News
Judge blocks Trump's freeze on federal assistance
2025/01/29 18:00
A U.S. federal district judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's plan to freeze all federal assistance. Judge Loren AliKhan on Tuesday local time issued an order to pause the plan until 5 PM on February 3rd after a lawsuit was filed earlier in the day by a coalition of nonprofit organizations that receive federal funds. The Trump administration on Monday night announced an abrupt halt on federal loans and grants while it conducts a review to ensure that the spending is in compliance with recent executive actions. While the memo did not detail the specific programs that would be affected, it is unlikely that South Korean companies with existing subsidy and loan contracts with the U.S. government will be impacted.
Trump will pursue complete denuclearization of North Korea as Kim strengthens nuclear capabilities: NSC
2025/01/29 18:00
Turning to the U.S., President Donald Trump last week referred to North Korea as a "nuclear power," raising concerns that this could signal a shift in Washington's long-standing policy of denuclearizing the regime. However, the White House says that President Trump remains committed to that policy. Our Lee Soo-jin has the details. U.S. President Donald Trump could once again pursue the complete denuclearization of North Korea. White House National Security Council spokesperson, Brian Hughes, told Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday local time that Trump will pursue the complete denuclearization of North Korea, as he did during his first term. The spokesperson also emphasized that Trump had a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and that his "mix of toughness and diplomacy led to the first-ever leader-level commitment to complete denuclearization." This comes shortly after the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency revealed that Kim had conducted an on-site visit to a nuclear material production facility and a nuclear weapons research institute. During the visit, he inspected the current state of nuclear material production and assessed the institute's research agenda for 2025. The exact date of the visit, however, was not disclosed. Kim also reportedly said during the visit that "a prolonged confrontation with the world's most hostile adversaries" is inevitable, and emphasized that "strengthening of the nuclear shield is essential to address current threats and emerging security risks, as well as to protect the nation's sovereignty, interests, and right to development." And as this report comes less than a week after Trump in an interview with Fox News expressed his willingness to reach out to Kim again, it's likely that the North will refuse to engage in talks for the time being. During his first term, Trump held three historic meetings with Kim. It was after the Singapore Summit in June 2018, the first-ever meeting between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader, that a joint statement was made saying the North would commit to working towards the "complete denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula. But while groundbreaking, the summit as well as the following Hanoi Summit in February 2019 and the DMZ meeting in June 2019,.. failed to result in a definitive agreement on denuclearization. As such, there has been speculation that Trump may pursue "small deals" that address only parts of North Korea's nuclear capabilities. "Well I think the problem with a large deal is that Kim rejected that even back in 2019. So he's not going to try to cross that path again. It's going to be Trump leveraging Kim." But as the White House's statement appears to refute these speculations,.. Trump may make the denuclearization of North Korea a key diplomatic goal in his second term as well. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.
Transport Ministry launches investigation to determine cause of Air Busan plane fire
2025/01/29 18:00
Turning to the latest on the investigation into Tuesday night's Air Busan aircraft fire at Gimhae International Airport. South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport confirmed on Wednesday that neither the plane's wings nor its engine were damaged, which indicates that the fire was not caused by a fuselage issue. Passengers who were on board told Yonhap News they saw smoke and flames emerging from an overhead bin at the rear of the aircraft, with some speculating that a battery pack or another electric device may have been the source. Acting President Choi Sang-mok earlier in the day called for a thorough investigation and measures to prevent similar incidents. All 1-hundred-69 passengers and seven crew members on the flight to Hong Kong were safely evacuated using emergency slides, though seven sustained minor injuries.
