News

Lee briefed on S. Korea-U.S. trade talks for response measures

2025/07/28 22:33

Against this backdrop, President Lee Jae Myung was briefed about the latest trade consultations with the U.S. and discussed response measures with his aides. That's according to Lee's spokesperson Kang Yu-jung on Monday in a written statement, saying the President was briefed by Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, who are currently overseas. Over the weekend, the trade ministers of South Korea and the U.S. held discussions twice, in Washington and New York, for discussions that included cooperation in shipbuilding. Present at the briefing were Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who are soon to leave for Washington for similar talks. Seoul's top office added that the government is looking for the most "desirable" plan, keeping in mind "various possibilities."

"HOPES FOR BETTER INTER-KOREAN RELATIONSHIP"

2025/07/28 20:34

Hope your workweek is off to a good start. You're watching Press Perspective for this Monday July 28th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. The Unification Ministry here says South Korea remains committed to its push for peace on the peninsula. For more I have Celio Fioretti with French daily La Croix. Celio welcome. I also have Professor Edward Kwon at the Northern Kentucky University who recently wrote an article for The National Interest on the new South Korean administration's hopes for better cross-border ties. Professor Kwon it's a pleasure. Celio, let's begin with a quick rundown of some of the actions taken by the Lee Jae Myung administration with regard to North Korea and the overall response. Professor Kwon, you recently wrote a piece for American magazine The National Interest on the new South Korean administration's policy on North Korea. First then, what is your assessment of the new South Korean administration's North Korea policy? Celio, North Korea, meanwhile, continues its bellicose rhetoric with its leader Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo-jong rejecting South Korea's efforts to resume cross-border engagement. What did she say? And Celio, Kim Jong-un himself recently calling on his soldiers to prepare for an actual war. Do tell us more. Professor Kwon, how do you explain North Korea's hardline stance? Do you believe it's simply seeking leverage and not necessarily an escalation in tensions? Celio, South Korea is reportedly exploring the option of tourism to engage North Korea. What are the prospects of this option bearing fruit and leading to improved cross-border ties? Professor Kwon, what conditions are likely to coax North Korea back to the dialogue table? Most pundits believe getting Kim Jong-un to sit down for talks will be tough this time around given his military pact with Russia. That being said, do you suppose a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine will lead to talks between Kim and Lee or Kim and Trump? Celio, despite the commitment to denuclearization that South Korea and its global partners have shared with regard to North Korea's nuclear weapons, a growing number of pundits are casting doubt on this goal. Do share with us these doubts. Professor Kwon, speaking as a scholar, what are your thoughts? Should the international community be looking for nuclear disarmament or nuclear control with regard to North Korea's nuclear weapons? Professor Kwon, with regard to South Korea's broader pragmatic diplomatic, what feasible is this foreign policy keeping in mind the rivalry between the U.S. and China? All right.

U.S., EU agree on 15% on most EU imports

2025/07/28 19:43

The U.S. and the EU have agreed to a tariff framework that imposes a blanket duty of 15 percent on most imports from the European bloc into the American market. Lee Seung-jae has details. The United States and the European Union avoided a major trade war, as the two sides agreed on a 15 percent tariff on most EU goods going into the U.S. on Sunday. The framework trade agreement was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during their meeting at the U.S. leader's luxury golf course in western Scotland. "We have stabilized on a single 15% tariff rate for the vast majority of EU exports. This rate applies across most sectors, including cars, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals. This 15% is a clear ceiling. So no stacking. All inclusive." The deal also includes a zero-for-zero tariff rate for certain strategic products. Those goods include aircraft and aircraft parts, and certain chemicals and generic drugs. However, no decision has been made on wine and spirits. Also, a major part of the trade deal is the European bloc agreeing to purchase 750 billion U.S. dollars worth of energy from the U.S. "It's going to agree to purchase from the United States $750 billion worth of energy, $750 billion worth of energy. They are going to, agree to invest into the United States $600 billion more than they're investing already. So they're investing." The deal means the EU has now avoided Trump's initial proposal of 30 percent tariffs on goods from the EU. The U.S. has also struck deals with the UK, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Trump announced that three to four more countries could strike a deal with the U.S. in the coming days. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[Weather] Seoul will rise to 37 degrees tomorrow with tropical nights continuing

