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A Legendary Football Manager Out Of A Job, Jose Mourinho Exits Manchester United; A Chinese Tech Company Under Pressure And Pushing Back, Huawei Insists It's Still Leading The World; It's Getting More, Not Less Dangerous, To Be A Journalist, More Deaths And More Detentions This Year. Aired: 8-9a ET
Aired December 18, 2018 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WILL RIPLEY, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: I'm Will Ripley in Hong Kong. Welcome to "News Stream." A legendary football manager out of
a job, Jose Mourinho exits Manchester United. A Chinese tech company under pressure and pushing back, Huawei insists it's still leading the world and
it's getting more, not less dangerous, to be a journalist, more deaths and more detentions this year. We'll have a new report.
We begin with a huge story in the sports world. In just the last few hours, Manchester United announced the immediate departure of manager, Jose
Mourinho. He is captivating and controversial, the self-appointed special one. But this season has been special for all the wrong reasons.
It's ManU's worst start in 28 years. For more on Mourinho's demise, we go live to CNN Center in Atlanta and "World Sport" anchor Patrick Snell. So
you're a Red Devils fan. What does this mean for the team in the short term? Can they salvage the season with Mourinho gone?
PATRICK SNELL, ANCHOR, WORLD SPORT: Well, Will, the timing here is really, really I think significant simply because Manchester United as a club, I
still feel there is much to play for. That is why they are making this big decision at this point. I think it certainly caught a few people in the
world of football and beyond on their toes, hopping regarding this announcement, but look, the writing was on the wall after that really dire
performance most recently in English Premier League when they lost to their old foe, the old enemy Liverpool, if you like, 3-1 at Anfield.
But it's just been the style of play since Alex Ferguson left, really. The legendary former manager in 2013, United have failed to replace him, first
with David Moyes and then louis van Gaal and now Jose Mourinho, and it is going to be really fascinating to see who Manchester United bring in.
Just to reset for our viewers, and a reminder that Manchester United is the biggest club in world football. Many people would absolutely argue that
but they have been in turmoil by their standards not want to talk flight title since 2013, they are in sixth place at the moment, Will, in the
Premier League, that is just not good enough for the club and its Florida- based owners, the Glazer family there, 11 points off the Champion's League pace, that's the top four, and with that highly lucrative European football
for next season, although they do remain in this season's competition. Who is next? That is the big question.
There's been all sorts of names in the pipeline, former player like Ryan Giggs now, I am seeing. He is the current Welsh manager and former French
international and head coach Laurent Blanc as well, so that's going to be really interesting to see. United say they expect to make a temporary
appointment through the end of this current season in the next day to two days, Will.
RIPLEY: It is going to be a busy day for you, Patrick Snell and we know you'll stay all over this, and we want you stay with CNN, "World Sport" is
going to be continuing to follow all of these developments. What's next for ManU now that Mourinho is out? They have it all covered for you about
40 minutes right here.
The U.K. is facing another big departure, a departure that could affect millions of people's lives and livelihoods in ways that they don't even
know yet. We are talking about Brexit. Britain is set to leave the E.U. in 101 days. And yet, there is still no deal, no answers, only gridlock.
Before the Brexit deadline in March, the key date to watch is January 14th. That's the week the British Prime Minister will present her tremendously
unpopular deal to Parliament. Now, there are already major divisions.
On Monday, the leader of the opposition Labour Party called for a no confidence vote in the Prime Minister. But Downing Street says there's
just no time for that. What the Prime Minister is doing is talking to her Cabinet about the possibility of leaving the E.U. without a deal at all.
Bianca Nobilo is following all of this for us. She is live in London. Bianca, 101 days until Brexit. That is very little time to resolve some of
these very big issues.
BIANCA NOBILO, CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Yes, not much time at all, Will. And I think that's one of the chief concerns that people have in Parliament in
the U.K. and in the nation at large, particularly businesses, too.
The Cabinet did meet today to discuss no deal preparations. And that is one of the chief areas of concern. That's because in the event of a no
deal, essentially overnight, all of these binding treaties which have been enforced for decades will be abruptly stopped. We don't know what would
happen at the courts, there could potentially be chaos across the channel, gridlock on the roads, there's so many things which the government needs to
prepare for.
