News

[K-enter] BLACKPINK's Rosé nominated for 2 American Music Awards

2025/04/24 14:00

As it is time for some K-entertainment action. Bella, yesterday we talked about BLACKPINK member Rosé doing so well on the Billboard charts. Today we have some more impressive news on Rosé? Rosé has been nominated for two American Music Awards. On Wednesday local time, the AMA, one of the main music awards in the U.S., officially announced this year’s nominations. Rosé secured two nominations this year-‘Collaboration of the Year’ with Bruno Mars with their hit song “APT.” and ‘Favorite K-Pop Artist.’ She made history as she became the first K-pop artist to receive a nomination for ‘Collaboration of the Year’ at the AMA. Rosé has continued her long run on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with “APT.” as it remains on the chart for the 26th consecutive week. Alongside with Rosé, ATEEZ, BTS Jimin and RM, and Stray Kids were nominated for ‘Favorite K-Pop Artist.’ It’s actually ATEEZ’s first time to be nominated for the AMA since their debut. The 2025 AMA will air live from Las Vegas on May 26th local time. All awards will be determined by fan voting that will be open until May 15th local time. I’ll make sure to vote. Let’s continue with more impressive milestones made by K-pop artists. This time it’s a group-which group are we talking about? We are going to talk about NCT WISH. They have managed to create their first million-seller with their second mini-album “poppop.” According to the Hanteo Chart, the album, released on April 14th, sold about 1-million 87-thousand copies in the first week, breaking the group's own highest records for both first-week sales and pre-orders. The album “poppop”'s title track of the same title is a dance-pop song that combines bouncy melodies and the group’s refreshing sensibility. NCT WISH have shown phenomenal growth from the start, and they have risen to the ranks of million-sellers for the first time in just about a year since their debut. Very impressive to become a million-seller in less than a year since debut. For our last story we turn to an upcoming Korean OTT series. Disney+’s original series, “Nine Puzzles,” just dropped its teaser trailer. The new series is a mystery thriller that delves into the secrets of a serial murder case that restarted with mysterious puzzle pieces, starring Ina, a profiler and the sole witness of an unsolved case from 10 years ago, and Han-sam, a detective who continues to suspect Ina as a suspect. “Nine Puzzles” is a collaboration between director Yoon Jong-bin, known for his works “Narco-Saints,” and “The Spy Gone North,” and actors Kim Da-mi and Kim Suk-ku. The series will be exclusively released on Disney+ in 3 blocks-six episodes on May 21st, three episodes on May 28th, and two episodes on June 4th. Will look forward to that next month. Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

Trump to set China tariffs in two to three weeks

2025/04/24 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump says it's up to China, how soon the tariffs can come down. The comments come amid reports that Washington is looking to cut its tariffs on Chinese imports to ease tensions between the two largest economies. Trump is also set to exempt carmakers from some U.S. tariffs, in yet another sign of him easing his tariff policies. Lee Seung-jae has more. Currently,.. U.S. President Donald Trump has set tariffs on Chinese imports at 145%. According to the U.S. leader, that number could come down significantly, but it'll be up to China. Trump also hinted that a new tariff rate on Chinese imports could be decided in two to three weeks. He also warned that if there is no deal between the two sides, Washington will unilaterally set the tariff rate. Trump added that if China is unwilling to do business with the U.S., the rate will remain at 145%. The comments come amid reports that the Trump administration is looking into lowering the tariff rate for China to the 50 to 65 percent range. Trump also hinted at de-escalating tensions with China by saying on Tuesday, that 145% is too high, and that it will come down substantially. Meanwhile, in another turnaround from the U.S. leader, he's now planning to exempt carmakers from some U.S. auto tariffs. According to the Financial Times on Thursday, the latest move would exempt car parts from the tariffs that Trump has imposed on Chinese imports over the country's fentanyl production. It also includes levies on steel and aluminum products. Washington has been collecting a 25% tax on every car not assembled in the U.S, and a 25% tax on some imported auto parts is set to go into effect early May. Meanwhile, South Korea's industry minister Ahn Duk-geun said Wednesday that Seoul aims to remove the Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs. Ahn made the remarks upon arriving in the U.S., to hold talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for "two-plus-two" consultations over tariff and other issues. The minister expressed optimism that the talks will allow reciprocal tariffs on Seoul to remain suspended. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[Weather] Fine spring day with temperature swings, very high UV rays

