News

Trump warns of secondary tariffs on Russian oil if ceasefire agreement fails

2025/03/31 20:00

U.S. President Donald Trump is ramping up his rhetoric on both Russia and Ukraine with regard to sealing a ceasefire deal. He's threatening heavier tariffs on Russian oil and vowing "big problems" for Kyiv if it backs away from its mineral deal with Washington. Park Hyo-been has more. Amid the stalled progress on the Ukraine-Russia ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed strong dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In an NBC interview on Sunday, Trump revealed that he was "very angry" after Putin criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's credibility. Trump also said that if Russia is found responsible for prolonging the conflict, he would impose "secondary tariffs" on Russian oil, ranging from 25 to 50 percent. He warned that countries purchasing Russian crude oil could face tariffs, signaling economic pressure as potential leverage in the ongoing conflict. Trump also had a message for Zelenskyy. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump criticized the Ukrainian leader for trying to back out of a rare earth metals agreement. "And I think Zelenskyy, by the way, I see he's trying to back out of the rare earth deal, and if he does that, he's got some problems. Big, big problems. We made a deal on rare earth, and now he's saying, 'Well, you know, I want to renegotiate the deal'." With U.S.-Ukraine negotiations now stalling, Russia has begun rare metals talks with Washington. On Monday, Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev confirmed that discussions were underway, with several companies already expressing an interest. Last month, Putin underscored Russia's vast reserves, looking to position Moscow as a more stable supplier than Ukraine. As diplomatic efforts stall, the potential economic pressure from tariffs may become a crucial turning point in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

S. Korea's foreign ministry to dispatch consul to quake-stricken Mandalay

2025/03/31 20:00

In related news. The Korean government has decided to dispatch a consul from its embassy in Yangon to Mandalay to aid Korean nationals affected by the earthquake. According to the Foreign Ministry, there are some 2-thousand South Koreans residing in Myanmar, most of them in Yangon, and about 70 in Mandalay. No Korean casualties have been reported thus far. Authorities here are also offering some two-million U.S. dollars worth of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar as part of relief support.

Death toll expected to increase in Myanmar following 7.7 magnitude earthquake

2025/03/31 20:00

Myanmar is reeling from the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that took hundreds of lives as rescue and relief workers from international entities fly in to offer much-needed assistance. Ahn Sung-jin reports. Buildings have turned into rubble, houses buried in the ground. A rescue team pulls out a young child from a collapsed building in the city of Mandalay in Myanmar after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit the country on Friday. As aftershocks continue, the military regime estimates that at least 2-thousand people are dead. "A very strong shaking started. Ground was slipping under foot The shaking lasted about a minute. When it ended, the walls of the palace and some other buildings were collapsing, and the cladding began to burst." Experts say that the true death toll could rise far higher as search efforts continue, while there has been difficulty tracking the exact casualties in areas that are controlled by rebel groups. The U.S. Geological Survey says there's a 70 percent chance that the number of deaths will be above 10-thousand. Damage has been reported not only in Myanmar, but neighboring countries including Thailand and nearby Chinese provinces. The international community, including ASEAN and the United Nations has been ramping up relief efforts and foreign medical teams have been deployed. The WHO has declared its highest level of emergency, while deploying emergency medical teams into Myanmar with trauma kits, medical supplies and other essentials. "We need urgent assistance, especially for children who often suffer the most in this kind of situation." Myanmar's military government has also declared a state of emergency. Despite the destruction from the earthquake, the country's military junta continued its air strikes, which the UN has described as "completely outrageous and unacceptable." Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Court still conducting review of President Yoon's impeachment amid speculation over ruling date

2025/03/31 20:00

President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment case has lasted for more than than three months, as the Constitutional Court justices take a record amount of time to deliberate on his political fate. This is leading to various speculations. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young explains. The Constitutional Court is working "cautiously" and "thoroughly" on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment case, as speculation continues over when the justices will deliver their ruling. Appearing before the National Assembly on Monday, the Constitutional Court's Secretary-General Kim Jung-won said the eight-member bench is deliberating with "caution" in their frequent "in-depth" reviews and discussions. Kim added even he wasn't informed of how many times the justices convened or what stage they were in in their deliberation, due to the high level of confidentiality. The justices have been deliberating for more than a month after Yoon's final trial hearing in February, the longest period yet for a presidential case. Once each justice concludes their review, and expresses their opinion, the bench is expected to draw up their collective decision, before announcing the ruling date two to three days in advance. While some believe the ruling could be as early as this Thursday, if the bench schedules a Friday ruling in line with past presidential impeachments, April 4th and 11th are key dates to watch. But given the record deliberation period, other observers say the verdict could take longer to be issued, as the justices may be sharply split in their opinions on whether or not President Yoon's martial law declaration warrants an impeachment. The Court needs at least six votes to remove a President. If three or more justices are against impeachment Yoon would be restored to office. At this point, April 18th is broadly considered the deadline for the bench —the date Justices Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-son retire. In 2017, the Court dismissed President Park Geun-hye on a Friday, before Acting Chief Justice Lee Jung-mi stepped down the next Monday. But this time around, the two vacancies would leave only six justices on the bench, below the seven-member threshold required to deliver a ruling. The opposition Democratic Party has been calling for the urgent appointment of a left-leaning judge, Ma Eun-hyeok, to secure a six-vote majority to impeach the President, as an early election would favour their party leader Lee Jae-myung. The DP has also been pushing to amend the Constitutional Court Act to extend the retiring justices' terms. The Court's Secretary General said while the suggestion is "under internal review," "there is no official position yet." When asked if President Yoon's ruling would be made by the 18th, the Court's secretary general said the aim is still to issue a verdict as swiftly as possible, but declined to specify a date. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

