Another National Treasure is dying!!!

A 600 year old pine tree in Chungcheong, Korea, is being decayed by insects and weather. A recent research about this tree revealed that the tree was infected by pine needle flies. Consequently, the branches of the tree got weaker. Three of the major 4 limbs have broken due to the heavy snow. One researcher said “The tree has been going weaker and weaker gradually”.

As a solution, the researcher suggested that they should cut off dead branches and insert antiseptic treatment to prevent further decay. Also, they proposed changing the environment, such as changing the soil around the tree.

The tree, which is located 106 km from Seoul, has been planted by King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty, and it had been designated as the No 103 National treasure.

AAW NEWS, Simon Yu (Copyright 2008, Do not copy without approval)

P.S.: The picture left is the picture taken 2 days eariler and the right one is taken at 1990. It sure is a lot different…

Kori 1 Nuclear plant to be re-activated

 Today mark the important day for the Kori 1 Nuclear plant.

Even though the original life-span (30 years) of Kori 1 Nuclear plant (which is the first nuclear plant ever built in Korea) is now scheduled to be reactivated over the next decade. The Korea Water/Nuclear power.co (한국수력원자력) said in a press conference that they have finished negotiating with the local residents and decided to re-activate the Kori Nuclear plant for next 10 years. Currently, the Kori 1 Nuclear plant has been approved of safety by the IAEA. (The Kori Nuclear plant was built at 1972 and was activated untill 2007/09/06.)

AAK NEWS, Simon Yu (Copyright 2008, Do not copy without approval)

Major Oil Spill In Korea.

2007.12.23 AAK NEWS

Today Mark the 16th day after the oil spill happened at Taean County, Chungcheongnam-Do -

At 2007.12.07 a major oil spill happened in Korea near Tae-An County. This oil spill is twice as large as the accident happened at 1995(The Sea Prince Accident).  This accident occurred because Hong-Kong registered supertanker Hebei Spirit collided with Samsung owned Barge near Taean. The Hebei Spirit was 146,000 ton ship, and it spilled over 10000 tons of oil to nearby oceans. The government estimated that the damaged area could reach 1355 square kilometers.

Although countless organization and people teamed up to clean up the mess at Manlipo Beach, the amount of oil they should remove from the sea is far beyond their capacity. And for this reason, Foreigh affairs and trade ministry announced that Korea will accept a U.S. offer to help the clean-up operation. Keep up the good Work!!!

 The Hebei Spirit spilled more than 10000tons of oils to nearby oceans.

AAK News, Simon Yu (Copyrights Reserved 2007 -Do not copy without Approval)