News

[Weather] "Bad" levels of ultra-fine dust everywhere, dusty conditions continue tomorrow

2025/01/22 20:00

Ultra-fine dust fills the air for a third in a row. Here in Seoul, ultra-fine dust advisories have been issued with "bad" levels of ultra-fine dust. As more fine dust from overseas gradually flows in, the air quality is expected to worsen. In this milder weather, fine dust will continue until the weekend all over the country. Dust will fill the skies in most areas with "bad" levels of ultra-fine dust tomorrow. Please make sure to wear a protective mask when you go out. Tomorrow morning, Seoul and Gyeongju will start off at minus 2 degrees Celsius, Daegu at minus 1 degree. Daily highs will move up to 7 degrees in Seoul and Chuncheon. Daejeon will reach 10 degrees. There is more rain or snow forecast between Friday night and Saturday along the east coast. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Trump 2.0: Opportunity or challenge for S. Korean students in the U.S.?

2025/01/22 20:00

Quite a number of young Korean scholars have chosen to further broaden their academic horizons by seeking studies in the U.S. So how does Mr. Trump's return to the White House look to affect their plans? Our Lee Eun-hee takes a look. Now that Donald Trump is back in office, what does his second term mean for South Korean students in the U.S.? Is it an emerging challenge or possibly a new opportunity? The latest data shows that there are over 45-thousand Korean students in the U.S., ranking third in terms of the largest international student populations, following China and India. Given Trump's first-term "America First" immigration policies, which focused on stricter visa rules and limiting post-graduation work opportunities, there are concerns about the impact on Korean students. However, there may also be areas of focus that could open new pathways for international students in fields like technology, engineering, and research. A "STEM visa" is commonly used to refer to visa options available for those pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields, including the F-1 student visa with additional work opportunities. A recent graduate from grad school in data science in 2024 and currently working in the United States, Kim Kyu-hyun gives us more details. "It's a policy that benefits the United States mostly. Of course, individuals working in the United States can also benefit but it's a policy to retain talent in the country. So I don't think it'll be in the best interests of anyone to cancel or revoke the STEM, OPT or H-1B policy but I do think that it might be less friendlier than before in that it'll be more selective of who gets the stem visa." In June 2024, while running for president, Donald Trump proposed to offer green cards to international students who graduate from American schools. This could be a potential game-changer for those looking to build their futures in the United States, but with over a million international students in the U.S., questions remain. "He claimed it would be implemented right after taking office, but many experts are skeptical about its feasibility due to the scale of the proposal. There are doubts about whether Trump and his current team can actually make it happen." The professor also added that, although Korean students in the United States may not be directly affected for now, under the Trump administration, it's likely that the overall environment in American society could become more unwelcoming for international students. "Visa policies and restrictions could add an extra layer of complexity for international students like me. But I see these challenges as an opportunity to refine my strategies and explore alternative pathways." While the direct impact on international students may not be immediate, the shifting atmosphere in American society could present new challenges, making it important to stay adaptable and prepared for any changes ahead. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

Trump, Kim Jong-un could reach 'Small Deal': Fmr. U.S. intelligence official

2025/01/22 20:00

Meanwhile, speculation is mounting about prospects of fresh engagement between Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong-un. For more on such prospects, our Oh Soo-young had a chance to talk to a former U.S. envoy to the six-party nuclear talks. Seoul and Washington could aim for small but meaningful steps towards denuclearizing North Korea, in a possible small deal under the new Trump Administration. Former U.S. intelligence official Joseph Detrani told Arirang News he sees potential for a revival of top-level talks between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, after their Hanoi Summit in 2019 broke down, which showed that Kim was not ready for a "big deal" to close down all his nuclear facilities. Ambassador Detrani was Washington's special envoy to the Six Party Talks that aimed to negotiate with North Korea two decades ago. "In regards to what sort of a process could be used to better engage with North Korea? I think we learned from Hanoi that the Libya Model where we expect North Korea to put everything on the table is unrealistic. It's not going to happen. I think we knew this from the 6 Party Talks with North Korea going back to 2005 with the joint statement -it's actions for actions. As North Korea gets certain benefits, they will start to dismantle their nuclear weapons programs." Despite Kim Jong-un's reported disappointment and anger over the failed talks, Detrani said the potential lifting of economic sanctions for smaller concessions could draw him back to negotiations. "This hasn't been put on the table before but ideally stop the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. These are all these are all moves in the right direction. Now, is North Korea going to give up their arsenal of nuclear weapons? No, and Kim Jung-un has made that very clear, but our goal should be and, I think, will be the complete verifiable dismantlement of all nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons facilities and that should continue to be our goal." Detrani stressed the importance of reaching even small deals to freeze North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile development, especially as the regime last year forged a comprehensive partnership with Russia, which includes mutual defence in times of war, and experts fear a potential transfer of key missile and nuclear technologies. "The assessment at least in the United States is reportedly that they can miniaturise their nuclear warheads and they can make them to these short range, intermediate range long range ballistic missiles what they could be getting from Russia. There's more work on their hypersonics because the hypersonic they're working on is capable of defeating, in theory, missile defense systems which is very important but also merging them where they have multiple re-entry of vehicles where there are multiple re-entry, if you will, of nuclear warheads where you can have one missile, an ICBM like the Hwasong carrying five to 6 nuclear warheads that could be independently maneuvered to strike different targets." While the South Korean president's suspension from office has hindered top-level diplomacy with Washington, Detrani says the bilateral alliance will likely remain "robust" due to such challenges, among other security issues in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly as Washington continues to counter China's growing influence. The Ambassador added it is highly unlikely the U.S. would formally recognize North Korea as a nuclear state, as that could potentially trigger distrust among U.S. allies, and an arms race in the region. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