What's 'sebae' at Lunar New Year; exploring how tradition changes over time
2025/01/29 18:00
Seollal, one of Korea's two biggest holidays alongside Chuseok, is a time when families come together to enjoy traditional Korean food and spend quality time with one another. And during Seollal, there's a tradition called "sebae," where people bow to their elders as a sign of respect and receive blessings, along with something that might just bring a little extra warmth to your wallet in return. Our Park Kun-woo walks us through what "sebae" is. Want to start the Lunar New Year with good fortune? One of the simplest ways to do that might be through a bow of fortune -known as "sebae" in South Korea. During Seollal, the Lunar New Year holiday, one of the biggest holidays here, people perform Sebae to show respect to their elders. "Wearing the traditional Korean attire, hanbok, you stand up and place your left hand above the right if you are a male, and the right above the left if you're a female. Then, you kneel and bow. This is how you do it." "Let's do it together. Happy New Year!" "I hope you all grow up to be strong, healthy, and wonderful people." Traditionally, after receiving an elder's New Year's blessing, younger adults would be served food and alcohol, while children would receive New Year's money, or "saebaetdon." But some experts say that the sebae traditions have slightly changed over time. "Sebae is simplifying in the fast-paced world and along with the convenience of technology, it's sometimes done virtually. But the importance of empathy and communication through sebae should remain. Emotions must be expressed to be understood. Maintaining the warmth of sebae and continuing this tradition is essential for fostering meaningful connections." Another change in the tradition is seen in the hanbok worn during sebae. "Until a few decades ago, people would wear hanbok with great formality. But with changing tastes, especially among the younger generations, it has become more simplified and people wear it less frequently than before." But he also said that it's still great to see more foreigners wearing hanbok, along with its growing popularity. "Hanbok is very beautiful and there are a lot of details. We watch a lot of K-dramas and we're very interested in K-pop, so we got exposed to knowing the hanbok." The hanbok designer also shared his hope that, as foreigners like wearing hanbok, more Koreans will too, and that the design can continue to maintain the essence of tradition, rather than becoming disconnected from Korean culture. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.
Air Busan plane catches fire before takeoff; all 176 on board safely evacuated
2025/01/29 12:00
A passenger plane operated by South Korean low cost carrier Air Busan caught fire on the runway at Gimhae International Airport near Busan on Tuesday night while preparing for takeoff. All 1-hundred-69 passengers and seven crew members on board the flight to Hong Kong were safely evacuated using emergency slides, though seven sustained minor injuries. The fire reportedly started at the rear of the aircraft around 10:15 PM. According to the National Fire Agency, it was completely extinguished by 11:31 PM, about an hour after firefighters arrived at the scene. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport says it will launch an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
Pentagon official says S. Korea-U.S. joint military exercise could be subject to change: RFA
2025/01/29 12:00
On the defense front, the Pentagon says this year's South Korea-U.S. combined military training could be subject to change depending on U.S. President Donald Trump's policies and the impeachment proceedings against South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. Radio Free Asia reported this, citing an unnamed Defense Department official who emphasized that, for now, the drills are scheduled to proceed as planned. This has fueled speculation that President Trump could consider halting the large-scale exercises to revive negotiations with North Korea, which has called the drills rehearsals for invasion. In 2018, Trump ordered the suspension of joint military exercises with South Korea following his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore.
