News

Acting President says "more balanced and mutually beneficial" relationship with U.S. on trade possible

2025/03/13 10:00

Acting President Choi Sang-mok said Seoul and Washington can strive to reach "more balanced and mutually beneficial" ties on trade and economics, which would ultimately upgrade their bilateral alliance. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Wednesday, Choi said that the South Korean government, along with the private sector, is fully prepared to improve trade with the U.S. The acting president also noted that the trade surplus with the U.S. is temporary, adding that South Korea's shipbuilding could help the U.S. revive its naval shipbuilding industry. Choi's interview was published on the same day that the Trump administration implemented the 25-percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports, including from South Korea.

President Trump says he has 'flexibility' on tariffs, rejects claims of inconsistency

2025/03/13 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threat continues, with the American leader now shedding light on reciprocal tariffs. Lee Seung-jae has more. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday stressed that April 2nd will be a "very big day" for the United States. as his reciprocal tariffs go into effect. Trump slammed the previous administration for America's losses in trade., but said the U.S. will "take back a lot of what was stolen from it by other countries." However, Trump also noted that he has shown "flexibility" on his tariff policy, rejecting claims that his policy implementation has been inconsistent, as seen through his on-and-off tariff impositions on Canada and Mexico. The U.S. leader also warned that once the tariffs go into effect, "there will be very little flexibility." Meanwhile,.. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Wednesday, that the European Union's new retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. came "too little too late." According to Greer, the EU's latest tariff on U.S. imports "completely disregards" the national security imperatives of the United States, adding that the bloc's trade and economic policies are "out of step with reality." The comments come as the EU announced it will respond to Trump's 25-percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, by imposing its own tariffs on U.S. goods worth over 28 billion U.S. dollars, set to take effect on April 13. Canada also announced its own retaliatory tariffs on nearly 30 billion dollars worth of U.S. imports,.. after the 25 percent steel and aluminum tariffs went into effect on Wednesday. Canada says it will follow a "dollar-by-dollar" approach, and impose 25-percent tariffs on U.S. imports, including steel, computers, and sports equipment. Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her country will wait until April 2nd to decide whether to respond to the steel and aluminum tariffs. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

U.S. imposes 25% steel and aluminum import tariff on Wednesday

2025/03/12 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. Starting today, the Trump administration's 25-percent levy on steel and aluminum products that America imports from countries around the world went into effect. With this, the yearly tariff-free quota applied on Korean steel products has been scrapped. The authorities and businesses here are closely watching the move. Our Choi Soo-hyung has the latest. Starting Wednesday, a 25-percent tariff has been imposed on steel and aluminum exported to the United States. The new tariffs have been applied worldwide without exceptions. For steel, the tariffs affect countries including South Korea, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, European Union member states, Japan and the UK. For aluminum, previous exemptions for certain countries and products have been removed, and the tariff has been raised from 10 percent to 25 percent. However, 166 derivative products,.. including bolts, nuts, and springs are subject to tariffs, whereas 87 derivative items, including automobile and aircraft parts, are exempt until further notice. As a result, Canada, which is the largest supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S., is expected to face the biggest impact. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2024, Canada accounted for 23 percent of total U.S. steel imports and about 60 percent of aluminum imports, while South Korea ranked 4th in both categories. South Korea's duty-free quota system for 2-point-63 million tons of steel products, which began in 2018, has now been ended, and the tariff on aluminum has been increased from 10 percent to 25 percent. The removal of the export volume limit under the "quota system" could provide an opportunity to expand exports to the U.S. However, there are concerns about the country's weakened competitiveness due to China's low-priced products and a decrease in international demand. The "reciprocal tariffs" that the Trump administration has announced to begin on April 2nd are expected to accelerate the ongoing trade crisis. In particular, the planned tariffs on key South Korean exports, such as semiconductors and automobiles, are increasing uncertainty for its market in the U.S. Moreover, the U.S. livestock industry has called South Korea's ban on beef from cattle over 30 months and its agricultural quarantine system unfair, urging the Trump administration to take action. Amid the growing crisis, the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will strengthen the public-private emergency system in response to U.S. tariff measures and prepare strategies to address reciprocal tariffs on items such as automobiles in early April. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

