Bold Proposals

[Anchor Lead]

President Park Geun-hye has officially proposed family reunions to North Korea in her speech to mark Liberation Day yesterday. She also urged Pyongyang to respond to her idea of creating a world peace park in the demilitarized zone.

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In her first Liberation Day address since taking office, President Park Geun-hye laid out concrete ways to normalize inter-Korean relations. She first proposed that separated families in the two Koreas be reunited on the occasion of the Thanksgiving Chuseok holiday next month.

[Soundbite] Park Geun-hye (President): "I hope that North Korea will open its heartand allow separated families to be reunited."

She also officially proposed to North Korea the creation of a global peace park in the DMZ, as it still retains a legacy of division and confrontation. She hoped the park would serve as a turning point to transform the Korean Peninsula into a place of trust, unity and cooperation.

[Soundbite] "By designating the demilitarized zone as a peace zone,we can remove the memory of war that remains inour consciousness and the threat of provocations."

Park has briefed neighboring countries including the US and China on the peace park idea but it's the first time the proposal was made to Pyongyang. How the North will respond to the suggestions set by President Park will likely hold influence over future inter-Korean ties.

2. Ready to Return

[Anchor Lead]

Now that South and North Korea have agreed to reopen the Kaesong Industrial Complex, preparations are picking up speed. But it will likely take some time before everything is back to normal, as checking all the facilities and restoring the severed marketing channels are the top priorities.

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Workers at this factory are busy assembling car fuel pumps. Since the suspended operations at the joint inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex, this company has been temporarily manufacturing its products at its R&D center. But now it's preparing to relocate its production facility back to Kaesong in light of the agreement between South Korea and North Korea to normalize operations at the industrial park. The company is also trying to set up a special task force to check on its facilities and materials in Kaesong, which might have been damaged during the rainy season. But the question that the firm is now contemplating is whether to proceed with its plan to relocate its factory overseas. This apparel company, which was unable to produce even a single outfit since the joint industrial complex’s suspension four months ago, is trying to restore its connections with its former clients with the hopes that its factory in Kaesong will start operating normally in the near future. Companies based in Kaesong have requested the government to let their staff visit Kaesong as soon as possible because it would take about two to three months to normalize their operations.

[Soundbite] Lee Hui-geon (Kaesong Complex Normalization Committee): "We must start issuing permits to visit the Northas early as next week, perhaps even on Monday."

Meanwhile, a government official says that the Inter-Korean Joint Committee, which will discuss the development of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, should be viewed differently from the existing Kaesong Industrial District Management Committee, because the new group members represent both the South and North Korean governments.

3. Sleeping Easy

[Anchor Lead]

Many people are having a hard time sleeping during the steamy summer nights. Sleep deprivation affects many aspects of life, including work performance. Here are some tips to help you make it through the end of the season.

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It's already dark outside, but this waterfront park is packed with people because of the cool ocean breeze. Visitors flock to the park late in the evening to escape the heat.

[Soundbite] Kim Jin-hwa (Customer): "I can't sleep well. I have to turn on the air conditioneror a fan at night or use a cooling mat."

A wide range of products are available these days that are helping people sleep better in such hot weather. The latest models of air conditioners and fans feature special functions that improve the quality of sleep. Some of them have air circulation features instead of just conventional motors. Cooling and bamboo mats, which lower your body temperature by more than 2 degrees Celsius, and pillows designed for specific areas of the body, are also the rage.

[Soundbite] Yun Byeong-nam (Employee, Department Store): "Sales of cooling mats and pillows have doubled becausethey help people sleep better on sweltering nights."

Eating the right foods also helps you get better sleep. Milk, grapes and bananas, which are rich in the amino acid "tryptophan," also allow you to snooze better even when it's hot outside. Other foods that help improve sleep include lettuce and kiwis, which have a tranquilizing effect and are also rich in calcium.

4. Holiday Escapes

[Anchor Lead]

The heat wave was in full force on Liberation Day and Koreans flocked to beaches and mountains to enjoy the day off.

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At this valley in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province, amphibious vehicles that can travel on both land and water speed away with vacationers on board. A trip around the valley at an exhilarating speed helps those aboard the vehicle chase away the midsummer heat.

[Soundbite] Baek Jin-ju (Vacationer): "It's the last day of my vacation so I came withmy parents. It's really fun traveling on the water and then going on land."

