News

SpaceX's Fram2 mission launches civilian crew into first flight around Earth's poles

2025/04/01 20:00

Elon Musk's SpaceX has launched four private astronauts into space on a mission to orbit Earth from pole to pole, something that's never been done before. The Fram2 mission led by Chun Wang, a Chinese-born Maltese crypto billionaire, lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday local time. The crew will orbit for 3 to 5 days, conducting over 20 experiments on how space affects the human body. The members also plan to take the first X-ray in space and grow mushrooms in microgravity.

S. Korea’s foreign minister to attend NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Belgium

2025/04/01 20:00

South Korea's top diplomat will be heading to Belgium to attend the NATO foreign ministers' meeting this week, in what will mark the fourth straight year that a Korean official is attending the multilateral gathering. Foreign minister Cho Tae-yul is scheduled to take part in the session on NATO allies and Indo-Pacific partners where he will likely seek ways to boost security cooperation with Europe. He is also set to attend a trilateral meeting with his Japanese and Chinese counterparts, held on the sidelines. They expected to address security issues related to North Korea, as well as ways to strengthen economic cooperation amid reciprocal tariff threats from the Trump administration.

Trump teases new talks with Kim Jong-un, calls him "very smart" amid ongoing communication

2025/04/01 20:00

Moving on. U.S. President Donald Trump claims there has been contact with North Korea's Kim Jong-un in recent times amid complicated geopolitics. Kim Jung-sil has more. Could there be a part two in the Trump-Kim bromance? At the White House on Monday local time, President Trump said his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has come a long way since their rocky start. "I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong-un. Now, you people hate to hear that, but it's very important. 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." Trump confirmed that the U.S. is communicating with the regime and hinted at future action, though he didn't specify what that might look like. "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. But I have a very good relationship with him. Yeah, I will probably do something at some point." Experts question whether this renewed approach can lead to a breakthrough, especially as North Korea's nuclear capabilities have advanced since their 2019 summit. "President Trump is focusing on key issues where he can achieve tangible foreign policy successes during his short term, and North Korea is likely one of the areas he sees as crucial." While diplomatic efforts may continue, Dr. Hong points out that North Korea's nuclear advances remain a significant barrier to progressing talks. Analysts suggest the U.S. is adjusting its strategy accordingly. "Trump's second term signals a shift toward arms control with North Korea, moving away from the goal of complete denuclearization. With North Korea's continued development of ICBMs, the focus is now on negotiating to reduce the threat to the U.S." Experts added that North Korea's growing ties with Russia, China, and Iran could complicate future negotiations. With the stakes now higher, the attention will be on Trump's next move, as his unpredictable approach could lead to unexpected outcomes. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

U.S. names South Korea's trade barriers ahead of reciprocal tariff impositions

2025/04/01 20:00

A recent report by the U.S. office for foreign trade policy is raising concern in Korea as the findings draw attention to what they see as barriers. Ahn Sung-jin reports. The Trump administration is putting scrutiny on South Korea's trade barriers. The United States Trade Representative on Monday local time released a 7-page National Trade Estimate report, which stated that emissions-related regulations on imported vehicles and the pricing of pharmaceutical products remain a barrier to trade. The U.S.' concerns came from a lack of transparency despite South Korea's Clean Air Conservation Act layout, and added that market entry for U.S. automotive manufacturers into South Korea remains a top priority. Korea's prioritization of local technology over foreign technology in defense procurement has also been labeled a barrier. In the case of the pharmaceutical and medical industry, the report said Korea lacks transparency and opportunity for stakeholders to "input into proposed policy changes." It also noted Seoul's import ban on American beef from cattle aged 30 months or older, calling the restriction a transitional measure. Other trade barriers include digital trade barriers such as network usage fees that allegedly feed into a monopoly of internet service providers. The USTR releases an annual report to the President and Congress that documents obstacles for U.S. exporters and solutions including efforts to overcome these barriers. Though these trade barriers have already been brought up in the past, with Trump's hard-line tariff impositions, they seem more pertinent. South Korea's Trade Ministry pledged to closely analyze the trade barriers in the report and discuss these issues with relevant ministries and stakeholders to draft a response. The government also plans to consult with the U.S. through working-level channels to further explain Seoul's non-tariff measures. Trump's efforts to impose reciprocal tariffs will resume from the beginning of April. He has stated that further details will become clearer between the night of April 1st or 2nd Eastern Time. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

