News

[Weather] Rain will stop tonight, dusty air continues tomorrow

2025/04/02 20:00

Rain clouds from the West Sea have been gradually covering large parts of the country. Rain started in the Seoul metropolitan area and the west coast of Chungcheongnam-do Province during the day today, and spread to the central parts in the late afternoon. With only 5 to 10 millimeters of rain, most of it will stop tonight. This spring rain is not enough to clear the stuffy air. Seoul, Incheon, southern parts of Gyeonggi-do Province, Chungcheongnam-do Province, and Jeollabuk-do Province will have "bad" levels of ultra-fine dust tomorrow. Tomorrow morning will start mild with Seoul, Gwangju and Daegu at 6 degrees Celsius, and Daejeon at 5 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 14 to 17 degrees all over the country. There is more rain forecast across the country on Saturday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Spring bliss at Bucheon Azalea Festival

2025/04/02 20:00

Korea is ushering in the sights and sounds of spring. That being said, our Lee Eun-hee sheds light on a flower festival to celebrate this particular season. The Bucheon Azalea Festival is blooming. The vibrant pink azaleas have people soaking up the spring vibes. Bucheon City, not too far from Seoul, is hosting this beautiful festival at Bucheon Stadium and Wonmisan Mountain or Wonmisan Azalea Hill. "The trails around Wonmisan Azalea Hill offer a great opportunity to enjoy both the stunning azalea blossoms and the natural beauty of the landscape while hiking. It's the perfect way to soak in the scenery and get some fresh air." "I visit every year. Taking in the scenery brings me a sense of peace. Now, at 72, I find myself reflecting on the beauty of life and the passing of time." "It was my first time to come and see these beautiful flowers, I came to see the azalea blossom. And then I roamed around and saw lots of beautiful flowers. And then I found out the market which was nearby and there I enjoyed the food. It was crowded, but if you want to have beautiful photos for your Instagram or social media, I recommend that you visit here." A key goal of the festival is to boost the local economy by hosting a variety of events and activities, such as making custom azalea-themed bags. "The Azalea Festival is timed to coincide with the spring bloom, transforming open spaces at Bucheon Stadium into interactive attractions. To promote cultural tourism and support the local economy, the festival features a flea market with local artists, small business product sales, and a variety of food trucks." Many other spring blossom festivals across South Korea are still running. Other major festivals include the Daegu E-World Blossom Picnic, Taean Tulip Festival, Jinhae Gunhangjae Festival, and Gokseong World Rose Festival. The Bucheon Azalea Festival will run until April 6th. However, music performances have been canceled as a mark of respect for those affected by the recent tragic wildfires in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Spring is here, but so are heartbreaking losses. Lee Eun-hee Arirang News.

S. Korean gov’t implements “top-tier visa” to attract high quality talent

2025/04/02 20:00

South Korea has from today implemented its new "top-tier visa" system to attract high-quality foreign talent in cutting-edge industries. This visa program is designed to qualify top-level engineers who will oversee projects and spearhead technological advancements in sectors such as semiconductors, biotechnology and secondary batteries. Eligibility requires foreigners to have a master's degree or PhD from a top 100 global graduate school. Also, applicants must have professional experience in global institutions and an annual salary that exceeds three times the GNI per capita.

No. of overseas medical tourists to S. Korea nearly doubled y/y in 2024

2025/04/02 20:00

The number of foreign nationals who visited South Korea last year for medical procedures was nearly double compared to the year before. According to the Health Ministry on Wednesday, the number reached around 1-point-2 million, the highest since the country's medical tourism program began in 2009. Since then, the total has exceeded 5-million. By nationality, Japan topped the list, accounting for over 37-percent, followed by China and the U.S. And over half came over to have dermatology treatment.

