News

Opposition to impeach acting president with prime minister's impeachment ruling just days away

2025/03/21 17:00

Meanwhile in the latest confrontation between rival political parties opposition lawmakers at the parliament are preparing an impeachment motion against acting President Choi Sang-mok . Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon reports. After months of warnings and build-up the five opposition parties proposed an impeachment motion for Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister for Finance Choi Sang-mok. This came on Friday with the proposal accusing the Acting President of four different unconstitutional acts. First was an accusation that he was an accomplice to the alleged insurrection led by President Yoon Suk Yeol through martial law. Second, and what seemed to be the main reason, was Choi's decision to hold off on appointing the ninth Constitutional Court justice Ma Eun-hyeok despite the Constitutional Court's ruling last month that this is an infringement of the parliament's authorities. "To defy the ruling of the Constitutional Court is to defy the constitutional order itself — and beyond that, it is a denial and contempt of the Republic of Korea's very existence. That is how we see it." The other two were his decision to hold off on appointing a supreme court justice and a permanent special prosecutor. With the opposition parties having the majority, the motion can be passed unilaterally by the opposition lawmakers. Meanwhile, the ruling People Power Party has fired back saying this is, quote, "terrorism" against the government and the DP's emotional revenge by stopping government functions. PPP floor leader also added the DP is not confident about the upcoming ruling on President Yoon's impeachment at the Constitutional Court and needs add a liberal judge. "The reason Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party faction is taking such extreme measures is clear: as procedural flaws in the impeachment trial become exposed, they're trying to overturn the case by pushing Ma Eun-hyuk into the Constitutional Court." "This is the 30th impeachment effort by the DP. 13 of them were passed by the National Assembly with 8 eventually making it to the Constitutional Court. None of the impeachments were upheld." In the meantime, the voting time for Choi's impeachment motion is yet to be decided. One variable is that the Constitutional Court will give its verdict on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment on Monday morning. Han was impeached for similar reasons—refusing to appoint Constitutional Court justices. If the Court rejects his impeachment, Choi's motion could lose momentum even before the vote. In terms of succession, Han would return as acting president, and even if Choi is suspended, Han would still lead the government. But if Han's impeachment is upheld and Choi is suspended, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Lee Joo-ho, fourth in line, would take over as caretaker. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

S.KOREA RANKS 58 OUT OF 147 COUNTRIES IN HAPPINESS

2025/03/21 17:00

Hello and welcome. It's Friday March 21st and you're watching Press Perspective. The world marked International Day of Happiness yesterday that was March 20th and in line with this occasion the latest findings of the World Happiness Report were released. For more I have Thomas Maresca with American international news agency United Press International. Thomas it's good to have you here. I also have writer Colin Marshall with the pundit's take on today's topic. Colin as always welcome. 1) Colin, what is the World Happiness Report, and what do you suppose is the significance of such publications? 2) And Thomas, what factors are considered in the ranking of a country's happiness in this report? 3) Colin, where does Korea rank, and what are your takeaways? 4) Thomas, the words of wisdom say "money cannot buy happiness", and yet here in Korea, money remains a big factor in determining contentment. Is this more or less a universal reality, or do you suppose it's more evident here in Korea? 5) Colin, let's now move on to other developments here that made international headlines. A Korean county recently received much media attention for its efforts to fight its shrinking population by opening doors to Myanmar refugees. Do tell us more. 6) Thomas, Germany once served as a model for opening doors to refugees as did Canada. What's the latest on that front, and based on their experiences, do you believe the welcoming of refugees can serve as a practical option to fighting population decline for South Korea? 7) Colin, based on findings for last year, out of every 100 residents here in Korea, five are now foreigners. You've been living here for quite a while now, what have been your observations? 8) Thomas, most of the foreigners in the country, just like their Korean counterparts, reside in the metropolitan area. What do you propose to encourage a more balanced distribution of the population? All right.

