News

Hegseth and family clean Korean War Memorial in honor of Memorial Day

2025/05/26 10:00

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial Park in Washington, D.C., joining cleanup efforts, and highlighting the significance of the war. Marking the Memorial Day weekend, Hegseth cleaned the memorial's statues and monuments with his children on Saturday. Hegseth emphasized that the effort was more than just a cleanup, saying it is a chance to remind the kids what the Korean War was, and why it mattered according to the Defense Department. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins also joined in the cleaning up.

U.S. presses Israel to reenter Gaza talks, delay offensive

2025/05/26 10:00

The U.S. has pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay plans for a full-scale ground offensive in Gaza. That's according to a report in the Jerusalem Post on Sunday that said the request was made to in order to allow ceasefire negotiations and a hostage deal "proceed in parallel with military operations." With the ceasefire negotiations deadlocked, Israel has intensified its bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza with reports saying that the Israeli army controls over 77-percent of the Gaza Strip. In Gaza, a four-year-old child died on Saturday due to severe malnutrition, bringing the death toll from hunger-related causes in the besieged enclave to 58. Nine children were also killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck a family home in Khan Younis on Friday.

Russia launches largest aerial assault of three-year war on Ukraine

2025/05/26 10:00

Russia's massive aerial assault on Ukraine over the weekend left at least 12 people dead, including children. Ukrainian leader blasted Washington over its silence. Our Kim Bo-kyoung has the details. At least 12 people were killed and 60 wounded in different regions of Ukraine, after the Kremlin launched a series of air assaults throughout Ukraine late Saturday night. Among those killed were three children from the same family in the Zhytomyr region – west of Kyiv – according to Ukraine's internal affairs minister. "Let the world wake up and see. How long can they bomb children? We go to bed and do not know what awaits us in the morning." Nearly three-hundred attack drones and almost 70 missiles of various types were fired, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his social media X account, where he said ordinary citizens were subject to deliberate attacks. Zelenskyy condemned America's silence, saying it encouraged Putin, and asked for sanctions that would show the determination of the U.S. and European countries, to stop Russia's brutality. Later on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, called Russia's overnight attacks a "clear violation of the 1977 Geneva Peace Protocols designed to protect innocents." The protocol, is an annex to the Geneva Conventions signed in 1949, containing provisions for the protection of victims of international armed conflicts. Europe too, strongly condemned Russia and warned of additional sanctions. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Putin, having no interest in peace, should not be tolerated and that the EU will agree to further sanctions. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas was on the same page, stating the strongest international pressure was needed to make Russia end the war. The assault overnight into Sunday came, despite the largest prisoner swap of the war taking place. Ukraine brought home 303 prisoners of war on Sunday in the final phase of a one-thousand-for-one-thousand prisoner exchange with Russia. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Political mudslinging takes over policy talk during 2nd live debate between presidential candidates

2025/05/26 10:00

And on Friday, political mudslinging took over the talk on social policy as the four leading presidential contenders held their second debate. Our Oh Soo-young has the highlights. While promising social unity, presidential candidates clashed ferociously over politics and policy in their second televised debate. Focusing on social affairs, Friday's topics were social division, social safety nets, and sustainability. The Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung said he would overcome social division and inequality with technology such as AI,.. and continue to improve the current national pension system. As the former labor minister, the People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo promised to build wider income safety nets for small businesses, with improved pension schemes. Reform candidate Lee Jun-seok proposed a major pension overhaul, pointing out the two major parties' legislative revision last year, benefits the older generation while adding a 37-thousand-dollar burden on every young Korean. He also called for cuts to unnecessary, high-tech scans that ramp up health insurance premiums. Democratic Labor's Kwon Young-kook suggested doubling the basic pension to over 500 U.S. dollars, and building scores of state-run hospitals. Candidates also clashed over climate and energy policies. Left-leaning candidates continued pushing for renewable energy sources over nuclear power. Kim Moon-soo and Lee Jun-seok argued that nuclear power is much more efficient, affordable, and essential to support future industries like AI. But politics overrode policy throughout the two-hour debate. Lee Jae-myung said Kim Moon-soo was part of the impeached Yoon Suk Yeol administration that declared martial law last year. “The most extreme form of social conflict is an insurrection by martial law. Weren't they trying to completely wipe out the opposition?” Kim Moon-soo accused Lee's party of insurrection, for handing radical left-wing groups seats in parliament, and underscored Lee's five criminal trials. “In corruption cases like Baekhyeon-dong and Daejang-dong, just look at how many people close to him are in prison, or have died under suspicious circumstances? Uprooting lies and corruption is the first step toward national unity.” Lee Jun-seok blasted both the leading parties. He said that while the conservatives are tarnished with Yoon's martial law, the majority Democratic Party is just as guilty of creating a broken society. "You should be ashamed. Those who are jointly responsible for wrecking the country show up in red and blue only different in color fighting over power, in a shameless world." The third and final live debate takes place on Tuesday, focusing on politics. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Last weekend before early voting starts candidates try to amplify messages