[08:05:08]
NOBILO: Now, they've put aside a 2 billion pound fund for no deal planning which is then split across about 20 government departments. That is what
the focus is on at the moment. Now, members of the Prime Minister's own party warn that basic services that people expect, like health services and
so on could be compromised in the event of a no deal Brexit. So Will, that's really upping the stakes. The Prime Minister, whether intentionally
or just inevitably is running down the clock on this.
So every week that goes by closer to Brexit, when her deal isn't approved, no deal becomes a more likely scenario because that is the default
position. That's what's enshrined in law that the U.K. is leaving the E.U. on the 29th of March 2019, unless any other deal is agreed.
RIPLEY: Bianca, you have to think that lawmakers realize no deal would be much worse in many ways than the current deal on the table and yet, still,
the gridlock continues and you're watching it all for us in London. Thanks. We'll keep in touch.
Now to China where tech giant, Huawei is firing back against the U.S.-led campaign to push it out of major markets, insisting that the company is on
the right track to lead the world in 5G technology. But this is a turbulent time for Huawei. Its Chief Financial Officer is under arrest in
Canada facing possible extradition to the United States and its products are coming under increasing scrutiny from businesses and governments alike
over security concerns.
Joining me now is CNN's senior producer, Steven Jiang who is live in Shenzhen, China and Steven, you actually went inside Huawei headquarters
today. What is the mood there right now?
STEVEN JIANG, SENIOR PRODUCER, CNN: Well, Will, the mood was definitely sanguine when it came to the people we were allowed to talk to, namely the
company's officials and executives. Now, the message was very clear throughout this very rare media tour and briefing -- that is Huawei is
trying to tell the world it is innovative, its products are secure and it's open and transparent when it comes to addressing customers and government's
legitimate concerns about cyber security. And it's also trying to tell the world it is a company that deserves respect and trust.
Now, the company's Deputy Chairman Ken Hu talked to us for about two hours. He did not directly comment on the CFO's arrest because it is an ongoing
legal procedure in Canada. But he said he is confident about the judicial independence and the fairness in the legal systems involved in her case and
that he is looking forward to a just conclusion.
He also says her arrest has had no direct impact on the company's business operations and also has no impact on his own travel. He said he was on a
plane yet yesterday back from Europe. But he was very firm and passionate in defending Huawei's track record when it comes to cyber security. He
said in the company's 30-year history, there is no evidence showing the company's equipment was involved in any major cyber security incidents.
There was also no proof that the company under any circumstances at any point was doing the Chinese government's bidding.
That's why he said the U.S. government and its allies' recent decisions were purely baseless accusations, based not on problems in Huawei's
technologies, but based on geopolitical and ideological concerns. And he says these decisions are highly irresponsible and would only harm U.S.' own
interests because it's going to delay the adoption of new technologies and cost companies billions of dollars more in building these networks now, so
really making consumers pay more -- Will.
RIPLEY: Steven, I want to talk about Chinese President Xi Jinping's big speech that he gave today. Obviously, this is a big anniversary for China
and its economy. Xi promised miracles. Did he actually say what those miracles might be?
JIANG: Well, that's the problem, Will, in that 80-minute lengthy speech to mark the 40th Anniversary of China's economic reform, Mr. Xi was actually
long on these boastful pronouncements, but short on specifics. He did say the country will stay the course when it comes to continuing its economic
reform and opening up policy, but he didn't really offer any specific new measures.
That's why I think a lot of people were disappointed. The country's stock market actually dipped during his speech. And one thing Mr. Xi did
emphasize is the ruling Communist Party's absolute control over all aspects of society, including the economy. I think that's actually causing growing
concern among many economists and observers because they say the party's monopoly on power, the party's tightening grip is actually the problem of
many of the country's increasing problems, both economic and political as well as social -- Will.
RIPLEY: An optimistic message from Xi Jinping, but a lot of problems, potentially, for the Chinese economy. Steven Jiang, in Shenzhen, thanks so
much.
Two new reports are shining light on the depth of Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. Election and beyond. Apparently infiltrating the everyday
lives of Americans.