Relief efforts continue in Myanmar as international organizations rush to deliver basic supplies

2025/04/02 20:00

International relief agencies are ramping up their efforts to aid Myanmar after a devastating earthquake, with time running out. Our Bae Eun-ji spoke with people who are offering a helping hand as they respond to the latest crisis on the ground. Homes are destroyed and lives are lost in Myanmar after the country was hit by its largest earthquake in more than a century. The death toll has already exceeded 2,700, despite the efforts of rescuers desperately searching for survivors. International organizations are rushing to help, as residents in hardest-hit regions are in urgent need of shelter and essential items such as clean water, food, and hygiene kits. The representative of the UN Refugee Agency in Myanmar, based in Yangon said the latest earthquake is a "crisis on top of a crisis," as the country already had more than three million people displaced from the ongoing armed conflict, even before the earthquake. "This area particular area of north and central and northwestern part of Myanmar it was already the home of 1.6 million IDPs, internally displaced people. On top of that, we do think that the almost 15 million people have been affected by this earthquake, and among which 3.8 million which is quite a devastating number, 3.8 million people are considered to be living in the area that was hardest hit by the earthquake. So the impact you can imagine is quite enormous." The Country director for Solidarites International, a France-based NGO, who's also in Yangon, said local responders are starting to get exhausted and that they're running out of resources. He highlighted that the situation is at a "turning point," adding that efficient collaboration between local teams and international organizations is crucial, in order to gather all available resources. "Mostly we are going to support local responders, when it comes to displacement sites for people that have been evacuating the city of Mandalay, because of fear of building continuing to collapse and being affected. We know already that quite a lot of people have now been spending three nights out in the streets with no shelter with no immediate protection." With hospitals, schools, and public infrastructure now destroyed, there are concerns not only with regard to basic needs, but also health care and the educational system. The Vice President of the International Rescue Committee said teams have been sent to a town near the epicenter of the earthquake, where 80% of the buildings have been compromised, and explained that the impact of an earthquake can last years. "It's been heartening to see the response that's been mounted so far, but we know this is going to be an effort that's going to take not weeks but months, possibly years to fully recover from a crisis like this." As the devastated country struggles to cope with the aftermath of the powerful earthquake, local communities are still awaiting international aid and support. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

Opposition-led impeachment motion against finance minister Choi Sang-mok reported to plenary session

2025/04/02 20:00

An opposition-led impeachment motion against Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok was reported to the National Assembly's plenary session this afternoon. The motion accuses Choi, during his time as acting president, of delaying the appointment of Constitutional Court justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk. Ma had been recommended for the court by the opposition Democratic Party. A vote on the impeachment motion must take place between 24 and 72 hours after being reported to the plenary session. The DP plans to decide whether to proceed with the vote based on the ruling in President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial on Friday. The ruling People Power Party criticized the move to impeach Choi, calling it an "attack" on the country's economy and demanding its immediate withdrawal.

Acting President urges politicians to refrain from provocations as gov't prepares for verdict day

2025/04/02 20:00

As Korea awaits the verdict, acting President Han Duck-soo has highlighted the importance of peacefully accepting the court's ruling while urging politicians not to instigate division and disorder. Kim Do-yeon has more. With the Constitutional Court's landmark decision on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment just days away, the government is on high alert—prioritizing citizen safety—as thousands of protesters from both sides are expected to fill the streets. Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Wednesday presided over a meeting with safety related ministers and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and emphasized unity over division while calling on politicians to act responsibly. "I also urge politicians: now is the time to prioritize the stability and survival of our community above political interests. Please demonstrate a responsible stance that promotes social unity rather than division and conflict. In particular, I earnestly ask you to refrain from making remarks that may incite or provoke illegal protests and violence." Seoul Mayor also laid out the city government's plan to keep safety and order. It's set to deploy 24-hundred personnel across the city's mass gatherings sites to oversee safety. Public transport will be run according to the situation except for Anguk Station on Line 3, which will be closed on the day of the verdict. Buses are set to take detours, while certain key metro stations such as Yeouido and Gwanghamun will be closely monitored to operate according to the crowd situation. "Honorable citizens, the Seoul Metropolitan Government deeply respects everyone's right to express their opinion. At the same time, we reiterate that safeguarding a safe and peaceful daily life for our citizens is also a precious value that must be protected." The police and relevant ministries have also laid out their plans. Starting at 9 AM on April 3rd, the police agency will be on emergency duty. Starting at midnight on April 4th, 100 percent of its available officers will be deployed to assigned positions. The Safety Ministry will be in charge of the safety adjustments overall, while the Ministry of Science and ICT will be in charge of stationing additional mobile base stations so citizens' phone services aren't disrupted due to large gatherings. The government's alertness comes with good reason. Protesters for both sides have been gathering, with intensity mounting as polarized views clash in close areas. Most recently, there was an attack at a local court in Seoul, where supporters of Yoon raided the building, vandalized it, and used violence against authorities. Back in 2017, after the last presidential impeachment verdict, when President Park Geun-hye's impeachment was upheld, her supporters caused riots, charging toward the police. This left four people dead. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Trump's upcoming tariffs set to go into effect immediately on Apr. 2