2025/07/28 19:42

Yesterday, it was the hottest day of this year in Seoul, rising to 38 degrees Celsius in the middle of the day. It was as hot as yesterday in most parts of the country today. With heat wave warnings in place all over the country, daytime temperatures in Seoul, Jeonju, and Cheongju rose to 37 degrees. Tomorrow, it will reach 37 degrees again in Seoul, and this scorching heat will continue until the second half of the week. In addition, tropical nights have been continuing for the ninth straight day in Seoul, and this nighttime heat will be severe for the time being. Take extra care to avoid heat-related illnesses. Tomorrow morning will start very warm in Seoul at 27 degrees, Chuncheon 24 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 36 degrees in Chuncheon, Daejeon and Daegu, 32 degrees in Busan and Jeju. There is no more rain forecast for the time being but summer heat will continue instead. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Israel announces daily pauses in Gaza fighting as aid airdrops begin

2025/07/28 19:41

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. The Israeli military has announced a daily pause in military activity in three densely populated areas of Gaza to ease the ongoing humanitarian crisis. On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces declared a "tactical pause" in fighting from 10 AM until 8 PM local time daily until further notice in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Al-Mawasi, while launching air-dropped aid. To facilitate aid delivery, Israel has also designated secure corridors for UN and humanitarian convoys, which will be in place permanently between 6 AM and 11 PM. More than 100 truckloads of food, medicine, and supplies were dispatched toward southern Gaza. Meanwhile, Jordan and the UAE also airdropped about 25 tons of flour, sugar, and canned goods into the enclave. The military pause aims to "increase the scale of humanitarian aid" amidst warnings of mass starvation. However, aid groups say that only under 8 percent of World Food Programme trucks have successfully distributed supplies due to delays and theft, and point out that airdrops are inefficient and sometimes dangerous. A passenger train derailed in southern Germany on Sunday, killing at least three people and seriously injuring others. Around 100 people were aboard the train when two carriages came off the rails at 6:10 PM local time, in a wooded area near the town of Riedlingen in the southwest of the country. Authorities are examining whether strong winds that swept the region shortly before the incident contributed to the derailment. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed grief on his social media, saying, "We mourn the victims." Greece and Türkiye are grappling with a record-breaking heatwave and major wildfires, prompting mass evacuations as strong winds and scorching temperatures fuel the flames. As temperatures reached 42.4 degrees Celsius in central Greece on Sunday, emergency services battled more than 50 wildfires across regions including the Peloponnese, Evia, and Crete, with new evacuation alerts issued. Meanwhile, in neighboring Türkiye, a Mediterranean heatwave reaching a record 50.5 degrees Celsius has ignited widespread blazes. Over 1,700 residents were evacuated from Bursa, the country's fourth-largest city. Authorities reported that more than 70 wildfires broke out within 24 hours in the country. In the UK, a pair of mixed-breed dogs and their human guardians made headlines at the Dog Masters Festival on Sunday, held at a beach in Dorset. Two teams broke a Guinness World Record with Matt Jenkins and his dog Gigi, alongside Benn Gray and Boo, breaking the 50-meter paddleboard sprint record in a time of 32 seconds. The festival, hosted as part of the UK Dog Surfing Championships, featured paddleboarding, surfing displays, and world-record attempts. Another World Dog Surfing Championships is set to take place in the San Francisco Bay area on August 2. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Scientists develop treatment removing phosphorus, a factor behind algal blooms, from water

2025/07/28 19:40

Korean researchers have devised a sustainable method to better protect marine life from the repercussions of excess phosphorus. Cha Yun-kyung explains. Excess phosphorus in water causes an increase in algal blooms that cause green tides, which kill off fish and other organisms and pollute water resources, destroying marine ecosystems. Existing water treatment plants for the removal of this phosphorus that comes from fertilizers and manufacturing run-offs require huge amounts of power consumption, but do not eliminate the algae effectively. Researchers have developed a new type of water treatment that not only absorbs phosphorus in the water but also rids it of the green-tide-forming algae. This apparatus uses sea-urchin-shaped magnetic nanoparticles on the inner surface of a tube and permanent magnets on the outer surface, which attract pollutants in contaminated water as it flows through. "When 1 gram of pollutant is added, this water treatment system can retrieve a larger amount of phosphorus in 5 minutes, which is a huge advantage. The inner surface is also coated with lanthanum which attracts phosphorus and copper that eliminates the algae, thus removing the pollutants that cause green tides effectively. The purified water can then be reused by industries and farmers, and not just discharged into rivers as before. "We were able to observe that the apparatus can process 99 percent of the total coliform group within the water. It can absorb a large amount of phosphorus, which can be removed and utilized as a cleaner for pipes." As the water treatment apparatus can absorb phosphorus, which can be reused, and eliminate pollutants, the researchers expect that it can contribute to reducing climate change and water shortages. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

