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[K-wave] Discussions over basic income for artists gain momentum: viable solution or wishful thinking?

2025/08/07 15:35

Discussions about introducing a basic income for cultural and artistic workers are gaining momentum under the Lee Jae Myung administration. The idea is to provide minimum support for struggling cultural and artistic professionals, recognizing the public value of artistic activities in building the cultural foundation of society and enhancing the quality of life for citizens. The underlying question is: is there a feasible approach or is it wishful thinking? Lee Eun-jin has the details. This is Lee Seul-maro, a theater actor in his late 30s. He heads to work at a supermarket in Bundang early in the morning. At this part-time job, he arranges products on the shelves before the store opens. So, as a theater actor, why does he work here every day before his afternoon rehearsals? The pay he receives for a single play doesn't even meet the minimum hourly wage, so he needs to earn extra money to make a living. "I consider myself relatively better off. One senior I know, a woman in her 60s, washes dishes, and the younger actors find it difficult to afford rehearsal studio fees. Many of us have part-time jobs." The reality is that from actual theater work, actors earn on average just over 10 million won annually, that's approximately 7-thousand-800 U.S. dollars. The film and pop music industries aren't much different. In the visual arts sector, average yearly earnings are only about 6 million won, or 4-thousand-300 U.S. dollars. When expanded broadly to all cultural and artistic professionals, the average annual income is about 10-point-5-4 million won, which is still below the minimum wage, leading many in the cultural and arts fields to leave their professions. "The collapse of foundational arts will lead to a decline in quality and progression of K-culture, K-content, and even Hallyu. Stagnation will be inevitable -I'm sure of it." This is why a basic income for artists is being discussed. The idea is that since cultural workers contribute to building society's cultural foundation and ensuring the public's right to enjoy culture, they deserve at least minimal economic protection. "This isn't about helping poor artists out of pity. The work they do serves a public function that raises the standard of living. Implementing a basic income for artists needs to be considered a kind of investment." There are various approaches. The basic idea is to provide a fixed monthly amount to pure non-commercial cultural and artistic professionals whose income falls below a certain level. The system should be linked to employment insurance for artists and various creative support programs to avoid duplication while ensuring that no deserving individual is excluded. A phased implementation is also being considered. "For those who engaged in creative work but didn't receive support this year, we need to try a pilot version of the basic income within budget limits, even if it's only for a few months." During the COVID-19 pandemic, when performances were completely halted, there was also talk of basic income for cultural and artistic fields, but nothing came of it, partly due to funding issues and the argument that there were other sectors that also needed support. In the end, while the determination of the new administration is important, experts stress that the public must also recognize that the efforts of cultural and artistic professionals benefit society as a whole in order for the basic income system to proceed successfully. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

[Short-form] Korea’s dawn delivery– it’s more than just fast service

2025/08/07 15:33

Dive into Korea’s game-changing dawn delivery. It’s a lifestyle upgrade you can rarely find anywhere else.

[NEWs GEN] Right or a Burden: How parental leave policies are reshaping the workplace

2025/08/07 13:33

[NEWs GEN] Right or a Burden: How parental leave policies are reshaping the workplace 육아기 유연근무 전년 대비 3배 증가... 현황과 문제점은?

Beijing ready to host World Robot Conference

2025/08/07 12:38

The 2025 World Robot Conference is set to open on Friday in Beijing as the industry continues rapid growth across China. The 10th edition of the event will showcase the latest breakthroughs in robotics, from realistic humanoid robots to automatons that look like animals. Over 200 companies from both China and abroad are set to participate, presenting advancements in automation, artificial intelligence, and smart robotics. The conference will run until August 12.

Fort Stewart Shooting: 5 soldiers wounded, one suspect held

2025/08/07 12:38

Moving over to the U.S. now, where a suspect is in custody after 5 soldiers were shot and injured at Fort Stewart Army base in Georgia on Wednesday, local time. According to reports, the alleged shooter, identified as 28-year-old U.S. Army Sergeant Quornelius Radford, used a personal handgun in the shooting before being subdued by other soldiers. Officials said they were unclear about a motive and that the suspect opened fire at an area of the base where he is assigned. Fort Stewart, one of the largest Army bases in the U.S., was briefly locked down after the incident. All five victims are said to be in stable condition and expected to recover.

Helicopter crash in Ghana kills eight people including two gov't ministers

2025/08/07 12:37

Good morning, I'm Walter Lee filling in for Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. Starting off in Ghana, where the country's defence and environment ministers were among the eight people killed in a helicopter crash. Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed died in the crash in the Ashanti region on Wednesday. Three other officials and three crew members also died in the crash. The helicopter had departed from the capital, Accra, just after 9 AM local time and was heading to the town of Obuasi for an event addressing illegal mining. Later, Ghana's armed forces reported losing radar contact with the helicopter. The cause of the crash is still unknown.

