May 9, 2002

The Ultimate Parents Day Gift
Kang Hae Sun, a 29 year old elementary school teacher, will receive a life saving gift from her mother on Parent's Day (May 8). Kang has suffered from chronic kidney problems for three years and is in need of a transplant in order to survive. It was determent that her mother was the best match and so arrangement were made for the transplant to take place at a hospital in Seoul. Kang is expected to make a full recovery, after which she plans to teach her students the importance of filial piety.

Weatherman Strikes Ginseng Gold
Kim Shi Jung, a weatherman who works for an Ulsan broadcasting station recently found four wild ginseng roots. Two of them were 10 years old, while two of them were more than 35 years old. It is very difficult to find this type of ginseng (called Sansam in Korean) growing wild these days and the plants cannot be cultivated on farms. The plants are estimated to be worth more than five million won. Kim found the ginseng after his deceased mother appeared in his dream located at the place where he found the ginseng. In Korea, seeing one's ancestors in a dream is considered to be very good luck.

Museum Re-opens
The Busan City Museum (in Daeyeondong, next to the Cultural Center) has reponed after a lengthy renovation. It has become more specialized as a hands on history museum and now offers more than 1500 relics from Busan's past. It has also received a technological upgrade and makes use DVD's and other multimedia to provide visitors with a more complete experience. The museum also has a library of over 15,000 books.

Beach Walking Path opens
Haeundae disctrict office has announced that they will complete the second section of the walking path they are building between Haeundae and Songjeong beaches. Construction began last April to build a 6.2 km board walk from Mipo (at the east end of Haeundae) all the way to Songjeong Beach. Construction began in April of 2001 and the first section connected Mipo to Haewoljeong was completed last December. The second portion form Gudokpo to Seongjeong will be completed by June of this year. All that remains are the sections that go through Dalmaji which will connect the two completed portions.

Lotte Golf Course proposal stirs controversy
Lotte Corporation has announced their intention to build a golf course in near Baekyang Mountain in Pusanjin-gu (near Seomyeon). A similar plan in 1999 was shot down by the local government after strong protest from environmental groups. Construction of the golf course would require the cutting of hundreds of pine trees in this wooded area. Environmentalists are once again protesting the move, forming a group called People's Coalition for Saving Baekyang Mountain. They began a major petition drive on April 26 and already have more than 3000 signatures. Those opposing the construction claim that the wooded area located so close to Busan's city center serves as the 'lungs of the city'. Kim HeeRo, a representative of the Coalition, said they will continue their protests until Lotte gives up this project once and for all. Local elections for mayor and district heads are scheduled for June 13 and the coalition has warned all candidates that they will work against anyone running for office who has not clearly stated their opposition to this construction plan. Another environmental official questioned the corporate ethics of Lotte and threatened to boycott Lotte projects if they continued to pursue this project.

Translation provided by Ha Sun Ha & Jiyeon Song

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