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China, Russia, and N. Korea close ranks — What’s next for S.Korea’s diplomacy?

2025/09/04 22:35

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. The images of the North Korean, Chinese and Russian leaders standing together in Beijing have now faded — but the diplomatic ripple effects are just beginning to take shape. Since the parade, talk of a deepening trilateral alignment has triggered swift reactions from Washington, Seoul and beyond. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed surprise at not being mentioned in Xi Jinping's speech, while analysts are parsing what Pyongyang and Moscow gained from the show of unity. Now, South Korea is under growing pressure to figure out where it stands — and how to respond. To help us break down the diplomatic fallout, and what it means for South Korea's next moves, we're joined by Bruce Bennett — adjunct defense researcher at the RAND Corporation and a leading expert on security dynamics in Northeast Asia. Welcome. So we saw the leaders of North Korea, China, and Russia standing together for the first time since the Cold War at China's Victory Day parade. Through this, what message were they trying to send to the U.S., South Korea and the broader international community? Off the back of that, do you think this high-profile gathering marks the beginning of a real strategic partnership among North Korea, China and Russia — or are their interests still too far apart for serious cooperation? And just a couple hours ago, we're receiving news that Chinese leader Xi Jinping and North Korea's Kim Jong-un are holding an in-depth summit in 6 years. What should we read into the timing and purpose of this meeting? What could they discuss? Zooming in on Pyongyang, after years of sticking to one-on-one diplomacy, what do you believe prompted Kim Jong-un to appear on a multilateral stage like this? Digging into Kim's intent, was his Beijing visit mainly about securing economic aid, rebalancing away from Russia, or boosting leverage for a possible return to talks with the U.S.? Now, from South Korea's view, as North Korea, China, and Russia draw closer — and the U.S.–Japan axis firms up — what real diplomatic room does President Lee Jae-myung have to maneuver? Following the parade, President Trump said he was "very surprised" Xi Jinping didn't mention the U.S. in his Victory Day speech. Calling Xi "a friend," he also praised the event itself as "very impressive." Given all this, how should we interpret President Trump's response? Looking ahead to APEC, Xi Jinping is reportedly planning to attend the summit in Gyeongju — his first visit to South Korea in over a decade. In light of recent developments, could this become an actual turning point in Seoul–Beijing ties? Zooming out to global diplomacy, with the UN General Assembly just ahead, what kind of joint message could President Lee and President Trump send to revive momentum on North Korea — especially after Kim's visit to Beijing?

STOCK&FX

2025/09/04 22:34

2025. 9. 4. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,200.83 ▲16.41 +0.52% KOSDAQ : 805.42 ▲8.61 +1.08% KOSPI200 : 432.32 ▲1.95 +0.45% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 42,580.27 ▲641.38 +1.53% HANG SENG : 25,058.51 ▼284.92 -1.12% SHANGHAI : 3,765.88 ▼47.68 -1.25% WALL STREET (SEP. 3) DOW JONES : 45,271.23 ▼24.58 -0.05% NASDAQ : 21,497.73 ▲218.09 +1.02% S&P500 : 6,448.26 ▲32.72 +0.51% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,392.50 (+0.20) JPY : 939.64 (+2.47) CNY : 195.02 (+0.13) EUR : 1,623.45 (+3.44)

Opposition to 'Yellow Envelope Act' and uncertainty over details

2025/09/04 20:34

Earlier this week the president signed a series of revisions to the country's labor law that has lawmakers across the aisle embroiled in conflict. Our Kim Do-yeon tells us why. Businesses are still voicing their opposition over the "Yellow Envelope Act." Although the revisions to the labor law have already been completely passed, key details surrounding its implementation remain a source of fierce contention with six months to go before the grace period is over. One of the most heated provisions is the expansion of the legal definition of an "employer" to include principal contractors. This means outsourced employees can now demand direct negotiations with the parent companies that hire their immediate employers. During a meeting with the ruling Democratic Party's leadership on Thursday, the head of an organization representing small and medium-sized enterprises shared his worries. He said, "Even before the Yellow Envelope Act is implemented, we are seeing incidents where militant unions are bypassing the presidents of SMEs and demanding that the 'real boss' at the large corporation comes out to negotiate." However, some experts argue this legal change was an inevitable reflection of the existing economic structure. Contracting has become prevalent in the last couple of decades, and courts have already set precedents for this law. According to the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, in South Korea's manufacturing sector alone, 50.6 percent of small and medium-sized enterprises operate as subcontractors. "Subcontracting firms are often very small, and their employees' wages are inevitably determined by the contract value set by the principal contractor. That is why subcontracted workers have consistently wanted to negotiate directly with the principal contractor. In that sense, this was an unavoidable legal measure." The "Yellow Envelope Act" also limits a company's ability to file for damages against union members for losses incurred due to strikes. Experts note this is particularly significant in the South Korean context. "The scope of what constitutes an 'illegal strike' in South Korea is very broad compared to Western countries. It's very easy for a strike to be deemed illegal here." Experts say more specific wording needs to be added through additional legal measures to make details of the law clearer. "Many people are concerned about this. So, if the law cannot be abolished, then the enforcement decree must be drafted with great detail and care." Those details will shape the law's real-world impact on businesses and employees in South Korea's complex industrial landscape. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