Trump will pursue complete denuclearization of North Korea as Kim strengthens nuclear capabilities: NSC
2025/01/29 12:00
Turning to the U.S., President Donald Trump last week referred to North Korea as a "nuclear power," raising concerns that this could signal a shift in Washington's long-standing policy of denuclearizing the regime. However, the White House says that President Trump remains committed to that policy. Our Lee Soo-jin has the details. U.S. President Donald Trump could once again pursue the complete denuclearization of North Korea. White House National Security Council spokesperson, Brian Hughes, told Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday local time that Trump will pursue the complete denuclearization of North Korea, as he did during his first term. The spokesperson also emphasized that Trump had a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and that his "mix of toughness and diplomacy led to the first-ever leader-level commitment to complete denuclearization." This comes shortly after the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency revealed that Kim had conducted an on-site visit to a nuclear material production facility and a nuclear weapons research institute. During the visit, he inspected the current state of nuclear material production and assessed the institute's research agenda for 2025. The exact date of the visit, however, was not disclosed. Kim also reportedly said during the visit that "a prolonged confrontation with the world's most hostile adversaries" is inevitable, and emphasized that "strengthening of the nuclear shield is essential to address current threats and emerging security risks, as well as to protect the nation's sovereignty, interests, and right to development." And as this report comes less than a week after Trump in an interview with Fox News expressed his willingness to reach out to Kim again, it's likely that the North will refuse to engage in talks for the time being. During his first term, Trump held three historic meetings with Kim. It was after the Singapore Summit in June 2018, the first-ever meeting between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader, that a joint statement was made saying the North would commit to working towards the "complete denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula. But while groundbreaking, the summit as well as the following Hanoi Summit in February 2019 and the DMZ meeting in June 2019,.. failed to result in a definitive agreement on denuclearization. As such, there has been speculation that Trump may pursue "small deals" that address only parts of North Korea's nuclear capabilities. "Well I think the problem with a large deal is that Kim rejected that even back in 2019. So he's not going to try to cross that path again. It's going to be Trump leveraging Kim." But as the White House's statement appears to refute these speculations,.. Trump may make the denuclearization of North Korea a key diplomatic goal in his second term as well. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.
What's 'sebae' at Lunar New Year; exploring how tradition changes over time
2025/01/29 12:00
Seollal, one of Korea's two biggest holidays alongside Chuseok, is a time when families come together to enjoy traditional Korean food and spend quality time with one another. And during Seollal, there's a tradition called "sebae," where people bow to their elders as a sign of respect and receive blessings, along with something that might just bring a little extra warmth to your wallet in return. Our Park Kun-woo walks us through what "sebae" is. Want to start the Lunar New Year with good fortune? One of the simplest ways to do that might be through a bow of fortune -known as "sebae" in South Korea. During Seollal, the Lunar New Year holiday, one of the biggest holidays here, people perform Sebae to show respect to their elders. "Wearing the traditional Korean attire, hanbok, you stand up and place your left hand above the right if you are a male, and the right above the left if you're a female. Then, you kneel and bow. This is how you do it." "Let's do it together. Happy New Year!" "I hope you all grow up to be strong, healthy, and wonderful people." Traditionally, after receiving an elder's New Year's blessing, younger adults would be served food and alcohol, while children would receive New Year's money, or "saebaetdon." But some experts say that the sebae traditions have slightly changed over time. "Sebae is simplifying in the fast-paced world and along with the convenience of technology, it's sometimes done virtually. But the importance of empathy and communication through sebae should remain. Emotions must be expressed to be understood. Maintaining the warmth of sebae and continuing this tradition is essential for fostering meaningful connections." Another change in the tradition is seen in the hanbok worn during sebae. "Until a few decades ago, people would wear hanbok with great formality. But with changing tastes, especially among the younger generations, it has become more simplified and people wear it less frequently than before." But he also said that it's still great to see more foreigners wearing hanbok, along with its growing popularity. "Hanbok is very beautiful and there are a lot of details. We watch a lot of K-dramas and we're very interested in K-pop, so we got exposed to knowing the hanbok." The hanbok designer also shared his hope that, as foreigners like wearing hanbok, more Koreans will too, and that the design can continue to maintain the essence of tradition, rather than becoming disconnected from Korean culture. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.
Seollal holiday traffic congestion to reach peak on Wednesday
2025/01/29 12:00
As today marks Seollal Day, the holiday travel rush is expected to reach its peak, with millions hitting the roads to reunite with loved ones, but the snowy winter weather is adding to the challenge. According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 9 AM Wednesday, it will take approximately 7 hours and 40 minutes to travel from the capital Seoul to the city of Busan in the southeast. This journey typically takes about four and a half hours during non-holiday periods. Drivers are advised to drive with caution, as snow and freezing temperatures have led to icy roads. Traffic congestion is forecast to ease late tonight.