S. Korea's exports rise for second straight month in March on strong chip demand

2025/04/01 20:00

Korea's exports expanded for the second month in a row in March gaining over three-percent from a year ago backed by shipments of semiconductors. Lee Soo-jin has details. South Korea's exports grew for the second consecutive month in March amid mounting concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's impending tariffs announcement. Data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Tuesday shows that the value of exports last month came to 58-point-2 billion U.S. dollars, up 3-point-1 percent compared to the previous year. Korea's exports declined in January ,.. ending a 15-month streak of on-year growth, but rebounded in February and showed an upward trend in March. This comes as outbound shipments of semiconductors, the country's top export item, rose nearly 12 percent on-year, driven by strong demand for high-value memory semiconductors such as HBM and DDR5. Chip exports rebounded in March after showing negative growth in February and fell below the 10 billion dollar mark, after surpassing it for nine consecutive months. Shipments of automobiles,.. another key export item, also increased for the second consecutive month as growth in shipments of hybrid, gasoline, and diesel vehicles continued from the previous month. And while exports of steel, fell, an official from the government said that the drop was not due to the Trump administration's 25 percent aluminum and steel tariffs imposed last month. "Export volume has remained largely unchanged. Typically, there is a two to three-month lag between signing a steel contract and the actual exporting, meaning the impact of tariffs on steel is yet to fully take effect." Outbound shipments of aluminum, which were also subject to the 25 percent tariff, saw a more than 20 percent increase last month. But with additional duties, including reciprocal tariffs and the 25 percent auto tariffs set to take effect this week, likely to bring greater trade uncertainties, the official said the government will provide export vouchers and expert consultation services for companies. The country's imports rose 2-point-3 percent, leading to a second straight month of trade surplus. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

How Yoon's impeachment trial kicked off and what to look out for in ruling on April 4

2025/04/01 20:00

Now, let's take a minute to look back at what happened leading up to the verdict, and what the public should be on the lookout for. Our political correspondent Kim Do-yeon gets us up to speed. On December 3rd, 2024, at around 10:27 PM, President Yoon declared martial law. Lawmakers overcoming the initial stand off against the police and military rushed to the National Assembly and voted to overturn the declaration after six hours. 11 days later, with a dozen ruling People Power Party lawmakers changing their minds from the first vote, the second impeachment vote passes the threshold of 200. That kicked off the Constitutional Court case. April 4th marks 111 days since. The first hearing took place on January 1st, 2025 --11 of them in total. The impeachment motion lists five reasons why President Yoon's action was unconstitutional. One, the act of declaring martial law was not justified. Two, the details of how martial law will be operated. Three, the attempt to blockade the National Assembly including detaining politicians. Four, the raid of the National Election Commission and, lastly, efforts to detain judges. "On December 3rd, the Republic of Korea was neither in a state of war, armed conflict, nor facing a comparable national emergency. There was no reason for military involvement to maintain public peace and order through the use of armed forces." Meanwhile, President Yoon argues that declaring martial law is a president's constitutional authority in a national emergency. He claimed the Democratic Party of Korea has been abusing its majority to pass impeachment motions of key government officials and has cut budgets way too far. And, that there were anti-state forces already active in South Korea threatening the nation's security while saying the election system was mismanaged. While whether the nation was under grave threat could be seen as subjective, there is one objective fact the Constitutional Court justices paid close attention to: Did Yoon order the detainment of politicians? "The exact wording was to go inside the main hall and take out the lawmakers?" Among many witnesses second in command at National Intelligence Service Hong Jang-won took the spotlight when he testified that President Yoon indeed ordered him to detain key politicians and even had a specific list presenting a note he took while taking the orders. He claimed that he did not go forward with the order. "After hearing the plans to detain them at Counterintelligence Command's detention facilities and interrogate them, how could I take those orders?" His claims were challenged by other witnesses, including his former boss NIS Chief Cho Tae-yong. President Yoon also said the order was to keep a close watch on politicians likely to go against the decrees of marital law. There are eight justices on the bench currently. It takes six to uphold the impeachment. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Rival parties welcome Constitutional Court decision to set Yoon's impeachment verdict date for April 4

