News

How will S. Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations play out?

2025/05/30 17:00

And amid the legal battle over tariffs in the U.S. ON Korea's southern island of Jeju experts from American think tanks touched upon the repercussions of Mr. Trump's tariff policy on businesses. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji covers their thoughts. Experts are now warning that U.S. President Donald Trump's economic policies could have 'conflicting consequences' that do not necessarily promote economic growth or increase productivity in the country's economy. Speaking on Thursday at an international peace forum held on Jeju Island, Jeffrey Schott, a senior fellow from Peterson Institute for International Economics.. said uncertainty about the size and duration of tariffs will discourage or delay investment decisions. "So the climate is even more uncertain, and uncertainty is a tax on doing business. That's a lesson in economics that I think the Trump administration is only now beginning to learn." South Korea, which faces 25% U.S. reciprocal tariffs --has been seeking a trade deal with the Trump administration before the July 8th deadline, when the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is lifted. Scott Snyder, the head of the Korea Economic Institute of America, who is also at the Jeju forum explained there will be a 'series of deals,' adding that although the current focus is on tariffs, there will be another negotiation on security. "I would say deal by deal. I think that is going to go on, maybe for the entire Trump administration. New things will pop up and they will require negotiation, and so I think that's what will happen and I think it will be ongoing. It will be stressful, but I think that until both sides come to a place where they're satisfied with everything, President Trump's style is to want to make deals but I don't believe that it's going to be a one big beautiful deal." He suggested it would be important for the Korean government to have negotiation strategies to make sure that what Trump is trying to do is perceived as too costly. He also noted that shipbuilding is clearly an area where South Korea has a set of technologies that the U.S. is in need of. Amid more uncertainty over Trump's tariff policies, especially following the latest decision from the U.S. trade court, eyes are now on how the trade negotiations between Seoul and Washington will play out. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News, Jeju.

D-4: Lee Jun-seok reaches out to office workers, university students in central Seoul

2025/05/30 17:00

Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok for his part continued his engagement with young voters. Earlier in the day Lee hosted a rally along the Gyeongui Line Forest Park in Mapo-gu District reaching out to white-collar workers and college students. He then made his way to popular university hangouts including Sinchon in Seodaemun-gu District and Daehak-ro in Jongno-gu District. Public polls show his support base is largely made up of voters in their twenties. Lee also reiterated his words of regret for crude language during the final presidential debate earlier this week.

Trump gains temporary boost as U.S. appeals court keeps tariffs in place for now

2025/05/30 17:00

One day after a U.S. trade court ruled against the Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs an appeals court announced that these import duties can remain in place for now. Kim Jung-sil explains. A U.S. appeals court has allowed President Trump’s trade tariffs to stay in place for now, by putting a temporary hold on a lower court’s decision to block them. This puts on hold Wednesday's ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade, which said Trump had gone beyond his legal powers in imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law. The law, known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, says the president may use its powers only to address "unusual and extraordinary" national security threats. The court said IEEPA does not give the president full control over trade policy. But on Thursday, the appeals court said that decision would not be enforced while judges review the case. It gave the plaintiffs until June 5th to file their response. Also on Thursday, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued a separate ruling finding parts of Trump’s tariff policy unlawful. The judge wrote that the IEEPA does not enable the president to "unilaterally impose, revoke, pause, reinstate, and adjust tariffs to reorder the global economy". Earlier that day, the White House defended the tariffs, saying they’re necessary to protect American industries. "President Trump is in the process of rebalancing America's trading agreements with the entire world, bringing tens of billions of dollars in tariff revenues to our country, and finally ending the United States of America from being ripped off." With legal challenges mounting, the future of the tariffs remains uncertain. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

