Ancient Armor

[Anchor Lead]

A well-preserved set of iron armor from the ancient Goguryeo Dynasty 15 centuries ago has been discovered. The relic is a major find for the study of ancient Korean history.

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The three ancient Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla in the sixth century fought for a region near the Han River. A Seoul National University research team is surveying the region to find Goguryeo relics. Researchers have found a well-preserved suit of armor made with densely woven iron pieces. The discovery is the first of its kind in Korea or China. This armor was worn by heavily armed cavalry soldiers in an ancient mural.

[Soundbite]Yang Si-eun (Seoul National University Museum): “We've never seen such intact iron armor; it's academically very significant.”

The armor featured Goguryeo's own unique style based on the ancient kingdom's advanced iron technology. Hundreds of iron pieces were woven with leather strings to make the armor. Armor in neighboring countries were made with a whole sheet of iron, but the Goguryeo armor allowed wearers to move more freely and protected them better. The armor was also the secret to Goguryeo's victory over Chinese soldiers in the Shu Dynasty era. The Goguryeo armor is expected to shed new light on the ancient history of Korea.

2. Night Tours

[Anchor Lead]

Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul opened to the public for late evening tours yesterday.

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People flock to the Gyeongbok Palace in late evening hours to see its night view. It's the second time the palace is opened to the public during evening hours, following the first opening last year. Visitors take photos and make memories. Geunjeongjeon, or the Throne Hall, is the National Treasure number 223. It looks more elegant and magnificent at night.

[Soundbite] “I didn't know it was so beautiful. It looks gorgeous with all these lights and traditional patterns.”

[Soundbite] “It's unusual to see an ancient royal court in the evening.”

Lights have been installed at Gwanghwamun, Heungnye and Geunjeong gates, as well as at the Throne Hall, Sujeong Hall and the Gyeonghoe Pavilion to underscore the beauty of traditional architecture. On the first day, a Namsadang music performance was held in early evening hours. The night view of the Gyeongbok Palace combines modernity and tradition. The palace will be open during evening hours until 10 p.m. this Sunday. During the same period, the National Palace Museum of Korea will also open for longer hours.

3. Bus Blowouts

[Anchor Lead]

A series of tire blowouts on Seoul city buses has raised safety fears. Bus companies are receiving financial support to buy new tires but keep using cheaper recycled tires.

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The recent bursting of Seoul city bus tires had caused accidents and passenger injuries. All of the cases have been blamed on recycled rear wheels that burst. The tires at this city bus garage in Seoul are all recycled. Regulations allow the recycled tires to be used as the rear wheels of buses.

[Soundbite](Bus Company Official): “(It's good to use recycled tire) in terms of saving supplies and recycling because we can’t just throw them away.”

The problem is that bus companies are using recycled tires despite getting financial support to buy new tires. The Seoul city government gave 6.3 million U.S. dollars to city bus companies last year to replace tires based on an average new tire price of about 250 dollars each. But the bus companies bought recycled tires costing 138 dollars each instead and kept the remaining amount.

[Soundbite]Gong Seok-ho (Seoul Metropolitan Council): “Using recycled tires while getting support for new ones is a serious moral issue for bus companies.”

Recycled tires require close attention and maintenance to ensure safety.

[Soundbite]Prof. Lee Ho-geun (Daeduk University): “It could be dangerous unless the cars get regular maintenance check-ups for tire pressure and abrasion.”

The Seoul city government will commission a study on improving operations at bus companies.

4. Poor Harvest

[Anchor Lead]

May is the seaweed harvest season on the southern coast of the nation. But this year’s harvest has turned out to be very poor, presumably because of the low water temperature.

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The Gyeonnaeryang Strait of Tongyeong has been famous for the outstanding taste and scent of local seaweed. The good taste is thanks to the strong sea waves in the narrow strait. May is typically the seaweed harvest season in the area. Every year, more than a hundred tons of fresh seaweeds are collected by lifting up poles, but this year the poles come up empty.

[Soundbite]Jang Dong-ju (Fisherman): “Just two years ago, the poles used to be full of seaweed every time we pulled them from the water. But we've seen no seaweed since last year.”