John Noh sworn in as U.S. deputy assistant defense secretary for East Asia

2025/01/22 20:00

A Korean American official, John Noh , has been appointed to a key post at the Pentagon, and will be in charge of crafting policies toward South Korea, Japan and other East Asian countries under the Trump administration. Announcing a list of new officials that were sworn in, the U.S. Department of Defense said Noh, is now the new deputy assistant defense secretary for East Asia. Until recently, he served as the deputy general counsel for the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

Trump says he is considering 10% tariff on China starting February 1

2025/01/22 20:00

Over in the U.S. President Trump says he is considering a 10-percent tariff on China, starting February, seen as part of his effort to "put America first." Our Kim Bo-kyoung tells us more. U.S. President Donald Trump continues to threaten other countries with tariffs this time targeting China. On Tuesday at the Oval Office, Trump said he is considering a 10-percent tariff on China starting as early as February first, citing that too much fentanyl is coming into the U.S. from China via Mexico and Canada. "We're talking about a tariff of 10 percent on China based on the fact that they're sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada." This comes after Trump on Monday threatened 25-percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada. accusing them of allowing undocumented migrants and drugs to come into the U.S. Meanwhile, Trump announced investment plans worth 500 billion U.S. dollars to build artificial intelligence infrastructure in the country. And as part of such efforts, OpenAI, Softbank, and Oracle are planning a joint venture called 'Stargate.' During Trump's briefing, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, along with Sam Altman of OpenAI and Larry Ellison of Oracle joined the President. One hundred billion U.S. dollars in funding has been committed for now, with more expected over the next four years. Ellison said ten data centers for the project are under construction in Texas, with more to come in other states. "Each building is half a million square feet. There are ten buildings currently being built, but that will expand to 20." And, Trump says this project will create hundreds and thousands of jobs. "A new American company that will invest 500 billion dollars, at least, in AI infrastructure in the United States and very quickly moving very rapidly, creating over one-hundred-thousand American jobs almost immediately." Meanwhile, when asked about whether he is open to Elon Musk buying TikTok, Trump said he would be if he wanted to buy it. He previously had directed the Justice Department on Monday to pause the enforcement of the TikTok ban for 75 days until early April, after TikTok became unusable in the U.S. Trump suggested to TikTok that the United States jointly owns half the company. "With a permit, it's worth, like a trillion dollars. So what I'm thinking about saying to somebody is buy it and give half to the United States of America. Half and we'll give you the permit." Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

S. Korea posts highest growth in childbirths in November in 14 years

2025/01/22 20:00

In other news. Findings for the month of November show a substantial surge in the number of newborns,. posting the highest growth in 14 years. Choi Min-jung covers the latest data. Last November saw the country's biggest rise in births in 14 years. According to Statistics Korea, the number of births in November last year was at just over 20-thousand, up 2-thousand 5-hundred births, or 14-point-6 percent from a year earlier. This is the highest growth rate since November 2010, when it reached over 17 percent growth. The number of births has exceeded 20-thousand for five consecutive months after surpassing that mark in July. And increases were witnessed for November in every province and administrative division of the country. If the current trend continues until December, the annual number of births is expected to see a positive rebound for the first time in nine years. "The increase in the number of births seems to be influenced by a prior increase in marriages. The rise in marriages between August 2022 and the first quarter of 2023 might have contributed to the subsequent rise in births." In November, there were over 18-thousand 5-hundred marriages, marking the highest number in nine years and an increase of 11 percent. During the same month, there were more than 29-thousand deaths, resulting in a decline in the natural population of 9-thousand. Choi Min-jung, Arirang News.

