NK Rocket Development

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We begin today’s show with a report from the North Korea monitoring site 38 North, which says that North Korea’s claim that it has developed a solid-fuel rocket engine is likely true. Though the regime is still in the early stages of developing this technology, 38 North predicts the rocket engine will be used for a multi-stage rocket system.

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A British missile expert has said during a briefing organized by the North Korea monitoring Web site 38 North, that Pyongyang's claim of having developed a solid-fuel rocket engine is likely to be true. As evidence, the expert cited opaque flames and white smoke seen in a photograph released by North Korea. The expert also expressed concern that though currently in the elementary stage, the North's solid fuel rocket engine could reach a considerably advanced level in the next 20 years.

[Soundbite] Michael Elleman(Senior Fellow, IISS)

Elleman also cautiously predicted the rocket engine is likely designed for a multi-stage rocket rather than a ballistic missile. He also pointed out the relatively slow and long burning time indicates the rocket engine is not suited for a first-stage rocket or a 200 kilometer range missile.

2. Solid-Fuel Rocket Tech

[Anchor Lead]

Unlike rockets powered by liquid fuel, solid fuel rockets can be launched at a moment’s notice, as they don't need to be transported or filled with fuel. If Pyongyang indeed has developed solid-fuel rocket engine, some observers say it will in fact try to employ the technology to produce inter-continental missiles.

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This is a FROG missile that North Korea launched without warning in March 2014.It's a short-range rocket with a range of 60 kilometers, and it's powered by solid fuel. Made with hardened aluminum powder, solid fuel can be stored in missiles at all times like regular batteries. Unlike rockets powered by liquid kerosene-type fuel, which must be transported in tank lorries, rockets powered by solid fuel can be launched immediately. Preemptive strikes prior to the launch of solid-fuel rockets are virtually impossible, as even intelligence satellites cannot capture missile launch preparations such as fuel transportation. But despite these advantages, North Korea's solid-fuel rockets have so far been limited to short-range missiles such as the FROG and the KN-02.Long-range missiles require high-quality solid fuel, but Pyongyang has not yet secured the technology to evenly mix such fuel. If the North's claims of a successful solid-fuel rocket engine test are true, Pyongyang is highly likely to use the technology in inter-continental ballistic missiles.

3. Advancing to Finals

[Anchor Lead]

The Korean national football team has advanced to the final qualifying round for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with a perfect record of seven wins. Making a return after an injury, forward Lee Jeong-hyeop led the team to victory against Lebanon on Thursday scoring a dramatic game-winning goal.

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In the Korea-Lebanon World Cup qualifying match on Thursday, striker Hwang Ui-jo's powerful shooting is blocked by the goalkeeper in the 33rd minute. Another criticial shot in the game's latter half also misses the Lebanese goalpost. During extra time, the match appeared to be ending at a scoreless draw. Forward Lee Jeong-hyeop who came in as a substitute midway into the second half, however, turns the tide and scores the only goal of the game. He turned a cross from Ki Sung-yuenginto an accurate goal opportunity. The priceless goal was gratitude expressed toward head coach UliStielike who had faith in Lee following his return to the team after recovering from an injury. With a perfect record of seven straight wins, Team Korea has finished the second qualifying round and made it into the final round of qualifications for the 2018 World Cup. Korea is the only country with a perfect score among those competing in the second qualifying round.

[Soundbite] Lee Jeong-hyeop(Striker, Korean Nat'l Football Team) : "I was hoping the ball would be passed to me. Fortunately senior teammate Ki delivered an assist and I was lucky to score the goal."

With the flawless seven win record, the men's team has also tied its previous best record to date. Coach Stielike aims to continue the qualification action and set a new record with another victory against Thailand. He also plans to use the upcoming match to test new players and tactics.

4. Gymnast’s Commitment

[Anchor Lead]

Gymnastics champion Yang Hak-seon, who had to go through surgery for an Achilles tendon injury that he sustained during training, says he has not given up on the Rio Olympics yet. The gymnast says he's ready to put his life at stake to win a medal.