2025/04/02 20:00

In other news. America's trading partners are keeping a close eye on a new round of tariffs by the Trump administration, details of which will be disclosed tomorrow such as which countries to be included and in what way it'll be imposed. Lee Soo-jin explains. U.S. President Donald Trump's pending tariffs will go into effect immediately after they are announced, according to a White House spokesperson on Tuesday local time. "My understanding is that the, tariff announcement will come tomorrow. They will be effective immediately. He is with his trade and tariff team right now, perfecting it to make sure this is a perfect deal for the American people and the American worker." The tariffs are set to be announced by Trump at a Rose Garden ceremony at 4 PM Eastern Time on April 2nd, which is 5 AM on the 3rd here in Korea. He has repeatedly touted April 2nd as "Liberation Day", as he believes that his policies will free American industries from what he calls “unfair trade practices.” And according to U.S. media outlets including the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration is considering various tariff strategies. One is imposing a 20 percent flat tariff on all imports, another is assigning each country a reciprocal tariff 'number' that corresponds to tariffs and other trade barriers on U.S. products. And the U.S. Trade Representative is also considering a third option, where levies likely to be lower than the universal 20 percent would be imposed on a wide range of imports from select countries. For South Korea, these tariffs are expected to add further pressure as they come amid a wave of other tariffs, such as the 25 percent auto tariffs set to go into effect on April 2nd and collected the following day. And just last month, the Trump administration imposed sweeping 25 percent tariffs on aluminum and aluminum. But despite the country's leadership vacuum, the Korean government is holding various emergency meetings to come up with response measures. Acting president Han Duck-soo on Tuesday,.. along with the industry, finance and foreign ministers, met with heads of Korea's top four conglomerates, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, SK,.. and LG, where Han pledged to continue high-level U.S. outreach and to work with the private sector to respond to the challenges posed by the tariffs. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

S. Korea's consumer prices in March rise by 2.1% year-on-year

2025/04/02 20:00

Inflation at home remained within the two-percent range in March for the third month in a row. Park Jun-han covers the latest finding and more. South Korea's consumer price data shows steady inflation in the low 2-percent range over the past three months. In March, consumer prices increased by 2-point-1 percent compared to March the previous year. The inflation over the past three months is slightly higher than September to December last year when inflation was in the 1-percent range. The price of cabbages went up by 49-point-7 percent and radishes went up by 86-point-4 percent. The price of processed foods rose by 3-point-6 percent. That's the biggest jump in fifteen months, pushing overall inflation up by point-three percentage points. Statistics Korea attributed the increase in processed food prices to three factors: a rise in raw material prices, the high foreign exchange rate, and rising labor and energy costs. Meanwhile, the cost of services also went up, with both public and personal services seeing price rises. The price of public services, which include things like transport and tuition fees, increased by 1-point-4 percent year-on-year. The increase was mainly due to the rise in private university tuition. The price of personal services is 3-point-1 percent higher than a year ago. The increase was due to increased demand in trips in March. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok pledged at the Ministerial Meeting on Economic Affairs to use the government's full range of capabilities to stabilize perceived inflation. "In April and May, we will allocate an additional 30 billion Korean won to support agricultural product discounts, and we will supply more than a hundred tons of cabbages and radishes to the market every day to stabilize supply and demand. We will also lower the price burden of food ingredients through new quota tariffs on raw pork meat and 원재료 가격 상승, 높은 환율, 그리고 노동 및 에너지 비용 증가 등 세 가지 요인을 지적했습니다.processed egg products." The Bank of Korea on Wednesday said that the inflation rate is expected to remain stable around the target level of 2-percent. It also added that there is still a lot of uncertainty around the foreign exchange rate and oil price movements, as well as domestic demand. The central bank said it will keep a keen eye on future inflation levels. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Trump says there's 'communication' with N. Korean leader Kim Jong-un