[Kulture Issue] The current status and next chapter of K-pop with music critic Kim Youngdae

2025/09/04 19:44

On August 20th, Arirang TV hosted a special program titled "K-Pop: The Next Chapter", which explored the South Korean government’s cultural policy direction with President Lee Jae Myung himself. Today, we want to delve into the current status and future prospects for K-pop, which still makes up a large portion of the global K-wave trend. We’re going to do that with music critic Kim Youngdae, who happened to be one of the six panel members of that special show last month and is joining us in the studio today. Welcome Youngdae! There's hardly a single day that we're not talking about "KPop Demon Hunters" It's the most watched title on Netflix now, and as Bella earlier reported, the singers who were the voices of HUNTR/X will present awards at the MTV VMAs. and "KDH" was also a major topic on "K-Pop: The Next Chapter". How is the K-pop-themed animation appealing to this wide range of people from all over the world? As a person working in the K-pop industry, what implications do you believe the success of "KPop Demon Hunters" has for the K-pop market? "KPop Demon Hunters" centers around Korean culture, but it’s made by an overseas production team. We also have that within the K-pop industry, which incorporates multinational personnel and capital. To what extent can we call those cases K-pop? What defines K-pop today? During "K-Pop: The Next Chapter," you mentioned that the divide between "global" and "Korean" does not apply anymore in this era. Could you please elaborate on that statement? "KPop Demon Hunters" director Maggie Kang said there are no limits to the expansion of Korean cultural content. How far and in what ways do you think K-pop can expand further? During the special program, the issue of concert venues was also brought up. With the growing K-pop market, do you believe there is a need for more concert halls and bigger venues? Youngdae, next month if I’m correct, your YouTube channel " School of Music" becomes one-year-old. Just like "The Kulture Wave", we both launched in October 2024. What kind of music stories have you shared so far and what are you planning on next? Thank you very much Youngdae, for your insights today. Thank you Bella, as always. See you tomorrow.

XI, PUTIN, KIM IN BEIJING FOR VICTORY DAY

2025/09/04 19:43

Welcome to Press Perspective for this Thursday September FOURTH here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. The open display of dedication to their diplomatic ties by North Korea's Kim Jong-un his Chinese host Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at Beijing's Victory Day Parade has been making headlines. For more I have Fabian Kretschmer with German news agency dpa. Fabian welcome back. I also have Andrew Salmon with The Washington Times. Andrew it's been a while. Great to have you on. Fabian, let's begin with the short speech shared by Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the start of Wednesday's Victory Day Parade in Beijing and its significance. Andrew, and before we delve any deeper into that parade and its participants, let's quickly touch upon the response from the U.S. leader to the military parade in Beijing. What has he said, and what are your takeaways? Fabian, Wednesday's Victory Day Parade followed a summit under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization that began on Sunday and ended on Monday. Analysts remain divided over the relevance of the SCO with some calling it largely symbolic while others point to its growing significance especially in light of the Trump administration's America First policy. What have you been hearing? Andrew, the phrase "a multipolar world" has been thrown around amid the latest SCO in Tianjin . What does the phrase mean under the current status quo, and is the world headed in that direction, do you think? Fabian, also in China, Russia's Vladimir Putin dismissed claims that he plans to expand his military operation beyond Ukraine and deeper into Europe. What has been the response to these remarks especially following a recent Russian GPS hacking that targeted that EU leader's plane? Andrew, here in South Korea, the North Korean leader's presence at China's parade made quite a bit of headlines. First, what makes Kim Jong-un's attendance at this particular parade in Beijing important? Fabian, scholars here in the South believe Kim Jong-un may have sought to head to China to coordinate with Xi Jinping a strategy ahead of a potential summit with Donald Trump. Again, what have you been hearing? And Fabian, do tell us a bit about the brief encounter between National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and North Korea's Kim Jong-un in Beijing. Andrew, Kim Jong-un was accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae to China. What do you believe is the significance of this reality? Fabian, this week is proving to be a diplomatic super week for Beijing. What have been some of the broader gains for China? And Andrew, what have been the gains for Russia and North Korea this week? All right.

