News

[Features reporter] S. Korean universities paving the way for unlimited career opportunities in esports field

2025/03/19 14:00

Eun-hee, I heard today you have a story for us about esports, what is it? Yes, Soa. Today I brought another esports related story, which is one of my favorite hobbies. But what happens when gaming becomes more than just a hobby? That is what I want to share today, as now its possible for students to transform that hobby into a career. And I'll also be sharing how the future of careers in gaming is being shaped. Let's take a look. At first glance, students playing esports games may seem like they're just having fun. But this is actually part of an university course. "Above all, understanding games is essential. This is a game practice room, something you don’t typically find at regular universities. Many students have once dreamed of becoming professional esports players, but as they dive deeper into the world of gaming, they realize that success in esports comes in many forms." "I started playing the game League of Legends in high school, and I ranked 33rd in the country at the highest "challenger" level. I received pro offers and joined a training academy, but soon realized how competitive the scene was. So, I decided to pursue a related career and become a game analyst and tournament organizer." Many South Korean universities are turning gaming into an academic and professional field, opening doors to a variety of careers. As esports gains popularity, many players invest significant time and effort but never reach the pro level, however education in this field can open new opportunities for them. Most importantly, it can provide a fresh start for pro gamers, who are often known for having short career spans. Behind esports star players and tournaments, key roles include global event organizers, content marketers, team coaches and media professionals who share players' performances with the public. "Our curriculum trains students to become professionals in areas such as planning and organizing esports tournaments, as well as game programming for gaming companies." "I chose to pursue a degree in esports because I love it, and I feel it suits my strength. Also, I believe it's a growing industry." Dongyang University's campus, located just outside of Seoul, is home to the first four-year esports program in the metropolitan area, while many other universities are also embracing the growing esports industry by offering training for talented individuals. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News. I'm not an esports expert, but I know that South Korea is a powerhouse in the industry. When we say esports, most people typically think of the famous players, but after hearing what you said, I started to think about everything behind the scenes that makes all of this possible. Exactly. As I mentioned in my article, not everyone can become a world-famous pro gamer, like our "legendary" South Korean player Faker. And to quote the professor I spoke to, being a player can even be considered one of the smallest fields within esports. I also found out that there are academies that assist students with university admissions. For example, Dongyang University collaborates with the Nongshim Esports Academy, one of the largest in the country, to offer esports education programs. It's certainly an intriguing shift, as the growing focus on esports in education is transforming career paths and creating exciting new opportunities for students. Yes, on that note another important development I want to share is that last month, a forum was held to discuss introducing esports curriculums in middle and high schools. Cohosted by a National Assembly member and the Korea Esports Association, the "2025 School Esports Forum" brought together leaders from the government and education sectors to explore new policies. These discussions focused on improving the sustainability of the esports industry, creating better esports environments in schools, and changing society's view on esports as an educational tool. The Korea Esports Association plans to launch several initiatives, starting with a nationwide middle and high school esports tournament. I'll keep you updated with any news. We will be looking forward to your updates. Thank you Eun-hee for sharing. Yes thank you Eun-hee for the story.

If Court doesn't announce Pres. Yoon's verdict date by Wednesday, ruling unlikely to be made this week