2025/04/02 20:30

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus, I'm Kim Mok-yeon. As tensions on the Korean Peninsula continue, U.S. President Donald Trump is once again signaling openness to diplomacy, revealing that lines of communication with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are still active. Let's have a listen. "Well, I do. I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong-un. Now, you people hate to hear that, but it's very important, I get along with him fantastically as you know. It started off very rough, very nasty. Little Rocket Man. The whole thing was a nasty deal. And then one day we got a call that they'd like to meet. We met. We have a great relationship. And yeah, we have. There is communication. Yeah. I think it's very important. You know, it is a big nuclear nation. And he's a very smart guy. I got to know him very well." Trump's latest comments, delivered during a press availability at the White House, have reignited debate over the future of U.S.-North Korea relations and the possibilities for a fourth Trump-Kim summit. Trump's reference to the regime as a "big nuclear nation" is also drawing attention, prompting fresh questions about whether Washington's denuclearization policy may be shifting. For a deeper discussion on this, we invite our go-to North Korea expert, Dr. Go Myong-hyun, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy. Welcome. Also joining us online is Frank Jannuzi, President & CEO of The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation. Great to have you. (GO) 1. So, Dr. Go, U.S. President Trump hinted at ongoing communication with Kim Jong-un and said he would “probably do something at some point.” How should we interpret his statement? Do you think a fourth Trump-Kim summit is likely? (JANNUZI) 2. Now to Mr. Jannuzi. Trump referred to Kim Jong-un as a “smart guy” and North Korea as a “big nuclear nation.” What implications could this rhetoric have for future denuclearization talks and international perceptions of North Korea’s nuclear status? (GO) 3. There’s confusion around terminology like "big nuclear nation" and “nuclear power.” Dr. Go, can you clarify how North Korea is officially viewed in terms of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) framework and what strategic messaging is at play in Trump use of such phrases? (JANNUZI) 4. Despite such comments, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau underscored America's commitment to the "complete" denuclearization of North Korea during phone talks with his South Korean counterpart on Tuesday. Mr. Jannuzi, how could we interpret Washington's stance on the denuclearization of North Korea? (JANNUZI) 5. Looking back at the 2018–2019 summits between Trump and Kim, what lessons or outcomes should Trump’s second term take into account for re-engagement? (JANNUZI) 6. In response to Trump's latest remarks, South Korea's Unification Ministry reaffirmed that “denuclearization of North Korea remains the unified goal of South Korea, the U.S., and the international community.” In your view, is this goal still realistic given the evolving global and regional dynamics? (JANNUZI) 8. Then, Mr. Jannuzi, to what extent are North Korea’s cyber operations integrated into its broader military strategy or used as asymmetric tools to fund its WMD programs? (GO) 9. Shifting gears, the U.S. has increasingly promoted “strategic flexibility,” hinting that U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) may be deployed beyond the Peninsula. How realistic is this scenario, and how might this impact the deterrence posture against North Korea? Could this create new vulnerabilities? (GO) 10. Finally, as the strategic landscape shifts — with North Korea's growing capabilities on one side and evolving U.S. military posture on the other — what should South Korea prioritize to avoid being sidelined?