[Politics & Diplomacy] Political turmoil over Yoon's trial: Assembly committee orders Pres. Yoon to appear

2025/01/22 20:00

Since the president's martial law declaration almost two months ago, tensions and feud have only grown within the political circles. To delve deeper into the standoff, let's turn to our political correspondent Shin Ha-young. Ha-young, the first hearing of the National Assembly's special committee to investigate the Yoon administration's alleged insurrection plan took place today. What are the key takeaways from today's hearing? Well, the first thing we need to look at is the issuance of orders to bring key officials including President Yoon Suk Yeol to the hearing as witnesses. President Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who were requested to appear at the National Assembly to answer lawmakers' questions, did not show up to the hearing. In response, the opposition-led committee issued orders to bring Yoon and six other military officials to the Assembly as witnesses. "We are issuing an order for seven witnesses, including Yoon Suk Yeol, please carry them out." The ruling People Power Party criticized the opposition for trying to embarrass the president. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min attended the hearing, but Lee continued to refuse to answer questions. At the hearing, the opposition focused on verifying allegations that President Yoon denied during yesterday's impeachment trial; while the ruling party argued that the CIO's insurrection investigation and Yoon's detention were unlawful. "Without legal grounds, how can the CIO conduct illegal investigations and claim the Presidential Security Service acted unlawfully? Deputy Chief, you should respond firmly." President Yoon refuses investigations, but he did attend his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court yesterday. What could have been the reasons behind this? Well, first of all, it was an unprecedented moment, as Yoon became the first president to attend his own impeachment trial. President Yoon had said he would attend the trial but skipped the first two hearings, citing security and protocol reasons. Experts say that there were concerns he could be arrested upon arrival, as an outstanding warrant hadn't been executed at that time. However, the situation changed after another arrest warrant seeking a longer period of detention was issued. Unlike other investigations, impeachment hearings are public, and by attending, Yoon seems to want to show his supporters he's strong while also emphasizing the unfairness of the impeachment. Some even interpret this as an attempt to sway public opinion. As Yoon's legal team stated, the president will attend the hearing at the Constitutional Court again tomorrow. So this is another point to watch for on Thursday. Lawmakers are also clashing over a bill for a special investigation into the president's brief imposition of martial law. How has the situation been unfolding? Well, all eyes were on whether there would be room for negotiations over the bill, but the political strife only intensified. An opposition-led revised bill to launch a special counsel investigation into President Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law was passed by a National Assembly plenary session on Friday. This came after rival party floor leaders failed to reach an agreement on the bill during negotiations. Instead, the DP revised its own version of the bill and brought it to a vote. The bill that passed excludes allegations of "inducement of foreign aggression" and focuses on six specific allegations, compared to the 11 outlined in the original version. Instead, the DP added a provision allowing the special counsel to investigate "related cases," not just Yoon's declaration of martial law. The ruling party opposed the revised bill, arguing that its vague provisions could allow investigations into accusations not originally listed, including those previously removed. One factor we also need to take a close look at is that the investigation appears to be losing momentum after Yoon transitioned from a temporary detainee to a criminal suspect on insurrection charges. Since overlapping investigations are not allowed, the special prosecutor would be unable to charge Yoon with insurrection. The PPP argues that the bill is unnecessary because most key figures, including President Yoon, have already been arrested or indicted. The DP, on the other hand, claimed that it had incorporated the PPP's demands, and urged the acting president to approve the bill immediately, warning that any delay would prolong the insurrection. Acting President Choi Sang-mok has until February 2nd to either approve or reject the bill; if rejected, it will be returned to the Assembly for a revote. He is expected to decide after the Lunar New Year holiday, or Seollal. Thanks for the wrap-up today, Ha-young. My pleasure.

How will U.S. policies on N. Korea evolve under Trump 2.0?