2025/04/24 10:00

It looks like being another one of those classic spring days with a significant temperature swing. Here in Seoul, we'll enjoy a warm afternoon with highs reaching 20 degrees. And down in the Gyeongsang-do regions, it could feel even warmer under plenty of sunshine. And as you've guessed, the season of sun safety has arrived. The UV index will be very high in most parts of Korea today during the day. Central regions could see temperatures going down a few degrees today, but those in the east coast regions will notice highs jumping about 5 to 10 degrees higher than yesterday. Daegu and Gyeongju both noticing a big rise in highs today, topping out at 26 degrees Celsius. Air quality will be decent nationwide, but the spring winds will be picking up. We have some cooler air moving in from the north, which will make temperatures more typical for this time of year. Remember, with these ups and downs in temperatures, taking care of your health is really important.

6.2-magnitude earthquake shakes Istanbul

2025/04/24 10:00

Over in Türkiye, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Istanbul on Wednesday at 12:49 PM local time, injuring more than 200 people during a public holiday in the country. The quake's epicenter was located in the Sea of Marmara, approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Istanbul. The tremor lasted about 13 seconds and was followed by over 100 aftershocks, including one of 5.9 magnitude. Officials say at least 236 people are being treated in hospitals, primarily due to injuries suffered while jumping from buildings in panic. Authorities received over 300 reports of structural damage in buildings. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed relief that the situation was manageable and extended prayers for the nation's safety.

India downgrades ties, closes main border with Pakistan after attack on tourists in Kashmir

2025/04/24 10:00

Following the deadly attack by militants in Kashmir which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, India has announced it would take diplomatic and security measures against Pakistan. Those measures include the closure of a main border crossing, the downgrading of ties, and suspension of a water treaty. On Tuesday, gunmen opened fire on tourists near Pahalgam, a popular tourist site in Kashmir, killing 26 and injuring dozens. In response, India has downgraded diplomatic relations with Pakistan and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, a critical water-sharing agreement established in 1960. Additionally, India has closed its main border with Pakistan and expelled Pakistani military advisers from New Delhi. India's Defense Minister promised a "very loud response" to the perpetrators. Pakistan has denied involvement in the attack and expressed concern over the loss of life, calling for a National Security Council meeting to discuss the situation.

Hamas releases video of 48-year-old Israeli hostage

2025/04/24 10:00

Starting in the Middle East, Hamas has released a new video showing an Israeli hostage in his forties, who had been abducted during the October 2023 attacks. The footage provides a hint into the conditions of hostages held in Gaza, as negotiations for their release continue. In the nearly three-minute video released on Wednesday, 48-year-old Omri Miran is seen walking through a tunnel in Gaza and lighting a candle to mark his birthday. He explains in front of the camera in Hebrew, his life after more than 18 months in captivity. According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Miran's identity was verified by his family. Miran's family did not authorize the publication of the video, but they agreed to share a screenshot of it. Meanwhile, the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has called Hamas "sons of dogs" and demanded that the group release the hostages.

President Trump says Zelenskyy will prolong war by rejecting Russian control of Crimea

2025/04/24 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump slammed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, accusing him of prolonging the war with Russia. Trump took to his Truth Social platform, after the Ukrainian leader rejected a proposal to accept Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Calling Zelenskyy's refusal "inflammatory," Trump said such remarks are harmful for peace talks with Russia, and will only "prolong" the "killing field." Trump also called on Zelenskyy to change his position, saying that they're close to reaching a deal.

