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

2025/03/12 17:00

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 I have our political correspondent Shin Ha-young standing by live at the court. Ha-young, it's good to have you on. So when can we expect to hear the court's verdict on the president's political fate? Well, Sunny, 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. However, we are still waiting for the Constitutional Court to announce this. 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. Since the final hearing last month, the court has been holding deliberations almost every day for the past two weeks, excluding holidays and weekends. Despite this, it has already been the longest deliberation period of presidential impeachment trials. If the ruling comes next week, it will also set the record for the longest time from the impeachment of a president to the final verdict. It is reportedly known that Yoon's case is taking longer because there are many contested issues. Also, with the impeachment verdicts on the chief state auditor and three top prosecutors scheduled for tomorrow, it's expected that Yoon's case will likely be pushed back to next week, as it's rare for the court to issue major rulings on consecutive days. If the ruling happens early next week, there may be a notice by the end of this week, so we'll need to keep an eye on this. I see. Moving on then Ha-young, does the president's recent release from detainment look to affect the Constitutional Court's ruling on his impeachment? Well, the general consensus in the legal circle is that it won't have much impact. This is because the issue with the detention cancellation mainly concerns how the period is calculated, which is different from the impeachment trial that focused on the declaration of martial law. 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. An official from the court said the judges will assess whether there's any impact, but noted that the investigation records from the CIO were not used in the impeachment trial, so it's unlikely to have a significant effect. Following the detention cancellation, there were calls from the ruling party for hearings in the impeachment trial to resume. However, so far there's been no move from President Yoon's side asking for a resumption. If more hearings are held, there are concerns that a delay in the ruling could lead to more pressure from the opposition party over the appointment of Constitutional Court justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk, a left-leaning judge recommended by the opposition Democratic Party. And in the meantime I hear protests for and against the president remain intense. Do tell us more. Sunny, I can definitely say that both the size and volume of rallies are growing in front of the court ahead of the verdict. The political battle between the rival parties is also escalating outside the National Assembly. The main opposition Democratic Party began a march from the Assembly to Gwanghwamun this afternoon, calling for Yoon's impeachment. The ruling People Power Party said it wouldn't hold protests or pressure the Constitutional Court, but some of its members are staging relay protests in front of the court. Also, today, PPP lawmakers visited the court and submitted their second petition to appeal for the court to dismiss 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. Additionally, they have requested the land ministry to temporarily impose a no-fly zone over the Constitutional Court. That's all I have for this hour. Back to you Sunny. All right Ha-young, thank you for that coverage. That was our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reporting live from the Constitutional Court.

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

2025/03/12 17:00

Fresh employment data shared by Statistics Korea show one-hundred-36-thousand jobs were added on year in February BUT employers in construction and manufacturing industries remained reluctant to make new hires. Our 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.

U.S. cattle industry urges Trump to lift S. Korea's age restrictions on U.S. beef

2025/03/12 17:00

The U.S. cattle industry has called on the Trump administration to push South Korea to lift its ban on American beef from cattle over 30 months old. A formal request to this end was submitted by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Tuesday. South Korea put in place the age restriction on U.S. beef back in 2008 amid concerns over mad cow disease. The U.S. beef association is now urging for an end to this restriction pointing out that countries like China, Japan, and Taiwan have since removed similar barriers.

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

2025/03/12 17:00

So what are the implications of U.S. import duties on steel and aluminium for South Korean businesses? Our correspondent 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.

Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs go into effect on Wednesday

2025/03/12 17:00

The first set of blanket U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the American market is in place as of this Wednesday. Our LEE GA-EUN has the latest. The 25-percent steel and aluminum tariff announced by U.S. President Donald Trump went into effect on Wednesday. According to an executive order signed by Trump last month, the 25 percent tariff is imposed on all steel, aluminum, and derivative products imported by the U.S. at 12:01 AM. 166 derivative products,.. including bolts, nuts, and springs are subject to tariffs starting on Wednesday, while 87 derivative items, including bumpers, suspensions, automobile parts, home appliance parts, and aircraft parts are exempt from tariffs until further notice by the U.S. Commerce Department. This also means that South Korea's existing free-trade quota on steel and aluminum of two-point-6-3 million tons per year, which it has with the U.S., will be scrapped, as well. However, as the duty is applied to all countries, South Korea will not be at a disadvantage in competition with major exporters, while economists believe that Korean steel companies will be able to enter the U.S. market more actively as the export volume cap is removed. Meanwhile,.. amid concerns of a full-out tariff war between the U.S. and Canada, the Trump administration announced Tuesday that it has decided to withdraw the additional 25-percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports. Trump had threatened to impose an additional 25-percent, for a total 50-percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, after Ontario threatened to impose a 25-percent surcharge for electricity imported by the U.S. Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that he had agreed to suspend the 25-percent surcharge on electricity, after holding talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik. The two will hold talks again on Thursday, along with the U.S. Trade Representative to discuss renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade act, ahead of the April 2nd reciprocal tariff deadline set by Trump. Lee Ga-eun, Arirang News.

[K-Enter] BTS Jimin sets record for longest-charting K-pop solo artist on Billboard Hot 100

2025/03/12 14:00

Now time for a daily dose of K-enter news with Walter Lee. We start off with a hot new record set by a certain BTS member. BTS's Jimin has set a new record as the longest-charting K-pop solo artist on the U.S. Billboard main song chart, the "Hot 100." According to the latest chart released by U.S. music magazine Billboard, the track "Who" from Jimin's second solo album "MUSE" ranked 41st on the "Hot 100," marking its 32nd week on the chart. This surpasses the previous longest-charting K-pop solo record of 31 weeks, set by Psy's "Gangnam Style" in 2012. It also ties the record for the longest-charting K-pop song on the "Hot 100," held by his own group BTS's "Dynamite." This means, Jimin has become the artist with the longest-charting records in both group and solo activities. I'm sure his other group members are very proud of him. Another member will be part of a new variety TV show that we'll be turning our attention to now. Webtoon artist-turned-broadcaster Kian84's Netflix variety show "Kian's Bizarre B&B" will be released next month. "Kian's Bizarre B&B" is a new type of guesthouse variety show set at Ulleungdo Kianjang , a sort of guesthouse according to Kian84's own ideas. The show features Kian84, BTS member Jin, and actress Ji Ye-eun as they interact with guests. BTS's Jin appears as an "all-round employee", actress Ji Ye-eun , who was a member of the variety show 'Running Man', joins as the youngest staff member. "Kian's Bizarre B&B" will be released over three weeks starting April 8, with a total of nine episodes. The first week will premiere three episodes, followed by three more episodes each week. I'll be looking forward to that. Lastly an important documentary about traditional Korean women's music is set to be released. Tell us more. The press conference for the documentary film "Women's Gukgeuk : Enduring on the Edge of Time" was held on Tuesday at Megabox COEX in Seoul. "Women's Gukgeuk " features Master Jo Young-sook , a first-generation actress at the gukgeuk all-female musical theatre and the current holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Baltal , "Baltal," meaning "Foot Mask Theatre". Master Jo is known as the real-life inspiration for the popular 2024 drama Jeong-nyeoni or "A Star Is Born" in English. The documentary captures the journey of Master Jo and her disciples as they strive to preserve the legacy of women's gukgeuk . Master Jo remarked, "I have been performing women's gukgeuk since 1951. As the title suggests, women's gukgeuk has been on the edge of disappearance, but it has endured thanks to our relentless efforts to secure its rightful place." She also stated, "Women's gukgeuk is a magnificent and extraordinary cultural heritage of our country." "Women's Gukgeuk : Enduring on the Edge of Time" is set to premiere on March 19th. It definitely is an important part of Korean history and a documentary not to be missed. Thanks for today's K-enter news Walter and stick around. Now we move onto Ari with more culture news.

