News

Shifting Traditions: A New Look at Lunar New Year Culture

2025/01/21 14:00

It’s time to explore trends in Korean culture! Joining us today is our trend reporter Yoon Seyoung! Hello, Seyoung! Hello! Korea’s biggest holiday, Lunar New Year, is just around the corner. Starting next week, we’ll enjoy a four-day holiday, as Monday has also been made a substitute public holiday. Right, can't wait for that although of course I'll be missing the Kulture Wave during that period. It's actually going to be a six-day holiday if you count the weekend. And even up to nine days for those who are able to take another day off (25th -2nd) When we think of Lunar New Year, the classic scene of families gathering comes to mind: preparing traditional foods, eating rice cake soup , and children bowing to elders to receive "New Year’s money” called 'saebaedon' . But, surprisingly, these traditional Lunar New Year customs have been changing recently. Today, I’ll introduce some of these changes. I see! Lunar New Year is such a culturally rich holiday with many traditions. What changes are we seeing? Let’s start with changes in the tradition of "New Year’s money." For those unfamiliar, after performing a respectful bow to elders, children or younger family members traditionally receive money in return. Speaking of which, you two are probably now more likely to be giving than receiving and I want to ask you two this question: "Until what age do you think people should receive New Year’s money?" Interestingly, the convenience store chain CU conducted a survey through its app, asking 800 people in their 20s to 40s the same question. The most popular answer, at 34.7%, was “until they start working.” Following this in second and third place were “all minors should receive it” and “anyone who bows should receive it.” This shows that New Year’s money is not just about rewarding polite children; it’s also a warm gesture from adults who want to support family members who may still be financially dependent. Along with the age the amount to give is always tricky, too. Actually there is also a research on that. According to a survey by KB Card last year, among 409 respondest, 46% said they’d give preschoolers less than 10-thousand Korean won (about $7), while elementary school children often received 30-thousand to 50-thousand won (about $23–$38). Of course, this becomes a significant expense if you have a large extended family! And fewer people carry cash these days, which makes it even harder to prepare. I’ve heard some people now give New Year’s money in non-traditional forms? That’s right! Some give stocks or mutual funds instead of cash, or parents invest the money their children receive in stocks for them. The idea is to teach kids about saving and investing early rather than spending it all at once. Adults usually accompany New Year’s money with words of encouragement . Have these changed too? Absolutely. Sometimes well-meaning advice about marriage, jobs, or salaries can feel like nagging. This has even led some younger people to avoid family gatherings during the holidays. In response, Kakao Pay launched a playful campaign called the "Nagging T-shirt." Popular nagging phrases like “When are you getting married?” or “Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?” are printed on the back of shirts with QR codes. Scanning the code leads to a payment link, humorously suggesting, “Pay up if you’re going to nag!” For example, “When are you getting married?” is priced at 300-thousand Korean won (around $230). It’s a fun way for younger generations to make light of these situations. Honestly. I think it also can be a very clever way to satisfy their financial needs for those who need extra money. How funny! That really shows how much people want to avoid nagging. Speaking of traditions, rice cake soup is a must for Lunar New Year. But I heard even this has seen some changes? Yes! In Korea, it’s said, “You gain a year by eating rice cake soup.” Its white color symbolizes new beginnings, and the long cylinder-shaped rice cakes called "garaetteok" that people use when making tteokguk represent prosperity. However, a bowl can have 600 to 700 calories, which can be a concern, especially if you’re visiting several relatives' homes and eating multiple servings! Now, people are making healthier versions using brown rice or konjac (a low-calorie alternative). Some even opt for vegan versions, replacing beef broth with vegetable stock and using only plant-based toppings. They all still sound delicious! Seyoung, you mentioned earlier about visiting the homes of several relatives and eating multiple bowls of tteokguk but it seems like not as many people visit their relatives' homes as they used to. That’s true. More people are traveling abroad, staying in hotels, or even hosting parties with friends during the holidays. Some take advantage of the holiday to earn extra money by working, as holiday pay rates are higher. while others simply choose to spend the time completely alone. And for those spending the holiday alone, there’s even an AI “virtual relative” chatbot offering a fun way to feel connected and some events even let you win New Year’s money through these chatbots! While the changes are understandable, it’s a little sad to lose the warmth of big family gatherings and shared meals. I agree. Some traditions, like the immense pressure on women to continuously cook and host or the uncomfortable “advice,” could change, but the joy of spending time together shouldn’t disappear. No matter how or where we spend it, I hope everyone has a wonderful Lunar New Year. Happy Lunar New Year!