K-wave AI News

2025/03/21 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Korean government plans to implement a temporary visa exemption for Chinese group tourists in the third quarter of this year, as part of its "Global Growth Strategy for the Korean Tourism Market." The initiative focuses on attracting group tourists from China's second-and third-tier cities by offering themed tourism products in areas such as sports, cuisine, beauty, and culture. According to the Bank of Korea, an increase in the number of Chinese group tourists by one million would boost Korea's economic growth by 0.08 percentage points. The visa exemption is widely seen as a reciprocal gesture in response to China's trial visa-free policy for South Koreans amid thawing Seoul-Beijing relations. Korea's temple cuisine is set to be designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. "Temple food" is a plant-based culinary tradition that excludes meat, fish, and pungent vegetables, embodying Buddhist principles by preserving the natural flavors of ingredients. The National Heritage Service emphasized its unique cultural significance, shaped by Buddhist values such as respect for life and mindful restraint. Temple food is gaining wider global recognition for its simple, balanced, and health-conscious approach, attracting interest from renowned chefs worldwide. An exhibition showcasing mirrors that reflect the lives and culture of ancient people opened today at the Cheongju National Museum. Featuring over 320 pieces, the collection includes mirrors used by shamans who believed they could communicate with divine beings, as well as various types of mirrors from the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee's collection. Experts describe the exhibition as a "one-stop shopping mall of ancient mirrors," offering a rare glimpse into the daily lives and traditions of past civilizations across different ages and regions. A standout piece is a 6.5 cm iron mirror, discovered in 1916 and preserved in museum storage for over a century, which is now being unveiled to the public for the first time. The mirror exhibition runs through July 20. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Short-form] The Golden Bat Statue in Hampyeong

2025/03/21 14:00

Explore how the dazzling golden bat statue in Hampyeong went from being a major headache to a major tourist spot!