On-point: S. Korea eyeing removal of U.S. reciprocal tariffs ahead of consultations. How likely is that?

2025/04/24 10:00

As mentioned earlier, South Korea's negotiation team of Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun arrived in the U.S. ahead of the "two-plus-two" consultations set to take place tonight Korea time. Eyes are on whether what the team aims for can be smoothly reached. For more on this, we are connected live with Professor Song Soo-young this morning. Good morning Professor, welcome to the show. Just a few hours ago, the industry minister said he aims to have the imposition of reciprocal tariffs removed. Could you elaborate on the key agenda items expected to be discussed? And how do you forecast this to go? U.S. President Donald Trump personally attended high-level tariff negotiations with Japan, and some speculate that a similar surprise appearance could happen with the Korean delegation. What should Seoul's strategy be to avoid a one-sided outcome in the event of such an intervention? A little earlier, U.S. media reported that Trump is planning to spare carmakers from some of his tariffs. How does this retreat lift concerns from automakers a bit? It seems Trump is slowly making some concessions, raising our hope for smooth negotiations tonight. However, even if trade negotiations between South Korea and the U.S. are concluded smoothly, many experts predict that the Korean economy will still be impacted if the U.S.-China tariff war drags on. What is your view on this? The IMF revised down its global forecast, saying the world economy will grow by 2-point-8 percent this year. In terms of the South Korean economy, it said it will see just 1-percent growth this year. How did you see the IMF's latest projections, and if Trump retreats further, what positive effect might there be for the economic outlook? That is all for now, Professor Song. Thanks so much for sharing your insight with us. We appreciate it.

Thousands of people queue in St. Peter's Square to say last goodbye to Pope Francis

2025/04/24 10:00

After Pope Francis' death, his body was moved to St. Peter's Basilica for the public to pay their respects. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered to say a final goodbye to the Pope. Our Choi Soo-hyung reports. Thousands of people queue in St. Peter's Square to say a last farewell to Pope Francis. After his body was brought to St. Peter's Basilica, tens of thousands are offering their final goodbye over the three days of public mourning. “Yeah, it was very, very moving experience to see him so vulnerable after so long being so unwell. A real pleasure and privilege to be there. The queueing was difficult, but it kind of worth it in the end, so a pleasure to, to be there." "We knew there were many people, so we approached this with calmness. It's an opportunity to be able to pray for our Pope " Pope Francis’ body, dressed in red vestments and a white miter, was displayed lying at an angle on a simple wooden coffin. Unlike in the past, his coffin was placed lower, closer to the ground, reflecting his humility and his love for the poor and vulnerable. Italian media outlets reported that more than 100,000 people were waiting to enter, with lines so long that people had to wait at least four hours to pay their respects inside the basilica. The Vatican initially planned to accept mourners until midnight on the first day. On the second day, public mourning will be allowed from 7 AM to midnight local time, and on the final day from 7 AM to 7 PM. It also stated that the hours could be extended depending on the crowd size. Pope Francis's funeral mass will be held on April 26th at 10 AM local time, in St. Peter's Square. The conclave the secret meeting of cardinals is expected to take place between May 5th and 10th. According to the Associated Press, Cardinal Lazzaro Yoo Heung-sik, the only Korean to attend this conclave, predicted that the meeting would end earlier than expected. Cardinal Yoo added, "Let us watch and see the will of the Lord." When asked if the next pope could come from Asia, he answered, "The Lord does not distinguish between East and West." He is currently serving as the Vatican Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy and was recently listed among the 12 leading candidates for the next pope by Italy's largest daily newspaper, 'Corriere della Sera.' Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

SK hynix achieves earnings surprise in Q1 as HBM chip sales increase

2025/04/24 10:00

Meanwhile, the South Korea's tech giant SK hynix achieved an earnings surprise in the first quarter of this year. On Thursday, the company announced that its sales of memory chips, particularly the 5th generation HBM, had increased following market improvement. SK hynix also mentioned that, tentatively, operating profit for the first quarter rose by more than 157 percent on-year, and revenue grew by about 42 percent approximately 12-point-8 billion U.S. dollars. This marks the second-highest performance ever for the company, following record-high results in the fourth quarter last year.