PPP's Kim Moon-soo makes final push, departs for 90-hour campaign journey

2025/05/30 17:00

Up next we touch base with the latest at the conservative camp whose contender Kim Moon-soo is ALSO campaigning in Gangwon-do Province. My colleague Kim Do-yeon is there as well and joins me now. Do-yeon it's good to have you on. So essentially Kim and Lee are both in the same region today? That's right, Sun-hee, as you said I'm also here in Wonju, Gangwon-do Province. His strategy is to meet as many citizens as possible over the next four days and he says he's not going home until the election campaign period ends. First, as he left for this long journey, he made an emotional appeal to voters. Take a listen. "The People Power Party has had many shortcomings. I deeply reflect on and sincerely apologize for having disappointed the people. We deserve the criticism, and we will reflect on it deeply. We will not shy away from self-sacrifice, making tough decisions for the greater good, and pursuing policy innovation." For this first day of 90 hours of not going home, Kim rallied in Gyeonggi-do Province and Chungcheongbuk-do Province before coming here. With the voters already casting their ballots, he's not trying to put in new messages against his rival. At his rallies, he's been reiterating that Lee Jae-myung has too many legal risks, and that DP will have too much power if it wins the presidency as well. To add to the efforts, Kim has also been appearing on stage with some well-known liberal politicians such as Son Hak-gyu and Jun Byung-hun, who formed their own factions as anti-Lee Jae-myung. Also Do-yeon I asked this next question to Ha-young as well. What has been the conservative party's reaction to news that the FIRST day of EARLY voting registered a RECORD number of voters? Right, Sun-hee of course, the People Power Party says the voters are voting for them. Now they continue to claim that they're turning things around in this election. Take a listen. "I believe this high voter turnout reflects the people's strong and resolute will to stop a monstrous dictatorship. We are moving toward a miraculous comeback." Now, as for the second day of his journey, Kim is set to tour around this province a bit more and head down to Gyeongsangbuk-do for rallies over the weekend. The Gyeongsangbuk-do region, including Daegu, as you might have heard, is a region that has not participated in early voting as much as others. Having said that, it also means that many votes are up for grabs still. So Kim's decision to go there on Saturday after the early voting closes could be a strategy. That's all for now, back to you, Sun-hee. All right Do-yeon thank you for that coverage of the conservative camp. And do keep us posted.

Lee campaigns in Wonju, home to public bio and medical institutions

2025/05/30 17:00

NOW with election day slated for next Tuesday campaigning continues with contenders out on the streets to share their vision for Korea. That being said our political correspondent Shin Ha-young is standing by at a rally of liberal party contender Lee Jae-myung who is speaking to supporters in Gangwon-do Province. Ha-young, welcome back. So it's the last day of early voting and we have four days left before the actual election day. What has Lee Jae-myung been saying? Sunny. As you've mentioned, today is the last day of early voting, and the Democratic Party is giving it their all until the end. As you can see behind me, DP candidate Lee Jae-myung is on stage right now delivering a speech here in the city of Wonju, Gangwon-do Province. Now this is Lee's first visit to the province during the official campaign period. The DP describes the region as an "Innovation City," home to public bio and medical institutions. As part of today's campaign, Lee is expected to share plans to grow the AI healthcare industry, expand bio research and development, and boost Wonju's future industrial competitiveness. Ahead of his visit here, Lee stopped in Chuncheon, where he addressed the people's livelihoods. Take a listen. "Real freedom comes from a fair and equal society. We need to make sure everyone has a fair chance by removing unfair barriers and creating a level playing field. Freedom doesn't mean being free to starve --that's not true freedom." Meanwhile Ha-young, the FIRST day of EARLY voting saw a RECORD number of voters. What has been the response to this reality from the liberal party? Regarding yesterday's record-high early voting turnout, the DP said it was a clear reminder that votes are more powerful than bullets. The party attributed the high turnout to the public's strong desire to end the insurrection fallout and put the country back on track. Take a listen to what the party's election committee had to say. "In the 2022 presidential election, early voting turnout hit a record high of 36-point-9 percent. Let's break that record again today. By taking part in early voting, you can help end the insurrection, restore livelihoods, and bring the country back together." The party said that it will stay humble and focus on the people's wish for a change in government. That's all for this hour. Back to you Sunny. All right Ha-young, thank you for now and do keep us updated with the latest from the liberal camp.

Trade, Trust, and Transition: AMCHAM Chair on strengthening U.S.-S. Korea alliance