2025/05/26 10:00

With that being said, this past weekend was the final weekend before early voting, which kept the contenders busier than ever. The liberal party's Lee Jae-myung spent the weekend promising the people to revitalize the economy, while the People Power Party continued to request a merger with the Reform Party. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. The Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung held a press conference on Sunday ahead of early voting later this week, where he reiterated that restoring the economy is his top priority. But he also reminded voters of what triggered the election in the first place: the declaration of martial law. “Those who threatened our constitutional order and public safety must be held accountable. But I will not engage in political retaliation targeting individuals.” On the economic front, Lee pledged to launch a presidential emergency task force to tackle inflation and tariffs and said a supplementary budget will follow to jumpstart growth. Lee spent Sunday in the Chungcheong-do provinces after making stops in Gyeonggi-do Province, a familiar region where he previously served as governor. Both areas are key swing regions expected to play a decisive role in the race. Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party chose Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, a conservative stronghold, for Saturday. In Daegu, Kim met with former President Park Geun-hye and argued that her impeachment had been unjust the location and message come as he tries to strengthen support among traditional PPP supporters who aren't so enthusiastic yet. But at the same time, he appeared to draw a line between himself and another impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol. “Criticism that the party is controlled by the president and his aides will no longer stand. I will put an end to power-driven, factional politics.” Kim pledged to revise the PPP charter to block presidential interference in party affairs seen as a direct response to criticism over Yoon’s role in internal decisions. Meanwhile, Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok campaigned in the capital region targeting younger voters and doubling down on attacks against both rivals: Lee Jae-myung for progressive economic policies, and Kim Moon-soo for his stance on martial law. As ballots began printing on Sunday, Lee’s name was confirmed as the fourth on the list, regardless of any merger talks with the PPP. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

[WEEKLY FOCUS] 4.5-day workweek? How S. Korea's presidential candidates aim to reform labor, housing policies