[K-Sports] 2025 KBO season kicks off Saturday

2025/03/21 14:00

It's spring season weatherwise but also in the world of K-sports, as the baseball season throws its first pitch tomorrow, Saturday here in Korea. In our sports segment today we will delve into the KBO and other latest sports issues with our sportscaster Jason Lee, who is joining us in the studio. Happy Friday Jason! Q1-1. Let's start with the most recent sports event that we had our eyes on The first national team football match of the year. Korea settled for a 1-1 draw against Oman in their World Cup qualifier soccer match last night please tell us more about the game. Let's start with the good Lee Kang-in made an absolutely beautiful 20 yard pass right up the middle to Hwang Hee-Chan, who also made a beautiful take and finish for Korea's goal in the 40th minute. It really was a beautiful goal and it came after what was a really boring first half with Oman essentially playing 11 men on defense making it really tough for Korea to get anything going offensively. In the 2nd half with the 1-0 lead Korea got a little too cute in their defensive zone and turned it over rather than just clearing the ball and that led to Oman's goal in the 80th minute. What's even more concerning is Lee Kang-In hurt himself on that play and had to exit the game. So Korea didn't get the result they wanted and they also lost one of their top players to injury overall, not a good night for Korea in Goyang. Q1-2) Now that's just the first of two games as Korea will host Jordan next Tuesday. What will Korea have to do differently in that game for a win? Well first off, I think it's safe to say that Jordan is a tougher opponent than Oman so Korea definitely needs to bring their A game. I think they need to be patient and wait for Jordan to make a mistake. Jordan is going to be playing for a 0-0 draw and hope that Korea gets over anxious in front of their home crowd and make a mistake so Korea needs to make sure they don't fall into that trap first and foremost. Then it's a matter of keeping the pressure on Jordan without pushing for something that isn't there and wait for the opportunities to come. Korea's the more talented team so if they're just patient enough, I think the goals should come. Q2. Jason, one of the reasons we brought you in again this week was to give a preview on the new KBO baseball season which begins tomorrow. What are the biggest stories we should be looking for in the 2025 season? I think the biggest stories for this year will be whether or not we see a repeat of some of the stories from last year. I think by far the biggest story last year was the emergence of Kia's Kim Do-Young, who hit 38 home runs while stealing 40 bases all while hitting.347 which was 3rd best in the league. But the question this year becomes: "Was that all a fluke?" If he only hits.280 with 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases that'll still be a good season and it would likely earn him MVP votes and likely a Gold Glove as the league's best 3rd baseman. But those numbers would be a clear disappointment from what he achieved last year. And I'm not saying he has to top those numbers or even match them but I would say if he were to bat just.300 while hitting say 30 home runs while stealing 30 bases would be enough for people to say ok he's the real deal and last year wasn't just a fluke. Q3. How do YOU think he'll do this year? I think he'll do something similar to last year he's clearly very talented and the fact he continued to produce in the post season as well as the Premiere 12 international tournament shows that he's not fazed by the bigger stage so I like his chances to definitely top 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases. Q4. Other than Kim Do-Young, are there other verifications you'd like to see? Yes, the other verification would be how the Kia Tigers respond as the defending champs. They rode Kim Do-Young's season to the top of the standings last year, but what will their season look like if Kim Do-Young isn't able to repeat last year's breakout or misses time because of an injury or something else? Guys like Choi Hyung-Woo and Yang Hyun-Jong are both aging veterans that don't have a lot of tread on the tires left. How are they going to do this season and can Kia develop some of their younger players to step up if something goes wrong this season. Lee Bum-ho led Kia to a championship in his first year as a manager and kudos to him for a job well done, but he really had a season where everything went right how can he do if everything goes wrong? And the last validation I'll be curious to see is how the fans respond after record breaking attendance last season. Fans attended games to the tune of 10.9 million tickets sold compared to the previous record of 8.4 million that's almost a 25% increase on their previous best. Will that be the new normal or a blip in the measurements? What will the league do to ride that momentum? Q5. How about your predictions as to who will most likely be in the Korean Series this year? I think the Kia Tigers will have a good chance again this year, but they need to avoid injury. One of the reasons they were so successful last year was they stayed healthy for the most part and they have some older players who can be injury prone so if they can stay healthy I like their chances. Beyond them, I still like each of the teams that made it to the post season last year. There's really no reason to dislike: Samsung, LG, Doosan and KT I could even see KT maybe climbing from their 5th place finish last season as they added Heo Kyung-Min from Doosan. I know Kang Baek-Ho would like to go over to MLB and if he can produce a BIG season this year he might draw some attention so he'll be very motivated to produce. Q6. And the World Women's Curling Championships are underway in Uijeongbu and wrap up on Sunday. How is Gim Eun-ji and the Korean women doing there so far?

[K-enter] G-Dragon announces 2025 world tour details

2025/03/21 14:00

Time for the latest K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Bella, let's kick off with an event that many K-pop fans have been eagerly waiting for! G-DRAGON has revealed the details of his 2025 world tour. He posted a poster containing the first part of the schedule for the “G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR (Übermensch)” on his official fan social media. According to the poster, after his concerts in Korea at the end of this month, G-DRAGON will head to Tokyo, Japan, on May 10th and 11th. The tour poster shows concerts in eight cities across Asia, including the Philippines, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. There is also a growing anticipation for additional tour dates and locations to be announced later on. Meanwhile, the tickets for G-Dragon’s concerts in Korea, set to take place at Goyang Stadium on March 29th and 30th, were sold out as soon as ticket sales opened. Fans who successfully bought the tickets will have a blast. Next up, a K-pop girl group that's doing amazing in a neighboring country? We are talking about K-pop girl group aespa, who proved their worth as a ‘global hitmaker’ by taking home a series of awards in Japan. On Wednesday, aespa attended the MTV “Video Music Awards Japan 2025” held at K Arena Yokohama. They won a total of four awards, which is a first for a female artist. The awards include ‘Artist of the Year,’ ‘Best Group Video,’ ‘Best Dance Video’ and ‘Best K-pop Video.’ Aespa made their official debut in Japan with the single “Hot Mess” last July and have proved their popularity in Japan with two arena tours. They also set a record as a first overseas female artist to perform at Tokyo Dome for two consecutive years. Meanwhile, in August, aespa will perform on Tokyo stage of “Summer Sonic 2025,” a large-scale urban music festival in Japan that attracts more than 200-thousand people every year. Aespa keeps taking it to the "Next Level"! Our last story for today is on an occult animation film that's been doing amazing in Korea, (450,000 viewers) and is now ready to meet more viewers overseas? The occult animated film “Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning,” will be released in Southeast Asia. The film will first premiere in Vietnam on March 21st, followed by Indonesia on March 26th and Thailand on April 24th. On top of Southeast Asia, the film has also been sold to 12 other countries overseas, including countries in North and South America, Germany, Turkey and Switzerland. The movie is based on the 1994 hit novel of the same name, which depicts the start of an epic battle between exorcists and an ultimate evil. Can't wait for the global response. Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