"King of Kings" surpasses 700,000 viewers in S. Korea

2025/07/28 19:39

The Korean animation "King of Kings" has drawn over seven-hundred-thousand viewers as of this past Sunday which also noted its 12th day at local theaters. The film marks the second-fastest pace for a K-animation following "Leafie, A Hen into the Wild" which hit the same milestone in 10 days. "King of Kings" released on July 16th here in Korea is now also the second-highest-grossing animation for the year in the country following "Attack on Titan: The Last Attack." The "King of Kings" set a box office record in North America following its debut in April earning more money than Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite". The animation is based on the book "The Life of Our Lord" by Charles Dickens.

Muddy escape from the summer heat Boryeong Mud Festival is back!

2025/07/28 19:39

And Korea's annual mud festival is back at its largest beach on the West Sea. Our Park Hyo-been files this report from Daecheon Beach over in Boryeong . Splashing, tumbling, and soaking up the fun. Despite the scorching heat, people are all smiles as they dive into the mud and leave the summer swelter behind. Daecheon Beach in Chungcheongnam-do Province is holding the 28th Boryeong Mud Festival, which opened last Friday. "It's over 30 degrees here in Boryeong, but the more mud, the cooler it gets. This is why people head here to beat the summer heat." What began as a local event has now become one of the most beloved summer festivals in the world, attracting around 1.6 million visitors last year, many of them from abroad. The only goal here is to get dirty, together. "Oh yeah, it's really fun." "It's a lot more fun than we thought." "The mud dunk tank was really good because we got fully submerged in mud." "Yeah just completely covered." "Hi, I'm from the U.S. and I am having a lot of fun here." "I'm from Canada, I'm having so much fun. I've never been to an event like this before. It's been so fun." "You can see it feels really good. I hope it's good for my skin. It doesn't feel sticky or dirty at all it actually feels really nice." But the now-famous Boryeong mud wasn't always celebrated. Back in the early 1990s, Daecheon Beach was seen as murky and uninviting, until it was discovered that the mineral-rich mud was great for the skin. What was once worthless became a treasure, and by 1998, the Boryeong Mud Festival was born. This year's event is bigger and bolder than ever. Visitors can dive into a mudslide, spin through the mud barbeque, or simply cover themselves in the mineral-rich sludge. There are special zones for families with young children and by night, the energy ramps up with K-pop concerts and dazzling drone light displays. Festival organizers say safety is a top priority, especially with the record-breaking heatwaves this summer. "The heatwave has been especially intense lately, so we've prepared safety measures to make sure visitors can stay comfortable while enjoying the festival." Officials say more than 2 million people from around the world are expected to join the festival this year. To help visitors from overseas enjoy the fun, interpretation services are offered in English, Chinese, and Japanese. The ultimate summer playground, Boryeong Mud Festival, runs until August 10th. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News, Boryeong.

BOK urges easier access to bolster 'K-goods' sales via online platforms

2025/07/28 19:38

The Bank of Korea has shared suggestions to bolster foreign customer participation on Korean e-commerce platforms. The bank's report on Monday claimed complex registration procedures are major barriers against potential foreign customers and advised simplifying these signup requirements. The report also emphasized the need to adopt international payment methods as well as credit cards issued overseas. Despite the growing demand for K-products findings for last year show foreign direct purchases remained at one-fifth the size of purchases made by Koreans.