K-wave AI News

2025/03/12 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The 'Seoul Light DDP festival,' which transforms the exterior of Dongdaemun Design Plaza into a massive media art display, has claimed top honors at three of the world's most prestigious design awards. This year, it clinched the main award title at Germany's iF Design Award for "Poetry of Time," a media art reinterpretation of an original work by Kim Whanki, a pioneer of Korean abstract art. In 2023, Seoul Light DDP received the Red Dot Design Award main prize and a bronze prize at the IDEA Design Award. Since 2019, the festival has transformed DDP's façade into a giant canvas, showcasing works by renowned media artists such as Refik Anadol and Quayola. The National Maritime Museum of Korea in Busan has unveiled its newly renovated Children's Museum. The revamped space debuts with "A Journey Through the Sea on a Time Machine" as its first permanent exhibition. It also features the Island Village Playground, an interactive play area designed to support early childhood development through sensory experiences and hands-on activities. Marking its 10th anniversary in 2022, the museum embarked on a comprehensive renovation, introducing extensive upgrades, new exhibits, and immersive experiences to enhance visitor engagement. The '2025 Gaya Culture Festival,' a signature event in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, will take place in April. Under the theme "Gaya, a 2,000-Year-Old Ancient Capital," the four-day festival will kick off with an opening ceremony on April 10 at 7 PM on the main stage at Surungwon. This year, the festival will enhance programs related to the Daeseong-dong Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and expand the Gaya Fantasia program, which received a positive response last year. The King Suro Parade will also be a key highlight. Major events, including kite flying and a media façade display, will be concentrated around the tomb cluster. Gimhae City hopes the festival will unite communities and further fuel the city's future development. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Pakistani militants kill 10, worried families await news

2025/03/12 10:00

Next to Pakistan where militants 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.

Former Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte arrested at request of ICC

2025/03/12 10:00

Good Morning, I'm Walter Lee, filling in for Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. 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."

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

2025/03/12 10:00

And North Korea has once again slammed the annual joint exercise, and also highlighted the accidental bombing of a civilian area by South Korea's Air Force. The regime's state-run news agency said Wednesday, that the joint drills must be taken "seriously," adding that they are "the root" of the worsening situation on the Korean Peninsula. It also said the accidental bombing by South Korean fighter jets last week was in a civilian area located near the border, adding that the situation could have escalated significantly if bombs had "dropped a little further north." Also on Tuesday, the White House condemned the North's recent launch of multiple ballistic missiles earlier this week. While condemning Pyongyang's actions, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also reaffirmed the ironclad alliance between Seoul and Washington.

No announcement yet from Constitutional Court on date for Yoon's impeachment ruling

2025/03/12 10:00

All eyes are on when the Constitutional Court will announce a date for the ruling of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial over his martial law declaration. Many initially believed the ruling could come as early as this Friday, but some are now expecting it to happen next week. Shin Ha-young reports. It's been two weeks since the final hearing in President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial, but the Constitutional Court has not yet announced a date for its ruling. Given that previous presidential impeachment rulings were made about two weeks after the final hearing, many expected the ruling to be this Friday. However, since the court decided to deliver impeachment verdicts on the chief state auditor and three top prosecutors on Thursday, expectations are rising that the ruling on Yoon could be delayed until next week. There is no precedent for the court delivering major rulings on consecutive days. Ahead of Yoon's verdict, police are considering banning the release of stored firearms to prevent potential attacks. The National Police Agency said it's reviewing refusing to release firearms stored at police stations used to kill dangerous wild animals. Under the current law, licensed gun owners must store their firearms at police stations and only take them out to hunt down wild boars or birds. On the day of the ruling, police will designate parts of Seoul's Jongno-gu and Jung-gu districts near the Constitutional Court as special crime prevention zones to maintain safety and manage crowds. Vehicle barriers will be set up within 100 meters of the Court. During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Acting President Choi Sang-mok expressed concern about possible national division and conflict over the presidential impeachment ruling. "The government will respond firmly according to the law with zero tolerance for any illegal or violent protests as well as any acts that challenge public authority." Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party began a sit-in protest at Gwanghwamun Square on Tuesday, calling for Yoon's removal, while the ruling People Power Party decided not to stage any demonstrations to pressure the Court. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

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

2025/03/12 10:00

Key springtime military exercises between South Korea and the U.S., marking the very first major drills between the two allies since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office, are in full swing. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung shares some scenes from drills. 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.