2025/05/30 20:30

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. With President Trump now in his second term, "America First" is once again driving U.S. trade policy—placing South Korea back on the frontlines of high-stakes economic negotiations. From tariffs and energy cooperation to regional headquarters strategies and regulatory reform, the U.S.-Korea alliance is being reshaped in real time. Adding to the urgency, Korea's new administration takes office on June 4th—just as bilateral talks with Washington enter a critical phase. With rising uncertainty—but also new opportunities—how can the two allies build a stronger, future-focused partnership? Tonight on Within The Frame, we sit down with James Kim, Chairman and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce Korea, for an exclusive look at what lies ahead for the U.S.-Korea economic and security alliance. Welcome to the program, Mr. Kim. 1. Let's begin with the broader picture. Ever since its inauguration, the Trump administration has been placing renewed focus on "America First" policies. Due to this, tariff negotiations between the U.S. and South Korea have gained momentum. How would you assess the overall state of U.S.-Korea economic cooperation at this time? 2. Building on that point, in a past interview, you emphasized the proactive role that Korean business leaders must play in trade negotiations with the U.S. In your view, how can Seoul's business leaders effectively function as a "private diplomatic channel" amid trade tensions with the U.S.? 3. Of course, government strategy is just as critical. In negotiations with the Trump 2.0 administration, what should be the top priority in foreign and trade policy preparations for the incoming Korean administration? 4. Looking at a specific area of cooperation, at a recent forum, you highlighted the expansion of the LNG partnership as a key pillar of U.S.-Korea cooperation. Could you elaborate for our viewers, why LNG is of such strategic importance at this time? 5. As for the private sector—like chambers of commerce, what kind of role should they play to promote balanced trade and economic cooperation between the two countries? What specific efforts is AMCHAM currently pursuing in this regard? 6. Speaking of such efforts, AMCHAM has been continuing strategic dialogue with the Korean government, including last year's release of the "Korea as an APAC Regional HQ Report," to support Korea's bid to become a regional business hub. What do you think are South Korea's strengths and competitiveness to be a global business hub? 7. When it comes to seizing new opportunities, you've noted that the trend of global companies moving out of China—spurred by U.S.-China tensions—could become an opportunity for Korea. What regulatory obstacles must be urgently addressed to capitalize on this shift? What policy support is needed? 8. Looking ahead to policy implementation, you recently met with key presidential candidates, including Kim Moon-soo and Lee Jun-seok, who all emphasized a strong will to pursue regulatory innovation to boost investment in Korea. Although past administrations also pushed various pro-business reforms, many failed to produce tangible results. What were the underlying reasons for this, and what should the next administration do differently? 9. With the new Korean administration launching on June 4, it will need to lead trade negotiations with Trump's second-term administration and attract global investment. In your view, where should U.S.-Korea economic cooperation head next? And what roles and goals does AMCHAM envision for itself in strengthening this partnership going forward? 10. Finally, as we wrap up—beyond trade deals and investment flows, public diplomacy also plays a vital role in shaping long-term bilateral ties. Arirang TV, as an international broadcaster, contributes to Korea's global image and outreach. In your view, what role can media outlets like Arirang TV play in strengthening Seoul-Washington economic diplomacy during President Trump's second term?

Last day of early voting nears the end following record-high figures on first day

2025/05/30 17:00

We start with election news. In less than one hour the two-day EARLY voting period comes to a close. And my colleague Ahn Sung-jin joins me now from a polling place here in Seoul. Sung-jin, it's great to have you on. So what's the mood there like today? Right, Sunny, I'm currently in front of the early voting station in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu District. It's a busy area, bustling with office workers. I've been out here since early this morning, when we saw an influx of people coming in to vote before going to work. Yesterday saw the highest voter turnout rate in early voting, which first took place in national elections in 2014. This morning, it was relatively calmer when we first got here, but in the afternoon, the line has been getting longer. In fact, as we head towards the end of early voting, the line is extending beyond the front of the polling station. Have a listen to what some of the voters have had to say. "People nowadays say how living conditions are difficult, so I hope that the economy can be revitalized and that whichever candidate wins, they actually follow through with their election promises." "I came here with my son to explain about how elections work and that this many people are interested in voting." So as you mentioned the first day of early voting saw a record voter turnout. What can we expect today? And do you have any words for those planning to rush to polling stations within the next hour? Well, the two-day early voting will close in around one hour, at 6 PM. But anyone who wishes to cast their ballots today must be over 18 and will need to bring a government-issued ID. And now, if we take a closer look at the voter turnout rate as of 4 PM this afternoon, it stood at 31-point-38 percent. Jeollanam-do Province recorded the highest turnout at 52-point-45 percent, while Daegu the lowest at 22-point-84 percent. Turnout in previous early voting in 2017 was 26-point-1 percent, while in 2022 it was 36-point-9 percent, a record-high figure. Although we did see an increase in 2022, with voting taking place on a weekday, unlike previously, we may see a lower number. Some say that with much interest coming from a snap presidential election, more voters may come out to vote. Now, as we just passed 5 PM, new figures should be out, which I will be back with for our later newscast for the final numbers. Back to you, Sunny. All right then Sung-jin, thank you for that report. That was our Ahn Sung-jin with the latest on EARLY VOTING that ends in about an hour.