Heat wave drives people to cool off in pools, while heat illnesses soar

2025/07/28 19:37

The blistering heat is showing no sign of abating nationwide and those here in Seoul are seeking public pools to cool off. Our Park Kun-woo was out and about. Splashing in deep water, people are wading away the heat. This large outdoor swimming pool near the Hangang River is packed, even during the hottest part of the day. With heat warnings issued nationwide, Seoul hit 37 degrees Celsius on Monday, while similar sweltering conditions are expected throughout the week. "It feels like I'm in a sauna standing out here, so instead of staying indoors, people are cooling off wherever they can, just like in this pool behind me. In this kind of heat, even a small splash makes a big difference." "The weather is very hot, so I think it's a very good idea to come to the cool and swim a little bit. I think in Poland we don't have that much heat. And yeah, we are having a great experience." "Compared to last year, my skin feels burning cause it's particularly hot this year, which also makes me worried for people working outside." According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, around 2-thousand-3 hundred people have been treated for heat-related illnesses this year as of Saturday, including outdoor workers. That's 2-point-5 times more than the same period last year. Among them, 11 people have reportedly died. This surge is linked to the number of heat wave days doubling from last year. And the damage isn't limited to people. Roughly 2-thousand farmed fish, and more than a million livestock deaths, a tenfold increase from 2024, have also been reported. Accordingly, the government convened a central disaster response meeting on Monday, where the interior minister said all available resources will be mobilized to minimize casualties. Authorities also pledged support for vulnerable groups here, including victims of the recent floods, from further damage. While the weather agency forecasts a slight drop in temperatures later this week, the authorities advise the public to stay indoors, remain hydrated, and rest frequently as the intense heat and tropical nights continue. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

ROK Navy and Marine Corps take part in multinational drill jointly hosted by U.S. and Australia

2025/07/28 19:36

South Korea took part in one of the Indo-Pacific's largest and most complex military exercises which began earlier this month. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung reports. South Korea's Navy and Marine Corps have successfully completed their part in a biennial multinational exercise in Australia, that went on for around a month starting early this July. Named "Talisman Sabre," meaning "sword with mysterious power," the exercise marks the largest bilateral military drill between Australia and the U.S. Aiming to hone operational capabilities, this year's edition united more than 35-thousand military personnel from 19 like-minded countries. Korea's Navy first participated in 2021, and the Marine Corps joined in 2023. More than eight-hundred personnel from the Navy and Marine Corps, along with around ten types of equipment, including Korean amphibious assault vehicles, K-9 self-propelled howitzers, and multiple Chunmoo rocket systems, joined the exercise. With U.S. and Australian forces, Korean troops conducted joint live-fire training, with K-1 tanks joining the drill for the first time. and amphibious, airborne assault drills, using Korean and Australian assault assets, also took place. The drill was seen as a chance to improve operational capabilities. "We have conducted combined joint operations with the Republic of Korea, conducting naval, maritime, and land operations as part of ongoing integration training in order to ensure that we can work together in a safe environment and fight together if required." "Through tactical exchanges with various countries such as Australia and the United States during this training, our unit's combat capabilities have advanced to a higher level. We will do our best to complete our mission with strong unity and ensure everyone returns safely." The Navy and Marine Corps personnel who took part will depart Australia on Tuesday, and arrive at a port in Jinhae of Gyeongsangnam-do Province in mid-August. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

First direct passenger flight between Moscow and Pyongyang takes off

2025/07/28 19:35

The first direct passenger flight between Moscow and Pyongyang in some three decades has taken off. This past Sunday evening a Pyongyang-bound flight by Russia's Nordwind Airlines departed from Moscow. Each flight can accommodate about four hundred passengers and takes around eight hours. Tickets cost roughly 5-hundred-60 U.S. dollars. Prior to this route the only direct flight between Russia and North Korea was the Vladivostok-Pyongyang route. Russia is also reportedly considering a direct route to Wonsan on North Korea's east coast.

