News

Both major political parties pledge full support for wildfire suppression, recovery

2025/03/26 20:00

Major political parties are joining efforts to combat the devastating wildfires. The ruling People Power Party formed a special committee on Wednesday to aid fire suppression and discuss recovery strategies. It also called for bipartisan cooperation to ensure public safety. The main opposition Democratic Party also pledged full support, urging authorities to do their best as the fires spread across regions.

N. Korea may be ready for 'short notice' nuclear test, seeks tacit recognition as nuclear power: U.S.

2025/03/26 20:00

In other news. U.S. intelligence authorities raise fresh alarms over additional nuclear test by North Korea, and says the regime may use an ICBM test as leverage in future talks with Washington. Lee Seung-jae has the details. North Korea may be ready to conduct a nuclear test "on short notice." That's according to the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who made the remark while addressing Congress on the 2025 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community. While assessing security challenges from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and others, she stressed that Pyongyang is likely prepared to conduct its 7th nuclear test. She added that the regime continues to flight test ICBMs to "demonstrate their increasing capabilities as leverage in future negotiations." Her comments are in line with Seoul's assessment that the North has already completed preparations for another nuclear test. Pyongyang last conducted a nuclear test in 2017. The director also noted that the regime is looking to achieve "at least tacit recognition" as a nuclear power, as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pursues, "stronger strategic and conventional capabilities that can target U.S. forces and allies in the region, as well as the U.S. homeland." She added that through such weapons, North Korea is looking to bolster its leverage and stature. Gabbard said those goals are being supported by a strategic partnership with Russia, which gives the regime greater financial, military, and diplomatic assistance. She also said the deployment of North Korean troops to the Kursk region is providing the regime with "authentic warfighting experience." Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. Korea's birthrate increases for 7th straight month in Jan.

2025/03/26 20:00

The number of newborns in January noted a remarkable rise from a year ago, having surged over 11-percent. Park Jun-han covers the latest findings. As of January, the number of childbirths in South Korea has been on the rise for seven consecutive months. According to Statistics Korea's data on Wednesday, the number of childbirths in January 2025 was 23-thousand 9-hundred-47. This number is 11.6 percent higher than the 21-thousand-4-hundred-61 births in January 2024. That's the biggest percentage increase since related data was first compiled. South Korea's total fertility rate, the average number of children a woman would have during her lifetime, also increased from January 2024's point-8 children to this January's point-88 children. The statistics show an increase in the total fertility rate for 25-29 year olds, those in their 30s, and those aged 40 and over. The number of marriages in South Korea has been rising for the past ten months, with the marriage rate increasing by over ten percent compared to the year before for all of those ten months except for June 2024 and January 2025. In January 2025, the number of marriages came to 20-thousand-1-hundred-53, point-7 percent higher than that of January last year. "If you look at the marriage growth rate, it has been increasing since April 2024 until now. In January 2025, there was a point-7 percent increase, so it looks like the growth rate has decreased a little bit, but it's actually due to the impact of four fewer reporting days because of the Seollal holiday in January 2025. If the number of reporting days hadn't decreased by four, the marriage rate would have been in the 20 percent range or at least in double-digit growth." Even though there has been a recent increase in births and marriages, the declining population and aging society remain concerns for South Korea. As a result of 39-thousand-4-hundred-73 deaths in January 2025, the country saw a natural population decline of 15-thousand-5-hundred-26 people. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Appeals court acquits DP leader Lee Jae-myung over election law violation charges

