1199 2016-08-19 NEWSCENTER 22:00
- NEWSCENTER 22:00
NEWSCENTER 22:00
(THIS IS THE TRANSCRIPT FOR ARIRANG NEWS THAT AIRED ON 19 Aug 2016- 22:00 KST.)
Title: News Headlines
Tonight on Newscenter...
The latest defection to South Korea by a senior North Korean diplomat is raising many questions and speculations about what's leading these North Korean elites to abandon their state. Today, we learn of new details.
The residents of Seongju County begin to consider accepting the government's proposal to deploy THAAD to a different location within that county. What is THAAD and why the controversy? We take an in-depth look.
Team Korea adds a bronze from Taekwondo and lady golfers continue their lead in Rio... AND Usain Bolt wins his second gold in Rio alone in men's 200m sprint. A wrap up of Thursday's events and what to expect on day 14 of competitions...
It's Friday, August 19th, 2016. Newscenter begins right now.
Title: NEWSCENTER TITLE
2015. 11. 2~
Title: Opening
It is 10 in the morning in Rio and 10 in the evening here in Seoul.
Hello and welcome to our viewers all across the globe.
This is Arirang Newscenter.
Title: N. Korea likely monitoring diplomat's defection: Unification Ministry
While North Korea remains outwardly quiet on the recent high-profile defection of its number-two diplomat in the U.K,... a close former associate of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il believes that South Korea pressured the ambassador to desert the regime.
Kwon Soa has our top story.
There's been no official response from North Korea yet on the defection of its deputy ambassador to the UK... since the South Korean government officially confirmed the news Wednesday.
But that doesn't seem to mean the case is off of Pyongyang's radar.
"North Korea doesn't necessarily react to defections. It's likely that it is cautiously watching over the situation, considering the impact the case will have internally."
Kim Myong-chol -- a close former associate of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il who is based in Japan and regarded as North Korea's "unofficial spokesperson" -- told British daily The Telegraph that South Korea's intelligence authorities either forced Thae Young-ho to defect or bribed him,... claiming he wouldn't have defected on his own.
Kim said it's part of a tactic used by South Korea's intelligence agencies to bring about the collapse of the regime.
He added the South Korean government is using women to lure North Korean diplomats from all across the world... and even suggested South Korea could have kidnapped Thae's children until he agreed to go to the South.
Seoul's unification ministry spokesperson on Friday characterized the comments as a natural reaction,... as the North wouldn't want to acknowledge a sense of defeat.
He also said that defections like Thae's seem to be the result of an unbearable situation,... and that it could be linked to the tough international sanctions on the regime.
As more information about the case emerges,... multiple sources close to North Korea say Thae was in charge of the ruling Workers' Party Secretariat,... delivering high-level information directly to leader Kim Jong-un.
In addition, he was probably also responsible for work related to the Kim family's secret funds.
The sources also say that,... despite their elite status,... diplomats of Thae's rank in London are paid around 450 to 500 pounds,... or roughly 590 to 660 U.S. dollars per month,... and that in many cases North Korean diplomats abroad can't even afford basic health care.
"Reports are emerging that an official at the North Korean embassy in Russia also defected recently,... with some saying at least seven diplomats have fled this year.
Seoul's unification ministry said Friday that it cannot confirm any of the reports due to safety concerns and for diplomatic reasons.
Kwon Soa, Arirang News."
Title: UNESCO release information on data submitted by Asian civic groups
UNESCO has revealed on its website that civic groups from Korea, China and Japan have submitted a form to enlist documentation related to Japan's wartime sexual enslavement system into the organization's Memory of the World Register.
While it is a painful past to remember, the submitted documentation may probably become a new legacy of an issue never to be repeated again.
Kim Mok-yeon tells us more.
An application form submitted to UNESCO by civic groups from Korea, China and Japan was revealed on the organization's website on Friday.
The documentation looks to include Japan's wartime sex slavery and the forced recruitment of the so-called "comfort women" in the UNESCO's Memory of the World Register,
The term "comfort women", according to the form, refers to women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese troops from 1931 to 1945.
A total of 2,744 documents including those regarding Japan's "comfort women" system and testimonies of victims have been submitted.
The Japanese government is yet to make an official statement, but Japan's Sankei Shimbun responded through a report that the credibility of the documents are questionable adding that only 30 percent of the data were marked as being from official sources.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang news.