2025/01/22 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring you today's most pressing issues from across the globe, I'm Kim Mok-yeon. With Donald Trump's return to the White House, the world is bracing for big changes to the global landscape. As for the Korean Peninsula, all eyes are on whether the American leader's policies on North Korea's denuclearization remain solid. Following his inauguration, Trump referred to North Korea as a "nuclear power" and spoke about his positive relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. He also emphasized that he and Kim got along well, expressing confidence that Kim would be pleased with his return to office. Following a period of high-stakes diplomacy and direct engagement with North Korea during his first term, experts are closely watching whether Trump's approach will evolve or face new challenges given shifting regional and global dynamics. Today, we explore what lies ahead for U.S. policy in dealing with North Korea and its broader implications for global security. For this, we invite Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific Security Chair at the Hudson Institute. Welcome. Also joining us is Brian Myers, Professor of International Studies at Dongseo University. Thank you for coming on. (Cronin) 1. Let's start with Dr. Cronin, During his first term, President Trump's approach to North Korea was marked by high-stakes diplomacy and direct engagement with Kim Jong-un. Do you think this style of engagement prove effective again, or do you foresee new challenges given the current regional and geopolitical dynamics? (Myers) 2. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State nominee, Marco Rubio, recently acknowledged the failure of sanctions in curbing North Korea's nuclear development and emphasized the need for a new approach. Professor Myers, How do you gauge the potential for a drastic shift in Washington's policies? (Myers) 3. Professor, U.S. President Donald Trump described North Korea as a "nuclear power" on inauguration day. This comes after controversy spurred over similar remarks by his Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth. Though this differs from the term "nuclear-armed state," such remarks sparked controversy over a potential shift in Washington's stance on the Non-proliferation treaty. What are the chances? (Cronin) 4. How about you Dr. Cronin? Some say that Trump may want to seek a "small deal" with North Korea which means a freeze of its nuclear programs in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. How likely could this scenario be? (Myers) 5.Professor Myers, How do you see the chances of Trump jumping on North Korea issues during his first few months? How much of a priority will the denuclearization issue be? (Cronin) 6. Now from North Korea's perspective Dr. Cronin, given Trump's history of direct engagement with Kim Jong-un, do you believe North Korea would be willing to return to the negotiating table under a Trump administration? What factors would influence North Korea's decision to engage diplomatically with the U.S. again? (Myers) 7. South Korea had been concerned about not being involved in the decision-making process if Trump moves forward with his direct-engagement strategy with North Korea's Kim Jong-un. Since Seoul currently has a leadership vacancy with the ongoing impeachment trial against President Yoon Suk Yeol, what can it do to ensure its interests are protected Professor Myers? (Myers) 8. North Korea's state media on Friday reported on impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's detention by the South's anti-corruption agency over his botched December third martial law imposition. Since November, the regime has often been updating its people on the situation in Korea, especially on the anti-Yoon rallies. How would you read into this? Professor, aren't they concerned about the public being shocked over the democratic activities of citizens in the South? (Cronin) 9. Now in a recent report, Kim Jong-un reportedly sent a New Year's letter to encourage and express gratitude to North Korean troops deployed to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine. Dr. Cronin, How much longer do you think this troop support for Russia could continue? (Myers) 10. Meanwhile, South Korea announced the development of a low-altitude missile defense system, akin to Israel's Iron Dome, to better counter North Korea's long-range artillery threats. Professor Myers, What's the background behind this development and what will this latest technology be capable of? 11. As North Korea continues to enhance its missile capabilities and cyber warfare abilities, how do you assess the effectiveness of current global sanctions and diplomatic efforts in containing these advancements?

Live from Seoul Detention Center: CIO attempts another forced summons, Presidential Office raid

2025/01/22 17:00

We start at the Seoul Detention Center where President Yoon Suk Yeol continues to refuse to partake in questioning sessions led by anti-corruption investigators. For details I have Arirang Lee Soo-jin standing by live. Soo-jin SO in light of the president's refusal to meet with investigators I understand a third attempt was made to take him in. Do tell us more. Sure,.. as announced during a briefing this morning, the CIO has moved forward with another forced summons today. And this is, like you mentioned, the third such attempt. But the CIO announced less than two hours ago that this attempt was also,.. unsuccessful. A CIO vehicle was spotted passing through the main gate of the Seoul Detention Center at 10:20 AM today. The CIO had considered several options. One was forcibly transferring Yoon to the CIO interrogation room at the Government Complex in Gwacheon, and the other was carrying out on-site interviews in an investigation room at the detention center. But Yoon, refused to comply with either, as he continued to sit in consultations with his lawyers. This third attempt follows the first attempt that took place on Monday, followed by the second just yesterday, when the CIO had dispatched six investigators and prosecutors to the Seoul Detention Center at around 5 PM, after the agency confirmed that the impeachment trial hearing had been concluded. But as Yoon did not immediately return to the facility but instead stopped by a military hospital for a medical check-up, the CIO officials were left to wait at the detention center. The officials were eventually forced to leave around 30 minutes after Yoon arrived at the detention center, after 9 PM as regulations prohibit questioning detainees without their consent after 9 PM. The agency is continuously making these efforts as there isn't much time before the CIO has to hand Yoon's case over to prosecutors before the detention period expires on the 28th. Separately Soo-jin I hear anti-corruption officials launched a search and seize operation today targeting the presidential headquarters and residence? Right, the CIO began a search and seizure operation this morning, at the Presidential Office and Yoon's residence, both located in Yongsan-gu District in central Seoul. The agency is aiming to secure encrypted phone records, computers, as well as meeting minutes. Yoon is currently facing allegations of using an encrypted phone to order top police and military officials to command troops to command troops to remove lawmakers from the National Assembly during his brief imposition of martial law. This move is seen as part of the CIO's attempt to secure additional evidence amid the difficulties faced when trying to conduct in-person interviews with Yoon. Yoon's lawyers have steadfastly maintained their stance of refusing to comply with the CIO investigation, saying that as they plan to attend all the impeachment hearings at the Constitution Court, they need time to prepare. The search and seize operations are expected to face challenges, namely from the Presidential Security Service, which has blocked previous attempts. And what has been the response to the events thus far from the public gathered there outside the detention center? I've been here since the morning and even then I was able to see Yoon's supporters holding up posters, and hear their voices amplified through through loudspeakers. But while there weren't that many people gathered this morning and early afternoon, now you can see and hear that more people have arrived. And along with the growing number of people on-site, I've also noticed more police, as part of precautions to prevent another incident like the storming of the Seoul Western District Court by Yoon's supporters on Sunday. There are also numerous 119 emergency trucks that have been dispatched. And that's all I have for now. Back to you, Sunny. All right Soo-jin thank you for that coverage. That was our Lee Soo-jin reporting live on the latest regarding the investigation into the president.