Ongoing heavy snow causes flight cancellations during Seollal holiday
2025/01/28 18:00
South Korea is seeing heavy snow this Seollal holiday, causing numerous flight and ferry cancellations, as well as road accidents across the nation. Our Lee Soo-jin starts us off. Heavy snow is blanketing South Korea this Seollal holiday. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters on Tuesday, heavy snow warnings have been issued across the nation including for the cities of Daejeon and Sejong, and for Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, and Jeollabuk-do provinces. A heavy snow warning is issued when snowfall is forecast to exceed 20 centimeters over a 24-hour period. As of 12 PM on Tuesday, the snowfall accumulated since midnight on January 27th in certain districts in Seoul has reached nearly 16 centimeters. Meanwhile, more than 40 centimeters was seen in Jincheon-gun County situated in the central part of the country. The heavy snow has led to the cancellation of one-hundred-eleven flights as of 11 AM, including 68 at Incheon Airport and 16 at Jeju Airport. And passenger ferry services for 96 vessels on 73 routes including those between Yeosu City and Geomundo Island have faced disruptions. The Korea Railroad Corporation, also announced that KTX trains on certain lines will be operating at reduced speeds for safety on Tuesday. And not only is the snow expected to persist, but the subzero temperatures are likely to cause it to freeze. On Wednesday, the actual day of Seollal, morning temperatures are forecast to reach minus seven degrees, with feels-like temperatures falling to minus 12 degrees. With the ongoing heavy snowfall, there have been numerous traffic accidents. At around 9 PM on Monday, a van fell off the roadside in Yeongwol County in Gangwon-do Province, and earlier that day, there was a vehicle collision on an expressway heading towards the city of Gangneung, injuring nine people who had to be transported to hospital. And on Tuesday at 11:40 AM, a bus collided with a cargo truck on the Honam Expressway, a major expressway that runs through the southwest of the country, injuring six people. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.
N. Korean soldiers temporarily pulled out from frontline sector: Report
2025/01/28 18:00
North Korean soldiers appear to have been temporarily pulled back from one of the frontline sectors in Russia's Kursk Oblast. A Special Operations Forces spokesperson told the Kyiv Independent this on Monday as North Korean forces reportedly suffered significant losses fighting against Ukrainian forces. The spokesperson added that the North Korean soldiers had been fighting where Ukraine's 73rd Naval Special Operations Forces had been located. According to a Pentagon official on the same day, Russian forces have taken back over 50 percent of the area of the Kursk region that Ukraine had previously captured and there are no signs of further North Korean troop deployment.
Inside Korea's one-of-a-kind train station
2025/01/28 18:00
For those traveling to meet their loved ones this Seollal holiday, taking the train is a popular choice. If you happen to pass through Seoul Station and you're waiting for your train, there's a place just a short walk away that you might want to check out. Our Song Yoo-jin tells us more. If you've ever passed through Seoul Station, the busiest train hub in Korea, you might have noticed this building right next door. It's a station too, but not for trains. "The Culture Station Seoul 284 is the old Seoul Station building that opened in 1925. This area ended operations as a railway station in 2003 but reopened in 2011 as a space for exhibitions, performances, and workshops." Step inside, and you'll travel through time. The rooms of the century-old station have become exhibition halls. Currently, Culture Station Seoul 284 is offering two cultural journeys. On the first floor, you can hop aboard 'Craft Journey, all over the place, everywhere.' This exhibition showcases 68 pieces by 29 artisans from across Korea, using metal, ceramics, wood, textiles, bamboo and straw. "It was fascinating to see traditional crafts interpreted in modern ways. I used to take trains from this station as a kid, before the new one was built. It's so unique to experience exhibitions in a historical building like this, instead of a typical museum or gallery." Upstairs, in what was once 'The Grill,' Korea's first Western-style restaurant, you'll find the 'Enchanting Lines, Dignified Waves' exhibition. Four Hanbok brands have reimagined the traditional Korean dress, blending their unique styles while preserving its timeless elegance. "I was impressed by how the designers gave the Hanbok a modern twist. This place feels so inviting with its rich culture and history. The exhibitions feel even more elegant and unique because the space still carries the charm of the old Seoul Station." This former train station may no longer connect cities, but it's now a hub that connects people to culture and history, with no ticket required. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.