2025/05/24 12:00

We are now about 10 days away from the big election day, and candidates’ pledges especially on the economy are beginning to draw more attention. Following last week's coverage on AI and trade, this week, we take a closer look at their plans for labor reform and housing. For more on this, we are joined in the studio by our economics correspondent Lee Soo-jin. Welcome Soo-jin. Great to be here. Let's start with labor reform. Can you tell us how the candidates are proposing to improve labor conditions? Sure, so South Korea's presidential candidates are hoping to win the votes of those wishing for a better work-life balance by, as you said, improving labor conditions. To do so, the two frontrunners have proposed a 4-point-5-day workweek. The current standard workweek is five days, and most full-time workers log 40 hours from Monday to Friday, with a legal maximum of 52 hours per week. The 5-day workweek was introduced under a 2003 revision to the Labor Standards Act, and fully implemented nationwide by 2011. Now, attention is on whether a 4-point-5 workweek will become a reality this year. And here's how an expert assesses the key goals behind the two leading candidates’ proposals. Let's take a listen. "he also focused on a 4-point-5 day workweek that is aimed at reducing worker fatigue and improving their work-life balance, with the hope that it would boost productivity. If you look at Kim Moon-soo's proposal, he believes that with good negotiations between workers and employers, a more flexible situation can be achieved without dramatic changes." So, can you walk us through what each candidate's 4-point-5 day workweek looks like? To start off with Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, just as we heard from the expert, his focus is on easing worker burnout. He has proposed reducing the standard workweek from 40 to 36 hours by cutting Friday afternoons, without reducing wages. The proposal also includes providing incentives for companies to adopt the new schedule, and has the long-term goal of eventually transitioning to a 4-day workweek. "South Korea’s total working hours are too long, about 200 hours more than the OECD average. Longer hours no longer mean higher productivity; efficiency and creativity are now key." People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo has proposed a 4-point-5 day workweek that maintains the current 40 hours by redistributing working hours across the other four days in the week. Under this plan, employees work one extra hour from Monday to Thursday, and finish earlier on Friday, creating a shorter workday without cutting total weekly hours. He has also said that he supports granting exemptions to the 52-hour workweek limit for the semiconductor sector. "I will replace the rigid working hours system with a more flexible one; cut corporate and inheritance taxes significantly, and drastically reform regulations to help businesses thrive." Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok has strongly criticized the 4-point-5-day workweek proposal that reduces working hours without cutting wages, calling it unrealistic. He has instead pledged labor reforms that include giving local governments the authority to adjust the minimum wage to revitalize regional economies. Now turning to housing pledges, how do they compare? Housing is a key issue for all three candidates,. as the country's residence crisis has fueled voter concern, and also contributed to the country’s low birth rate. While they all aim to increase supply, their approaches differ, here’s how. The key theme of Lee Jae-myung's housing proposal is the "New Town." South Korea’s first New Town project from the late 1980s, which includes Bundang and Ilsan, now faces an aging infrastructure that he plans to rebuild. Lee has also pledged to cut red tape for Seoul’s downtown redevelopment, and to develop a 4th-generation New Town with more quality public housing. The key theme of Kim's proposal is "youth." Kim’s “3•3•3” Youth housing supply plan offers support for up to 9 years, 3 years after marriage, and 3 years each after a first and second child. His proposal includes supplying 200-thousand homes for young adults, newlyweds and families, and more housing for single-person households. The key theme of Lee Jun-seok's proposal is "life stages." He plans to increase the supply of 59㎡ homes by promoting the redevelopment and building of small-unit housing. Lee pledged to promote high-density urban development, citing strong housing demand, and proposed housing tax cuts tailored to newlyweds seeking smaller homes, growing families needing more space, and seniors looking to downsize. How can candidates reassure voters that these pledges will be carried out? Right, so feasibility has been raised as a key area of concern. And it looks like it will be crucial for candidates to make it clear to voters that they will be able to bridge the gap between parties to move policies forward. Here's what an expert said. "I think for the next six months after the new administration, everything depends upon how successful the National Assembly and government are in coming up with a revolutionary deregulation framework. All we need is a political consensus, which I think is very possible." Thank you for coming in today, Soo-jin. Thank you for having me.

[Weather] Rain again from tonight, early heat comes back on Sunday

2025/05/23 19:00

It seems like the early summer-like heat has subsided. The daytime temperature in Seoul today and tomorrow will be 23 degrees Celsius, similar to the average temperature for this time of year. However, rain is forecast in the north-central parts of the country, the south coast, and Jeju Island from tonight. It will then expand to other parts of the country tomorrow. The expected amount of rainfall will up to 60 millimeters on Jeju Island, 20 millimeters on the south coast, and 5 to 10 millimeters in other areas. Please prepare in advance if you have plans outside. Tomorrow morning, Seoul, Gwangju, and Busan will start off at 14 degrees, Jeju at 15 degrees. Highs will move up to 19 degrees in Daejeon, 15 degrees in Gyeongju. The early summer-like heat is expected to make a return from Sunday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

