Local Election Turnout

[Anchor Lead]

Voter turnout at yesterday’s nationwide local elections has been tallied at 56.8 percent, the highest its reached in 16 years. Though it missed the 60 percent mark predicted by some observers, the high voter turnout represents a turnaround from previous years.

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According to the National Election Commission, 23.4 million Koreans cast their ballots out of total eligible voters of 41.3 million for a tentative turnout of 56.8 percent after the close of polls. This is the second highest turnout for the local elections since the inaugural 1995 local elections that recorded a turnout of 68.4 percent. The biggest contributor to the high turnout is believed to be the advance voting system introduced for the very first time on a national scale. The last local elections four years ago also produced a higher than expected turnout due to major election issues including the renovation of the four rivers and free school meals. This year, the turnout was even higher while a policy battle was pretty much absent. The election watchdog attributes this to effects of advance voting. The commission believes advance voting has raised the final turnout by about five percentage points. The Sewol ferry disaster and neck and neck competition in many battleground areas are also believed to have pushed up turnout. By region, South Jeolla Province posted the highest turnout at 65.6 percent followed by Jeju Island at 62.8 percent. Turnout was the lowest in Daegu city at 52.3 percent. Gyeonggi Province was the next lowest at 53.5. In the wider metropolitan region, turnout in capital Seoul at 58.6 percent was just above the national average while figures were lower than national average in Gyeonggi Province and Incheon city. Seven cities and provinces had lower turnout than national average. They were Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Daejeon, Ulsan and Gyeonggi and South Chungcheong provinces. In particular, turnout in Danwon district in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province was a mere 47.8 percent as many lost lives here in the ferry incident.

2. Words of the Winners

[Anchor Lead]

And now we’ll bring you a few words from the winning candidates.

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[Soundbite] PARK WON-SOON (Seoul Mayor-Elect) : "Esteemed Seoul citizens, thank you sincerely. Seoul will have four more years of a citizens' mayor. I'm thankful for all who campaigned with me. I will by no means forget the heavy duty that comes with every single vote cast for me. I will think only of the citizens and always be on your side. Thank you."

[Soundbite] YOO JEONG-BOK (Incheon Mayor-Elect) : "Honorable Incheon citizens, I extend heartfelt gratitude. You seized the last opportunity to advan ce the city of Incheon. I vow once again to wholly dedicate myself to advancing Incheon, my hometown where I was born and grew up. Thank you."

[Soundbite] CHO HEE-YEON (Seoul Superintendent of Education-Elect) : "I will modestly embrace not only those who voted for me but the hearts and minds of those who voted for a conservative candidate. Education is a long-term policy. I believe safety is of foremost concern in education policies as they involve our children. I will put priority on the safety of Seoul's educational policies and administrative affairs."

3. Officials Cast Ballots

[Anchor Lead]

With the high voter turnout at this year’s local elections, it’s no surprise to see high-ranking government officials and even President Park Geun-hye herself casting their ballots.

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President Park Geun-hye cast her ballots for the local elections yesterday at the first Cheongun Hyoja-dong polling station, located at the Seoul National School for the Deaf in Cheongun-dong, Jongno-gu, not far from the Cheong Wa Dae. Park didn't comment on the elections, and only encouraged the officials at the polling station. Speaker of the National Assembly Chung Ui-hwa also cast his ballots along with his wife, Kim Nam-hui, at a polling station situated in his constituency in Yeongju-dong, Busan.

[Soundbite] Rep. CHUNG UI-HWA (Speaker, National Assembly) : "I hope that these elections will serve as momentum for Korea to make a new start based on its dreams and hopes."

Supreme Court Justice Yang Seung-tae and his wife Kim Seon-gyeong voted at a polling station close to their home in Hannam-dong, Seoul, at the Hannam Elementary School. Prime Minister Chung Hong-won and his spouse, Choe Ok-ja, cast their ballots in Sejong City at a polling station near the prime minister's official residence. Saenuri Party emergency committee chief Lee Wan-koo urged voters to cast their votes in order to eradicate deep-rooted evils and help Korea make a fresh start.

[Soundbite] Rep. LEE WAN-KOO (Saenuri Party) : "We must overhaul the country and make it safe. We must innovate the public officialdom and set things right."

[Soundbite] Rep. KIM HAN-GIL (Co-Chairman, New Politics Alliance for Democracy) : "The world can't become better on its own. We can only change it by voting. The power of the people will create a new Korea."