[K-enter] 'KickFlip', JYP Entertainment's first boy group to debut in 7 yearssecond inauguration day

2025/01/21 14:00

It's time for our daily dose of K-entertainment news with Walter Lee. Now, Walter you talked about them on a recent episode and we did say we would report on them again very soon, we are talking about JYP's new boy group 'KickFlip'. Yes! KickFlip, held a showcase on Monday afternoon to commemorate the release of their debut mini-album 'Flip it, Kick it!' and finally made their official debut. 'KickFlip' is a team led by leader Gyehun and are made up of four other Korean members, Donghwa , Juwang , Minje , Donghyun and two Japanese members, Amaru and Keiju . Their debut mini-album, Flip it, Kick it!, features six tracks, including the title song "Mama Said," as well as "Umm Great" "Warriors," and "Like a Monster." Notably, KickFlip’s first album, 'Flip it, Kick it!', surpassed 300,000 pre-orders as of January 15th. By 10pm on Monday, it ranked first on real-time album charts Hanteo Chart and Circle Chart. Good luck to 'KickFlip' on their new endeavours. Sticking with boybands but this time a generous donation by one, to a great cause. According to the social welfare foundation 'Walking with Us' on Tuesday, boy band RIIZE donated 100 million Korean won, that's just short of 70 thousand U.S. dollars, in the name of their fan club, BRIIZE, to support cultural and artistic programs for children and teenagers. Previously, RIIZE had also donated proceeds from the sales of their "RIMEticon event" where they invited fans to freely use photos and videos previously uploaded on RIIZE’s official social media accounts to create their own “RIMEticon,” a combination of RIIZE and emoticons, which was launched to commemorate the release of their first mini-album 'RIIZING'. With this donation, RIIZE has contributed over 120 million Korean won, just over 80 thousand U.S. dollars, in total to support the 'All-Kidstra' program and cultural arts education for underprivileged youths, continuing to encourage children and adolescents in pursuing their dreams and aspirations. A truly heartfelt story and hopefully a donation that goes a long way. Now on Monday with Professor Soh, our movie expert, we briefly talked about this movie but you have some updates on it. On Monday afternoon, a press screening and media conference for the film from a spin off of the 2015 film 'The Priests', 'Dark Nuns' was held with director Kwon Hyuk-jae , along with actors including the star Song Hye-kyo . 'Dark Nuns' tells the story of individuals who undertake a forbidden ritual to save a boy possessed by a powerful evil spirit. It is the second installment following the 2015 film The Priests, which captivated 5.4 million viewers. Song Hye-kyo plays the role of Sister Yunia . Song revealed that she challenged herself with her first on-screen smoking scenes in this project. She explained, "The first scene is a big close-up of a smoking moment. I didn’t want to fake it. While filming the movie, I practiced acting a lot, but I also practiced smoking quite a bit." The Priests 2: Dark Nuns will be released on January 24 just in time for the holidays.

Trump's second term inauguration: Key priorities and bold promises for America's future

2025/01/21 10:00

Donald Trump is officially back as the 47th president of the United States. He's declared a new golden age for his country on inauguration day. Our Kim Jung-sil starts us off. "I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God." Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, marking the beginning of a new chapter in American leadership. Trump's inaugural address set the tone for his next four years, echoing the core message of his first term – 'America First.' "The golden age of America begins right now. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America first." Shortly after his inauguration, the White House unveiled a revamped website with the bold declaration 'America Is Back,' promising to fight for a stronger, safer, and more prosperous nation. Key priorities for Trump's second term include securing the border, reinstating the 'Remain in Mexico' policy, and addressing crime by cracking down on cartels and protecting law enforcement officers. Trump also pledged to make America energy dominant again, rolling back climate policies and streamlining energy production through regulatory reforms. His 'America First' trade policy aims to protect U.S. businesses and reduce reliance on foreign organizations for tax policy. His second term will also focus on strengthening America's global position, aligning with his commitment to 'peace through strength'—a vision of security backed by military and economic dominance. As President Trump begins his second term, the next four years will be crucial in testing his bold promises and shaping America's future. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