From access to excellence: Gaming powerhouse S. Korea’s esports future

2025/05/23 19:00

In other news. The strategy of Korea's e-sport industry is to lower barriers and raise opportunities for all players with potential via inclusive competitions and more. Our Lee Eun-hee explores those events. This group of people are university students in their everyday lives,. but for this moment, they are the stars of the stage as gamers. The 2025 Gyeonggi esports Festival has kicked off at KINTEX, bringing together a diverse range of participants. This annual event strives to reshape the perception of esports, and make it an integral part of everyday culture by making it more accessible. This year, the introduction of a tournament for disabled players adds greater meaning to the event. It shares the message that regardless of physical limitations, everyone can connect and enjoy the experience of gaming. "I have an intellectual disability, which makes it hard to express my emotions. I joined this tournament because it features a game I'm familiar with, so I felt confident. Whatever the result, I try to accept it and move forward." "Being here on the ground, we can clearly see just how much interest people of all ages in South Korea, a global gaming powerhouse, have in a wide variety of games. But beyond the popularity, what's truly striking is the growing effort to nurture new talent in the gaming industry." Debuting this year, the 2025 Korean Esports League kicked off with Eternal Return matches at the festival and continues with competitions across the country including PUBG Mobile and FC Mobile tournaments. Hosted by the Culture Ministry and co-organized by the Korea Esports Association alongside leading game developers including KRAFTON and Nexon Korea, the league aims to strengthen the foundation of the country's esports ecosystem. With teams from 14 regions participating, the league runs through October, providing a platform for the next generation of esports stars, the future 'Fakers' of Korea. Coming up in June, the Global Esports Forum hosted by the Korea Esports Association will bring together international experts to discuss global standards in esports, with Korea leading the conversation and paving the way for rising talents to take the global stage. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

K-pop girl group aespa wins "Best Song Asia" at Music Awards Japan

2025/05/23 19:00

K-pop girl band aespa's hit "Supernova" won "Best Song Asia," one of the main categories of the "Music Awards Japan" held in Kyoto on Thursday. On the second day of its two-day ceremony, K-pop boy group SEVENTEEN was also recognized with the "Special Award: Korean Popular Music" for "God of Music." And RM of BTS received "Best of Listeners' Choice" for his collaboration with popstar Megan Thee Stallion. The debut edition of the Music Awards Japan was supported by major local music agencies and governmental organizations.

[Arts & Culture] Step into "painter-poet" Marc Chagall's world

2025/05/23 19:00

Marc Chagall is well-known as a master of color, memory, and emotion. Starting today, his timeless works are now on view here in Seoul. Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin takes us inside a rare exhibition of the artist's world for this week's Arts and Culture segment. Art has a unique ability to transcend time. One artist who has that power is Marc Chagall, often called the "painter-poet" of the 20th century. Chagall's works are known to blur the lines between dreams and reality, blending tradition with innovation, and where colors become emotions. More than a hundred of his pieces have arrived in Korea for the "MARC CHAGALL: Beyond Time" exhibition. "At first glance, Chagall's works may seem playful, full of vivid color and fairytale-like shapes. But if you take a closer look, you'll be drawn into layers of meaning and emotion." Chagall's works have visited Korea before. But this exhibition offers something never seen before. "These seven works are privately owned, so it took months of persuasion to bring them here. As this exhibition marks 40 years since Chagall's passing, we hoped Korea would be the first place to unveil them." Also drawing attention is Chagall's trademark stained glass and ceiling works. Large-scale projections and soundscapes have recreated the ceiling of the Palais Garnier in Paris and stained glass windows from Israel's Hadassah Medical Center. "Stained glass and ceiling paintings aren't something you can display like traditional canvases, so we thought hard about how to present that part of Chagall's world. In the end, we created two immersive spaces, bringing in sound engineers and designing the setup with symbolic visual elements." Rather than organizing his works chronologically, the exhibition unfolds through eight thematic sections based on Chagall's life, such as his major commissions, love for Paris, and flowers. "We hope this exhibition isn't just an encounter with Chagall the artist, but with Chagall the human being. The paintings reflect his emotional journey: joy, sorrow, longing, and love." You can explore "MARC CHAGALL: Beyond Time" until September 21st at Seoul Arts Center's Hangaram Art Museum. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

