News

Foreign minister visits Japan as first official overseas trip, meets PM Ishiba

2025/07/30 19:34

In his first overseas trip as Foreign Minister Cho Hyun paid a courtesy call on Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Tuesday morning reaffirming Seoul's commitment to expanding bilateral interactions. The Japanese Prime Minister welcomed Cho's call urging for continued progress in bilateral ties and trilateral partnership with the U.S. Addressing members of the media Cho for his part shared intentions to discuss the three-way cooperation upon his arrival in Washington D.C. on Wednesday local time to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He also spoke of proposing partnership in AI as the third pillar of Korea–U.S. collaboration alongside their security alliance and Free Trade Agreement.

U.S. and China may extend tariff truce by 90 days

2025/07/30 19:34

And trade talks between the U.S. and China over in Sweden came to a close this past Tuesday with prospects of an extension in their truce on tariffs. Lee Seung-jae has details. Tensions in global trade may be easing slightly, as trade officials from the U.S. and China on Tuesday wrapped up two days of what they called "constructive" talks in Stockholm aimed at avoiding the return of steep tariffs that could rattle the world economy Both sides agreed to pursue a 90-day extension of their current tariff truce, which is set to expire on August 12. No major breakthroughs were announced after the talks, but according to reports, the tone from both sides was notably more positive. While U.S. officials say it's up to President Donald Trump to decide whether to extend a trade truce, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shot down any prospects of the U.S. president rejecting an extension. Speaking from Air Force One on Tuesday, Trump said he'll soon be briefed on the two-day talks, but added that Bessent felt "very good about the meeting." Trump also confirmed plans for a possible summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the end of the year, adding that the Chinese leader "wants to meet." Meanwhile, the U.S. is continuing trade talks with the European Union. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said talks are still ongoing around steel and aluminum duties, as well as digital services, but a major sticking point is the pharmaceuticals. European officials are aiming to lock in a 15 percent cap on drug tariffs before Trump announces his own pharmaceutical policy, expected within two weeks. With the August 1 deadline fast approaching, the final decision rests with Trump, as the U.S. and the European bloc look to avoid a major trade conflict. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. KOREA STANDS AS CULTURAL POWERHOUSE

2025/07/30 18:34

Welcome to Press Perspective for this Wednesday July 30th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. Critics say South Korea is indeed a cultural powerhouse given the popularity of K-pop K-movies and dramas as well as K-snacks if you will. For more I have Jin Yu Young with The New York Times. Yu-young it's a pleasure. I also have Jason Bechervaise at the Office of International Affairs from Hanyang University. Jason it's great to have you here. Yu Young, the animation "KPOP DEMON HUNTERS" continues to make international headlines. What appears to be the focus of the media coverage? Jason, some tout this particular animation as a genuine collaboration between East Asia and Hollywood. What are your thoughts? Yu Young, you recently published a piece on South Korea's standing as a cultural powerhouse. First, do tell us a bit about the background behind your story. Yu Young, do you believe global interest in Korea has indeed moved beyond its entertainment content to its broader culture? Jason, there have been reports about the growing interest in Korean in the West while Mandarin is losing its appeal there. Do you believe this reality is a tangible indication of the power of soft diplomacy? Yu Young, what has been the broader commercial impact of the Korean Wave? Jason, do you suppose this current interest in K-culture will be short-lived or can it become a lasting phenomenon? And Yu Young, what has been the impact of the Korean Wave within national borders? Jason, what are some of the hurdles that the Korean Wave needs to tackle to ensure its presence in the global arena? Yu Young, what's perhaps another aspect of the Korean culture that can serve to captivate the global audience? All right.