[Weather] Most of Korea trapped in severe levels of fine dust, warmer than norms

2025/01/21 10:00

Most of Korea is trapped in high levels of ultrafine dust. An ultrafine dust advisory has been issued in the capital, Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheongbuk-do Provinces. Even, Emergency Fine Dust Reduction Measures are in place for the capital area and Chungcheongnam-do Province. We could see dust level going to a very high level in the morning. Dusty air has built up since yesterday, it's best to avoid going outdoors if you can but when you do make sure to wear a face mask that can help filter out fine dust and cover as much skin as possible. It's better to keep your windows closed if you are in central regions. Afternoon highs will be as high as yesterday at 8 degrees Celsius in the capital, Daegu and Busan at 11 degrees. Sunny skies will be blurred with the dust. Warmer than average temperatures to continue with dusty air staying through the end of the week. That's Korea for you, here's a look at the international weather conditions.

Melania Trump joins crypto craze

2025/01/21 10:00

In the U.S., on the eve of her husband's inauguration as President, Melania Trump introduced her own cryptocurrency, the $MELANIA meme coin. She posted on X on Sunday that "The Official Melania Meme is live." The announcement follows Donald Trump's launch of his own meme coin ahead of his inauguration. According to CoinMarketCap, Trump's meme coin has a total market value of about 12 billion US dollars, while Melania's meme coin stands at around 1.7 billion US dollars. Despite previously calling cryptocurrency a scam, Trump became the first presidential candidate to accept digital assets as donations during his 2024 election campaign.

Sample test in Tanzania positive for Marburg disease

2025/01/21 10:00

Tanzania's president confirmed on Monday that one out of more than 20 samples taken in the north of the country had tested positive for the infectious Marburg disease. That validated a WHO report on the 14th of this month, in which it said it suspected an outbreak of Marburg in Tanzania's Kagera region, following eight deaths manifesting symptoms in line with the virus. Initially, Tanzanian health officials denied the presence of the virus, citing negative test results. Marburg virus, similar to Ebola, is a highly contagious pathogen that causes high fever and bleeding and has a fatality rate of up to 90%.

Earthquake strikes southern Taiwan

2025/01/21 10:00

In Taiwan, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the southern region early on Tuesday, leaving 15 people with minor injuries. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration recorded, the quake struck at 12:17 a.m. roughly 38 kilometers southeast of Chiayi county hall, and with a depth of 9.7 kilometers. A 5.2-magnitude aftershock also occurred over an hour after the initial quake. The tremor resulted in 15 minor injuries, with six people rescued from a collapsed house in Nanxi District, Tainan City. Workers in this district, including those in the TSMC factory, have reportedly been evacuated. Last April, Taiwan suffered its strongest earthquake in 25 years, a 7.4 magnitude quake near Hualien City that led to at least 18 deaths.

Pope Francis Condemns Trump's Mass Deportation Plans

2025/01/21 10:00

Pope Francis has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's plans, for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants. He described the plans as "a disgrace" in an interview on Italian television on Sunday, ahead of Trump's inauguration. Speaking from the Vatican, the Pope emphasized the human cost of the plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants from the United States. He said, "This is not the way to solve things." President Trump is starting off his second term with several executive orders, including ones to accelerate deportations and enhance border security. In response, Pope Francis urged world leaders to focus on addressing the root causes of migration rather than punishing vulnerable people. Despite his criticisms, the Pope extended a congratulatory message to President Trump on Monday, the day of his inauguration, praying that Trump's "leadership fosters unity and compassion in addressing global challenges."