2025/03/19 10:00

It's still unclear when the Constitutional Court will deliver its ruling on President Yoon's impeachment. If a date isn't announced by Wednesday, observers say it's likely the ruling will not be made this week. Oh Soo-young reports. Three weeks and counting, the Constitutional Court has yet to announce when it will rule on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, meaning there may be no verdict this week. It took at most two weeks for former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Roh Moo-hyun, but there has been no word from the Court as of Wednesday 22 days since Yoon's final trial hearing was held. The chance that the verdict will be delivered this Friday is looking slimmer, given that the Court notified former leaders two to three days in advance of their respective ruling dates. The eight-member bench was reportedly convening even on Tuesday to deliberate on Yoon's impeachment, despite holding a trial hearing for Justice Minister Park Sung-jae. The longer-than-expected process has given rise to diverse speculations over what's holding up the justices. Some experts believe they have already decided unanimously to impeach President Yoon, and are fine-tuning their positions to deliver an indisputable judgment amid fears the result may trigger extreme reactions from the public. The Seoul Western District Court's approval to extend a warrant to detain Yoon,.. prompted violence from his supporters. Some believe the bench may be divided ideologically, and are struggling to align their views, given how an earlier impeachment case of Korea Communications Commission chair Lee Jin-sook was dismissed as the justices opinions were split evenly in line with their political orientations. In any case, the justices are facing growing calls to make a swift decision as Yoon's prolonged suspension from office, hinders effective governance of the nation. The bench is also under significant political pressure. 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. If at least six justices agree to uphold the presidential impeachment, Yoon will be removed from office immediately, triggering an early election that must be held within 60 days. If at least three are against impeachment, the President will resume his duties. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Spring cold sticks around today under sunny skies

2025/03/19 10:00

The spring snow wonderland melted away fairly quickly yesterday but the spring cold is sticking around through today. This morning was off to an even colder start than yesterday! Many inland areas saw subzero temperatures with Daegwallyeong seeing a low near minus 20 degrees. Those in the east of Gangwon-do in particular need to be extra careful on icy roads and sidewalks. Despite the colder temperatures, the ultrafine dust level will remain high in the capital region, and Chungcheong-do and Gyeongsangnam-do Provinces during the morning. We will have plenty of sunshine with afternoon highs similar to yesterday, topping out at 7 degrees in Seoul, Daegu and Gwangju make it to 9 degrees. A strong wind will make it feel colder! But the cold spell will ease from tomorrow afternoon, with temperatures returning to seasonal norms. It will feel like mid-April over the weekend and into early next week under clear skies. But for today, stay warm and take care! Many are coming down with a cold these days!

IOC session opens in ancient Olympia as presidential election looms

2025/03/19 10:00

The International Olympic Committee commenced its 144th session in ancient Olympia, Greece, on Tuesday local time. The session holds particular significance as it comes just before the election of a new IOC president, set to take place on March 20. Seven candidates are contending for the presidency, including prominent figures such as the current IOC vice-president and an Olympic swimming champion who is Zimbabwe's current sports minister. Outgoing President Thomas Bach, who has led the IOC since 2013, addressed the assembly at the Olympic Academy, emphasizing the session's role in honoring the organization's heritage and future.

German parliament passes historic spending reforms

2025/03/19 10:00

Meanwhile, in Germany, the parliament has approved a historic spending package aimed at revitalizing the economy and bolstering defense capabilities. The legislation, championed by incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz, secured a two-thirds majority in the parliament. Key components of the package include a 545 billion U.S. dollar fund allocated over 12 years for infrastructure modernization and provisions for unlimited defense spending, facilitated by constitutional amendments easing strict debt regulations. The bill now awaits approval from Germany's upper house to become law.

EU must rearm by 2030, EU's von der Leyen says

2025/03/19 10:00

The European Union has unveiled a plan to bolster its defense capabilities by 2030, aiming to enhance military autonomy and reduce reliance on external allies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday in Copenhagen, the EU's initiative to rearm itself by 2030, targeting a significant enhancement of the bloc's defense infrastructure. The strategy aims to establish a credible deterrent in response to evolving geopolitical threats, notably the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and uncertainties regarding U.S. military support. The "Readiness 2030" strategy, which will be announced on Wednesday local time, comprises several key components, including fiscal flexibility, defense loans, and infrastructure development. The proposal also includes the creation of a European Military Sales Mechanism to streamline collective arms procurement across the EU and support arms manufacturers.

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza kill over 400

2025/03/19 10:00

Israel resumed extensive airstrikes across Gaza on Tuesday, killing over 400 Palestinians, injuring hundreds, and shattering the already fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the airstrikes are "just the beginning" and part of a broader strategy to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of Israeli hostages. He emphasized that future negotiations would proceed "under fire," indicating a readiness to continue military operations. While both Israel and the United States blame the renewed hostilities on Hamas, the international community has widely condemned the renewed violence. The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis, and several countries, including Egypt and France, have called for an immediate halt in hostilities.