S. Korea logs record largest monthly current account surplus of US$ 14.27 bil.

2025/08/07 12:37

South Korea posted a current account surplus of 14-point-2-7 billion U.S. dollars in June, the largest monthly surplus ever. According to the Bank of Korea on Thursday, the figure was driven by strong exports of chips and a sharp rise in dividend income. Shipments of IT products, including semiconductors, jumped over 11 percent, while pharmaceutical exports soared more than 50 percent. However steel and automobile exports saw a slip with early impact from U.S. tariffs. Regionally, exports to the U.S. and China declined, while the EU and Southeast Asia saw solid growth. South Korea has now logged a surplus in 26 consecutive months.

Samsung Electronics to supply next-gen chips for Apple products at its foundry plant in Texas

2025/08/07 12:37

Samsung Electronics is to supply next-generation chips for Apple products from its production plant in the United States. Through a press release on Thursday, Apple stated that the foundry plant in Texas will supply chips that optimize power and performance for its products. Industry insiders say that the Korean tech giant is expected to produce image sensor chips for Apple's production line. Samsung Electronics provided no comments. This announcement came as President Trump announced that Apple is to make an additional 100 billion U.S. dollar investment, a move to expand the company's domestic investment commitment. Following the statement, Apple shares rose by nearly 6 percent midday on Wednesday compared to the day before.

[On-point] Trump announces 100% tariff on foreign-made semiconductors --How will it affect Korean chipmakers?

2025/08/07 12:36

As we just heard, U.S. President Donald Trump now says he will impose higher tariffs on chips,.. unless companies are manufacturing in the United States. And with President Lee Jae Myung set to meet Trump soon, eyes are now on the economic impact this may have on South Korean businesses and the economy. For more this, we're joined by Professor Shim Myungkyu, Associate Professor of Economics at Yonsei University. Professor Shim, thanks for joining us this morning. 1. Trump said the United States will charge a 100-percent tariff on foreign-made chips, and he also said he plans to announce tariffs on pharmaceuticals soon. How might this affect Korean companies? 2. South Korea and the United States reached a trade deal last week. Will the details of the tariff agreement be on the agenda when Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump meet later this month? 3. But the two countries remain at odds on key details of the agreement. With disagreements over issues like rice market access and Trump's unpredictability, how will talks on the specific details of the deal unfold? 4. U.S. tariffs on its trading partners are set to take effect on Thursday local time. What impact will this have on the global economy? Alright Professor Shim, thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

Special counsel wraps up over seven hours of questioning former first lady

2025/08/07 12:36

Today's attempt to arrest Yoon comes a day after the special counsel team called in former first lady Kim Keon Hee, over a series of allegations made against her. Kim became the first wife of a former president to face a public summons by prosecutors as a suspect. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The special counsel's first questioning of former first lady Kim Keon Hee lasted over seven hours. The face-to-face session, held on Wednesday at the office of special counsel Min Joong-ki, in Jongno-gu District, ended at around 5:46 PM, about seven hours and 23 minutes after it began at 10:23 AM. Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol , then went through the written record of her questioning. The questioning comes after the special counsel mailed a summons to Kim's residence about two weeks ago to request her appearance as a suspect. Shortly after 10 AM on Wednesday, Kim arrived at the office, bowed and apologized to the public for causing concern, before being questioned. "I am truly sorry that a nobody like myself has caused concern for the people. I will faithfully undergo the questioning." However, she did not respond to questions from reporters about the allegations. This marks the first time in South Korea's constitutional history that a first lady has been publicly named as a suspect in an investigation. The special counsel team focused on five of the 16 allegations made against Kim, starting with her purported role in manipulating stock prices. Other allegations include interference in the candidate nomination process during past elections, and receiving luxury gifts from the Unification Church through a "broker." Since Kim did not agree to be video recorded, the face-to-face questioning took place without it. According to the special counsel team, Kim did not exercise her right to remain silent. Ahead of the questioning, Kim's representatives said she would answer questions as fully as possible without refusing, but wanted to avoid questioning after 9 PM due to her poor health. The special counsel is expected to summon Kim again for further questioning over other allegations. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

LAFC officially announces signing of Son Heung-min

2025/08/07 12:35

Los Angeles Football Club officially unveiled new signing South Korean national team captain Son Heung-min at a press conference on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Son called the move a "dream come true." The team's Co-President and General Manager, John Thorrington, praised Son, calling him a "global icon and one of the most dynamic and accomplished players in world football." He added that the MLS club is "proud" Son chose LAFC for the "next chapter" of his career. Son spent the past 10 years with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League before making his move to the U.S.

