diabetes Check

[Anchor Lead]
Diabetes patients must closely control their blood sugar levels. This is often a difficult task, but local technology is helping to make it easier.

[Pkg]
A diabetes patient measures his blood sugar level. The level stands at 164. He soon receives a text message. This is possible thanks to the U-health system, a remote blood sugar control technology.

[Soundbite] An Dong-jun (Diabetes Patient) : "The system inspires me to avoid unnecessary snack and to exercise more often."

A diabetes patient measures the blood sugar level. And the figure is automatically sent to the hospital and the patient receives a text message about medical guidelines. The system is twice as effective as in helping diabetes patients control their blood sugar levels.

[Soundbite] Prof. Im Su (Seoul Nat'l Univ. Bundang Hospital) : "The system sends real-time messages tailored to each patient so that the patients can maintain their blood sugar at the most appropriate level."

With the system, patients can control the amount of food and insulin without visiting the hospital. In particular, the system helps prevent an insulin shock, which is dangerous for diabetes patients. Korea's advanced information technology can be applied to helping patients with other chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and abnormally elevated level of blood fat.

7. TV Evolution

[Anchor Lead]
Korea's two leading electronics makers have rolled out their latest smart TVs. The sets feature 3-D high definition as well as other advanced functions.

[Pkg]
LG Electronics will hold a sale of its 3-D smart TVs next month. The user can search and view past programs and movies through the TV and download a map application for information. The TV has 150 apps like this. The blinking of the screen has been solved to produce a clearer image. The 3-D glasses operate battery free and are much cheaper.

[Soundbite] Kwon Hee-won (TV Chief, LG Electronics) : "The eyes are comfortable when viewing because the TV produces the 3D images. And the glasses are very light."

Samsung Electronics will also unveil a new TV model with nearly 400 apps including Twitter and a 3-D screen in high definition. The price of 3-D smart TVs has dropped about 20 percent from the previous year. Domestic sales have increased about 60 percent.

[Soundbite] Seo Jeong-hun (Buyer, Department Store) : "The prices are more practical due to mass production and many people are replacing their LCD or PDP with LEDs."

The new wave of smarter and clearer next-generation smart TVs is coming.

8. NY Runways

[Anchor Lead]
Korean fashion designers are advancing into New York. Let's take a look at some works showcased at New York Fashion Week.

[Pkg]
This feminine dress and colorful casual outfits are works by five Korean fashion designers sponsored by the government. World renowned fashion curator Valerie Steele has worked with the Korean designers to put together this show to introduce Korean modern fashion.

[Soundbite]

Valerie Steele (Creative Director, Concept Korea)

Guests watch the fashion show over a glass of the traditional Korean rice liquor makgeolli.

[Soundbite]

Mary Joy (CEO, Modeling Agency)

Top designers like Jung Ku-ho and Son Jung-wan have also held their brand shows.

[Soundbite] Jung Ku-ho (Designer, Cheil Industries) : "I expect Korean designers will work shoulder to shoulder with world top designers within five years."

Making their debut in New York, Korean fashion designers are proving the global potential of Korea's fashion industry.

9. Star Trips

[Anchor Lead]
Stars are most clearly visible in winter time in Korea, when the atmosphere is typically the cleanest. As such, observatories are popular destinations at this time of year. Let’s go do a bit of stargazing.

[Pkg]
Some people wait for the sun to set and the biting cold night to come. They're waiting to see the stars in the winter night sky. A show featuring the dazzling nightscape begins in the observatory dome. Constellations are drawn by connecting the dots of shining stars. Certain constellations are visible more clearly in winter.

[Soundbite] Im Sang-sun (Daejeon Observatory Guide) : "Winter constellations include the Sirius, Procyon, Pollux, Capella, Aldebaran and the Rigel. They form the Winter Hexagon, also called the Diamond."

Visitors are enjoying peering into the stars.

[Soundbite]

It was great. I was tired from working and taking care of the kids everyday but tonight I feel terrific.

Now it’s time to look up at the real-life stars. The observatory dome glides open and the night sky appears. Everyone seems to be deeply absorbed in looking up at the stars.

[Soundbite]

It's like to go on a voyage on the moon.

Lovers confirm their love under the stars. And music also plays, adding to the memories being made. The adults are reminded of their childhood dreams and share stories from when they were kids.

[Soundbite]

It's fantastic. It's my first time. I came with my kids. It's sad my husband isn't here. I didn't know watching the stars while listening to music could be so delightful.

Here are some people who endure the cold weather to see the stars. Anywhere can become an observatory just by setting up a telescope. These people are addicted to the starry skies, and can’t take their eyes off the telescope.

[Soundbite]

I think I'm addicted. I want to know more about them the more I see them.

[Soundbite]

It’s better than going on a date when you’re a teenager.

[Soundbite]

The stars remind me of my childhood. I used to lie down at my countryside house and look up at the milky way and dream about my future.

[Soundbite]

We love the winter constellation trip!

Nothing puts the little problems of everyday life into perspective like looking up at the stars.