News

S. Korean economy remains weak amid sluggish construction, exports: KDI

2025/06/10 17:00

The South Korean economy remains sluggish amid the prolonged doldrums in the construction sector and slowing exports in light of U.S. tariffs. Now this is according to the latest assessment by a state-run think tank. Our Moon Ji-young has more. A state-run think tank has diagnosed that the South Korean economy remains subdued overall, noting escalating external uncertainties, driven by U.S. tariff hikes. According to the June Economic Trends Report released on Tuesday, the Korea Development Institute states that the country's economy is weighed down by continued weakness in the construction sector and a slowdown in exports. The agency stated that construction investment continued its decline, constraining recovery in domestic demand. Overall production growth is also slowing, with the construction sector notably contributing to this deceleration, posing a significant drag on the economy. Exports also showed weakening momentum, especially in sectors heavily exposed to U.S. tariffs. This included a continued decline in exports to the U.S, with automobile shipments notably falling by 32 percent year on year. In contrast, manufacturing production maintained solid growth, led by semiconductors, with persistent demand supporting robust growth in production, exports, and related equipment investment in this sector. Meanwhile, household and business sentiment showed modest improvement amid easing political uncertainties and progress in trade talks between Washington and Beijing. The Consumer Sentiment Index recovered to the baseline level in May, signaling an easing in the contraction seen since last year. "It seems the situation itself has improved compared to the first quarter. Since interest rate policy is now moving towards an easing stance, I think it might gradually contribute to an improvement in domestic demand." However, the KDI warned that trade-related uncertainty remains high due to further increases in steel and aluminum tariffs and concerns over a potential resurgence of U.S.-China trade tensions. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

Cabinet approves three special prosecution bills, including martial law probe

2025/06/10 17:00

Three high-profile special prosecution bills were passed during a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jae-myung earlier on this Tuesday morning. The probes will focus on the martial law declaration by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, allegations against former First Lady Kim Keon-hee, and the death of a marine during flood relief operations in 2023. These bills had been previously vetoed by the Yoon administration but are now set to take effect.

K-wave AI News

2025/06/10 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. President Lee Jae-myung congratulated the Korean original musical "Maybe Happy Ending" on winning Best Musical, the top honor at the Tony Awards, vowing stronger support for the arts and culture sector. Calling the historic win the result of the long-standing dedication, passion, and creative challenges of Korean artists, President Lee pledged to help artists pursue their dreams on the global stage. Culture Minister Yu In-chon also sent a congratulatory message, calling it an "achievement that captures universal human emotions while highlighting the artistic excellence of Korean musicals." "Maybe Happy Ending" became the most awarded production at this year's Tony Awards, sweeping six categories, including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Direction, and Best Original Score. An exhibition spotlighting the lesser-known artistry of the early Joseon period is now on view at the National Museum of Korea. Marking the 20th anniversary of the museum's relocation to Yongsan, a special exhibition titled "Art of Early Joseon: Masterpieces from the 15th and 16th Century" opened today. The show brings together over 690 representative works, including 16 National Treasures, from the first two centuries of the Joseon dynasty, spanning from ceramics, calligraphy, and painting, to Buddhist art. The exhibition also features 40 artifacts from five countries, including the United States and Germany, with half of them being shown to the Korean public for the first time. The exhibition runs through the end of August and is free of charge until this Sunday. Daejeon City has rolled out a new extended-stay tourism campaign ahead of the summer vacation season. It launched five themed travel packages this month, featuring a range of discounts and immersive tour experiences. The campaign offers discounts on accommodation throughout the city, along with half-price tickets to popular attractions such as O-World and the Daejeon Expo Aquarium. Visitors can also enjoy activities like hot air balloon rides and nighttime water boat tours, while sampling the city's distinctive local cuisine. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-wave] Korean Temple Food Festival returns after 10 years drawing crowds seeking tasty cultural experiences