Korean artifacts including Silla Kingdom's gold crown on display at Dresden's Royal Palace

2025/03/19 10:00

Korean historical art treasures are being showcased at Germany's 400-year-old Dresden's Royal Palace. According to the National Museum of Korea on Tuesday, this large-scale exhibition, the first of its kind in Germany in 25 years, is being held in collaboration with the Dresden State Art Collections. Among the highlights is one of the famous gold crowns from the Silla Kingdom, often referred to as the "City of Gold," dating back around 15-hundred years. The exhibition, which opened on Saturday, will run until August and features over 3-hundred Korean artifacts, including items from the "Lee Kun-hee Collection."

Top diplomats of S. Korea, Japan, China to hold talks in Tokyo this week

2025/03/19 10:00

The top diplomats of South Korea, Japan, and China are to hold talks this week in Tokyo. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul will have a three-way meeting with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya and Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Saturday. The talks come for the first time in more than a year, since November 2023. The three sides are to assess the progress of trilateral cooperation since the their leaders' summit that took place in May last year, and exchange views on regional and international issues. Cho is to hold one-on-one talks with his Japanese and Chinese counterparts as well with the key agenda to be about preparations for the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Seoul-Tokyo ties with Iwaya and the APEC summit with Wang.

Trump's top economic aide mentions trade deficit with S. Korea

2025/03/19 10:00

Washington apparently continues sending a message to its trading partners ahead of the April tariffs, this time, identifying Korea as a major "trade deficit" country. Shin Ha-young explains. With about two weeks until the announcement of reciprocal tariff plans, a top economic aide to U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned South Korea as a major "trade deficit" country. U.S. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CNBC on Monday that trade deficits with Europe, China and South Korea have persisted for years, claiming the deficits are attributable to the countries' high tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers. He added that if U.S. trading partners immediately lower all barriers, the negotiations will be over. Since South Korea and the U.S. have a Free Trade Agreement that removes tariffs on most items, Hassett's statement is raising expectations of increased pressure on South Korea to lower non-tariff trade barriers. "The Trump administration is focused on fixing trade imbalances and seems to be taking a one-on-one approach with countries that have large trade deficits. For South Korea, this could mean either imposing tariffs to reduce imports or negotiating to lower barriers so South Korea can import more from the U.S." The expert from the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy emphasized the need for South Korea to review its contributions to the U.S. and assess potential U.S. demands on non-tariff trade barriers. "We need to review our contributions to the U.S. and potential demands from the U.S. on non-tariff trade barriers. However, with many uncertainties, it's too early for negotiations." Meanwhile, during the interview with CNBC, Hassett said there will be "some uncertainty" between "now and April 2nd," referring to the date Trump is set to unveil his reciprocal tariff plans. His comments come as market analysts and business leaders have criticized the sweeping tariff announcements, which have led to volatility in world markets. However, Hassett defended Trump's tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China, calling them "very positive developments" adding things will clear up after April 2nd. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

On-point: Will Constitutional Court announce ruling day for Yoon's impeachment trial on Wednesday?

2025/03/19 10:00

If the court doesn't declare a ruling date today, Wednesday, the final verdict may even be pushed to next week. We discuss this more with Professor Song Se-ryun this morning. Welcome back. 1. Aren't we expecting the Constitutional Court to announce the ruling day today, considering the announcement comes at least 2-3 days before the ruling day? 2. Many are expecting that Friday will be the big day. 3. What do you think the justices are contemplating at this point? 4. Why do you think Yoon's remaining silent ever since his release from custody? 5. We should probably expect the ruling for Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment to come after ruling for Yoon, right? Thank you so much for your insight and your time as always, professor Song.