World leaders congratulate Trump on inauguration

2025/01/21 10:00

And leaders around the world quickly welcomed back President Trump and voiced wishes to work closely with the returned leader. Lee Seung-jae has more. Donald Trump on Monday became just the second U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms in the White House,. when he was sworn in during his inauguration ceremony. World leaders were quick to congratulate the 47th U.S. President. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to his social media to note the opportunity the two neighboring countries have in working together to create more jobs and prosperity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump, saying that he believes the U.S. and Israeli alliance will grow to "even greater heights." Calling the U.S. its closest ally, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the aim of the two countries is to have "a good transatlantic relationship." British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed Trump's "longstanding affection and historical ties to the UK," adding that such "depth of friendship will continue." Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was present at the inauguration noted that the friendship and values that the two countries share, will continue to strengthen their cooperation. But much of the attention was on what the leaders of Russia and Ukraine had to say on Trump's inauguration day. Russian President Vladimir Putin not only congratulated Trump on his return to the White House, but also said he's open to hold talks regarding the war in Ukraine. "We have never refused dialogue, we have always been ready to maintain an attitude of cooperation with any American administration. We are also open for dialogue with the new U.S. administration on the Ukrainian conflict. The most important thing here is to address the root causes of the crisis, that we have spoken about many times." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also quick to congratulate Trump. The Ukrainian leader noted that Trump has always been "decisive," adding that Trump would provide an opportunity to strengthen American leadership, and achieve long-term peace. Zelenskyy also expressed hope that the two countries can work together to provide greater security, stability and economic growth to the world, and the two nations. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Trump withdraws U.S. from Paris Climate Agreement; declares national emergency at U.S.-Mexico border

2025/01/21 10:00

And as soon as he returned to power, Trump signed an executive order beginning the process of pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement. This is his second time to have done so, as he exited it in his first term in 2017, only for then-President Biden to rejoin the agreement in 2021. Trump also declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. In his inaugural address, Trump said he will send troops to the southern border, detain all illegal immigrants, and re-introduce a 'Remain in Mexico' policy that requires migrants wait for their asylum proceedings on the Mexican side of the border.

Live from Seoul Detention Center: CIO withdraws from forced questioning

2025/01/21 10:00

Meanwhile, investigators' efforts to question Yoon continue having so far failed due to Yoon's persistent refusal to cooperate. We connect live with our Moon Hye-ryeon standing by at the Seoul Detention Center where he's being detained. Hye-ryeon, last night, investigators returned to their office empty-handed after failing to bring Yoon in for questioning by force. Tell us more. Good morning, Dami – as you said, the CIO attempted to forcibly bring President Yoon in for questioning here at the Seoul Detention Center yesterday, but withdrew late last night after being met with resistance. In a statement to the press, the CIO announced that their investigators stopped their attempts at around 9 PM last night in accordance with human rights protection regulations as Yoon refused to cooperate. Yoon has refused all interrogation requests since he was arrested last Wednesday – ignoring summonses last Thursday and Friday and continuing to resist even after his formal detention on Sunday. The CIO notified him twice of scheduled interrogations – on Sunday and on Monday – but he did not comply. As Yoon's initial detention period is set to expire on January 28th, the CIO has deemed a face-to-face investigation urgent and therefore attempted forced questioning. They have said that they will continue criminal procedures, including additional attempts at forced interrogation – but it is not yet clear when or how this will happen. Citing legal precedents and Supreme Court rulings, the agency asserted that a suspect could be forcibly brought to the interrogation room, but President Yoon's legal team criticized the CIO's action saying that Yoon had been meeting with the attorneys when CIO officials attempted to "unlawfully" force an interrogation. And on that note of President Yoon's legal team – what's their reasoning for President Yoon's such defiant manner? Well, Dami, in addition to the CIO's attempt to forcibly bring Yoon in for questioning, Yoon's legal team has strongly criticized the CIO for prohibiting visits to the detained president for anyone other than his legal representatives. They argue that restricting family meetings unrelated to the charges of insurrection is a "vindictive" act rather than a legitimate investigative measure, and have demanded the immediate revocation of such a decision. The CIO has cited concerns over potential evidence tampering as a reason for imposing these restrictions, but Yoon's attorney said that these allegations are "baseless and unjust", while pointing to the impeachments of former Presidents Roh Moon-hyun and Park Geun-hye who were still allowed external communication and national briefings to ensure smooth governance. Yoon's attorneys argued that this set a precedent, and that Yoon must remain fully informed of the country's ongoing developments. And let's turn our attention to Yoon's supporters and the Sunday riots that led to some serious damage at the Seoul Western District Court building. How are investigations unfolding? That's right, so the police have arrested a total of 90 individuals in connection with the riots that happened early Sunday morning at the Seoul Western District Court. The detainees range in age from in their teens to their seventies, with over half in their twenties and thirties. Police have applied for arrest warrants for 66 individuals and are continuing to analyze mobile phone data, video evidence, and footage from YouTube channels collected during the arrest. Authorities expect the number of individuals formally charged to increase as the investigation unfolds. The police have also intensified their investigation into whether there was an organized effort behind the riot, deploying the Criminal Mobilization Unit to pursue the case further. Meanwhile, the Seoul Western District Court has issued arrest warrants for two of five individuals accused of assaulting police officers near the court on Saturday the day before the riot. That's all I have for now, but I'll be back in a later newscast with more updates. Back to you, Dami. That was our Moon Hye-ryeon reporting live from the Seoul Detention Center.