Title: Inspector's alleged info leaks would be legal violation: CWD
Korea's presidential office says a special inspector leading a probe into one of the President's top aides... may have disclosed classified information about the case to the press.
If true, the office says that would be a grave violation of the law.
Ji Myung-kil has the details.
Special investigator Lee Seok-soo was criticized by the nation's top office for allegedly leaking information regarding an ongoing probe on Woo Byung-woo, the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs.
"Leaking and exchanging information on an ongoing probe to certain media outlets is a grave breach of law. It's a neglect of duty and cannot be condoned."
The presidential office has accused the inspector of misconduct,... saying he leaked the process and details of the classified case to a journalist in advance. If this turns out to be true, Lee could be sentenced to a maximum of five years of prison, in accordance with the law.
"The inspector confirmed specifics of an ongoing case to a media outlet and said he will ask for an investigation regardless of the result of the inspection - which is exactly what happened. This is a serious violation of the law."
Special inspector Lee, who was appointed to the post by President Park Geun-hye in March of 2015, has flatly denied all the allegations against him saying that he never contacted the media nor revealed anything about the investigation.
Lee's first case since his appointment began last month amid mounting calls for Woo to step down....over claims he abused his power and misappropriated funds,... allegations that also extend to his family.
The senior secretary remains in his position though,... and was not included in Tuesday's partial cabinet reshuffle.
The presidential office has refused to comment on the results of the special probe and the future of Woo's duty.
Ji Myung-kil, Arirang News.
Title: Opposition calls for embattled presidential secretary to resign
The opposition parties are calling for the presidential office to dismiss the senior presidential secretary..., and some lawmakers with the ruling party have called on him to resign.
For more on parliament's reaction, we turn to Park Ji-won.
Korea's opposition parties criticized the presidential office for attempting to discredit the special inspector who is conducting an internal investigation into the president's civil affairs secretary,... saying the top office should reflect on its actions and apologize.
The opposition bloc said the presidential office is covering up the heart of the matter -- the allegations against its senior presidential secretary -- by diverting the focus to the special inspector and what it says was his misconduct... in deciding to speak to the press about a classified case.
The opposition parties also called for the resignation of the senior secretary in question, Woo Byung-woo, who is facing allegations of embezzlement and abuse of power.
"We urge the president to look at how the public responds to the presidential office's announcement. You should not turn a blind eye to the corruption allegations, while aiming to protect your staff. The people are calling on the president... to make a wise decision... about the allegations... against one of the country's highest public officials."
"No one believes a fair investigation by the prosecution is possible... as long as a sitting senior presidential secretary for civil affairs is the one under investigation. The People's Party urges the presidential office to dismiss Woo Byung-woo immediately, and only then can we expect a fair and swift investigation by the prosecution."
The ruling Saenuri Party's position is more ambiguous.
It wants thorough investigations into both the allegations against Woo... and the accusations of misconduct against the special inspector, Lee Seok-su.
"We can say that because this is the focus of the public's attention,... every allegation should be properly resolved according to the law and principles."
But the party is divided.
Some lawmakers, including floor leader Chung Jin-suk,.. are calling for Woo to resign so the prosecution is free to conduct its investigation,...
while others have declined to comment on the matter.
Park Ji-won, Arirang News.
Title: Rio Olympics 2016 Bridge
2016
Title: Rio 2016: Korea wins second bronze of day in Taekwondo
We're nearing the end of the Olympic Games, but the medals and records continue to come in, including for Team Korea.
We have with us our Olympics correspondent Kwon Jang-ho to take us through the latest from Rio.
Jang-ho, another couple of medals for Korea on Thursday -- not too bad.
Yup, Conn-young, not too bad at all.
As we saw yesterday, there was a bronze in the women's doubles for badminton early on in the day, and then in the late evening, there was another bronze for Lee Dae-hoon in the men's taekwondo.
To be frank, that wasn't the medal he was going for. As world number 1, he was gunning for the gold, but in the quarterfinals he came up against Ahmad Abughaush of Jordan who performed better than expected, landing three kicks to the head and winning nine points.
Lee couldn't respond in time, and eventually lost the match 11-8.
But in a gracious act of sportsmanship Lee held up Abughaush's hand after the loss, congratulating him on his win.