N. Korean leader displays active diplomacy at China's Victory Day parade, holds talks with Putin

2025/09/04 19:41

China's Victory Day celebration this year provided the international community with the rare opportunity to witness North Korea's Kim Jong-un openly engage with both his Chinese and Russian counterparts. Our foreign affairs correspondent Oh Soo-young reports. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un launched a new style of active diplomacy, at China's Victory Parade, displaying nuclear confidence in coalition with Beijing and Moscow. Centre-stage throughout the official events in Tiananmen Square, Kim was constantly at the side of Chinese President Xi Jinping, with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the other side. Amid geopolitical tensions, the gathering was a display of unity last seen 66 years ago in the Cold War era. "It seems intended to demonstrate the strengthening of North Korea and China's socialist solidarity as a form of counterbalance to the South Korea, U.S., Japan trilateral framework. Another aspect, for Chairman Kim, is to show he plays a key role within the North Korea-China-Russia alignment." For Kim Jong-un, the optics could portray North Korea as part of a trio of nuclear powers, as he continues to seek recognition of Pyongyang as a nuclear state. Further showcasing their alignment, Kim and Putin held a bilateral summit on the sidelines following Wednesday's Victory Day events. Exchanging warm greetings, they acknowledged the advancement of their relations, based on their new mutual defence pact reached last year, and the deployment of North Korean troops to aid Russia's war in Ukraine. "Since recently, the relations between our countries achieved a special, trusted, allied nature. In full correspondence to our new agreement. I want to point out that your soldiers fought courageously and heroically. I would like to note that we will never forget the sacrifices that your armed forces and the families of your servicemen have suffered." "If there is any way we can assist Russia, we will certainly do it as a fraternal duty. We will spare no effort in providing help to Russia." The meeting between the two stretched on for two-and-a-half hours, during which Putin invited Kim to visit Russia. Kim's trip to Beijing also reaffirms the North's relations with China,.. with a bilateral summit likely to take place. But a formal trilateral summit between Kim, Xi, and Putin is highly unlikely in the foreseeable future, according to experts, as the three sides are pursuing different strategic priorities. "Before a summit takes place, the agenda, the accompanying officials, and their positions on how the international community will respond must be closely aligned. Yet, their coalition can be likened to being in the "same bed with different dreams." Also, there hasn't been enough time for preparations in terms of the agenda and line-up." Kim arrived in Beijing on Tuesday by special train for his first visit in six years. The appearance of his daughter drew attention, and speculation that Kim is training her in diplomacy as his successor. The occasion marks Kim's first participation in a gathering of dozens of world leaders a notable departure from the one-on-one summits that have defined his diplomacy so far. Kim also shook hands with South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik during the parade, and had a brief conversation, saying they were meeting after seven years, since the previous rounds of inter-Korean diplomacy. The implications for inter-Korean and U.S.–North Korea relations remain uncertain. Observers say Kim may consult Xi about a potential summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, as he did in 2018. Still, Seoul officials have cautioned against premature optimism, warning that Pyongyang shows no sign of abandoning its nuclear program. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Rain continues tomorrow and heat wave across the country

2025/09/04 19:40

Due to the influence of the easterly wind, it has been raining hard over some parts of the east coast today. Tomorrow, there will be showers in the Chungcheong-do provinces and southern regions. It will rain in most parts of the country over the weekend and heavy rain is expected, mainly in the west, from Saturday night. Heat wave warnings are continuing in the southern part of the country and Jeju Island. With the rain, the daytime temperature in Seoul only rose to 29 degrees Celsius today, but it was still hot in the southern regions such as Gwangju and Daegu, feeling as hot as 33 degrees at times. Temperatures in Seoul will move back again to 33 degrees tomorrow. Tomorrow, Seoul and Daegu will start off at 24 degrees, Gwangju and Busan at 25 degrees. Highs will top out at 33 degrees in Seoul, Daejeon and Daegu, 31 degrees in Busan. This summer heat will continue throughout next week across the country. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: At least 15 killed, 18 injured in Gloria Funicular crash in Lisbon

