Visit to the Border

[Anchor Lead]

U.S. Army General Vincent Brooks, who took charge of U.S. forces in Korea last month, visited the Joint Security Area with South Korean Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lee Soon-jin. The visit to the inter-Korean border by the two military commanders was meant to send a strong warning message to North Korea.

[Soundbite] “The area next to the first white flag is the 108th MDL.”

[Pkg]

General Vincent Brooks, the new commander of ROK-US Combined Forces, visited Panmunjeom's joint security area yesterday as his first public appearance since taking charge of U.S. forces in Korea. He asked for a strong defense posture based on a solid ROK-US alliance to deter North Korean provocations.

[Soundbite] Vincent Brooks(Commander, ROK-US Combined Forces)

It was a strong warning message sent to North Korea by the new chief of joint forces as the likelihood of North Korea initiating surprise provocations grows in the wake of the 7th Workers' Party Congress in Pyongyang. South Korean Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lee Soon-jin also vowed stern retaliation against North Korean provocations.

[Soundbite] Gen. Lee Soon-jin(Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff) : “I ask you to have the perfect defense posture based on the spirit of blood alliance as you do now.”

Meanwhile, the South Korean military held an offshore artillery exercise near the Northern Limit Line on the Yellow Sea. Military authorities from South Korea and the United States also discussed various measures to deter North Korean provocations at the Korea-U.S Inter grated Defense Dialogue, which had taken place in Washington DC on May 9th and 10th.

2. NK’s Risky Strategy

[Anchor Lead]

Kim Jong-un's strategy appears to be the pursuit of nuclear and economic development simultaneously, but some analysts warn that this could backfire on the regime. They go on to say the North Korean leader's excessive focus on achievements will only further anger the public.

[Soundbite] Kim Jong-un(Reporting on the Workers' Party Congress) : “Our new policy of nuclear and economic development is not just a temporary response to the rapidly changing geopolitical situation but our long-term strategy that we must hold onto firmly.”

[Pkg]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has proclaimed his state a nuclear power in the Workers' Party code and officially announced nuclear and economic development as the key strategy of his administration. However, some analysts predict that a simultaneous pursuit of nuclear and economic development could backfire and unsettle the Kim Jong-un regime. Their view is that Kim's ambiguous economic development policies amid heavy sanctions against the North due to its nuclear development will eventually result in exploitation of the North Korean people.

[Soundbite] Lee Ki-dong(Researcher, Inst. for Nat'l Security Strategy) : “The North's excessive investment in the construction of nuclear facilities will inevitably inflict serious economic losses, which will result in public famine.”

Kim's policies could then eventually reveal loopholes, triggering public resent and undermining his power.

[Soundbite] Cho Bong-hyun(Researcher, IBK Economic Research Inst.) : “Kim's policy will hamper economic cooperation, resulting in economic hardship and posing a threat to his regime.”

It has also been posited that Pyongyang is likely to conduct a fifth nuclear test to show off its relentless pursuit of economic and nuclear development.

3. Defector Families

[Anchor Lead]

The families of some of the North Korean restaurant employees who fled China last month granted an interview to foreign journalists on assignment in the North. The families claim that the North Koreans were kidnapped by South Korean authorities. Here’s more.

[Pkg]

These are the family members of the North Korean restaurant employees, who had fled China last month. The family members who remain in North Korea claim that the South Korean authorities had kidnapped the female employees.

[Soundbite] Mother of an Escaped Restaurant Employee : “It's kidnapping. She didn't go on her own free will, but was kidnapped.”

Given that CNN's interview with the family members was arranged at North Korea's proposal of an exclusive report, the North Korean authorities are believed to have carefully directed the plot. But North Korea's propaganda efforts are sometimes full of holes. A maternity hospital in Pyongyang was shown to the foreign press members. Although the hospital had cutting-edge equipment, the staff didn't know how to operate them or only spewed nonsense about old devices.

[Soundbite] North Korean Guide

A supposedly sick woman on a hospital bed has full makeup on and there isn't a single medical chart in the hospital rooms. The Washington Post reporter who had covered the hospital pointed out North Korea's duplicity by asking where reality ends and artifice begins.

