Dioxin, which is fat soluble, has a "half-life" of seven years in the body: It takes that long to break down half the quantity of the compound.

CNN: THE GREAT DIOXIN SCARE

They can also use the break to consolidate privatization and other reform measures, and to focus on new strategies, from increasing the quantity of international exports to improving the quality of the domestic workforce.

CNN: ASIANOW - Asiaweek