2025/06/10 14:00

Korean temple food was officially listed as a National Intangible Heritage last month, and a Korean Temple Food Festival took place this past weekend to celebrate that designation. The festival, in fact, returned after a decade, hopeful of a future UNESCO listing. Our Park Jun-han was there. From traditional steamed tofu to yuzu-flavored sweet rice, and shiitake mushroom stew. These foods are not just tasty vegetarian dishes — they also embody core Buddhist values. Temple food, known for creating mental and physical energy during training, respects life and avoids the use of the 'five pungent vegetables, namely, onions, garlic, chives, green onions, and leeks, which are believed to hinder spiritual clarity and inner peace. "I am currently at the Korean Temple Food Festival. Come along as I dive into the unique flavors and the timeless value of temple food." People from assorted backgrounds and a variety of countries gathered here in Seoul to celebrate and experience the excellence of temple food. They sampled dishes and even tried making some themselves. Some 20 thousand people took part in the event, over two days from Saturday to Sunday, with the majority of attendees in their 20s and 30s. With its health-forward approach and mild flavors, temple food has become a popular alternative for those avoiding strong flavors. "There's a recent trend like the slow aging diet and low-sodium diet. People these days want to live a healthy life, so I think these are the parts of what makes temple food so appealing." Of course, temple food is not just healthy, it is tasty and flavorful. "I was actually surprised because I've never tried temple food before. So I thought it would be like very bland, but it actually was very flavorful." Now that Korean temple food gained recognition as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in May, efforts are underway to expand its reach globally. "Korean temple food, now recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, is ready to inspire people around the world with its universal appeal, transcending religious boundaries, which is why we are actively promoting it overseas." Aiming for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism is strengthening its global presence through cultural exchanges, Templestay programs, and academic initiatives, while championing core Buddhist values. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Gaza-bound activist boat carrying Greta Thunberg towed to Israel

2025/06/10 10:00

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. Israeli naval forces have intercepted a yacht carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 others while it was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Israeli navy boarded the British-flagged yacht Madleen, operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition, detaining Thunberg and a French lawmaker, among those who were onboard. On early Monday, the vessel was seized approximately 185 kilometers from Gaza in international waters and escorted into a port in Israel by the evening. Israeli officials confirmed the activists were unharmed and will be deported after undergoing medical checks. They said that the yacht's cargo of symbolic aid such as baby formula, and medical kits, will enter Gaza through official Israeli aid channels. While Thunberg denounced the interception as "kidnapping," Israel dismissed the mission as a "media stunt" and called the aid boat a "selfie yacht." Governments in Sweden, France, and Spain have lodged consular requests and France's President Macron has demanded swift repatriation. The boat departed from Italy on June 1 to raise awareness of the conditions in Gaza.

Day 4 of LA protests: at least 56 arrested, 700 marines deployed

2025/06/10 10:00

In Los Angeles. Over 50 people have been arrested, as the protests enter their fourth day. Police have banned gatherings in downtown LA, and the Marines have been sent to support the National Guard. Our Choi Soo-hyung reports. Los Angeles faces the fourth day of protests against the Trump administration's immigration raids. At least 56 people have been arrested during the protests, according to NBC News. Protesters shut down major highways, throwing concrete and Molotov cocktails. Cars were burned to ashes, and police responded with tear gas and flashbangs, filling the streets with smoke. The Los Angeles Police Department declared the entire downtown area a no-protest zone on Sunday local time, concerned about the growing violence of the protesters. On Monday, the Pentagon deployed about 700 marines to LA to support the National Guard. Around 2,000 National Guard troops had already been sent by U.S. President Donald Trump to control the situation, without the governor of California's request. "Thank goodness, we sent out some wonderful National Guard they've really helped and a lot of problems that we're having out there They were afraid to do anything and we sent out the troops and they've done a fantastic job." In response, California's governor Gavin Newsom said he will file a lawsuit against Trump over the activation of the state's National Guard. President Trump called Governor Newsom incompetent and supported arresting him, after Tom Homan, the official in charge of border issues, warned that Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass could face arrest for interfering with immigration enforcement. "Look at the job he's doing in California. He's destroying one of our great states. And if I didn't get involved, if we didn't bring the guard in, and we would bring more in if we needed it, because we have to make sure there's going to be law and order." Meanwhile, the protests that began in LA are now popping up in other major cities, including San Francisco and Chicago. In San Francisco, around 60 people were arrested during Sunday's demonstration. The protests were sparked when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and the FBI raided downtown shops in LA last Friday, detaining around 44 people. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

S. Korea posts US$ 5.7 bil. current account surplus in April, extending two-year streak

2025/06/10 10:00

South Korea logged a current account surplus of 5-point-7 billion U.S. dollars in April, marking the 24th straight month in the black. According to the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, stronger IT exports, including semiconductors, and a drop in energy import costs helped lift the balance. The surplus, however, narrowed from the previous month, when it reached over 9 billion dollars. While the goods balance edged up, the services account saw a wider deficit amid a spike in overseas R&D payments by Korean firms. From January through April, the cumulative surplus came to nearly 25 billion dollars, up almost 7 billion from the same period last year.