S. Korea's Q1 GDP Shrinks 0.2% amid political risk, U.S. trade tensions

2025/04/24 10:00

Shifting gears, South Korea's economy contracted in the first quarter of this year for the first time in three quarters. For more, our economy correspondent Shin Se-byuck is on the line. Sebyuck, let's begin with the key figures. According to the Bank of Korea on Thursday, South Korea's real gross domestic product, a key indicator of the economy, shrank by 0-point-2 percent on-quarter in Q1. This marks the steepest contraction since the fourth quarter of 2022, when the economy,.. hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, contracted by 0.5 percent. It's also the first negative growth in three quarters. What's more concerning is that quarterly growth has remained below point-1 percent for four consecutive quarters, something that hasn't happened since related statistics were first compiled in 1960. Breaking it down, private consumption and government spending fell by 0-point-1 percent, while construction investment plunged 3-point-2 and facility investment dropped 2-point-1 percent, dragging down the overall growth. Exports declined by 1-point-1 percent, while imports dropped 2 percent, mostly due to falling energy imports. What are some of the key factors behind this downturn? In fact, the Bank of Korea had already hinted at a possible contraction last week. It cited several factors, including prolonged political uncertainty at home and dampened economic sentiment triggered by U.S. tariff policies. There's also the temporary halt to construction activity and a delay in demand for high-performance semiconductors like HBM chips. Given these setbacks, South Korea's full-year growth is now expected to fall short of the Bank of Korea's February forecast of 1-point-5 percent. An updated projection is expected next month, after factoring in the supplementary budget currently under review by the National Assembly and developments in global trade talks. Thank you for the detailed updates. That was our correspondent Shin Sebyuck reporting on Korea's first-quarter GDP figures.

Panel discussion: Tracking North Korea’s military ambitions and diplomatic moves

2025/04/23 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 the security dynamics on the Korean Peninsula rapidly evolve, South Korea has launched its fourth military reconnaissance satellite, taking a major step toward completing its independent space-based surveillance system. At the same time, North Korea's military alliance with Russia is deepening in unprecedented ways. A North Korean multiple rocket launcher—reportedly supplied to Russian forces—has now surfaced on the Ukrainian battlefield, sparking concern about Pyongyang's growing role in global conflicts. What's even more alarming is that North Korean troops may soon be deployed from Russia to mainland Ukraine. Meanwhile, as Russia gears up for its Victory Day celebrations, speculation is mounting over a possible visit by Kim Jong-un to Moscow—and the potential for a North Korea–China–Russia summit. So what could this mean for regional security, and how should the world respond to a shifting balance of power in Northeast Asia? For more on this, we are joined by Go Myong-hyun, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy. Welcome. Also joining us is Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific Security Chair at Hudson Institute. Great to have you. 1. (GO) Let's start with Dr.Go, so yesterday, the Seoul's defense ministry announced that the nation's 4th military reconnaissance satellite was successfully launched from the U.S. Space Force base at Cape Canaveral. Could you walk us through the main tasks and roles of this 4th reconnaissance satellite? 2. (CRONIN) Now to Dr.Cronin, The military plans to complete the launch of the 5th and final reconnaissance satellite within this year, wrapping up the "425 Project," which aims to secure and operationalize Seoul's independent reconnaissance satellite capabilities. What practical impact do you think this project will have on the security of the Korean Peninsula? 3. (GO) As for North Korea, its multiple launch rocket system, reportedly supplied to Russian forces, has been captured on video for the first time. It's said to surpass the performance of nearly all artillery systems possessed by Ukraine. Dr.Go, how powerful is this weapon? 4. (CRONIN) Beyond weapons supply, there are now claims that North Korean troops are preparing to enter mainland Ukraine. Until now, North Korean forces had only been deployed in Russia's Kursk region. Dr.Cronin, what is the likelihood that North Korean troops will be deployed to Ukrainian territory? What would such a move signify? 5. (GO) In addition to this, a passenger train line between Vladivostok in Russia's Primorsky Krai and Rason in North Korea is set to begin operations on May 8th, the day before Russia's Victory Day. Preparatory work for the construction of a bridge connecting the two countries is also accelerating. Dr.Go, could this be seen as part of Russia laying the groundwork for reciprocal benefits in exchange for North Korea's troop deployment? 6. (CRONIN) Amid this, both sides have yet to announce whether Chairman Kim Jong-un will visit Moscow for Russia's Victory Day celebration in May. One major variable is that North Korea's top leader has almost never participated in multilateral diplomatic settings. Dr.Cronin, why has North Korea traditionally avoided multilateral talks? 7. (GO) Chinese President Xi Jinping meanwhile has confirmed his attendance at this year's Victory Day celebrations. Dr.Go, do you think this could lead to a North Korea–China–Russia trilateral summit? What is the likelihood of Kim Jong-un visiting Russia? 8. (GO) If Chairman Kim does visit Russia, what do you think would be the most critical diplomatic benefit North Korea seeks to gain Dr.Go? 9. (CRONIN) If Kim Jong-un's visit leads to a three-way summit between the leaders of North Korea, Russia, and China, what message would that send to the West? What impact would it have on the security landscape of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia?