[Weather] Fine dust across the country, warmer conditions tomorrow

2025/03/12 20:00

With cloudy conditions across the country, there was light rain in the Seoul metropolitan area, western parts of Gangwon-do Province, and Jeju Island today. The daytime temperature in Seoul rose up to 11 degrees Celsius, a bit lower than yesterday. It will rise back to 14 degrees tomorrow feeling like early April. However, in addition to fine dust, yellow dust will arrive overnight. Therefore, the concentration of fine dust will stay at "bad" levels in most parts of the country tomorrow. In Incheon, Sejong, and the Chungcheong-do provinces, "very bad" levels of fine dust will cover the skies. Tomorrow morning will be very similar to today. Seoul and Daejeon will start off at 3 degrees and Jeju at 8 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 15 degrees in Chuncheon, Daejeon and Gwangju, 16 degrees in Gyeongju and Busan. There is rain forecast nationwide on Sunday with a cold snap. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

S. Korea's boarding house culture revives amid rising costs

2025/03/12 20:00

Hasukjib is the Korean word for a boarding house that rents out a room with the option of a meal or two every day. This form of accommodation was quite popular among college students here in Seoul up until the late 1990s and it's been making a notable comeback in recent days. Our Park Kun-woo tells us why. A small, quiet living room fills with university students. That's because a variety of 15 side dishes that might be quite costly at a restaurant are served twice a day at mealtime at this boarding house. These dishes are all cooked by the owner herself, who says it's a joy to prepare them for the students. Communal meals at boarding houses were common in South Korea up until the late 1990s but as millennials began prioritizing privacy, studio flats have become more popular since then. However, students living here today say privacy isn't that much of a concern as there are bigger benefits. "Since I live in Seoul like eating out is quite expensive. I spend about 50k(won) like per day but that's how much I would save by eating here." More students are choosing boarding houses to keep costs down. "During COVID-19, there were almost no students, but after the pandemic, demand surged, even among foreign students." "Since I came from another country it's quite expensive. I don't cook that much. No time. So more convenient compared to other places." "This boarding house built decades ago and showing its age, has become increasingly popular, with every room booked. And it's not just this house but according to data, boarding house reservations rose by around 20 percent in the first two months of this year compared to last year." An official from an online accommodation platform added that boarding houses are cost-effective for students, especially when compared to other housing options. "The Korean style "one-room," one month price is more than 700-thousand won. Boarding house, there are no deposits and the average price is like 400-thousand won, include the meals. As boarding houses offer students an affordable option in an era of high costs with rent, meals, and utility bills all included, this trend is expected to continue among students on a limited budget. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Stray Kids becomes first K-pop group with five gold-certified albums from U.S. recording industry

2025/03/12 20:00

On the entertainment front. Boy band Stray Kids has become the first K-pop act to earn the most Gold-certified albums by the Recording Industry Association of America. According to Association, the group achieved their fifth Gold-certification with the album 'Hop' on Tuesday, local time. Its Gold certification is awarded when sales of albums --or singles on a different listing --reach 500-thousand units in the United States. With five albums and four singles certified by the Association, Stray Kids has now earned nine Gold certifications.

NASA's SPHEREx space telescope, in partnership with S. Korea's KASI, successfully launched

2025/03/12 20:00

The SPHEREx space telescope, part of NASA's mission to map the universe, is now in space, in partnership with South Korea's Space Institute. SPHEREx was launched successfully on Tuesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at around 8:10 PM local time. According to NASA, it later established successful communication with its Near Space Network in Norway. The launch comes after several delays since late February due to rocket assessments and bad weather. The mission will help scientists uncover how the universe formed and evolved.

Trump nominates former ambassador to Thailand as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia

2025/03/12 20:00

The Trump administration has nominated a former ambassador to Thailand as the next U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Michael George DeSombre on Tuesday, saying that he will "work incredibly hard" for the country. DeSombre served as Ambassador to Thailand during Trump's first term, and is currently a partner at Sullivan and Cromwell, a New York law firm, where he leads mergers and acquisitions in Asia, including South Korea. The Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific oversees diplomatic affairs related to South Korea and other East Asian countries and must be confirmed by the Senate before officially assuming the role.

