News

Pope criticizes surge of nationalist political movements as he prays for reconciliation, dialogue

2025/06/09 10:00

Pope Leo XIV , marking a month since his formal inauguration, condemned a global surge in nationalist politics during his Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square. Addressing tens of thousands of people, he said we must "break down walls, dispel hatred," denouncing exclusionary ideologies without mentioning specific nations or leaders. Echoing the words of the late Pope Francis, the pontiff highlighted the irony of growing societal isolation amid increasing digital connection. Pope Leo also called for a just peace in Ukraine and Gaza, and prayed for reconciliation wherever conflict persists.

Planned Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap delayed

2025/06/09 10:00

A major prisoner-swap between Ukraine and Russia has been delayed, with conflicting claims from both sides. On Saturday, Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Russia's delegation for peace talks, said that Ukraine had indefinitely postponed the agreed exchange of the largest number of prisoners, involving both wounded and seriously ill, as well as the bodies of fallen soldiers. Medinsky accused Ukraine of failing to show up at the exchange site. However, Ukraine rejected Russia's claims, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling them a "dirty political game" and reaffirming Kyiv's commitment to the swaps. Zelenskyy also said Russia did not provide a complete list of prisoners to be released under agreements made earlier in peace talks held in Istanbul. Ukraine's military intelligence chief said that the exchange would proceed as scheduled next week and described Russia's accusations of delays as misinformation.

Colombia presidential hopeful shot in head at rally, fighting for life

2025/06/09 10:00

Let's begin in Colombia, where a conservative senator and presidential candidate was shot during a campaign rally. Tell us more. Right. Colombian senator Miguel Uribe Turbay remains in critical condition after he was shot twice in the head. The 39-year-old right-wing politician, from the country's largest opposition party, has entered "the critical hours" of recovery after surgery. Uribe, who had expressed his intention to run in next year's presidential election, was addressing supporters in a park on Saturday when he was shot, allegedly by a 15-year-old boy carrying a pistol. Uribe was airlifted to hospital, which said on Sunday morning that surgical procedures have been completed and he remains in intensive care. The suspect was arrested at the scene, and authorities are investigating whether others are involved. Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack, calling it a threat to "democracy and freedom in Colombia."

Unused public underpasses and buildings reborn as smart farms

2025/06/09 10:00

Gyeonggi-do Province has begun constructing smart farms in unused spaces in inner cities and rural areas, such as public pedestrian underpasses and abandoned buildings that are not used by residents. Cha Yun-kyung has this report. The dormitory of a bag factory in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do Province, has been neglected for more than 20 years after the factory closed down. Gyeonggi-do Province has started a project to transform it into a smart farm and a community space for local residents. The first floor will become an urban plant factory while the second floor will change into a complex for various experience programs and education. "There will be a vegetable garden outside of the building. Experimental greenhouses will also be constructed here in the future. I think the new place will provide lots of fun experiences." This is Baekseok pedestrian underpass in the city of Goyang. It was in danger of becoming a blind spot for crime, with no one passing through but will also be turned into a smart farm. "We will transform the underpass into an experience space where anyone can come and taste a lot of delicious strawberries." "I believe we are constructing a socially innovative smart farm in Gyeonggi-do Province, which can solve some societal problems through agriculture." Gyeonggi-do Province is planning to develop the business of constructing smart farms by using unused spaces in inner city areas, which has become a model to solve urban problems and revitalize local communities. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

Israeli military kills 4 near aid distribution site in south Gaza

2025/06/09 10:00

At least four Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces on Sunday at an aid distribution site in the southern Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Israel agreed that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon must cease its operations in southern Lebanon. Lee Seung-jae has more. Four people were killed by Israeli forces on Sunday, as desperate Palestinians tried to make their way towards an aid distribution site in southern Gaza. The Israeli military said in a statement that its troops did open fire, but stressed that it had directed warning shots at a group of people moving towards soldiers, who were deemed a threat. The Israeli military added that the crowd was verbally warned to leave the area, as it was considered an active military zone at the time. It said that people are only allowed to move to and from the distribution sites between 6 AM and 6 PM, with non-daylight hours considered a closed military period. Dozens of deadly shootings have taken place at distribution sites around Gaza over the past week. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Israel have agreed that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon must cease its operations in southern Lebanon. According to the Jerusalem Post on Sunday, the U.S. administration has decided not to renew UNIFIL's mandate, which is granted through a UN Security Council resolution annually. That means the U.S. could veto the next resolution in August. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it located and identified the body of Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar. According to the Israel Defense Forces on Sunday, his body was discovered in a tunnel underneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, while his identity was confirmed by DNA testing. Hamas has not publicly confirmed his death. Sinwar was killed in an air strike last month, with the body of Mohammad Sabaneh, the commander of Hamas' Rafah Brigade, found next to him. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. Korean delegation inspects Alaska LNG project site for feasibility assessment

2025/06/09 10:00

A South Korean delegation has visited a liquefied natural gas project site in Alaska to assess its viability. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Sunday, the South Korean delegation returned after taking part in the 4th Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference in Anchorage last week. During the visit, the delegation inspected the Alaska LNG project site,.. currently being promoted by the Trump administration. They observed the project area and listened to the explanation of the project plan. U.S. officials, as well as government representatives from South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Japan, took part in the inspection.