U.S. tech stocks plunge over sudden popularity of low-cost Chinese AI app DeepSeek
2025/01/28 18:00
Global investors threw out U.S. tech stocks on Monday over worries that the low-cost Chinese AI startup DeepSeek would overtake the current AI frontrunners. In just a week after its launch of a free AI assistant, DeepSeek on Monday became the most downloaded free app in the U.S., overtaking ChatGPT. DeepSeek was founded in 2023 in Hangzhou city by 40-year-old information and electronic engineering graduate Liang Wenfeng. Following the sudden popularity of the Chinese app, the tech-heavy Nasdaq shed over 3% on Monday, and Nvidia lost over a sixth of its value. U.S. President Donald Trump called DeepSeek's strong showing a wake-up call for the tech sector.
Rosé breaks own K-pop female artist record as "APT." climbs to No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100
2025/01/28 18:00
BLACKPINK's Rosé has broken her own record as the highest-charting K-pop female artist ever on the Billboard charts. Billboard announced on Monday local time that Rosé's hit song with Bruno Mars, "APT.", climbed to number three on the Billboard Hot 100, 14 weeks after its release in October last year. With this achievement, she has shattered her previous record of number five, which had been the highest-charting position ever achieved by a female K-pop artist. "APT." has also made history as the first K-pop track to reach number one on Billboard's Pop Airplay chart, which ranks the week's most popular songs based on radio airplay.
More than 10 mil. foreigners visited Seoul in 2024, near pre-pandemic levels
2025/01/28 18:00
Number of foreigners traveling to Seoul came to well over 10 million people in 2024, returning to the pre-pandemic levels. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Tuesday, 12-point-1-2 million foreign tourists visited Seoul between January and November last year. That's only slightly lower than the record high of 12-point-7-4 million recorded during the same period back in 2019. Seoul city plans to attract 30 million foreign tourists in 2025, with a variety of events including Seoul Festa in the springtime and a barbecue festival in October.
Eight of 33 Israelis to be freed are already dead: Israel
2025/01/28 12:00
Eight of the hostages to be freed in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal are dead. Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer told the press on Monday that Hamas said the rest of the 26 yet to be released are alive. Seven captives have been released so far with the next release of captives set to take place on Thursday, followed by another one on Saturday. Approximately 90 hostages are believed to be held by Hamas still. Under the first phase of the ceasefire deal, 33 hostages in total are to be let go in exchange for more than 19-hundred Palestinian prisoners.
Inside Korea's one-of-a-kind train station
2025/01/28 12:00
For those traveling to meet their loved ones this Seollal holiday, taking the train is a popular choice. If you happen to pass through Seoul Station and you're waiting for your train, there's a place just a short walk away that you might want to check out. Our Song Yoo-jin tells us more. If you've ever passed through Seoul Station, the busiest train hub in Korea, you might have noticed this building right next door. It's a station too, but not for trains. "The Culture Station Seoul 284 is the old Seoul Station building that opened in 1925. This area ended operations as a railway station in 2003 but reopened in 2011 as a space for exhibitions, performances, and workshops." Step inside, and you'll travel through time. The rooms of the century-old station have become exhibition halls. Currently, Culture Station Seoul 284 is offering two cultural journeys. On the first floor, you can hop aboard 'Craft Journey, all over the place, everywhere.' This exhibition showcases 68 pieces by 29 artisans from across Korea, using metal, ceramics, wood, textiles, bamboo and straw. "It was fascinating to see traditional crafts interpreted in modern ways. I used to take trains from this station as a kid, before the new one was built. It's so unique to experience exhibitions in a historical building like this, instead of a typical museum or gallery." Upstairs, in what was once 'The Grill,' Korea's first Western-style restaurant, you'll find the 'Enchanting Lines, Dignified Waves' exhibition. Four Hanbok brands have reimagined the traditional Korean dress, blending their unique styles while preserving its timeless elegance. "I was impressed by how the designers gave the Hanbok a modern twist. This place feels so inviting with its rich culture and history. The exhibitions feel even more elegant and unique because the space still carries the charm of the old Seoul Station." This former train station may no longer connect cities, but it's now a hub that connects people to culture and history, with no ticket required. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.