New Politics Alliance for Democracy co-chairman Kim Han-gil said he trusted the public, apparently referring to his party's claim that the local elections would serve as an assessment of the Park Geun-hye administration's responsibility for the Sewol ferry disaster.

4. Sewol Search Operations

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It’s been 51 days since the deadly sinking of the ferry Sewol, but 16 victims are still missing. Efforts to find them that were halted due to weather resumed on Wednesday after a four-day hiatus.

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Two barges involved in the search operation of Sewol victims previously moved to a nearby island away from high waves and strong winds. The vessels are back on the accident site after four days of hiatus. After the barges were fixed in the water, search efforts resumed Wednesday afternoon but no additional victim was found. The task of cutting into the windows of a fourth floor cabin also came to a halt over an explosion incident. For safety, a new cutting method will be employed. The remaining work will be done with a hydraulic grinder instead of the previous oxygen arc cutting method.

[Soundbite] Supt. Gen. KO MYUNG-SEOK (Korean Coast Guard) : "Cutting into between window six and eight of the ferry's fourth floor cabin in the stern area will be completed soon. A cutting machine will be used during the process."

Authorities have also tentatively decided not to cut into other areas in the ferry's bow and central section. Layers of walls will make any cutting difficult and there're also safety concerns. Officials believe the previous way of removing obstacles from inside the ferry will be better off. Instead, high tech gear such as underwater cameras and Sonar will be used to assist in areas divers cannot easily detect. The joint government headquarters on the ferry incident also plans to mobilize once again the remotely operated underwater vehicle or ROV after its performance is further boosted. The vehicle hasn't been all that effective until now amid strong tidal currents.

5. Aid to North Korea

[Anchor Lead]

Japanese media has reported that North Korea demanded food aid and medicine during last month’s talks on the reinvestigation of North Korean abductions of Japanese nationals. Tokyo is considering providing non-governmental humanitarian aid based on the progress of the investigation.

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The joint North Korea-Japan statement on the re-investigation of Japanese nationals' abductions that was announced on May 29 says that Tokyo might consider sending humanitarian aid to the North. Kyodo News and other sources say North Korea demanded that Japan provide support in the form of food, such as rice, and pharmaceuticals. In response Japan tried to negotiate by promising non-governmental humanitarian aid. This shows once again how desperate the food situation is in the Stalinist State, which is facing tough economic sanctions from the U.S. and the West and has been receiving less and less humanitarian support recently. Once a special committee on investigating the abduction of Japanese nationals is launched, traveling of officials and shipment of humanitarian aid between the two sides will likely become possible as early as next month. But Tokyo added that the feasibility of humanitarian aid depends entirely on Pyongyang's attitude. Back in 2004 Japan promised to send 250,000 tons of food including rice to North Korea and implemented part of the agreement, but suspended the aid due to conflicts over investigation of the abductions issue.

[Soundbite] SHINZO ABE (Japanese Prime Minister) : "We’ll not lift sanctions without seeing first how North Korea will set up its committee and who it will comprise to investigate the abductions issue."

Japan is taking a prudent stance on the issue of humanitarian aid because of what South Korea and the United States might think about the issue. Japanese Foreign Ministry Director General Junichi Ihara will visit the U.S. next week to discuss the possibility of lifting sanctions against the North.

6. KTX-Airport Service

[Anchor Lead]

Starting at the end of this month, passengers can travel all the way to the Incheon International Airport from major cities such as Busan and Gwangju on a KTX train without having to transfer to the Incheon Airport Railroad Express or the airport limousine.

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The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that from June 30, the KTX train will start operating between Seoul Station and the Incheon International Airport. There will be 10 KTX round trip services per day that connect to the Incheon Airport. The extension will enable Incheon residents to embark on KTX trains from Geomam Station when traveling without having to go to Seoul or Yongsan Stations. Once extended, the travel time from the southern port city of Busan to Incheon International on the KTX is expected to be about three and a half hours.

7. National Team

[Anchor Lead]

News of concern coming out of Miami today for sports fans. The national soccer players training there don’t appear to be in top health condition. Ki Sung-yong and Lee Bum-young will sit out practice due to mild cold symptoms.

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The national soccer team enters its fifth day of practice in Miami. Some members of the squad led by coach Hong Myung-bo have begun to sit out the practice sessions. Ki Sung-yeung and Lee bum-young were unable to participate in today's practice due to mild fever symptoms. The symptoms are a result of their immune systems being weakened by sudden weather changes and intensive training.