4. Ban to Visit Korea

[Anchor Lead]

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will visit Korea and Japan late this month to attend the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity and the G7 Summit. Attention has also focused on Ban's political plans, as he's scheduled to stay in Seoul for three days.

[Pkg]

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has announced plans to visit Korea later this month.

[Soundbite] Stéphane Dujarric(Spokesperson for UN Sec.-Gen.)

Ban will deliver a keynote speech at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity on May 25 and fly to Japan the next day to attend the G7 Summit. On May 30, Ban will visit Gyeongju to attend the U.N. NGO Conference before returning to New York. During his visit, the U.N. chief will reportedly stay in Seoul on May 27-29. Ban said that he hopes to spend some time with his family while in Seoul, but attention is gathering on his political moves. Some members of the ruling Saenuri Party, which suffered a crushing defeat in the last general elections, say that Ban could become the party's "savior." It also remains to be seen whether Ban will meet with the president. So far, Ban has said that he would only focus on his duties with the U.N. until his term ends at the end of this year, and he has not given a clear answer on whether he will run for president.

5. Chunhyang Festival

[Anchor Lead]

The 86th Chunhyang Festival in Namwon, North Jeolla Province has opened today. Let's visit Gwanghalluwon Garden in Namwon to see the variety of events and performances featured at the love-themed festival.

[Pkg]

Chunhyang Village in Namwon, North Jeolla Province is known as the home of pansori, Korea's folk song. A wide variety of traditional cultural events are held at Gwanghwalluwon Garden, where Seong Chun-hyang and Lee Mong-nyong fell in love. Having started back in 1931, the Namwon Chunhyang Festival boasts of the longest history and tradition among all the local festivals in Korea. This year's festival featuring the theme of "Chunhyang! The Undying Love" is scheduled to last four days from May 13th at the areas around Gwanghalluwon Garden, the Yocheon Stream, and the Chunhyang Theme Park. The opening ceremony held Friday evening will feature a traditional music concert, a group dance recital, and brilliant fireworks. Prior to the opening ceremony the fiercely competitive Chunhyang Gugak Contest will be held for the nation's top traditional singers to show off their talents. The flagship event of this year's festival is the "Love of the Century" performing arts event. Thirty-six teams from Korea and abroad are scheduled to put on roughly 40 rounds of amazing performances. Korean traditional opera changgeuk inspired by the love story of Chunhyang and a complete Sugungga pansori performance are included in the repertoire. A Russian folk music ensemble, China's Yancheng city art troupe, Italian opera singers and many other artists will showcase the traditional music of their respective countries to give the festival a more global appeal.

6. Teacher’s Day

[Anchor Lead]

On May 15 Korea will mark Teachers' Day. A group of former students, now in their 80s, met with their teacher, who is now 99, to honor him this Teacher’s Day. Take a look.

[Pkg]

Former pupils, now in their 80s, have visited their elementary school teacher.

[Soundbite] “Teacher, are you there? Hello. How have you been?”

The teacher, who turned 99 this year, welcomes his students in the yard. The students bow, to which the teacher responds with a bow of his own. The students then attach a carnation to his chest to express their gratitude. They reminisce about their time together, looking at black-and-white photos that were taken more than 70 years ago.

[Soundbite] “This is our teacher, and this is our graduation photo.”

[Soundbite] Lee Kum-dong(Former Pupil/Age 80) : “We wanted to visit our teacher, who is 99 years old now, to mark Teachers' Day.”

The pupils and the teacher stroll in the old school playground together, reliving their childhood memories.

[Soundbite] Cho Se-kwan(Former Pupil/Age 82) : “It was great to take a stroll in the school yard with my teacher and former classmates and relive our school memories.”

This teacher was known for his extraordinary love for his students. In 1951 when Korea was still at war, he raised funds in the form of 1600 sacks of rice for the establishment of a middle school in his town. He was in his early 30s at the time.

[Soundbite] Lee Keon-yeop(Fmr. Principal of Galsan Elementary School) : “I didn't do much for them, but they welcomed me so warmly. I'm very thankful to them.”

This former teacher and his pupils still cherish their memories together even after 70 years.

7. Seoul Grand Park

[Anchor Lead]

At Seoul Grand Park, some animals enjoy celebrity status. The famous animals are known to draw scores of visitors, especially as the weather improves. We take you there now.