2025/09/04 19:39

This is The World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. In Portugal, the derailment of the iconic Gloria Funicular cable railway in Lisbon claimed the lives of at least 15 people and injured 18 others. The accident occurred around 6:05 PM local time on Wednesday. A cable reportedly snapped, sending the tram down a steep hill before it crashed into a building and overturned. Aerial and bystander footage showed the yellow vehicle crushed and pinned against the structure. Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas described the tragedy as a "tragic moment for the city." The Portuguese government has declared a day of national mourning, while the Lisbon city hall announced three days of municipal mourning. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered his condolences and called for a swift investigation by the prosecutor general's office. The line served residents and tourists since 1885 and carried about 3 million passengers annually. Iran increased its stockpile of enriched uranium just before an Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities on June 13. That's according to the Associated Press on Wednesday, citing a confidential report from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which said Iran possessed 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to up to 60 percent, an increase of around 32 kilograms since May. At that level, the uranium would require only modest additional processing to reach weapons-grade levels of nearly 90 percent. The IAEA noted that this quantity could potentially be used to produce up to ten nuclear bombs if further enriched. In response to Israeli attacks in June, Iran significantly reduced its cooperation with the IAEA, permitting only one inspection at its Bushehr power plant. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi urged Tehran to reach an agreement promptly to restore full access and monitoring. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a warning to the drug cartels on Wednesday, saying, "The U.S. military will wage war on narcoterrorist organizations," and that similar operations, such as the one launched against a Venezuelan drug cartel vessel in the southern Caribbean, "will happen again." Tuesday's targeted military strike on a drug-carrying vessel killed 11 "narcoterrorists," according to President Donald Trump. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the stance, affirming that assets are deployed across air and sea, adding that designated narcoterrorists operating in those waters "will face the same fate." Finally, legendary British band Radiohead have announced a return to the stage, marking their first tour in seven years. According to the band's official social media account on Wednesday, Radiohead will launch a 20-date European tour this November and December, featuring four-night residencies in Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin. Drummer Philip Selway shared that last year's rehearsals revived their creative spark, saying, "After a seven-year pause, it felt really good to play the songs again and reconnect." Registration for tickets will be available at Radiohead.com starting Friday. Regular ticket sales will begin a week later. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Overseas Korean politicians gather to share and discuss experiences and challenges

2025/09/04 19:38

The Korean diaspora overseas includes more than seven million people some of whom have gone on to pursue careers in the political arena of their respective new homes. Our Ahn Sung-jin had the pleasure of speaking to some of them. Understanding global leadership through K-Spirit. That's what this year's 11th Global Korean Politicians Forum aims to promote. Hosted by the Global Korean Politicians Council and supported by the Overseas Korean Cooperation Center, the event brings together more than 50 incumbent overseas politicians of Korean descent to share their diverse experiences and promote mutual exchange. These figures now represent different countries and regions, but as New Zealand's first Korean-born member of Parliament, who is in her 6th term, Melissa Lee says most of them maintain their Korean values and culture, and even the language for some. "I am a Korean-born New Zealander who is a member of Parliament, and my thoughts and behavior, and the way I am, are shaped by my culture and my parents. These are the things that have shaped me, and I can't deny that; I cannot move away from it." Some of the topics discussed included the role of Asian-Americans and Goryeo saram or ethnic Koreans of the former Soviet Union, as politicians in shaping policies or supporting the Korean diaspora abroad. "Koreans in Russia are scattered across the territory, so I set a goal to unite the Korean diaspora in my city. We have already done a lot of work together with the Korean Cultural Center to hold events to unite Koreans who live in Russia." The event also invited overseas Korean scholarship students to discuss leadership in a global age, despite challenges or discrimination. With their Korean heritage, though these overseas Koreans may be advocating for a greater good and representing a wider audience, they say that deep down, they will always be shaped by their roots as Koreans. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Industrial AI EXPO showcases uses of AI to develop industry

