Second SFTS Death

[Anchor Lead]

A man in his seventies who passed away on May 16 on Jeju Island has been confirmed to have fallen victim to a tick-borne virus, making him the second confirmed SFTS case in Korea. Meanwhile, health authorities are investigating another suspected infection in a patient who died in Busan.

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The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Korea's second case of the SFTS virus. This patient was a 73-year-old farmer and Jeju Island resident who died on May 16. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevent said the man, surnamed Gang, used to get bitten by ticks due to his job and got infected from one that was carrying the virus. The man started to suffer from a high fever and muscle aches on May 2. The health authorities were able to confirm tick bites on his chest and back. He was moved to an intensive care unit in a hospital in Jeju Island on May 8, but died on May 16, days after having suffering from a high fever and other symptoms. This is the second confirmed case of SFTS in Korea. The first turned out to be a 63-year-old woman who lived in Gangwon Province and passed away last August. Meanwhile, another patient suspected of having been infected with the deadly virus has died in Busan. The Busan resident started showing symptoms of a fever and blood poisoning on May 11. He died just twelve days later while receiving treatment at a hospital. Authorities have taken a blood sample from the patient and are investigating whether he was infected by the virus.

2. Positive Signs

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The director of the General Political Bureau of the North Korean military, Choe Ryong-hae, who recently visited China as leader Kim Jong-un's envoy, has hinted that Pyongyang is willing to consider resuming the six-party nuclear talks.

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North Korean envoy Choe Ryong-hae, who is visiting China, met on Thursday with China's Communist Party leader Liu Yunshan in Beijing. The North Korean envoy said that Pyongyang will accept Beijing's opinion to resume a dialog with the six parties to the nuclear talks. He also stressed that the purpose of his visit is to further promote North Korea's bilateral ties with China. Choe's remark is viewed as North Korea's willingness to take Beijing's advice to resume the six-party talks in a bid to improve the strained relations between Pyongyang and Beijing ahead of China's summits with the United States and South Korea next month.

[Soundbite] Cui Yingjiu(Fmr. Professor, Peking Univ.) : "The North wants China to play the role of mediator to improve its relations with China as well as the U.S."

Liu Yunshan told Kim Jong-un's envoy that China will not tolerate North Korea's nuclear program. But it's still unknown how Choe responded to that. It's also unclear yet if Choe will be able to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but many say that the meeting is highly likely to take place given Pyongyang's desire to sit down at the negotiating table. If the North Korean envoy meets with the Chinese leader, Beijing and Pyongyang will likely discuss in earnest North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to China.

3. Pyongyang Proposal

[Anchor Lead]

While in China, Choe proposed a joint event with a South Korean civic group to mark the 13th anniversary of the signing of the June 15 inter-Korean declaration. Earlier, the North had rejected talks proposed by the Seoul government. Some experts are saying Pyongyang is trying to stir up conflict within the South.

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While sending a special envoy to China, North Korea proposed holding a joint event with a South Korean civic group through a fax message. They suggested that a joint event be held in North Korea’s Kaesong or Mt. Kumgang on June 15th to commemorate the inter-Korean declaration, which was signed in 2000. Such events have not been held since 2008. A South Korean civic committee dedicated to implementing the 2000 joint declaration believes the North's gesture is its expressed will to resume operations at the Kaesong Industrial Complex. The committee has called for government level inter-Korean dialogue for the joint event to be held in the complex.

[Soundbite] Lee Seung-hwan(South Committee for Implementing June 15 Declaration) : "Not once was a joint event held at Kaesong. The North felt burdened in many ways to hold it in the border city, until now."

But Pyongyang continues to reject proposed talks by the Seoul government.

[Soundbite] "Normalize the Kaesong Industrial Complex!"

Furthermore, due to stalled dialogue, South Korean businesspeople who have factories based in Kaesong failed to visit there on Thursday. The staff and employees of companies operating at the complex have not been able to report to work for over 50 days now. They have earnestly appealed for complex operations to resume.

[Soundbite] Choe In-suk(Employee, Firm in Kaesong Industrial Complex) : "We hope both governments realize the agony that the Kaesong workers are enduring."

The Seoul government is cautious about the regime’s latest proposal on the joint event. It is carefully reviewing whether the North is seeking to incite division in South Korea.