[Features reporter] Unique way to cool off with a night in a haunted Korean village

2025/07/30 16:38

Kun-woo, the weather is really hot these days in Korea, but I hear you brought us something that might make us forget the heat? That's right. This time, I visited a Korean folk village that recreates a traditional village from the Joseon Dynasty, a period that lasted around five hundred years in Korea until 1910. But this summer, daily between 4 PM and midnight, the village transforms into a haunted world full of traditional Korean ghosts and spine-chilling horror experiences. So, stick with me and prepare for this horrifying night. A quiet, peaceful village by day. But as darkness falls, a chill creeps in, and eerie whispers echo through the air. Under the crescent moon, ghosts begin to appear. Summer may be the hottest season, but for many in Korea, it's also the coolest in a spooky kind of way. One popular destination is the "Horror Village in the Dead of Night" festival, running until the end of August at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, in Gyeonggi-do Province. "Korean ghosts are known to be souls with unresolved sorrow -or "han." They don't just scare you, but they carry a story, one they never got to finish. So, what kind of sorrow are you holding onto?" "I died without being able to get married" From virgin ghosts to a local version of the grim reaper, these traditional Korean spirits send chills down visitors' spines, especially when they appear out of nowhere. "It's been scorching hot lately, so I thought this horror experience might blow away the heat. I kept sweating and shivering." "It's way different to watching movies." From haunted escape rooms to scream-filled walk-throughs, flashing red lights and scary sounds greet those who dare to enter. "GET OUT. You don't belong here." Even the food gets creepy, including the bloody "finger latte," topped with a broken finger-shaped cookie. Some restaurants are splattered with blood, with things appearing above visitors' heads. "I thought it was a regular restaurant, until I saw ghosts hanging above. I almost fell over in shock, but it's unique and fun. I was too scared to even feel the heat." The restrooms are also haunted, dimly lit up with red lights, with ghosts waiting for you, some appearing in the mirror. At the end of the night, visitors who turned into ghosts with costumes and painted faces, competed with each other to see who was the scariest. It seems like a peaceful, happy ending, but beware, these ghosts will return with the next dark night until August 24. So, for those looking for an experience of Korea's haunted summer night, good luck. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

[K-Enter] TXT surpass themselves, set new record on Japan’s Oricon chart

2025/07/30 16:36

Time for K-enter with Walter Lee. Starting with news on TOMORROW X TOGETHER! According to a report by Oricon Japan on Tuesday, TOMORROW X TOGETHER' s fourth studio album "The Star Chapter: Together" sold 304,000 copies in its first week, securing the No. 1 spot on the latest weekly album chart. This marks TXT's highest weekly album sales to date on Oricon, surpassing their previous record of 303,000 copies with their second Japanese album "SWEET." TXT has now become the first foreign artist to top the Oricon Weekly Album Chart with 12 consecutive releases. Since first reaching No. 1 in 2020 with "The Dream Chapter: Eternity", every album they've released has debuted at the top of the chart, showcasing their continued dominance in Japan. Actor Park Bo-gum has been very recently appointed as honorary ambassador for Korea tourism, and now big news for Seoul tourism! The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Tourism Organisation announced that Jennie Yes, that Jennie, has been appointed as the 2025 Honorary Ambassador for Seoul Tourism. Jennie has consistently expressed her deep love for the city, describing Seoul as "a city that inspires me" and saying, "Seoul's vibe perfectly matches my style." The new campaign, titled "Absolutely in Seoul," highlights the endless possibilities the city has to offer, captured through stylish and visually compelling content. The campaign will begin with a teaser released on Friday and will roll out globally across Visit Seoul's official YouTube channel and social media platforms. This news immediately reminded me of Jennie's "Seoul City". Next, it seems that people still can't get enough of the Squid Game fever? Squid Game Season 3 has maintained its No. 1 position in Netflix's "Non-English TV category" for five consecutive weeks since its release. According to Netflix's official site Tudum's "Netflix Top 10" on Wednesday, Squid Game season 3 recorded 4.6 million views (28.59 million viewing hours) from July 21 to 27, making it the most-watched non-English TV show during that period. And staying on K-viewership content, the thriller film "Wall to Wall" also known as "84 Square Meters" , starring Kang Ha-neul , topped the "Non-English Film" category last week with roughly 7.8 million views. This thriller follows Woo-sung , a young man who manages to buy his own 84-square-metre apartment, only to be tormented by mysterious and unidentifiable noises from upstairs. Since its release on July 18, the film has claimed the No. 1 spot in the "Global Top 10 Non-English Films" category for two consecutive weeks. Thanks for the news Walter. Now let's move onto Ari our AI anchor for more culture news.