[08:10:01]
RIPLEY: The reports commissioned by the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee show that Russian trolls sowing division across social media and everything
from race relations to religion to trust in the media. The Kremlin was quick to respond, branding the reports as, quote, "totally baseless."
In just hours, Donald Trump's former National Security adviser, Michael Flynn, will learn his sentence for lying to the FBI. His fate also seems
to be occupying something space in the U.S. President's mind. He tweeted just a short time ago saying, "Good luck today in court to General Michael
Flynn. It'll be interesting to see what he has to say, despite tremendous pressure being put on him about Russian collusion in our great and
obviously highly successful political campaign. There was no collusion."
Flynn is the highest ranking former official to be targeted by Robert Mueller's investigation into possible collusion between Mr. Trump's 2016
campaign and Russia. Mueller's team says Flynn cooperated substantially with the probe and is recommending no prison time. So let's get over to
our crime and justice reporter. Shimon Prokupecz who is in Washington for us. Simone, Flynn met 19 times, spent something like more than 60 hours
with Mueller's team. So what information did he give and what will that likely get him in the courtroom today?
SIMONE PROKUPECZ, CRIME AND JUSTICE REPORTER, CNN: Right. So important information certainly by what the Special Counsel has said in court
documents. They called him a substantial cooperator, a substantial witness in this investigation.
It was his cooperation that ultimately they say helped him piece together parts of this investigation and also a separate criminal investigation,
information about which they have not released. So it was in three different parts that Michael Flynn helped the Special Counsel, the
Department of Justice and the FBI.
Certainly today, we expect that Michael Flynn will walk in here. He will speak to the court. He will beg for leniency. The Special Counsel has
told the judge they would be fine if Michael Flynn did not get any jail time, did not spend any time in jail because of his great cooperation.
They feel that it is fine. Anything from zero to six months would be okay with them. We'll see what the judge here ultimately does, but a lot is
expected to happen here, certainly, in the next few hours.
RIPLEY: Yes, and this is obviously a keystone moment for Mueller's investigation. I guess the question now is where does it go from here?
PROKUPECZ: Right. That is the big question. The big thing that we're going to be looking for here, as well here today, is whether or not the
Special Counsel reveals any aspects, goes into detail about Michael Flynn's cooperation. Yes, they filed documents which they listed some of that
information, but they could take this opportunity to go into more detail about his cooperation. They tend to not do that. But that certainly would
be a big moment in this.
By all account, Michael Flynn's part in this investigation is now over. Today, will likely be the last time we see him in court. Today will likely
be the last time that he has any interaction with the Special Counsel. His help at this point is over. He's done. So with his case, it's done. Now,
other aspects of this investigation are still very much ongoing. The big question, obviously, are those questions that the President submitted to
the Special Counsel. There appears to be some follow-up from the Special Counsel. We don't know how the President and his attorneys are going to
react to that - answer those questions.
And the other thing is what other parts of this investigation are still yet to occur. That is what other court cases are we going to see? Whether
people perhaps maybe indicted or in charged? That is still up in the air and it seems that this is going to go on for at least until the beginning
of next year.
RIPLEY: President Trump would like to see it end yesterday, but obviously that's not happening. Shimon Prokupecz, will be watching all of it very
closely in the coming hours at the courthouse there in Washington. Thank you.
You're watching "News Stream" live from Hong Kong. Falling victim to murder, hostage taking in jail, that's not supposed to be part of being a
journalist, but a shocking new report shows that is exactly what is happening now more than ever.
[08:15:23]
RIPLEY: Sixteen minutes past 9:00 on a Tuesday night here in Hong Kong. You're watching "News Stream" and by now, many of us know about the
gruesome murder of Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi in October. He was killed, he was dismembered in Istanbul's Saudi consulate by a hit squad
from his own country, and it stirred international outrage. But sadly, he's not the only one, not by a long shot.
In 2018, more journalists were killed, abused and subjected to violence than any other year on record, ever. That's according to an annual report
from Reporters without Borders. It showed that 80 journalists have been killed so far this year, 80. Sixty have been taken hostage, nearly all of
them held in Syria, Iraq and Yemen; and 348 journalists are currently in prison, including two jailed Reuters reporters in Myanmar.