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Yang Hak-seon has undergone surgery and is currently recovering with a cast on his right foot. His injury was all the more devastating because just last month he was feeling good enough to post videos of his training on social media. Sources say the gymnast's doctor diagnosed that Yang would need ten months to recover fully. But the gymnast is adamant that he can finish rehabilitation treatment sooner, and that he's refusing to give up on the Rio Olympics.

[Soundbite] Yang Hak-seon(Gymnast) : "I am very ambitious. I believe that I can recover. I'm ready to put my life on the line."

The only chance that Yang has at this point is a recommendation from the Korea Gymnastic Association. He can be eligible for recommendation if he participates in the second preliminary round of artistic gymnastics in early May. However, it will be a major challenge because Yang's main event - the vault - involves multiple jumps that require strong leg muscles.Strongly determined to seize even the slightest chance, Yang will devise a rehabilitation plan upon his discharge from the hospital next week.

5. Star Called to Thailand

[Anchor Lead]

Thailand's tourism authority has requested that a Korean actor starring in the sensational hit drama “Descendants of the Sun,” make a visit to Thailand. The agency even claimed that if Song Joong-ki were to visit the country, a meeting with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha could also be arranged.

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The fighting spirit of soldiers especially stands out in the KBS drama "Descendants of the Sun". In the story, servicemen are called to a devastating earthquake site and engage in life risking rescue efforts. The drama has exploded in popularity not only in Korea. Women in Thailand are smitten by heartthrob Song Joong-ki's smooth and charismatic acting.

[Soundbite] Thai Viewer : "I like Song Joong-ki. His acting is great and he's really handsome."

With the rising popularity, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has also beckoned the Korean star to pay a visit to its country. The chief of the Tourism Authority who is currently visiting Seoul made the request during a meeting with the president of the Korea Tourism Organization. The Thai official said that if Song visits, a meeting with the Thai Prime Minister could also be arranged.

[Soundbite] Lee Woong(President, KTO Thailand Branch) : "Thailand first proposed the actor's visit. We will also discuss and push for his visit as much as possible as Song is a public relations model who promotes Korean tourism."

Tourism authorities in Korea and Thailand anticipate that if the visit can be realized, it will further fan the Korean Wave and also attract more Thai tourists to Korea.

6. Work-Family Balance

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Starting on March 25, pregnant women in the workforce will be allowed to cut their work hours by about two hours a day. The measure was implemented on a trial basis at large corporations in 2014, but it’s now being expanded to a wider variety of workplaces.

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Lee Hyun-hwa is in charge of product planning at a department store. During the final trimester of her pregnancy a year ago, she clocked out from work two hours earlier than normal. That's because she applied for shorter working hours, a benefit granted to pregnant female workers.

[Soundbite] Lee Hyun-hwa(Dept. Store Staff) : "Thanks to shorter workdays I was able to work more efficiently and get more rest as well."

Until recently, the reduced working hours for pregnant employees were offered only at large corporations, but from now on pregnant women at all business sites that employ more than one worker will receive the benefit. Women who are less than 12 weeks or more than 36 weeks pregnant will be allowed to work just six hours a day without a pay cut. When a pregnant worker applies for shorter workdays, her employer must grant permission unconditionally. Employers who fail to comply will be levied a fine of over 4,000 U.S. dollars. It remains an urgent task to build a new corporate and social culture that values both work and family life.

7. AI in the Workforce

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As we watched AlphaGo handily defeat baduk champion Lee Sedol, many people came to worry about artificial intelligence replacing them at their jobs. A recent study shows us which jobs are most at risk to intelligent machines.