2025/03/26 20:00

We now turn to a major ruling today that could mean much to the politics on the local front. An appellate court acquitted the opposition leader Lee Jae-myung of election violation charges, overturning the lower court's decision. Our correspondent Shin Ha-young explains. The main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has been acquitted by an appeals court with regard to election violation charges. The Seoul High Court on Wednesday overturned a ruling by a lower court, which had handed Lee a suspended prison term. Lee was indicted on charges of making false statements in December 2021, during a media interview where he denied knowing the late Kim Moon-ki, an executive involved in a development scandal in Seongnam City where Lee previously served as mayor. He is also accused of having made false claims that there was pressure from South Korea's land ministry to rezone a research institute site in the Baekhyeon-dong area. The appellate court ruled that neither of the statements made by Lee can be seen as spreading false information, overturning the Seoul Central District Court's ruling in November. The lower court found Lee guilty of making false statements, though it said that parts of statements regarding Kim could not be considered a violation of the election law. It handed Lee a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. Prosecutors demanded the Seoul High Court give a two-year prison term for Lee during the appellate trial, the same sentence as they demanded in the first trial. Right after the ruling, Lee thanked the court for delivering what he called "a proper ruling." "I appreciate the court for delivering a proper ruling based on truth and justice. But it's frustrating that so much effort and national resources were spent on something so obvious." The DP also welcomed the ruling, saying that the investigation and indictment were baseless from the start. Meanwhile, the ruling People Power Party expressed regret over court's ruling and said that it will wait for the Supreme Court's decision. "We deeply regret this ruling. Many politicians have lost their political careers due to false statement charges, so I can't understand how Lee was acquitted on the same issue, even from a legal professional's perspective." The prosecution announced that it will appeal the Seoul High Court's ruling at the Supreme Court. Now if the Supreme Court decides to overturn Wednesday's ruling, sentencing Lee to a fine of one million Korean won which is about 680 U.S. dollars, or more, he would lose his legislative seat and be barred from running in elections for five years. If sentenced to a prison term, the ban extends to ten years. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Discussion with experts on N. Korea's response to Freedom Shield, ties with Russia

2025/03/26 20:30

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most up-to-date issues across the globe into focus, I'm Kim Mok-yeon. The first South Korea–U.S. joint military drill under the Trump 2.0 administration, the Freedom Shield, wrapped on March 20th. The 11-day exercise simulated threats from North Korea’s shifting strategy, growing ties with Russia, and modern warfare tactics like nuclear and drone attacks. Pyongyang fired a surface-to-air missile and slammed the drills as a “provocative nuclear war rehearsal.” At the same time, back-to-back high-level visits between North Korea and Russia hint at deepening military cooperation—including arms exports and possible troop deployments. With Washington showing signs of distancing itself from Seoul, concerns are mounting over shifting alliances and what they mean for South Korea’s security. For a deeper discussion on this, we invite Evans Revere, Former U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State and Nonresident Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Program at Brookings. Welcome. Also joining us is Park Won-gon, Professor of North Korea Studies at Ewha Womans University. Great to see you. 1.(Revere) Let's start with Mr. Revere, so the Freedom Shield exercises concluded a few days ago. North Korea reacted sharply at the start of the drills, launching several short-range ballistic missiles, but it later shifted to verbal criticism and refrained from launching stronger military provocations during the remainder of the exercise. Why did North Korea, which had warned of high-intensity provocations, opt for restraint? 2.(Park) But on March 21st, the day after Freedom Shield ended, North Korea announced it had successfully test-fired its latest surface-to-air missile. There is speculation that this test may have been aimed at verifying the performance of missiles intended for export to Russia. Prof. Park, do you think this could be considered as evidence of military-technical cooperation between North Korea and Russia? 3.(Revere) Now, let's delve deeper into North Korea's ties with Russia. On the same day, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea for a two-day trip. Mr. Revere, who is Shoigu? And why is his visit significant, considering past precedents? 4.(Park) Shoigu’s visit to North Korea came right after Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko’s visit in mid-March. Given the timing and scheduling, some analysts see this as unusual. Prof. Park, how about you? What do you think is the background behind Shoigu’s visit? 5.(Revere) The two stated that they “confirmed complete agreement” on international affairs surrounding North Korea and Russia. What kind of discussions may have taken place between them, Mr. Revere? 6.(Park) There is speculation that Kim Jong-un and Secretary Shoigu may have discussed reciprocal compensation for the deployment of North Korean troops. Prof. Park, could Russia provide advanced military technologies such as ICBM reentry technology or military reconnaissance satellites in exchange for troop deployments? 7.(Revere) It is reported that Shoigu delivered a personal letter from President Putin to Chairman Kim Jong-un. Some also say that Kim may have been invited to 러시아 for Victory Day on May 9th. Though Russia has not made specific comments on this, how likely is a visit by Kim Jong-un to Russia, Mr. Revere? 8.(Park) Last week, North Korea sent government delegations on economy and health to Russia, indicating that bilateral cooperation is expanding across multiple areas. Prof. Park, as the peace negotiations in the Ukraine war seem to show progress, do you think the North Korea-Russia partnership will continue? And in the face of deepening North Korea-Russia ties, how should South Korea respond? 9.(Park) On a separate occasion, Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, stated at the Senate Intelligence Committee that “North Korea is ready to conduct additional nuclear tests at any time,” and assessed that “Chairman Kim Jong-un has no intention of giving up nuclear weapons through negotiations.” Prof. Park, this perception is similar to that of the Biden administration. What impact might this have on U.S.-North Korea dialogue? 10.(Revere) Meanwhile, Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, who oversees U.S. intelligence agencies, recently visited four Asian countries — excluding South Korea. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is also reportedly excluding South Korea from his Indo-Pacific tour next week. Should this be seen as a sign of “Korea Passing” becoming a reality? What measures should be taken?