Fitch lowers U.S. growth forecast for this year from 2.1% to 1.7%

2025/03/19 10:00

International credit rating agency Fitch has revised down its growth outlook for the United States due to the risk of a global trade war. In its economic outlook report released on Tuesday, it revised down its growth forecast from two-point-one percent to one-point-seven percent. It also lowered its outlook for 2026, from one-point-seven percent to one-point-five percent. The agency explained a potential global trade war due to the tariff policies of the current U.S. administration is expected to slow U.S. and global growth, while increasing inflation in the United States. It also revised down the 2025 global economic growth forecast from two-point-six percent to two-point-three percent.

Reciprocal tariffs can be avoided if unfair trade practices stop: U.S. Treasury Dept.

2025/03/19 10:00

According to U.S Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, some reciprocal tariffs may be avoided under a pre-negotiated deal, or negotiations after April 2nd. Lee Seung-jae reports. U.S. President Donald Trump said he would be announcing a detailed plan on the reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports by April 2nd. With the deadline looming, the Trump administration is showing some flexibility with its tariff policies. Speaking to Fox News on Tuesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed optimism that come April 2nd, "some of the tariffs" may not go into effect if a deal is pre-negotiated or if countries look to negotiate after April 2nd. Emphasizing that the U.S. is only in pursuit of "fair and reciprocal" trade, Bessent said that countries that stop trade practices that the U.S. deems unfair could avoid reciprocal tariffs. Such practices include, non-tariff barriers, currency manipulation, unfair funding and labor suppression. Meanwhile, Bessent said that come April 2nd, each country will receive a specific reciprocal tariff number deemed fair by the U.S. He added that the tariff calculation would be determined by the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Commerce Department. The U.S. treasury secretary said that he has not seen any figures yet, as they are still being calculated. While Bessent believes reciprocal tariffs could lead to a "win-win" situation for everyone,.. they have raised concerns here in South Korea, with trade officials keen to avoid new U.S. tariffs. Seoul fears that with South Korea's trade surplus with the U.S. reaching over 55 billion U.S. dollars last year, it could be a major target for the Trump administration. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Trump and Putin agree to 30-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire on energy and infrastructure targets

2025/03/19 10:00

The U.S. and Russia have made a partial deal for Russia and Ukraine to stop attacking energy and infrastructure facilities for now. Our Choi Soo-hyung has the latest. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed on a limited ceasefire on energy and infrastructure targets in Russia and Ukraine. On Tuesday, local time, the White House announced that in a lengthy phone call between both parties, Russia agreed to halt attacks on energy and infrastructure facilities for 30 days. The Kremlin stated that Putin had immediately ordered a halt to attacks on these sites. During the three-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine, attacks on these sites caused immense damage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stated that he supports Trump's proposal. "We support all steps towards ending the war. We will give support but in order to support something we need to understand what specifically it is." He expressed his willingness to speak with Trump at any time to hear the details of the phone talks with Putin. He also stated that Ukraine cannot be excluded from future discussions on the details of the ceasefire. However, a full ceasefire still seems some way off. Recently, Putin rejected Trump's proposal for a 30-day full ceasefire, citing concerns such as Ukraine's potential rearmament. During the call, Putin also insisted that foreign military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine should be halted. Europe welcomed the agreement between Trump and Putin but stressed that Ukraine's position must be taken into account. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a press conference on Tuesday that Ukraine must be involved in the negotiations to achieve a just peace for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Moscow said that Russia and Ukraine are set to exchange 175 prisoners of war each on Wednesday. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