[Features reporter] More patrol dogs across S. Korea, promoting positive pet culture

2025/03/21 14:00

Kun-woo, I heard you went out to see some cute dogs this week. Why's that? Yes, that's right. Ahead of National Puppy Day on Sunday, I had the chance to spend some time with some adorable dogs. Those pooches are extra special as they are patrol dogs that have even passed tests to become certified to make patrols. Let's check out how I got on. Around 7 PM, when pet owners usually get off work, it’s time for their furry friends to head out for their favorite part of the day: a stroll around the neighborhood. These dogs aren't just on their regular walks, but are on a special mission. From tiny pooches to large ones, wearing green "patrol" suits, they're out there to identify dangerous situations, potential safety hazards, and individuals who may be drunk or lying on the ground. "Coco once found a drunk person on a cold winter day, so we reported it right away." "Coco, what was your most memorable patrol mission?" "Yeah, when I reported that drunk person!" Thanks to these dogs and their owners, thousands of reports were made in Seoul alone last year. And dogs that performed exceptionally well were given extra prizes. These patrol activities also mean valuable time together for both the pets and their owners. "We usually go for a walk once a day, but now, through this patrol activity, I get to spend time with my dog while also contributing to the safety of my city, which feels really rewarding." Starting in Seoul in 2022, the pet patrol program has expanded nationwide, reaching cities as far as Busan and on Jeju Island. However, not every dog can become a patrol dog as they must meet various criteria, such as how they react to strangers and other dogs, as well as their overall behavior. "Wait!" "As you can see, this dog that passed the patrol dog test, is very gentle and obedient. Although there’s no pay, the dogs are rewarded with things like patrol certificates and snacks. Good boy!" And, the efforts of these patrol teams are helping to create a positive image of dogs for non-pet owners who may fear or dislike them. "I don't usually like having pets, but seeing these dogs working for public safety outside makes me feel good about them." With over 15-million people, around one-third of South Korea's population, owning pets, these dog patrols are contributing to the creation of a positive pet culture in society. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News. How was this patrol program first introduced in South Korea? The idea originated with Japan's "Bow-wow patrol" that started in 2003. According to the host of the patrol program, a U.S. study in 2022 found that areas where many pet dogs stroll with their owners had lower crime rates, robbery incidents for example were reduced by two-thirds compared to places with fewer dogs walking around. These cases helped introduce the program and contributed to its popularity in Korea. How can pet owners apply for this program? So right now there are many cities nationwide looking for dogs that can actively volunteer under this program. For those interested in applying, I recommend checking out the official website for more information. But before you apply, keep in mind the specific criteria, including whether your dog is obedient enough to respond to comments like "Wait" or "Come here," and remains calm when strangers or other dogs pass by during the waiting time. To pass, your dog must meet these standards and score at least 70 out of 100. The program we hear can even send a positive message regarding abandoned dogs? I think so. Although around 150-thousand pets are abandoned each year in Korea, fortunately, more people are adopting them. And an official from the company running the dog patrol program in partnership with local governments said more abandoned dogs are getting opportunities to actively volunteer for society. "As abandoned dogs carry emotional scars, their new owners often wish to engage in meaningful activities with them. That's why many pet owners who have adopted once-abandoned dogs are participating in the dog patrol program." Good to hear that even abandoned dog can take part. Alright Kun-woo, thanks for all of that. We'll see you next time. Thank you, Kun-woo.