South Korea sees improvement in labor market in February, but still faces youth job crisis

2025/03/12 10:00

Job growth in South Korea picked up last month, but the country still faces a youth job crisis. Statistics Korea said on Wednesday that employers added 136-thousand jobs in February, compared to the same month the previous year. This marks the second straight month that the country saw an improvement in the labor market. This was mainly driven by a surge in employment among those in their 60s or older. But hiring among those aged 15 to 29 was the lowest in four years. Manufacturing and construction jobs also continued on a downward trend.

Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs to go into effect on Wednesday

2025/03/12 10:00

The U.S. is set to apply 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports as planned on Wednesday. And ahead of the big day, there was a squabble between the U.S. and Canada over reciprocal tariffs. Lee Seung-jae reports. The 25-percent steel and aluminum tariff announced by U.S. President Donald Trump will go into effect on Wednesday. According to an executive order signed by Trump last month, the 25 percent tariff will be imposed on all steel, aluminum, and derivative products imported by the U.S. at 12:01 AM. 166 derivative products,.. including bolts, nuts, and springs will be subject to tariffs starting on Wednesday, while 87 derivative items, including bumpers, suspensions, automobile parts, home appliance parts, and aircraft parts will be exempt from tariffs until further notice by the U.S. Commerce Department. This also means that South Korea's existing free-trade quota on steel and aluminum of two-point-6-3 million tons per year, which it has with the U.S., will be scrapped, as well. However, as the duty is applied to all countries, South Korea will not be at a disadvantage in competition with major exporters, while economists believe that Korean steel companies will be able to enter the U.S. market more actively as the export volume cap is removed. Meanwhile,.. amid concerns of a full-out tariff war between the U.S. and Canada, the Trump administration announced Tuesday that it has decided to withdraw the additional 25-percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports. Trump had threatened to impose an additional 25-percent, for a total 50-percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, after Ontario threatened to impose a 25-percent surcharge for electricity imported by the U.S. Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that he had agreed to suspend the 25-percent surcharge on electricity, after holding talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik. The two will hold talks again on Thursday, along with the U.S. Trade Representative to discuss renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade act, ahead of the April 2nd reciprocal tariff deadline set by Trump. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

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

2025/03/12 10:00

Ukraine has said it's ready to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S. President Zelenskyy is now urging the U.S. to convince Russia to do the same, while President Trump says he will talk to Putin about the deal. Bae Eun-ji reports. 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 while also adding that this is a "positive development" that can be a step towards lasting peace for Ukraine. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

[Weather] Dusty air continues with yellow dust to blow in

2025/03/12 10:00

Amazing to notice what mother nature is capable of, it was only couple of weeks ago we were holding on to winter jackets but yesterday's afternoon warmth made it feel like hotter weather was just around the corner. As for today, highs will go down more than 5 degrees in the capital and the rest of the upper regions. There will be afternoon spotty rain in the upper regions and Jeju. The amount won't be much but those of us in the capital area will be trapped in high levels of fine dust again so make sure to keep an umbrella handy to avoid dusty rain. Stagnant air flow is the main cause of dusty air this morning, plus yellow dust will blow into the entire country affecting western regions first as early as this afternoon. Tomorrow will be dustier. Afternoon highs will be 1 to 5 degrees lower today, with Seoul at 11 degrees. Daegu is still warm at 18 degrees. Temperatures will stay above seasonal norms through Saturday then nationwide spring rain on Sunday will bring a drop in temperatures next week.