Lee calls for measures to curb inflation, orders supplementary budget in speedy manner

2025/06/10 10:00

South Korea's new president Lee Jae-myung kicked off his first full week in office by addressing inflation, and stressing the urgent need for an extra budget to revive the local economy. Our top office correspondent Yoon Jung-min has this report. Noting higher prices cause too much pain to the people, this is how President Lee Jae-myung began the second emergency economic task force meeting: "I heard that prices have gone up sharply recently. Is it true that ramyeon costs 2,000 won each?" The President urged his team to seek out measures to tamp down inflation before they meet again next time. Present at Monday's meeting in Yongsan were newly appointed aides, including Chief of Policy Kim Yong-beom and Senior Secretary for Economic Growth Ha Joon-kyung as well as relevant government officials. "I hope you regard an hour we spend as worth 52-million hours. The impact is that great." The agenda behind closed doors outlined an additional supplementary budget, signaling a shift towards an expansionary fiscal approach at a time when the country is facing a low growth rate for this year, expected to hover around 1-percent, as well as sluggish demand at home. "The President ordered an extra budget to be organized in a speedy manner to revive the economy and boost consumption. Secondly, he urged for priority to be given to the vulnerable and small business owners for support." The National Assembly passed a 13-point-8 trillion-won extra budget bill in May, worth some 10-billion U.S. dollars, and the second batch is expected to be at least 20-trillion won. Details, including the size of the extra budget, have not been disclosed. The newly inaugurated South Korean leader ordered the launch of the emergency economic task force as his first executive order, as soon as he took office last week. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

U.S., China discuss export controls on first day of second round of trade talks

2025/06/10 10:00

The United States and China held the second round of their trade talks in London. The two countries discussed export controls, which have emerged as a key issue in their ongoing trade war. Lee Seung-jae starts us off. The United States and China held the second round of trade negotiations in London on Monday, and discussed key issues to resolve the ongoing trade war between the two economic powerhouses. According to Bloomberg, the two sides concluded their first day of negotiations after holding talks for more than six hours. The first day of talks was centered on discussing export controls, specifically over shipments of technology and rare earth elements. The U.S. delegation was led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, while the Chinese delegation was led by Vice Premier He Lifeng. During the talks, the U.S. indicated willingness to partially lift technology export controls targeting China in exchange for the easing of restrictions on rare earth exports to the U.S. However, when asked about the talks between Washington and Beijing, U.S. President Donald Trump said while the U.S. is doing well in talks, "China is not easy." "We are doing well with China. China is not easy. Just like your home country is not easy. I think they are doing very well. They are over there now, I'm only getting good reports. It is a little early, but they will be calling in soon. In fact, probably when I get back, we will have our first call from them. We want to open up China. And if we don't open up China, maybe we won't do anything." The latest trade negotiations also stem from the differences in positions between the two countries, over whether the two major economies violated the trade agreement reached in Geneva last month. At the time, the two sides agreed to drastically lower tariffs on each other's goods for an initial 90-day period. However, Washington claimed that Beijing violated the agreement. The U.S. says China has been reluctant to release exports of rare earth metals and magnets, while China says Washington restricted its access to U.S. goods such as semiconductors and AI technologies. With still much to be discussed between the two countries, officials plan to meet again at 10 AM on Tuesday for a second day of talks in London. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Intense heat remains for the south, spotty rain up north

2025/06/10 10:00

Summer is certainly starting strong, and the heat is already quite intense. The capital area could see some spotty rain, which could bring down the highs from yesterday's sweltering heat but the heat will persist in the southern regions, with many areas climbing above 30 degrees. Meanwhile, parts of Jeju could see 5 to 20 millimeters of rain until this morning. Meanwhile, the UV index is expected to be "very high" in most areas, except in the capital area where there'll be sprinkles of rain. Gwangju will get up to 29 degrees with the highest level of UV rays this afternoon, so sun protection is a must! Also, those in Daegu and Gyeongju will need to stay safe in the intense heat at a high of 33 degrees. The latter half of the week will see more cloudy days. And Saturday is looking like it will be rainy nationwide. Warm weather will continue for the time being. Please remember to take good care of your health.