EU leaders vow to continue backing Ukraine, but make no concrete pledges

2025/03/21 10:00

European Union leaders convened in Brussels for a two-day summit to deliberate on strengthening defense support for Ukraine. However, the summit concluded without a concrete financial commitment. During the summit held on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the EU leaders via video, urging them to maintain pressure on Russia through sanctions and to provide additional military aid. However, the EU leaders kept a cautious approach and didn't give a solid answer regarding Zelenskyy's appeal for approximately 5.4 billion U.S. dollars for artillery shells. EU foreign policy chief and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas had previously proposed a 43.4 billion-dollar military aid package for Ukraine, but the plan has faced opposition from several member states. Reaching consensus was further complicated by Hungary's refusal to endorse the summit's joint statement supporting Ukraine.

Hamas says it fired rockets toward Tel Aviv as Israel renews attacks on Gaza

2025/03/21 10:00

Hostilities in the Middle East are escalating, with Hamas launching rockets in response to Israel's renewed military operations. Hamas claimed to have fired three rockets toward Tel Aviv on Thursday, following resumed military operations by Israel in Gaza. This marks Hamas' first offensive since a ceasefire collapsed earlier this week following Israel's resumption of air and ground operations in Gaza. The Israeli military reported that one of the three rockets was intercepted by air defenses, while the others landed in open areas, causing no casualties. Yemen's Houthi rebel group also fired two ballistic missiles at Israel on Thursday but these were intercepted. Israeli airstrikes have resulted in over 500 Palestinian deaths and hundreds of injuries since Tuesday, with at least 85 fatalities reported on Thursday alone. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has threatened "total devastation" of Gaza unless Hamas releases the remaining hostages.

S. Korea seeking advances in medical industry using AI and medical tourism

2025/03/21 10:00

An annual medical conference took place here in the country with a showcase of how healthcare taps into AI as well as growing international recognition in the industry. Ahn Sung-jin tells us more. AI and healthcare. The combination of these is going beyond implementation, as companies seek to weave them into our daily lives. South Korea's Health Ministry and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute are hosting the annual Medical Korea conference to connect those in the field, and promote discussions on the implications of this. With a need for more healthcare workers and an aging population, AI integration into people's daily lives has become inevitable, and an expert says this is not as a replacement, but as a helper. "There is no doubt that AI is here to stay in the medical industry the people who are concerned or worried about AI are going to struggle in the future as AI becomes more and more intercalated into everything that we do." Alongside the use of smart technology in our everyday lives, Korea is also promoting medical tourism, welcoming those seeking K-beauty healthcare. "An increase in the number of patients visiting Korea for medical purposes implies that not only is our medical technology acknowledged worldwide, but also suggests that we are becoming a focal point for medical tourism in Asia." As Korea receives more international recognition, medical tourists continue to increase with the number soon to exceed 1 million. "Many Korean companies in the beauty and medical industry are here to showcase the latest trends as well as to network and find partners." With more tourists spending on healthcare and reinvigorating the economy, companies are aiming to increase their competitiveness in the field. "Due to Hallyu, Korean healthcare products are garnering more attention, and I hope to share this worldwide." As the country steps up as a medical powerhouse, efforts from stakeholders are set to become more apparent. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

S. Korea draws against Oman in World Cup qualifier

2025/03/21 10:00

The South Korean men's national football team was held to a draw against Oman in a World Cup qualifying match on Thursday night. Despite playing in front of the home crowd at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi-do Province, and far outranking the Middle Eastern team, South Korea only managed a 1-1 draw, without some key players due to injuries. Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Hwang Hee-chan scored in the 41st minute after a sharp pass from Lee Kang-in to put South Korea one up. Oman leveled the match with an 80th minute goal. With three matches left, South Korea is top of Group B with 15 points from four wins and three draws. They'll play Jordan on Tuesday at Suwon World Cup Stadium.