Abughaush went on to win the competition, to bring Jordan's first ever gold at the Olympics.
Title: Rio 2016: Park Inbee tops leaderboard while other Korean golfers remain in contention after Round 2
Wow, obviously it's a shame Korea couldn't win gold, but congratulations to Abughaush and the nation of Jordan. Now there weren't any other medals for Korea, but, Jang-ho, perhaps Korea is one step closer to one, possibly more, with another round of good performances in the women's golf?
You're right. After a very good second round, Korea's women golfers have put themselves in strong positions to pick up a medal or two.
Park Inbee is leading the pack after another stunning round of minus-5 on Thursday.
She ended day 2 on minus-10, one shot ahead of Stacey Lewis of the U.S.
Chun In-gee had a great round of minus-5 as well, including two stunning eagles, leaving her tied-8th, at 6-under par.
Yang Hee-young or Amy Yang, as she is also known, put herself back in contention with a fantastic round of minus-6, leaving her 4-under, while Kim Sei-young ended Round 2, at 3-under.
That means as we approach the business end of the competition, all four golfers are still very much in contention for a medal.
Kim and Yang are back out on the course as we speak, starting their third rounds.
Chun and Park will also be tee-ing off within the next hour.
Title: Rio 2016: Table tennis star Ryu Seung-min elected to IOC's Athletes' Commission
Now, off the field Korea has been finding success as well.
Former Olympic table tennis champion Ryu Seung-min has been voted in to join the IOC's Athletes' Commission.
Ryu won one of four available seats, receiving the second highest number of votes out of 24 candidates...in a poll of the athletes participating in Rio.
The commission acts as a link between competitors and Games organisers, and he becomes only the second Korean to be elected to the position.
He starts his eight-year term on Monday and he says he'll try to help advance Korean sports... as well as act as a bridge between the IOC and the organizing committee for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Title: Rio 2016: Usain Bolt achieves triple-double golds with win in 200m
In other news, Thursday was another milestone for Usain Bolt. He's completed part two of his triple-triple by winning gold in the 200-meters.
Another imperious display put him way ahead of the field, but at the end of the race he actually looked rather annoyed at himself.
In recent days he talked about how much he wanted to break his 200-meter world record, but he was quite a way off on Thursday, and he was disappointed he didn't run faster.
He'll be looking to round off his triple-triple today in the mens 4 by 100 relay.
Title: Rio 2016: Rio police says Ryan Lochte and U.S. swim team falsified accounts of robbery
Now unfortunately, incidents off the field continue to distract from the sport.
It's now becoming clear the Ryan Lochte and the U.S. swim team lied about being robbed at gunpoint.
CCTV footage from the gas station where the alledged robbery took place has been released, showing no robbery and in fact it looks like they themselves might have vandalised some property.
Rio police have confirmed as much, and are considering how to proceed.
"At this exact moment, what the police can say is there was no robbery the way the athletes reported. They were not victims as they described. In theory, they can be charged with giving false testimony and vandalism."
Right, it's an absolutely shocking turn of events.
These Olympics have had their share of problems, from empty stadiums to green pools and doping scandals, but it really could have done without something like this.
That's right, it's a slap in the face to all Brazilian people who have been working hard to try and put on a successful Games, and it also further distracts from some of the amazing sporting achievements that their fellow athletes have been putting on in Rio.
Title: Rio 2016: Day 14 schedule and medal table
So, on that note, let's put our focus back on to sport and see what we can look forward to today.
The qualifiers for the rhythmic gymnastics is about to start, where Korea is hoping that Son Yeon-jae makes it through to the finals, to try and record the nation's first Olympic medal in this event.
There's also hope for another medal in the Taekwondo, with Oh Hey-ri competing in the women's 67-kilo category.
The finals of the BMX and women's football are taking place today, before what could be the highlight of these games, the men's 4-by-100 relay where Usain Bolt could complete a historic triple-triple.
Looking at the medal table, no change, really. U.S. stay top, Great Britain cement their second spot with a couple of extra golds. And Korea stay 11th.
That's all from me, I'll be back on Monday to bring you a final wrap-up of these Olympics, as it all comes to a close over the weekend.