On that note, we want to take a closer look at those two Reuters reporters who are behind bars right now in Myanmar, jailed for exposing a massacre
just over a year ago. CNN's Matt Rivers shares their story and we do need to warn you that this report contains some very disturbing images.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
MATT RIVERS, CORRESPONDENT, CNN: The oldest was 45, the youngest just 17. Ten men and boys picked out by Security Forces from a crowd of Rohingya
Muslims who had fled their burning village. They were tied up with rope, forced to kneel and watch as their shallow grave was dug in front of them.
A day later, they were all executed, most of them shot by Security Forces, some hacked to death by their Buddhist neighbors, all tossed into a mass
grave.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONI SLODKOWSKI, MYANMAR BUREAU CHIEF, REUTERS: This was one of the stories that are seared in your mind and that keep you awake at night,
especially for Wa Lone who became almost obsessed with finding out the truth.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: The massacre was unveiled by an explosive investigation by Reuters journalist Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Inn Din was just one of many reported
massacres during a brutal military crackdown which started last August after attacks by Rohingya militants. The U.N. estimates at least 10,000
people died, 720,000 were forced to flee to Bangladesh.
But the Reuters investigation achieved something, nothing else has. It resulted in seven members of the military being jailed, the only crime
Myanmar authorities have admitted to during the crisis. Their reporting was also used as evidence in a damning U.N. fact-finding report which
concluded that the military general should be prosecuted for genocide, findings which Myanmar objected.
That U.N. report also showed satellite images of Inn Din in the aftermath of the military's operation. The Rohingya side of the village was
completely burnt to the ground while the Buddhist side stayed untouched. The population used to be 90% Rohingya, now it's zero.
CNN recently traveled to Inn Din on a government-led tour and saw the burnt tree tops bearing scorch marks of the fires that burned that Rohingya
village to the ground. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo made this journey a year earlier to find out what happened here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SLODKOWSKI: It was an extraordinary feat of investigative journalism. It includes one after another, stories from the people who actually did this
and in some cases were actually very proud of what they have done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[08:20:01]
RIVERS: But then, last December, the reporters were arrested after meeting a police source for dinner.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SLODKOWSKI: They were hooded, they were taken to an interrogation site.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: They were then put on trial for possessing state secrets under a rarely used colonial era law, the Official Secrets Act despite evidence
that it was a set up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SLODKOWSKI: I mean, there was one remarkable moment when one of the police officers, he testified that the police organized the sting operation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: That testimony landed the police officer in jail for a year. The journalists were also convicted and sentenced to seven years in Yangon's
notorious insane prison.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SLODKOWSKI: Their story has never been refuted or rebuked or challenged by anybody, including the authorities. The story stands.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: Exactly one year after Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were arrested, they were named "Time" person of the year along with other journalists in what
the magazine calls the war on truth. The front cover shows the men's wives holding their photos, a reminder of the families they had to leave behind
while they languish in jail.
Pon Ei Mon was pregnant when her husband, Wa Lone was jailed. Now she has to bring up her baby daughter, Thet Htar Angel alone.
"I have to be strong enough to struggle," she says, "But I don't know until when. I can't fall as my daughter is with me."
Chit Su Win, the wife of the other journalist Kyaw Soe Oo also has a young daughter who at three years old is becoming increasingly aware and asking
questions. "She asks, why doesn't daddy live with us? Doesn't he love us? And then I have to explain to her, I say her father is working in the
prison. He is not leaving us. I lied to her and told her he's staff."
The families now await an appeal hearing set for Christmas Eve and governments around the world are also pushing for a pardon from Myanmar's
de facto leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMAL CLOONEY, LAWYER FOR JAILED REUTERS JOURNALISTS: Our message to her now is well, these were your own principles, and you've actually slept in
the prison where these journalists now sleep. You have the power to get them out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: The case of the two journalists and their future is now being seen as a vital test case for the rule of law in a country trying to move
towards democracy after decades of military rule. Matt Rivers, CNN.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
RIPLEY: And they are just two of nearly 350 journalists who are behind bars around the world right now. Let's bring in Reporters without Borders
head for Asia-Pacific, Daniel Bastard who joins me live from Paris.
