Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak

[Anchor Lead]

The government's efforts to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease seem to have been in vain as pig farms in North Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang areas report more and more cases in this latest outbreak. Over a month has passed since the first case was reported in North Chungcheong Province, and the disease appears to be quickly spreading to other parts of the country.

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This is a pig farm in Eumseong County, North Chungcheong Province, where roughly 5,000 pigs were raised. But those pigs are now being culled. Some 30 pigs, which had shown suspected symptoms of bleeding hooves, were determined to have contracted foot-and-mouth disease.

[Soundbite] Livestock Farmer Nearby (Voice Modified) : "I'm anxious, because I don't know when the disease will spread to my farm."

Foot-and-mouth disease among pigs first started in Jincheon County in North Chungcheong Province on December 3rd. Since then cases were reported in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province and Yeongcheon in North Gyeongsang Province. In about a month, the disease quickly spread to 32 farms in four different regions. More than 25,000 pigs have been culled already. Quarantine authorities have raised the alert level by one notch last month and conducted all-out disinfection and vaccination, but these efforts have failed to stop the spread of disease.

[Soundbite] Ahn Ho-keun (Spokesman, MAFRA) : "Some farmers could have been lax with vaccination. We believe most of the domestic cases have been spread by people or vehicles."

The government is mulling over taking stronger measures, such as stopping the operation of all livestock-related vehicles nationwide for a day and sanitizing them simultaneously.

2. Korea in 3D

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A 3D topographic map of the Korean Peninsula has been unveiled to the public. Showing the various heights of the peninsula, the map is expected to contribute to academic research and other areas.

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This replica of the Korean Peninsula is on display at the National Map Museum in the city of Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. It shows at a glance the topographical features of the Korean territory, such as high mountains in the east and low plains in the west. The replica was produced based on a digital elevation model, which is used to measure altitude when constructing dams or motorways.

[Soundbite] Moon Ji-yeong (Official, Nat’l Geographic Info. Inst.) : "The digital elevation model divides the territory into equal sections and marks various heights. One can see the highs and lows of the country's land at a glance."

The 3D topography was drawn by dividing the nation's territory into squares each measuring 90 meters to a side and calculating the average altitude. Seoul's 3D topographic map clearly shows the Han River crossing the city from east to west, as well as Mt. Gwanak in the south and Mt. Bukhan in the north.

[Soundbite] Ko Yeong-chang (Official, Nat’l Geographic Info. Inst.) : "This map can be used in academic research nationwide, as well as N. Korea and other regions. It will also help ordinary citizens learn more about Korea's topography."

The map is expected to be widely used in civilian fields, for tasks such as analyzing visibility and the amount of sunshine.

3. Near Collision in Space

[Anchor Lead]

Korea's Science and Technology Satellite 3 was feared to be on a collision course with space debris Sunday night, but fortunately the debris flew by the satellite without incident. However, more than 500,000 pieces of debris are estimated to be floating in space, so the risk of a collision in the future still runs high.

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Unlike prior projections, the Science and Technology Satellite-3, (STSAT-3) steered clear of space debris and avoided collision. It was projected that the pieces of space debris would come as close as 23 meters to the satellite, but they were found to have passed the satellite by more than a kilometer last night. However, the danger of collision still remains as more than 500,000 pieces of space waste are orbiting Earth.

[Soundbite] Kang Kyeong-in (Satellite Tech. Research Center, KAIST) : "The probability of satellites crashing into each other was low, but the debris generated by such impacts has raised the risks of collisions in the future."

Unlike multipurpose satellites, smaller satellites are not equipped with a system to alter orbits, which could help avoid debris. So they are more vulnerable to collisions. There are no clear answers for matters concerning compensation or accountability when these costly satellites are damaged by orbiting waste, so Korea needs to secure technologies that can detect and track the space debris.

4. Korean Blood Donors

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Last year the number of blood donors in Korea surpassed three million people for the first time in 56 years. But encouraging people of various age groups to donate blood remains an unresolved task.