Title: NEWS BUMPER
2015.11.2~
Title: Seongju residents against THAAD consider alternate THAAD site in Seongju
Since South Korea's defense chief on Wednesday mentioned the possibility of an alternate site in Seongju for THAAD,.... those strongly opposed to the defense system may be showing a change in perspective.
Connie Kim reports.
Seongju residents fiercely opposed to the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in their county, located in the southern province of Gyeongsangbuk-do, may quiet down as they are likely to reconsider their stance.
The Anti-THAAD Struggle Committee in a meeting on Friday said the majority of representatives agree to review an alternate site for the U.S.-made anti-missile defense system if the government withdraws its initial decision to place it in Seongsan-ri at an existing anti-aircraft missile base.
This comes as South Korean defense minister Han Min-koo said during a meeting with Seongju residents on Wednesday that if Seongju reaches a consensus, the government will review deploying the THAAD unit to a different location within the county.
Possible alternative sites are likely to be locations further away from densely populated areas.
Discussions on whether the committee will accept an alternate site in Seongju to locate the THAAD battery will take place on Saturday.
While the THAAD deployment issue to the Korean peninsula seems to be finding a compromise domestically, Seoul and Washington remain steadfast in countering threats from North Korea.
Secretary of the U.S. Navy Ray Mabus held discussions with South Korea's defense minister Han to better strengthen the two country's military alliance.
Mabus also sat down with his South Korean counterpart Jang Jun-kyu to hold talks over the deployment of the THAAD system to the Korean peninsula, with no further details unveiled.
S. Korea plans to bring in the THAAD battery by the end of 2017,... and whether the government will succeed in appeasing the opposition to the anti-missile defense system remains to be seen.
Connie Kim, Arirang News.
Title: Japan-U.S. amendment of ACSA to allow more flexibility in exchanges of military supplies
The Japan and the U.S. plan to further strengthen their security ties through a deal that will allow more exchanges of military supplies and equipment. Meanwhile, in the East Sea on Thursday, the Chinese navy held a combat drill involving guided missile ships, which it says was part of routine training... targeting no one.
Oh Jung-hee has the details.
Japanese Self-Defense Forces will be allowed to provide more military supplies to American forces as soon as the end of this year.
The Japanese Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported on Friday that the Japanese government will amend its Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, or ACSA, with the United States,... under new national security laws that took effect in March.
The changes mean Japan will be able to supply fuel, ammunition and other materiel to U.S. forces,... not only during joint exercises or when Japan is under direct attack,.. but also when such attacks are expected,... and during U.S. military operations.
The Japanese foreign affairs minister Fumio Kishida and the U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy will sign the revised draft of the ACSA by early next month.
The draft will then be submitted to the Diet.
Tokyo also plans to revise its ACSA with Australia.
While the U.S. and Japan move to strengthen security ties,... the Chinese navy held a combat drill on Thursday in the East Sea.
The exercise involved two naval taskforces -- one on its way back from RIMPAC, a multinational exercise in Hawaii, and the other from China's Donghai Fleet.
According to the Chinese military's official newspaper,... the fleets engaged in a fierce mock battle, firing live missiles and cannons.
While some interpreted the drill by China as a check on Seoul for deploying the U.S.-developed THAAD missile defense system,... or on Japan over territorial disputes,... the Chinese government maintains that the drill was part of annual training... not targeting any country or region.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.
Title: Samsung Electronics releases new Galaxy Note 7 tablet to wide acclaim
Samsung Electronics launched its ambitious new smartphone on Friday -- the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. The tablet comes with a brand-new iris scanner and a much improved S-pen which can interpret user input... and offer direct translations of handwritten text.
Our Kim Jungsoo headed to the malls to check it out.
Samsung's release of the Galaxy Note 7 on Friday was met with great enthusiasm, both from the stock market and from the general public.
Throughout the day, Korea's main telecom companies including SK, KT and LG tried to lure consumers with special one-day promotions.
The IFC Mall in Seoul's main financial district of Yeouido also prepared a special exhibition to showcase the latest Android device, drawing hundreds of curious visitors.
One of the most eye-opening features of the device was its new biometric security mechanism -- an iris-scanner.
Once a user registers his or her iris on the phone, the identification process is almost instantaneous.
"It only takes a second for the iris scanner to verify the owner's identity, like this "
But that's just one of the many features of this state-of-the-art new addition to the Galaxy line.
