Tropical Nights

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Tropical nights of sultry weather going late into the night are being experienced nationwide. Citizens seek out rivers and beaches for refuge from the sizzling heat wave.

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Tropical nights continued on the nation's east cast with temperatures of over 30 degrees continuing into late night hours. Even at night, vacationers flocked to a bridge nearby a beach.

[Soundbite] Lee Eun-joo (Gangneung, Gangwon Prov.) : "I couldn't sleep because of the heat. I came out for a cool breeze. It's great."

Capital Seoul was no exception. People trying to beat the heat wave crowded along the Han River. They played in the water and watched impromptu performances, but it still wasn't easy to blow away the mugginess. But while chatting with friends in the river breeze, the weather suddenly feels a bit cooler.

[Soundbite] Lee Ru-ra (Seodaemun District, Seoul) : "It was so hot even after sunset. I was going to meet friends but I came here for some river breeze."

The city of Daegu is particularly sweltering at night after afternoon highs topped 37 degrees.

[Soundbite] Baek Ji-han (Dalseo District, Daegu) : "It was stifling and hot for the kids to stay at home so we came to this nearby park."

With tropical night temperatures of over 25 degrees affecting most parts of the nation, Koreans are struggling from sleepless nights.

2. Sunstroke Safety

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People with health issues have a hard time handling this scorching weather. The first death caused by sunstroke this year has been reported, and hospitals are seeing a surge in the number of sunstroke patients. Here's how to stay healthy in the hot weather.

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Heat-related illnesses such as a sunstroke, exhaustion and fainting have been on the rise in Korea's southern regions over the past three days. Victims include a man in his 30s who was working outdoors in Asan, South Chungcheong Province when he died of a sun stroke. About 40 percent of patients suffering from heat-related illnesses are over 60. Elderly people have difficulty regulating their body temperatures because their sweat glands cannot function properly. It's vital for seniors to drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day because they do not feel thirsty even when dehydrated. To maintain a steady sleep rhythm, experts recommend waking up in the morning at the same time every day.

[Soundbite] Prof. Lee Eun (Severance Hospital) : "It's important to wake up at the same time as usual. If you get up too late, the quality of sleep may become even worse the following day."

Exercising is also a good way to keep fit during the scorching weather, but should be completed at least three hours before going to bed. During tropical nights it also helps to stay relaxed rather than focusing excessively on trying to fall asleep.

3. Lotte Family Feud

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Shin Dong-joo, former vice chairman of Lotte Holdings Japan and currently at the center of a family feud against his younger brother, granted an exclusive interview to KBS. He unveiled a document signed by his father, Lotte Group founder Shin Kyuk-ho, directing the dismissal of his brother Shin Dong-bin. He also dismissed claims that he was waging a coup.

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"Everything was father's will." Shin Dong-joo, former vice chairman of Lotte Holdings Japan, claims that the dismissal of his brother Shin Dong-bin as CEO of Lotte Holdings is their father's will.

[Soundbite] Shin Dong-joo (Fmr. Vice Chairman, Lotte Holdings Japan) : "I don't understand the expression "coup d'etat." My father simply exercised his rights."

He unveiled a letter of instructions drafted by his father Shin Kyuk-ho on the day before he left for Japan. The letter orders the dismissal of six board members of Lotte Holdings, including Shin Dong-bin. Another document bearing the elder Shin's signature calls for the appointment of Shin Dong-joo and three other officials as the president and staff members of the holding firm. Meanwhile, Lotte Group shot back, saying the letter neglected due procedures, so is therefore not valid. The group also pointed out that the reason Chairman Shin Kyuk-ho sacked his eldest son Dong-joo from key posts last year was due to his lack of performance at Lotte Holdings Japan.

4. North Korea Delegation

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The list of 19 people who will escort former First Lady Lee Hee-ho to North Korea next month has been finalized. The delegation will take a direct budget airline flight over the west coast, but it's still unclear whether or not the meeting with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will take place.

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This aircraft of a South Korean budget airline at Gimpo Airport will take former First Lady Lee Hee-ho and her delegation to Pyongyang via a direct flight over the west coast on August 5.

[Soundbite] Choi Jong-gu (Vice President, Eastar Jet) : "We are doing our best to make sure that the former First Lady Lee Hee-ho and her delegation will have a comfortable and safe trip."

The former first lady's delegation will consist of 19 members, reportedly with no politicians among them. Ms. Lee will stay at the Baekhwawon state guest house and a hotel in the Myohyang Mountain area for four days and three nights. She will visit the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital and a children's hospital. Lee Hee-ho's upcoming visit has drawn the spotlight for the possibility of her meeting with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who personally invited her to the North. Attention is also being focused on whether Seoul will send a message to Pyongyang via Lee, whose visit will take place just ten days ahead of the 70th anniversary of Korea's independence.

5. Korean Beef Prices

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The cost of Korean Hanwoo beef is fast on the rise. It's expected to climb through the Chuseok Thanksgiving holiday this fall. The government has laid out measures to address the high prices.

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This restaurant only serves domestic Hanwoo beef. But it's struggling these days due to fewer customers because of the MERS outbreak and the rising cost of beef.

[Soundbite] Hyeong Seong-hee (Owner, Hanwoo Restaurant) : "We buy the beef at a higher price, but the retail price for customers remains the same, so it's tough."