2025/09/04 19:37

An inaugural exhibition to share the application of AI technologies in industrial settings is underway here in Seoul. Our business correspondent Park Jun-han was there. Under the phrase “The Convergence of AI and Industry: A New Industrial Revolution,” the first industrial AI EXPO opened in Seoul on Wednesday. Hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and organized by the Korea Industry Intelligentization Association, some hundred companies and thousands of exhibitors were present to experience and learn how AI could be used to benefit the country's industries. “The current Lee Jae Myung administration places a strong emphasis on using AI to drive industrial innovation, and here you can see technologies ranging from autonomous systems and AI-driven manufacturing to humanoid robots. Right now, AI robots like this one can do simple tasks such as folding your laundry, but with more AI training, they could have a wide range of industrial uses. The CEO of Large Language Model stated that with repeated training, AI technologies are now ready for real-world use. “I believe most AI technologies can already be implemented for real-world use. Unlike traditional technologies built for a clear purpose, generative AI prepares the tools even before the goal is fully defined.” Once considered a futuristic concept, AI is now part of our daily lives, effectively connecting people and industries. “AI helps predict what people want to buy in e-commerce and provides personalized healthcare recommendations. It also optimizes factory automation, enhances education, and improves energy management by using collected data to make smarter decisions and deliver better services.” From physical robots to personalized agents, AI is already part of our daily lives. In fact, AI still holds tremendous potential to be used anywhere and everywhere to help people around the world. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Hyundai, Kia report strong performances in the U.S. for August

2025/09/04 19:36

South Korean carmakers saw strong sales in the U.S. market for the second month in a row in August. Hyundai Motor America sold 88-thousand-5-hundred-23 vehicles last month up 12 percent on year and an all-time record for August. Kia America also witnessed a surge in sales with slightly over 83-thousand vehicles up over 10 percent on year and also a monthly record. Electric vehicles drove up the stellar sales of both automakers.

President Lee pushes revitalizing S. Korea's manufacturing industry

2025/09/04 19:36

President Lee Jae Myung is seeking a pan-governmental effort to breathe new life into the manufacturing arena which he says is vital to ensuring sustainable economic growth. Do take a listen. "South Korea is already a global manufacturing powerhouse across many sectors. However, we now face significant challenges, from rising competition and advances in artificial intelligence to the reshaping of the global trade order. We can no longer rely on the strategies of the past." Speaking to his top aides at a weekly meeting earlier on this Thursday the president urged a complete overhaul of industrial policy anchored in "innovation across finance, taxation, and regulation."

S. Korea logs record current account surplus in July on strong exports

2025/09/04 19:35

South Korea posted its largest current account surplus for the month of July driven by exports. According to the Bank of Korea on this Thursday the country's current account surplus reached 10-point-7-8 billion US dollars in July extending its streak of surpluses for the 27th month in row. The goods account logged a 10-point-2-7 billion dollar surplus for the month as exports rose 2-point-3 percent on year. This was mainly driven by semiconductor shipments overseas which surged over 30 percent on year while those of automobiles also jumped over 6 percent.

Seoul rejects Japan’s Sado Mines memorial due to lack of acknowledgment of forced labor

2025/09/04 19:35

South Korea will not take part in Japan's memorial for past workers of the Sado Gold Mines where hundreds of Koreans were forced into labor during Japanese colonial rule. On Thursday a South Korean official told reporters here that Seoul would sit out the memorial for the second straight year as it has yet to narrow differences with Tokyo over the term "forced labor." South Korea has been urging Japan to disclose the full history of forced labor during World War Two just as Tokyo had promised to do when the Sado mines were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site last year. At least one-thousand-five-hundred Koreans were forced to slave at the Sado Island Gold Mines from 1939 until Korea was liberated in 1945.