With the newly upgraded S-pen, users can make even more delicate manuevers, which include magnifying images on the screen and turning still pictures into animations.
The phone can even translate a sentence handwritten with the S-pen into different languages.
The phone is also completely waterproof, which means it can be used in the shower and even brought into the swimming pool.
Onlookers in Yeouido were pleasantly surprised by the new features.
"I'm constantly amazed by how phones are getting better and better by the day. It really seems like Samsung has made this new product very accessible and convenient to use."
The latest corporate data from Samsung Electronics seems to point to continued growth.
First-half sales for the Korean tech-giant came to 100-point-7 trillion won, or about 90 billion US dollars -- 5 percent higher than the same period last year.
Many experts expect the latest release to give the company a much-needed push for the second half of 2016.
Kim Jung-soo, Arirang News.
Title: MMCA celebrates 30 year anniversary
Since opening its doors in 1969, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Korea... has actually lived through the history of Korea's modern art.
Its branch in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, is turning 30 this year, and celebrating with a special exhibition.
Our Kim Hyesung has the story.
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Korea is celebrating its 30th birthday... with moons and more moons.
A full moon shining in the dark.
Two blue moons.
And one made of puffed rice.
Just as the moon waxes and wanes in a cycle of about 30 days, the museum decided to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a related theme.
"A work of art is like a living being with a life cycle. To mark the 30th anniversary, we wanted to explore the meaning of life and death, the relationship between art and people under the theme "As the Moon Waxes and Wanes."
Titled "Willing to be Vulnerable," this rendition of a passenger airship symbolizes the 1937 Hindenburg disaster that killed 36 people.
The ten bodies on the vinyl plastic and the red marks on the floor signify death and blood.
And then, the brighter selections:
In this work, called "Survey of Color Preference," the playful colors represent the meaning of life, society, language and culture in the 21st century.
There are also works that explore anthropology, supernatural powers, and practices related to healing, immortality and rebirth.
And to give visitors a culturally rewarding experience, the museum's 37 masterpieces are gathered in one setting under the theme "relation."
Here, you can find iconic works of modern Korean art, see how artists view their utopia and immerse yourself in pieces that trenscend time and space."
Unique works of architecture, media and portraits are placed in parallel, helping viewers see the similarities and differences between the works,... and at the same time interact with the works themselves.
"I visit the museum several times a year. I can tell the they've put a lot of effort into this 30th anniversary special exhibition. I love how they juxtaposed masterpieces all together in one place."
Among the highlights of the 560 unique works of art on display are the sculptures.
Next to them are early designs and materials that were used in their creation... to shed light on the artistic process.
Finally, in the archive zone, you can see the museum's history.
Established in 1986, the museum now boasts over 7,800 collections, and has contributed to the development of modern art in Korea.
As it celebrates its 30th anniversary under the theme of "the waxing and waning of the moon," it is also preparing itself for the next 30-year cycle.
The special exhibition is free to the public and will run through January 12th.
Kim Hyesung, Arirang News.
Title: CULTURES SOPT TITLE
2016. 06.10~
Title: Korean web drama developers finding new ways to tell stories
Korean dramas, with their cliffhanger endings, handsome heroes and beautiful heroines,... have attracted a massive global fan base.
But for some, the smartphone age calls for entertainment that's shorter but just as enjoyable.
That's where web dramas come in,... each episode lasting ten to fifteen minutes.
Oh Soo-young introduces Korea's growing web drama industry,... and how the producers are making their stories not only creative but "real."
Ten minutes to leave a lasting impression... and make viewers crave for more.
That's what this web drama start-up aims to do as it puts the final touches on the pilot episode of a new eight-part drama.
"The series we're working on right now is about the lives of people who work at an advertising company. Each episode explores different themes: horror, parody and more. Most web dramas focus on romance, but we introduce diverse themes... and it's been received very well. The idea behind it is making the story relatable."
The start-up is one of the many content developers supported by the Korean government, which offers production facilities and business counseling in order to fuel the fast-growing content industry.
Numerous players, from media giants to independent creators, have jumped into the field, cooking up short, snappy dramas,... many of which feature popular Korean celebrities,... and garnering a huge global fan base.
"Only ten web drama series were made in 2013, but the production rate has doubled each year since then. In terms of clicks, the average has grown about 18 times from 2013 to last year."