K-wave AI News

2025/07/30 16:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Culture Minister nominee Chae Hwi-young has pledged to mobilize all policy resources to usher in a 300-trillion-won, or roughly 220 billion-dollar K-culture era to attract 30 million foreign tourists annually. The promise came during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, where he highlighted the K-content industry as a core engine of the nation's economy. To further expand the K-culture market, Chae said he will strengthen policy financing and tax incentives for content intellectual property development, while boosting investment in cultural technology R&D. Chae also pledged to craft a new strategy for K-tourism, aiming to channel the global popularity of K-culture into increased travel to regional destinations across the country. The number of monthly active users of major over-the-top, or OTT service apps in Korea has surpassed 20 million yet again, with the figure now becoming the new norm in the domestic streaming market. According to mobile app market tracker WiseApp•Retail, the combined number of monthly users of leading OTT platforms reached nearly 20.9 million in June, up more than 20% from three years ago. Netflix maintained its top position with almost 14 million users last month, capturing a 40% share of the market. The National Maritime Museum of Korea is hosting a special exhibition titled "War on the Waves" through October 26, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Korea's Liberation and the founding of the Navy. The exhibition explores the history and operations of Korea's naval forces from the late Goryeo period to the late Joseon era. Divided into three sections, it showcases a range of artifacts, including naval weapons, armor, books on military tactics, and iconic warships such as the turtle ship. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-Correspondent] Samgyeopsal and soju, "samso" trend in the Philippines

2025/07/30 16:34

Since 2022, exports to the Philippines of Korea's iconic alcoholic drink soju have increased over 40% annually and in Metro Manila the number of restaurants specializing in samgyeopsal, or Korean-style grilled pork belly, is on the rise. With that, the popularity of "samso" or "samsso" (samgyeopsal and soju) is going up as well. How did this irresistible combination capture the taste buds of the locals there? For that, we connect to today's K-Correspondent Ginyn Noble Cadavillo, a content creator in the Philippines. Hello Ginyn! Q1. Ginyn, please introduce yourself briefly to our viewers and tell us about your first encounter with samgyeopsal and soju. (What made you try them and what was your impression when you first tasted it?) Q2. We heard that there has been an increase in people enjoying "samso" the combination of samgyeopsal and soju. How and with whom do people enjoy it? (Is there a kind of local "samso" routine?) Q 2-1. So when did people there start to eat Korean style samgyeopsal and what's the most popular way to cook it? Q3. Now let's talk a bit more about Korea's alcoholic drink soju that has many fans in the Philippines. What is it about soju that makes it so popular? And how do you usually drink it? Q4. What's the biggest difference you feel when eating samgyeopsal and drinking soju in the Philippines compared to Korea? Who mainly enjoys it and also what is the price range? Q5. Ginyn, you are a content creator. So, when you make content related to samgyeopsal or soju, what do you focus on the most? Which content received the best response and why do you think that was? Q6. Do you have any recommendations for anyone who hasn't yet tried this combo? How should they experience their first-ever samgyeopsal or soju? Thank you Ginyn for connecting with us today. Thank you Walter as always, see you next week.

[NEWs GEN] Multicultural Marriages: How international couples are reshaping Korea

2025/07/30 12:34

Multicultural Marriages: How international couples are reshaping Korea 한남일녀 커플, 10년 새 최대... 늘어나는 국제결혼에 대한 MZ들의 인식

S. Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol holds talks with Lutnick on first day in U.S.