Freedom Shield S. Korea-U.S. joint exercise underway with air assault drills, port defense exercises

2025/03/12 20:00

On the defense front. South Korean and U.S. forces are holding their annual training session which is also the first major joint exercise since the return of the Trump administration to the White House. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung has more. Troops aboard KUH-1 Surion utility helicopters, approach the landing zone. While the U.S. soldiers keep watch Korean soldiers conduct air assaults. About four-hundred troops from the ROK Army's 1st Infantry Division and the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division's Stryker Brigade, held joint exercises on Tuesday. The drill at a training facility in Paju-city, is part of the allies' computer-simulated Freedom Shield exercise, that began its 11-day run on Monday. It aimed to strengthen South Korean-led combined operations capabilities, with an ROK army battalion commander directing U.S. company operations. "Through thorough war games, from helicopter boarding to capturing the objective, South Korean and U.S. troops were able to move as one. In particular, by sharing combat expertise between the two countries' forces, we were able to further enhance our combat capabilities." "We are very fortunate that we can conduct this training, this combined training with the ROK army. It was a great learning opportunity for my soldiers and myself increase interoperability with ROK Army and to strengthen the alliance." In connection to Freedom Shield, the Navy's Second Fleet, also led an integrated port defense drill at the western port of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin. Responsible for guarding the west coast, the Korean Navy aimed to boost response procedures for aerial, chemical, biological and radiological threats against the port, and many other critical national infrastructure sites. along with the army, police and coast guard. "We will continue to protect key facilities in the West Sea with a strong and close-knit coordination system with relevant agencies." The on-field drills are to continue until March 20th. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Ukraine agrees to accept 30-day ceasefire proposal, as U.S. resumes military assistance

2025/03/12 20:00

Ukraine is prepared to accept a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia, recently having gone through a rough patch with Washington. The U.S. has resumed military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine. Now, it remains to be seen how the Kremlin will respond. Our correspondent Bae Eun-ji covers this prospect and more. Talks between senior officials from the U.S. and Ukraine that took place in Saudi Arabia appear to have been fruitful, as Kyiv agreed to a proposal for an initial 30-day ceasefire with Russia. In a joint statement on Tuesday, the U.S. agreed to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, immediately after Kyiv said it was ready to accept the peace deal proposed by Washington. The two sides also said they will conclude an agreement for developing Ukraine's critical mineral resources, as soon as possible. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio who led the U.S. delegation to the talks said Washington would present the ceasefire offer to the Kremlin, noting that it's now up to Russia to end the fighting. "Now hopefully we'll take this offer now to the Russians. And we hope that they'll say yes. That they'll say yes to peace. The ball's now in their court." But,.. how Moscow might respond is far from certain. U.S. President Donald Trump also said he hopes Russia agrees to the ceasefire proposal, hinting that he may talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin about it possibly this week. He added that he is willing to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy back to the White House. "Yeah, I'll talk to Vladimir Putin, yeah, I want to. Look, that's the other. It takes two to tango, as they say, right? So hopefully he'll also agree." Zelenskyy, who was in Saudi Arabia but did not participate in the talks, said the ceasefire was a "positive proposal," but stressed that Washington must convince Moscow to agree to it as well. "Ukraine accepts this proposal, we consider it positive. We are ready to take such a step, and the United States of America must convince Russia to do the same." European leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal,.. saying the EU is ready to play its full part in the upcoming peace negotiations

[Politics & Diplomacy] Live from Constitutional Court: Is ruling on Pres. Yoon's impeachment trial unlikely to come this week?

