Loan Expansion

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Starting today the government will provide an additional 18 billion U.S. dollars to meet growing demands for new government-backed, fixed-rate mortgage loans. If the loans run out before fulfilling all refinancing needs, borrowers with lower-priced homes will have priority.

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More than 18 billion U.S. dollars will be provided for the new amortized, fixed-rate mortgage loans. Loan applications will be received in 16 banks between March 30th and April 3rd. But unlike the first round of mortgage refinancing, this time the loans will be given out to lower-priced homes first. When loan applications amount to more than the earmarked 18 billion dollars, owners of expensive homes will be disqualified, even if they have applied early.

[Soundbite] Yim Jong-yong(Chairman, Financial Services Commission) : "By loaning the money first to the low-income class, priority will be given to small homeowners. Chaos and customer inconvenience stemming from the first-come, first-served basis will also be reduced."

Financial authorities made it clear that no more refinancing will take place, because there is only so much money to loan out, and that it would be difficult to extend the program to the secondary financial industry. Nonetheless, more support will be provided to homeowners to choose from other low-interest home financing products. As more money became available for the new mortgage loan program, homeowners who could not get loans the first time are feeling more at ease. However, more people are likely to complain about this policy measure benefitting only a certain segment of the population.

2. Document Cache

[Anchor Lead]

Authorities have uncovered 10 years’ worth of classified documents hidden in containers and weighing in at over a ton, all regarding South Korea’s defense acquisition programs. They were put there by Ilkwang Group Chairman Lee Kyu-tae, who is being investigated for allegations of defense industry corruption.

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This container rental firm is located at the foot of Mount Dobong in Gyeonggi Province. Hundreds of containers are lined up along an eight-lane motorway. Inside the containers are more than a ton of secret documents on Korea's weapons purchases from Russia and the Air Force electronic warfare training equipment. Chairman Lee Kyu-tae was recently detained for inflating the prices of the equipment and raising slush funds. Some of the documents are at least ten years old, while others were drawn recently. Investigators first learned about the containers when they found clues to Lee's so-called "secret archives" while raiding the Ilkwang Group's offices on March 25. Lee created a secret room right next to his office. A code is required to enter the room, which is accessed by pushing a bookshelf. It was even found to be equipped with security cameras. Upon discovering the disappearance of classified documents from the room, investigators interrogated Lee's security staff and finally found the containers. The investigators plan to indict Lee with physical arrest as early as Monday and expand the probe after analyzing the discovered documents.

3. Latin America Focus

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The Inter-American Development Bank's annual meeting with the Inter-American Investment Corporation concluded on Sunday in Busan. The Korean government hopes to stir up greater interest in Latin America here in Korea and throughout Asia.

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It was the most productive meeting in the 56-year history of the Inter-American Development Bank. IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno's sincere gratitude came as the four-day conference came to a close on Sunday. The Korean government believes that the nation's hosting of the annual forum readied the country for a greater presence in the vast Central and South American markets that have a total population of 600 million and six trillion U.S. dollars in combined GDP.

[Soundbite] Rep. Choi Kyung-hwan(Deputy Prime Minister) : "We designed a 1.1bn dollar Korea-Latin America development cooperation plan that involves building infrastructure in Central and South America."

Such government support has spurred on private corporations to pioneer new markets as well. During the meeting, roughly 1,100 one-on-one business meetings took place and some 400 companies from Korea and Latin America met for business consultations. The Korean government expects great gains when Korea's IT and manufacturing technologies are effectively combined with the energy and mineral resources of Central and South America. The conference also served as a chance to spread Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, farther into the Latin American market through colorful performances and traditional cuisine. South Korea plans to spark a Latin American boom by extending the successful outcomes of the gathering with a visit by President Park Geun-hye to the region in the future.

4. City Sinkholes

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What could be more frightening than the street below you suddenly giving way, causing accidents and injuries on the city’s motorways? Over the weekend a number of sinkholes were reported throughout Seoul, presumably caused by repair work on aging water pipes.