4. Happiness Fund

[Anchor Lead]

President Park Geun-hye has visited the main office of the so-called National Happiness Fund to see how things are going with the debt relief initiative. She stressed that the program should provide debtors with a chance to start fresh.

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President Park Geun-hye visited the main office of the National Happiness Fund, which kicked off to address the problems of mounting household debt. At the teller windows, she encouraged the employees and fund applicants, and asked whether any improvements can be made in the debt relief program. Park said that more than five thousand people have already benefited from the fund and stressed that it must be run more efficiently to give more hope to people. She also emphasized that three basic principles must be kept, which include the debtors' willingness to rebuild their finances and financial firms' commitment to sharing losses.

[Soundbite] Park Geun-hye(President) : "The National Happiness Fund isn’t a privilege or a mere welfare program, but a chance for failed Koreans to start anew. "

The president said the program should help debtors not only settle their debts, but also help them find jobs to create a virtuous cycle of hope. Accordingly, the government will soon devise measures to improve the situation. Debtors who are less than six months overdue will be assisted by the Credit Counseling and Recovery Service, and when applicants' debt status can't be determined, a task force will be launched to track their debts. The authorities will also crack down on loan sharks who hamper the debt settlement process and provide employment counseling to fund applicants.

5. Entertainment News

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A bogus Psy made the rounds at the Cannes Film Festival, fooling the media. And singer Lee Hyori plans to mark her comeback with an appearance at a music festival for the first time in her long career. Here’s today’s entertainment report.

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A man donning a suit and sunglasses like singer Psy shows up at the Cannes Film Festival in France. He was found to have been attending luxurious parties where he performed the song "Gangnam Style" and Psy's horse-riding dance. He even posed for cameras alongside celebrities and enjoyed upscale wine. Some international media agencies have misreported that the actual Psy was visiting the Cannes Film Festival. Singer Lee Hyori, who is back with her new songs "Miss Korea" and "Bad Girls," will participate in a music festival for the first time since her debut 15 years ago. Lee will appear at the music festival "Muse in City," which is slated for next month in Seoul. She will perform with 15 musicians and other backup dancers. "Muse in City" is a downtown music festival for female musicians. Other performers this year will include Lisa Ono and Lenka.

6. Healthy Cuisine

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A joint U.S.-Korean study on Americans has found that Korean food helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

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Foreign expatriates in Korea have Korean dishes japchae and bulgogi for dinner. A growing number of foreigners residing in Korea prefer Korean cuisine as a way to stay healthy.

[Soundbite] Matthew Krens(U.S. National)

The U.S. Agricultural Research Service and the Rural Development Administration of Korea conducted an experiment on 29 Americans by having them eat Korean food three times a day for 25 days and then American food for another 25 days. The Korean diet consisted of some 70 dishes, such as bean sprouts, soybean paste "doenjang" and kimchi. The American diet consisted of more than 60 dishes, including beef, bell peppers and bread. The results of the experiment showed that the Americans' cholesterol levels were five times lower when they consumed Korean food. Their blood sugar levels were also lower when they were eating Korean food. The researchers say that even though both diets had the same amount of calories, Korean food contained less fat, which explains the difference in cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

[Soundbite] Gang Min-suk(Researcher, Rural Development Administration) : "These results are meaningful in that they prove the health benefits of Korean cuisines for people all over the world. "

The results of the first official experiment conducted by the government agencies of Korea and the United States are expected to contribute to publicizing Korean cuisine around the world.

7. Protecting Mudeung

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Mt. Mudeung was designated Korea's 21st national park last March. But the park authorities are having a hard time protecting its ecosystem. Now, officials have started a survey of natural resources to set up an organized set of preservation measures.

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Mt. Mudeung is at the peak of its spring glory. Behind the oak forest the Ipseokdae peak soars toward the sky. Royal azaleas adorn the top of the chiseled cliff. A squirrel scampers around for food. This is Seoseokdae peak. Wild flowers are found all around the boulders. Trees cast their green shadows over the running stream in the valley, and a forest of cypress trees screens out the sky. This area is an ecological haven, home to ten endangered species and 24 rare plant species. Roughly 2,300 species of wildlife inhabit Mudeungsan National Park. The area is known to feature a very high biological diversity. After it was designated a national park, its jurisdiction increased 2.4 times and the number of visitors increased sharply, causing alarm over the protection of its ecosystem. The park authorities recently started the first-ever survey of the area's natural resources. A set of preservation measures will be established after conducting a status survey and analysis on the ecosystem and other natural resources for a year.