These vacationers are riding on wooden rafts. It's not easy changing directions, but they are laughing their hearts out while trying to maneuver the rafts with oars. A marine sports festival is taking place at Songdo Beach in Busan. Amateur athletes who are testing their mettle and skills before the summer is over participate in the festival’s events. It also attracted tourists looking for some fun in the sun. The hottest attraction for families was the chance to ride in a kayak.

[Soundbite] Choe Byeong-cheol (Vacationer): "I came here for the holiday with my friendsand family. The water is really nice."

About three million people have flocked to various vacation spots around the country to enjoy the last days of summer.

5. Gate of Colors

[Anchor Lead]

Starting on Liberation Day yesterday, Gwanghwamun in central Seoul became awash with colorful lights. The Gwanghwamun gate and walls will serve as the backdrop to a range of media productions for a week.

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The dark Gwanghwamun gate and walls slowly start changing colors. The lights make the walls appear as if they’re rising into place. Black patches mark Gwanghwamun's facade, as if representing the hardship the gate suffered. But then the bright light washes over the gate. The abstract lighting effects symbolize the history of Gwanghwamun, which has witnessed the nation's joys, sorrows, triumphs, and despair over some six centuries since its foundation. The gate appears to have become a vast canvas for art. Visitors are mesmerized by the lighting show.

[Soundbite] Jeong Yun-mi (Visitor): "It's interesting and fun to see the old meetthe new. It keeps changing and looks fantastic."

People play with their shadows on the wall. These media facade productions are also providing people with a means to express themselves on the Gwanghwamun walls.

[Soundbite] Prof. Ryu Jae-ha (Cinematographic Artist): "I wanted it to be a living cultural monument that liveswith us. People can use it artistically and recreationally."

Gwanghwamun used to be a gateway to the king's palace, but now it has become an enormous art piece that brings people and a cultural asset together.

6. Chuseok Tips

[Anchor Lead]

This is the time of year that Korea’s homemakers start preparing for the Chuseok thanksgiving holiday, and also the period when they start worrying about how high produce prices are. And they’re very high this year because of the long monsoon season and subsequent heat wave, but there are ways to save money.

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The unusually long rainy season and unbearable heat wave have jacked up the prices of vegetables and seafood. One watermelon costs around 20 dollars, which is 45% higher than previous years, and the prices of lettuce and napa cabbage have also increased by 40%. Korea’s Thanksgiving, which is called Chuseok, is fixed on August 15th on the lunar calendar, meaning that it falls earlier than usual on the solar calendar this year. So the prices of most items associated with the holiday, except for some fruits, are expected to rise. This is why more Koreans are trying to shop for holiday presents ahead of time. Advanced purchases can get you as much as 30% off and even free gifts.

[Soundbite] Sin Nam-ok (Customer): "I have to shop around for gifts anyway. So I get readywhen I have time and end up getting more discounts."

One supermarket franchise found that the advance sales volumes for last year's Chuseok and this year's lunar New Year's Day gifts had more than doubled respectively from previous years.

[Soundbite] Kim Jae-cheol (Department Store): "The prices of fresh food rie during thepeak gift-buying period, depending on local outputs.So you’ll receive more discountsif you reserve your gifts in advance."

Large supermarket chains and department stores have started to receive advance sales orders for Chuseok gifts this week. Getting ready ahead of time is one way to enjoy the holiday and save money at the same time.

7. Compact Car

[Anchor Lead]

Korea has developed for the first time a foldable super mini electric car that takes the headache out of parking.

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This is the super mini electric car Armadillo-T. With a length of 2.8 meters, it's smaller than a compact car. If the car is switched to parking mode using a smartphone application, the car folds up in half. Now only 1.65 meters long, three of these models can be parked in a single typical parking space. The research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology that developed this car was inspired by the shape and functions of an armadillo. The two-seat vehicle can go as fast as 60 kilometers per hour. With a quick ten minute recharge, it can travel up to a maximum of 100 kilometers. There are also motors attached to each of the four wheels. Since no place for an engine is needed, this leaves optimal space for the seats and trunk.

[Soundbite] Prof. Seo In-su (KAIST): "Energy use is minimized whenever it folds,which helps produce maximum mileage."