2025/07/30 11:40

Ahead of the trade deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for this Friday, South Korea's top economic and trade officials, and even major business leaders, are in Washington as they make last-minute efforts to reach an agreement with the United States. Our Byeon Ye-young starts us off. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol , Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan , and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo held talks in Washington, D.C. with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday, local time. The talks lasted about two hours. Koo is in Washington aiming to finalize a tariff deal before the U.S. reciprocal tariffs on South Korea come into effect on August 1. He immediately began talks with Secretary Lutnick despite only his meeting with Treasury Secretary Bessent on July 31st having been publicly disclosed. Upon landing, Koo had told reporters that Korea will explain its economic cooperation proposals clearly, especially in areas like shipbuilding. "We'll explain economic cooperation projects between Korea and the U.S., including shipbuilding, which the U.S. is interested in. We'll make the case that forming an alliance with Korea brings major benefits to the U.S. as well. I believe their understanding of this has improved a lot." According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. side had urged South Korea to bring its "best and final" trade offer to the table during a recent meeting with Korea's industry and trade ministers in Scotland. Lutnick reportedly told Korean officials that they need to "bring it all" when meeting President Trump, who still wants to be convinced why a new deal with Korea is necessary, given that the U.S. has already struck trade agreements with the EU, Japan, and the UK. With just two days left before the tariff decision, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is also set to arrive in the U.S., bringing the scope of the Korea-U.S. talks into the diplomatic sphere. Cho is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio the day after his arrival. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong has also arrived in Washington and is expected to support the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations from the sidelines. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Extreme heat continues on this Jungbok

2025/07/30 11:39

Today is Jungbok, the second of the three hottest days of summer in Korea, known as Sambok. As this period marks the peak of summer heat, heatwave warnings are in place nationwide. Even Taebaek in Gangwon-do Province, known as a "cool zone" due to its typically mild summer temperatures, is now under a heat advisory. Mostly sunny skies will shine down again, but there is a chance of isolated showers this afternoon in the northern parts of Gyeonggi-do and parts of Gangwon-do with 5 to 30 millimeters in the forecast. Many regions will see temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius this afternoon, Seoul and Daegu at 36 degrees Celsius, Daejeon at sweltering 38 degrees! Hot, dry, and mostly clear weather will continue for the time being, with no significant rain in the forecast. Remember to drink water even if you don't feel thirsty, your body needs water to regulate body temperature to cope with the heat.

Design team pays tribute to late designer Rohit Bal at India Couture Week

2025/07/30 11:39

At the 2025 India Couture Week in Delhi, Rohit Bal's design house unveiled the "Kash-Gul" collection on Tuesday, marking a tribute to the late designer nearly nine months after his death. The collection is rooted in Rohit Bal's lifelong bond with Kashmir, drawing on symbols of flowers and his signature motifs of lotus and peacocks. Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal closed the show wearing a black velvet 'Sherwani' detailed in silver embroidery. He paused midway on the ramp to honor his friend, saying "legends never die."

Pope Leo meets Catholic influencers and 'digital missionaries'

2025/07/30 11:38

Pope Leo XIV met over 1,000 Catholic influencers and digital missionaries from more than 140 countries at a Jubilee Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Tuesday. The Pope addressed the young people in Spanish, English, and Italian, reiterating his call for an end to violence and the need to proclaim peace. He emphasized that digital missionaries are more essential than ever in spreading the message of peace. He also cautioned that while technology has become increasingly influential, creativity should not be used to undermine human dignity.

Gunman Kills 4, Including Police Officer, in Midtown Manhattan Shooting

2025/07/30 11:38

In the United States, after 4 people died in a deadly shooting in Midtown Manhattan on Monday, investigators have been sent to Las Vegas, where the gunman, who also shot himself, lived, to learn more about the possible motive. Investigators, who recovered a handwritten note, say there were no links to terrorism or criminal organizations found. The note, found on the body of 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura, said, "Study my brain. I'm sorry." It also claimed he suffered from CTE, a brain disease triggered by head injuries, and blamed the NFL for his condition, despite having never played football professionally. Tamura, who had driven from Las Vegas, entered the lobby of a building housing the National Football League headquarters and major financial firms at around 6.30 PM on Monday with an assault-style rifle. The victims included an off-duty New York City police officer, who was described as a "New York Hero." The incident marks the city's deadliest mass shooting in over two decades.