Trump administration blocks Harvard University from enrolling foreign students

2025/05/23 19:00

The U.S. is ending Harvard University's eligibility to enroll foreign students amid tensions between the school and the Trump administration, which is expected to affect hundreds of international students in that school. Lee Seung-jae has details. The Trump administration has barred Harvard University from enrolling international students moving forward. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Thursday, it has revoked the school's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification saying that Harvard "has created an unsafe campus environment by permitting anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators to harass and physically assault individuals, including many Jewish students, and otherwise obstruct its once-venerable learning environment." The DHS added that many of the "agitators are foreign students." The latest ban also means that currently enrolled students at the Ivy League school must transfer or lose their legal status. The move comes as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the DHS to terminate the school's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, due to the university's refusal to hand over the conduct records of international students, as requested last month. In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Noem said that her department is "absolutely" considering similar measures for other universities, including Columbia University. She stressed that what has happened to Harvard should be a warning to all other universities to get their "act together." The Trump administration's revoking of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification means 68-hundred international students enrolled in the school must transfer to keep hold of their legal status in the U.S. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. Korea concludes 2nd tariff talks with U.S. ahead of presidential election

2025/05/23 19:00

Trade officials of Korea and the U.S. ended their latest technical talks in Washington, where the U.S. reportedly addressed non-tariff barrier issues. A tangible deal is expected under the new Korean government. Moon Ji-young has the latest. South Korea and the U.S. concluded the second round of working-level consultations in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. These talks come as South Korea seeks to negotiate product-specific tariffs and the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration. The Korean delegation, led by Chang Sung-gil , Director-General of Trade Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, met with officials from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The technical discussions focused on six key areas: balanced trade, non-tariff measures, economic security, digital trade, country of origin, and commercial considerations. The U.S. side reportedly raised specific issues concerning Korea's non-tariff barriers, as detailed in the USTR's report from late March. That report listed 21 measures, including restrictions on imports of U.S. beef from cattle over 30 months old, digital trade barriers, and the "offset" defense trade policy. Washington wants Seoul to lower non-tariff barriers and expand imports from the U.S. to reduce trade deficits. The South Korean government intends to conclude negotiations with the U.S. after a new president takes office following the upcoming June 3rd election. "Once the election's over, then the new government, actually the administration team is going to start negotiating. So, if they make too much hasty decisions, and then, if the new government is going to just flip everything, that's going to be super costly in terms of both reputation and also actual time and efforts." Seoul aims to minimize the rates of the Trump administration's new duties, including 25-percent reciprocal tariffs as well as sectoral tariffs including 25-percent levies on automobiles, steel, and aluminum before July 8th, when Trump's 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs ends. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