Daniel, this report, really staggering. The fact that journalists are facing unprecedented hostility this year, why?
DANIEL BASTARD, HEAD, REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS, ASIA-PACIFIC: Well, what is striking is that all the numbers have increased -- the numbers of
journalists who are killed, the number of journalists who are in prison, the numbers of those who are held hostages and even those who disappear.
All the numbers have increased from last year and this is what is the most striking.
What it shows is that there is kind of a development of hatred of journalists around the world and this can lead to these violence and abuses
against the journalists.
RIPLEY: So what is fueling that hatred? And I think we have to bring up these two famous words from President Trump himself, fake news. Do you
believe that President Trump's attacks against the media are a driving force here?
BASTARD: It sure is - fake news, of course, is the expression President Donald Trump always use. But he talks about journalists as enemies of the
people. This is an expression that Stalin would use in his own days, and when you have one President who delivers such a message of hatred, of
course, the chilling affect around the world is terrible.
RIPLEY: And autocrats are emboldened by thinks words from the U.S. President. So what do journalists do as a whole to fight back?
BASTARD: Well, the work, a according to ethics and standouts of journalism, this is the best way to fight what those who call journalist
fake news try to disseminate through misinformation. In the Philippines, for example, President Rodrigo Duterte has declared war against independent
press and he has one independent website like "Rappler" who he is fighting very strongly to resist the assaults against them.
[08:25:07]
BASTARD And in other situations like in China. China is the world's biggest jailer of journalists, and is essentially citizen journalists,
nonprofessional journalists and this is where there is some space for freedom is among citizen journalists, more and more.
RIPLEY: Is there any concern that news organizations are starting to self- sensor to avoid this kind of criticism from their leaders around the world and in countries, including the United States, frankly?
BASTARD: Well, the case of the two Reuters journalists in Myanmar, Wa Lon and Kyaw Soe Oo is very significant. I was in Myanmar last week to mark
the first year anniversary of their arrest. And what people would tell me within the profession is that the chilling effect is devastating. And, of
course, it encourages self-censorship.
You have similar cases in countries like Mexico or India or even in Europe where journalists who try to investigate on criminal affairs in the mafia
would get killed so that the message sent to other journalists is very clear. This is what you - the root of the cost you may pay if you dare to
investigate what we don't want you to investigate.
RIPLEY: And, yet, we will absolutely continue to investigate and shine a light because that is the only way to continue people to be free in this
world, obviously. I mean, journalism is the cornerstone of democracy. Your report is so important. I urge people to read it. Daniel Bastard,
with Reporters without Borders and we have more about this on cnn.com. Thank you so much for being with us.
It is not just journalists who are under fire. In China, they are ramping up their pressure on independent religious groups, arresting dozens of
members of a Christian Church. And this is part of a larger crackdown against religious practice in China.
I am Will Ripley in Hong Kong. You're watching "News Stream" and these are your world headlines. Football club Manchester United has sacked manager,
Jose Mourinho, effective immediately. A temporary caretaker manager will now take over until the end of the season. A dismal season thus far for
Manchester United as they search for a permanent replacement. This is actually the club's worst ever Premier League start.
[08:30:00]
RIPLEY: Hungary is bracing for a seventh day of protests against Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government. You can see thousands have been
demonstrating in Budapest. Fears that the leadership is becoming increasingly authoritarian. One big issue is a new law, critics call the
slave law. This would allow employers to ask workers for up to 400 hours of overtime a year.
Western governments and Civil Rights groups are condemning the mass rest of Christian Church members in China. They are also demanding their release.
Dozens of members of the Early Rain Covenant Church were taken into police custody last week, including a prominent pastor. Human Rights Watch notes
the Church has been the subject of frequent harassment in recent years.
China is officially an atheist state and it has an uneasy and sometimes contradictory relationship with religion. The Early Rain Covenant Church
is one of many underground Christian Churches that occasionally come under crackdowns.