S. Korea says inclusion on U.S. 'sensitive country' list is due to security issues, not foreign policy

2025/03/18 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. We begin with the latest on what's taken as confusion on the diplomatic front. The authorities explain that South Korea being designated as a "sensitive" country by the U.S. Energy Department reportedly comes in line with security concerns. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji reports. Concerns are rising after South Korea, a key U.S. ally, was recently added to the U.S. Energy Department's Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List alongside North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran. While South Korea is in the lowest tier as "Other Designated Countries," it is the only U.S. ally with a formal defense treaty. Following communication with the U.S., Seoul's Foreign Ministry confirmed that South Korea's inclusion is due to security-related issues, rather than foreign policy concerns. The government also clarified that the U.S. has said the designation will not significantly impact joint energy research or technology cooperation. The ministry further highlighted that it's closely cooperating with the U.S., while noting that South Korea has been on the list in the past and was removed through similar diplomatic efforts. According to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office in 1996, South Korea was previously on the DOE's sensitive country list from January 1993 to June 1996. But the report added that South Korea was a country no longer considered sensitive as of July 28th, 1994. Despite the government's explanation, many experts still believe there are other reasons behind the matter. Because the U.S. list cites concerns over national security and nuclear proliferation, some observers in Seoul suggest it has to do with growing discussions on the need for South Korea to acquire its own nuclear weapons capability. "I think that's the biggest reason. The main reason why the U.S. Department of Energy would designate a specific country to its sensitive countries list is nuclear non-proliferation." Others believe South Korea's domestic political situation may have influenced the move since the U.S. decision, made in January, follows President Yoon's martial law declaration on December 3rd. "Once the Constitutional Court's decision on the impeachment is announced, the political turmoil in South Korea will be resolved. In that case, there would be no reason for the Trump administration to keep South Korea on this list." Meanwhile,.. the acting U.S. ambassador to Seoul, Joseph Yun, said on Tuesday that the energy department's listing was not a serious matter that could affect bilateral relations adding that the matter was "not a big deal." He explained that Seoul was put on the DOE list due to "some mishandling of sensitive information" that should not be taken out of laboratories, without further elaboration. Nonetheless, Seoul is looking to actively engage with Washington to resolve the issue before the designation takes effect on April 15th with trade minister Ahn Duk-geun set to visit the U.S. later this week to meet with his counterpart. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

[Weather] Cold snap across the country until tomorrow, getting warmer from Thursday

2025/03/18 20:00

Unusual heavy snow and gusty winds have covered the whole country amid a cold snap. With icy air, the temperatures stay low during the day all over the country. This snap will continue tomorrow with the daytime temperature rising to only 7 degrees Celsius in Seoul and it will feel even colder than the actual readings. Heavy snow has been falling everywhere from last night. As for snowfall, up to 20 centimeters or more is expected in the mountainous areas of Gangwon-do Province and between 10 and 20 centimeters in the northeastern mountainous areas of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, with 1 to 10 centimeters in other areas until tonight. Tomorrow morning will be just as cold as today with Daejeon at minus 3 degrees, and Gyeongju at minus 2 degrees. Highs will move up to 9 degrees in Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu and Gyeongju. Typical spring weather for this time of year will make a return on Thursday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Two Korean artifacts restored using Korean technology

2025/03/18 20:00

Art restoration plays a crucial part in safeguarding cultural heritage and efforts between private and public sectors as well as those across borders go a long way to better protecting national treasures. Lee Eun-jin tells us more. The Leeum Museum of Art will be displaying two Korean artifacts from the 19th century following their restoration. The eight-panel screen titled "Welcoming Banquet of the Governor of Pyeongan" illustrates the boat ride crossing the Taedong River and the banquet welcoming the newly appointed governor of Pyeongan Province in 1826, during the Joseon Dynasty. Since 1927, this artifact has been housed in the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts in the United States. There had been severe wear from leaving its homeland, and over the passage of time, and the eight panels were stored separately, making it difficult to even determine their exact sequence. It took over 16 months for its restoration. "There were parts of the painting missing -from small details to the entire bottom chunks. So we focused on how we could blend those parts without adding new brushstrokes." Accompanying the folding screen is the "hwarot," a traditional wedding robe worn by women during the Joseon era as early as the year 1392. With only about 50 versions of this garment surviving today, the "hwarot" was once reserved for royalty and aristocrats before becoming common among ordinary brides. It took experts in Dankook University roughly 13 months to restore the "hwarot", including research on the fabric and dye of its material, and embroidery techniques. "We stuck to a few rules: don't harm the original form, remove the cause of the damages as much as possible, and contribute to adding to the beauty of the hwarot." The two artifacts that have been restored with Korean technology belong to The Peabody Essex Museum in the United States, which has been buying Korean artifacts since the beginning of diplomatic relations between the two countries in the late 18-hundreds. And in 2003, as a part of the museum's expansion project, its new wing included a gallery devoted entirely to Korean arts. "We are accepting support from various organizations around the world for our conservation program. We had decided that the support needed for the preservation work of the Peabody Essex pieces would come from such programs." So far, the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation has supported 58 projects across 10 different countries, not only ensuring that the Korean cultural heritage overseas is preserved, but also displaying them to a global audience. But this is the first time that a private art museum has taken part in the restoration efforts as a contribution to society. After the special exhibition at Leeum, the Peabody Essex Museum will showcase the two restored Korean objects in May. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