Korean original musical 'Maybe Happy Ending' wins 3 awards at the 78th Tonys

2025/06/09 10:00

The Korean original musical "Maybe Happy Ending" has won Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Scenic Design. At the 78th Tony Awards held Sunday in New York, the musical was nominated in 10 categories including Best Musical. The Tonys are considered the most prestigious awards in American theater and musicals. "Maybe Happy Ending" debuted on Broadway last November, after its premiere in 2016. Since its Broadway debut, the musical surpassed 1 million U.S. dollars in revenue by the end of last year. Set in Seoul in the future, the story follows Oliver and Claire, two helper robots who assist humans, as they come to know about the feeling of love.

U.S. National Guard faces off with protestors as LA erupts over immigration raids

2025/06/09 10:00

In Los Angeles protests erupt as the Trump administration launches military-style immigration raids. Despite pushback from the state of California, 2,000 National Guard troops are on the ground facing off with protesters. Our Choi Soo-hyung has more. Violent clashes continue as cars burn in downtown Los Angeles. Tear gas is fired at the protestors, covering the street with smoke. The protests were sparked when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and the FBI raided downtown shops last Friday, detaining around 44 people, mostly Hispanic immigrants. "It is a beautiful day of resistance because Trump, the administration, Border Patrol, ICE, they know, now they know they cannot go anywhere in this country where our people are and try to kidnap our workers, our people." On Sunday local time, for a second day, protests erupted in several areas including Paramount and Paramount and Santa Barbara over surprise immigrant arrests. "It's disappointing. It's heartbreaking to know that our community is going through this. But it's also beautiful to see everybody come out together and stand against it and we're going to continue doing that." U.S. 주미 대통령 Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops. He described protesters as rioters and looters, and banned them from wearing masks. It is the first time since 1965 that a U.S. president has deployed the National Guard without a governor's request. And it's also the first time in 33 years that they've been deployed to control protestors the previous time being the 1992 LA riots. California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom condemned President Trump's decision. No Koreans are known to be among those detained in the recent mass arrests. However, under the Trump administration's tougher immigration policy, there have been individual cases of Korean nationals being arrested and detained in LA. The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in LA said there have been about four to five cases involving issues such as missing visa documents. President Trump had pledged during last year's election to deport over one million undocumented immigrants every year. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Top office appoints figures with "extensive experience" as key secretaries

2025/06/09 10:00

President Lee Jae-myung continues to fill key posts at the presidential office, with four-term lawmaker Woo Sang-ho tapped as his secretary for political affairs. Also named were Lee Kyu-youn, former CEO of local cable channel JTBC, as presidential secretary for public relations and communication and prosecutor-turned-lawyer Oh Kwang-soo as secretary for civil affairs. In a briefing on Sunday, Lee's chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said Woo was chosen to coordinate bipartisan communication and achieve integration based on his extensive legislative experience. He added that Lee, a veteran journalist, has been chosen to prioritize communication with the people while Oh has a profound understanding of the president's philosophy on prosecutorial reform.

K-Wave AI News

2025/06/09 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 has announced plans to relocate the presidential office back to Cheong Wa Dae, but public tours are expected to continue as usual for the time being. The Blue House Foundation said it has not yet received any formal instructions regarding the president's return to the premises. Until the plan is finalized, tour reservations will remain open up to four weeks in advance, and regular weekend performances will proceed as scheduled. Please note that a roughly one-kilometer section of the Blue House walking trail is currently closed to visitors due to ongoing maintenance and repairs, as part of previously scheduled renovations. To commemorate Korea's first official "Gugak Day," or "Korean Traditional Music Day," the National Gugak Center staged a special performance over the weekend at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. The event featured a reenactment of "Sejongjo Hoeryeyeon," a royal banquet from the Joseon Dynasty, which was performed for the first time in 12 years. The banquet is a ceremonial event that showcases King Sejong's Confucian ideals of rule through ritual and music, as well as his deep love for the people. More than 300 performers and staff from related institutions took part. The 4th Temple Food Festival, held over the weekend in Seoul's Seocho-gu District, attracted some 20,000 visitors, signaling growing public interest in the tradition. According to the Korean Buddhist Cultural Foundation, more than 15,000 people registered in advance, with 57% in their 20s and 30s, highlighting strong engagement from younger generations. The event was organized to celebrate the recent designation of temple cuisine as Korea's National Intangible Cultural Heritage and to further promote its cultural value. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

K-wave Short-form

2025/06/09 14:00

Cheonggyecheon: Natural Gem in the Heart of Seoul Explore how Seoul’s urban natural gem Cheonggyecheon has evolved over time. Its past tells a different story!