Another group under immense pressure, the Muslim Uyghurs in Western Xinjian. Some one million reportedly are being held in so called
reeducation camps. On the other hand, the Vatican and Beijing made a controversial deal giving the Vatican a say in the naming of bishops in the
country, all of this while the Shaolin temple, the home of Zen Buddhism in China raised the Chinese flag for the first time in its 1,500-year history.
Reverend Johnnie Moore joins me now from Washington to talk more about this. He is the President of the Congress of Christian Leaders, also a
commissioner on the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom. Reverend Moore, as you watch what is happening in China right
now, what is your biggest concern?
JOHNNIE MOORE, PRESIDENT, CONGRESS OF CHRISTIAN LEADERS: Well, I mean, we're seeing a relapse into a time of Chinese history that was marked by -
not, by the way, by prosperity and by opportunity, but by these sort of arcane perspectives on religion and religious leaders. I mean, we are not
seeing the China of the last ten years of prosperity. We're seeing the China of Mao's rounding up religious leaders by their faith alone and the
scale is incomprehensible.
You talked about the Church at Chengdu. No one is talking about two days ago when they closed the most famous house church perhaps in the whole
country in all of history - 5,000 members in the city of Guangzhou founded by Samuel Lamb, the iconic Christian leader who was visited by Billy Graham
and every dignitary you can imagine.
This is systematic, it's escalating and the whole world needs to pay more attention.
RIPLEY: So why now? Why do you think the Chinese President Xi Jinping who essentially has locked in power for life is stepping up this crackdown on
relatively small groups of people who are simply there to worship?
MOORE: You know, I think that's a really intriguing question, and I think it's a mystery to a lot of people. And, yet, I don't think we can turn a
blind eye. I mean, and stop and think about it.
In the western part of China, between 800,000 and two million, minimum 800,000. State Department thinks there could be as many as two million.
Muslims rounded up and put it internment camps. You know, it just doesn't make sense. I mean, here we are, China finally reaching its sort of iconic
state of previous history.
I mean, this is one of the great civilizations of all time. I love China. Everybody in the world wants to see China prosper. My Chinese neighbors in
Southern California, this is something we're all rooting for. And yet, just at the most important moment, the moment where China is realizing its
own Chinese dream as we have our American dream, it seems like the default reaction when the economy is not going quite right, when there is a little
bit of pressure on is to relapse back to these historic measures.
And by the way, I would say the Vatican needs to do more. I mean, one week after Pope Francis cut his deal with the Chinese authorities to official
recognize Chinese preferred priests and to in essence depose the historic Christian leaders in China, Catholic leaders, one week after that, the
Chinese authorities closed the Zion Church. It was another one of the famous house churches in the country.
And so, this isn't coincident. It's not by random leaders and random places, local officials. This is coming from the top down and I'm telling
you, anyone doing business in Europe or Asia or in America, they need to be actually looking at the potential impact financially, economically on
China.
Basically, they cut a deal with the world. They said, we're going to become modern. We are going to change. We are going to embrace these
ideals. And 10 years ago, it was giving better for the religious communities. Now, it is getting worse and we've got to call the bluff and
we have to stand up and say, "Enough is enough." Tyranny limits prosperity and din my own experience, Will, I've met many of these leaders. They love
China. They are good citizens. They are not against the state. They just want to pray in the privacy of their homes to their God. They are no
threat to anyone.
And in fact, by treating them as a threat, history tells us it only makes these communities stronger.
RIPLEY: Reverend Johnnie Moore, a lot to process here and a lot for leaders in the U.S. and around the world to think about when they deal with
China. Thanks very much for being with us.
[08:35:02]
RIPLEY: It is not exactly how many saw their golden years in South Korea, but recently there has been a surge in crime committed by the elderly. So
many senior citizens are ending up in prison, one facility recently opened up a special wing just for the older inmates.
CNN's Paula Hancocks spoke with some of those inmates and also the guards.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAULA HANCOCKS, CORRESPONDENT, CNN: The exercise yard at a South Korean prison. A typical scene except for one thing, there are no inmates here
over the age of 65. In this prison, older inmates have their own exercises, their own guards, their own wing in part because of a massive
increase in crime.
The number of older Koreans coming crimes has jumped 45% in the last four years according to police figures as the overall crime rate is dropping.