Korean artifacts including Silla Kingdom's gold crown on display at Dresden's Royal Palace

2025/03/18 20:00

Korean historical art treasures are being showcased at Germany's 400-year-old Dresden's Royal Palace. According to the National Museum of Korea on Tuesday, this large-scale exhibition, the first of its kind in Germany in 25 years, is being held in collaboration with the Dresden State Art Collections. Among the highlights is one of the famous gold crowns from the Silla Kingdom, often referred to as the "City of Gold," dating back around 15-hundred years. The exhibition, which opened on Saturday, will run until August and features over 3-hundred Korean artifacts, including items from the "Lee Kun-hee Collection."

Parliament to request gov't draft up supplementary budget within March

2025/03/18 20:00

The National Assembly is set to ask the government to come up with a draft for a supplementary budget within this month. This came on Tuesday after Speaker Woo Won-shik held a meeting with the floor leaders of the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition the Democratic Party of Korea. DP lawmaker Park Sung-joon argued that the government has been passive when it comes to a supplementary budget, so the two main parties felt the need to urge the government to create one. PPP lawmaker Park Hyung-joon added that the authority to draft a supplementary budget lies with the government, so the Parliament cannot force it to submit a proposal by a certain deadline, but the intention is to fully coordinate with the government.

Monthly auto exports reach 6.1 billion U.S. dollars in February, up 17.8% y/y

2025/03/18 20:00

On the trade front. Findings for the month of February show Korean automakers noted substantial growth in sales at home and shipments overseas. Our Moon Ji-young covers the latest data. The South Korean auto industry remained strong in February, showing double-digit growth in production, exports and domestic sales compared to the same month last year. That's according to the latest automotive trends report released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Tuesday, which showed the country's auto exports surpassed the 6 billion U.S. dollar mark for the first time for any February rising by 17-point-8 percent year-on-year. By export volume, the number of car shipments came to 233 thousand. The export growth in February is attributed to a base effect resulting from an increase in the number of working days, as February 2024 had fewer working days due to the Lunar New Year holiday falling in that month. Despite difficulties in the EV market, eco-friendly car exports experienced a year-on-year increase of 32 percent. While EV exports dipped by 2 percent, hybrid car exports surged by a remarkable 61.7 percent. In terms of domestic production, South Korean carmakers produced 17.1 percent more vehicles, breaking the 350,000 mark for the first time since February 2014. Regarding domestic sales, 14.8 percent more vehicles were sold compared to the same period last year, totaling 133,000. Notably, EV sales increased by a whopping 298 percent year-on-year. The Ministry of Industry attributed this increase to a tax credit that has reduced the individual consumption tax on cars by 30 percent in the first half of the year, as well as the early implementation of EV subsidies announced in mid-January. With the new Trump administration proposing tariffs on automobiles starting next month, Seoul is taking steps to mitigate the impacts of these levies on the South Korean auto industry. The trade ministry announced it would form a dedicated task force to closely monitor the situation and gather opinions from domestic auto firms, and would soon prepare a more detailed response plan. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.