Deadly Fire

[Anchor Lead]

A deadly fire at a bus terminal in Gyeonggi Province has claimed the lives of seven people with dozens more coming away with injuries. Here’s the story.

[Pkg]

A fire broke out at the Goyang Bus Terminal in Gyeonggi Province around 9 a.m. on Monday.

[Soundbite] JEON HYEONG-UK(Witness) : "From my company's rooftop, I saw some smoke. But within a minute or two, the smoke became so intense. The smoke was so thick I even could not even see the building."

About 30 fire engines were sent the scene and the firefighters contained the flames in 20 minutes. However, the fire killed seven people and injured some 40 others.

[Soundbite] GWAK JUN-HYEOK(Witness) : "I was passing by in my car. There were a lot of fire engines at the site. The smoke was thick and dark, as you can see in the video clip."

The injured are receiving medical attention at nearby hospitals, including Ilsan Paik Hospital and Myongji Hospital. It is presumed that the fire occurred at an underground construction site. Fire authorities believe that the fire started by sparks from welding work at the construction site.

[Soundbite] Gyeonggi Northern Fire Headquarters Official : "We found that the fire sparked from welding work due to a gas leak. The sparks caused the blaze."

The police are investigating the cause of the fire. They will also see if the sprinklers were working properly and safety guidelines were strictly observed. The bus terminal houses a shopping mall and a movie theater. Luckily, there were not many people inside at the time of the fire. Due to the fire, subway trains did not make stops at Baekseok Station on Line Number Three for an hour. Traffic in the area was also under control.

2. Dangerous Search

[Anchor Lead]

The search for the missing Sewol ferry passengers has resumed after halting temporarily due to the inclement weather. An analysis of recent footage has revealed that the ferry is quickly caving in.

[Pkg]

The waves at the site of the sunken Sewol ferry have subsided, and preparations are underway on the barges to resume the search for missing passengers. Military and police divers check the diving entry points in small boats and dive into the waters when the current slows down. Civilian divers and private vessels that had to wait at nearby ports for the weather to improve also arrive on site.

[Soundbite] Supt. Gen. KO MYUNG-SEOK(Korean Coast Guard) : "We issued an order for vessels to return from the ports. All of them came back now and are involved in the search."

This recent footage from a civilian diver shows what the situation is like on the fourth level of the sunken ferry. The footage shows that the ferry has tilted even further, its ceiling and floor looking like walls. The partitions in the hallway are marked by large gaps, as the ship's condition continues to deteriorate. Debris keeps piling up on one side, making it almost impossible for divers to clear.

[Soundbite] Citizen Diver(Voice Modified) : "The ship is caving in faster than before. All the hallways are blocked."

The government task force and the families of missing passengers held a meeting to discuss alternate approaches, such as removing part of the ferry's exterior walls and clearing the debris using a crane. Meanwhile, the families of missing Sewol passengers met with Prime Minister Chung Hong-won, who visited Paengmok Port. They expressed their protests over a Cheong Wa Dae spokesman's controversial recent remark about divers' daily fees and urged the prime minister to help the divers focus on the search efforts.

3. De facto owner of Sewol ferry Yoo Byung-eon knew about the ship's recovery problem before sinking

[Anchor Lead]

It’s now believed that Former Semo Group Chairman Yoo Byung-eon knew about the Sewol ferry's recovery problem before the tragic sinking.

[Pkg]

The investigation team plans to charge Yoo with involuntary manslaughter by occupational negligence based on the finding that Yoo actually knew about the problem and had been directly involved with the management of Chonghaejin Marine. The investigators have already arrested and indicted five Chonghaejin Marine executives, including its CEO Kim Han-sik, on charges of involuntary manslaughter and causing bodily injury through occupational negligence. They have been accused of causing the deadly accident by ignoring the recovery problem.

4. Lawyers for a Democratic Society say Sewol ferry was routinely overloaded for years

[Anchor Lead]

The Lawyers for a Democratic Society say that the Sewol ferry has been routinely overloaded for years.