U.S. could withdraw troops from S. Korea amid tensions with China

2025/05/23 19:00

The U.S. is reportedly exploring the option of relocating more than 4-thousand American troops from South Korea to elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific. The idea is yet to be confirmed by President Trump, but raises concerns over security on the Korean Peninsula. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji covers this report. The U.S. is reportedly considering withdrawing around 4-thousand-500 American troops from South Korea to Guam or other locations in the Indo Pacific region. That's about 16-percent of the total number of U.S. forces in South Korea, where there are roughly 28-thousand-500 troops. Citing defense officials familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the idea is being developed by the Pentagon, for consideration by Trump as part of an informal policy review. While adding the proposal has yet to reach Trump's desk, it said this is one of several ideas under discussion by senior officials. Since his first term, Trump has considered changing the U.S. footprint in South Korea --which relies on close coordination with American forces to deter threats from the North. "It depends. We pay for military over in Europe. We don't get reimbursed by much. South Korea too." But the head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has presented negative views about the idea of a troop drawdown in a Senate hearing last month, saying the loss of the force on the Korean Peninsula, would mean a higher probability that North Korea would invade. "As General Brunson said, North Korea's development of advanced nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles pose a direct threat to our homeland and our allies, and are executing a deepening cooperation with Russia." Trump has been hinting at an attempt to renegotiate a deal on sharing the costs for American troops stationed in Korea, saying Washington cannot be taken advantage of any longer in military and trade. He's described South Korea as a "money machine," insisting that Seoul should be paying 10 billion dollars a year. Experts suggest pulling troops out of Korea could mean the Trump administration is looking to redeploy them to areas that better align with priority goals such as countering China. "What the United States is saying is: we're currently focused on China, so we want our allies to take responsibility in terms of conventional defense capabilities, while we are willing to fully support in areas such as nuclear deterrence. And in return, the U.S. is asking for help in preparing to respond to potential conflicts with China, especially in the event of a Taiwan contingency." Seoul's defense ministry explained there hasn't been any discussions with Washington over a possible troop reduction. The Pentagon reportedly said there were no policy announcements to make. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

Presidential candidates scale back their campaigns ahead of second televised debate

2025/05/23 19:00

Presidential hopefuls are gearing up for tonight's second face-off, having spent the day with minimal campaign activities. The DP's candidate wrapped up his trip to a southeastern village where he paid tribute to late President Roh Moo-hyun on the 16th anniversary of his death while the PPP's candidate attended a prayer breakfast in the morning, calling for unity. Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The rival parties' presidential candidates scaled back their campaigns on Friday ahead of their second televised debate this evening. Instead, Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung wrapped up his trip to Gyeongsangnam-do Province after paying tribute to the late liberal President Roh Moo-hyun on the 16th anniversary of his passing away. "While paying tribute to former President Roh Moo-hyun, I reaffirmed my commitment to building a country where the people are respected as the rightful owners and can live happily." Lee met former President Moon Jae-in for lunch, during which Moon said now was a crucial time for South Korea and urged Lee to take responsibility in creating a country that respects the people. "With just 11 days to go to the 21st presidential election, key political figures from across the political spectrum gathered in Bongha Village, located in the city of Gimhae." Attendees of a memorial service included former President Moon Jae-in and his wife, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, and People Power Party interim leader Kim Yong-tae. In a social media post, Kim said former President Roh Moo-hyun put the country and its people first, beyond political affiliation, and said he would remember Roh's hope for a world without injustice or privilege. Meanwhile, the PPP's Kim Moon-soo attended a prayer breakfast for the nation and its people, where he emphasized unity, saying that economic struggles and social division have worsened conflict. The PPP said Kim's support is growing and expressed hope that he could lead in the polls before early voting starts if the trend continues. "In the end, Kim Moon-soo's distinct character, proven skills, and clear vision will bring him victory. As the election passes the halfway point, support is starting to pick up across the country." With the candidates set to fully resume their rallies after the debate, they are expected to put their utmost efforts into the final week of the official presidential campaign. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News, Gimhae.

Stock

2025/05/23 19:00

2025. 5. 23. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 2,592.09 ▼1.58 -0.06% KOSDAQ : 715.98 ▼1.69 -0.24% KOSPI200 : 345.28 ▲0.48 +0.14% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 37,160.47 ▲174.60 +0.47% HANG SENG : 23,601.26 ▲56.95 +0.24% SHANGHAI : 3,348.37 ▼31.82 -0.94% WALL STREET (May 22) DOW JONES : 41,859.09 ▼1.35 -0.00% NASDAQ : 18,925.73 ▲53.09 +0.28% S&P500 : 5,842.01 ▼2.60 -0.04% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,375.60 (-5.70) JPY : 958.71 (-5.78) CNY : 191.07 (-0.70) EUR : 1,556.15 (-9.48)

Final opinion polls for S. Korea's Presidential Election indicates surprisingly tighter race