Live from Uiseong-gun County: Wildfires rage across southern S. Korea as death toll rises to at least 20

2025/03/26 17:00

Forest fires that began last week continue as high winds and dry conditions serve to fan the flames across the southeastern part of the country. That being said Uiseong County appears to be bearing the brunt of the blazes. I have Lee Eun-hee standing by live with details. Eun-hee welcome. So you are at the county? Yes, Sunny, I'm in Uiseong-gun County in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, where the biggest wildfire began on Saturday. On the way from Seoul, I could already feel the severity of the wildfires, as even with over an hour left to go, the entire area was hazy from the smoke. To be more specific, I'm here at the temporary Uiseong wildfire command headquarters, which has been relocated to the county office due to the spreading fire. These tents are filled with coffee, food, and water to support evacuees, the teams of firefighters, and volunteers. "I am a university student living in Andong City, and seeing the severe loss of life and damage caused by the wildfire, I felt compelled to volunteer and contribute in any way I can. I sincerely hope the fire is brought under control as soon as possible." The fire is spreading to neighboring cities and counties due to strong winds and these maps show the areas where wildfires are currently raging across the country, including the counties of Yeongdeok, Yeongyang, Cheongsong, and the neighboring city of Andong. Due to the wind, the wildfires are rapidly spreading to Andong City and Yeongyang-gun County, leading to an evacuation order for nearby residents in a few areas of Yeongyang at around 11:30 AM. As residents are fleeing from the chaos, multiple casualties have been reported with a provisional estimate of at least 20 people dead and around 20 injured. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, as of 9 AM this morning, the death toll from the wildfires has reached 14 in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and four in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. The latest report reveals that an elderly man in his 80s was fully consumed by the fire, with bone fragments found at the scene. Authorities are currently searching for his wife. The areas most heavily affected are Uiseong-gun County and Andong City, where over 370 square kilometers have been affected. As of Wednesday, over 26-thousand people are taking shelter in temporary facilities. Also, more than 200 structures, including homes, factories, and cultural heritage sites, have been damaged by the flames. And Eun-hee how have authorities been responding to these frightening flames? According to the government, over 1-hundred helicopters are actively involved in the operation, but at around noon today, one firefighting helicopter crashed here at the scene of Uiseong-gun County, with the pilot confirmed dead, Additionally, over 4-thousand-5-hundred personnel are actively involved in the operation, including more than 1-thousand military personnel and 3-thousand firefighters. "The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, along with relevant ministries, local governments, public institutions, volunteers, and village leaders on the front lines, is fully mobilizing all efforts to combat the wildfire and protect residential areas." As the fire continues to spread, there is heightened focus on safeguarding cultural heritage sites, particularly in Andong and the Hahoe Village. Hahoe Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known for its well-preserved traditional architecture and cultural significance. A fire, which started several kilometers from the village, carried smoke towards the area, and by noon today, the smoke had thickened, heightening tension around the heritage site. According to reports, some tourists had visited the area until Tuesday, but on Wednesday, all access was completely restricted. This follows the complete destruction of the Gounsa Temple in Uiseong by the fire the day before. That's all I have for now, Sunny. All right Eun-hee thank you for that report. That was our Lee Eun-hee reporting live from Uiseong-gun Country Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.