Producer prices up for 2nd month in Dec. amid weak Korean won

2025/01/21 10:00

South Korea's producer prices rose for the second straight month in December, amid the weakening Korean won. According to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the producer price index, a major barometer of consumer inflation rose zero-point-three percent in December from the month before. This follows a zero-point-one percent gain in November. On year, the index rose one-point-seven percent last month, increasing for the 17th straight month. Agricultural, livestock and fisheries goods saw the highest jump in prices last month, climbing two-point-eight percent from a month earlier.

Trump returns to the White House, signaling a rapid shift in global order

2025/01/20 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. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's second inauguration ceremony is just hours away. With forecasts predicting temperatures as low as -12°C, Trump decided to move the event indoors, for the first time in 40 years. The last time an inauguration was held indoors because of the weather was in 1985 for former Republican President Ronald Reagan. With world diplomats and citizens planning to attend, questions are emerging about the impact on attendance and the broader significance of this inauguration. Attention is also focused on Trump's inaugural address and the return of the farewell event for the outgoing President Joe Biden, which could signal key shifts in the transition of power and the tone of the new administration. For a closer look into the current situation ahead of the inauguration ceremony, we first connect to our Voice of America correspondent Jessica Stone in Washington D.C. Welcome, Jessica. 1. The weather forecast predicts extremely cold temperatures for President Trump's inauguration, and because of this, the ceremony is being held indoors. Jessica, could you give us some details on how the ceremony will proceed? What has Trump said? 2. How do you think this will affect the turnout and atmosphere? There had been news that many people including world diplomats were planning to visit. Will they be able to be accommodated? 3. The former president's farewell event, which was omitted four years ago, is now included in the ceremony's schedule. Biden says he's planning to attend showcasing a peaceful transfer of power. What could this signify for the tone of the inauguration? Could it lead to a smooth transition of government operations to the new administration? 4. What can we expect from Trump's second inaugural speech? How do you think it will differ from his first one, particularly in terms of messaging and priorities? 5. Trump spent the past two years on the campaign trail making more than a dozen promises about what he would enact on his first day in office. Could you remind us of some that are highly likely at this point? policies, especially in areas like economic growth, immigration, and national security. Thank you for bringing us the latest from Washington Jessica. And now to explore more on the implications of these changes, as well as the potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration, we connect to Hannah Kim, Assistant Professor of International Studies at Sogang University GSIS. Thank you for coming on. 1. Now that the Trump 2.0 era has begun, what kind of big changes could we expect in the global landscape? 2. Fundraising efforts have led to a substantial amount of money being raised, with significant contributions from industries like tech, banking, and energy. How has the donor landscape changed since Trump's previous term, and what does this shift suggest about the relationship between business and politics in the U.S.? 3. Trump had invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to his inauguration, an unprecedented move, especially with his previous statements on dumping tariffs on China. China in response vowed to send its Vice President instead, the first time to send a high-ranking official to the inauguration. What could this mean when it comes to the future of Washington-Beijing relations? 4. Like China, Japan is also sending a high-ranking official, its foreign minister to Trump's inauguration. But as for South Korea, the South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong will attend. Though it's customary for the ambassador to attend, there are concerns that South Korea has missed an early diplomatic opportunity with the Trump administration, especially following the impeachment crisis. What are your thoughts and what could be done? 5. Earlier this week, Israel and Hamas agreed on a ceasefire deal following 15 months of fighting. Since Trump had been eager to end the war in Gaza and Ukraine, how much of an influence could Trump have on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine?