2025/05/23 17:00

Today we start with a gauge of voter sentiment AHEAD of the two-day early voting that begins next Thursday and the snap election on June 3rd. Oh Soo-youg has our top story. With just eleven days until the June 3rd Presidential Election, the stakes are higher in the final public opinion polls,.. and the candidates' televised debates. Gallup's final survey conducted this week, shows the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung is still ahead with 46 percent support. But compared to a week earlier, his approval dropped six points, while his main rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, has gained seven points narrowing the gap between them from 22 points to 10. Meanwhile, the Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok saw his support jump to 10 percent marking two-digit figures for the first time in this race The final National Barometer Survey on Thursday showed a similar trend. Lee Jae-myung lost three points while Kim Moon-soo and Lee Jun-seok scored higher ratings at 32 percent, and 10 percent. It seems conservatives and moderates have been solidifying their votes as Election Day draws near. The gap between the main liberal and conservative candidates shrunk to about one-third of last week's level, in the Seoul capital region. "If you look at the regional voter distribution released monthly by Gallup Korea, conservatives actually outnumber progressives. Given this numerical advantage, how actively conservatives are willing to vote in this election is, in my view, critically important." Among independent voters, who don't affiliate themselves with any party, preference for the DP and Reform candidates was neck and neck, while the PPP contender fell to third place. Younger Koreans,.. regarded swing voters, also made decisive moves. Among voters aged 29 and under, support for Reform's Lee Jun-seok jumped to 26 percent, closely behind the DP's Lee Jae-myung's 30 percent. The PPP's Kim Moon-soo was significantly behind at 19 percent. As all candidates aim to solidify their support base, the number of respondents who said they could switch the candidate they vote for, fell one percentage point to 16 percent. More than 8 in 10 people say they'll vote in this election. According to the NBS survey,.. voters believe the biggest tasks for the new president will be reviving the local economy, reforming the structure of politics, and reducing social conflict. The leading presidential hopefuls will hold a second televised debate on Friday night, focusing on societal issues. Regardless of their preferred candidate, Korean adults under 40 believed the Harvard-educated Lee Jun-seok performed the best at the candidates' first live debate last Sunday, which touched upon trade and the economy. Those in their 40s and 50s, who are left leaning, overwhelmingly backed the DP candidate, and those over 70 believed PPP's Kim Moon-soo had outshined others in the TV debate. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Rain again from tonight, back to normal temperatures

2025/05/23 17:00

From today, temperatures return to the normal range. The daytime temperature in Seoul today and tomorrow will be 23 degrees Celsius, which is around the average for this time of year. However, from tonight, it will start to rain again in the north-central parts of the country, the south coast, and Jeju Island. It will then expand to other parts of the country tomorrow. The expected amount of rainfall will be as much as 60 millimeters on Jeju Island, 20 millimeters on the south coast, and 5 to 10 millimeters in other areas. Please bring an umbrella with you when you go outside. Tomorrow morning, Seoul, Gwangju, and Busan will start off at 14 degrees, Chuncheon at 12 degrees. Highs will move up to 19 degrees in Daejeon, 21 degrees in Gwangju. Sunny weather will continue from Sunday and the early summer-like heat is expected to return. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Four dead in Australia after torrential rain ravages rural towns