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Lee Heung-jong is a 32-year-old public official. He donates blood every other week. Lee started donating blood when he was in middle school to help leukemia patients. By now, he has already donated
more than a hundred times.

[Soundbite] Lee Heung-jong (Blood Donor) : "This way I can help people who need blood. I believe blood donation is a greater act of volunteering than anything else."

Last year the number of blood donors in Korea surpassed three million for the first time. The milestone comes 56 years after the Red Cross launched its blood services. The number of blood donations per population in South Korea stands at 5.9 percent. That's on par with Canada, which is one of the world's blood donation leaders. But the problem is that most of the blood donors in Korea are students and soldiers.

[Soundbite] Choi In-shik (Dir., N. Chungcheong Blood Services) : "Participation of middle-aged people in their 30s and 40s as well as women remains relatively low. We must raise their alertness."

Certificates given to blood donors can be conceded to help emergency patients. They can also be used to receive a commensurate amount of blood free of charge not only for the donors themselves but also for their loved ones in case of emergency.

5. Artificial Ice Wall

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Ice climbing has become a popular wintertime activity in Korea. Mountaineers and ice climbers test their physical and psychological limits at the world's tallest artificial ice climbing wall measuring 100 meters high.

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White ice covers a soaring 100-meter cliff. Ice climbers pull themselves up by picking at the ice with their hands and stepping in the foot holds. After avoiding the falling pieces of ice and climbing the wall relentlessly, climbers are humbled by the majesty of nature.

[Soundbite] Moon Cheol-hee (Woosong Univ. OB Mountaineering Club) : "What do you think about on your climb up? To live my life to the fullest once I get down."

Those who succeeded in scaling the ice walls feel like they've conquered the world.

[Soundbite] Seo Byeong-ran (Ice Climber) : "I feel like I own the world. It's difficult but the rush of achievement and refreshment when I reach the top keeps me going."

The world's largest artificial ice climbing walls opened every winter since 2006 and features four courses over a 400-meter-wide expanse. Some 300 people visited the site on the first day of its opening this year. It is popular enough to host an international competition on January 17th. These ice climbers' spirit of challenge and determination to overcome human limitations are warming them up against the bone-chilling winds and cold of the climb.

6. Polar Bear Festival

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The Polar Bear Swimming Festival kicked off in Haeundae, Busan yesterday. Take a look at swimmers who love the cold weather.

[Soundbite] "Go, polar bears!"

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People dressed only swimsuits run into the cold sea. Some show off their impressive diving skills; others simply enjoy the waves. Looking at them, you'd think it's the middle of summer.

[Soundbite] Jeong Sun-yeong (Participant) : "It's refreshing and also a good way to start a new year. It's the best!"

Despite the freezing weather and icy water, this festival drew some 3,000 winter swimmers. They've come here to renew their determination by overcoming the cold.

[Soundbite] Kim Su-jeong (Participant) : "I want to put in the best possible effort this year. I want to do my best by becoming a polar bear."

The Polar Bear Swim Festival marks its 28th anniversary this year. As one of the top-10 most unusual winter sports picked by the BBC, the festival drew foreigners as well.

[Soundbite] "US Tourist"

Thanks to these courageous swimmers, the atmosphere at Haeundae beach last weekend rivaled the scorching heat of the summer.

7. Dramatic Tenors

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Tenors are divided into several groups, based on their vocal tones and range. Among them, dramatic tenors are known for their powerful and ringing voices. Here is a closer look into the world of dramatic tenors.

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The singer plays a general with a powerful, roaring voice. He is a dramatic tenor who shows off his explosive, resounding vocals. His powerful voice is so overwhelming and touching that it even bring tears to the eyes of some viewers. Tenors refer to classical male singers with the highest vocal range. Among them, dramatic tenors are known for having a bold and heavy voice tone.

[Soundbite] Park Ji-eung (Rudy Park) (Dramatic Tenor) : "Dramatic tenors literally mean that they fully express the dramatic elements of the opera and audiences feel that the singers are overwhelming."