S. Korea to begin high-level trade talks with U.S. in Washington

2025/04/23 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is in Washington and upon arrival, he pledged to promote dialogue that will advance the bilateral alliance while the Trump administration is in an apparent rush for some outcome. Kim Jung-sil has our top story. South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Choi Sang-mok, has arrived in Washington, D.C. for trade talks with the U.S. The discussions are set to begin at 8 a.m. local time on Thursday. This marks the highest-level visit by a South Korean official since the start of the Trump administration's second term. "We are here to initiate discussions that will further strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance. I will share the results of our talks on Thursday." Choi's visit comes amid rising trade tensions, with the U.S. imposing reciprocal tariffs which will be imposed after a 90-day grace period as well as 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles. Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, on his way to Washington, expressed his commitment to addressing these issues. "In sectors like automobiles, where the 25% tariff has caused significant damage, we will work to find a solution as quickly as possible." Minister Ahn also mentioned that they are prepared for the possibility of a surprise appearance by President Trump, as seen in recent U.S.-Japan negotiations. The ministers will join discussions with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The talks are expected to cover a broad range of issues, including the trade imbalance, non-tariff barriers like U.S. beef import restrictions, and even defense cost-sharing. "We are moving at Trump speed to ensure these deals are made on behalf of the American worker and the American people." Experts in Seoul advise South Korea to take a measured approach for a better long-term deal. "We don't know if what Trump wants today it will be the same tomorrow—he may ask additional things in the near future. We want to make sure that if there is a deal, then it's a complete deal." The expert also cautioned that the U.S. may be seeking a quick win for President Trump, which could lead to rushed decisions. With so much at stake, the outcome of Thursday's talks is being closely watched. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

[Weather] Warm weather across the country with clear skies

2025/04/23 20:00

Warm and sunny spring weather came back again all over the country today. Seoul and Jeonju rose up to 24 degrees Celsius, and Daejeon 25 degrees, feeling a little hot today. It will be as warm as 20 degrees in Seoul tomorrow with clear air. With these warm conditions, you might wonder if ultra-fine dust or fine dust will cover the skies. Looking at the ultra-fine dust forecast tomorrow, we'll have "good" levels across the country. It will be perfect to enjoy outdoor activities. However, strong winds will make a return tomorrow nationwide. Tomorrow, Seoul will start off at 11 degrees, Chuncheon and Gyeongju at 9 degrees. Highs will move up to 22 degrees in Chuncheon, Daejeon and Gwangju, 26 degrees in Daegu and Gyeongju. As the cold air moves south from the northeast, the temperature in Seoul on Friday will drop to 7 degrees. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Top security officials, experts call for continued U.S. commitment to nuclear deterrence, partnership with allies: Asan Plenum 2025