Trump feels slighted by China, signals global troop redeployment

2025/09/04 19:35

U.S. President Donald Trump says China's Victory Day Parade was "impressive" but believes his Chinese counterpart should have acknowledged U.S. assistance to Beijing during the Second World War. Our Moon Ji-young covers his remarks. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he felt China slighted the U.S. by not sufficiently acknowledging its role in winning World War Two during a parade held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the war's end. "I thought it was a beautiful ceremony. I thought it was very, very impressive I was very surprised. I watched the speech last night. The president is Xi, is a friend of mine. But I thought that the United States should have been mentioned last night during that speech because we helped China very, very much." This comes as Trump himself emphasized the immense help the U.S. provided to China in achieving its freedom. Meanwhile, during a summit with Polish President Karol Nawrocki on the same day, President Trump praised Poland for exceeding its defense spending commitments among NATO allies, while clarifying that U.S. soldiers stationed there would remain. "If anything, we'll put more there if they want. But they've long wanted to have a larger presence. We have some countries that have more, not too many. But, no, they'll be staying in Poland." However, he did state he would consider troop redeployments in other nations. A remark that further served as a reaffirmation of his broader plan for global U.S. troop reallocation. This comes amid lingering concerns that his administration might be considering a troop reduction in the roughly 28-thousand-5-hundred-strong U.S. Forces Korea as it seeks to shift the role, mission and operational scope of the command to focus more on deterring China. It remains to be seen whether the USFK will be subject to such a redeployment. During last week's summit with Korean President Lee Jae Myung, President Trump did not make specific remarks regarding a troop reduction, simply stating that he did not wish to speak on it at the moment, 'because they are friends.' Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

Putin says he is ready to meet Zelenskyy if he comes to Moscow

2025/09/04 19:34

Meanwhile speaking to members of the Russian media in Beijing Vladimir Putin welcomed talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy PROVIDED they take place in Moscow. Lee Eun-jin has the latest. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he was ready to hold talks with Volodymyr Zelenskiy if the Ukrainian president came to Moscow. This was revealed during a press conference for Russian media as he wrapped up his trip to China. "By the way, U.S. President Donald Trump asked me to hold such a meeting. I said this is possible. At the end of the day, if Zelenskyy is ready, let him come to Moscow, and such a meeting will take place." But he also added that it remained to be seen whether such a meeting with the Ukrainian president was worthwhile, calling it "a road to nowhere." Saying that he has never refused such a meeting, Putin reiterated that it would have to be well-prepared in advance, and that it would have to lead to tangible results. Zelenskyy has been pressing to meet Putin to discuss the terms of a possible deal to end their war, while U.S. President Donald Trump has been trying to broker a peace settlement, calling for the two leaders to meet. However, as Putin attended China's Victory Day Parade in Beijing, Russia continued with overnight airstrikes across Ukraine, launching over 500 drones and 24 missiles. Beginning a visit to European allies, President Zelensky called for more pressure on Moscow, calling the latest attacks "clearly demonstrative Russian strikes," claiming that the aggression is continuing due to "the lack of sufficient pressure." Meanwhile, President Trump is expected to speak on the phone with President Zelensky on Thursday. This comes after his recent Alaska summit with President Putin on August 15th, which failed to achieve a breakthrough. Trump said that he had "no message to President Putin." Also on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to host a mostly virtual meeting of some 30 countries to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. They are also expected to denounce Moscow's unwillingness to engage in negotiations. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

[K-enter] HUNTR/X to present at MTV VMAs

2025/09/04 17:36

So Bella, yesterday we talked about “KPop Demon Hunters” becoming the most-watched title on Netflix. Today, we have more exciting news for all “KPop Demon Hunters” fans, especially HUNTR/X fans? Korean-American artists Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and Ejae will take the stage as presenters at the “2025 MTV Video Music Awards.” The trio, who voice the animated K-pop group HUNTR/X in the Netflix hit film “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” were officially announced on MTV’s social media on Wednesday. Audrey Nuna voices Mira, Ejae plays Rumi and Rei Ami brings Zoey to life. Together, they performed several standout tracks from the film, including “Golden,” “How It’s Done” and “Takedown.” The “2025 MTV VMAs” will be held at UBS Arena in New York. It will be broadcast live on CBS and MTV, and will also be streamed on Paramount+. That's a great opportunity for KDH fans to get to see the faces behind the amazing voices. Speaking of the MTV VMAs, we also have a K-pop group attending for a special reason? KATSEYE will perform for the pre-show of the “2025 MTV VMAs.” On Tuesday, the ‘MTV VMA’ announced through its official social media that KATSEYE will perform at this year’s pre-show. Previously, big names, including Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, and Rihanna have performed at the pre-show. The group is set to perform hit songs, such as “Gabriela” and “Gnarly.” Not only that, KATSEYE is also nominated in two categories at the awards -‘Best Group’ and ‘PUSH Performance of the Year.’ So, let’s keep an “eye” out to see if KATS“EYE” can win these awards. Will do. And let’s stay on K-pop.. what’s our last story for today Bella? Listen up all Seventeen fans, CARATs! S.Coups and Mingyu will release their first mini-album as a special unit on September 29th. Pledis Entertainment revealed the trailer for it titled, “JOIN OUR VIBE” on Wednesday. The album is titled “HYPE VIBES,” which represents a hot and free atmosphere where anyone can enjoy and connect. Initially, the two prepared to just release a single, but they expanded it to a mini-album to express the vibrant and organic nature of the ‘now’ in their daily lives. Meanwhile, Seventeen will kick off their world tour ‘SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR ’ at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium on September 13th and 14th. CARATs must be excited for both the new unit and the tour. Thank you Bella for today’s stories. Let's now go over to our AI anchor Ari, for more on the culture-front. Ari, take it away!

