B-52 Bomber Flyover

[Anchor Lead]

A U.S. B-52 bomber made a flyover across the Korean Peninsula on Sunday flanked by South Korean and U.S. fighter jets in a show of force directed at North Korea. The United States Pacific Command said in addition to sending a warning message to Pyongyang, the flight also demonstrated Washington's commitment to its ally, South Korea.

[Pkg]

A large bomber weighing 220 tons and escorted by South Korean and U.S. fighter jets, flies in the skies over the Korean Peninsula. It's the long-distance flight bomber B-52, the pride of the U.S. Air Force. The B-52 can penetrate the airspace at high altitude of 16,000 meters above ground. It can also hit areas located 6,400 kilometers away, which is half the Earth's circumference, and return to its base without refueling. The B-52 departed from the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam and four hours later reached the skies over the Seoul metropolitan area, which are 3,000 kilometers away. The deployment of the B-52 on the Korean Peninsula seeks to send a strong warning message to North Korea.

[Soundbite] Lee Wang-keun(ROK Air Force Operations Command) : "The South Korea and U.S. Air Forces can incapacitate enemy provocations in times of war thanks to close information exchange and precise firepower."

Harry Harris, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, said the deployment of the B-52 demonstrates Washington's strong commitment to protecting its allies, South Korea and Japan.

2. Air Force Strategy

[Anchor Lead]

With inter-Korean military tension escalating, South Korean Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lee Sun-jin and United States Forces Korea Commander Curtis Scaparrotti will evaluate the joint operational readiness of the two countries' Air Forces. South Korean National Defense Minister Han Min-koo ordered a stern response to enemy provocations. Here is more.

[Pkg]

South Korean Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lee Sun-jin will visit the nation's Air Force Operations Command and the U.S. 7th Air Force Command in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, on Monday with U.S. Forces Korea Commander Curtis Scaparrotti. During the visit, they will perform an emergency check on the joint operational readiness of the two countries' air forces in preparation against additional North Korean provocations, following its fourth nuclear test last week. In particular, they will discuss in detail the deployment of more strategic weapons on the heels of the recent U.S. B-52 bomber operation. South Korean National Defense Minister Han Min-koo visited the Army's missile command to check on the operation of major missiles and their readiness. Calling the command a powerful force feared by the enemy and a key strike unit in the kill chain, the minister called for immediate and accurate retaliation in the case of enemy provocation. Last year, the South Korean military successfully test-fired a ballistic missile with a range of 500 kilometers, capable of hitting all parts of North Korea. It is currently developing a ballistic missile with a range of 800 kilometers.

DMZ Propaganda Broadcasts

[Anchor Lead]

In today’s news bulletin, South Korean military authorities have engaged in propaganda broadcasts near the DMZ for four days now amid heightened vigilance against North Korea following its fourth nuclear test last week. A South Korean military source said that messages about the true goings-on in the North Korean regime are being aired through about ten loudspeakers placed along the border. The North Korean military has countered by turning on its own loudspeakers to interfere with the broadcast, prompting South Korea to reinforce its presence on frontline areas.

3. NK Reign of Terror

[Anchor Lead]

High-ranking Pyongyang officials are often seen appearing timid or uneasy in the presence of their leader Kim Jong-un. One top-ranking official was recently shown going almost so far as kneeling before the leader while reporting something to him, which could be a testament to Kim Jong-un’s reign of terror over the regime.

[Pkg]

North Korean television has been broadcasting this footage of the military meeting since January 8th. The footage shows Vice Marshal Hwang Pyong-so covering his mouth and reporting something to Kim Jong-un, who is seated in the middle. A closer look reveals that Hwang is not even sitting in a chair, but almost kneeling to match the height of the seated leader.

[Soundbite] (Korean Central TV) : "He expressed gratitude to the great commander and respected leader."