2025/04/23 20:00

The second Trump administration's first three months in office have been marked by tariffs and continued tensions with its partner countries. In Seoul, a forum gathering prominent diplomatic officials and experts raised the need for America to build confidence among its allies. Our Oh Soo-young reports. Nuclear deterrence and alliances should not be neglected but bolstered by the United States, as geopolitical tensions and global conflicts continue three months into the second Trump administration. That's according to officials and experts at the annual Asan Plenum in Seoul. As concerns grow over the lack of messaging on Washington's security commitment to its allies,.. Kurt Campbell, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, raised the need for confidence-building, noting North Korea's nuclear threat, Russia's potential use of nuclear weapons, and the largest nuclear build-up of modern times in China. "My own view is that over time we're going to need to do more and we're going to need to involve our key allies, Japan and the ROK, more in decision making around military nuclear use, much in the way we did in Europe and in parts of the Cold War." Campbell also called for Seoul to have greater representation, as an addition to the G7 or the Quad, saying its contributions to global governance are dearly valued. On trade concerns, as America rolls out reciprocal tariffs against its trading partners, the former diplomat expressed optimism towards the "ingenuity and the determination" by Seoul's trade officials, who have traveled to Washington, D.C for ministerial consultations this week. Former U.S. White House official Victor Cha said Trump has unlocked many new opportunities of cooperation that were previously unthinkable. "The most obvious area is shipbuilding where the U.S. needs help. Korea's very successful in that area. Strategic energy cooperation. Where South Korea doesn't need to rely on unreliable supplies from the Gulf but get energy supplies from the U.S." "The annual discussion comes amid the need for the Indo-Pacific security architecture to evolve to meet the challenges of a new era, especially at a time marked by competing visions of order and leadership in Northeast Asia." Highlighting 80 years since the end of World War Two that liberated South Korea from Japan's colonisation, Seoul's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul warned against "naked self-interest" that led to war in the past. As two key democratic players in the Indo-Pacific, Cho highlighted Seoul and Tokyo's dramatic improvement of relations over the past three years, saying their partnership is not a choice but a necessity. The two nations commemorate 60 years of normalising bilateral ties this year. Amid the U.S.-China rivalry, Cho said South Korea and Japan can encourage China's constructive role and prevent escalations in the region. Tokyo's ambassador to Seoul also called for continued trilateral cooperation with the U.S. to strengthen deterrence and foster regional stability and prosperity. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Births rise for 8th month, marriages see double-digit growth in Feb.

2025/04/23 20:00

In other news. More babies were born in Korea in February, maintaining a promising upward trend for the eighth month in a row. Shin Se-byuck covers the latest findings. South Korea reported a rise in the number of newborns for the eighth consecutive month in February. According to Statistics Korea's data on Wednesday, a total of 20-thousand-35 babies were born in February 2025, a 3-point-2 percent increase from the same month last year. This marks the first time in 11 years that the number of births in February has gone up compared to the previous year. But the pace of growth slowed from January, when the country recorded its highest childbirth growth in recent years at 11-point-6 percent. The country's total fertility rate, the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime, also saw a slight on-year increase. It came in at point-8-2, up point-0-5 from a year earlier, with gains seen across all age groups, from women aged 24 and under, to those in their 40s and beyond. The number of marriages also continued to climb, with 19-thousand-370 couples tying the knot in February, marking a 14-point-3 percent on-year increase and the 11th straight month of growth the longest upward streak since records began. Meanwhile, the number of divorces dipped slightly, down point-1 percent from a year earlier. Despite the positive signs in the number of newborns and marriages, one expert cautioned that the recent uptick may be a short-term trend, driven more by demographic timing than a fundamental shift. "We're seeing postponed births from the pandemic now taking place, and a large cohort of people currently in their prime age for marriage and childbirth. But that doesn't mean today's young generation is more inclined to get married or have children. So it's too soon to say this is a true upward trend." He added that fundamental issues like soaring housing costs, job insecurity, and the high cost of private education must be tackled to see lasting change. Meanwhile, despite the rise in births and marriages, the country still recorded a natural population decline. With 30-thousand-283 deaths reported in February, a 1-point-3 percent increase on-year, the population shrank by 10-thousand-248. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.