2025/04/01 20:00

Rival parties were quick to respond. The ruling party urged the Court not to be swayed by the opposition's pressure, while the opposition called for Yoon's removal. Our National Assembly correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The rival political parties welcomed the Constitutional Court's announcement on Tuesday of a date for its verdict on the president's political fate. Ruling People Power Party interim leader Kwon Young-se expressed relief that setting the verdict date will help resolve the "constitutional instability." He called for a fair decision while expressing hope that the impeachment motion would be dismissed. PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong said that it would accept the ruling but emphasized that the Court should not be swayed by the opposition's pressure. "We expect a fair ruling based on law and conscience. The Constitutional Court must not give in to the Democratic Party's pressure for a specific outcome." Main opposition Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae expressed regret that the acting president has not appointed Constitutional Court justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk before the verdict but still welcomed the decision to deliver it this Friday. Park said Yoon's swift removal from office is the best way to end what it describes as insurrection. "We are confident in a unanimous decision. Since this issue arose from a constitutional violation, removal is the best verdict to end this situation." The DP leadership held a closed-door meeting after the verdict date was announced, where it decided to be on standby at the National Assembly starting Tuesday to respond to any emergencies until the verdict is delivered. "With the Constitutional Court setting the date for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial verdict, concerns are growing that the country will face political turmoil regardless of the outcome. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News."

Police seal off 100-meter radius around Constitutional Court, restricting public access

2025/04/01 20:00

As the verdict date is set and tension builds up, the police are tightening measures to prevent any disorder near the court. Choi Soo-hyung has the details. Following the impeachment ruling for President Yoon set for Friday, April 4th, the police have sealed off a 100-meter radius around the Constitutional Court. As of 1 PM Tuesday, police banned all gatherings and traffic within a 100-meter radius of the Constitutional Court. Police vehicles formed barricades on nearby roads, including in front of the court and at the Jaedong Elementary School intersection. Pedestrian paths have been blocked, restricting public access. and vehicle traffic on Bukchon-ro outside the court has also been banned. For safety reasons, Anguk Station on line number 3 has closed all exits except for exits 5 and 6. Seoul Metro has announced the station would be fully closed on Friday, the day of the ruling. Police have tightened security, closely monitoring nearby gatherings to prevent potential clashes. On the day of the ruling the highest-level emergency response from the police, "Gabho Emergency," will be issued, allowing full deployment of police forces. Around 20-thousand police personnel from across the country will be mobilized, with 14-thousand deployed to Seoul. The level of personal protection for Constitutional Court judges will also be strengthened. Currently, the police are providing dedicated protection for all Constitutional Court judges including protecting their homes. Meanwhile, on Friday, the day of the ruling, nearby palaces and schools will be closed. The Korea Heritage Service announced that Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Deoksugung palaces will be closed. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education stated that at least 13 schools near the court and the presidential residence in Yongsan will also be temporarily closed as precaution. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Impeachment uncertainty shakes markets: What’s next for Korea’s economy?

2025/04/01 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus, I'm Kim Mok-yeon. As South Korea's political landscape remains mired in uncertainty following the December 3rd martial law crisis and the prolonged impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol, concerns are mounting over the potential economic fallout. From a volatile Korean won-U.S. dollar exchange rate and rising credit default swap premiums to downward revisions in GDP growth forecasts and rising food prices, the ripple effects are being felt across financial markets and consumer sectors alike. So, what exactly is driving the economic instability? How will the impeachment verdict impact the markets? For answers to this, we invite Yang Jun-sok, Professor of Economics at the Catholic University of Korea. Welcome. Also joining us online is Park Min-jung, Professor of Business Administration at Kumoh National Institute of Technology. Great to have you. (YANG) 1. Let's start with Prof. Yang. So the political turmoil triggered by the December 3rd martial law emergency has lasted for over three months, intensifying economic instability. Notably, the won-dollar exchange rate has surpassed the 1,470 mark again after more than 50 days AND maintained such a level for the second day. What are the reasons for this increase? (PARK) 2. Now the exchange rate is expected to fluctuate further depending on the impeachment verdict of President Yoon Suk Yeol, which is set for Friday. There is speculation that, along with the ripple effects of Trump's tariff imposition, the rate could break the 1,500 won mark. Professor Park, what is your outlook on this? (YANG) 3. Amid the prolonged impeachment situation, concerns are rising about a possible downgrade of the national credit rating. It is reported that the Credit Default Swap premium, which reflects national external credibility, is rebounding. Prof. Yang, what is the current situation? How could increasing credit risk impact the Korean economy? (PARK) 4. Alongside the rise in CDS premiums, overseas institutions are successively lowering their economic growth forecasts for Korea this year. Some even predict that the growth rate could fall to the 0% range. Prof. Park, what are the possible countermeasures to overcome declining economic growth? (YANG) 5. Shifting gears, the food and restaurant industries are continuously raising prices. This contrasts sharply with the same period last year when price hikes among food companies were rare. Prof. Yang, what are the reasons behind the rising food prices? (PARK) 6. As for the cause, some criticize that the political vacuum in Korea may have pushed companies to accelerate price hikes. What are your thoughts on this, Prof. Park? (YANG) 7. There are also analyses suggesting that the recent wildfires in the southeast may affect consumer prices to some extent. What is your take on this, Prof. Yang? What is the outlook for food price trends going forward? (PARK) 8. There are concerns that the inflation rates for processed food and dining-out prices may soon exceed 3%. What countermeasures are needed for effective inflation control, Prof. Park? (YANG) 9. Now, as part of efforts to ease the burden on the public, the government officially announced a supplementary budget of about 10 trillion won. This is the first time the budget authorities have formally declared such a move. What led to this decision, Prof. Yang? Also, why is it being called an "essential" supplementary budget?