It's not the first time that the 67-year-old vice marshal, who is second in command in the North Korean regime, was seen so nervous in front of the 32-year-old Kim Jong-un. Earlier footage from last month showed Pyongyang's number one and number two military leaders - Hwang Pyong-so and Pak Yong-sik - hesitating before taking their seats next to Kim Jong-un despite the latter's gesture inviting them to sit down. The two officials remained standing until Kim Jong-un repeated his gesture. More than a hundred high-ranking North Korean officials are known to have been executed since the North's young leader seized power four years ago. Videos showing Pyongyang's top officials appearing nervous in front of their leader vividly show a slice of Kim Jong-un's iron grip on his regime of terror.

4. Autonomous Car Maps

[Anchor Lead]

The development of autonomous cars has captured the imagination of drivers and industry alike. These vehicles will need maps that will allow them to navigate roads in real time. Hoping to get a head start in this new market, large corporations as well as domestic and overseas IT companies are striving to develop new cutting-edge in-car navigation systems.

[Pkg]

As a car runs on the road, it collects updated map information. Measurements of road conditions such as the turning radius of an intersection and the width of side streets help to boost the map's accuracy.

[Soundbite] Lee Kyo-taek(SK Planet Manager) : "We are upgrading our map program to accommodate two-wheeled vehicles and trucks."

The domestic in-car map program market is led by "T-Map" in first place with newcomers like "Kim Kisa" following close behind. Web portal Naver has also joined the fray, teaming up with Hyundai Motor Company. However, domestic companies still have a long way to go with their maps, as resolution errors measure as high as ten meters.

[Soundbite] Prof. Sunwoo Myung-ho(Hanyang Univ.) : "Errors of 30 to 40 centimeters are acceptable while driving, but the margin must be brought within 25 centimeters for automatic parking."

With global competition heating up, it has become urgent for South Korean companies to secure reliable mapping technologies to defend the domestic market.

5. Korea Mobility Project

[Anchor Lead]

Last year saw the launch of the Korea Mobility project to develop eco-friendly trails and bike paths. Pilot areas for the project have been designated, but here’s more on what challenges lie ahead.

[Pkg]

Hiking trails and bike paths stretch along the bank of the scenic Seomjin River. Rafting and rail bike rides on a closed rail way are among the recreational activities offered in the area, which has been selected as a pilot site for the Korea Mobility project. It's an ideal place for motor less travel. But finding directions here remains a challenge. Travelers also experience various inconveniences using the bike rental station.

[Soundbite] Jeon Byung-min(Staff, Bike Rental Station) : "Is this the only bike rental station here? You have to come back here to return your bike."

So far, three pilot areas have been chosen for the Korea Mobility project. Once all the paths are built in the second half of the year, travelers will be able to find lodging facilities, eateries and tourist attractions using mobile apps. Each trail will have its designated number to make it easy for travelers to find them. By 2019, the government plans to create four or five Korea Mobility trail zones encompassing some 600 trails scattered all over the nation.

6. Polar Bear Plunge

[Anchor Lead]

There is a Korean saying that goes "beat the cold with the cold." Along those lines, Busan once again set the stage for this year’s polar bear plunge. We take you there to meet some very brave swimmers.

[Pkg]

A winter beach is packed with visitors. When the starting signal is issued, they plunge into the icy waters without hesitation. They dive and splash in the frigid ocean water. The enthusiasm of the thousands of participants brings to mind the beach in the summer heat.

[Soundbite] Jeong Hae-jin(Sasang District, Busan) : "It makes my whole body tingle. The plunge really woke me up!"

The polar bear plunge was selected by the BBC as one of the world's top ten unusual winter sports. Approximately 5,000 people participated in this year's event, an all-time high. Some 300 foreigners also took part, to take full advantage of the winter Busan sea.

[Soundbite] Jonathan(Canada)

The winter swimming event celebrated its 29th year this winter. The passion of the participants to beat the cold weather has heated up the winter sea.

7. “Kidult” Culture

[Anchor Lead]

A growing number of so-called kidults – or adults with juvenile sentiments and interests - is bringing changes to public exhibits. Kidult culture is rising thanks in part to its appeal to both grownups and children alike. Here’s more.