Pope Francis lies in St. Peter's Basilica ahead of funeral on April 26

2025/04/23 20:00

The funeral of Pope Francis will take place in the Vatican on Saturday, local time, which will be a final reflection of his humble style. Ahn Sung-jin has more. Pope Francis lies in a wooden coffin, wearing a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary held in his hands. Unlike his predecessors, who were placed in a triple coffin, the Pope remains in a wooden coffin, which reflects the humble life he led. On Wednesday morning local time, the procession left the chapel of Santa Marta, the Pope's residence in the Vatican, to St. Peter's Basilica. It passed through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, was in charge of the rite of translation -the process of translating liturgical texts. Large crowds gathered to mourn the Pope's death, carrying flowers and crosses while some prayed. The late Pope's body will be taken into the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment, but until then, will remain in an open coffin until Friday at St. Peter's Basilica for mourners who wish to pay their respects before the funeral mass. The Vatican has confirmed that the Pope's funeral will take place on Saturday in St. Peter's Square. Royals and world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have confirmed their attendance. Once the mourning period is over, conclave, the process of electing the new pope, will begin. Corriere della Sera, one of Italy's oldest and most-read newspapers, placed South Korea's first Prefect of the Vatican's Diacastery for the Clergy, Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik , as a potential successor. The newspaper described You as "A member of the Focolare Movement who sought reconciliation between the two Koreas." Pope Francis appointed 80 percent of the cardinals who will pick the next pope. Though several contenders have been brought up, it is more likely to be narrowed down in the coming days. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

DP candidates debate on 'ending insurrection attempt' while PPP's 2nd round debate scheduled

2025/04/23 20:00

Turning to the presidential primaries. The Democratic Party hosted its second debate today while the People Power Party is gearing up for the next phase of the race. Our National Assembly correspondent Kim Do-yeon has the latest. The Democratic Party of Korea's three presidential primary contestants held a second debate on Wednesday. Three topics were posed to the three candidates: their thoughts on the ongoing insurrection allegations, the livelihood economy, and inter-Korean relations. Regarding ending what the contestants called an "ongoing insurrection attempt" referring to the martial law declaration the front-runner Lee Jae-myung emphasized "investigating the truth and punish those responsible," while candidates Kim Kyung-soo and Kim Dong-yeon argued that was insufficient, suggesting "comprehensive social reform" and "constitutional amendment," respectively, as specific methods. This comes as the second half of voting started for the primary on Wednesday with Lee Jae-myung in the lead with 90-percent of the votes so far. However, what's known as the "Honam region," consisting of the Jeolla-do Provinces and Gwangju City as well as ones that open on Thursday the capital region, Gangwon-do Province, and Jeju Island, consist of around 80 percent of the total votes room to turn things around. Meanwhile, the People Power Party started its second round as well. Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo, a couple of hours ago, came together for a media day to kick off the series of debates for this round. There will be one-on-one debates two on Thursday and two on Friday, and each contestant picked a debate partner. Kim Moon-soo picked Han Dong-hoon for the first debate on Thursday. Ahn picked Kim Moon-soo for the second debate on Thursday. Han Dong-hoon and Hong Joon-pyo picked each other, making their debate a three-hour-long one on Friday. On Saturday, there will be a four-way debate as well. The match-up brings together a pro-impeachment contestant and an against-impeachment contestant with Ahn and Han being pro-impeachment and Kim and Hong being against. This round cut-off, for which the result comes on April 29th, will be decided with 50 percent of eligible PPP voters and 50 percent an open survey. If a candidate gets more than 50-percent of the total, there won't be a run-off. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Trump eases investor fears with China trade optimism, denies plan to fire Fed chief