[Weather] Rain across the country tomorrow, temperatures will drop after the rain

2025/03/26 17:00

Currently, the highest level of wildfire crisis warning, "severe" level is in effect across the country. With dry weather warnings mainly in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, and dry weather advisories in the eastern parts of the country, inland areas, and Jeju Island, please take extra precautions not to start any fires. We have been waiting for the rain in this dry weather. Starting with Jeju Island from late afternoon, it will expand to the south coast tonight and most of the country tomorrow. However, the amount of rain will not be as much as expected. There's just 5 to 30 millimeters forecast for Jeju Island, 5 to 20 millimeters on the west and south coast, and 5 millimeters in some parts of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, where wildfires are still burning. Tomorrow morning will start mild with rain in most parts of the country. Highs will move up to 19 degrees Celsius in Seoul and Daejeon, 18 degrees in Gwangju and Busan. Temperatures are expected to drop after the rain stops tomorrow. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Russia and Ukraine agree to suspend strikes on energy facilities and ensure safe navigation in Black Sea

2025/03/26 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Starting with updates on Ukraine and Russia. Although there was no joint statement following the extended talks between the U.S. and Russia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday, the two agreed on a few key points, including reducing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea and banning strikes on energy facilities. The proposed agreement, announced on Tuesday, focuses on the Black Sea, aiming to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the militarization of commercial vessels in the region. However, the Kremlin has stipulated that its commitment to the ceasefire is contingent upon the lifting of specific Western sanctions affecting its food and fertilizer exports. Russia and the United States have agreed to implement measures to stop attacks on Russian and Ukrainian energy facilities for 30 days. Despite extensive negotiations and expectations no joint statement has been issued. Israel's parliament has approved the 2025 state budget a move that solidifies Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government. The passage of the budget has led to heated protests. On Tuesday, the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, passed the state budget for 2025 with a vote of 66 to 52. This narrowly met the March 31 deadline, avoiding potential snap elections. However, the budget's passage was met with public dissent. Families of hostages held in Gaza protested outside the parliamentary chamber, displaying photos and signs referencing the hostages captured during a Hamas attack in October 2023. Meanwhile, the Israeli finance minister referred to the budget as a "budget of war," emphasizing its focus on national security amid resumed military actions against Hamas in Gaza. Brazil's Supreme Court concluded the first day of proceedings on Tuesday, to determine whether former President Jair Bolsonaro, and several associates will stand trial on charges including attempting to stage a coup. The session ended without a decision, and deliberations are set to continue. Bolsonaro has been accused of orchestrating a plan to remain in power after his defeat in the 2022 election. Allegations against the former leader include plotting to poison his successor President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and assassinate a Supreme Court Justice. Bolsonaro denies the charges, claiming political persecution. Finally, in the UK five neglected lions rescued from war-torn Ukraine have found a new home at the Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent. The group includes a male African lion named Rori and lionesses Amani, Lira, Vanda, and Yuna. Their rescue journey was facilitated by the Wild Animals Rescue Center in Ukraine. After being temporarily cared for in Belgium, the lions arrived at The Lion Rescue Center, a sanctuary established through a fundraising campaign and officially opened on Tuesday. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

S. Korea's aspiring figure skaters seek to become the next Kim Yuna

2025/03/26 17:00

South Korea has seen an outstanding start in the sport of skating this year with gold medals from two major international events. That being said our Ahn Sung-jin had the pleasure of meeting with some of the country's future stars. Do take a look. Practice makes perfect. And you need to be perfect when you are going head-to-head with your twin. "I started skating because I just love being on the ice rink. My role model is Kim Yuna. I look up to her because there is no figure skater better than her and she is so well-rounded." The 17-year-old identical twins are both representing the country. "I like how Yu-seong and I can help each other's techniques, and having her helps me feel less nervous during competitions." South Korea is known for its strength on the ice rink. In the most recent Winter Asian Games, the country won gold medals in figure skating thanks to leading athletes such as rising star Kim Chae-yeon. "Many aspiring young figure skaters like the Kim sisters dream of reaching the top and bringing more winter sports success to Korea." However, this success doesn't come easy. It's built on the back of a grueling schedule, made harder by the ice skating environment in the country. "Korea has comparatively fewer ice rinks, which makes it difficult for athletes to practice. It also means that these figure skaters have to either practice early in the morning or late at night so it would be nice if the government supported in fostering these figure skaters." The Korea Skating Union says it runs several programs to support these figure skaters. "We try to provide a systematic training structure to promote continuous growth for these athletes including a culture and arts education program that can further develop their artistic capabilities." Figure skating is a sport that combines technique and art. Despite hardships, these players demonstrate a delicate beauty and grace, with hopes to become the next leading athlete. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

S. Korea draws against Jordan 1-1 during World Cup qualifier

2025/03/26 17:00

At Suwon World Cup Stadium Tuesday night. Team Korea's World Cup qualifier match against Jordan ended in a draw. Playing at a sold-out stadium on home ground Korea got on the scoreboard early thanks to a 5th-minute goal by midfielder Lee Jae-sung. However Jordan came back with an equalizer in the 30th minute. This latest draw means the Taegeuk Warriors will have to wait to secure automatic qualification from Group B which they top with 16 points.