Seoul to continue push for peace despite Kim Yo-jong’s rebuke

2025/07/28 19:35

In other news. South Korea is committed to seeking communication with North Korea despite the latter's tough rhetoric against potential cross-border interaction. Kim Jung-sil covers these comments by the Unification Ministry here and more. South Korea says it won't be swayed from its push for peace. Following North Korea's first official statement since the Lee Jae-myung administration took power, the presidential office said Monday it's taking the North's remarks seriously, but insists its focus remains on building peace through steady, necessary action. At the Unification Ministry, the message was much the same. "We believe the statement shows Pyongyang is closely watching our policy direction. While distrust from the North remains deep, our push for peace and inter-Korean cooperation will continue, calmly and with consistency." "Officials here say they won't be swayed by every comment from Pyongyang, and that they're sticking to a steady, non-confrontational approach." But the tone from the North was very different. The statement came earlier in the day from Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un. She dismissed Seoul's suspension of border loudspeaker broadcasts as "not worthy of recognition," and criticized other recent moves, including talk of resuming tourism and halting leaflet campaigns. She also rejected speculation that Kim Jong-un might be invited to the APEC meeting in the South, calling the idea a "vain illusion." Kim accused the South of being trapped in the "ghost of unification by absorption," and said North Korea no longer sees the South as part of "one people," but simply as another state. "Even before Seoul's new cabinet takes shape, North Korea is rejecting anything it sees as a threat to its interests. With no shift in the ROK-U.S. alliance, the North sees little value in peace overtures." Analysts say Pyongyang may be rejecting dialogue to sideline Seoul and entrench its two-state strategy, a move that runs directly against the South's push for reconciliation. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

S. Korea seeking deal with U.S. before August 1 tariff deadline

2025/07/28 19:34

And taking into account that outlook by Mr. Trump South Korea is actively working to seal a trade deal with the U.S. ahead of this coming Friday's deadline on the pause in country-specific tariffs. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon has the latest. After a last-minute cancellation derailed his trip to the U.S. last week, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol's new date for a one-on-one meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is July 31st, the day before the U.S.'s tariff pause ends. With the tariffs set to take effect the following day, this could be Seoul's last chance to strike a deal before the 25-percent duties kick in as announced along with other tariffs for specific items such as cars, steel, and chips. Adding pressure, Japan has already secured a 12.5 percent tariff on auto exports compared to a rate of 25 percent rate for other nations, giving its automakers a potential edge over Korean competitors. In response, Seoul is reportedly preparing a broad package of proposals, including deeper cooperation in strategic sectors like shipbuilding and semiconductors, and significantly expanded investment commitments. One key bargaining chip: a possible boost to Korea's "100 billion dollars plus" investment plan, aimed at matching Japan's earlier pledge of 550 billion dollars in exchange for tariff concessions. The presidential office is also on full alert. President Lee Jae-myung is said to be watching the situation around the clock as the deadline approaches closely monitoring the situation. "The President's message is to approach the negotiations with multiple factors in mind, considering the complex and evolving global landscape, and to aim for outcomes that could bring significant benefits to our country." On Saturday, the top office convened its second emergency meeting in as many days, led by Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom and National Security Advisor Wie Sung-lac. With both the industry and trade ministers currently in the U.S., they joined virtually to brief on their latest meetings with U.S. counterparts. Shipbuilding again emerged as a key point of discussion, according to Industry Minister Kim Jeong-kwan, reflecting Washington's continued interest in strategic manufacturing ties. Kim Doyeon, Arirang News.

[Features reporter] Muddy escape from the summer heat Boryeong Mud Festival is back!