Trump's upcoming tariffs set to go into effect immediately on Apr. 2

2025/04/02 14:00

In other news. The Trump administration is poised to make public its reciprocal tariffs on Tuesday local time at the White House. Our correspondent Lee Soo-jin reports. U.S. President Donald Trump's pending tariffs will go into effect immediately after they are announced, according to a White House spokesperson on Tuesday local time. "My understanding is that the, tariff announcement will come tomorrow. They will be effective immediately. He is with his trade and tariff team right now, perfecting it to make sure this is a perfect deal for the American people and the American worker." The tariffs are set to be announced by Trump at a Rose Garden ceremony at 4 PM Eastern Time on April 2nd, which is 5 AM on the 3rd here in Korea. He has repeatedly touted April 2nd as "Liberation Day", as he believes that his policies will free American industries from what he calls “unfair trade practices.” And according to U.S. media outlets including the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration is considering various tariff strategies. One is imposing a 20 percent flat tariff on all imports, another is assigning each country a reciprocal tariff 'number' that corresponds to tariffs and other trade barriers on U.S. products. And the U.S. Trade Representative is also considering a third option, where levies likely to be lower than the universal 20 percent would be imposed on a wide range of imports from select countries. For South Korea, these tariffs are expected to add further pressure as they come amid a wave of other tariffs, such as the 25 percent auto tariffs set to go into effect on April 2nd and collected the following day. And just last month, the Trump administration imposed sweeping 25 percent tariffs on aluminum and aluminum. But despite the country's leadership vacuum, the Korean government is holding various emergency meetings to come up with response measures. Acting president Han Duck-soo on Tuesday,.. along with the industry, finance and foreign ministers, met with heads of Korea's top four conglomerates, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, SK,.. and LG, where Han pledged to continue high-level U.S. outreach and to work with the private sector to respond to the challenges posed by the tariffs. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

What President Yoon's impeachment ruling will look like this Friday

2025/04/02 17:00

The date for the Constitutional Court's decision on President Yoon Suk Yeol's political fate following his brief imposition of martial law has been set. So what can we expect on Friday? Our Oh Soo-young walks us through the formalities that may unfold on that day. President Yoon Suk Yeol's removal or return to power, will take effect the moment his fate is stated aloud by the Constitutional Court bench on Friday. Set to be broadcast live at 11 AM, the nation will be reading the lips of Justice Cheong Hyung-sik who, as the presiding judge on the case, will deliver the decision by the eight-member bench. The ruling will come 111 days after the National Assembly's impeachment vote last December, following the President's martial law order. The bench's deliberation is the longest-ever for a presidential case, as the ruling will be delivered 38 days after Yoon's final trial hearing in February. "While sources say the justices reached an understanding on the verdict, and scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, most likely to discuss procedural matters, the bench is expected to sign off their decision at the very last minute, to maintain utmost confidentiality. In the case of former President Park Geun-hye in 2017, justices arrived early in the morning of the ruling to confirm their decision." If the same procedure is followed, the lead justice for the case, Cheong Hyung-sik, will present his opinion first, followed by other justices in reverse order of their appointments to the Court. Once they establish a consensus, the bench will conduct a final review of the written judgment, collect signatures, and seal the ruling. When entering the courtroom to deliver their decision, the justices will take their seats in order of seniority, with Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae at the center to declare a start to the proceedings. Typically,.. if there has been a unanimous decision, the lead justice explains the rationale for the ruling first, followed by the main decision. If there are dissenting or various concurring opinions, the main decision is usually read first, followed by explanations from individual justices representing differing views. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s impeachment trial was also concluded with the bench first declaring the case dismissed, before revealing various opinions. However, as the order of delivery is at the Court’s discretion, the style of the proceedings could vary. If the Court upholds the impeachment, with the consent of at least six justices, President Yoon will be removed from office. If the case is dismissed or rejected on procedural grounds by three or more members of the bench, he will return to his duties. While previous presidents did not attend their ruling session, President Yoon may choose to show up in the courtroom, as he has done for his hearings throughout the trial. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Rain will mostly stop tonight, ultra-fine dust continues tomorrow

2025/04/02 17:00

From the afternoon, light spring rain has been falling across the country. Starting with the Seoul metropolitan area and the west coast of Chungcheongnam-do Province during the day, it has spread to other parts of Chungcheong-do provinces, Chungcheong-do 지역과 강원도 서부, 전라북도 북부 지역으로 확대되었습니다. But it's mostly going to stop tonight. This spring rain is not enough to relieve the dusty air. Seoul, Incheon, southern parts of Gyeonggi-do Province, Chungcheongnam-do Province and Jeollabuk-do Province will have "bad" levels of ultra-fine dust tomorrow. Tomorrow morning will be mild with Seoul, Gwangju and Daegu at 6 degrees Celsius. Daily highs will move up to 14 to 17 degrees all over the country. Typical spring conditions with huge daily temperature gaps will continue for the time being. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Putin meets Chinese FM Wang Yi, says he expects to see Xi Jinping in Moscow in May