STOCK

2025/01/20 20:00

2025. 1. 20. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 2,520.05 -3.50 (-0.14%) KOSDAQ : 727.66 +2.97 (+0.41%) KOSPI200 : 333.94 -1.15 (-0.34%) ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 38,902.50 +451.04 (+1.17%) HANG SENG : 19,925.81 +341.75 (+1.75%) SHANGHAI : 3,244.38 +2.56 (+0.08%) WALL STREET (JANUARY 17) DOW JONES : 43,487.83 +334.70 +0.78% NASDAQ : 19,630.20 +291.91 +1.51% S&P500 : 5,996.66 +59.32 +1.00% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,451.70 (-6.60) JPY : 930.13 (-6.81) CNY : 198.21 (-0.41) EUR : 1,496.12 (-4.03)

Investigators arrive at Seoul Detention Center to forcefully escort Yoon for questioning

2025/01/20 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. We start our coverage at a local detention center where President Yoon Suk Yeol is being held after a court ordered his formal arrest in the early hours of Sunday. For more, let's turn to our correspondent Kim Do-yeon standing by live on site. Do-yeon, I hear the CIO is now trying to bring the president back for questioning by force? Good evening, Jung-min. Yes, as you said, I'm here at Seoul Detention Center where President Yoon has been under detention since last week and has been refusing to be taken to the CIO for questioning. As you'll be able to hear, there are some protesters still here showing support for President Yoon. However, the CIO has now started to take action. In the afternoon our team spotted what looked like the CIO's vans and cars heading inside and hours later it was confirmed that members of the CIO had indeed arrived. According to reports there are 6 members of the CIO currently here attempting to escort President Yoon but the option of just holding the questioning session has not been completely ruled out. President Yoon has only appeared at the CIO once the first day of his detention last Wednesday and has repeated that he's got nothing more to share and refused to be questioned by the investigators. Of course, Yoon has said that this arrest is not legal yet again and will likely continue to refuse to be questioned and even file for another legality review of this current arrest. Over the course of this past weekend, the president went from being a temporary detainee to becoming a criminal suspect over insurrection charges. It almost sounds like a cliche, now, but it is unprecedented. Jung-min, that's right over the weekend, the CIO was able to get a warrant to keep Yoon in custody until early February. This second warrant means he is now dressed in a detention center-issued uniform with an inmate number assigned to him. Considering his status he will have a separate cell, and guards will try to isolate him from other inmates. According to the Justice Ministry he's had a mug shot taken and a body search the same procedure as anyone else who has been arrested. The CIO is also using its legal options to pressure President Yoon except for Yoon's attorneys he'll not be allowed any visitors until a formal prosecution begins for this case. The CIO cited the risk of evidence being destroyed as the reason and remember that is the exact reason why the court issued the second "official" arrest warrant. Of course, Yoon has called this ban just a way to push him around saying if there is reasonable evidence obtained by the CIO how could he destroy any? And I believe the police tried to raid some locations related to the President again how'd that go? Jung-min that's right the search and seizure warrant from last month is still valid and the police attempted to raid the presidential safehouse and Yongsan Presidential Office The goal was to obtain CCTV footage to see who went in and out on the night of the martial law declaration. In addition, at Yongsan Presidential Office's Presidential Security Service office the servers for these CCTV recordings are there so the investigators could be looking into those. However, again the Presidential Security Service refused to comply with the search and the police had to turn back. That's all for now, back to you Jung-min. That was our Kim Do-yeon reporting live from the Seoul Detention Center.