How South Korean adoptees raised abroad are returning in search of their identities

2025/03/26 17:00

Effort to better accommodate adoptees from overseas seeking to trace their roots here in Korea continue with both the government and private entities offering assistance. Our Bae Eun-ji reports. Kim Sperling was born in Seoul in 1975, and was sent to an adoption agency when he was a month old. He was then adopted in Germany when he was just seven months. "I probably totally barred the whole abduction thing that the agency might've tried to sell to adoptive parents. If I had questioned that, there would have been no place where I could have found answers at that time. In the 80s and the 90s, nobody knew anything about Korea." He first returned to Korea at the age of 30, seeking to find his roots. "For me, it was about okay, I've got to clear the relationship between me and Korea. I mean, it's there and I cannot deny it." That's when he also made efforts to find his biological parents. "I started looking for them in 2006. A few weeks later I got an email and it's like we looked at the files and we contacted the hospital and they had another file and we have a name of your mother and I was surprised. It had a birth date but the police wouldn't locate any person with a matching name and birth date." He now lives in Korea with his wife and two children. He's also a photographer who has worked on projects that portray different stories about Korean adoptees who've returned to their country of birth. His works also include projects that relate to his Korean heritage, including Dokdo as well as Korean nurses and miners who were sent to Germany in the mid-1900s. "I am Korean, and I am German, and you know it's like the way my Korean is something that like my Korean identity my consciousness is like still evolving. It's like I'm learning every day." Sterling was just one of many Korean children who were sent abroad for adoption. Since 1953, after the country was ravaged by the Korean War, around 200-thousand Korean babies are known to have been sent to other countries. Louise Lindberg was adopted in Sweden when she was 12. After working as a social worker in Sweden for 18 years, she decided to return to the country where she was born. She now helps overseas Korean adoptees reconnect with their heritage at a non-profit organization and explains many of those who return have said they feel safe and comfortable. "And just like things like hey, people just like look like me, and they feel really comfortable. Because I asked, why did you come? What is the best thing with being in Korea? And they were like everybody just looks like me and I can just feel safe." The South Korean government is also making efforts to help these Korean adoptees who grew up overseas. The Overseas Korean Agency newly opened a service counter in central Seoul, aimed at providing a "one-stop" service that will not only provide interpretation services but also help them find their birth parents. "One example of the services that this counter could provide is finding parents using DNA matches, or providing adoption information." As the country continues to acknowledge its past on adoption, the government is now hoping to provide full support to make up for decades of lost time. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

UN adopts human rights review on N. Korea; S. Korea warns of "extreme militarization"

2025/03/26 17:00

The UN Human Rights Council has adopted the final results of the fourth Universal Periodic Review on North Korea. At a meeting on Tuesday in Geneva South Korea shared regret over North Korea's rejection of nearly half of the 2-hundred-94 recommendations for action against human rights violations. South Korea also called for the release of three detained missionaries as well as abductees and prisoners of war. It also shed grave light on the impact of North Korea's "extreme militarization" on human rights.

Navy holds memorial service for 2010 Cheonan sinking, marking 15th anniversary

2025/03/26 17:00

The Navy held a memorial service earlier on this Wednesday in honor of the sailors killed during the sinking of the Cheonan warship on March 26th 2010. The warship went down near the western Northern Limit Line after being hit by a North Korean torpedo. 46 South Korean sailors lost their lives. Some two hundred people including bereaved family members were present at this year's memorial service in Pyeongtaek that marks the 15th anniversary of the tragic event.