S. Korea's FM heads to Tokyo for trilateral meeting with Japanese, Chinese counterparts

2025/03/21 10:00

South Korea's foreign minister Cho Tae-yul left for Tokyo this morning to take part in a trilateral meeting with his Japanese and Chinese counterparts. Throughout his two-day visit, Cho is also scheduled to hold separate bilateral meetings with Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The three officials are expected to hold discussions on a wide range of regional and global issues. This marks their first meeting since South Korea's brief imposition of martial law in December, with their last meeting held in November, 2023 in Busan.

S. Korea's minister of trade to hold high-level talks with Washington about its "Sensitive Countries List" and tariffs

2025/03/21 10:00

South Korea is pushing for negotiations amid potential new U.S. tariffs and restrictions on scientific collaboration. Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun is back in Washington for crucial talks. Our Moon Hye-ryeon reports. As the United States prepares to announce reciprocal tariffs next month, South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy has returned to Washington in an effort to secure Seoul's removal from its recent designation into the U.S. Energy Department's "Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List". On Thursday, local time, Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun spoke to reporters about the government's stance prior to beginning a series of high-level discussions. His first meeting is scheduled with the U.S. Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright. "Our priority is to seek South Korea's removal from the "Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List". If immediate removal is not possible, we will work on alternative solutions to ensure that this designation does not hinder scientific and industrial collaboration between our nations." If South Korea remains on the list, new restrictions on research collaborations and visits to institutions affiliated with the U.S. Energy Department will take effect starting April 15. However, Ahn gave reassurance that Washington has indicated that the designation is not expected to have a significant impact on bilateral scientific cooperation. His visit comes at a crucial time, ahead of the new Trump administration's anticipated tariff announcement on April 2nd, and securing a favorable position is another key objective for talks. This marks Ahn's second trip to Washington in just three weeks, following discussions with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick last month, and they are due to meet again. "The Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has effectively eliminated tariffs between our two countries. However, non-tariff barriers have emerged as a concern. We are actively addressing these issues domestically and will communicate our progress to our U.S. counterparts." U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently identified the so-called "Dirty 15" – a group of countries with significant tariffs on U.S. goods – as targets for the upcoming tariff measures. When asked whether South Korea could be included, Ahn stated it was too early to tell, and emphasized that South Korea already imports most U.S. goods without tariffs under the Free Trade Agreement between Seoul and Washington. Regarding a potential exemption from the new tariffs, the Trade Minister explained that there haven't been many cases where specific countries were granted exemptions – and it appears that the measures will be implemented first before adjustments can be made. He added that ongoing communication and negotiations will be needed to shape the trade framework between the two allies. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

EU postpones retaliatory tariffs to mid-April for further negotiations with Washington

2025/03/21 10:00

The European Union has pushed back its first phase of retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., originally set to take effect on April 1st. The European Commission announced on Thursday that the countermeasures will now take effect on April 13th, and all at once instead of across two stages. The first phase originally was set to levy tariffs on U.S. exports of whiskey, motorboats and motorcycles to the EU, and the second phase on beer, poultry, beef and other produce. The announcement also stated the postponement would allow time for negotiations with Washington, and that tariffs would be imposed without further delay should they fail to find a resolution.

Ukraine minerals deal imminent: Trump

2025/03/21 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump says a minerals deal with Ukraine is getting close, while officials from the U.S., Ukraine and Russia will be in Saudi Arabia next week in the hope of finding a breakthrough in peace talks. Lee Seung-jae reports. U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday, that a minerals and natural resources deal with Ukraine is getting closer. Trump made the announcement at the White House,.. after signing an order to increase U.S. production of critical minerals. "We're doing very well with regard to Ukraine and Russia. And one of the things we are doing is signing a deal very shortly with respect to rare earths with Ukraine, which they have tremendous value in rare earth. And we appreciate that." Washington and Kyiv said earlier this month that they had agreed to conclude the minerals deal as soon as possible. The comments by Trump also come as he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, in what the White House said was a "fantastic" one-hour phone call. President Trump also said Thursday that progress towards a ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine is progressing well. "And we spoke yesterday with, as you know, President Putin and President Zelenskyy. And we would love to see that come to an end. And I think we're doing pretty well in that regard. So hopefully we would save thousands of people a week from dying. That's what it's all about. They're dying." Meanwhile, officials from the U.S., Russia and Ukraine will head to Saudi Arabia next week to hold talks on a potential ceasefire deal. Talks on a U.S.-led proposal for a partial ceasefire will resume next Monday with Russian and Ukrainian officials holding talks separately with U.S. officials. According to President Zelenskyy speaking at a news conference in Oslo on Thursday, U.S. officials would meet with Ukrainian experts, and then hold separate talks with Russian representatives. The White House issued a statement saying that President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to technical negotiations on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, and a potential full ceasefire and permanent peace during their talks on Tuesday. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Constitutional Court to rule on PM's impeachment on Monday before announcing Pres. Yoon's verdict date