[Pkg]

Instead of drawings or sculptures, colorful toys are in display at this public exhibit center. People attach different clothes and body parts to create the figures of their liking. These toys have become so popular among kidults that an exhibit has been organized for them.

[Soundbite] Yun Jeong-ran(Visitor) : "My children and I share our hobbies with each other by making characters we both like."

This is a museum exhibit about the life and art of children's story author Hans Christian Andersen. Splendid costumes from "The Wild Swans" and a bed with many mattresses from "The Princess and the Pea" recreate the scenes from his stories. Adults as well as children travel back in time to their childhoods when they used to read Andersen's fairy tales.

[Soundbite] Lee Jae-gyeong(Researcher, Seoul Museum of History) : "This show fully proved the potential of exhibitions that appeal to kidults as well as families."

Kidult culture is gaining attention as cultural contents that provide nostalgic comfort to grownups and joy and fun to children.

8. Entertainment News

[Anchor Lead]

The Korean movie "The Himalayas" continues to top the box office selling more than seven million tickets so far. The film could become the first to break the 10-million mark in 2016. This and more, coming up on today's show biz section.

[Pkg]

"The Himalayas" broke through the seven-million mark in ticket sales Sunday afternoon, 26 days after its release. Based on the true story of a group of mountaineers, the movie drew a record number of filmgoers on Christmas day and is continuing its popular run. Attention is focused on whether "The Himalayas" can become this year's first movie to break the ten-million mark in ticket sales. But some industry experts are skeptical as the film earlier slid from its top spot in its fourth week of running. Girls' Generation became the only K-pop group to be invited to appear on an upcoming Lunar New Year's Day special show on Chinese TV. The girl group will appear on China's Jiangsu Satellite TV show that will air all over the country on February 8th. Girls Generation plans to join other Chinese stars on the show to perform hits such as "Gee" and "Lion Heart." K-pop boy group Winner, which debuted last year, released its new song "Pricked" after a 17-month break. The five-member group made marks last year by sweeping major Korean music charts with its debut album and topping various music ranking shows in the shortest time on record for a newcomer.

9. Maintaining Winter Boots

[Anchor Lead]

Warm boots are a must in the cold winter. But if they aren’t well maintained, boots can harbor harmful bacteria and leave their owners with unhealthy feet. Today we have tips on the best way to wear your boots and keep them as new as ever.

[Pkg]

This lady enjoys wearing boots in the winter. She likes them because they're warm and flattering but says her legs hurt when she wears them for a long time.

[Soundbite] Kim Ji-eun(Gimpo, Gyeonggi Prov.) : "I wear boots often in the winter. Whenever I return home, my ankle or sole hurts and in worse cases, swell up."

Her shoe rack reveals a wide range of boots from very long boots to Uggs.

[Soundbite] Prof. Kim Ji-beom(Podiatric Center, Inje Univ. Seoul Paik Hospital) : "The flat-sole UGG boots many women wear can cause what's called plantar fasciitis. If boots that reach the upper calf are too tight and prevent blood from moving upward, this can lead to swollenness."

People who suffer from varicose veins can experience even symptoms. After taking the boots off, it's important to relax your calf muscles by raising and lowering your heels repeatedly. Also use an ice or hot pack to massage your feet and ease the fatigue. When sleeping, place your feet on a pillow to help with blood circulation. Now let's learn how to clean dirty or stained boots. It depends on the material.

[Soundbite] Go Yeong-gil(Runs Shoe-Cleaner's) : "Use dry cloth to remove moisture from leather boots. Then use oil-based leather cleaner for another overall polish to create an oil coating."

Fur boots sullied and drenched by the rain or snow can be dried and fixed back into their normal shape using a hair dryer. Suede Ugg boots that have become very dirty need to be washed. Mix water, vinegar and neutral detergent in a 8 to 1 to 1 ratio. Spray the liquid evenly across the boots. Then dunk the boots in water and gently rub. The neutral detergent will remove stains while vinegar will serve to prevent discoloring. Boots are an essential fashion item in the winter. Manage them properly to keep them clean and in good shape for a long time to come.