Potential meeting between Putin, Trump as early as next week

2025/08/07 12:34

In other news. Following a meeting between Russian President Putin and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, U.S. President Trump hinted at a potential meeting between the two leaders.. as soon as next week. Ahn Sung-jin has the details. U.S. President Donald Trump could hold in-person talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week. Trump told European leaders during a call on Wednesday that he intends to meet with Putin and then follow up with a three-way talk also involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "But we had some very good talks with President Putin today. And there's a very good chance that we could be ending the round, ending the end to that road. That road was long and continues to be long but there's a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon." This follows Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff's trip to Moscow for talks with Putin. Though no readouts of the 3-hour-long meeting have been released, the White House said that the meeting had gone well, and Trump added that it was "highly productive" resulting in "major progress." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that Putin outlined "concrete examples of the kinds of things that Russia would ask for", further stating that it may be the first time doing so since this administration began. The Kremlin later said that Putin had "sent a signal" to the U.S. regarding Ukraine to which the U.S. allegedly "responded." Through a post on Truth Social, Trump also confirmed that he spoke with Zelenskyy as well, adding that "everyone agrees this war must end." Zelenskyy later addressed the call through a social-media message, saying that they talked about what was discussed in Moscow and acknowledged that Russia does seem more inclined to agree to a ceasefire. He also thanked his European allies for their support. This comes just days before a deadline set by Trump for Russia to agree to peace in Ukraine or face tougher sanctions measures including secondary sanctions on countries that do business with Russia. When and where the meeting would take place is unclear, but if this meeting does take place, it would be the first face-to-face meeting between a sitting U.S. and Russian president since 2021 when former President Biden met with Putin in Geneva. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Second attempt to question former President Yoon by team conducting Kim Keon Hee probe

2025/08/07 12:33

We start with the special counsel team investigating the former first lady which made a second attempt to bring former President Yoon Suk Yeol in for questioning. However, due to Yoon's firm refusal and the risk of injury, the attempt was halted at around 9:40 AM. The attempt began at around 8 AM on Thursday at Seoul Detention Center, where Yoon is being held on insurrection charges. The special counsel team is probing former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who faces in 16 charges including stock manipulation and election meddling. Its warrant to detain Yoon for questioning is separate from Yoon's detention for insurrection. On August 1st, the counsel team failed to detain Yoon after the former President reportedly resisted by lying on the floor in his prison cell wearing only underwear.

Trump says U.S. will put tariff of approximately 100 percent on semiconductors

2025/08/07 11:35

U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington will charge a 100 percent tariff on foreign-made semiconductors, a move that could impact South Korea's chip industry. Meanwhile, the U.S. president also announced an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, in response to New Delhi's continued importing of Russian oil. Lee Seung-jae has more. U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington will impose a tariff of about 100 percent on semiconductors. Trump made the remarks at a White House event, stressing that while a tariff of approximately 100 percent will be placed on imported chips and semiconductors, "there's no charge" if manufactured in the United States. In order to impose the tariffs, Trump invoked Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which gives the president the authority to adjust imports, if it's determined that they could impair national security. The latest move is expected to negatively impact South Korea's chip industry, which relies heavily on exports. Meanwhile, Trump on Wednesday announced an additional 25 percent tariff on goods from India, citing New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil. The announcement also marks a sharp escalation in trade tensions between the U.S. and India, following the collapse of recent trade talks. The new tariffs, set to take effect in 21 days, will raise the levy on certain Indian goods into the U.S. as high as 50 percent, one of the steepest rates imposed on any U.S. trading partner. The announcement comes as Trump warned of impending penalties, accusing India of aiding Russia's war in Ukraine through energy imports. Following the U.S. leader's announcement of the additional 25 percent tariffs, the Indian government vowed to move to "protect national interest." According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, the additional tariffs are "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," adding that its imports of Russian oil are only with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of one-point-four billion people in India. It further added that India is being targeted for something that "several other countries" are also doing for their own national interest. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[Weather] Ipchu today, hot and sunny afternoon

2025/08/07 11:34

Today marks 'Ipchu,' the start of autumn, but don't let the name fool you. While not as severe as the peak of the recent heatwave, we are in for another hot day. The overnight heat didn't subside well, leading to a tropical night for Seoul and other areas. Seogwipo on Jeju has been seeing tropical nights for over three weeks. Meanwhile, the resort island will see 20 to 60 millimeters of rain all day. A bit of rain is also possible in the southern regions and parts of the central areas until this morning. East coast regions could get 5 to 30 millimeters. Skies will get sunnier from the west, with a high of 32 degrees in Seoul and Gwangju, Daegu and Gyeongju will be hotter at 33 degrees Celsius with strong UV rays. Those on Jeju need to keep an umbrella handy with more rain expected through next Monday. Mornings and evenings will be much more bearable for the next five days, hoping to jump right into the autumn. Take care!