2025/03/12 20:00

We turn now to the Constitutional Court as speculation abounds over the date of the ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. For more, our political correspondent Shin Ha-young is standing by live at the court. Ha-young , when can we expect to hear the court's verdict on the president's political fate? Well, Jung-min, today was the expected day for the announcement of the ruling date, based on the initial expectation that the verdict would be delivered this Friday. This means that considering previous presidential impeachment trials, when the dates came out two to three days in advance, the chances of a ruling this week now seem less likely. I see. Well, the general consensus in the legal circle is that it won't have much impact. However, as a Seoul court ruling on Yoon's detention also highlighted procedural flaws in the investigative process, some say it could put some pressure on the Constitutional Court. Following the detention cancellation, there were calls from the ruling party for hearings in the impeachment trial to resume. And I hear protests for and against the president remain intense. Jung-min, I can definitely say that both the size and volume of rallies are growing in front of the court ahead of the verdict. The main opposition Democratic Party marched from the Assembly to Gwanghwamun this afternoon, calling for Yoon's impeachment. Meanwhile, police are considering issuing the highest emergency level on the day of the ruling, which would allow them to mobilize up to one hundred percent of available police officers. All right Ha-young thank you for that coverage.

Employment in Feb. up by 136,000, construction sector sees decline for 10 consecutive months

2025/03/12 20:00

Fresh employment data for the month of February remained robust, but when taking a closer look, it wasn't the case for the employment of younger people, with the rate having recorded the sharpest decline in about 4 years. Moon Ji-young covers the latest findings. The number of people in employment grew by 136-thousand last month, marking two consecutive months of growth. However, the employment of young people remains sluggish. According to data released by Statistics Korea on Wednesday, the number of people employed last month increased by over 130-thousand compared to the same month the previous year, bringing the total to 28-point-1 million. In terms of individual sectors, the manufacturing sector has experienced eight consecutive months of decline since last July. The construction sector saw employment shrink for the tenth consecutive month compared to the previous year, primarily due to a downturn in the construction industry. However, the healthcare and social assistance, science and technology services, and ICT sectors all added jobs. Employment rose by point two percentage points for those aged between 15 to 64. However, the employment rate for those aged 15 to 29 recorded the sharpest decline since January 2021, dropping by one point seven percentage points to 44-point-3 percent. "The unemployment rate remained at 3-point-2 percent compared to last month. The number of unemployed individuals rose by 25-thousand to 940-thousand year-on-year." The number of people unemployed aged between 15 and 29 increased by five thousand, with the unemployment rate for this group recorded at 7 percent. The number of people choosing not to work aged between 15 and 29 was recorded at 504-thousand, surpassing the 500-thousand mark for the first time since statistics began being collected in 2003. At a ministerial economic meeting on Wednesday, the government pledged to improve labor market conditions through a first quarter livelihood and economic support plan. It also vowed to create high-value-added jobs in emerging industries, including AI, and to enhance working conditions for researchers in the semiconductor sector. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

S. Korean firms brace for impact with new U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs

2025/03/12 20:00

So what are the implications of U.S. import duties on steel and aluminium for South Korean businesses? Our Moon Hye-ryeon takes a look. With the Trump administration's 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports kicking in starting Wednesday, South Korean firms are bracing for impact. Previously, exports were duty-free but capped at 2-point-6-3 million tons under a quota system. Now, the quota is gone, but all shipments will face the tariffs posing both risks and opportunities. As tariffs now apply to top exporters Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, South Korea the fourth largest supplier to the U.S. may find new openings in the U.S. market. Still, the risks are significant, with intense competition such as cheaper steel products from Southeast Asia, as well as the inclusion of steel and aluminum-derived products – such as bolts, nuts, and springs – under the new tariff scheme. These products are primarily manufactured by small and medium-sized businesses, which have fewer resources to absorb the impact, making them especially vulnerable to financial losses. At a conference on Wednesday led by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, industry insiders spoke up about their concerns. Shinjin Fasteners is one such company that produces nuts and bolts, with 35 percent of its sales dependent on exports to the U.S. and Europe. "Developing new products to stay competitive isn't easy, especially when it comes to sourcing materials. It's not like there's a set supply from the start you have to create value and generate demand through product development." Another company, GJ Aluminum, discussed the challenges of diversifying its exports. "We're trying to focus more on Europe and Southeast Asia, but the challenge is that our facilities have primarily been set up for the U.S. market and each of these new regions has very different requirements and characteristics." In order to minimize the impact on domestic firms, the South Korean government is building a support system such as stabilization funds and 15 nationwide support centers, as well as gathering opinions. "It looks to be around 1800 domestic firms that are currently exporting to the U.S. We want to move quickly with a survey to get a clearer picture of the expected impact and what kind of targeted support these businesses will need." Following Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun's visit to Washington to establish a communication channel with the Trump administration regarding tariffs, the country's Minister for Trade is also due to visit the U.S. to continue talks. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

How will Trump's transactional diplomacy influence ties with allies like S. Korea?