2025/03/21 10:00

While the country anxiously waits for the Constitutional Court to announce a ruling date for President Yoon's impeachment verdict, the court says it will deliver its verdict on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment in the coming week. Our Oh Soo-young reports. The Constitutional Court will rule on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment on Monday, likely before revealing the date for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment verdict. On Thursday, the Court notified the media that the eight-member bench will deliver its decision, on whether or not to uphold the National Assembly's motion to remove the PM from office. In late December, the National Assembly with an opposition party majority pushed through an impeachment motion against Han. It accused him of abetting President Yoon’s December 3rd martial law and refusing to approve the appointments of three Constitutional Court justices. If the Constitutional Court dismisses the impeachment, Han Duck-soo will immediately resume his duties as prime minister and acting president. As Han's case is largely relevant to the President's impeachment, it seems the Court has deliberated on it first. Yoon's ruling date, however, is unlikely to be announced this week, according to one official. As the Court usually gives at least two days of notice in advance, and tends not to schedule ruling dates consecutively, this means the President's impeachment verdict could be delivered on Wednesday at the earliest. For over three weeks, the justices have been convening every day to deliberate on the top-level case -a record period of time compared to past presidential impeachment cases. Park Geun-hye's ruling was out 14 days after her final trial hearing, and Roh Moo-hyun's 11 days. It seems the justices are highly conscious that their constitutional decision could have explosive political and social ramifications, as protests for and against impeachment grow more ferocious by the day. A poll released on Thursday shows 60 percent of some 1-thousand people surveyed believe the Court should uphold Yoon's impeachment, while 35 percent believe the President should return to office. 57 percent believe the Court will choose to impeach Yoon,.. while 34 percent believe his case will be dismissed. Those supporting Yoon's impeachment wish to quickly trigger a snap presidential election, which polls show would largely favor opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. Meanwhile, conservatives including Yoon's supporters are calling for the case to be dismissed, or for the Court to deliver a ruling after Lee Jae-myung's own verdict, on one of his five criminal cases next Tuesday. Experts say the judicial bench is likely fine-tuning the judgment on Yoon's case to ensure it can be broadly accepted by a highly polarised public. With various overlaps in the grounds for impeachment between Yoon and Han's respective cases, the Court's ruling on the PM's trial may provide insights into how the justices are deliberating on the President's impeachment. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Big warm up ahead but poor air quality stays

2025/03/21 10:00

It's hard to believe that just three days ago, the capital was covered in snow, but now, spring warmth is in full swing! Today will be even warmer and temperatures will rise even further over the weekend. In Seoul, we're expecting highs of 22 degrees Celsius on Sunday. The skies will stay mostly clear, but the air quality isn't great. With dust continuing to blow in from the west, most areas will see high concentrations throughout the day. Meanwhile, strong wind advisories remain in place along the east coast, and gusty winds will continue in those areas. Ulsan and nearby areas are under dry weather advisories. Make sure to stay cautious of fire risks. By the afternoon, we'll see temperatures going anywhere from 1 to 5 degrees higher than yesterday. Topping out at 17 degrees in the capital, Daegu at 22 degrees. The mild and sunny spring weather will continue into early next week. However, the temperature swings will remain quite large, so keep that in mind when dressing for the day.