UK will recognize Palestinian state in Sept, unless Israel agrees to conditions

2025/07/30 11:38

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is The World Now. Starting in the UK, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the UK will recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, unless Israel meets key conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza. On Tuesday, following an emergency cabinet meeting, Starmer outlined the UK's conditional recognition of Palestine's statehood. He said recognition will be formalized in September unless Israel agrees to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, pledges no annexation of the West Bank, allows full humanitarian access, and recommits to a viable two-state solution. Starmer reiterated that there is "no equivalence between Israel and Hamas" and reaffirmed demands on Hamas to release all hostages and disarm. However, Israel's government strongly rejected the announcement, calling it a "reward for Hamas." Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, after meeting with Starmer in Scotland, stated that the recognition was not discussed during their talks. The UK's warning follows reports of a severe famine in Gaza and plans to airdrop aid into the enclave.

94-year-old U.S. Korean War vet returns to a country that never forgot

2025/07/30 11:37

Over the past week, South Korea welcomed six Korean War veterans and their families from 19 countries. Among them: 94-year-old U.S. Navy veteran Dr. Malcolm Williamson. Our Kim Jung-sil sat down with him. More than seventy years ago, he served aboard a U.S. Navy minesweeper during the Korean War. This week, he returned to the country he once helped protect. Dr. Malcolm Lynn Williamson is one of six UN veterans invited to Korea as part of a government-led program marking UN Forces Participation Day on July 27th. "Dr. Williamson, welcome back to Korea. Thank you so much for being here. What do you think when you think of the word Korea?" "I served in the Korean War in 1951 through 1953 on a minesweeper and had some close calls. But I appreciate the fact that we have a chance to come and revisit Korea through the program." One of those close calls came during a mission near Incheon when his ship took a direct hit. "The water just churned, and the smoke drifted by. The ship shuddered, and I knew we'd been hit. And if I had run down the starboard side, I would have been right where a shell hit." He never forgot that moment, and returning decades later, he found a country transformed. "I've been very impressed with the advancements that have been made in your country because I know it was devastated during the war. But you know the thing that I'm impressed most by is the people." By his side this week is someone who didn't live through the war but now calls Korea home. Emily, his granddaughter, has spent the past five years teaching kindergarten in Seoul. "I've lived here for five years and I've always been very proud of my grandfather and the sacrifices he made." For Emily, it wasn't just stories this time, it was seeing that gratitude, in person. "I'm really touched, and it's been a very special experience seeing my grandparents here in Korea and having them be taken care of by so many loving people." After the war, Dr. Williamson earned a Ph.D. in statistics from USC and spent decades consulting on medical research. Now, at 94, he leaves Korea with one final message: "I hope that people will recognize that their inalienable rights come from God." A sailor. A grandfather. A man of science, and of faith. Honored by the nation he once helped protect. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

U.S. State Dept. says Trump is willing to talk with "everyone," after N. Korea rejects denuclearization talks

2025/07/30 11:36

Washington has once again signaled that it's open to talks with North Korea, after the regime said talks with the U.S. are possible only if Washington drops its demand for denuclearization. When asked about the North's recent statements in a press briefing on Tuesday local time, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Trump is willing to speak with "everyone" in order to achieve peace and prosperity, just as in the president's first term. Her comments come a day after Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of the North Korean leader, said the United States must accept North Korea as a nuclear power, while noting that the personal relationship between Trump and Kim "isn't bad."

[On-point] S. Korea experiences hottest summer in decades. What's behind the extreme heat?

2025/07/30 11:36

South Korea is experiencing its hottest weather in decades, with thousands of people affected by heat-related illnesses. For more on what's behind the extreme heat, we're joined by Professor Yoon Jin-Ho, Professor at the School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology. Professor Yoon, thanks for joining us this morning. I don't think I remember Seoul ever being this hot. We've seen temperatures well above average over the past few weeks, with intense heatwaves followed by sudden downpours. What's causing this extreme weather? This summer feels very different from what we're used to. Could this be the 'new normal' for summers in South Korea? With the scorching heat likely to persist throughout the summer, how should the government and local authorities prepare for this kind of extreme weather? It's not just the heat that's taking a toll. More than 20 people have died in South Korea due to recent torrential rains. What measures should the government take to prevent future casualties and widespread damage? We're seeing extreme weather all over the world. Temperatures in Europe went over 40 degrees Celsius, and Türkiye even recorded the highest temperature in its history by hitting 50 degrees. But San Francisco is experiencing its coldest summer in decades. What's behind these contrasting weather patterns? We'll have to hope the heatwave ends soon. Alright, Professor Yoon, thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