There are only dozens of dramatic tenors across the world. It is because becoming a dramatic tenor requires a high level of singing skills.

[Soundbite] Park Je-seong (Classical Music Critic) : "They must be physically gifted and study under a great expert."

It is harder to hear a dramatic tenor in Korea. The opera "Otello" is a representative work featuring dramatic tenors. But in Korea, it is staged only once a decade. Musical experts say that Korea now needs to foster more dramatic tenors, noting that many Korean classical singers have earned international fame.

8. Entertainment News

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Keanu Reeves and Russell Crowe are big-name Hollywood actors and they are scheduled to visit Korea this month. This and more coming up in today's entertainment news.

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Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves will visit Korea on January 8 for the first time in seven years. During his stay in Korea, he'll be promoting his new movie "John Wick," which will open on January 21st. Keanu Reeves plays the roles of a legendary hit man with nothing to lose, seeking vengeance. Another Hollywood star, Russell Crowe, will visit Korea on January 18 to promote his new movie "Water Diviner," which he also directed. The movie is about a man who travels to Turkey to find the bodies of his three sons killed in World War One. The average earnings of Korean singers have increased more than 70 percent over the past three years. A National Tax Service report shows that Korean singers earned an annual average of approximately 42-thousand U.S. dollars last year, up 72 percent from three years ago. The incomes of actors grew 12 percent in the same period. The earnings of entertainers overall, including singers and actors, also jumped 24 percent in the last three years. Korean movie "Ode to My Father" has attracted more than seven million moviegoers in 18 days since its release. Actor Oh Dal-su, who appeared in a supporting role in the film, has become the first Korean actor to be seen by an accumulated 100 million viewers in his movies.

9. Limited Edition

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Longing for things that are hard to get is part of human nature. Retailers use this aspect of human nature to market their products under the title "limited edition." While some laud the limited edition marketing strategy as a solution to the economic downturn, others say retailers are taking advantage of their consumers. Here's more.

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Honey butter chips are the latest rage in the snack market. But you'll have to stand in line early in the morning to buy them, because they're in short supply.

[Soundbite] Lee Soo-kyung (Seoul Resident) : "My son, who is serving in the army, wants to eat these chips so I've been standing in line for 2 weeks."

Some crafty consumers even re-sell them as second-hand items, prompting speculation about their limited production.

[Soundbite] Noh Byung-kyu (PR Director, Haitai Confectionery & Foods) : "This is in no way a limited edition. Supply can't meet demand because these chips are consumed too fast."

There is a reason consumers are so eager to buy products that are hard to get.

[Soundbite] Prof. Ha Ji-hyun (Konkuk Univ. Medical Center) : "People tend to identify themselves by what they have. They believe they can be a better person if they have what others don't, and that they become an object of envy."

This toy robot tops the list of many children's wish lists. But it's also in short supply.

[Soundbite] "My grandchild will be mad if we don't buy this toy. So we came to buy 2 robots. My son took a day off from work."

The limited edition marketing strategy is in wide use in the dining sector these days. This dining company offered limited-edition Hello Kitty dolls for less than five dollars apiece to customers who bought hamburger sets. In less than a month the company was able to sell all 500,000 dolls it had in stock. Moomin plush toys, a popular character from Finland, are also hard to find. One doughnut company offered them for less than three dollars apiece to customers who bought doughnuts. In less than 20 days all of the 200,000 toys were sold out. Many consumers, however, believe that retailers use limited edition marketing to fool consumers.

[Soundbite] Kim Ok-soon (Seoul Resident) : "Every day I come, they don't have it and so people have to stand in line. I have a feeling they do it on purpose."

[Soundbite] Prof. Lim Chae-un (Seogang Univ.) : "The limited edition marketing strategy should be carried out on a limited basis. If used too often, it can result in consumer distrust and incite unnecessary purchases."

While retailers reap profits by promoting their products as "limited edition," consumers end up spending a lot of time and effort to buy them.