2025/07/28 15:38

Although South Korea's summer can be brutal, there are some exciting festivals that help take the edge off the heat. Hyobeen, I heard you went to an exciting festival last week where did you go to cool down and have some fun? I went to the Boryeong Mud Festival, one of the most well-known summer festivals in South Korea. I was there on opening day, which was last Friday, and even then, the energy and excitement were incredible. Let's take a look. Splashing, tumbling, and soaking up the fun. Despite the scorching heat, people are all smiles as they dive into the mud and leave the summer swelter behind. Daecheon Beach in Chungcheongnam-do Province is holding the 28th Boryeong Mud Festival, which opened last Friday. "It's over 30 degrees here in Boryeong, but the more mud, the cooler it gets. This is why people head here to beat the summer heat." What began as a local event has now become one of the most beloved summer festivals in the world, attracting around 1.6 million visitors last year, many of them from abroad. The only goal here is to get dirty, together. " Oh yeah, it's really fun." "It's a lot more fun than we thought." "The mud dunk tank was really good because we got fully submerged in mud." "Yeah just completely covered." "Hi, I'm from the U.S. and I am having a lot of fun here." "I'm from Canada, I'm having so much fun. I've never been to an event like this before. It's been so fun." "You can see it feels really good. I hope it's good for my skin. It doesn't feel sticky or dirty at all it actually feels really nice." But the now-famous Boryeong mud wasn't always celebrated. Back in the early 1990s, Daecheon Beach was seen as murky and uninviting, until it was discovered that the mineral-rich mud was great for the skin. What was once worthless became a treasure, and by 1998, the Boryeong Mud Festival was born. This year's event is bigger and bolder than ever. Visitors can dive into a mudslide, spin through the mud barbeque, or simply cover themselves in the mineral-rich sludge. There are special zones for families with young children and by night, the energy ramps up with K-pop concerts and dazzling drone light displays. Festival organizers say safety is a top priority, especially with the record-breaking heatwaves this summer. "The heatwave has been especially intense lately, so we've prepared safety measures to make sure visitors can stay comfortable while enjoying the festival." Officials say more than 2 million people from around the world are expected to join the festival this year. To help visitors from overseas enjoy the fun, interpretation services are offered in English, Chinese, and Japanese. The ultimate summer playground, Boryeong Mud Festival, runs until August 10th.

[K-Enter] Cha Eun-woo officially begins mandatory military service

2025/07/28 15:36

Time for K-enter with Walter Lee. Starting off with some news on heartthrob Cha Eun-woo . Member of K-pop group ASTRO and actor, Cha Eun-woo , begins his mandatory military service on Monday. According to Cha's agency Fantagio , Cha has enlisted as an active-duty soldier and will serve in the army's military band. On the eve of his enlistment, Cha greeted fans through a live broadcast on YouTube, where he revealed his freshly shaved head and shared his thoughts about joining the military. During the stream he said, "It's still hard to believe this day has come for me. This is the shortest my hair has been since I was about two or three years old." Lastly, he wished his fans the best and encouraged them to stay healthy. To which fans replied "heart emoji, heart emoji", "Love you Oppa", "So handsome" Speaking of handsome, let's move on to news on Lee Byung-hun . Actor Lee Byung-hun has been announced as the host of the opening ceremony for the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). Lee will serve as the festival's first solo male host in its three-decade history. Lee has maintained a strong connection with the festival since he first participated in 2003. Now in his 35th year in the industry, Lee Byung-hun has solidified his status as one of Korea's most prominent actors on both the big and small screens. He recently starred in hits like Netflix's "Squid Game" series, did voice work on Netflix's popular movie "K-pop Demon Hunters", and he also did the Korean dubbing of Charles Dickens in the animated film "The King of Kings". The 30th Busan International Film Festival will run from September 17 to 26 at venues around the Busan Cinema Center. BIFF is always a big event in Korean cinema and I am sure we will have a lot to report on once it rolls around. Speaking of "The King of Kings" you have some news on that. K-animation "The King of Kings" is showing strong domestic box office momentum, surpassing 700,000 cumulative admissions just 12 days after its release. As of Sunday, the film has recorded over 730,000 viewers. This marks a faster pace than 2024's animation hit "Heartsping: Teenieping of Love", which reached the same milestone five days later on its way to 1.24 million total admissions. "The King of Kings" has also climbed to second place among "2025's top-grossing animated films", overtaking Disney Pixar's "Elio" and now trailing only anime "Attack on Titan : The Last Attack." Thanks for the news Walter, now we go to our AI anchor Ari for more culture news. Ari.