[Soundbite] JI DONG-WON (Member, National Soccer Team) : "The weather conditions make it tough for us to stay in top condition, but we are all professional players so there's no need for concern."

Lee Chung-yong and Lee Yong were also benched to get some rest during the practice. The rest of the squad focused on time-based simulation practice. The players held 9 on 9 mini games to adapt to different game scenarios. This was to prepare for Korea's first round match against Team Russia, known for its strong organization and counterattack skills.

[Soundbite] HAN KOOK-YOUNG (Member, National Soccer Team) : "Russia is a highly organized team with aggressive passing, so things can get tough if we fail to receive a pass. This makes Russia a challenging team to face."

Taking a break is also part of a strategy. Korea's national soccer team will enjoy a day of rest today and resume practice starting tomorrow.

8. Korean Cocktail Trend

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Cocktails are booming in Korea, as more Koreans kick the beer and soju to the curb in favor of a more sophisticated drink. Here's a look at this trend.

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This is a cocktail bar in Seoul. People here are sipping cocktails. This is the most popular drink here. Cotton candy is served in a glass. The server pours a drink into the cups, making the cotton candy melt away. Now, the cocktail is ready.

[Soundbite] JEON DA-SOM (Customer) : "The color is pretty. It looks like a cloud. It is really pretty."

Cocktails are also good for those who are not heavy drinkers.

[Soundbite] GWON U-JEON (Owner, Cocktail Bar) : "More people prefer low-alcohol drinks these days. In the past, most cocktails were simple mixtures of liquors. But these days we use a lot of fresh ingredients like fruits or herbs."

Cocktail usually refers to mixed beverages of alcohol and juice or soft drinks. Actually, you can make countless cocktails with no limit to ingredients. But most cocktails are based on vodka, rum, gin, tequila, brandy or whiskey. Cocktails have different tastes and colors, depending on the proportions of those spirit drinks. Here are some tips on enjoying cocktails at their best.

[Soundbite] JEON JAE-GU (Vice Chairman, Korea Bartenders Association) : "The cocktails in small glasses without ice are called "short drinks." It is better to drink them in five or ten minutes. It is okay to take your time to drink "long drinks," the ones served in big glasses with ice. They can be drunk over a stretch of 30 minutes."

We have some recommendations from bartenders. A sweet, low-alcohol drink called "Peach Crush" is recommended for women. The "Long Island Iced Tea," which is made with five kinds of alcoholic drinks, is for alcohol lovers. The mojito is a good refreshment in the summer. This cocktail bar offers limitless drinks. Customers can freely savor a variety of cocktails.

[Soundbite] "I’ll have a Black Russian."

A stream of orders keeps the bartender busy. Customers can order and try whatever they want. They binge on a wide range of cocktails and glasses are piled up on the table.

[Soundbite] GWON YEONG-EUN (Customer) : "It’s good to try a variety of cocktails."

However, beware of getting tipsy after too many drinks.

[Soundbite] "I feel a little tipsy. Do you have a drink that is good for it?"

Here is a cure for a hangover.

[Soundbite] BU SEONG-HO (Bartender) : "This cocktail is called a Red Eye. It’s for relieving a hangover."

It is a mixed drink of tomato juice and beer in the ratio of one to one.

[Soundbite] GWON HYEON-JI (Customer) : "It has the taste of tomato and sparkling water. It doesn't taste like alcohol."

Everything is better in moderation, and this is especially true with cocktails. A homemaker says that she can make cocktails at home without special equipment. She invited some friends to a cocktail party.

[Soundbite] "This small glass is 45 cubic centimeters. This cup measures 200 cubic centimeters. You can use a measuring cup if you want to be more exact. But for me, they are more convenient to use."

She makes a drink with green grapes and makgeoli, a traditional Korean rice wine. The ingredients include 300 grams of green grapes, ice and makgeoli, a small cup of grape juice and two spoons of sugar. All you need to do is put them in a blender and press the button. The guests are fascinated by the tasty combination of grapes and makgeoli. Here is an easier one. Pour milk and vodka into a glass. Add some Kahlua and that's all. The cocktail is ready for you. Anyone can make their favorite cocktails at home.

[Soundbite] "Make your own cocktails at home!"

Cocktails captivate people with their beautiful colors and tastes. You can make and enjoy cocktails your own way. A tasty cocktail will help you relax and blow away stress.