2025/04/02 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has visited Moscow, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and foreign affairs minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss bilateral relations and international issues. During his three-day visit, Wang Yi stated on Tuesday, local time, that both nations are "friends forever, never enemies," emphasizing the enduring friendship between China and Russia. President Putin underscored the high level of Russia-China relations, calling for the consistent enhancement of strategic cooperation. Wang also expressed China's readiness to play a "constructive role" in resolving the Ukraine conflict. It was also confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping would visit Moscow for the Victory Parade in May, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany. Ukraine has announced it plans to work with the United States to develop a mutually acceptable minerals agreement, aiming to bolster economic ties and support Ukraine's reconstruction efforts. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated on Tuesday local time that Kyiv is working with the U.S. to refine a minerals deal that would see more American business involvement in Ukraine and contribute to the nation's security infrastructure. The latest U.S. proposal suggests that Ukraine allocate all profits from a fund controlling its resources to repay American wartime aid with interest. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed caution, emphasizing the need for a thorough review before proceeding. Meanwhile, Germany's Foreign Minister said, during a visit to Kyiv on Tuesday, that any minerals agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. must comply with European Union legislation. In the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services initiated significant layoffs on Tuesday local time, affecting approximately 10,000 employees. This affected workers across various agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health. The action is part of a broader restructuring plan led by Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., aiming to consolidate 28 divisions into 15, to potentially save taxpayers 1.3 billion U.S. dollars annually. Despite concerns about the nation's capacity to manage health emergencies, Kennedy said the reorganization will enhance efficiency within the department. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Spring bliss at Bucheon Azalea Festival

2025/04/02 17:00

On a light note now. Korea is ushering in the sights and sounds of spring. That being said Lee Eun-hee sheds light on a flower festival to celebrate this particular season. The Bucheon Azalea Festival is blooming. The vibrant pink azaleas have people soaking up the spring vibes. Bucheon City, not too far from Seoul, is hosting this beautiful festival at Bucheon Stadium and Wonmisan Mountain or Wonmisan Azalea Hill. "The trails around Wonmisan Azalea Hill offer a great opportunity to enjoy both the stunning azalea blossoms and the natural beauty of the landscape while hiking. It's the perfect way to soak in the scenery and get some fresh air." "I visit every year. Taking in the scenery brings me a sense of peace. Now, at 72, I find myself reflecting on the beauty of life and the passing of time." "It was my first time to come and see these beautiful flowers, I came to see the azalea blossom. And then I roamed around and saw lots of beautiful flowers. And then I found out the market which was nearby and there I enjoyed the food. It was crowded, but if you want to have beautiful photos for your Instagram or social media, I recommend that you visit here." A key goal of the festival is to boost the local economy by hosting a variety of events and activities, such as making custom azalea-themed bags. "The Azalea Festival is timed to coincide with the spring bloom, transforming open spaces at Bucheon Stadium into interactive attractions. To promote cultural tourism and support the local economy, the festival features a flea market with local artists, small business product sales, and a variety of food trucks." Many other spring blossom festivals across South Korea are still running. Other major festivals include the Daegu E-World Blossom Picnic, Taean Tulip Festival, Jinhae Gunhangjae Festival, and Gokseong World Rose Festival. The Bucheon Azalea Festival will run until April 6th. However, music performances have been canceled as a mark of respect for those affected by the recent tragic wildfires in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Spring is here, but so are heartbreaking losses. Lee Eun-hee Arirang News.

N. Korean troops suffer over 5,000 casualties while fighting against Ukraine: UK defense ministry

2025/04/02 17:00

North Korea has witnessed more than five-thousand CASUALTIES as of March amid its support of Russian aggression against Ukraine. This is according to the British Defence Ministry in a recent intelligence assessment that adds a third of the casualties died while in active combat missions on the ground against Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk region. This latest number of casualties indicate that North Korea has lost roughly half of its initial deployment of 11-thousand soldiers to Russia.