[Weather] Ultra-fine dust will continue tomorrow with ultra-fine dust advisories

2025/01/22 17:00

There is ultra-fine dust over the capital for a third day in a row. The sky is covered with gray dust as if it was trapped in a gray curtain. Here in Seoul, ultra-fine dust advisories have been issued, with "bad" levels of ultra-fine dust. As more fine dust from overseas gradually flows in, the air quality is expected to worsen. Preliminary measures to reduce the high concentration of fine dust were expanded to other central and western parts of the country including Gwangju and Jeollabuk-do Province. Is is highly likely that fine dust will continue until the weekend in these milder weather conditions. Tomorrow morning, Seoul and Gyeongju will start off at minus 2 degrees Celsius, Busan at 4 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 7 degrees in Seoul and Chuncheon. Gwangju and Daegu will reach 12 degrees. It is expected to rain or snow between Friday night and Saturday on the east coast. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Turkiye ski hotel fire kills 66

2025/01/22 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. In Turkiye, a fire at a ski resort hotel in the northwestern province of Bolu has killed at least 76 people and injured 51 others. The fire at the Kartalkaya Ski Resort reportedly started early on Tuesday, local time on the restaurant floor of the 12-story hotel, which had 238 guests at the time. Emergency response teams were delayed due to the hotel's remote location and adverse weather conditions. The fire was eventually put out after approximately 10 hours. An investigation is underway to figure out the exact cause of the fire and police have detained nine people, including the hotel's owner. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared Wednesday a day of mourning and vowed that those responsible will be held accountable for the tragedy. In Israel, the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, General Herzi Halevi, submitted a letter of resignation on Tuesday, acknowledging his responsibility for the shortcomings during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. In his resignation letter, the military chief said the IDF had "failed in its mission to protect the citizens of Israel." The October 7 attacks resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and the abduction of some 250 individuals. It has been described as one of the most significant security failures in Israel's history. Halevi's resignation is set to take effect on March 6. General Yaron Finkelman, head of the IDF's Southern Command, also stepped down, citing similar reasons. In the U.S., the southern region was hit by a rare snowstorm on Tuesday. Heavy snowfall and icy conditions were seen in cities including Houston, and New Orleans, with New Orleans expecting snowfall potentially matching a record set back in 1895. The rare weather conditions led to disruptions in air travel as well, with over 2,000 flight cancellations and 10,000 delays. Operations were also suspended at Houston's major airports. In response to the storm, several Gulf Coast states declared states of emergency, recommending residents to stay indoors and avoid travel. In London, the 71st annual Toy Fair is underway at the Olympia exhibition hall. The fair runs until January 23 and showcases toys from over 250 exhibitors including Spin Master, The LEGO Group, and Gibsons. This year's exhibition includes themes such as the booming kidult category catering to adults who collect or play with toys. The kidult market accounted for 25% of U.K. toy sales in 2024. The fair also highlighted an increase in affordable "pocket money" toys, which accounted for nearly 30% of U.K. toy sales last year.

How is S. Korea's webtoon industry fostering new talents?