[Pkg]

The group of progressive attorneys claimed that the oversight agencies such as the Korea Coast Guard have overlooked this structural problem in the cargo loading system. A special committee established by the Lawyers for a Democratic Society to find out the truth about the disaster and provide legal assistance made the claims at a press conference held in Wa Stadium in Ansan. They said the sunken ferry's overloading was the result of collusive ties among Chonghaejin Marine, distribution companies, and the executives of the Korean Federation of Port and Transport Workers' Union. The committee stated that although the Sewol's deadweight tonnage was exaggerated on the ferry's operation and management regulations, the Korean Coast Guard, the Korean Register of Shipping, and other safety inspection agencies approved of the standards and condoned the overloading. Deadweight tonnage refers to how much weight a ship can carry safely.

5. Controversial Earnings

[Anchor Lead]

Prime Minister-designate Ahn Dai-hee has responded to the controversy over his large attorney’s fees and alleged preferential treatment in his career. Ahn says he will donate his earnings over the last year totaling over one million U.S. dollars if he is confirmed.

[Pkg]

Prime Minister-designate Ahn Dai-hee held a news conference at the government complex in Seoul, saying that he earned his money as an attorney in an honest way. Nonetheless, Ahn apologized to the public for stirring controversy and said it prompted him to take a look back on his actions. Ahn added that if he does becomes prime minister, he would donate his income to society because his earning was not standing in the way of keeping his promise to the public to take a lead in establishing a social order and eradicating corruption.

[Soundbite] AHN DAI-HEE(Prime Minister Nominee) : "Like I already mentioned in my acceptance speech, I had no intention to take any public post after resigning as a Supreme Court justice. However, I accepted the prime minister nomination for several reasons. I didn't want to avoid my responsibilities toward the government and society, and I also wanted to repay the public for the love and privileges that I had received so far. That's also why I want to donate my entire income to society."

The prime minister-designate's reported assets amount to around 2.1 million dollars, including his apartment unit in Hoehyeon-dong, Seoul.

6. Local Elections

[Anchor Lead]

There’s just over a week to go before voters across the nation go to the polls at the June 4 local elections. The rival parties are vying for support as we reach the conclusion of this year’s campaign.

[Pkg]

The ruling Saenuri Party's leaders held an election campaign headquarters meeting yesterday in Wonju, Gangwon Province. The party asked local voters to give the government and the ruling party another chance, stressing that the ruling party's victory in the upcoming election is crucial for the province's successful hosting of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The leaders of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy visited the construction site of a subway transfer center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province on Monday. They appealed to voters for support, emphasizing the current administration's insensitivity to safety, as revealed by the failed response to the Sewol ferry disaster. Competition in the Seoul Mayoral race remained heated today as candidates Chung Mong-joon and Park Won-soon continued their campaigns. The ruling party's candidate Chung Mong-joon promised to focus on improving the education system and creating jobs for the nation's youth.

[Soundbite] CHUNG MONG-JOON(Seoul Mayoral Candidate, Saenuri Party) : "The youth unemployment rate is quite high in Korea. A lot young people can’t get jobs even after graduation. It’s like runners facing a cliff before they even begin the race. We old people should work hard to create more good jobs for young people."

Incumbent Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of the main opposition party sought voter support with a campaign promise for small business owners and the self-employed.

[Soundbite] PARK WON-SOON(Seoul Mayoral Candidate, NPAD) : "We have only been giving them financial support. Now I think giving them good business consulting is better. We have business consulting centers for small business owners. We’ll further use the facilities to help business start-ups and small business owners."

Mayoral candidates Chung, Park and the Progressive Party's Jung Tae-heung held a heated debate on Monday night.

7. Second-largest Web portal, Daum Communications, to acquire number one mobile messenger Kakao Talk

[Anchor Lead]

The nation's second-largest Web portal Daum Communication will acquire the number one mobile messenger firm Kakao Talk.

[Pkg]

Daum announced the merger in a notice today. The two companies signed a deal at a meeting of their boards of directors on May 23. Daum and Kakao plan to conclude procedures for the merger in August after obtaining approval from their shareholders. “Daum Kakao” will launch on October 1. Market experts say the two companies have agreed on the merger to secure more growth potential. They expect the union to have positive effects.