Only young seaweeds are found under the water. Seaweeds that are good enough for selling are hard to find. Seaweed-gathering vessels have ground to a halt, while piers, which used to be busy drying seaweeds, are empty.

[Soundbite]Park U-dong (Fisherwoman): “We've received tons of orders from Seoul, Busan, Masan and Daegu, but we have nothing to sell. What do we do now?”

The seaweeds didn't grow well because the temperatures of the sea water fell to as low as 4 degrees Celsius early this month.

[Soundbite]Hwang Il-gi (National Fisheries R&D Institute): “Seaweed grows well when the water temperature is between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius. We have no idea why the water temperature has changed.”

Over-fishing by uprooting the seaweeds and the reckless development of coastal areas also undermine seaweed growth.

5. Labor Shortage

[Anchor Lead]

Many farms are suffering from a severe shortage of workers despite brisk activity in farming areas. Provincial governments have tried to pitch in to alleviate the problem but to no avail.

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Bae Tal-seung hardens the ground ahead of planting seedlings. He has to plant seedlings and weed his 100-thousand square meter rice field by himself. Bae used to hire three or four people to help him but failed to find anyone this year.

[Soundbite]Bae Tal-seung (Rice Farmer): “We need to sow and weed right away, but there's nobody to help us. I need to cut the weeds on the ridges, but reality doesn't allow me to do it. The plants are left like that.”

Orchards are also shorthanded this year. Pear grower Choe Gyeong-bae says he's worried because he's behind in thinning his fruit. He even offered a recruiter an advance bonus for finding workers but nobody has applied.

[Soundbite]Choe Gyeong-bae (Pear Farmer): “The labor cost is about 50,000 won (US$46) per person. I offered to pay extra, but nobody wants to do this.”

Municipal and provincial governments have pledged to help farmers find workers but the labor shortage worsens every year. A solution is especially elusive because many rural residents are too old.

[Soundbite]Im Won-taek (Buan County Official): “We have suspended the job creation project for two months - May and June – and we’re making a new plan to help out the farms.”

Farmers are facing more difficulty every year because of the rising prices of agricultural materials and a severe labor shortage.

6. Heartburn Risk

[Anchor Lead]

People often take medication to control stomach issues like heartburn. But doctors say such drugs can weaken the bones when taken consistently for a long period.

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This 40 something man says he's had burning pains in the lower chest for the past three years. Results of the upper GI endoscopy say he has the gastroesophageal reflux disease, or commonly known as heartburn.

[Soundbite]Lee Min-su (Heartburn Patient): “I took medication for six months but the problem occurred again, so I've been taking it again for three to four months now.”

But according to studies published in global journals for the past 14 years, long term use of medication for controlling the amount of stomach acid can raise the risk of bone fracture by 30 percent.

[Soundbite]Dr. Myeong Seung-gwon (National Cancer Canter): “Long-term use of peptic ulcer drugs neutralizes acidity. So the body can’t absorb calcium. As a result, the risk of bone fracture is going to increase.”

As such, doctors advise not to take peptic ulcer medication for more than a year.

[Soundbite]Prof. Lee Sang-gil (Severance Hospital): “It's best to avoid overeating, alcoholic drinks and smoking late at night which could cause stomach acid reflux.”

Heartburn can reoccur frequently unless the patient changes eating habits. So it requires special attention.

7. Oldie Fever

[Anchor Lead]

Songs from yesteryear are all the rage in the K-pop scene. These days, oldies fever has also spread to Korean cinema, with movies featuring hits from the 1970s and 80s.

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The new movie "Sunny" is about 40-something women who went to school in the 1980s. Dance hits of the time depict the good old days, when young people were full of dreams and aspiration. Fans still remember pop songs from their school days thought 20 years have passed.

[Soundbite]Kang Hyoung-chul (Director, “Sunny”): “Music was used to portray the feelings of young girls in a humorous way. It sounds outdated now.”

A young guy from the Jeolla provinces confesses his love to a girl from the Gyeongsang provinces. He does this over the phone all night long in a sweet folk song. The anticipation over a long-awaited date is expressed through a ballad. Ballads from the 1980s are best at expressing the loneliness of the protagonist. Music from the 70s and 80s help set the nostalgic mood of the two eras in feature films.