[Pkg]

The black hairy friend gulps down vegetables, given as a snack, in no time. It also drinks herb tea from a bottle held in hand. The furry friends pounce their chests, yell at times and also enjoy the warm sunlight. These two are the most valuable assets at the zoo. They are the Lowland Gorilla couple.

[Soundbite] Park Jae-cheol & Im Su-jeong(Visitors) : “(The gorillas you're watching cost some USD 855,000. Have you heard?) No, it's the first time I heard that. 855,000 dollars? That sounds more expensive than me.”

These hippos yawn as they bask in the sun and also munch on fruits and snacks. They are the Pygmy Hippopotamus couple! The male is blind and the female has come from afar, the UK. They are the second most highly valued at the zoo at over 850 thousand dollars. Visitors can't take their eyes off them. Also at the Seoul Grand Park is the Giant Anteater as well as the Malayan Sun Bear, an endangered species and the smallest in the bear family.

[Soundbite] Im Yang-muk(Zookeeper, Seoul Grand Park) : “Globally endangered species are also protected and managed here. We also have a wide variety of rare animals not seen even in provincial zoos.”

Including rare species, the Seoul Grand Park houses a total of over 36-hundred animals.

8. Buddha’s Birthday

[Anchor Lead]

Saturday is Buddha's Birthday, marking Buddhist Era 2560 on the Buddhist calendar. A large scale lotus lantern festival has been held in downtown Seoul ahead of the holiday. Take a look at the beautiful array of colors.

[Pkg]

Instead of cars, some 100-thousand colorful lanterns fill the streets in downtown Seoul. The procession set out from Heunginjimun Gate, passed Jonggak and continued all the way to Jogye Temple, creating a beautiful wave of lights. Prior to the event, the Venerable Jaseung, head of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, said that lights lit by people's hearts are what enable society to communicate. He called for a wave of hope and courage with lights illuminated from our hearts. The lotus lantern is a symbol of Buddhism carrying the meaning of uncovering and propagating the Buddha's truth. The lantern procession is a custom which traces its roots back to the Unified Shilla dynasty. The Lotus Lantern Parade was designated important intangible cultural asset No. 122 back in 2012. Even after the parade, colorfully lit lotus lanterns will be on display through Saturday near the Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jogye Temple area.

9. Temple Food Spotlight

[Anchor Lead]

As we just mentioned in that last story, Buddha's Birthday falls on Saturday, May 14 this year. Up next, a report on temple food, which is considered quite healthy because it contains zero artificial additives or strong spices. Here's more.

[Pkg]

The surrounds of Buddhist temples in Gyeonggi-do Province are blanketed with colorful lanterns to celebrate Buddha's birthday. The lanterns were made with extra care by temple stay visitors. It's a mealtime. Bowls used by Buddhist monks have four purposes. First of all, the bowls are washed thoroughly with special water. Then the food - simple and neat - arrives. Temple food is only made with seasonal vegetables, dried pepper powder and soy sauce. Everything is purely natural. Today's menu is radish soup, fried vegetables, braised potatoes and kimchi. How does it taste?

[Soundbite] Kim Hyun-ji(Temple Stay Participant) : “It was unique. We eat salty food in daily life, but temple food has a milder taste.”

There are restaurants that specialize in temple food. This place serves yellow dough flakes, rice wrapped in lotus leaves and pink lotus roots. This dish looks like meat but in fact it's deep-fried mushroom puffs. Many dishes in temple cuisine are made with mushrooms.

[Soundbite] Ahn Hee-bok(Chef, Temple Food Restaurant) : “Because meat is banned in temple cuisine, nutrients are supplemented through deep-fried mushroom puffs.”

Here's how to prepare simple temple food at home. First, prepare a filling with tofu and vegetables, and wrap with steamed cabbage leaves into rolls.

[Soundbite] “Customer from Hungary”

You can also make a temple-style pizza. Mix wheat flour with potatoes to make a dough. Top with tomato sauce and mushrooms. Use ground yam instead of cheese. Now bake the pizza. It looks like any other pizza.

[Soundbite] Oh Ki-taek(Customer) : “Pizza made with potatoes and yam is healthful. I can eat it every day.”

Temple food is healthy and a simple pleasure to eat.