Pres. Lee accepts invitation to join G7 Summit as guest country, holds 1st phone call with Trump

2025/06/09 10:00

South Korea has accepted an official invitation from G7 host nation Canada, making this Lee's debut on the global diplomatic stage—just 11 days after taking office. He held his first phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump three days after his inauguration. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young starts us off. President Lee Jae-myung is expected to meet his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada this month. The Presidential Office on Saturday confirmed Seoul accepted the host nation's invitation, marking Lee's first multilateral engagement just 11 days after taking office. This came after Lee's first phone call with the American president on Friday evening Seoul time, three days after Lee's inauguration. Lee's office says the 20-minute call was friendly, focused on reaffirming the Seoul-Washington alliance as the two leaders bonded over golf and their experiences of attempted assassination. While they swerved sensitive topics, including U.S. Forces Korea costs and North Korea, the two leaders agreed to pursue a swift resolution on tariffs. This comes as trade negotiations are entering a critical phase. Under what's known as the "July Package," South Korea and the U.S. are aiming to finalize tariff talks, before Washington ends its grace period for its country-specific duties on the 8th of July, which are on top of its other tariffs on key industrial imports. According to Korea Customs Service data, May exports fell 1.3 percent year-on-year, with auto exports to the U.S. down 32 percent and steel, over 20 percent. Washington last week demanded "best offers" from key trade partners and raised the threat of 50 percent steel tariffs. Experts say President Lee, who has emphasized pragmatic, national interest-based diplomacy, may seek an extension beyond the July deadline, given that his administration took office only last week, after months of political turmoil that made it impossible to draw up coordinated measures. That's also because the scope of talks may widen to non-tariff issues, from the cost of keeping U.S. troops in South Korea to beef imports, GMO regulations and Google's mapping data. A short bilateral at the G7 won't settle the terms, but it may help set the tone for a more concrete summit. Trump extended an invitation for Lee to visit the U.S., which Seoul intends to make (quote) 'proper preparation' for, according to the top office. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Hot and sunny with very high UV rays, rainy in Jeju this week

2025/06/09 10:00

Get ready for another scorcher today, with temperatures climbing to around 30 degrees Celsius this afternoon in the capital and even higher in most parts of Korea. The warming trend will continue through this week with daily highs staying above seasonal norms. We're also expecting some scattered showers, mainly in Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do provinces, later today. Jeju Island will remain cloudy throughout the day, with rain expected from late tonight. Seoul and Chuncheon will get up to 30 degrees, Gwangju and Daegu will jump to 31 degrees, with very high UV rays expected nationwide this afternoon. The sunlight feels too strong for early June. Take caution with sun protection! While it will be mostly sunny and hot in inland areas throughout the week, Jeju will see rain from tonight into Saturday, so for those planning to travel to Jeju, beware of rainy weather this week! Meanwhile, stay cool and hydrated today!

Berlin celebrates festival of cultures full of colour, sound and dance

2025/06/09 10:00

Berlin is in festive mode as the annual Carnival of Cultures kicked off its 27th event on Friday under the theme "Join in -and give courage." The Carnival of Cultures began in 1996, showcasing the different cultures of Berlin's residents and visitors. The festival aims to provide an opportunity for multicultural communities to showcase their vibrant and diverse cultural roots through various performances. The event also offers food trucks and open-air concerts. Traffic is closed during the period along the parade route for security purposes. The festival comes to a close on Monday.

No mention of N. Korea in Memorial Day speech; focus on S. Korean peace, stability