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A 15-ton construction truck is tilted completely on its side. The vehicle fell onto the sidewalk in front of a convenience store, but luckily no one was injured. The accident occurred on Sunday afternoon when the road pavement in front of the Hyundai Department Store in the Sinchon area of downtown Seoul suddenly sank. As a result, a sinkhole measuring 3 meters long, one meter wide and one meter deep was created in the middle of the road. Police believe that the pavement, which had been temporarily covered with asphalt after repairing water pipes, sank under the weight of the vehicle.

[Soundbite] Lee Dong-shik(Seoul Seodamun Fire Dept.) : "A part of the temporarily paved road was hollow inside. The truck fell through because the ground underneath was too weak."

Earlier, on Sunday morning, another sinkhole measuring one meter long and 30 centimeters deep was found in Seoul's Gangnam area. A motorcyclist and one other person were injured when the motorbike was trapped in the hole. They were transported to a nearby hospital. The Seoul metropolitan government believes that the sinkholes occurred because the ground had been washed away by water leaking from pipes which were installed in the 1970s.

5. Abuse in the Military

[Anchor Lead]

One soldier has been arrested and charged with the persistent abuse and sexual harassment of a colleague in the Korean Air Force. However, the entire Air Force is facing scrutiny for being unaware of the constant abuse the victim suffered at the hands of his fellow soldiers.

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The victimized Corporal Jeong was assessed as a grade B soldier who needs special attention after he complained of being beaten by his senior unit members and of personal illness last July. Grade B soldiers are subject to focused supervision. Corporal Jeong had even undergone psychiatric therapy two months later. But he was again beaten and sexually harassed for the next three months, this time by his fellow soldiers, for reporting what had happened to him. It turned out, however, the Air Force was completely unaware of the incident and had, in essence, neglected a soldier of interest who required constant supervision. The Air Force claimed that it was unaware of the subsequent abuse because Jeong did not report the assault. However, it turned out that Corporal Jeong had reported the abuse to the military on January 8th, but the Air Force did not take any follow-up measures. Jeong was again beaten and sexually harassed three days after he had reported the incident to the authorities. The Air Force belatedly realized the gravity of the situation and charged the lead abuser after isolating CorporalJeong and investigating the entire unit. Two other soldiers who allegedly took part in the assault will also be penalized at an upcoming disciplinary hearing.

6. Music Bank World Tour

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The latest edition of the KBS Music Bank World Tour was filmed in Hanoi, Vietnam. Here’s a look at how the Vietnamese fans welcomed their favorite K-pop singers.

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An outdoor performance venue is packed with a capacity crowd of K-pop fans. They sing along with their favorite artists with all their might. The audience cheers every move of the performers in unison. More than 500,000 ardent Vietnamese fans gathered to see EXO, A-pink, GOT7 and other K-pop stars.

[Soundbite] K-pop Fan : "I'm happy to see my favorite idol singers in person."

[Soundbite] K-pop Fan : "It's exciting and fun. Thank you, Music Bank, for coming to Vietnam."

The singers repaid their fans for their support by performing a popular Vietnamese song. The popularity of K-pop reflects Korea's status as the number one foreign investor in Vietnam.

[Soundbite] Suho(Member, EXO) : "I had no idea that we'd receive such a warm welcome. Thanks to our fans' support, we were able to stage a good performance."

The KBS Music Bank World Tour, which began in 2011 in Tokyo, has been held nine times so far. An exhibition of products made by small and mid-sized Korean firms was also held outside of the performance venue, drawing scores of young Vietnamese customers.

7. Seedling Festival

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Tree and seedling markets have opened with the arrival of spring. Weekenders enjoyed the warm weather at a seedling festival held in Okcheon, North Chungcheong Province. Here is the story.