2025/01/22 17:00

The K-webtoon industry has been noting tangible advances for the sixth year in a row and keeping that in mind we explore the efforts underway to ensure greater growth. As usual our Ahn Sung-jin was out and about. 25-year-old Jeon Sung-hyun aspires to be a famous webtoon artist, not just in Korea, but around the world. "Not only did I start drawing webtoons because I like them, but, and this may be deep, I like how I can express philosophical or deep story lines. It's not just fun comics like the old days, but it can be something more meaningful than that." He's taking a leave of absence from his other studies to devote himself to webtoons and he's not the only one. "In 2024, compared to the year before, registered students increased by 25 percent. One thing we emphasize is real experience. We have signed MOUs with various webtoon studios so students could immediately gain hands on experience as well." The hardest step for emerging artists is probably making their debut on a major webtoon platform. But luckily, there are talentspotters like Flory who search out stories that connect with readers. "My job entails everything related to these webtoon creators from finding and contacting them to producing and marketing their content, and it is important that we continue to work on discovering and showcasing new artists." According to the Culture Ministry and Korea Creative Content Agency, South Korea's webtoon industry saw an operating profit of more than 2 trillion Korean won or 1-point-4 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 --up by nearly 20 percent from the year before. South Korea's webtoon industry continues to see a steady influx of learners. Who knows, maybe this time next year, students like Jeon Sung-hyun will be making his debut on a webtoon platform. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Sono International intensifies management push at T’way Air

2025/01/22 17:00

Daemyung Sono Group's Sono International will bolster its participation in the management of T'way Air. Following a request from the group earlier this week demanding an overhaul of management and a capital increase for stable operations of the airline Sono International also requested access to the shareholder registry. The request included concerns over insufficient maintenance costs and personnel as well as the lack of reliability in terms of aviation safety.

S. Korea posts highest growth in childbirths in November in 14 years

2025/01/22 17:00

Findings for the month of November show a substantial surge in the number of newborns. posting the highest growth in 14 years. Choi Min-jung covers the latest data. Last November saw the country's biggest rise in births in 14 years. According to Statistics Korea, the number of births in November last year was at just over 20-thousand, up 2-thousand 5-hundred births, or 14-point-6 percent from a year earlier. This is the highest growth rate since November 2010, when it reached over 17 percent growth. The number of births has exceeded 20-thousand for five consecutive months after surpassing that mark in July. And increases were witnessed for November in every province and administrative division of the country. If the current trend continues until December, the annual number of births is expected to see a positive rebound for the first time in nine years. "The increase in the number of births seems to be influenced by a prior increase in marriages. The rise in marriages between August 2022 and the first quarter of 2023 might have contributed to the subsequent rise in births." In November, there were over 18-thousand 5-hundred marriages, marking the highest number in nine years and an increase of 11 percent. During the same month, there were more than 29-thousand deaths, resulting in a decline in the natural population of 9-thousand. Choi Min-jung, Arirang News.

S. Korea raises concerns over N. Korea's nuclear weapons at UN disarmament conference

2025/01/22 17:00

Over in Geneva. A fresh war of words between the two Koreas took place at the latest UN forum on arms control with South Korea underscoring North Korea's blatant defiance of UN Security Council resolutions and the regime finding fault with joint military drills between Seoul and Washington. Lee Seung-jae has more. The UN Conference on Disarmament was held on Tuesday in Geneva, Switzerland, with much of the attention on North Korea. At the meeting North Korean ambassador to the U.N. office in Geneva Jo Chol-su slammed the U.S. for conducting aerial intelligence activities against the regime since the beginning of the year. He further criticized the simulated nuclear war exercises being conducted on the Korean Peninsula, and U.S.' strategic bombers being deployed to the region. Jo said that U.S. political and military provocations are what's causing armed conflicts and undermining regional stability. He further stressed that a strong national defense force is the only way to protect peace, and vowed to deter all military provocations by "hostile forces." The envoy concluded his remarks by saying, that as a "responsible nuclear state", the North will continue its efforts to prevent all forms of war and protect peace and stability. In response, Kim Il-hoon, counselor at South Korea's Permanent Mission to Geneva pointed out that North Korea not only provide Russia with a large quantity of lethal weapons and ballistic missiles, a violation of UN Security Council resolutions, but also dispatched more than 11 thousand troops. Kim pointed out the recent capture of two North Korean soldiers, as evidence of North Korea's participation in the Ukraine War. He also stressed that North Korea lowering its threshold for a nuclear attack is a "present-day threat," adding that it goes against peace and stability in the region. However, Kim still emphasized the importance of holding talks, saying that the only way North Korea can benefit is through dialogue and diplomacy. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Trump, Kim Jong-un could reach 'Small Deal': Fmr. U.S. intelligence official