[Weather] Milder cold continues this week with ultra-fine dust

2025/01/20 20:00

Today is 'Daehan' which means 'severe cold' on the traditional seasonal calendar. However, it is relatively mild throughout the day today. Seoul was as mild as early March during the day and these milder conditions will continue tomorrow across the country with Seoul reaching 8 degrees Celsius during the day. With mild conditions, the air continues to be murky all over the country. In particular, "preliminary measures to reduce the high concentration of fine dust" were issued in Chungcheongnam-do Province for the first time this winter to reduce fine dust in this area. There is a possibility that this ultra-fine dust will persist this whole week. Tomorrow, Seoul will start off at zero degrees, Gwangju at minus 1 degree. Highs will move up to 7 degrees in Chuncheon. Gyeongju and Jeju will reach 11 degrees. This week will be milder than usual. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Robert Pattinson visits Korea for first time to promote upcoming "Mickey 17"

2025/01/20 20:00

Legendary Korean director Bong Joon-ho's first new film in six years, "Mickey 17," will be released next month. Before its official release, he and the lead actor, Robert Pattinson are on a promotional tour here in Korea. Here's our Park Kun-woo with takeaways from that event. The first Korean director to win an Oscar, Bong Joon-ho, is set to return to the big screen with his new film, "Mickey 17." With just about a month to go until its premiere, global promotions have kicked off this week, starting in Bong's home country. "Hollywood star Robert Pattinson, starring as Mickey, the main character of Mickey 17, is in Korea for the first time to meet fans. He and director Bong Joon-ho are holding a press conference at this cinema, and we're about to go meet them. Follow me." "Annyeonghaseyo. I always wanted to come. And just really really excited to show you guys the movie." He also shared why he wanted to appear in Bong's movie. "Bong manages, with a sense of humor, a very very prominent and such a huge movie. We turned up on set and it looked like a giant Star Wars-looking thing. (Bong is probably one of the) four or five directors in the world working now that has that kind of appeal I think to every single actor in the world." Bong stressed that he had aimed to make a sci-fi movie with a strong human touch. "It's a sci-fi film full of the scent of humanity. Humans are printed out like documents from a printer, which in itself is very dehumanizing. You feel how miserable this character is. But despite that, you see how he overcomes his struggles." He added he tried to set the movie in the near future to make it more tangible for people. "You couldn't even have imagined talking with Chat GPT in the previous decade. The events in the movie may seem like science fiction, but they could happen to you soon." Fans waiting for the movie's release also waited from the early morning to see their favorite movie star and director. "Young girls who watched "Twilight" must have liked him. I have been waiting from the early morning cause I was happy to see him at last in Korea. Everybody will be waiting for the upcoming movie." Amid high anticipation, "Mickey 17" is set to screen at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival next month ahead of its theater premieres. With its premiere in Korea on February 28th ahead of other countries, one question remains: Will the new movie create another global sensation? Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

3 Israeli hostages, 90 Palestinian prisoners released as part of Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal

2025/01/20 20:00

A truce has taken effect in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, as of Sunday, paving the path for phased exchanges of hostages for prisoners. Lee Eun-jin covers the first such exchange in months. Sunday was the first day of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire that has halted 15 months of war. On the same day, the first three Israeli hostages of the 33 that were agreed to be released under the terms of the ceasefire deal were freed by Hamas. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the transfer, escorting the three women to an Israeli military checkpoint. Upon arrival, they were reunited with their families and transported to a medical center for examination, where the director said all three were in stable condition. Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari were abducted on Oct. 7 near a kibbutz and music festival during the Hamas attack. In Tel Aviv, thousands of people erupted in applause as they gathered to watch the news on large screens. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also released a video showing him receiving news about the return of three hostages. Just over seven hours later, the first of the Palestinian prisoners were released. Around 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were freed from Israeli jails into the occupied West Bank, arriving by bus to scenes of cheering and celebration. They had been detained for what Israel called offenses related to its security. This was the first of several hostage and detainee exchanges set to take place during the ceasefire over the next six weeks. The agreement reached in Qatar last week with the help of mediators calls for Hamas to release 33 hostages, including women, children, men over 50, and ill and wounded captives, while Israel is set to release more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that the government is committed to the return of all 98 hostages, major questions remain about whether fighting will resume after the six-week first phase of the ceasefire. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

Trump Inauguration D-Day: impacts of Trump's protectionist policies on S. Korean industries