[Soundbite] Im Cheol-jin(Korea National Park Service) : "We’re analyzing the number of visitors so we can manage the park in a more organized and scientific fashion."

Only a few months have passed since Mt. Mudeung was upgraded to a national park, but it is facing a number of issues, including relocating the facilities marring the park's vista.

8. Arirang Concert

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The Korean folk song "Arirang" was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in February. A concert was recently held to showcase three representative versions of the quintessential traditional song.

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The Jindo version of the Korean folk song "Arirang" features an exciting rhythm and humorous lyrics. The Jeongseon version of "Arirang" has simple and sad lyrics. Milyang Arirang, for its part, stands out for its quick tempo and vibrant rhythm. These three versions of "Arirang" each represent Jeolla, Gangwon and Gyeongsang provinces. They were recently performed at a concert in Gangwon Province to mark the inscription of "Arirang" as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The unique features of the songs brought listeners from various regions together.

[Soundbite] Lee Yu-ra(Director, Gangwon Sori Promotion Association) : "Each song and movement is enchanting. The unique characteristics of each region are represented in the songs."

The concert also featured the performances of three renowned masters and a fusion version of "Arirang." The concert will soon be held in South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang Provinces as well as in Seoul.

9. Fervent Fans

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KBS TV's signature singing contest has been enormously popular in Korea for decades. One elderly couple has visited the show's shoots more than 300 times. Both use singing and dancing as a way to make the most out of life.

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It's 3 in the morning, but this woman is already up and about. She got up at 2 a.m. to pack a lunch for her and her husband before they head to the set of KBS’s “National Singing Contest.”
Meanwhile, her husband is checking the directions to the location. Today the show will be taped in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. It's more than 200 kilometers from where the couple lives. The husband and wife hit the road early to make sure they arrive on time. After a 30-minute ride they arrive at a train station. They park their bikes and take a train. Now they have to take the subway. After a long trip, the couple finally arrives at the set. Fans of the show know this couple very well. This is their 302nd visit. The couple has been watching the show be filmed every week for the past six years. Few will argue that these two seniors truly deserve their front row seats. Even the production crew of “National Singing Contest” knows them personally.

[Soundbite] Na Seung-jun(Crew Member, KBS National Singing Contest) : "They look healthy every time I see them every week. It's good. I'm always thankful to them for traveling long distances to visit us."

The show's host, Song Hae, personally welcomes the couple.

[Soundbite] Song Hae(Host, KBS National Singing Contest) : "Everyone, they’re from Iksan, North Jeolla Province? You must have heard about these people, who came all the way to Ansan to give their support."

The host even takes the time to introduce the couple to the audience. The show finally begins. As soon as the invited singers start singing, the two get up and start dancing. After a short break, they get up and start dancing again. They always make sure to enjoy the show to the fullest.

[Soundbite] "It's fun. (Was it fun to watch?) Yes."

The couple are farmers. They always put on music when they’re working to keep their spirits up. Their house is full of CDs. But music isn’t the only reason they visit the sets of the singing contest.

[Soundbite] Park Jeong-ja(KBS National Singing Contest Fan) : "After my spinal surgery, my husband suggested traveling together to the filming contest locations."

Traveling to the show's locations turned out to be a good way to exercise. The pair has been married for 40 years now. After decades spent together, the husband and wife have grown even more affectionate. The wife says that her husband's love is what inspires her to travel every week.

[Soundbite] "Some people say we're crazy. Many people ask why we're doing this when KBS doesn't even pay us. I'm just happy to travel with my husband hand in hand."

After watching the show, the couple goes sight-seeing and has some fun wherever they happen to be. Following the show has become a big part of their lives.

[Soundbite] "We’ll continue doing this until we do it 500 times."

Following the singing contest, this husband and wife have found a way to stay healthy and make the most of what life has to offer.