2025/01/22 17:00

Meanwhile speculation is mounting about prospects of fresh engagement between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong-un . And for more on such prospects our Oh Soo-young sat down with a former U.S. envoy to the six-party nuclear talks. Do take a listen. Seoul and Washington could aim for small but meaningful steps towards denuclearizing North Korea, in a possible small deal under the new Trump Administration. Former U.S. intelligence official Joseph Detrani told Arirang News he sees potential for a revival of top-level talks between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, after their Hanoi Summit in 2019 broke down, which showed that Kim was not ready for a "big deal" to close down all his nuclear facilities. Ambassador Detrani was Washington's special envoy to the Six Party Talks that aimed to negotiate with North Korea two decades ago. "In regards to what sort of a process could be used to better engage with North Korea? I think we learned from Hanoi that the Libya Model where we expect North Korea to put everything on the table is unrealistic. It's not going to happen. I think we knew this from the 6 Party Talks with North Korea going back to 2005 with the joint statement -it's actions for actions. As North Korea gets certain benefits, they will start to dismantle their nuclear weapons programs." Despite Kim Jong-un's reported disappointment and anger over the failed talks, Detrani said the potential lifting of economic sanctions for smaller concessions could draw him back to negotiations. "This hasn't been put on the table before but ideally stop the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. These are all these are all moves in the right direction. Now, is North Korea going to give up their arsenal of nuclear weapons? No, and Kim Jung-un has made that very clear, but our goal should be and, I think, will be the complete verifiable dismantlement of all nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons facilities and that should continue to be our goal." Detrani stressed the importance of reaching even small deals to freeze North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile development, especially as the regime last year forged a comprehensive partnership with Russia, which includes mutual defence in times of war, and experts fear a potential transfer of key missile and nuclear technologies. "The assessment at least in the United States is reportedly that they can miniaturise their nuclear warheads and they can make them to these short range, intermediate range long range ballistic missiles what they could be getting from Russia. There's more work on their hypersonics because the hypersonic they're working on is capable of defeating, in theory, missile defense systems which is very important but also merging them where they have multiple re-entry of vehicles where there are multiple re-entry, if you will, of nuclear warheads where you can have one missile, an ICBM like the Hwasong carrying five to 6 nuclear warheads that could be independently maneuvered to strike different targets." While the South Korean president's suspension from office has hindered top-level diplomacy with Washington, Detrani says the bilateral alliance will likely remain "robust" due to such challenges, among other security issues in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly as Washington continues to counter China's growing influence. The Ambassador added it is highly unlikely the U.S. would formally recognize North Korea as a nuclear state, as that could potentially trigger distrust among U.S. allies, and an arms race in the region. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Trump 2.0: Opportunity or challenge for S. Korean students in the U.S.?

2025/01/22 17:00

Quite a number of young Korean scholars have chosen to further broaden their academic horizons by seeking studies in the U.S. So how does Mr. Trump's return to the White House look to affect their plans? Our Lee Eun-hee takes a look. Now that Donald Trump is back in office, what does his second term mean for South Korean students in the U.S.? Is it an emerging challenge or possibly a new opportunity? The latest data shows that there are over 45-thousand Korean students in the U.S., ranking third in terms of the largest international student populations, following China and India. Given Trump's first-term "America First" immigration policies, which focused on stricter visa rules and limiting post-graduation work opportunities, there are concerns about the impact on Korean students. However, there may also be areas of focus that could open new pathways for international students in fields like technology, engineering, and research. A "STEM visa" is commonly used to refer to visa options available for those pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields, including the F-1 student visa with additional work opportunities. A recent graduate from grad school in data science in 2024 and currently working in the United States, Kim Kyu-hyun gives us more details. "It's a policy that benefits the United States mostly. Of course, individuals working in the United States can also benefit but it's a policy to retain talent in the country. So I don't think it'll be in the best interests of anyone to cancel or revoke the STEM, OPT or H-1B policy but I do think that it might be less friendlier than before in that it'll be more selective of who gets the stem visa." In June 2024, while running for president, Donald Trump proposed to offer green cards to international students who graduate from American schools. This could be a potential game-changer for those looking to build their futures in the United States, but with over a million international students in the U.S., questions remain. "He claimed it would be implemented right after taking office, but many experts are skeptical about its feasibility due to the scale of the proposal. There are doubts about whether Trump and his current team can actually make it happen." The professor also added that, although Korean students in the United States may not be directly affected for now, under the Trump administration, it's likely that the overall environment in American society could become more unwelcoming for international students. "Visa policies and restrictions could add an extra layer of complexity for international students like me. But I see these challenges as an opportunity to refine my strategies and explore alternative pathways." While the direct impact on international students may not be immediate, the shifting atmosphere in American society could present new challenges, making it important to stay adaptable and prepared for any changes ahead. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

U.S. announces massive AI infrastructure project worth US$ 500 bil.