8. Art Road 77

[Anchor Lead]

An exhibition showcasing creative and ambitious works by young artists is on at Heyri Art Village in Paju. Part of profits from the exhibition will be donated to a global children's organization.

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A fairytale-like paradise island floats in the air. The artist has described his utopia in light and elegant colors. Digital picture elements form beautiful landscapes of nature in this artwork. All kinds of dogs are depicted on canvas in vivid colors. Familiar characters like Hello Kitty and Mickie Mouse have been reproduced into adorable pieces of artwork. "Art Road 77", an alternative art and design fair, was first launched in 2009. This year, 12 galleries are participating to showcase creative works of 77 newly emerging artists. Twenty-one mainstream artists have donated their works for special side exhibitions to offer more to see.

[Soundbite]Park Ok-hui (Chair, Organization Committee): “We wanted to focus more on young artists. They don't have many chances to show their talents; mainstream artists have donated their works to support them.”

This year's motto is "with art, with artist" and parts of profits from selling art works will be donated to an international children's organization.

9. Crab Season

[Anchor Lead]

Blue crabs taste the best during this time of year, when they’re about to spawn. The fishing industry on Yeongpyeong Island on the west coast, which is known for producing delicious crabs, was hit hard by last year’s North Korean attacks. But this year the island has a big catch.

[Pkg]

The waters off Yeonpyeong Island are full of blue crabs in May. Fishermen are busy catching crabs early in the morning. They have their hands full these days.

[Soundbite] “There are so many crabs.”

The catch will last until the crab season ends in mid-June. Blue crabs caught in waters off Yeongpyeong Island are especially famous because they live in clean, shallow water. Here's how to choose the best ones.

[Soundbite] “Bad crabs have black mouths. They must be white, and if they’ve got black or yellowish mouths, they’re bad.”

Female crabs taste good in spring ahead of spawning. Good-quality female crabs have round bellies and stumpy legs. How do steamed blue crabs straight from the ocean taste?

[Soundbite] “They taste delicious. Where else can you find this flavor? That's the reason I‘m on this boat.”

Marketplaces are crowded with merchants looking for high-quality crabs. Today, a kilogram of fresh blue crabs costs slightly over 20 U.S. dollars.

[Soundbite] “Yeongpyeong crabs are the best.”

[Soundbite] “It's good to have fresh crabs.”

Restaurants specializing in blue crabs are also busy during this time of year. Blue crab meat is known for its restorative properties because it's rich in chitosan and protein.

[Soundbite] “Wow, crabs are all over the place!”

Blue crabs marinated in soy sauce are a special delicacy. They’re eaten by mixing rice in the shell.

[Soundbite] “One more bowl of rice, please!”

[Soundbite] “With soy sauce crabs, you can eat two bowls of rice in the blink of an eye.”

Spicy blue crabs are also hard to resist. Around here, you eat them with your hands.

[Soundbite] “I'm speechless because it's so delicious. It makes me want to cry.”

[Soundbite] “It's sad that a crab has only 10 legs. I wish it had 20.”

A spicy blue crab soup is refreshing.

[Soundbite] “It's not too spicy and very refreshing. It's good for a hangover. I need another drink. Can you pour me another glass, please?”

Cooking blue crabs at home is also easy. Before trimming fresh blue crabs, leave them in the freezer for 10 minutes so they don’t move around so much. Then wash them with a brush. Use kitchen scissors to cut the crabs into smaller pieces.

[Soundbite]Ha Myeong-hui (Culinary Researcher): “If you cut it all at once, the meat gets mashed. So make cuts on both ends and then cut it at once, three times. Make cuts on the upper and lower shell and then cut the leg at once.”

Crab meat porridge is worth trying. First, make a broth using the crab shells. Then add the crab meat and sliced vegetables. You can also deep-fry the crab shell and all. To make a sweet and sour dish, mix the crabs with some red wine and ketchup. Also, don't throw away the soy sauce you used for marinating the crabs. You can re-use it for marinating sesame leaves.

[Soundbite]Ha Myeong-hui (Culinary Researcher): “Soy sauce used to marinate blue crabs contains diverse ingredients and tastes good. It's ideal for making groundsel pickles.”

It’s crab season, and there are lots of delicious ways to enjoy blue crabs.