Poverty, social isolation and an ageing population all blamed.
One older inmate, Mr. Park, has been behind bars for a year and a half. We're not permitted to reveal his crime to protect his identity. The
government is only focusing on providing work for young people, he tells me. If it focuses on jobs for the elderly, it would lower the crime rate.
Mr. Park will be 72 by the time he's released. He hopes he can find a job because he needs the money. Mr. No is 70. He says it's key for inmates to
be able to earn money on the inside to cope on the outside. Many inmates are afraid of being released. They are nowhere to go or sleep, no money or
food to eat.
Some inmates make gift bags in their cells, a job they are paid for on release.
This is a typical cell here in the correctional facility. It's about 8.5 square meters. Up to four men would live and sleep in this area during the
lunch hour. They have the radio playing for the inmates. It's pretty much what the exclusively elderly ward looks like, as well. Within that, they
have 13 cells.
Lee Yun-hwi is the Deputy Director of the facility and programs singing, dancing, vegetable growing for these inmates. The programs, he says, are
designed to provide them with chances to open up their closed minds from being locked up, to relax their body and mind.
The national pension in South Korea was only introduced in 1988. It only became mandatory in the late 1990s. As a result, around 60% of older
citizens do not qualify for the pension according to government figures.
More facilities like this one could help, but with the OECD and intergovernmental organization predicting one-fifth of the population will
be 65 and over by 2026, experts say this cannot be the only solution. Paula Hancocks, CNN, South Korea.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
RIPLEY: You're watching "News Stream" live from Hong Kong and we'll have more right after this.
From Hong Kong to Hawaii and beyond, the power of e-sports is truly a force to be reckoned with. Now, when you think of video gaming, you might
imagine a younger crowd, but try telling that to a team in Sweden.
In the next piece, from our series, "Live Longer" Dr. Sanjay Gupta introduces us to the Silver Snipers. They are the world's oldest e-sports
team.
[08:40:01]
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
SANJAY GUPTA, CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Welcome to IgroMir, at this massive computer and video game expo in Moscow, the main event is an
e-sports competition.
But you might be surprised by one of the teams here. These are the Silver Snipers from Sweden and they're not here to mess around.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
INGER GROTTEBLAD, SILVER SNIPERS: We want to win, so we have to train a lot. The team is so close to each other. We know each other very well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: Back in Stockholm, we meet up with the Silver Snipers at a training session. Their game of choice is Counterstrike. The team is coached by
38-year-old tommy Ingamarson, ten-time world champion. There's Monica, age 62, gamer name Teen Slayer. Per-Arne, 57, known as Young Gun. Abbe, age
75, code name Birdie. Oivind, also 75, goes by Windy. And Inger, 66 also known a Trigger Finger.
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GROTTEBLAD: I keep my brain alert. I keep my hands very alert, too because you have to be rapid in your movements with your hands. You have
to coordinate what you are doing without thinking.
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GUPTA: The fact that the team does all this together is important, too. It might sound simple, but happiness and having fun are proven to have
measurable impacts on our health and longevity.
A recent study found 35% of older people were less likely to die during the five-year study period if they reported feeling happy, excited and content
on a typical day.
GROTTEBLAD: It's a lovely community to be in; e-sport, for me, was before a young guy sitting at home playing all night long. But I have found out
that these kids we meet, they are opening their arms for us and saying, "Oh, my, you're so cool."
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GUPTA: For the Silver Snipers, it's a combination of all those things, improving focus, keeping their minds active, being social, having fun and
keeping it all in perspective. Gaming their way to a longer life.
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GROTTEBLAD: When I look in the mirror, I see all of the wrinkles, but I don't feel - I don't feel old. I feel like I've always been. You know,
you don't feel age if you don't think "Oh, my God, now I am so old. I can't do that anymore." But if you think as you always have done, you have
always the same person inside.
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RIPLEY: And that is "News Stream" on a Tuesday night here in Hong Kong. I'm Will Ripley. You can connect with me anytime on Twitter or Instagram
@WillRipleyCNN and stay with us, "World Sport" with Patrick Snell is next. This is CNN.
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