2025/04/23 20:00

Meanwhile, in what appears to be an attempt aimed at appeasing market anxiety, U.S. President Donald Trump has reaffirmed prospects of a trade deal with China and rejected prospects of replacing the head of the Federal Reserve. Lee Soo-jin has more. U.S. President Donald Trump is moving to ease investor concerns, highlighting optimism over trade talks with China while dismissing reports that he plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday, local time, Trump emphasized that trade talks with Beijing were "going well," and added, once again, that he maintains a good relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "My relationship with President Xi is great. It was — it's been great for a long time. We've had a very good relationship, and I think we'll make a deal with China. If we don't make a deal, we'll set it. We'll just set the number." He also acknowledged that the current 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods was high, but said that while this will be reduced "substantially," it will not be eliminated entirely. The Trump administration is actively ramping up trade talks, with the White House press secretary saying his trade team would meet with 34 countries, just this week, and that 18 trade proposals were currently undergoing reviews. "As I mentioned, there have now been 18 proposals and more than 100 countries around the world who are wanting to make a deal with the United States of America, So we feel everyone involved wants to see a trade deal happen, " When Trump was asked whether he had plans to fire Powell, he said he "never did." "The press runs away with things. No, I have no intention of firing him. I would like to see him be a little more active in terms of his idea to lower interest rates." This marks a sharp departure from Trump's recent pressure on the Fed chair to cut interest rates, last lowered in December. Just a day earlier, he escalated his criticism on Truth Social, calling Powell "a major loser" and suggesting he might remove him before his term ends in May 2026. Markets responded positively to his most recent remarks, with major U.S. stock indexes closing significantly higher on Tuesday, rebounding from Monday's steep sell-off triggered by Trump's criticism of Powell. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

S. Korea to begin high-level trade talks with U.S. in Washington

2025/04/23 17:00

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is in Washington D.C. and upon arrival there he pledged to promote dialogue that will advance the bilateral alliance. Kim Jung-sil has our top story. South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Choi Sang-mok, has arrived in Washington, D.C. for trade talks with the U.S. The discussions are set to begin at 8 a.m. local time on Thursday. This marks the highest-level visit by a South Korean official since the start of the Trump administration's second term. "We are here to initiate discussions that will further strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance. I will share the results of our talks on Thursday." Choi's visit comes amid rising trade tensions, with the U.S. imposing reciprocal tariffs which will be imposed after a 90-day grace period as well as 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles. Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, on his way to Washington, expressed his commitment to addressing these issues. "In sectors like automobiles, where the 25% tariff has caused significant damage, we will work to find a solution as quickly as possible." Minister Ahn also mentioned that they are prepared for the possibility of a surprise appearance by President Trump, as seen in recent U.S.-Japan negotiations. The ministers will join discussions with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The talks are expected to cover a broad range of issues, including the trade imbalance, non-tariff barriers like U.S. beef import restrictions, and even defense cost-sharing. "We are moving at Trump speed to ensure these deals are made on behalf of the American worker and the American people." Experts in Seoul advise South Korea to take a measured approach for a better long-term deal. "We don't know if what Trump wants today it will be the same tomorrow—he may ask additional things in the near future. We want to make sure that if there is a deal, then it's a complete deal " The expert also cautioned that the U.S. may be seeking a quick win for President Trump, which could lead to rushed decisions. With so much at stake, the outcome of Thursday's talks is being closely watched. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.