K-wave AI News

2025/07/28 15:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Culture Ministry is expanding its AI content support program, aiming to boost Korea's competitiveness in the industry. Support will now go beyond the production stage to encompass the entire content life cycle, from planning to distribution and promotion. In partnership with the Korea Creative Content Agency, the ministry will launch the "K-Content AI Innovation Leadership Project," injecting 21 billion won, or over 15 million dollars, from the government's supplementary budget. The initiative aims to move past short-term production aid to foster new business models across the content industry, with a focus on global market expansion and broader industrial impact. Renowned Japanese installation artist Chiharu Shiota has returned to Korea with her first solo exhibition in three years. Known for her intricate, large-scale installations, Shiota has earned wide acclaim at major international venues including the Grand Palais in Paris and the ICA Watershed in Boston. Her Korea exhibition, "Return to Earth," now open at Seoul's Gana Art Center, expands on themes she has long explored, such as memory, identity, and the human condition, bringing them into a more universal dimension. At a press preview, Shiota reflected on how her cancer diagnosis prompted a deeper meditation in her work. The exhibition runs through September 7. As the peak summer holiday season begins, an estimated 800,000 people visited beaches along Gangwon-do Province's east coast over the final weekend of July. According to provincial authorities, more than 420,700 beachgoers were recorded at 83 beaches in the region on Sunday alone. Gangneung saw the highest number of visitors, followed by Goseong, Samcheok, Donghae, and Yangyang. The total number of beachgoers in the province this summer has now topped 1.7 million. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Hallyu People] K-pop dance classes for exchange students: emerging academic interest in K-pop dance

2025/07/28 15:34

When we spoke of K-pop dance, we usually understood it as dance moves performed to K-pop music. But K-pop dance is now being recognized as a genre of its own, so much that we are seeing academics study K-pop dance. For today's "Hallyu People" segment we are joined by someone who teaches K-pop dance, and someone who learns it. Dr. Oh Chuyun , Professor of Dance Theory at the School of Music & Dance at San Diego State University is here with us in the studio. Welcome Dr. Oh! And, we are joined by Alexandra Esteban Escudero, a student of Dr. Oh's class. Hello Alexandra! Q1) Dr. Oh, happy to have you in the studio in person. So, you are teaching K-pop this summer for exchange students? Please tell us about this class. Q2) I can imagine there is a high demand for K-pop dance classes these days. How many people have applied, how do you apply and what kind of students are in your class? Q3) Alexandra, you are one of Dr. Oh's students. You are from Spain I heard and you go to university in Hong Kong. What brought you to Korea? Q4) So, why are you taking the K-pop dance class? Q5) Alexandra, how big is K-pop in Spain right now? Q6) Which K-pop dance moves do the students want to learn? Do you see specific preferences? Q7) Dr. Oh, it's not just about teaching the choreography. You also teach theory and cultural aspects of K-pop. Why do you believe this educational approach is needed? Q8) Alexandra, as a student of the class, please tell us in detail how you earn your credits. Q9) How has the class been so far for you and what more would you like to learn in the K-pop dance field? Q10) Dr. Oh, what do you ultimately wish for your students to learn? Thank you very much for joining us on the program today Dr. Oh and for playing a big role in spreading K-pop dance to the world and educating it. Thank you Alexandra, for sharing your story with us today, it was a pleasure.

[NEWs GEN] Mystery Box Mania: Unpacking the rise of gacha culture

2025/07/28 12:33

[NEWs GEN] Mystery Box Mania: Unpacking the rise of gacha culture

U.S., EU agree on 15% on most EU imports

2025/07/28 11:40

With just a few days until the August deadline, the United States and the European Union have agreed on a trade deal, with a 15 percent tariff on most imports from the European bloc. A major part of the agreement includes the EU buying 750 billion dollars worth of U.S. energy. Lee Seung-jae starts us off. The United States and the European Union avoided a major trade war, as the two sides agreed on a 15 percent tariff on most EU goods going into the U.S. on Sunday. The framework trade agreement was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during their meeting at the U.S. leader's luxury golf course in western Scotland. "We have stabilized on a single 15% tariff rate for the vast majority of EU exports. This rate applies across most sectors, including cars, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals. This 15% is a clear ceiling. So no stacking. All inclusive." The deal also includes a zero-for-zero tariff rate for certain strategic products. Those goods include aircraft and aircraft parts, and certain chemicals and generic drugs. However, no decision has been made on wine and spirits. Also, a major part of the trade deal is the European bloc agreeing to purchase 750 billion U.S. dollars worth of energy from the U.S. "It's going to agree to purchase from the United States $750 billion worth of energy, $750 billion worth of energy. They are going to, agree to invest into the United States $600 billion more than they're investing already. So they're investing." The deal means the EU has now avoided Trump's initial proposal of 30 percent tariffs on goods from the EU. The U.S. has also struck deals with the UK, Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Trump announced that three to four more countries could strike a deal with the U.S. in the coming days. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.