Top U.S. general nominee calls N. Korea 'immediate security challenge'

2025/04/02 17:00

Meanwhile over in the U.S. A three-star general officer tapped for a key military post has reaffirmed concerns over North Korea's nuclear weapons capabilities. Lee Seung-jae has the latest. During a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, top U.S. general nominee John Caine called North Korea's nuclear and missile programs an "immediate security challenge." The retired Air Force Lieutenant General, who has been chosen by U.S. President Donald Trump to be the next chief of U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, raised the concerns in a written statement submitted in advance to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Caine said if confirmed, he would assess the U.S. military presence in South Korea and Japan, and make recommendations to the Secretary of Defense and the U.S. President. The nominee also stressed that North Korea's nuclear, missile, and cyber capabilities continue to threaten not just the U.S. but its allies "on a global scale." Caine also expressed support for trilateral security cooperation between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. He vowed to continue advocating the use of the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework as a blueprint for military cooperation if confirmed. The framework was signed by the defense chiefs of Seoul, Washington and Tokyo last July, which was seen as a move to formalize their trilateral security cooperation. The top U.S. general nominee also raised concerns that North Korea's cooperation with Russia may provide an opportunity for Pyongyang to improve its missile capabilities. He says the regime had provided ballistic missiles to Russia that were used against Ukraine, marking the first time North Korean missile systems have been used in actual combat. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Relief efforts continue in Myanmar as international organizations rush to deliver basic supplies

2025/04/02 17:00

International relief agencies are ramping up their efforts to aid Myanmar after a devastating earthquake that has left the country striving to come to terms with the extent of the damage and loss. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji reports. Homes are destroyed and lives are lost in Myanmar after the country was hit by its largest earthquake in more than a century. The death toll has already exceeded 2,700, despite the efforts of rescuers desperately searching for survivors. International organizations are rushing to help, as residents in hardest-hit regions are in urgent need of shelter and essential items such as clean water, food, and hygiene kits. The representative of the UN Refugee Agency in Myanmar, based in Yangon said the latest earthquake is a "crisis on top of a crisis," as the country already had more than three million people displaced from the ongoing armed conflict, even before the earthquake. "This area particular area of north and central and northwestern part of Myanmar it was already the home of 1.6 million IDPs, internally displaced people. On top of that, we do think that the almost 15 million people have been affected by this earthquake, and among which 3.8 million which is quite a devastating number, 3.8 million people are considered to be living in the area that was hardest hit by the earthquake. So the impact you can imagine is quite enormous." The Country director for Solidarites International, a France-based NGO, who's also in Yangon, said local responders are starting to get exhausted and that they're running out of resources. He highlighted that the situation is at a "turning point," adding that efficient collaboration between local teams and international organizations is crucial, in order to gather all available resources. "Mostly we are going to support local responders, when it comes to displacement sites for people that have been evacuating the city of Mandalay, because of fear of building continuing to collapse and being affected. We know already that quite a lot of people have now been spending three nights out in the streets with no shelter with no immediate protection." With hospitals, schools, and public infrastructure now destroyed, there are concerns not only with regard to basic needs, but also health care and the educational system. The Vice President of the International Rescue Committee said teams have been sent to a town near the epicenter of the earthquake, where 80% of the buildings have been compromised, and explained that the impact of an earthquake can last years. "It's been heartening to see the response that's been mounted so far, but we know this is going to be an effort that's going to take not weeks but months, possibly years to fully recover from a crisis like this." As the devastated country struggles to cope with the aftermath of the powerful earthquake, local communities are still awaiting international aid and support. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

Hyundai, Kia set record March auto sales in U.S. market

2025/04/02 17:00

Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors set new records in sales for the month of March in the U.S. market. According to the latest company data the two carmakers combined sold some 1-hundred-70-thousand units last month UP about 13 percent on year. This is reportedly the highest-ever March sales and also marks the sixth straight month of growth. This latest performance is being linked to stellar sales of eco-friendly vehicles.

S. Korean gov't allocates US$ 273 mil. for areas affected by wildfires

2025/04/02 17:00

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has pledged tangible support for agricultural areas affected by the worst wildfires in the nation's history. Speaking at an economic ministerial meeting earlier on this Wednesday Choi added the support will seek to stabilize the supply and prices of agricultural products and assist farmers affected by the recent fires. At least four-hundred-billion Korean won or some 2-hundred-73 million U.S. dollars will be allocated for the restoration of equipment and facilities the purchase of livestock feed and emergency livelihood relief. Separately the death toll from last week's devastating fires has risen to 31 with another fatality reported today.