Barbary lion cubs, extinct in the wild, born at wildlife park in rare event

2025/08/07 11:33

Finally, to the Czech Republic, where four rare Barbary lion cubs made their first public appearance at Dvůr Králové Safari Park, closely watched by their parents, Khalila and Bart. The three female and one male cubs were born in January, marking an important addition to the small remaining population of the rare species, which is extinct in the wild. The last known photograph of a wild Barbary lion was taken in 1925 and is believed to have disappeared completely by the mid-1960s. Today, fewer than 200 Barbary lions are thought to remain in captivity.

Study shows Gen Z would pay more for ESG-friendly brands

2025/08/06 23:38

A new trend among young people in South Korea --the so-called Gen Zs. They say they would purchase products made by socially responsible businesses even if they cost them more. Our Kim Do-yeon tells us more. As ESG practices become more widespread in Korea's economy and society, so-called "value-based consumption"—making purchasing decisions based on personal beliefs and values—is emerging as a key consumer trend among Gen Z. According to a survey released on Wednesday by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which polled 350 people aged 17 to 28 nationwide on perceptions of ESG management and consumption trends, 66-point-9 percent of respondents said they would "choose products from companies practicing ESG, even if they are slightly more expensive." This suggests ESG efforts are having a direct impact on brand preference and purchase decisions. But, experts say it's always important to continue monitoring companies. "Some companies do a good job with ESG management and even obtain certification for their efforts. However, there are also cases where companies receive such certification but still engage in problematic practices. That's why it's important for consumers to look closely and make informed judgments about the companies they support." The survey also reflected this. It found that Gen Z is quick to boycott companies involved in social controversies or ethical misconduct. More than six in 10 respondents said they had "stopped purchasing from a company due to unethical behavior or negative ESG-related issues." Young people are also highly sensitive to the authenticity of corporate ESG efforts. In particular, 65-point-4 percent of respondents expressed concern over the issue of "greenwashing." This highlights the risk companies face of being shunned by young consumers if their ESG activities are perceived as mere marketing tactics lacking genuine commitment. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Trump says S. Korea has opened its market, touting trade deal

2025/08/06 23:37

U.S. President Donald Trump is bragging about his country's recent trade deal with South Korea, saying that the deal would open South Korea's market. Trump also announced that the U.S. will raise pharmaceutical tariffs significantly. Lee Seung-jae reports. U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday touted the recent trade deal made between Washington and Seoul,.. saying that the agreement will significantly boost American automobile exports. In a CNBC interview,.. Trump said South Korea was a "closed country".. but the trade deal opened the market, referring to it as "tremendous business." The U.S. leader said the U.S. will be able to sell cars, trucks and SUVs to South Korea. While South Korea has long imported American cars, the U.S. has repeatedly criticized Korea's automobile safety and environmental regulations, viewing them as non-tariff barriers. Meanwhile, during the same interview, Trump also said that his administration will raise levies on imported pharmaceuticals to 150 percent in a year. He added that the tariffs will then be raised to 250 percent later, as he unveiled a plan to announce more sector-specific tariffs "within the next week or so." And Trump's push to reduce America's trade deficit through tariffs seems to be working according to latest data. According to the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. trade deficit narrowed significantly in June, while the trade gap with China fell to its lowest level in over 21 years. The overall trade deficit fell by 16 percent in June to 60-point-2 billion U.S. dollars,.. while the goods trade deficit dropped 10-point-8 percent,.. reaching its lowest point since September 2023. However, beyond the trade figures, the U.S. economy is showing signs of strain, as a key measure of activity in the U.S. service sector stalled in July, with businesses citing rising costs and growing uncertainty due to the influx of new import taxes. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Global investment banks upgrade S. Korea's 2025 growth outlook