World News 4: Chinese trendy toy Labubu witnesses surge in popularity and prices amid panic buying

2025/06/10 10:00

Labubu dolls, a toothy plush toy from Chinese maker Pop Mart, have seen a surge in popularity, and price, worldwide. Created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and marketed since 2019, Labubu shot to fame after being spotted with celebrities like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Blackpink's Lisa. Collectors, mostly adults, are drawn by the blind-box format of the collectibles, which offers randomly packed variants, some rare versions, fueling a global frenzy. Official retail prices range from about 20 to 30 U.S. dollars, but resale values have exploded from 100 to 7,000 dollars for rare editions.

Apple unveils 'liquid glass' technology and artificial intelligence upgrades for iOS 26

2025/06/10 10:00

Apple unveiled its "liquid glass" design and advanced AI upgrades in iOS 26, its first major visual overhaul since iOS 7, during its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday. The liquid glass interface introduces translucent, refractive UI elements across all platforms, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and TV. AI enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence include live translation in Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, all of which are processed on-device. The public beta of iOS 26, including liquid glass and AI features, launches this summer, with the full release slated for this fall.

Ukraine, Russia carry out first stage of prisoner swap

2025/06/10 10:00

Ukraine and Russia began the first stage of a multi-phase prisoner exchange, repatriating servicemen under the age of 25, following a humanitarian agreement reached during peace talks. On Monday, the first phase of a prisoner swap agreed on in Istanbul on June 2 took place, involving young military prisoners and severely wounded individuals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange in his evening address, emphasizing a phased approach over several days and thanking all parties involved. Although specific numbers were undisclosed, both nations affirmed an equal exchange of prisoners. Despite conflicting claims over the exchange between the two nations the previous day, the exchange marks hope for broader negotiations aimed at exchanging at least 1,200 prisoners from each side and repatriating fallen soldiers.

Moscow-Pyongyang direct railway to resume operation next week

2025/06/10 10:00

Direct trains between Moscow and Pyongyang, which were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, will resume service next week. That's according to the Russian Railways on Monday, which said it will resume the international direct railway between the two cities starting June 17th, "in agreement with the North Korean railway authorities." The Moscow-Pyongyang railway operates twice a month, departing from Pyongyang on the 3rd and 17th, and arriving in Moscow eight days later. The train from Moscow to Pyongyang also takes eight days and departs on the 12th and 26th of each month. According to Russian Railways, it's the longest direct railway line in the world, covering over 10-thousand kilometers.

S. Korean leader holds 1st phone call with Japanese PM, marking 2nd phone conversation with world leader after Trump

2025/06/10 10:00

President Lee held his first phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba since taking office. According to the Presidential Office, the two leaders agreed to work together toward building a strong and stable relationship between Korea and Japan. Our foreign affairs correspondent Oh Soo-young reports. Agreeing on continued cooperation bilaterally and trilaterally with the United States, the leaders of South Korea and Japan held their first phone call since the Lee Jae-myung administration took office last week. According to Seoul's top office, President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba spoke on the phone for around 25 minutes on Monday, marking Lee's second phone call with a foreign leader following his conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. Given the importance of Korea-Japan relations amid the current strategic environment, the leaders agreed on the need to build a "strong and mature" bilateral relationship, based on a responsible approach. Lee conveyed his hope that the two neighbours will seek ways to cooperate on future challenges in a mutually beneficial manner, grounded in their respective national interests. The two leaders further agreed to strengthen efforts to respond to various geopolitical challenges through the framework of trilateral cooperation with the United States. When asked by reporters whether historical issues related to Japan's colonisation of Korea and its wartime atrocities were raised during the conversation, a presidential official said that the leaders' dialogue remained within the bounds of customary diplomatic protocol. Throughout his campaign and since taking office, the President has consistently emphasised a "two-track" strategy of addressing historical issues based on principles, while promoting practical cooperation in economic and security matters. The Japanese PM's office noted that Ishiba expressed his intent to work closely together in responding to North Korea, including the issue of Pyongyang's abductions of Japanese citizens. In light of the 60th anniversary of the normalisation of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the two leaders also discussed the importance of enhancing communication between their governments and promoting active people-to-people exchanges. The two leaders plan to meet in person in the future for in-depth discussions on bilateral ties and other issues of mutual interest. Observers believe the face-to-face occasion could come as early as this weekend on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Lee calls for measures to curb inflation, orders supplementary budget in speedy manner