[Weather] Early summer heat throughout this weekend with high UV rays

2025/05/30 17:00

You should prepare for a big daily temperature difference for the next few days. It felt hotter in the middle of the day than yesterday. Today's daytime temperature in Seoul soared up to 29 degrees Celsius, about 2 degrees higher than yesterday. Temperatures will stay very similar to today throughout this weekend. It will be mostly sunny on the weekend without any rain or showers. However, the temperatures in the inland areas will get as hot as around 30 degrees. In addition, the ultraviolet index will soar from 'high' to 'very high' across the country. It is recommended that people stay indoors or stay in the shade while enjoying outdoor activities. Tomorrow, Seoul and Jeju will start off at 16 degrees, Chuncheon and Gyeongju at 10 degrees. Highs will move up to nearly 30 degrees in most areas. On the day of the election, the sky will be cloudy across the country. It is expected to rain only in Gyeongsangnam-do Province and Jeju Island. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

No emergency communication before deadly Navy aircraft crash in Pohang

2025/05/30 17:00

A Navy P-3CK maritime patrol aircraft crashed on a mountain in Pohang Gyeongsangbuk-do Province Thursday afternoon. All FOUR Navy officers on board were killed. Authorities say there had been normal communication between the aircraft and the control tower up until one minute before the fatal crash and that there had been no emergency indication. The cockpit voice recorder has been retrieved and authorities believe the data within may offer insight into the cause of the crash. An investigation has been launched and in the meantime all P-3 patrol aircraft operations have been suspended.

[Short-form] Hwaseong Boating Festival

2025/05/30 14:00

Feeling the need for a cool escape? Head to Hwaseong City and set sail for a refreshing day of fun!