N. Korea may be ready for 'short notice' nuclear test, seeks tacit recognition as nuclear power: U.S.

2025/03/26 17:00

Meanwhile U.S. intelligence authorities believe North Korea is most likely prepared to carry out a nuclear test on quote "short notice". Lee Seung-jae has details. North Korea may be ready to conduct a nuclear test "on short notice." That's according to the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who made the remark while addressing Congress on the 2025 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community. While assessing security challenges from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and others, she stressed that Pyongyang is likely prepared to conduct its 7th nuclear test. She added that the regime continues to flight test ICBMs to "demonstrate their increasing capabilities as leverage in future negotiations." Her comments are in line with Seoul's assessment that the North has already completed preparations for another nuclear test. Pyongyang last conducted a nuclear test in 2017. The director also noted that the regime is looking to achieve "at least tacit recognition" as a nuclear power, as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pursues, "stronger strategic and conventional capabilities that can target U.S. forces and allies in the region, as well as the U.S. homeland." She added that through such weapons, North Korea is looking to bolster its leverage and stature. Gabbard said those goals are being supported by a strategic partnership with Russia, which gives the regime greater financial, military, and diplomatic assistance. She also said the deployment of North Korean troops to the Kursk region is providing the regime with "authentic warfighting experience." Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. Korea's birthrate increases for 7th straight month in Jan.

2025/03/26 17:00

The number of newborns in January here in Korea noted a remarkable rise on year as it surged over 11 percent. Park Jun-han covers the latest findings. As of January, the number of childbirths in South Korea has been on the rise for seven consecutive months. According to Statistics Korea's data on Wednesday, the number of childbirths in January 2025 was 23-thousand 9-hundred-47. This number is 11.6 percent higher than the 21-thousand-4-hundred-61 births in January 2024. That's the biggest percentage increase since related data was first compiled. South Korea's total fertility rate, the average number of children a woman would have during her lifetime, also increased from January 2024's point-8 children to this January's point-88 children. The statistics show an increase in the total fertility rate for 25-29 year olds, those in their 30s, and those aged 40 and over. The number of marriages in South Korea has been rising for the past ten months, with the marriage rate increasing by over ten percent compared to the year before for all of those ten months except for June 2024 and January 2025. In January 2025, the number of marriages came to 20-thousand-1-hundred-53, point-7 percent higher than that of January last year. "If you look at the marriage growth rate, it has been increasing since April 2024 until now. In January 2025, there was a point-7 percent increase, so it looks like the growth rate has decreased a little bit, but it's actually due to the impact of four fewer reporting days because of the Seollal holiday in January 2025. If the number of reporting days hadn't decreased by four, the marriage rate would have been in the 20 percent range or at least in double-digit growth." Even though there has been a recent increase in births and marriages, the declining population and aging society remain concerns for South Korea. As a result of 39-thousand-4-hundred-73 deaths in January 2025, the country saw a natural population decline of 15-thousand-5-hundred-26 people. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Appeals court acquits DP leader Lee Jae-myung over election law violation charges

2025/03/26 17:00

Meanwhile on the political front. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has won an appeal over an earlier conviction of election law violation by a lower court late last year. For details our political correspondent Shin Ha-young joins me live. Ha-young welcome. Let's start with details of the verdict by the Seoul High Court. Sure, Sunny, the main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has been acquitted by an appeals court with regard to election violation charges. The Seoul High Court today overturned a ruling by a lower court, which handed Lee a suspended prison term. Lee was indicted on charges of making false statements in December 2021, during a media interview where he denied knowing the late Kim Moon-ki, an executive involved in a development scandal in Seongnam City where Lee previously served as mayor. He is also accused of having made false claims that there was pressure from South Korea's land ministry to rezone a research institute site in the Baekhyeon-dong area. The appellate court ruled on Wednesday that neither of the statements made by Lee can be seen as spreading false information, overturning the Seoul Central District Court's ruling in November. The lower court found Lee guilty of making false statements, though it said that parts of statements regarding Kim could not be considered a violation of the election law. It handed Lee a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. Prosecutors demanded the Seoul High Court give a two-year prison term for Lee during the appellate trial, the same sentence as they demanded in the first trial. And what has been Lee Jae-myung 's response to this ruling? Well, right after the ruling, the opposition leader Lee Jae-myung thanked the court for delivering what he called "a proper ruling." Take a listen. "I appreciate the court for delivering a proper ruling based on truth and justice. But it's frustrating that so much effort and national resources were spent on something so obvious." Meanwhile, the ruling People Power Party expressed regret over court's ruling and said that it will wait for the Supreme Court's decision. There is much speculation that prosecutors will appeal today's verdict at the Supreme Court. Now if that happens and the Supreme Court overturns today's ruling, sentencing Lee to a fine of one million Korean won which is about 680 U.S. dollars, or more, he would lose his legislative seat and be barred from running in elections for five years. If sentenced to a prison term, the ban extends to ten years. That's all I have for this hour. Back to you, Sunny. All right Ha-young thank you for that coverage. That was our political correspondent Shin Ha-young with the latest on the opposition leader's legal battle.