2025/01/20 20:00

Trump has pledged to promote an America-first trade policy. Our business correspondent Moon Hye-ryeon takes a look at what that means for U.S.' trade partners like South Korea. As U.S. President Donald Trump takes office for his second term, his aggressive trade policies, particularly targeting China, are raising concerns worldwide. Trump has signaled plans for sweeping tariffs, including additional levies on Chinese imports, as part of his broader protectionist strategy – aiming to shift global trade dynamics and strengthen U.S. leverage. However, such policies have raised alarm in countries like South Korea, heavily reliant on exports. For South Korea, Trump's trade war with China poses both risks and opportunities across a wide range of industries. Advanced technology sectors such as semiconductors could face increased barriers to trade as a result of the U.S.-China tensions. Trump's protectionist policies have also triggered concerns surrounding potential amendments to the Inflation Reduction Act, and whether Samsung Electronics and SK hynix as beneficiaries of the CHIPS and Science Act could be affected. Experts say that while anything that has already been signed into contract is safe, possible future subsidies could be at risk. But the U.S. also stands to be negatively impacted as a result. "If President Trump really wants to use tariffs to induce semiconductor investment in the United States, tariffs have to be higher than 20 percent. And if tariffs for semiconductors do go that high, then it probably will hurt the United States more than help it." The steel and automobile industries could also be affected as they have been historically important for the U.S. economy. "They have been really important in the U.S. economy – especially by taking important roles in creating jobs for a long time but have lost their competitiveness in the global market. So the Trump administration is expected to implement higher tariffs on goods that experience large trade deficits." On the upside, some sectors in South Korea could benefit from Trump's tariffs. For instance, industries like electric vehicles and batteries, where South Korea has a strong presence, may see increased demand as countries look to diversify their supply chains and reduce reliance on China. South Korea's plans to boost its eco-friendly vehicle sector and advance battery technology through significant investments as announced by Acting President and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok earlier last week, may position it as a global leader in these fields. There is also growing anticipation that U.S. sanctions on China's shipbuilding sector will benefit South Korea's shipbuilding companies as they gain a competitive edge. As Trump's trade policies take shape, South Korea's industries and government will need to stay agile, balancing the potential risks and rewards in this evolving trade landscape. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Trump 2.0: What the return of Trump means for Korean Peninsula

2025/01/20 20:00

On the security front. The incoming Trump administration is expected to call on South Korea to shoulder a greater burden of the cost of maintaining U.S. soldiers here in the country. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji reports. Trump's approach to foreign policy is largely focused on the idea of putting "America First." To do this, he's appointed 'hardliners' to help him shape foreign policy in the new administration including Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, who's taken hard line positions against China and North Korea. At his Senate confirmation hearing last week, Rubio emphasized that placing the interest of America above all else has never been more necessary than it is now. "Placing our core national interest above all else is not isolationism. It is the common sense realization that our foreign that a foreign policy centered on our national interest is not some outdated relic." The "America First" policy has led to the biggest problem that South Korea is facing --that Trump could renegotiate the deal on sharing the costs needed for American troops in Korea. During his campaign, Trump said if he was at the White House, South Korea would be paying the United States 10 billion dollars a year, calling South Korea a "money machine." "So it is pretty clear that after he return to the White House, he will make a relationship based on the cost-benefit calculation especially for South Korea. Trump already mentioned several times that he is increasing the cost sharing for South Korea. So it's gonna be a rather daunting challenge for South Korean security and in terms of relationship between these two countries." With regard to relations with North Korea, there is a possibility that Trump might pursue nuclear talks with Kim Jong-un. During his first term, Trump held three summits with Kim, but the talks ended without any breakthroughs. Then on the campaign trail, Trump claimed that Kim "misses" him implying that the regime would not be acting up, once he returns to office. "Look, I had a very good relationship with President Xi. and a very good relationship with Putin and a very good relationship with Kim Jong-un, who has a nuclear force that you won't even believe." Trump recently named a close aide, Richard Grenell, as his presidential envoy for special missions and Alex Wong, who handled negotiations with North Korea during Trump's first term in office, as deputy national security adviser. South Korea's intelligence agency now believes that Trump's recent appointments of top aides on North Korean issues further indicate a willingness to explore diplomatic talks. It recently assessed that if the Trump administration comes to a conclusion that complete denuclearization of North Korea is impossible in the near future, it could seek to take actions in the form of a "small deal," such as nuclear disarmament or arms reduction. With less than a day left until Trump's inauguration, eyes are now on how his America First agenda will reshape international politics, as critics say his foreign policy could dismantle democratic norms and a decades-old international order. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.