"To celebrate some of the most-loved web series from Korea and around the world, the three-day K-Web Fest has opened at the Coex Convention Center in southern Seoul, introducing more than 100 works."
From drama screenings and red carpet appearances to networking forums, it's not just an event for avid fans.
It's also a pathway for local content developers seeking to go beyond the Korean market and enter the global arena.
"Really good chance for creators, even with a small budget. Whoever has a good idea, you can make an interesting subject. We don't need big time distributors. We can show and communicate directly with the audience through this event."
"My series won an award in the K-Web Fest, which then led it to the LA Web Fest, where it received a lot of international attention. Now, it will be shown in Spain and Brazil."
The event also offers a selection of virtual reality dramas, which experts say could generate sizeable opportunities both at home and abroad.
"Most VR content development has been concentrated in gaming or experiential displays. So integrating the technology into Korea's strong web dramas and video content could be a market-winning strategy."
Taking on the challenge,... a production company in Seoul launched a romantic drama series that allows viewers to step into the scenes, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the story.
"Most VR content in Korea was developed by researchers, so there's a lack of diversity. That's where we stepped in -- to produce new drama content, featuring a 360-degree view for our first series. However, there wasn't any interaction between the actors and the audience, so that's what we'll work on in the future, using VR features."
To support such efforts, the Korean government has laid out a variety of measures.
It offers more than 100-thousand U.S. dollars in grants for web drama production,... 18-million for VR content... and tax incentives and support for research and development.
Still, experts have pointed to a need for more comprehensive support.
"Financial aid and fostering content developers and start-ups -- these three areas need support. Moreover, it's crucial that the government specifies and invests in key areas of strength to create concrete success models with competent developers. Since it's an evolving industry, the policies need to be flexible and yet able to accommodate any issues that arise."
With creative storytelling methods and state-of-the-art technology, Korean web series developers are working to bring their stories to life for a new generation of fans.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
Title: Severe heatwave to continue until next week
Time now to get a check on the weather forecast. For that, let's head over to our Lee Jeehyun at the weather center. Jee-hyun, it's been reported that Korea's seen the most heat-related deaths this year since 2012.
Yes, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or KCDC, announced that 15 people have died this year due to heat-related conditions. The KCDC started collecting that data in 2011,... and as you can see, we've now equalled the number of heatwave deaths tallied four years ago.
That number could still rise,... with the heatwave forecast to continue for the time being. The weather agency expects the stifling heat and humidity to remain through the rest of the week.
That means another blistering day in store this weekend for many parts of the country, including Seoul. The tropical nights will also stay with us -- overnight lows staying above 25 degrees. Partly sunny skies are expected but we can't rule out some rain here and there.
Now let's take a closer look at the readings for Saturday --
Seoul and Jeju will start out at 26 degrees Celsius.
For the highs,
Seoul will reach 34 degrees while Daejeon, Daegu and Gwangju are looking at 35.
The host city of the on-going 2016 Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, will have a warm Saturday with a high of 32 degrees Celsius.
That covers Korea -- here's a look at the weather conditions around the world.
Title: Closing
That is our broadcast on this Friday night. Hope you enjoy the weekend. I'm Moon Conn-young. Thank you for watching. For our viewers in other parts of the world, have a good one... for those of you in Korea and across Asia, a good night from Seoul.
Title: NEWSCENTER ENDING
2015. 11. 2~
Title: THAAD 1
Over the past months - and particularly in the days since the South Korean government announced its decision to deploy a sophisticated U.S. missile defense system to the southern part of this country, there have been a lot of talk surrounding that decision.
First, the latest on THAAD front... from South Korea's Seongju County. Our Connie Kim reports.
Title: THAAD 2
Not only within this country but all over the world -- foreign media have been publishing articles, commentaries showing great interest with keywords like THAAD, South Korea, U.S., and China. But, at the core of all this... is North Korea's nuclear threat.
Tonight, we'll dissect what the heated debate is all about... but, first let's begin with the most basic question:
CG1) What is THAAD?
THAAD stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense.
It's a missile defense system operated by the U.S. army...designed to intercept short and medium-range ballistic missiles - the kind North Korea launches every now and then - at an altitude up to 150 kilometers, using a hit-to-kill method.