The wholesale price of first grade Hanwoo beef jumped 20 percent this month compared to last year. The price hike is due to a short supply and the prices are expected to continue climbing through August and September. The price of first grade Hanwoo beef in September, which includes the Chuseok holiday, is projected at an all-time high of around 15 to 16 dollars a kilogram. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs plans to expand the beef supply in the Seoul metropolitan area by ten percent and offer 20 percent discounts at large supermarket chains and public home shopping channels starting August 17. Over the long term, the government will revamp the supply system of quality calves to livestock farmers, and increase the number of direct farmers' trade markets and restaurants that also serve as butchers.

6. Rain & Traffic Safety

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New research shows that the number of deadly traffic accidents rises fourfold on rainy days because it takes longer to bring a car to a stop on slippery roads. Here's more.

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A passenger car running on a wet road hits a guard rail and spins around before grinding to a halt. Another skidding car loses its balance and hits a parked vehicle. Applying the brakes has little effect on a slippery road. This test shows what happens when a vehicle running at 100 kilometers an hour is stopped suddenly. On a dry road the stopping distance is 38.5 meters, but on a wet road the stopping distance increases by six meters. The difference may appear insignificant, but it's big enough to hit a pedestrian on a crosswalk.

[Soundbite] Hwang Un-ki (Director, Korea Traffic Education Center) : "When there is an emergency, drivers should apply the brakes as hard as they can. Some drivers think their cars will spin, but this never happens to cars equipped with an anti-lock brake system."

The mortality rate in traffic accidents occurring on rainy days is four times higher than usual. The mortality rate in crashes and run-off-road accidents increases more than sixfold. Therefore, lowering the speed and maintaining a longer stopping distance is crucial on rainy days. It's also essential to check the tires regularly and replace worn-out ones without delay.

7. Korean Tour Destinations

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Up next is our series showcasing local tourist attractions. Today, we'll take you to the little-known yet picturesque valleys in national parks across the country.

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It's clear enough to see the bottom of this stream at Dalgung Valley in Jiri Mountain. It's only 10 minutes away from the famous Baemsagol Valley, but not many people know about this hidden jewel. There is even a campground nearby, making the site perfect for family trips. Yongha Valley has it all - trees, boulders, and crystal clear water. Since the area is unspoiled by human presence, the scenery appears to have come straight out of a Korean traditional painting. Clear water travels along the 16-kilometer waterway in the valley.

[Soundbite] Jeon Ji-hyeon (Visitor) : "Breathing in clean air and dipping my feet in the cool stream helps me beat the heat."

Geumseon Valley is known for its stratified rock cliffs and waterfall. The incessant stream of falling water refreshes the body to the core.

[Soundbite] Park Han-gyeol (Visitor) : "The heat drove me to this valley in the national park. The sound of water is great and it's a really nice place to relax."

Ten little-known scenic valleys in national parks have been introduced to the public. They may not be as famous as other tourist destinations, but they feature nice campgrounds and lodgings. Those valleys also provide ecological programs and fun things to do for families.

8. Entertainment News

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Web dramas are shorter-length shows viewed on smartphones or the Internet. And recently, their popularity has surged. With top K-pop stars cast in leading roles, these web dramas are emerging as new hallyu contents.

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This is a web drama starring the idol group EXO. The drama notched more than 50 million accumulated views in Korea and six other Asian countries. What runs in common in these web dramas is that K-pop stars are playing the lead characters. Producers prefer to cast young Korean musicians in order to capture viewers in a short span of time.

[Soundbite] Baekhyun (Member, EXO) : "I find it really appealing because the genres and topics vary greatly. Also, web dramas don't require long filming, so we can perform as singers simultaneously."

Riding the soaring popularity of web dramas, Asia's first international film festival specializing in web dramas opened in Korea. The popularity of K-pop and the production capacity of Korean drama makers have combined to make web dramas an important rising factor in hallyu content.

9. Real Horror Experiences

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Horror movies are one way to beat the heat on a sizzling summer night. But how about a real life horror experience? Today be prepared as we take you through various horror experiences as a summer treat.

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On the film set in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province, all kinds of eery ghosts appear one after another after sunset. Some 100 of them including zombies, murderers and vampires sneak up on people and scare the living daylights out of them. People run away! While some trying pleading with the ghosts.

[Soundbite] "Please no, I beg you. No. No. Really no."

You never know what is going to pop up from where and when. This fear forces people to rely on each other. But still, folks are startled and terrified at the tiniest sound and movement. This is the Ghost Park Hapcheon Horror Festival continuing through August 16. The entire open set is turned into a horror village and visitors can enjoy a real deal horror experience. Some horrors can also be found closer to the city. This classical looking venue with a traditional thatched roof house converted into a ticket box is the home of the most representative Korean ghosts. This haunted house themed on the virgin ghost and the death angel is the place for the uniquely Korean horror experience. In the dark and dreary atmosphere, you're spooked. You must carefully look around when the angel of death suddenly comes out of nowhere.

[Soundbite] "Oh my god!"

After leaving the haunted house, there is a required activity. You must carry out the mission written on the wall in order to move on to the next destination. Just when you think it's all over, the virgin ghost makes another appearance! You can't lower your guard even for a minute. Finally after the whole experience is over, the participants get busy taking pictures with the ghost characters.

[Soundbite] "International Participant"

Similar horror programs are also available at Gwang-myeong Cave and Cheongok Cavlocated on the east coast. The scares in an ice cold cave will mark a one of kind experience during the peak of the summer heat. If you're growing fatigued from the muggy weather, try out these interactive horror experiences to blow away the heat.