K-wave AI News

2025/03/26 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The National Heritage Disaster Crisis Level has been raised to "serious" as massive wildfires in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province rage on for a fifth consecutive day. This marks the first time Korea has issued the highest-level alert. The National Heritage Service warns that the risk of damage to cultural heritage sites in Uiseong, Andong, and other parts of the province remains high, with strong winds continuing to drive the fire eastward. The historic Gounsa Temple in Uiseong, a thousand-year-old Buddhist site, has been destroyed by wildfires, with its Gaunru Pavilion and Yeonsujeon Hall reduced to ashes. The two national treasures were charred beyond recognition. Manhyujeong Pavilion in Andong, widely known as a filming location for the K-drama Mr. Sunshine, has escaped major damage. Authorities remain on high alert as the wildfires continue spreading east, with thick smoke detected around Andong's traditional Hahoe Village and Byeongsanseowon, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. While no direct fire damage has been reported in these areas, additional personnel and firefighting equipment have been deployed to prevent potential losses. The Heo Jun Museum is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special exhibition titled "Joseon's Doctors: Practicing Benevolence." The exhibit highlights the stories of "yu-ui" —Confucian scholars who also served as physicians— and royal court doctors of the era who embodied the Confucian virtue of benevolence and altruism through their practice of medicine. Over 100 artifacts showcasing Joseon-era medical traditions are on display. Founded in 2005 and located in Seoul's Gangseo-gu District, the Heo Jun Museum is dedicated to honoring Heo Jun's legacy and promoting the global recognition of traditional Korean medicine. The exhibition runs until September 7. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-Correspondent] How the Korean Wave is appealing to Gen Z in Japan

2025/03/26 14:00

Once a week we connect live to a correspondent overseas who fills us in on K-culture issues in their respective country. Today, we connect with Japan, where a huge enthusiasm for K-pop, K-drama and K-food is said to be present among Generation Z. Let’s connect with our K-correspondent in Japan, Tamayo Muto, a journalist, to find out more. Hello Tamayo! Q1. Tamayo, please introduce yourself to our viewers and tell us about your interest in Korea (Korea’s culture). Q2-1. The Korean wave appears to be very popular among the trend-conscious Generation Z in Japan these days. (Those born in the late 1990s to early 2010s)Tell us a bit about the love for 'hallyu' among this group, (as a Gen Zer yourself ) and also which aspects of Korean culture are especially popular and why? Q2-2. What do you think are the unique characters that describe Generation Z in Japan? Q3. K-pop in particular seems to be very popular. Who are the hottest Korean groups right now? (Who is YOUR favorite idol these days and why?) Q4. We hear there is also a big desire among young people to learn the Korean language? Q5. Recently, there has been an increase in young Japanese travelers visiting Korea? What are some of the latest travel trends and are there any must-visit places or must-buy items? Q6. Are there any places in Japan you would like to recommend where you can experience aspects of hallyu to the fullest?

[K-enter] LE SSERAFIM's 'HOT' sweeps the charts… ranked in 10 Billboard categories