2025/05/23 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. In Australia, severe flooding across New South Wales has resulted in at least four deaths and left more than 50,000 residents under evacuation warnings. Reports say around four months of rain has fallen in the region over the past two days. New South Wales Police said Thursday that at least four people died and tens of thousands of residents have become isolated in a "once in a lifetime event." A slow-moving low-pressure system led to torrential rains and flash flooding over eastern Australia, overflowing rivers and inundating communities. A major river in Taree, a city on the Mid North Coast, has been among the worst affected, reaching about 6.3 meters on Wednesday, Wednesday, surpassing a century-old record. Towns including Port Macquarie and Kempsey have also been severely affected, with some areas experiencing flooding for the first time in recorded history. Emergency services have conducted hundreds of rescues, and over 140 flood warnings have been issued. While more rain is expected in the coming days, some 9,500 properties have been directly impacted and over 100 schools have been closed. Iran's Foreign Minister has issued a warning Israel and the United States, saying that any attack on its nuclear facilities would be met with a decisive response. This comes amid reports that suggest Israel is preparing for potential strikes if ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations fail. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday, that Iran would hold the United States legally responsible for any Israeli attack on its nuclear sites. These words were delivered through a letter addressed to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He added Tehran would view Washington as a "participant" if any Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities were to occur and that Iran's actions will "correspond and be proportionate to preventive measures" taken by international bodies. Earlier reports indicate that Israel is preparing for rapid strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, should the current negotiations, a fifth round of which are slated for Friday in Rome, were to fail. Israeli officials have not confirmed such plans, but have previously stated that Iran's nuclear program poses an existential threat. A U.S. music talent agency said Thursday that three of its employees died after a small private plane, in which they were traveling, crashed into a residential area in the city of San Diego in the early hours of the same day. According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration 6 passengers were onboard the plane, with some reports indicating there have been no survivors. Among them are the former drummer of a metal band, Daniel Williams, and music agent Dave Shapiro. Eight people on the ground have also been injured. Authorities say the incident occurred amid dense fog conditions, as the aircraft was attempting to land at nearby Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Multiple homes have caught fire due to the crash, and nearly 100 residents have been evacuated. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident. Also in the United States, Universal Orlando Resort has officially opened its highly anticipated theme park, Epic Universe, in Florida on Thursday. This marks the first major theme park launch in the U.S. in over two decades. Spanning approximately 750 acres, Epic Universe introduces five themed lands, including Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter -Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon -Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. Also, along with over 100 themed food menus and beverage options, Epic Universe's opening is expected to significantly boost tourism in Central Florida. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

From access to excellence: Gaming powerhouse S. Korea’s esports future

2025/05/23 17:00

The strategy of South Korea's e-sport industry is to lower barriers and raise opportunities for all players with potential via inclusive competitions and more. Our Lee Eun-hee files this report. This group of people are university students in their everyday lives,. but for this moment, they are the stars of the stage as gamers. The 2025 Gyeonggi esports Festival has kicked off at KINTEX, bringing together a diverse range of participants. This annual event strives to reshape the perception of esports, and make it an integral part of everyday culture by making it more accessible. This year, the introduction of a tournament for disabled players adds greater meaning to the event. It shares the message that regardless of physical limitations, everyone can connect and enjoy the experience of gaming. "I have an intellectual disability, which makes it hard to express my emotions. I joined this tournament because it features a game I'm familiar with, so I felt confident. Whatever the result, I try to accept it and move forward." "Being here on the ground, we can clearly see just how much interest people of all ages in South Korea, a global gaming powerhouse, have in a wide variety of games. But beyond the popularity, what's truly striking is the growing effort to nurture new talent in the gaming industry." Debuting this year, the 2025 Korean Esports League kicked off with Eternal Return matches at the festival and continues with competitions across the country including PUBG Mobile and FC Mobile tournaments. Hosted by the Culture Ministry and co-organized by the Korea Esports Association alongside leading game developers including KRAFTON and Nexon Korea, the league aims to strengthen the foundation of the country's esports ecosystem. With teams from 14 regions participating, the league runs through October, providing a platform for the next generation of esports stars, the future 'Fakers' of Korea. Coming up in June, the Global Esports Forum hosted by the Korea Esports Association will bring together international experts to discuss global standards in esports, with Korea leading the conversation and paving the way for rising talents to take the global stage. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

S. Korean film director Heo Ga-young wins La Cinef Award at Cannes 2025

2025/05/23 17:00

Meanwhile at this year's Cannes Film Festival. A Korean filmmaker has won the top prize in the La Cinef competition of the festival that acknowledges the work of promising film students. Heo Ga-young is the first Korean to win in this prestigious section of the Cannes event. Her short film "First Summer" was celebrated with the top honor and 15-thousand euros in prize money. The film centers around a 74-year-old woman who chooses to attend her late boyfriend's memorial service over her granddaughter's wedding.