Musk confirms collaboration following video call with Samsung chaiman

2025/07/30 11:35

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he had a video call with Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Jae-yong and senior leadership, confirming a recent announcement of collaboration between the two companies. Taking to X on Tuesday, Musk shared details of the call with "the chairman and senior leadership of Samsung to go over what a real partnership would be like." The Tesla CEO stressed that both companies are combining their respective strengths to deliver the best possible results, signaling a deepening of their collaboration. It was announced earlier this week that Samsung Electronics secured a 16-point-4 billion U.S. dollar order from Tesla to supply artificial intelligence semiconductors.

IMF lowers economic outlook for South Korea to 0.8%

2025/07/30 11:35

South Korea's economic outlook has been lowered by the IMF yet again. After it was slashed in half in April it has been lowered further to 0-point-8 percent amid volatility in global trade. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. The International Monetary Fund has once again cut its growth forecast for South Korea this time to 0.8% for 2025. In its latest World Economic Outlook update released Tuesday, the IMF lowered Korea's growth projection by 0.2 percentage points from April, which was already half of January's 2.0% forecast. Lower projections have also been released recently by other institutions. The Korea Development Institute and BOK both fixed their 2025 growth outlook to 0.8% as well with the OECD having the most positive outlook at 1.0%. While no direct commentary for South Korea was provided South Korea is heavily reliant on trade with the U.S., and tariffs had an impact on these numbers according to the IMF. "A breakdown in trade talks or renewed protectionism could dampen growth globally and fuel inflation in some countries." As for South Korea's 2026 outlook the IMF's projection improved for South Korea to 1.8% from 1.4% in April. The IMF releases economic outlooks for all member countries every April and October, and publishes revised forecasts for the 30 major economies in January and July. For the world's economic outlook the IMF revised its projection to 3.0% from 2.8%. Still lower than its forecast earlier this year but showing improvement. "Global growth has been revised up to 3.0 percent in 2025 and 3.1 percent in 2026, reflecting stronger-than-expected front loading, lower tariff rates compared to early April, easier financial conditions, including a weaker U.S. dollar and fiscal expansion in some jurisdictions." As for other nations the U.S. growth forecast was raised by 0.1 percentage point to 1.9%, while China's was significantly revised up by 0.8 percentage points to 4.8%. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

U.S. and China may extend tariff truce by 90 days

2025/07/30 11:34

Washington and Beijing have agreed to work on extending their trade truce following two days of talks. Despite no major breakthroughs, U.S. President Donald Trump says the talks were positive, adding that he expects to meet with his Chinese counterpart sometime this year. Lee Seung-jae has this report. Tensions in global trade may be easing slightly, as trade officials from the U.S. and China on Tuesday wrapped up two days of what they called "constructive" talks in Stockholm aimed at avoiding the return of steep tariffs that could rattle the world economy Both sides agreed to pursue a 90-day extension of their current tariff truce, which is set to expire on August 12. No major breakthroughs were announced after the talks, but according to reports, the tone from both sides was notably more positive. While U.S. officials say it's up to President Donald Trump to decide whether to extend a trade truce, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shot down any prospects of the U.S. president rejecting an extension. Speaking from Air Force One on Tuesday, Trump said he'll soon be briefed on the two-day talks, but added that Bessent felt "very good about the meeting." Trump also confirmed plans for a possible summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the end of the year, adding that the Chinese leader "wants to meet." Meanwhile, the U.S. is continuing trade talks with the European Union. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said talks are still ongoing around steel and aluminum duties, as well as digital services, but a major sticking point is the pharmaceuticals. European officials are aiming to lock in a 15 percent cap on drug tariffs before Trump announces his own pharmaceutical policy, expected within two weeks. With the August 1 deadline fast approaching, the final decision rests with Trump, as the U.S. and the European bloc look to avoid a major trade conflict. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.