President Yoon's impeachment verdict to be delivered live Friday 11 AM: Constitutional Court

2025/04/01 17:00

The Constitutional Court has finally announced a date for its much-awaited verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young covers this latest event. President Yoon Suk Yeol will face his fate on Friday, as the Constitutional Court's decision on his impeachment is revealed via a live broadcast. The Court notified the press on Tuesday that the eight-member bench will deliver its ruling at 11 AM on April 4th. The verdict will come 111 days after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon, following his declaration of martial law on December 3rd last year. His case has marked the Court's longest-ever deliberation on a presidential case, compared to Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye's, which took at most two weeks. The prolonged timeline has sparked speculation about what is happening behind closed doors, with legal analysts divided over what the verdict could be. Removing a president requires at least six justices to uphold the National Assembly's impeachment. If three or more dissent, President Yoon returns to power. Some believe the justices have been working towards a unanimous decision, with foolproof reasoning to minimize societal backlash. Others suggest the court has been struggling to reach a consensus, as justices may be split ideologically. A recent impeachment case involving Korea Communications Commission Chair Lee Jin-sook ended in a four-to-four deadlock, in line with the justices' political orientations. According to legal circles, the bench expected to reach their final decision either the evening before or on the morning of the ruling day, to maintain utmost confidentiality. If the decision is unanimous, the presiding justice typically reads a summary of the reasoning first, followed by their final written judgment. The ruling will inevitably have major political consequences, as an impeachment would trigger an early presidential election within 60 days. If Yoon is removed from office, the opposition's Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is seen as the frontrunner for a snap election, far ahead of the conservative candidates. Thus, conservatives and Yoon's supporters continue to push for his impeachment to be dismissed or for the case itself to be scrapped. In the meantime, a presidential official told reporters that Yoon's office is "calmly awaiting" the Court's decision. As the Constitutional Court prepares to deliver a historic ruling, it faces the formidable challenge of issuing a decision that can command legitimacy in a nation deeply divided along political lines. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Spring rain across the country tomorrow with dusty air

2025/04/01 17:00

It was chilly in the morning, but it turned warm in the middle of the day today, leading to a difference between the daily highs and lows. Tomorrow will be very similar to today with Seoul at 5 degrees Celsius in the morning, and 16 degrees during the day. Please dress in layers to avoid catching a cold. Along with the warm spring weather, fine dust has also returned. Dust is building up due to the influx of fine dust from overseas overnight. Ultra-fine dust will cover the skies in the Seoul metropolitan area and Chungcheongnam-do Province tomorrow. Tomorrow, Chuncheon will start off at 1 degree, and Daejeon at 3 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 18 degrees in Daejeon, Gwangju, and Daegu, 17 degrees in Chuncheon. Starting from the Seoul metropolitan area tomorrow afternoon, spring rain will fall throughout the country. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: European foreign ministers urge Russia to agree on Ukraine ceasefire