K-wave AI News

2025/09/04 17:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korea's largest art fairs, Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul, kicked off at COEX on Wednesday. Frieze features over 120 domestic and international galleries wowing audiences with a wide range of works by prominent global artists, from Wolfgang Tillmans and Takashi Murakami to Korea's Kim Whanki. American abstract artist Mark Bradford's piece was sold for 4.5 million U.S. dollars, stealing the spotlight. Kiaf Seoul saw a smaller turnout from last year, with 175 galleries participating. The two major art fairs' opening ceremonies were attended by First Lady Kim Hye Kyung, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, and other high-profile figures. The Culture Ministry has launched the "K-Tourism Innovation Task Force," a public-private initiative aimed at boosting Korea's tourism sector. The move comes amid surging inbound tourism fueled by the growing popularity of K-Culture worldwide. Chaired by Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young, the task force will bring together key government agencies, public institutions, and experts, with the goal of strengthening K-tourism's competitiveness. A comprehensive package of measures is expected to be announced soon. The government will redistribute roughly 1.9 million unused movie ticket discount vouchers starting next Monday. The Culture Ministry initially distributed 4.5 million vouchers last month, and this round targets the remaining balance. During the first distribution period from July 25 to August 2, the daily movie attendance averaged around 435,000, nearly double the average seen earlier this year before the vouchers were issued. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

K-pop stars light up Seoul as Fashion Week turns the city into a runway

2025/09/04 17:34

Let's now turn to K-Fashion Seoul Fashion Week is back and the catwalk this time around has been extended across the capital city. Our News Features reporter Park Hyo-been was at one of the venues, that turned into a unique runway. Fashion, stars, and a runway by the palace walls. Seoul Fashion Week is back for its 2026 spring/summer season, offering a glimpse of the trends that will shape styles in the coming year. Marking its 25th anniversary, this year’s event goes beyond the traditional venue at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, spreading across the entire city of Seoul. And the week began right here along the stone walls of Deoksugung Palace, with a striking opening show by Andersson Bell. “I’ve always followed Andersson Bell, and since the show is held here along the Deoksugung Palace walls, I was really excited to come.” “I’ve been attending the event for about three or four years now. I didn’t want to miss it this time either. The runway today is what I’m looking forward to most, especially because it’s a brand I’ve always liked.” Before the runway began, the area around the palace was already filled with stars and fans alike. On the photo wall, big names like TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Hueningkai, Hearts2Hearts' Ian and Jiwoo, and IVE’s Gaeul drew the crowds. Once the opening runway show kicked off, Andersson Bell unveiled its 2026 spring/summer collection under the theme SOFT CLASH. The pieces highlighted unexpected color matches, layered silhouettes that looked effortless yet calculated, and deconstructed details with a worn-in edge. And Deoksugung Palace is not the only iconic location to serve as a backdrop. Throughout the week, 27 Korean designer brands take turns presenting their collections at Seoul landmarks, including the Oil Tank Culture Park, Heungcheonsa Temple, and, of course, Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Adding a global touch, Berlin Fashion Week also joined Seoul Fashion Week for the first time, showcasing its official Berlin Showroom. “The event runs until this Sunday, turning Seoul into a global fashion city. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.”

[Short-form] September 4, International Taekwondo Day

2025/09/04 17:33

31 years ago today, Taekwondo became an official Olympic sport. We celebrate the day by spotlighting its five virtues and its rise as a global sport.