8. Health and education authorities trying to stop the spread of measles at academic establishments

[Anchor Lead]

Health and educational authorities are trying to stop the spread of measles at academic establishments. The disease, with symptoms including rash and high fever, is spreading fast among students.

[Pkg]

The Ministry of Health and Welfare says as of May 22 the number of measles patients in the nation has reached 225, more than double the entire number recorded last year, when 107 people fell victim to the disease. The ministries of health and education say children who are diagnosed with measles must be isolated while receiving medical treatment at home or hospital, and refrain from attending schools and private academies.

9. Custom Homes

[Anchor Lead]

In what can be seen as a backlash against the rows of identical cookie-cutter apartments, more and more people are customizing their homes, making their dream homes a reality.

[Pkg]

A unique looking house is situated near a hill.

[Soundbite] LEE SEONG-GWAN(Architect) : "The land measures some 489 square meters. It was difficult to build a house on the small patch of land. Moreover, it is triangular."

Built on a little patch of land, the triangular house is unusual and distinctive. Many parts of the house's interior were designed in unique shapes. The owner of the house decided to build a house here because she was fascinated by the beautiful landscape of the neighborhood. However, there were surely many obstacles. The house has another special feature: a sunken garden, which allows people to enjoy nature inside the house.

[Soundbite] LEE SEONG-RAN(Triangle House Owner) : "I can see the sky right outside the door. It's good to have a garden. My family members are satisfied. Visitors also find it unique and good."

[Soundbite] "The triangular house has rooms in unique shapes. You can have a unique experience here around the clock."

Let's go to another unique-looking house located on the outskirts of Seoul.

[Soundbite] "This is our fence. This is all of it."

This house was built in a way to boost communication with neighbors. So there are just a few trees serving as a fence.

[Soundbite] "Da-seong, Da-yun, aren't you guys hungry?"

Inside the house, communication between family members is promoted in a natural way, as the rooms are open to each other.

[Soundbite] NAM GI-BONG(House without Wall Owner) : "My kids can come and see me any time when I’m in the kitchen, watch TV or work in my office."

The family members can communicate and get along with each other without any barriers.

[Soundbite] JEONG HUI-ROK(Neighbor) : "I can visit any time. The fence is low so I feel free to come in. The house makes everyone feel like they are welcomed."

The openness has brought palpable positive changes to the children and in their lives.

[Soundbite] "The children feel relaxed here. They get along well with other people."

It is cold year round in the mountainous region of Hongcheon in Gangwon Province. The local climate conditions promoted the construction of a special house here. This is an energy-saving house.

[Soundbite] LEE DAE-CHEOL(Architect) : "The room temperature hovers between 21 to 22 degrees Celsius. Heating and air conditioning costs are very low."

Many ideas to save energy were employed in the construction of this house. First, the windows are special.

[Soundbite] "From outside, you don't know how many tiers the glass has. Now, there are three shadows from the fire. It is three-tiered."

Second, the eaves are longer than usual, serving as shade. The secret lies in construction materials. Some 20-centimeter Styrofoam panels were sandwiched between wood boards to increase insulation.

[Soundbite] "The insulator is so thick that there is rarely any energy waste. It is like a thermos."

The owner says he has made preparations for 15 years to build the energy-efficient house.

[Soundbite] "This energy-saving house is really pleasant to live in. There are a lot of people who want this kind of house. I build energy-efficient houses for them."

There is another eye-catching house in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. The octagonal facade makes the house distinctive.

[Soundbite] SONG SANG-JUN(Octagonal House Owner) : "In cities, most houses are square shaped. I built an octagonal house to have as many windows as possible."

The owner decided to move out of the city and build a house in the countryside for the health of his two children.

[Soundbite] SEOK YU-RI(Octagonal House Owner’s Wife) : "We lived in an apartment when my kids were infants. They soon got rhinitis. We went to a clinic once a week. We thought, ‘This is not what we want.’"

The move has proven beneficial for their health.

[Soundbite] "My kids and I don't have to suffer from bronchitis any more. I feel like I’ve been healed because we live in a place with good, clean air."

Built with creativity and imagination, these houses make the families' happier by satisfying their own needs and demands.