2025/04/01 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Foreign ministers from six European countries convened in Madrid, where they urged Russia to agree to an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. The foreign ministers of Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom, along with the European Union's High Representative, met in Madrid on Monday local time to address the war in Ukraine. In a joint statement, they collectively urged Russia to abandon its "delaying tactics" and respond to Ukraine's commitment to peace by agreeing to an unconditional full ceasefire. The statement highlighted the importance of making progress within a specific timeframe, and they also considered possible new sanctions to increase pressure on Russia. The possibility of using frozen Russian sovereign assets to aid Ukraine was also discussed. The ministers said they will ensure Russia's full accountability for its war crimes. In France, leader of the right-wing National Rally party and presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement and barred from running in the 2027 presidential election. Le Pen has denounced the court's decision as politically motivated and says she will appeal the ruling. "What she is doing here is she's saying 'I am going to make you ineligible straight away and I'm doing it precisely to stop you from being able to be elected president'. If that's not a political decision, I don't know what it is." On Monday local time, a French court found Le Pen guilty of embezzling European Union funds. The court sentenced her to four years in prison, with two years suspended, imposed a 108,000 U.S. dollar fine, and prohibited her from holding public office for five years. This ruling effectively disqualifies her from the 2027 presidential race. Finally, in Japan, Tokyo's cherry blossom season has arrived earlier than usual this year, with full bloom observed over the weekend. The early arrival drew large crowds to popular "hanami" or "flower viewing" spots across the city on Monday. Parks and gardens throughout Tokyo are experiencing peak bloom, attracting locals and tourists to the seasonal festivities. While cherry blossoms usually reach their peak in late March to early April, the early blooming this year is attributed to warmer temperatures. The country's favorite flower reaching the peak usually signals the start of the new school and business year. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Paik Nam-june exhibitions to commemorate 20th anniversary of his death

2025/04/01 17:00

On the cultural front. Paik Nam-june was an influential artist of his time known for his pioneering video art using television sets. For those of you hoping to delve into his artistic depictions a gallery bearing his name is scheduled to start a relevant showcase this month. Lee Eun-jin reports. On New Year's Day of 1984, the first international "satellite art" installation was presented by Korean-American artist Paik Nam-june. Setting out to counter George Orwell's depressing portrayal of television in the novel "1984," the live broadcast of the satellite art production from New York was simultaneously aired in Korea, and the live broadcast from Paris was also aired in real-time to Germany. Featuring pop music videos, dance and video art, the piece, called "Good Morning, Mr. Orwell" combined live and taped segments, along with TV graphics designed by Paik himself. The breakthrough attempt of its time was an astounding success, reaching an audience of over 25 million viewers worldwide. Painting with his hair, or dragging a violin through the streets, then setting it on fire, Paik Nam-june broke stereotypes with his eccentricity. Paik's Robot K-456, first displayed in 1964, was his first work that took shape of a robot, which opened questions of humanity amid advancing technology. "He was an artist that suggested how new technology could change the world. Above all, he made such predictions from such a euphoric and optimistic perspective." Paik Nam-june shifted away from traditional ideas and pioneered a new genre called "video art" by breaking down the boundaries between technology and art. In the 1970s when black and white analogue TVs were still the norm, Paik was ahead of his time, as if he had an insight into the hyper-connected era we live in today. "The most internationally famous K-culture content before PSY was that of Paik Nam-june. As a future-thinking artist, he very insightfully showed how society would change with the development of technology and what the roles of artists and communication will be in that world." Efforts to display Paik Nam-june's journey have been underway for years. And for this year, the first was an exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan that ended on March 16th. It was the largest exhibition since Paik's death, and was visited by 122-thousand visitors. The Nam June Paik Art Center continues to hold events and exhibitions to showcase the artist's experimental mindset. Many are interested to see how Paik Nam-june's ideas were realized with the help of his collaborators. "The role that Paik played was like the conductor of an orchestra. Under his direction were very, very talented collaborators who came together to produce these projects. And their passion and efforts have been documented." The 'Play it Again, Paik' exhibition will feature recordings of his past interviews. It will open on April 10th at the Nam June Paik Art Center, and run into next year. The 2023 film titled 'Nam June Paik: The Moon Is the Oldest TV' is screening at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art as part of its 'Moment of Creation -The Artist's Studio' a collection of eight films that show artists creating new works. This program will run until May 24th. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

Trump teases new talks with Kim Jong-un, calls him "very smart" amid ongoing communication