The car body and battery area is separated to boost energy efficiency. Also, a camera is installed so that the driver can view all directions through a monitor screen. The team at KAIST has completed procedures for 13 patents at home and abroad and plans to commercialize the Armadillo-T at a cheap price.

8. Entertainment News

[Anchor Lead]

Korean movies are making it big in the domestic box office. The new movies "The Flu" and "Hide and Seek" have become huge hits.

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The movies "The Flu" and "Hide and Seek" both opened on August 14 and instantly became box office hits. "The Flu," which is a story about an unknown virus, topped the box office by drawing in some 305,000 viewers on its opening day. The thriller "Hide and Seek," which is about protecting family from strangers, came in second in ticket sales, drawing about 10,000 fewer viewers. In terms of ticket reservation rates, "Hide and Seek" had actually surpassed "The Flu" by about 3,000 tickets. The music band Choshinsung, also known as "Supernova," has held a fan meeting in Japan after releasing its new album. The group will soon hold a concert tour there. The group held a fan meeting in Yokohama on August 14, drawing more than 12,000 fans. The fans welcomed the band’s lead figure Yoon-hak, who finished his military service last month. Starting next month, "Choshinsung" will hold concerts in 11 Japanese cities. The group sold more than 100,000 copies of its latest album during the first week since its release, taking the number three spot on Japan’s Oricon weekly music chart. Many K-pop stars marked Liberation Day yesterday by calling on the public to take more interest in the nation's history. Girl group 2NE1, model Hye Park, singers Kim Chang-ryeol and Son Jin-young, and comedian Song Eun-yi used their social networking sites to post images of the Korean national flag and messages to encourage the public to ponder the meaning and significance of the holiday.

9. Summer Nights

[Anchor Lead]

As we struggle to make it through the remaining days of Korea’s sweltering summer, here’s a look at some spots to escape from the nighttime heat.

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The Jeonju Hanok Village is crowded after sunset as people flock here to hide from the tropical evenings. A hanok is a traditional Korean house.

[Soundbite] "Our nighttime journey begins now."

One-hour programs that offer the public an opportunity to tour famous spots, such as Jeondong Cathedral, are also popular. By climbing the Omokdae Pavilion, visitors can get a bird's-eye view of the village.

[Soundbite] "Wow, it’s awesome."

This large village does have actual residents.

[Soundbite] Lee Jeong-hui (Cultural Heritage Commentator): "This is Jeondong Catholic Church. It's the firstWestern style building to be built in Korea's southwest region. It's already over a century old.We call it "the first Martyrs' Shrine" in Korea."

Jeondong Cathedral drew the spotlight when it was featured in the movie "A Promise." After it gets dark, the whole place lights up.

[Soundbite] Seo Hyo-jin (Visitor): "It's very beautiful. The yellow lights make itlook peaceful and warm."

This place called "Eunhaeng-no" is home to a cluster of cafes that were created in hanoks. The strolling path in this neighborhood is even nicer at night when the lights are turned on. Even the fountains get a little extra color. Next, we're heading to a zoo where a festival is in full swing under a baobab tree. Visitors can take a trip to Africa here, without leaving Korea.

[Soundbite] Choe Mun-seon (Visitor): "The sweat flowing down that man is not thatsticky sweat that people living in cities have.It's a very refreshing sweat.It makes me feel refreshed, too."

Of course, the animals are the first things that come to mind when many people think of Africa. A flock of flamingos prances around as the sun sets. You can also see cute meerkats and fennec foxes.

[Soundbite] "Hey, hippo, come out!"

[Soundbite] "It did come out!"

This hippo looks like it's yawning. But in fact it's trying to look threatening. Another advantage of visiting this place in the evening is the chance to see lions and other nocturnal animals when they're most active. You can even toss them their dinner.

[Soundbite] Lee Hui-jin (Visitor): "I didn't know which lion to feed. My legs weretrembling and my heart was racing so hard that I was unable to speak. I was really nervous."

One of the unique experiences at this zoo is the rainforest. Here, you can learn all about this type of climate.

[Soundbite] Park Eun-yong (Visitor): "It's hard to endure the monsoon season in Korea,but living in a place like this year-round would be even harder. I would never be ableto live there."

[Soundbite] Park Jin-cheol (Visitor): "It was a bit hot, but thanks to the rain it's cooler now."

It’s no use staying home and sweating during Korea’s summer nights, especially when there’s so much to get out and see.