K-enter_Cha Eun-woo enlists in army band on July 28

2025/05/30 14:00

Today's top story in K-entertainment is a sad story for Cha Eun-woo's fans. Singer and actor Cha Eun-woo will begin his mandatory military service in late July and serve in the Army's military band. According to his agency, Fantagio, on Thursday, he will enter the training center on July 28th to undergo basic military training before serving his duty in the Army Band. Previously, Cha Eun-woo applied and interviewed for the Army Band and has been officially accepted. The agency did not disclose the enlistment time or location of the camp, asking fans to refrain from visiting the site to ensure their safety. It added that there will be no special event held at the site to mark his enlistment. Meanwhile, Cha Eun-woo is currently filming the new Netflix series "The WONDERfools" and has confirmed his role in the movie "First Ride." Additionally, he is scheduled to meet fans at ASTRO's fourth solo concert in June and also his first solo virtual reality concert, set to be released on June 18th. Something tells me fans don't have to be too sad after all, as they'll have Cha on the screen, the stage, and that IU music video we talked about yesterday. PLUS, serving in the military band means there are more chances to see him. Now let's turn over to some exciting news for the ARMYs, or BTS fans, specifically j-hope fans. J-Hope is dropping a new digital single "Killin' It Girl." On Thursday, his agency, BIGHIT MUSIC announced that he will release "Killin' It Girl" on June 13th. This will mark the end of his solo single project after "Sweet Dreams" and "Mona Lisa." The new single is a hip-hop genre song that captures the thrill of falling in love at first sight. It will feature American rapper GloRilla. J-Hope will perform "Killin' It Girl" for the first time at the "j-hope Tour 'HOPE ON THE STAGE' FINAL" at Goyang Stadium from June 13th to 14th. Lucky for those attending the concert who will get to catch the live performance for the very first time. Last story is on a group we mentioned several times within just this week, because they continue to reach new milestones. It's SEVENTEEN! They placed third on Billboard's 2025 midyear boxscore report, earning 120.9 million dollars from ticket sales. According to Billboard's midyear boxscore report, released on Wednesday local time, Seventeen sold 842-thousand tickets across 30 shows on their latest "Right Here" world tour, held from October of last year to February of this year. Billboard's 2025 midyear boxscore report celebrates the top-grossing and best-selling artists, venues, and concert promoters around the world for the period of October 1st, 2024 to March 31st, 2025. Coldplay topped the chart, followed by Shakira in second place. It's impressive to see that Seventeen's gross nearly doubled from 67.5 million dollars during the same period last year, when it ranked No. 16. In the K-pop category, Seventeen led the pack, followed by ATEEZ and BTS j-Hope, who ranked second and third respectively. So much to celebrate for Seventeen, marking their decade of achievements this year. Thank you Bella for today's stories. Let's now check out what culture-related stories our AI anchor Ari has for us today! Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/05/30 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. For the first time, Korea is hosting the World Summit on Arts and Culture, a multilateral dialogue that brings together leading voices in global cultural policy. Chair of the Arts Council Korea, Choung Byoung-gug, expressed hopes that the creative power of culture will resonate around the world, with the summit serving as a meaningful platform for shaping a shared global vision. Under the theme "Shaping the Future of Arts and Culture," over a hundred speakers from 65 countries are taking part to explore cultural strategies in a rapidly evolving global environment. Launched in Canada in 2000, the summit has become a flagship global event in the cultural sector. Korea was unanimously selected in 2023 as the first Asian country to host the summit. The highlight event of the millennium-old Gangneung Danoje Festival, the 'Sintong Daegil Gilnori' parade, was held Thursday with great fanfare. Celebrated as the pinnacle of Korean-style street parades, the Gilnori remains one of the most popular attractions of the festival, drawing more than 50,000 spectators each year. This year's parade featured over 4,000 participants, showcasing a vibrant array of costumes and performances inspired by local folklore and distinct village traditions. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the festival's listing as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, members of the Inter-City Intangible Cultural Cooperation Network also joined the parade, underscoring the event's growing international significance. The Danoje festival runs through June 3. Korea's largest art fair, Kiaf Seoul, will be held alongside the globally renowned Frieze Seoul in September at COEX. Running from September 3 to 6, Frieze Seoul will feature more than 120 galleries from over 30 countries, including major international exhibitors and leading galleries based in Korea. Now in its fourth edition, this year's Frieze will see an especially strong presence of prominent Asian galleries. Opening the same day and continuing through September 7, Kiaf Seoul will feature 176 galleries from 20 countries. Anchored by its main section, Kiaf Galleries, the fair will also present Kiaf Plus, a dedicated platform for emerging artists, and a special exhibition titled "Reverse Cabinet," jointly curated by Korea and Japan marking 60 years of the two country's diplomatic normalization. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

ON POINT: S. Korea's Presidential Race: Who will record early voting favor?

2025/05/30 10:00

Before early voting ends Friday, and we head into the weekend before the election, we have our political correspondent Oh Soo-young in studio with us. 1. Why don't we begin with this highest-ever turnout for early voting on Day 1. On the first day of early voting, turnout reached 19.58 percent, setting a new all-time high, as over 8-point-6 million out of a total 44-point-3 million eligible voters cast their ballots within a 12-hour time frame. With this unprecedented high for day one, there is now a strong possibility that by the end of Friday, the total early voting figures this year will top the record figure reached in the previous presidential race in 2022 which was 36-point-93 percent. By region, Jeollanam-do Province, a progressive stronghold, recorded the highest early voting rate at 34-point-9-6 percent, while the conservative stronghold of Daegu, recorded the lowest at 13.42 percent. In the capital region, considered the most fiercely contested battleground and a barometer of public sentiment, Seoul recorded a turnout of 19-point-1-3 percent , slightly below the national average, but still an increase compared to the 17-point-3-1 percent seen on the first day of the 2022 election. Incheon's early voting rate was 18-point-4-0 percent, and Gyeonggi-do Province which has the largest number of voters nationwide recorded 18-point-2-4 percent. 2. And any clue as to what this high turnout rate may indicate about the result? Now, historically,.. and globally, early voting or alternative forms of voting, such as by post, has generally been associated with younger, progressive voters. Here in Korea, it has typically been favored by voters in their 20s and 30s, as well as the generally left-leaning middle-aged voters in their 40s and 50s, with turnout reported to be five to ten percentage points higher than on the main voting day. As recently as the General Election last year, where the Democratic Party won 175 seats, early voting reached 31-point-28 percent the highest for any parliamentary race. But then again, conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol also won the 2022 race with record-high early voting. Of course,.. presidential elections tend to see a higher overall turnout, and voters aged 70 and older who tend to support conservative candidates may also turn up in swarms on the actual day of voting. In response to this year's early voting, the DP has said early voting reflects the outrage against the conservative camp, associated with impeached President Yoon's martial law. However, the PPP says that turnout simply rose due to increased political interest from both sides, and that conservative regions tend to see stronger turnout on election day. So some analysts say early voting no longer disproportionately favors one side. When early voting was still relatively new, younger Koreans showed high participation while turnout among older voters was low, but now we expect even the elderly to participate in large numbers, making it hard to conclude which side actually benefits. What we do know is that casting an early vote usually means the voter has firmly made up their mind. 3. We're currently in a so-called black out period as opinion polls are banned from six days before the day of the election. So it's hard to determine public sentiment. But we could potentially see the highest overall turnout for a presidential race. Yes. Opinion polls have shown over eight in ten people intend to take part in this presidential election. In a voter awareness survey conducted by Gallup Korea earlier this week, 86-point-8 percent of respondents said they would "definitely vote" in the upcoming election. That's 3-point-8 percentage points higher than the 83 percent reported ahead of the 2022 presidential race. Among those who intend to vote, 37 percent said they plan to cast their ballot during early voting, up 10 percentage points from 2022. The actual voter turnout in the 20th presidential election was 77-point-1 percent, with early voting making up almost one in four votes. So we'll have to wait and see what the early turnout will be, and how it will compare to the overall number of votes to draw meaningful patterns and conclusions. That's right. Well, early voting takes is open until 6 PM on Friday here in Korea. We'll see you back here Monday, Sooyoung.