2025/01/22 17:00

The U.S. continues to aim for AI dominance under its new administration. In fact President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a partnership among three private firms that will see the investment of billions of U.S. dollars into the AI arena within national boundaries. Park Kun-woo reports. Efforts to "Save America" are being put into action. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the largest AI infrastructure project in history with investment of up to 5-hundred billion U.S. dollars. The massive project includes three companies -OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle -that have decided to partner on a new AI infrastructure company "Stargate." "Beginning immediately, Stargate will be building the physical and virtual infrastructure to power the next generation of advancements in AI and this will include the construction of colossal data centers, very, very massive structures." The first data center project is already under construction in Texas. Also on Tuesday, a mass deportation operation began in the U.S. according to border czar Tom Homan. He said the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency will primarily crack down on illegal immigrants with criminal records, but added those without such records will also be arrested if found. Homan said "sanctuary cities" and protected areas, including schools and places of worship, will not be exempt from arrests. Trump also hinted at a "tax war" with a memorandum after taking office, which threaten to double tax rates for foreign nationals and companies in the U.S. in response to discriminatory taxation on U.S. multinationals by other countries. He also mentioned potentially withdrawing from the OECD global tax pact that allows other countries to levy top-up taxes on U.S. companies. Trump also spoke about imposing tariffs. "We're thinking in terms of 25% on Mexico and Canada I think we'll do it February 1st." Canada's Prime Minister said it will "respond robustly" if "unfair tariffs" are imposed to protect the country's interests. Trump also spoke about possible tariffs on China early next month. However, investment banks Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs echoed opinion in Wall Street that Trump's recent comments on tariffs were quite moderate, but also noted related uncertainties remain in the coming days. With easing concerns, the New York stock market, including the Dow Jones 30, closed strongly on Tuesday, up by more than 1-point-2 percent from the previous session. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

K-wave AI News

2025/01/22 14:00

Welcome to The Kulture Wave AI News. Here's our first story of the day. The Seoul branch of the 'Medical Korea Support Center,' dedicated to supporting foreign patients seeking medical services in Korea, has relocated to Seoul Station. Previously situated in Jongno District, the move aims to enhance accessibility for international patients. Established in 2016, the Medical Korea Support Center operates in Seoul and Incheon, offering comprehensive services including consultations, interpretation, and legal assistance. The Seoul Museum of Art will open two new galleries this year: the 'Photography Seoul Museum of Art' and the 'Seo-Seoul Museum of Art.' The photography museum, set to open in May in Dobong District, will be Korea's first public photography museum, featuring exhibitions that explore the breadth of photographic culture. The Seo-Seoul Museum of Art, a western branch of the Seoul Museum of Art, is slated to open in the second half of the year in Geumcheon District. Designed to reflect the unique characteristics of Seoul's southwestern region, the museum will specialize in programs focused on new media, multidisciplinary art, and art education for youth and underserved communities. The Korean Film Council will invest ten billion won, or roughly seven million U.S. dollars, in mid-budget Korean films as part of efforts to revive the slumping "K-movie" industry. Amid growing calls for measures to boost investment and improve the production environment, the council plans to roll out a range of support initiatives. A press briefing detailing the council's support programs is scheduled for Thursday. That's all for now. Stay tuned for more cultural updates and insightful discussions ahead!

[K-Correspondent] Korean tastes that are captivating Australia

2025/01/22 14:00

Once a week we connect live to a correspondent overseas who fills us in on K-culture news in their country. Today, we will find out about the latest in the K-food craze in Australia. While Korean-style fried chicken and barbecue landed in Australia a while back, K-food meal kits are getting plenty of love these days. To talk more about this, we are now connected to our K-Correspondent in Australia, content creator Jiny Maeng! Q1. Hello Jiny, we’ve met before through Arirang TV, but it's your first time on 'The Kulture Wave'. Could you introduce yourself to our viewers please? Q1-1. (I’m also a content creator from Australia. I’m very interested in YouTube contents ) Which of your videos have been going viral the most and received the best responses? Q2. How popular is the Korean wave in Australia right now? I heard K-contents including Squid Game season 2 have been a big hit recently? Q3. Let’s now talk about K-food, our main topic today. Korean stir-fried glass noodles japchae are among the favorite K-food dishes in Australia right now? Q3-2. When you compare japchae to other Asian noodles such as in countries like Japan and China, what are the appealing factors of Korean noodles to foreigners? Q4. As an Aussie myself, I noticed Korean food items in Australia years ago, but it seems like nowadays there are so many different types of K-meal kits available at local grocery stores. Which ones are particularly popular these days? Q5. Could you recommend any Australian foods that go well with Korean dishes? Q6. What dishes would you like to see become meal kits in the future? Thank you very much Jiny for connecting with us today. Also, good luck with the 2025 AACTA ("Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award") as you've been nominated for the Digital Creator category, as far as I know. Thank you Walter as always. I'll see you most likely after the Lunar New Year holidays!