2025/08/06 23:37

Global investment banks are upgrading their outlook for the Korean economy this year, a positive shift notably evident even in JP Morgan, once the most skeptical. Our correspondent Moon Ji-young has more. Major global investment banks are raising their forecasts for South Korea's real GDP growth this year. According to the Korea Center for International Finance, the average 2025 growth forecast for South Korea among eight major global investment banks stood at point-9 percent as of the end of July. Notably, JP Morgan, which had previously held the most pessimistic view on the Korean economy, has significantly upgraded its economic growth forecast by point-2 percentage points to point-7 percent in just two months. Following the Bank of Korea's second-quarter GDP announcement last month, JP Morgan assessed that Q2 GDP growth slightly exceeded market expectations, driven by strong exports and an increase in manufacturing. Goldman Sachs also raised its growth forecast by point-1 percentage point to 1-point-2 percent, reflecting the outcomes of Korea's tariff negotiations with the U.S. In its August 1 report, the bank noted that the deal with the U.S. reduces uncertainties regarding tariffs on specific items such as semiconductors, adding that Korea is not at a disadvantage compared to other countries. Regarding whether the Bank of Korea will also raise its forecast in its revised economic outlook this coming August, an expert noted that: "While the uncertainty from the tariff negotiations is easing, potentially improving our exports, it's still unlikely that these agreements will drastically raise the economic growth forecast. Nevertheless, it will probably be slightly better than the 0.8% we had expected." The Bank of Korea, in its May forecast, projected this year's annual growth rate at point-8 percent and anticipated that the supplementary budget would boost the rate by point-1 of a percentage point. Moon Ji-young. Arirang News.

[Politics & Diplomacy] Filibuster showdowns set tone as National Assembly kicks off contentious August session

2025/08/06 23:36

South Korea's August extraordinary session of the National Assembly opened today with political tensions at boiling point. The ruling and opposition parties remain locked in a standoff over key bills, marking the first time in a year that the legislature has entered a formal filibuster standoff. Joining us in the studio is our political correspondent, Moon Hye-ryeon. So Hye-ryeon, could you give us the rundown on the current situation at parliament? The latest political showdown is centered around five contentious bills — so far, we've seen two of these bills being introduced before being followed up by filibusters launched by the opposition People Power Party. On Monday, the PPP launched a 24-hour filibuster to block a controversial broadcasting reform bill. But on Tuesday, the DP and liberal bloc ended it with a supermajority vote, as allowed under Assembly rules. With the threshold met, the DP swiftly passed the bill — 178 in favor, two against. A second reform bill was then introduced, triggering another PPP filibuster. That, too, was cut short at midnight as the July extraordinary session ended after just seven hours. The media reform bill that was passed through parliament yesterday afternoon is an amendment of the Broadcasting Act, and is one of three contentious media reform bills backed by the DP. The bills aim to change how the heads of public broadcasters are appointed. Rather than being selected solely by a broadcaster's board of directors, a new recommendation committee composed of experts from various sectors will now nominate candidates. Currently, board members are selected largely based on political appointments, often resulting in accusations of government bias. Under the new law, a broader, more diverse recommendation committee — including members from civil society and academia — would nominate board members. The number of board members, too, will increase. The ruling party argues this will reduce political interference and promote independence in public broadcasting. But the opposition strongly disagrees, saying the change could instead shift control toward liberal-leaning civic groups, and further politicize media under the guise of reform. A spokesperson from the presidential office today commented on the passage of the bill, saying that it aligns closely with the Lee Jae Myung administration's push to return public broadcasting to the people, and represents an important first step in reforming how public broadcasters are run. "It represents a crucial first step in institutionalizing reforms to the governance structure of public broadcasters — an issue that has long been considered an urgent task." You mentioned that there are five contentious bills on the table — what are the others? Beyond the media reform bills, there are two others that lawmakers are divided on. One of them is the so-called "Yellow Envelope Bill," which is essentially an amendment of labour union laws that limits employer action on striking union members. Another is a proposed revision to the Commercial Act that aims to strengthen corporate governance transparency and protect minority shareholders' rights, particularly within large corporations. Both are being championed by the Democratic Party, while the People Power Party remains staunchly opposed. Here's what they had to say on the "Yellow Envelope Bill." "By adjusting the balance in labor-management relations, this will be the first step toward enabling dialogue at sites where subcontractors couldn't even speak to their main contractors — paving the way for voluntary, horizontal cooperation." "The Yellow Envelope Bill could encourage unlimited illegal strikes and has high potential to devastate industrial sites." So, can we expect these bills to be passed in this August session? Looking ahead, the August session is expected to remain highly combative. Another plenary session is scheduled for August 21st, and the People Power Party has already warned that it will launch filibusters against all of the bills remaining on the agenda if they're pushed forward without bipartisan agreement. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party appears to be taking an approach that's being described as "salami-slicing" — so they're passing bills one by one to wear down resistance. All eyes are now on whether the opposition will stick to its filibuster threats. Thank you for the breakdown. Thank you for having me.