Trump gains temporary boost as U.S. appeals court keeps tariffs in place for now

2025/05/30 10:00

A U.S. appeals court has temporarily allowed President Trump's import tariffs to remain in effect, after a lower court ruled Wednesday they were illegal. Our Kim Jung-sil reports. A U.S. appeals court has allowed President Trump's trade tariffs to stay in place for now, by putting a temporary hold on a lower court's decision to block them. This puts on hold Wednesday's ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade, which said Trump had gone beyond his legal powers in imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law. The law, known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, says the president may use its powers only to address "unusual and extraordinary" national security threats. The court said IEEPA does not give the president full control over trade policy. But on Thursday, the appeals court said that decision would not be enforced while judges review the case. It gave the plaintiffs until June 5th to file their response. Also on Thursday, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued a separate ruling finding parts of Trump's tariff policy unlawful. The judge wrote that the IEEPA does not enable the president to "unilaterally impose, revoke, pause, reinstate, and adjust tariffs to reorder the global economy". Earlier that day, the White House defended the tariffs, saying they're necessary to protect American industries. "President Trump is in the process of rebalancing America's trading agreements with the entire world, bringing tens of billions of dollars in tariff revenues to our country, and finally ending the United States of America from being ripped off." With legal challenges mounting, the future of the tariffs remains uncertain. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Early voting in S. Korea heads into final day following record-high figures on first day

2025/05/30 10:00

Polling stations are open until 6PM today for the second of the two days of early voting in the presidential election. We connect right away with our Ahn Sung-jin standing by at one of the polling stations. Hello there, Sung-jin. Sung-jin, I'm aware you are at the same polling station as you were yesterday. How's the second and final day looking this morning? Right, so Dami, I'm currently in front of an early voting location in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu District, an area bustling with office workers. I was out here since early this morning, and we're seeing an influx of people coming in to vote before going to work. Yesterday saw the highest voter turnout rate in early voting, which first took place in national elections in 2014, but today, it was relatively calmer than the same time yesterday when we got here. However, over time starting from 8-9AM, the line has begun to get much longer so we'll have to keep an eye on it till the afternoon. As we head into the last day of early voting, have a listen to some of the voters. "I came to vote early before going to work. Regardless of who becomes the next president, I think it's important to vote." "I think voting is the least we can do. I wish that the next government will be fair and transparent and bring more change for those in their 20s and 30s." 2. So Sung-jin, we already saw a record-high early voting figure on the first day, how are the figures looking 4 hours into the voting today? Right, if we take a closer look at how many people cast their ballot this morning as of 9AM at this polling station I'm at 1,845 people have voted, and a total of 223,978 for Seoul. Other major cities like Busan saw 53,151 people, Daegu 35,308, and Sejong 8,619. However, as we just passed 10AM, new figures should be out, which I will be back with for our later newscast. 3. And Sung-jin, today is the last day voters can cast their ballot in the early voting. Walk us through the voting procedure one more time, and how is the National Election Commission ensuring a transparent election? To first explain how early voting works, early voting takes place for two days, Thursday and Friday, from 6 AM till 6 PM. Voters must be over 18 and bring a government-issued ID. I just mentioned the number of voters per hour, which is a new measure for this presidential election that the NEC announced, the number of voters per hour will be disclosed by each polling station for the first time. The process of verifying vote-counting officials will also be strengthened after accusations over the use of Chinese voting officials in 2020. The NEC emphasized that in this election, all 260-thousand voting and counting officials are Korean nationals. Ballot boxes will be monitored around the clock, and the NEC will also operate a "Fair Election Observation Team" for the first time to observe the entire election process from voting to counting. That's all I have for now and I will be back with updates in our later newscast. All right, Sung-jin. Thanks for the report this morning.