Cartoon dog Snoopy dons Chanel and Balenciaga for 75th birthday

2025/03/21 10:00

Paris is hosting a unique exhibition titled "Snoopy In Style: A History of Peanuts and Fashion" to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip. The exhibition runs from March 22 to April 5 showcasing Snoopy's influence on fashion over the decades. Ahead of the exhibition, dozens of dolls of the cartoon beagle dog wearing designer clothes were on display in Paris on Thursday. Visitors can explore original comic strips, designer collaborations, and fashion items featuring Snoopy and his sister Belle in the exhibition. The exhibition highlights partnerships with renowned designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Giorgio Armani.

Constitutional Court to rule on PM's impeachment on Monday before announcing Pres. Yoon's verdict date

2025/03/20 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. The Constitutional Court will not be ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment this week. But the judicial bench says it will deliver its verdict on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment first. Our Correspondent Oh Soo-young explains how this affects the schedule of the Court's top-level case. The Constitutional Court will rule on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment on Monday, likely before revealing the date for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment verdict. On Thursday, the Court notified the media that the eight-member bench will deliver its decision, on whether or not to uphold the National Assembly's motion to remove the PM from office. In late December, the National Assembly with an opposition party majority pushed through an impeachment motion against Han. It accused him of abetting President Yoon's December 3rd martial law and refusing to approve the appointments of three Constitutional Court justices. If the Constitutional Court dismisses the impeachment, Han Duck-soo will immediately resume his duties as prime minister and acting president. As Han's case is largely relevant to the President's impeachment, it seems the Court has deliberated on it first. Yoon's ruling date, however, is unlikely to be announced this week, according to one official. As the Court usually gives at least two days of notice in advance, and tends not to schedule ruling dates consecutively, this means the President's impeachment verdict could be delivered on Wednesday at the earliest. For over three weeks, the justices have been convening every day to deliberate on the top-level case -a record period of time compared to past presidential impeachment cases. Park Geun-hye's ruling was out 14 days after her final trial hearing, and Roh Moo-hyun's 11 days. It seems the justices are highly conscious that their constitutional decision could have explosive political and social ramifications, as protests for and against impeachment grow more ferocious by the day. A poll released on Thursday shows 60 percent of some 1-thousand people surveyed believe the Court should uphold Yoon's impeachment, while 35 percent believe the President should return to office. 57 percent believe the Court will choose to impeach Yoon,.. while 34 percent believe his case will be dismissed. Those supporting Yoon's impeachment wish to quickly trigger a snap presidential election, which polls show would largely favor opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. Meanwhile, conservatives including Yoon's supporters are calling for the case to be dismissed, or for the Court to deliver a ruling after Lee Jae-myung's own verdict, on one of his five criminal cases next Tuesday. Experts say the judicial bench is likely fine-tuning the judgment on Yoon's case to ensure it can be broadly accepted by a highly polarised public. With various overlaps in the grounds for impeachment between Yoon and Han's respective cases, the Court's ruling on the PM's trial may provide insights into how the justices are deliberating on the President's impeachment. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] April-like warmth hits Korea but dusty in western regions

2025/03/20 20:00

The spring cold that gripped much of Korea for the last few days has eased as we are welcoming Spring Equinox today. Temperatures jumped up quite a bit this afternoon, and the morning jacket felt too warm in the afternoon but was needed again for the evening commute. It will feel warmer tomorrow, feeling more like mid-April. Now in terms of air quality, the smog that moved into western regions and parts of Gangwon-do today is forecast to remain through tomorrow. So be sure to keep a face mask handy. Tomorrow morning should be more manageable under sunny skies with most parts beginning the day in single figures. Then there will be a big jump in highs, getting up to 18 degrees Celsius in the capital, and Chuncheon, Daegu and Gyeongju seeing highs of 22 degrees Celsius. By the weekend, it will feel more like the end of April on Sunday at a high of 21 degrees Celsius in the capital. Hopefully the air quality isn't too bad. That's Korea for you, here's a look at the international weather conditions.