Trump issued more than 300 executive orders in first week back in office: White House
2025/01/28 12:00
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed more than 300 executive orders during his first week in office. According to the White House on Monday local time, Trump has issued executive orders that included carrying out mass deportations and withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement. His administration said Trump was just getting started and that he has already secured one trillion dollars of investment, also mentioning how South Korea's major conglomerates such as Samsung and LG are considering relocating their factories from Mexico to the United States.
U.S. tech stocks plunge over sudden popularity of low-cost Chinese AI app DeepSeek
2025/01/28 12:00
Global investors threw out U.S. tech stocks on Monday over worries that the low-cost Chinese AI startup DeepSeek would overtake the current AI frontrunners. In just a week after its launch of a free AI assistant, DeepSeek on Monday became the most downloaded free app in the U.S., overtaking ChatGPT. DeepSeek was founded in 2023 in Hangzhou city by 40-year-old information and electronic engineering graduate Liang Wenfeng. Following the sudden popularity of the Chinese app, the tech-heavy Nasdaq shed over 3% on Monday, and Nvidia lost over a sixth of its value. U.S. President Donald Trump called DeepSeek's strong showing a wake-up call for the tech sector.
Heavy snow blankets S. Korea during Seollal holiday
2025/01/28 12:00
South Korea is seeing heavy snow this Seollal holiday, causing even more traffic congestion and road accidents. Our Lee Soo-jin has the details. Heavy snow is blanketing South Korea this Seollal holiday. The Korea Meteorological Administration on Tuesday issued a heavy snow warning for the city of Suwon as well as eight other areas in Gyeonggi-do Province, an area that borders the capital city Seoul. Heavy snow warnings had already been issued for six areas within the province. A heavy snow warning is issued when snowfall is forecast to exceed 20 centimeters over a 24-hour period. But it's not just Gyeonggi-do Province that is seeing large amounts of snow. On Hallasan Mountain on Jeju Island, snow has reached a whopping 120 centimeters, the height of a young child. And in the county of Muju-gun in Jeollabuk-do Province situated in the central-southern part of the country, snow has surpassed 80 centimeters. Certain districts in Seoul, meanwhile, have also seen almost 14 centimeters of snowfall. Not only is the snow expected to persist, but the subzero temperatures are likely to cause it to freeze. As of 8AM,.. temperatures in Seoul fell to minus 4-point-4 degrees Celsius while even the southeastern coastal city of Busan saw temperatures fall below zero. The heavy snow is also causing traffic delays on highways across the nation, particularly as tomorrow is the actual day of Seollal. It usually takes around five hours to drive from Seoul to Busan, but according to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 8 AM, the estimated journey time for that route is 7 hours and 20 minutes. The agency also said that peak traffic congestion is expected at around 12 PM and 1 PM with conditions easing around 8 PM or 9 PM. It urged drivers to drive cautiously due to the slippery roads. The Korea Railroad Corporation, announced that KTX trains on certain lines will be operating at reduced speeds for safety on Tuesday. Since Monday, numerous road accidents have occurred due to the snow. At around 9 PM, a van fell off the roadside in Yeongwol County in Gangwon-do Province, and earlier during the day, there was an 11-vehicle collision on an expressway heading towards the city of Gangneung ,.. injuring nine people who had to be transported to hospital. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.