2025/03/12 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus, I'm Kim Mok-yeon. As President Trump embarks on his second term, his administration is doubling down on its "America First" economic and trade policies, sparking concerns among key U.S. allies, including South Korea. Trump's most recent tariff policy, which slaps 25 percent tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from March 12th, eliminates previous exemptions, which is expected to deal a big blow to South Korea's exports. From semiconductor disputes to steel tariffs, South Korea faces mounting pressure to adjust its economic and diplomatic strategies. Meanwhile, the resurgence of North Korean provocations and escalating U.S.-China trade tensions add further uncertainty to the region's security dynamics. With this, how should Seoul navigate these challenges and protect its strategic interests? For this, we invite Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific Security Chair at the Hudson Institute via Zoom. Welcome, Dr. Cronin. Also joining us is Lim Eun-jung, Professor of International Studies, at Kongju National University. Great to have you. (LIM) 1. Let's start with Prof. Lim, Trump recently pinpointed South Korea and Taiwan for "taking away" America's semiconductor industry. This is the first time he explicitly mentioned Korea in this context. Could this signal a shift in Washington's broader trade policy toward Korea? How should Seoul navigate this uncertainty? (CRONIN) 2. With Trump's strong rhetoric against Korea and Taiwan regarding semiconductors, do you expect additional trade restrictions or tariffs targeting Korean tech firms? (CRONIN) 3. Staying with semiconductors, President Trump has repeatedly criticized the CHIPS Act and hinted at subsidy rollbacks. Dr. Cronin, what diplomatic strategies should South Korea pursue to protect its investments in the U.S.? (LIM) 4. But trade tensions aren't limited to semiconductors—Washington has already moved forward with 25 percent steep tariffs on steel and aluminum today. This is expected to cost Korean steel companies over roughly 690 million U.S. dollars. How can Seoul leverage its economic and strategic importance to counterbalance increasing U.S. pressure? (CRONIN) 5. Beyond trade, defense cooperation is another key issue in U.S.-Korea relations. With U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth set to visit Korea soon, what major topics will be on the agenda? And should Seoul brace for renewed pressure on defense cost-sharing, Dr. Cronin? (LIM) 6. While military cost-sharing could become a contentious issue, Hegseth's emphasis on naval expansion presents another angle. With the U.S. potentially allowing naval ships to be built abroad, could this open new doors for Korea's shipbuilding industry? Prof. Lim, what's your take? (LIM) 7. Let's also touch upon America's ties with North Korea. The regime launched multiple ballistic missiles on the first day of Freedom Shield exercises, the first time since Trump's reinauguration. Some see it as a diplomatic message toward Washington. Professor, how do you interpret this move? (CRONIN) 8. With tensions on the Korean Peninsula rising, the White House reaffirmed its commitment to North Korea's complete denuclearization following the missile test. Dr. Cronin, what are the chances that Trump's "personal diplomacy" with Kim Jong-un will return in his second term? (CRONIN) 9. While North Korea remains a major security concern, the broader geopolitical landscape is also shifting. The U.S. has recently imposed additional tariffs on Chinese goods, and China has responded with retaliatory tariffs. How do you assess the trajectory of the U.S.-China trade war under Trump's second term? (LIM-x) 10. China has historically played a key role in North Korea-related diplomacy. With growing U.S.-China tensions, could Beijing use Pyongyang as leverage in negotiations with Washington?