Chester Zoo shows off baby 'dancing lemur'

2025/03/12 10:00

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.

Trial starts for medical team accused of Maradona's death

2025/03/12 10:00

Now to Argentina where the 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.

Impeachment trial decisions for public officials to come on Thursday, Yoon's to come later

2025/03/11 20:00

Now as mentioned in that report. The political fates of the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection Choe Jae-hae and the Chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Lee Chang-soo as well as two other prosecutors will be announced by the Constitutional Court this coming Thursday. The impeachment motions against these four public officials were passed unilaterally by the opposition-led parliament early last December. The prosecutors are accused of failing to properly investigate alleged crimes related to First Lady Kim Keon Hee while the head of the audit agency is accused of mishandling the inspection on the relocation of the top office from Cheongwadae to Yongsan.

N. Korea fires multiple missiles into West Sea, first time since Trump's return

2025/03/11 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame where we bring the most pressing issues into focus, I'm Kim Mok-yeon. For the first time since Trump's second inauguration, North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the West Sea on March 10. The launch coincided with the start of the Freedom Shield joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S., a drill Pyongyang has long condemned. Meanwhile, North Korea has been expanding its military capabilities—revealing a nuclear-powered submarine project, advancing nuclear material production, and modernizing conventional forces—raising concerns about its long-term strategic objectives and its potential military technology transfers with Russia. To explore deeper into North Korea's military advancements, its motivations, and the broader implications for international security and diplomacy, we invite into the studio Dr. Youngshik Bong, a Research Fellow at Yonsei University's Institute for North Korean Studies. Welcome, Dr. Bong. Joining us online is Brian Myers, Professor of International Studies at Dongseo University. Great to have you. 1.(BONG) So Dr. Bong, just yesterday, South Korean and U.S. military authorities began the Freedom Shield joint exercise to strengthen the defense of the Korean Peninsula. Given the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, what aspects will this year's exercise focus on? 2.(MYERS) 2. Now let's bring Professor Myers in, so on the first day of the Freedom Shield exercise, North Korea launched a ballistic missile, the first of which during Trump's second term. Some analysts suggest that this is not only a response to the joint exercise but also a calculated move with the possibility of U.S.-North Korea dialogue in mind. What is your view on this? 5.(MYERS) The timing of the nuclear-powered submarine revelation is also noteworthy. It was disclosed at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump was accelerating efforts to end the war in Ukraine, and just ahead of the first South Korea-U.S. joint exercise under a second Trump administration. How would you read into Pyongyang's intent behind this timing? 6.(BONG) There is considerable skepticism regarding North Korea's ability to operate a nuclear-powered submarine. Some experts predict that it will take a significant amount of time before the submarine can achieve full military capability. What is your assessment, Dr. Bong? Also, is there a possibility that North Korea has received technology transfers from Russia? 7.(MYERS) Meanwhile, satellite imagery analysis suggests that North Korea's first early warning aircraft is nearing completion. If North Korea successfully deploys it, what would be its military significance, Prof. Myers? 8.(BONG) Until now, North Korea has been primarily focused on nuclear weapons development. but recently it began modernizing its conventional forces as well. What do you see as the reasoning behind this shift, Dr. Bong? 9.(MYERS) Following the International Atomic Energy Agency's announcement on March 3rd, satellite imagery analysis from a North Korea-focused media outlet reported that Pyongyang appears to be continuously operating its Yongbyon nuclear facility. Analysts suggest that this is in line with Kim Jong-un's directive to expand nuclear material production. What do you think is North Korea's objective in ramping up nuclear material production? Is it an effort to showcase its nuclear capabilities ahead of potential negotiations with Trump? 10.(BONG) Given the growing concerns over North Korea's nuclear advancements and weapons modernization, what countermeasures should South Korea consider implementing?