2025/04/01 17:00

Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions U.S. President Donald Trump claims there has been contact with North Korea's Kim Jong-un in recent times. Our correspondent Kim Jung-sil covers his most recent remarks. Could there be a part two in the Trump-Kim bromance? At the White House on Monday local time, President Trump said his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has come a long way since their rocky start. "I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong-un. Now, you people hate to hear that, but it's very important. 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." Trump confirmed that the U.S. is communicating with the regime and hinted at future action, though he didn't specify what that might look like. "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. But I have a very good relationship with him. Yeah, I will probably do something at some point." Experts question whether this renewed approach can lead to a breakthrough, especially as North Korea's nuclear capabilities have advanced since their 2019 summit. "President Trump is focusing on key issues where he can achieve tangible foreign policy successes during his short term, and North Korea is likely one of the areas he sees as crucial." While diplomatic efforts may continue, Dr. Hong points out that North Korea's nuclear advances remain a significant barrier to progressing talks. Analysts suggest the U.S. is adjusting its strategy accordingly. "Trump's second term signals a shift toward arms control with North Korea, moving away from the goal of complete denuclearization. With North Korea's continued development of ICBMs, the focus is now on negotiating to reduce the threat to the U.S." Experts added that North Korea's growing ties with Russia, China, and Iran could complicate future negotiations. With the stakes now higher, the attention will be on Trump's next move, as his unpredictable approach could lead to unexpected outcomes. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Rescue efforts continue following Myanmar earthquake; national mourning period declared

2025/04/01 17:00

Myanmar has declared a period of national mourning this week as the frantic search for survivors of its devastating earthquake continues. Park Kun-woo has more. The landscape in Myanmar is marked by devastation with toppled temples and buildings. Rescue teams have been working around the clock for more than three days, desperately searching for more survivors beneath the rubble, hoping to save at least one more. The 7-point-7 magnitude earthquake that struck near Mandalay -Myanmar's second largest city - last Friday, has already claimed over 2-thousand lives, with nearly four thousand injured according to the country's military government. But the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the final death toll could exceed 10-thousand. In response to a rare plea for help from Myanmar's military junta, international rescue teams from neighboring countries, including China and several Southeast Asian countries, have arrived on the scene. But as the first 72 hours -the "golden" period for rescue - have passed, and with scorching temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, the chances of survival are diminishing rapidly. "The survival ability of the trapped people is getting weaker and weaker. The temperature is very high, making our rescue more and more difficult." The U.S. also promised both monetary and rescue support for Myanmar on Monday. "The United States will provide up to $2 million through Burma-based humanitarian assistance organizations. A U.S. aid team of humanitarian experts based in the region are traveling to Burma now to identify the people's most pressing needs." Other countries, including South Korea, the UK, and Australia have also announced millions of dollars in aid. Amid the rescue efforts, the military junta declared a week-long national mourning period until Sunday with flags flown at half-mast. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

S. Korean government to provide additional US$ 15.37 mil. in special grants

2025/04/01 17:00

The government is setting aside an additional 22-point-6 billion won roughly 15-point-4 million U.S. dollars to aid relief efforts in Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do provinces that suffered extensive damage from last week's wildfires which were the worst on record. According to authorities on this Tuesday more funds may be allocated if needed as recovery plans take visible shape. The total government support now stands at almost 21 million U.S. dollars. These special grants will be used to clear debris to support temporary housing and to implement safety measures to prevent secondary damage.

Students at 38 of 40 medical schools apply to return before reinstatement deadline

2025/04/01 17:00

Most medical schools across the country are witnessing a significant return of their student body after more than a year of protests against government plans to expand the medical school admission quota. Lee Seung-jae reports. Out of 40 medical schools nationwide, students from 38 of the schools have decided to return to class before the Monday deadline imposed by the government. According to sources familiar with the matter, 38 of the medical schools saw almost all of their students, who had been on leave of absence, complete their registration to return to school. Among the schools that saw their students register for classes before the deadline were Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Pusan National University. The two medical schools where students hadn't registered before the deadline were Inje University and Hallym University. The government last month set a March 31st deadline after it announced a conditional decision to set the medical school admissions quota at 3-thousand-58 for the 2026 academic year. That is similar to the figure before the current administration decided to increase admissions by 2-thousand a year ago. In order to transition into the delayed school semester, most medical schools will begin with a few weeks of online classes. Seoul National University announced last week that online classes will be held for the first one to two weeks starting Monday. Ulsan University and Korea University have started online classes as well. Yonsei University, which was among the first medical schools to announce a "full return" of students, will conduct both online and offline classes. Based on data on the number of medical school students returning, the Ministry of Education will finalize the enrollment quota for next year's admissions by the end of the month. While the government expects the medical admissions quota to return to 3-thousand-58, it warned that the quota could return to 5-thousand-58 if students take a leave of absence or boycott classes after returning. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. Korea's exports rise for second straight month in March on strong chip demand