Ukraine agrees to accept 30-day ceasefire proposal, as U.S. resumes military assistance

2025/03/12 17:00

Ukraine is prepared to accept a U.S.-proposed thirty-day truce with Russia. The question now is will the Kremlin be willing to do the same? Our correspondent Bae Eun-ji covers this prospect and more. Talks between senior officials from the U.S. and Ukraine that took place in Saudi Arabia appear to have been fruitful, as Kyiv agreed to a proposal for an initial 30-day ceasefire with Russia. In a joint statement on Tuesday, the U.S. agreed to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, immediately after Kyiv said it was ready to accept the peace deal proposed by Washington. The two sides also said they will conclude an agreement for developing Ukraine's critical mineral resources, as soon as possible. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio --who led the U.S. delegation to the talks --said Washington would present the ceasefire offer to the Kremlin, noting that it's now up to Russia to end the fighting. "Now hopefully we'll take this offer now to the Russians. And we hope that they'll say yes. That they'll say yes to peace. The ball's now in their court." But,.. how Moscow might respond is far from certain. U.S. President Donald Trump also said he hopes Russia agrees to the ceasefire proposal, hinting that he may talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin about it possibly this week. He added that he is willing to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy back to the White House. "Yeah, I'll talk to Vladimir Putin, yeah, I want to. Look, that's the other. It takes two to tango, as they say, right? So hopefully he'll also agree." Zelenskyy, who was in Saudi Arabia but did not participate in the talks, said the ceasefire was a "positive proposal," but stressed that Washington must convince Moscow to agree to it as well. "Ukraine accepts this proposal, we consider it positive. We are ready to take such a step, and the United States of America must convince Russia to do the same." European leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal,.. saying the EU is ready to play its full part in the upcoming peace negotiations

[Weather] Bad air quality will last this week, temperatures as warm as early April

2025/03/12 17:00

With the whole country cloudy today, it rained a little in the Seoul metropolitan area, western parts of Gangwon-do Province and Jeju Island. From tomorrow to the weekend, the weather will continue to be as warm as early April with Seoul rising up to 14 degrees Celsius tomorrow. However, due to the yellow dust overnight, the concentration of fine dust will stay at "bad" levels in most parts of the country tomorrow. Incheon, Sejong, and the Chungcheong-do provinces will have "very bad" levels of fine dust. Please wear a protective mask when you go outside. Tomorrow morning will be very similar to today. Seoul and Daejeon will start off at 3 degrees and Busan at 7 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 15 degrees in Chuncheon, Daejeon and Gwangju, 17 degrees in Daegu. On Sunday, there is rain forecast across the country along with a cold snap. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Former Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte arrested at request of ICC

2025/03/12 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Starting off in the Philippines, where the country's former leader Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested at the request of the International Criminal Court for his controversial "war on drugs" campaign which was a defining aspect of his presidency. Serving from 2016 to 2022, Duterte has been accused of having thousands of suspected drug dealers killed. The ICC estimates that somewhere between 12,000 to 13,000 people could have been killed. Earlier in the week at a Hong Kong rally, Duterte declared he was ready to be arrested and said, "What is my sin? I did everything in my time for peace and a peaceful life for the Filipino people." In Pakistan, militants have attacked a train and killed at least 10 people, including the driver and security staff, in the country's southwestern province of Balochistan. The Balach Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack on Tuesday afternoon on the Jaffar Express Train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, with some 450 passengers on board. According to CNN police surrounded the train and were involved in an exchange of fire with militants. The report also said 104 passengers had been released on Tuesday night. The BLA said it is seeking the release of political prisoners, activists, and missing persons related to the group which it says have been abducted by the military Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the attack. In Argentina, a trial over the death of football legend Diego Maradona began on Tuesday in Buenos Aires. Seven medical professionals who were involved in caring for the World Cup winner faced the court in San Isidro charged with culpable homicide. Among those accused are Maradona's former psychiatrist and doctor who were treating him leading up to his death in November 2020. An eighth member of the medical team is set for trial in July. Prosecutors plan to present substantial evidence, including private messages between the doctor and patient, to support their case. In the United Kingdom, Chester Zoo is celebrating the birth of a rare Coquerel's sifaka, a species of lemur commonly known as a 'dancing lemur.' The lemur was born on January 20, with the zoo saying every new birth is a "huge cause for celebration." According to the zoo, the 'dancing lemurs' get their nickname as they can stand upright and spring from side to side as if they are dancing. Coquerel's sifakas are an endangered species and can only be found in the northwestern forests of Madagascar. Walter Lee, Arirang News