2025/06/06 18:00

Today, President Lee Jae-myung marked his first Memorial Day ceremony as President at Seoul National Cemetery, to honour those who died fighting for the country. He highlighted domestic stability rather than sending a message to North Korea, as previous Presidents have done. Oh Soo-young has more. President Lee Jae-myung called for a peaceful nation free from war, as he observed South Korea's 70th Memorial Day, a day to honour those who died in their service for the nation's freedom and democracy. On Friday, Lee marked his first Memorial Day ceremony as President at Seoul National Cemetery, attended by over 4-thousand people, including those merited for their service to the nation, and bereaved families, along with senior government officials, and members of the public. In his speech, Lee commemorated those who fought for the nation, independence, and freedom and democracy against dictatorship throughout modern history. He called to build a Korea where "democracy and prosperity can bloom on solid foundations of peace." Amid speculation of a possible message regarding North Korea, or inter-Korean relations, Lee did not once mention the North, which had invaded South Korea in 1950, aided by Chinese forces, leading to the outbreak of the Korean War. The President also did not directly name the Korean War in his speech. Past conservative presidents have usually issued a message of deterrence against Pyongyang's security threat to Seoul, while progressive leaders have tended to issue a more dovish stance. However, Lee seemed focused on creating domestic peace and stability, amid political polarisation and economic hardships. Looking forward, Lee pledged further support for veterans, including an improved medical care system. He also called for greater appreciation for those in uniform including soldiers, police, and firefighters. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea secures place at 2026 FIFA World Cup

2025/06/06 18:00

South Korea has officially clinched a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking its 11th consecutive World Cup appearance. The Taeguk Warriors achieved this milestone with a 2-0 away victory over Iraq in Basrah on Thursday local time, during their Group B match in the third round of Asian qualifiers. With this win, South Korea will surely finish at least second in the group, securing one of the two automatic qualification spots for the World Cup. The men's national football team will play its final qualifying match against Kuwait next Tuesday in Seoul.

Judge temporary blocks Trump from stopping foreign student enrollment at Harvard

2025/06/06 18:00

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against U.S. President Donald Trump's recent proclamation aimed at blocking foreign nationals arriving in the U.S. or obtaining visas to attend Harvard. That comes after Harvard filed an amended lawsuit and requested an immediate halt to Trump's move from the day before. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Massachusetts said the order was necessary due to insufficient time to hear from all parties before "immediate and irreparable" harm could occur. A hearing on the case is scheduled for June 16th.

Trump talks trade with Xi for first time since returning to Oval Office

2025/06/06 18:00

Turning to international news. There are signs of easing trade tensions between the United States and China. The leaders of the two countries held a phone call on Thursday, the first since President Donald Trump took office in January. President Trump described the conversation as "positive." Our Park Kun-woo has more. Expectations are growing for renewed trade talks between the U.S. and China, following months of tensions. That comes after U.S. President Donald Trump said he held a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, his first since returning to the Oval Office. Trump described the 90-minute call as a "very good talk," saying the main focus was on trade with positive outcomes. "We're in very good shape with China and the trade deal. We have a deal with China, as you know, but we were straightening out some of the points, having to do mostly with rare earth, magnets." After the call, Trump posted on social media that follow-up talks would be arranged soon, involving Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. He also said that he has accepted an invitation from Beijing to visit China with the First Lady. Trump said he also invited Xi to the U.S., expressing hope that such a visit would take place. China's state media outlet Xinhua also confirmed the conversation, saying it was requested by the White House. It reported that Xi had requested Washington to "remove negative measures" against Beijing, to stick to the recent agreement made in Geneva. Xinhua also reported China's message to the U.S. to handle Taiwan "with prudence," to avoid being dragged into a "dangerous situation of conflict" by Taiwan independence separatists. The report also said Trump expressed a welcoming stance toward Chinese students willing to study in the U.S., signaling a policy change. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

S. Korea stays on U.S. Treasury Department's FX "monitoring list'

2025/06/06 18:00

The United States has once again placed South Korea on its "monitoring list" for foreign exchange practices. In its latest, semiannual report released Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department cited South Korea's large bilateral trade surplus and current account surplus as key reasons, the same criteria that brought the country back onto the list last November. In response, the Finance Ministry said it will maintain close communication with the Treasury Department to strengthen mutual understanding and trust in currency policy. The ministry also noted that ongoing consultations between the two governments on foreign exchange matters will continue with careful coordination.

Pres. Lee names policy chief, top secretaries for economic growth, social affairs

2025/06/06 18:00

President Lee Jae-myung has appointed top policy and economic aides to put his emergency economic recovery agenda into action. On Friday, Chief-of-Staff Kang Hoon-sik said Kim Yong-beom will be the Presidential Chief of Policy. He's a former Senior Economist at the World Bank, and was the First Deputy Finance Minister. Han Joon-kyung, an economics professor at Hanyang University, was named Senior Secretary for Economic Growth. Ryu Deok-hyun, a professor at Chung-Ang University, was appointed to a newly created position of Fiscal Policy Advisor. Moon Jin-young of Sogang University is Senior Secretary for Social Affairs. Lee's office also announced major organizational changes. A National Affairs Control Office will be established, and crisis management will be under the responsibility of the National Security Advisor. One Senior Secretary for AI and Future Strategy will lead growth strategies and long-term national initiatives, addressing emerging challenges in high-tech innovation, population decline, and climate change.