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From flower trees to fruit trees, a wide variety of seedlings that overcame the bitter winter cold testify to the arrival of the spring. With the nation's Arbor Day seven days away, a seedling market is full of people who're look for new additions to their gardens.

[Soundbite] "For a persimmon tree, trim the branch after it grows over a meter long. It grows better that way. A meter from here?"

The customer listens carefully to the seller's tips.

[Soundbite] Choi Eun-hee(Visitor ): "I came here to buy new flower trees to plant near my house, and enjoy an outing with my mother."

Children have a chance to learn about nature through the visit to the seedling market with their parents.

[Soundbite] Yang Eui-mo(Visitor) : "We are here to see the seedlings and flowers because I thought it would be fun to plant trees together with my children. The weather is beatiful, it will be a good memory for my children."

A long line formed at the site where seedlings are given out for free. Two-thousand seedlings ran out after a short period of time. The arrival of the spring has been confirmed at seedling markets, which are filled with the fresh energy of the new season.

8. Entertainment News

[Anchor Lead]

In our society, there are people who don’t get the spotlight but do their best to fulfill their critical responsibilities. At the opera, there are many doing their part behind the scenes, like the opera coaches we’ll introduce to you today.

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Opera is an art form that combines vocals of the highest level and orchestra music. But during the months of training that precede an onstage performance, a piano stands in for a full orchestra. The pianists are called opera coaches. The opera coaches provide musical instruction to each singer.

[Soundbite] Park Hwa-kyung(Opera Coach, Korea Nat'l Opera) : "It would be better if you describe those feelings through this aria."

[Soundbite] Han Myung-won(Baritone) : "It is the most necessary job. Opera coaches are indispensable in operas."

The piano must provide the sounds of various instruments to simulate orchestral accompaniment. As the job requires such a high level of expertise, there are only about ten opera coaches in all of South Korea.

[Soundbite] Park Hwa-kyung(Opera Coach, Korea Nat'l Opera) : "I wouldn't do this job if I felt unsatisfied. The singers represent my music."

Although they don't receive the limelight on the stage, opera coaches play a key role behind the curtains.

9. Compotes & Health

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Compotes, which are in many ways similar to jams, have been popular in Europe for a long time. In comparison with jams compotes are made with whole fruits and contain less sugar, making them a healthier option for many. Here’s more.

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Fruit jams are usually made to preserve fresh fruit for a long time. But for people who need to limit their sugar consumption, jams can pose health risks because they contain so much sugar. Compotes are a healthier alternative to conventional jams. They're made with whole fruits and much less sugar. Compotes have been a popular dessert in France and other European countries for a long time. In French the word "compote" translates to "a mixture of fruit and sugar syrup."

[Soundbite] Sarah (France) : "You can feel the taste of apple because there is little sugar in it, as you can see. The caramel makes it sweeter."

So, what's the difference between a jam and a compote?

[Soundbite] Chung Young-seon(Culinary Researcher) : "Compote is more healthful than jam because it's made with less sugar. Compote also tastes better because it contains larger chunks of fruits, whose flavor and texture remain intact."

Jams are firmer than compotes and consist of mashed fruit pieces. Compotes are thinner and consist of fruit chunks. Jams contain five times as much sugar as compotes. Here's how to make a compote. Remove the stems from your strawberries and chop them into small pieces. Put the strawberries in a pan and add sugar at the ratio of 5-1.

[Soundbite] "Turn off the heat when the fruits are not cooked through, because they become firmer as they cool."

When the strawberry juices boil down to some extent, cool the compote at room temperature. Now it’s ready. You can also make a pear compote. All you need is some white wine, sugar and a vanilla bean. Pour the white wine and sugar in a pan and add the pear, lemon and vanilla bean. Boil for about 15 minutes to keep the fruit crunchy. Strawberry compotes taste good with yogurt. Pear compotes can be enjoyed as a gentle and fragrant tea by mixing them with some hot water. Compotes are a healthy and delicious dessert that can be enjoyed by the entire family.