2025/06/09 20:00

Good evening. President Lee Jae-myung kicked off his first full week in office by looking at the people's livelihoods and stressing the urgent need for an extra budget to revive the local economy. Our top office correspondent Yoon Jung-min starts us off. Noting higher prices cause too much pain to the people, this is how President Lee Jae-myung began the second emergency economic task force meeting: "I heard that prices have gone up sharply recently. Is it true that ramyeon costs 2,000 won each?" The President urged his team to seek out measures to tamp down inflation before they meet again next time. Present at Monday's meeting in Yongsan were newly appointed aides, including Chief of Policy Kim Yong-beom and Senior Secretary for Economic Growth Ha Joon-kyung as well as relevant government officials. "I hope you regard an hour we spend as worth 52-million hours. The impact is that great." The agenda behind closed doors outlined an additional supplementary budget, signaling a shift towards an expansionary fiscal approach at a time when the country is facing a low growth rate for this year, expected to hover around 1-percent, as well as sluggish demand at home. "The President ordered an extra budget to be organized in a speedy manner to revive the economy and boost consumption. Secondly, he urged for priority to be given to the vulnerable and small business owners for support." The National Assembly passed a 13-point-8 trillion-won extra budget bill in May, worth some 10-billion U.S. dollars, and the second batch is expected to be at least 20-trillion won. Details, including the size of the extra budget, have not been disclosed. The newly inaugurated South Korean leader ordered the launch of the emergency economic task force as his first executive order, as soon as he took office last week. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

[Weather] Summer heat across the country with high humidity

2025/06/09 20:00

The weather is scorching hot today as well. The daytime temperature moved up to around 30 degrees Celsius across the country. Seoul felt as hot as 30 degrees, Daejeon and Jeonju 31, Gumi 32 degrees today. It feels even hotter than the actual readings due to the high humidity. This hot weather is expected to continue throughout this week. With strong sunshine, the ultraviolet index also stays strong from the morning. Then, it soars up to very high levels all over the country in the afternoon. In particular, Jindo in Jeollanam-do Province, where UV rays are as high as "dangerous" levels between noon and 3 in the afternoon. Tomorrow morning will start warm nationwide at around 18 to 20 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 28 degrees in Seoul, 33 degrees in Daegu and Gyeongju. Rain is forecast for the time being on Jeju Island starting from tomorrow. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

[Sports Round-up] S. Korea aiming to go unbeaten in World Cup qualification for first time in 16 years

2025/06/09 20:00

Time now to take a look at what's been happening in the world of sports. Joining us in the studio is our sports editor, Paul Neat. Hello, Paul. Hello. Let's begin with the South Korean national football team. The Taeguk Warriors have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Yes, the 11th World Cup in a row. An achievement that was met with a letter to the KFA from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, offering his congratulations. Qualification was sealed via a 2-0 away win over Iraq on Thursday. The task at hand now, with one more game to go, is to go unbeaten throughout World Cup qualification for the first time in 16 years. The team's record stands at 10 wins and five draws. Korea play against Kuwait in Seoul on Tuesday to see out the third round of qualifying. Another win would also seal top spot in Group B. But there is more to come. In July, South Korea is hosting the EAFF E-1 Football Championship, then the September international break sees friendlies against the USA and Mexico in the U.S. More friendlies will come in October and November, then the World Cup draw is made in December. The World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico kicks off on 11th June 2026. Lots to look forward to then. Let's move on to badminton. Yet another win for An Se-young. Yes, this time the Indonesian Open. Her fifth title of the year was won on Sunday in Jakarta. An Se-young came from behind to beat Wang Zhiyi of China two sets to one. Wang won the first match 21-13, but An roared back with wins in the last two sets -21-19, 21-15. The world number one has now won five of the six competitions she's entered this year, missing only the Singapore Open after losing in the quarterfinals. Moving on to athletics now. Another win for high jumper Woo Sang-hyeok That's right, he won the Diamond League event in Rome. This is the sixth international competition victory in a row for the man they call the "Smile Jumper." In the final on Sunday, Woo beat Oleh Doroshchuk of Ukraine. Woo failed in his attempt to clear the 2-point-3-meter bar, but Doroshchuk was successful. Woo cleared the 2-point-3-2 bar, but his rival failed, and failed with the 2-point-4 to seal the win for Woo Sang-hyeok. 2-point-3 meters was also his best of the season. And finally, to baseball. A milestone match for Kim Hye-seong. That's right, he recorded his first three-base hit in MLB. Kim batted 1-for-2 in a 7-3 win for the LA Dodgers over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. The hit led to two runs being scored and allowed him to make it to third base. Kim sent a line drive to the deep right field corner, to give the Dodgers a 3-zero lead at the time. He also made something of a spectacular catch in center field in what was an all-around productive day. The 26-year-old joined the Dodgers this year from the Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO League. Alright, thanks for that, Paul. See you next time. Thank you.