[Weather] Heatwave in store with chance of passing rain for the south coast

2025/05/30 10:00

Brace for a weekend heatwave. Starting today, Seoul's daytime high will climb to 29 degrees Celsius and we'll see temperatures close to 30 degrees through the entire weekend. But as you can see if you are dressing for the afternoon it might feel too breezy in the mornings and evenings so keep a light jacket handy! Most parts of Korea will be under strong sunshine but passing rain is expected to move into the southern coastal regions with 5 to 10 millimeters in the forecast. Seoul will near 30 degrees this afternoon, Daejeon and Gwangju will make it to 27 degrees but at least the humidity isn't too high yet, so it should still feel pleasant in the shade. Again, a hot and sunny weekend ahead to welcome June then early next week rain is expected in the southern coast and Jeju Island, which should bring a welcome break from the heat.

Pride flag raised to welcome visitors to Washington, D.C. for WorldPride events

2025/05/30 10:00

Finally, in the United States, Washington, D.C. is preparing for its WorldPride 2025 event slated for Saturday, May 31. Before raising the Pride flag to usher in the biennial event, the D.C. Mayor said, "The flag tells a story of pride, perseverance, and progress." This marks the 50th anniversary of Pride in the U.S. capital, and the city expects up to 3 million attendees for the celebration. A welcome concert by Shakira will be held at Nationals Park to kick off the event, which will run until the end of June.

Brazil's life-like doll craze goes viral as online videos spark political reaction

2025/05/30 10:00

In Brazil, hyper-realistic "reborn" baby dolls, designed and handcrafted to resemble real infants, are growing in popularity, stirring both fascination and controversy. Videos featuring emotional interactions with these dolls have gone viral, with influencers staging scenarios such as simulated births and public outings. While a bill has been passed honoring reborn doll artisans, a lawmaker proposed banning public healthcare services for the dolls, following a video of a woman taking one to a hospital. Critics argue that the attention given to the reborn doll community distracts from more pressing societal issues. Proponents defend the practice, citing therapeutic benefits.

Thousands Evacuate in Canada as Wildfires Rage

2025/05/30 10:00

Canada's state of Manitoba is facing severe wildfires, prompting the declaration of a province-wide state of emergency. Over 17,000 residents have been evacuated. On Thursday, local time, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced a state of emergency due to wildfires that have already burned approximately 491,000 acres. The city of Flin Flon, home to 5,000 people, was under a mandatory evacuation order. The Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to assist in the evacuation, airlifting residents from remote communities. There are concerns about whether the fires can be contained, with the situation made worse by abnormally dry conditions and a lack of significant rainfall in the forecast. Premier Kinew said, "This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory." Meanwhile, smoke from the blazes is affecting air quality in some U.S. cities such as Chicago and Detroit.

Israel signs off on latest Gaza ceasefire proposal

2025/05/30 10:00

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. Israel has approved a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal developed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. It has also reportedly been presented to Hamas and is currently under review. On Thursday, May 29, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Israel had signed off on a 60-day ceasefire proposal before it was submitted to Hamas. The proposal includes the release of 10 living and 18 deceased Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees, along with terms for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, Hamas has responded with reservations, stating that it does not meet key demands such as a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Hamas official Bassem Naim said the proposal "does not respond to any of our people's demands, foremost among which is stopping the war and famine."