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With the advances in artificial intelligence and robotics, simple and repetitive jobs will be the first ones to be automated, probably starting around 2020. The Korea Employment Information Service surveyed 400 key occupations in Korea and their susceptibility to automation. Itturns out that concrete pourer was most likely to disappear due to automation.It was followed by butchers and slaughterhouse employees in second place, rubber and plastic makers in third, delivery men in 10th, fuel pump operators in 13th, and parking lot attendants in 27th.On the other hand, painters and sculptors were listed as the jobs that were least likely to be taken over by machines. Photographers and writers followed right behind with singers in 7th place, actors in 14th, college professors in 21st, and elementary school teachers in 26th. In the list of jobs at risk of automation, accountants ranked 125th, attorneys 279th, and medical specialists 338th, indicating that they were not very likely to lose their jobs to robots. The Korea Employment Information Service found that jobs that are simple and repetitive and require little creativity or communication are more likely to be replaced by machines. However, the Service predicted that the number of jobs will not shrink, as humans will continue to have jobs that require important decision-making skills or emotional empathy.

8. World-Travelling Birds

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A stork that was released last year in Yesan, central Korea, returned south after moving to the Hwanghae region in North Korea for about 10 days. Another freed stork traveled to Japan at the end of last year, illustrating that the species’ range of migration is growing as the birds adjust to changes in the environment.

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This four-year-old female Oriental stork named Min-hwang fishes for food.She also enjoys leisurely walks with fellow storks. A GPS tracking device showed that Min-hwang, one of eight storks released into the wild last September, flew to North Korea from South Korea's Gyeonggi Province on March 14th. The stork is shown to have passed through Kaepung County in North Hwanghae Province and stayed in Ongjin County in South Hwanghae Province in North Korea for ten days before returning to Yesan, South Chungcheong Province in South Korea on March 23rd. Its travel distance alone amounts to 400 kilometers. This is the first time that scientists have confirmed the return instinct and spatial perception ability of Korea's indigenous bird species, the Oriental stork.

[Soundbite] Yoon Jong-min(Korea Nat'l Univ. of Education) : "They are so smart that they can return to their original nest based on surrounding topography even after traveling a long distance."

The stork is believed to have come south in search of a better ecological environment than in North Korea and for spring mating.Given that the storks' range of movement is expanding over the Korean Peninsula and beyond, scientists are raising the need for joint habitat studies with North Korea or Japan.

9. House in the Country

[Anchor Lead]

Many of us may have the dream of owning a second home in the countryside that can serve as an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Today, we introduce various low-priced but high quality second homes that you may consider to get away from time to time.

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Three years ago, Oh Mi-sook began speding the five weekdays in a city and the weekends in the countryside region. As soon as she arrives at her country house, she starts to dust, pull weeds and remove fallen leaves.

[Soundbite] Oh Mi-sook(Owner, Country House) : "There are lots of things to do in the countryside. I have to weed out and clean the house but I don't find them laborious. I like the smell of grass."

She spent about 17,000 U.S. dollars to purchase the house on land covering 330 square meters. Oh purchased the property after searching houses put on sale online and doing lots of legwork. Is she satisfied with her second house in the countryside?

[Soundbite] "It is cold, since it is open air just outsidemy door and there are lots of bugs in summer. However, the pleasure of living amongst nature is so huge that I can embrace such inconveniences."

Another favorite type of second home is the mobile house, which can easily be built on a narrow patch of land. A mobile house measuring 26 square meters costs about 20,000 U.S. dollars. Several houses can be assembled in any form the owner likes, so it is possible to build houses with unique designs, including one with two stories. The construction time is short: assemblyusually wraps up in around a month.

[Soundbite] "It smells of wood. It is really good."

Rental housing is also a good option for those who want a second home but don't have sufficient land or cash. These cozy-looking houses are rental homes operated by each village with the support of the Gyeonggi provincial government. A one-year contract is possible with rent of about 342 U.S. dollars a month. A small garden in front of the house is good for growing vegetables and other produce.

[Soundbite] Kim Jin-young(Bucheon, Gyeonggi Prov.) : "I come here every week with my parents. We spend time and grow vegetables together."

Urban dwellers often dream of escaping from the hectic life of the city and enjoying a peaceful rest somewhere else. A country home can offer all you need to feel refreshed and relieved from the city life routine.