Korean Temple Food Festival returns after 10 years drawing crowds seeking tasty cultural experiences

2025/06/09 20:00

Korean temple food was officially listed as National Intangible Heritage last month, and the good old Korean Temple Food Festival took place this past weekend to celebrate that designation. The festival, in fact, returned after a decade, hopeful of a future UNESCO listing. Our Park Jun-han was there. From traditional steamed tofu to yuzu-flavored sweet rice, and shiitake mushroom stew. These foods are not just tasty vegetarian dishes — they also embody core Buddhist values. Temple food, known for creating mental and physical energy during training, respects life and avoids the use of the 'five pungent vegetables, namely, onions, garlic, chives, green onions, and leeks, which are believed to hinder spiritual clarity and inner peace. "I am currently at the Korean Temple Food Festival. Come along as I dive into the unique flavors and the timeless value of temple food." People from assorted backgrounds and a variety of countries gathered here in Seoul to celebrate and experience the excellence of temple food. They sampled dishes and even tried making some themselves. Some 20 thousand people took part in the event, over two days from Saturday to Sunday, with the majority of attendees in their 20s and 30s. With its health-forward approach and mild flavors, temple food has become a popular alternative for those avoiding strong flavors. "There's a recent trend like the slow aging diet and low-sodium diet. People these days want to live a healthy life, so I think these are the parts of what makes temple food so appealing." Of course, temple food is not just healthy, it is tasty and flavorful. "I was actually surprised because I've never tried temple food before. So I thought it would be like very bland, but it actually was very flavorful." Now that Korean temple food gained recognition as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in May, efforts are underway to expand its reach globally. "Korean temple food, now recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, is ready to inspire people around the world with its universal appeal, transcending religious boundaries, which is why we are actively promoting it overseas." Aiming for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism is strengthening its global presence through cultural exchanges, Templestay programs, and academic initiatives, while championing core Buddhist values. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Meredith: Cinematic opera brings to life an epic scene from Korean War

2025/06/09 20:00

Staying on the cultural front. June is known as month of patriots and veterans in South Korea, and a new opera sheds light on an act of wartime heroism. Our Park Hyo-been has this story. When history weeps, art remembers. Last Friday, in time for Memorial Day on June 6th, a new opera brought to life one of the most extraordinary humanitarian rescues ever recorded. "Meredith", South Korea's first cinematic opera, tells the story of the SS Meredith Victory, a U.S. cargo ship that saved more than 14,000 Korean refugees during the Hungnam evacuation in December 1950. "They must have felt such despair, not knowing what would happen to them." "I imagined it like escaping a burning building or clinging to a sinking ship." Designed to carry just 60 people, the ship took aboard desperate civilians fleeing war, leaving behind weapons and supplies to make room for more lives. There were no casualties — and remarkably, five babies were born during the three-day journey that ended on Christmas Day. The operation was later recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest evacuation by a single ship. "While saving lives seems like the obvious choice, the captain would have faced fear. Fears of disobeying orders and facing consequences. The fact that he put all that aside to help strangers from another country is incredibly brave." But "Meredith" is no conventional opera. Blending cinematic elements with classical opera, it offered a distinctive experience that set it apart from traditional productions. "We thought about how to capture the fear and the will to survive. That's why we used a lot of cinematic techniques and videos. It became what we call a 'cinematic opera.'" As Korea marks Memorial Month in June, "Meredith" offers more than a retelling of history. "Without history, we have no present. It's only through understanding our past that we can compare, reflect, and move forward." "I hope 'Meredith' helps audiences not only reflect on the tragedy of war, but also feel the power of humanity and community — and that it inspires a warmer society." In the coldest chapters of our past, it was courage and compassion that lit the way. And in remembering, we find not just sorrow, but the strength to hope again. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.