(LinkAsia: December 14, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
So, perhaps the North Korean missile is more of a long-term threat than an imminent one. But, will it have a political effect? South Koreans go to the polls on December 19th to elect a new president. Japan's public broadcaster, NHK has this report on how the rocket might affect voters.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: December 12, 2012

Reporter:
I'm standing at the unification observatory only two kilometers from the North Korean border. From here we have not detected any unusual activity on the other side that might be related to the missile launch. However, on this side, the presidential race is entering its final phase. The launch has definitely raised concerns about security. People in Seoul are expressing dismay and anger.

Seoul Resident:
A missile launch is totally unacceptable. We belong to the same race, but I never understand what they are trying to achieve through such an act.

Seoul Resident:
I was shocked they did this just before South Korea's presidential election. We need to beef up our national security.

Reporter:
South Korea's foreign minister Kim Song-hun condemned the North's decision to push forward with what it called a provocative act. He said the launch is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. President Lee Myung-bak has maintained a hard-line policy against the North. During his five year term, Pyongyang has carried out three long-range missile launches and one nuclear experiment. There have been other military provocations. The North shelled Yongpyang Island and is said to have sunk a South Korean naval patrol ship in the Yellow Sea. And the presidential election next week, the two main contenders stressing the need to improve North-South relations, but people are taking a realistic view. Recent polls show many citizens feel that they don't support hard-line policies against the North. Nor do they believe in appeasement. The North missile launch is expected to influence voters' decisions.

(LinkAsia: December 7, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
Over in Japan, police are investigating the company that built and operated a tunnel that collapsed over the weekend. Nine people died when a section caved in. The tunnel was built in the 1970s and officials claim age and poor maintenance were the causes of the accident. Japanese public broadcaster NHK has more on the story.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: December 2, 2012

Reporter:
The concrete ceiling panels in the tunnel hang horizontally. There's about five meters of space between the panels and the top of the tunnel. It allows for air to flow in and out. Metal fittings attach the panels to the sides of the tunnel, and to the tunnels dome shaped top. Each tunnel is 1.2 meters wide and five meters long. They weigh about a ton. Bolts are used to support the weight.

Spokespersons for the central Nippon Expressway say the bolts connecting the ceiling panels to the top of the tunnel came loose. The bolts are 23 centimeters long and are embedded into the top of the tunnel. When inspectors checked the structure earlier this fall they only did a visual check of the hardware.

Central Nippon Expressway official:
We regret we didn't check the parts and bolts at the top of the tunnel by knocking them. Even though they are located high up.

Reporter:
There's no record of workers replacing or repairing any bolts or metal fittings since the tunnel opened in 1977. Experts say every part matters to maintaining the integrity of a structure.

Masanori Hamada:
Even such a small part, I mean bolts, caused a serious accident. So, I think the operators should review what they're doing to maintain safety.

Reporter:
Central Nippon Expressway officials say 12 tunnels across the country have the same structure as the one that collapsed. The government has ordered inspections. Japan has more than 350 tunnels that are 30 years or older. Experts say operators must check all of these structures to make sure they are safe. Jackie Ishikawa, NHK World. Tokyo.

(LinkAsia: December 7, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
Moving now to North Korea. Back in April, the country defied sanctions and attempted to launch a rocket. It failed, but the country seems to be upholding the old saying "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again." But will this launch prove to be successful? Here's NHK.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: December 4, 2012

Reporter:
The ballistic missile launch will be the second since Kim Jong-un took power a year ago. It will use the same launch pad at Tongchang-ri, a site in the northwestern part of the country. Before the first test in April, officials in Pyongyang said the 30-meter, three-stage rocket was meant to carry a satellite, but Japan the United States and South Korea said the launch was in fact a ballistic missile test. The test ended in failure with a rocket exploding in mid-air two minutes after liftoff. It broke into more than 10 pieces and fell into the ocean. Analysts say North Korea's young leader Kim Jong-un wants to correct this failure before the first anniversary of his father's death on December 17th. Kim may also be trying to consolidate his power base by showing his dedication to a military first policy. Kim has also vowed to develop North Korea's economy.

Kim Jong Un:
We must start on a path of industrial revolution for the new century to make North Korea a great economic power.

Reporter:
But there are no tangible signs of improvement. The UN World Food Program says that 60 million North Koreans, or nearly 70 percent of the population, suffer from malnutrition. North Korea's relations with the outside world are at a standstill. Last February, the United States agreed to provide food aid in exchange for a freeze on ballistic missile tests. But the deal was broken after the North tested a missile in April. North Korea's leadership has been trying to hold direct talks with the United States, but officials in Washington say they are not ready to accept. China is also applying pressure on its neighbor arguing that the missile launch would violate the UN resolutions.