2025/04/01 17:00

Korea's exports expanded for the second month in a row in March gaining over three-percent on year backed by shipments of semiconductors. Our correspondent Lee Soo-jin has details. South Korea's exports grew for the second consecutive month in March amid mounting concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's impending tariffs announcement. Data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Tuesday shows that the value of exports last month came to 58-point-2 billion U.S. dollars, up 3-point-1 percent compared to the previous year. Korea's exports declined in January ,.. ending a 15-month streak of on-year growth, but rebounded in February and showed an upward trend in March. This comes as outbound shipments of semiconductors, the country's top export item, rose nearly 12 percent on-year, driven by strong demand for high-value memory semiconductors such as HBM and DDR5. Chip exports rebounded in March after showing negative growth in February and fell below the 10 billion dollar mark, after surpassing it for nine consecutive months. Shipments of automobiles,.. another key export item, also increased for the second consecutive month as growth in shipments of hybrid, gasoline, and diesel vehicles continued from the previous month. And while exports of steel, fell, an official from the government said that the drop was not due to the Trump administration's 25 percent aluminum and steel tariffs imposed last month. "Export volume has remained largely unchanged. Typically, there is a two to three-month lag between signing a steel contract and the actual exporting, meaning the impact of tariffs on steel is yet to fully take effect." Outbound shipments of aluminum, which were also subject to the 25 percent tariff, saw a more than 20 percent increase last month. But with additional duties, including reciprocal tariffs and the 25 percent auto tariffs set to take effect this week, likely to bring greater trade uncertainties, the official said the government will provide export vouchers and expert consultation services for companies. The country's imports rose 2-point-3 percent, leading to a second straight month of trade surplus. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

U.S. names South Korea's trade barriers ahead of reciprocal tariff impositions

2025/04/01 17:00

In other news. A recent report by the U.S. office for foreign trade policy is raising concern here in Korea as the findings draw attention to what they claim are barriers. Our Ahn Sung-jin reports. The Trump administration is putting scrutiny on South Korea's trade barriers. The United States Trade Representative on Monday local time released a 7-page National Trade Estimate report, which stated that emissions-related regulations on imported vehicles and the pricing of pharmaceutical products remain a barrier to trade. The U.S.' concerns came from a lack of transparency despite South Korea's Clean Air Conservation Act layout, and added that market entry for U.S. automotive manufacturers into South Korea remains a top priority. Korea's prioritization of local technology over foreign technology in defense procurement has also been labeled a barrier. In the case of the pharmaceutical and medical industry, the report said Korea lacks transparency and opportunity for stakeholders to "input into proposed policy changes." It also noted Seoul's import ban on American beef from cattle aged 30 months or older, calling the restriction a transitional measure. Other trade barriers include digital trade barriers such as network usage fees that allegedly feed into a monopoly of internet service providers. The USTR releases an annual report to the President and Congress that documents obstacles for U.S. exporters and solutions including efforts to overcome these barriers. Though these trade barriers have already been brought up in the past, with Trump's hard-line tariff impositions, they seem more pertinent. South Korea's Trade Ministry pledged to closely analyze the trade barriers in the report and discuss these issues with relevant ministries and stakeholders to draft a response. The government also plans to consult with the U.S. through working-level channels to further explain Seoul's non-tariff measures. Trump's efforts to impose reciprocal tariffs will resume from the beginning of April. He has stated that further details will become clearer between the night of April 1st or 2nd Eastern Time. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Acting President vetoes Commercial Act revision adding "shareholders" to directors' duties

2025/04/01 17:00

Acting President Han Duck-soo has vetoed an opposition-led revision to the Commercial Act that sought to broaden board duties to shareholders. At a Cabinet meeting earlier on this Tuesday Han added the expansion of corporate board members' duty to all shareholders could create chaos by disrupting decision-making procedures. He instead called for more in-depth discussions on the matter before seeking reform. The opposition for its part has claimed the revision would force directors to act within the company's best interests while the ruling party insists the revision would hinder corporate innovation.