CG2) Each THAAD system is composed of three major components: The Radar, the command and control center, and the missile launcher.
So, in a scenario of North Korea launching a missile toward South Korea, the battery's RADAR will detect the launch... launch a warhead-less missile... and then, destroy the missile, solely relying on the kinetic energy of the impact.
So, how does China fit in the picture?
CG3)The reason why China so strongly opposes the deployment of THAAD to South Korea is the radar component of the system.
This is the radar capability of the missile defense system to be deployed here - a terminal-based radar.
Its effective range - a 200 kilometer radius... with a detection range of 8-hundred kilometers at most -- South Korea and the U.S., citing this, have repeatedly said Seoul's THAAD deployment is purely defensive of nature against North Korea's nuclear threats.
(
Title: THAAD 3
VCR)
In the aftermath of the North Korean nuclear weapon test in January followed by a series of missiles launches in subsequent months, South Korea and the U.S. announced that they would deploy a U.S. missile defense system, or THAAD, in South Korea.
Since then the deployment of the THAAD battery has been the topic of heated debate BOTH in AND outside of this country.
Question number one. Does South Korea need THAAD?
"The main concept of ballistic missile defense is multi-layered defense, they call it,.. because one weapon or equipment cannot perfectly destroy incoming missiles.
But as you know, we are in the danger of North Korean nuclear attack.
We cannot miss any nuclear missiles. So we need to increase the destruction rate to 100%. So we need another layer of ballistic missile defense.
So THAAD is very necessary to increase the probability of destruction of incoming North Korea nuclear missiles."
Question two. Why does the U.S. want THAAD in South Korea?
"The reason US forces stationed in Korea is to protect South Korean people. And so, it's a little bit circular, we're trying to do both, protect our people, and also protect South Korean people, both against an invasion of the North and against North Koreans' missiles."
Three. Why is it controversial?
While South Korea stands firm that the deployment of THAAD in South Korea is solely to protect the nation and the people from North Korean threats AND the U.S. maintains its sole purpose is to protect its forces there and their South Korean allies, some -- such as China -- see it as further militarization of the peninsula and an attempt to contain and reduce the effectiveness of its weapons.
So, does China have a case in strongly opposing South Korea's decision to deploy THAAD?
"China deployed a missile system called the HQ19, which is almost identical to THAAD. It was developed in cooperation with the Russians, so it's not there to defend China against Russian missiles, it's there to defend China against North Korean missiles. So, China already has a THAAD-like system that they have deployed for years.
China has now taken to saying that it's really the radar that's the problem, but there are many other radars in the region that have so much capabilities that China never complains about. There are two identical radars in Japan that China has never complained about. There's similar radars in South Korean and US ships that they're the aegis weapon system. There are satellites with radars.
"China is the number three nuclear weapons state in the world. It has over billion satellites looking down in South Korea everyday covering all areas."
There is also the issue of sovereignty.
"South Korea has the right to do so. However, it does not mean sovereign states as well. A sovereign state has the right and the duty to do everything that is necessary to protect itself, but it shouldn't expect its neighbors also sovereign states to be happy.
Because they don't care about their interests of other states, they care about their own interests.
And in this particular case, Chinese aren't going to be sympathetic."
But, still experts argue... for China, it may be a structural decision... but for South Korea, it's a matter of life and death.
"It's nonsense. We are threatend by North Korea's nuclear weapson. We're trying to deploy THAAD to defend our country."
Meanwhile, in the most recent poll taken among South Korean adults of 19 years old and older... more than half are in support of the government's decision to deploy THAAD.
Yes, there is also a significant number of South Koreans who oppose the decision, but taking their view into consideration and weighing the pros and cons of a heavyweight security policy and making the decision is for this country to make for itself.
Title: THAAD 4
Early next week, South Korean president travels to Russia and China -- she's set for a one-on-one with Russian President Vladimir Putin... in China, we have no word as of yet on whether the leaders of Seoul and Beijing will sit down for discussions.
How those meetings will progress and what will come out of them will be key to what lies ahead for Northeast Asian region.
Meanwhile...
Japan and the U.S. plan to further strengthen their security ties through a deal that will allow more exchanges of military supplies and equipment. Meanwhile, in the East Sea on Thursday, the Chinese navy held a combat drill involving guided missile ships, which it says was part of routine training targeting no one.
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