S. Korea's boarding house culture revives amid rising costs

2025/03/12 17:00

Hasukjib is the Korean word for a boarding house that rents out a room with the option of a meal or two every day. Now this form of accommodation was quite popular among college students here in Seoul up until the late 1900s and it's been making a huge comeback in recent days. Our Park Kun-woo tells us why. A small, quiet living room fills with university students. That's because a variety of 15 side dishes that might be quite costly at a restaurant are served twice a day at mealtime at this boarding house. These dishes are all cooked by the owner herself, who says it's a joy to prepare them for the students. Communal meals at boarding houses were common in South Korea up until the late 1990s but as millennials began prioritizing privacy, studio flats have become more popular since then. However, students living here today say privacy isn't that much of a concern as there are bigger benefits. "Since I live in Seoul like eating out is quite expensive. I spend about 50k(won) like per day but that's how much I would save by eating here." More students are choosing boarding houses to keep costs down. "During COVID-19, there were almost no students, but after the pandemic, demand surged, even among foreign students." "Since I came from another country it's quite expensive. I don't cook that much. No time. So more convenient compared to other places." "This boarding house built decades ago and showing its age, has become increasingly popular, with every room booked. And it's not just this house but according to data, boarding house reservations rose by around 20 percent in the first two months of this year compared to last year." An official from an online accommodation platform added that boarding houses are cost-effective for students, especially when compared to other housing options. "The Korean style "one-room," one month price is more than 700-thousand won. Boarding house, there are no deposits and the average price is like 400-thousand won, include the meals. As boarding houses offer students an affordable option in an era of high costs with rent, meals, and utility bills all included, this trend is expected to continue among students on a limited budget. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

N. Korea slams ROK-U.S. joint drills while mentioning bombing accident

2025/03/12 17:00

In related news. North Korea continues to condemn.. the annual training session between South Korea and the U.S. The regime's state media on Wednesday called the joint exercise "the root" of worsening tensions on the Korean peninsula. It also made reference to the accidental bombing by South Korean fighter jets of a residential area near the border emphasizing that the situation could have had severe consequences if the bombs had been "dropped a little further north." Meanwhile back on Tuesday the White House denounced North Korea's launch of multiple missiles into the West Sea this past Monday while reaffirming the ironclad alliance between Seoul and Washington.

Freedom Shield S. Korea-U.S. joint exercise underway with air assault drills, port defense exercises

2025/03/12 17:00

Moving on to the defense front. South Korean and U.S. forces are holding their annual training session which is also the first major joint exercise since the return of the Trump administration to the White House. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung has more. Troops aboard KUH-1 Surion utility helicopters, approach the landing zone. While the U.S. soldiers keep watch Korean soldiers conduct air assaults. About four-hundred troops from the ROK Army's 1st Infantry Division and the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division's Stryker Brigade, held joint exercises on Tuesday. The drill at a training facility in Paju-city, is part of the allies' computer-simulated Freedom Shield exercise, that began its 11-day run on Monday. It aimed to strengthen South Korean-led combined operations capabilities, with an ROK army battalion commander directing U.S. company operations. "Through thorough war games, from helicopter boarding to capturing the objective, South Korean and U.S. troops were able to move as one. In particular, by sharing combat expertise between the two countries' forces, we were able to further enhance our combat capabilities." "We are very fortunate that we can conduct this training, this combined training with the ROK army. It was a great learning opportunity for my soldiers and myself increase interoperability with ROK Army and to strengthen the alliance." In connection to Freedom Shield, the Navy's Second Fleet, also led an integrated port defense drill at the western port of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin. Responsible for guarding the west coast, the Korean Navy aimed to boost response procedures for aerial, chemical, biological and radiological threats against the port, and many other critical national infrastructure sites. along with the army, police and coast guard. "We will continue to protect key facilities in the West Sea with a strong and close-knit coordination system with relevant agencies." The on-field drills are to continue until March 20th. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.