2025/03/26 14:00

Time for our daily dose of K-enter news with Walter Lee. Starting off with news on the exciting girl group LE SSERAFIM. The "fearless" girl group LE SSERAFIM have made it to number nine on the Billboard 200 chart with their 5th mini-album "HOT." That's according to the latest Billboard rankings on the main album chart. The album "HOT" also topped the Top Album Sales, Top Current Album Sales, and World Albums charts. Meanwhile, the title track "HOT" ranked No. 9 on the "Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart", which lists the top 25 songs that have not yet entered the main Hot 100 chart. The title track "HOT" also ranked No. 21 on the "Global (Excl. U.S.) chart" and No. 45 on the "Global 200 chart". And it claimed No. 1 on the "World Digital Song Sales chart." LE SSERAFIM also secured the No. 8 spot on the Artist 100 chart, which comprehensively evaluates the activities of musicians worldwide. They achieved the highest ranking among K-pop artists. If this impresses you then get ready as the group is set to embark on their first world tour, "EASY CRAZY HOT", starting in Incheon on April 19 and April 20. Now, moving over to news on Kim Soo-hyun, are there any updates regarding the ongoing scandal involving the actor and the late actress Kim Sae-ron. Actor Kim Soo-hyun , who has been accused of dating the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was underage, will not be attending his scheduled fan meeting in Taiwan. The event organiser, 7-Eleven Taiwan, stated through its official social media that the fan meeting of Kim Soo-hyun at the "Kaohsiung Cherry Blossom Festival" on the 30th has been canceled. A total of 200 participants had been selected through a lottery system to attend the fan meeting. This event attracted significant attention as it would have been Kim Soo-hyun’s first public appearance since the allegations about his relationship with Kim Sae-ron surfaced. However, due to the controversy surrounding his personal life, all scheduled events have been canceled or postponed. Last but not least, ending off with some K-movie news? The main trailer for the occult action film "The Holy Night: Demon Hunters", starring Ma Dong-seok, has been released. "The Holy Night: Demon Hunters" follows the story of a city plunged into chaos by a cult that worships evil. A trio of demon hunters, known as The Holy Night, consisting of leader Bau , Sharon, played by Girls' Generation member Seohyun , and Kim Goon , take on missions to eliminate the forces of darkness. From the tone of the trailer it does feel like a typical Ma Dong-seok movie where he is this super strong character who can take on anyone, but this time it's not criminals it's the supernatural. "The Holy Night: Demon Hunters" is set to premiere on April 30. Thanks for the news Walter, stick around.

[Features reporter] S. Korea's aspiring figure skaters seek to become the next Kim Yuna

2025/03/26 14:00

Sung-jin, today you've got a story related to sports? Yes, or aspiring sports stars, figure skaters to be exact. This year was already a great one for figure skating in Korea. We had Kim Chae-yeon taking home gold medals at both the Asian Winter Games in Harbin AND the 2025 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, held right here in Korea last month. That's right! Kim Chae-yeon is a name to remember, but before Kim Chae-yeon there was Kim Yuna! You guys are all familiar with who Kim Yuna is right? So this time I had the chance to talk to some of her highschool juniors who are also known as Kim Yuna kids, who aspire to be just like her. Practice makes perfect. And you need to be perfect when you are going head-to-head with your twin. “I started skating because I just love being on the ice rink. My role model is Kim Yuna. I look up to her because there is no figure skater better than her and she is so well-rounded.” The 17-year-old identical twins are both representing the country. “I like how Yu-seong and I can help each other's techniques, and having her helps me feel less nervous during competitions.” South Korea is known for its strength on the ice rink. In the most recent Winter Asian Games, the country won gold medals in figure skating thanks to leading athletes such as rising star Kim Chae-yeon. “Many aspiring young figure skaters like the Kim sisters dream of reaching the top and bringing more winter sports success to Korea.” However, this success doesn't come easy. It's built on the back of a grueling schedule, made harder by the ice skating environment in the country. “Korea has comparatively fewer ice rinks, which makes it difficult for athletes to practice. It also means that these figure skaters have to either practice early in the morning or late at night so it would be nice if the government supported in fostering these figure skaters." The Korea Skating Union says it runs several programs to support these figure skaters. "We try to provide a systematic training structure to promote continuous growth for these athletes including a culture and arts education program that can further develop their artistic capabilities." Figure skating is a sport that combines technique and art. Despite hardships, these players demonstrate a delicate beauty and grace, with hopes to become the next leading athlete. Wow, that is really impressive. Sungjin, do you have any interest in winter sports? I definitely enjoy winter sports, especially skiing and skating! Never good enough to be an athlete though. Sung-jin, you mentioned Kim Yuna, can we talk about some of the accomplishments that Korean figure skaters have achieved so far? Right, so Kim Yuna would be the leading figure who kicked off this figure skating boom in the country. She definitely inspired a new generation of skaters, who have been competing in major international competitions like the World Championships and the Four Continents Championships. Alongside female skaters, we also have a notable male skater Cha Jun-hwan who is the nation's first male figure skater to win a silver medal at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships. And lastly for our figure skating fans, are there some upcoming events we can take a look at? Actually, just yesterday the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2025 kicked off in Boston in the United States. The world's top skaters will be competing and those that show the best performances will secure a spot at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics which South Korea's figure skaters are preparing for as well. I guess for those that are interested in watching it they can tune in and watch the championships today as well! Thank for the report today Sung-jin! My pleasures as always.