All listed stocks in S. Korea available for short selling, bringing short-term volatility

2025/03/31 20:00

Amid unstable global stock markets as well as the resumption of short-selling at home, local stocks were sharply down today. Park Jun-han has the details. Starting Monday, South Korea resumed short selling on its stock market after a 17-month suspension. And for the first time in five years, the country is allowing short selling for all listed stocks. With investors now able to borrow and sell stocks before buying them back later, the market is seeing increased volatility, which has intensified amid falling global stock prices. The benchmark KOSPI, at around 1:30 PM, briefly dropped below 2,480 points. At the market's close on Monday, 3:30 PM local time, the KOSPI closed at around 2,481, down 3 percent from last Friday's market close. On the same day, the value of the U.S. dollar against the Korean won climbed to 1,472.9 won per dollar, up 6.4 won from last Friday's close. This is the highest since March 2009. Short selling involves investors borrowing stocks, selling them at the market price, and later repurchasing them, ideally at a lower price, to return to the lender. "That's what you have in a normal market, in any international market. If it goes too high, you have short sellers to stop it from going too high." To create a safer and fairer stock trading environment and to facilitate the return of short selling, the Korea Exchange is implementing measures such as strengthened penalties for illegal short selling and increased monitoring of transaction activities. Additionally, those who borrow stocks must repay them within 90 days, with an extension of up to a year. "Well, the large complaint that the individual investors had was that larger companies were engaged in naked short selling. That means short selling without borrowed stocks on hand. And then I believe they have now databases for short-selling transactions so that anybody can see that the transactions are done fairly rather than below the table sometimes." Amid short-term market volatility, industry experts emphasize the long-term necessity of short selling in Korea, as it is expected to attract more foreign capital inflow, enhance liquidity, and help investors manage risks. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Police launch first on-site joint probe into ignition point of Gyeongsangbuk-do wildfire

2025/03/31 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. With the main fires in the country contained after a long, uphill battle, authorities now turn their eyes to figure out what caused the disaster. Lee Soo-jin has more. South Korean police, along with the National Forensic Service and firefighting authorities, have launched their first joint investigation into the country's worst-ever wildfire. Police in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province on Monday morning, using drones, began conducting on-site inspections in Uiseong-gun County, the ignition site of the wildfire in the province, to determine what caused it and the direction in which the fire spread. The fires in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province saw about 480 square kilometers of woodland affected, equivalent to 80 percent of the size of Seoul, and left 26 people dead. The police plan to examine traces of flames left on the trees around a tomb and the surrounding areas to determine the direction that the fire spread, and search the area around the site of the ignition to find any evidence of materials that may have caused the fire. Analysis of the evidence found from the on-site inspections is expected to take at least three weeks. The police revealed on Sunday that they booked a 56-year-old man on Friday without detention on charges of starting the fire on March 22nd while tending to the grave of his grandparents. The man denies the charges. On Saturday, the police found a lighter that was found at the scene and has requested an analysis from the National Forensic Service for fingerprints or DNA evidence. With the main fires in both Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do Provinces now contained, the government is also focusing on helping those affected. This includes providing temporary housing and livelihood support for those who have been displaced. More than three thousand houses were completely burned down, and significant damage was also inflicted on 30 national heritage sites and 2-thousand agricultural facilities. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

[Weather] Temperatures will get warmer, dry air continues

2025/03/31 20:00

On the very last day of March, the cold snap is gradually fading away. It was chilly this morning just like the weekend. However, the weather warmed up quickly and the temperature in Seoul rose to 14 degrees Celsius during the day. It will start off a bit warmer at 5 degrees tomorrow morning and will rise to 16 degrees in Seoul tomorrow. Dry weather advisories have been issued for inland areas, the atmosphere will become drier as the warm westerly winds blow in. Please be careful not to cause any fires in these dry conditions. Tomorrow morning, Gyeongju will start off at 2 degrees, Busan and Jeju at 6 degrees. Daily highs will move up to around 15 to 17 degrees across the country, feeling much warmer than last weekend. On Wednesday, there is more rain forecast for central parts of the country, Jeollabuk-do Province, and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Wildfires in southeast S. Korea fully contained, leaving massive damage, casualties

2025/03/31 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame where we bring the most pressing issues around the globe into focus, I'm Kim Mok-yeon. South Korea has been shaken by one of its most devastating wildfires on record — with more than 480 square kilometers of forest affected and the flames even breaching national parks last week. Thankfully, the main fires had been largely contained, as better visibility and cooler temperatures helped extinguishing efforts. The wildfires killed at least 30 people, injuring 45 and forcing some 3,600 people to flee. From the rugged ridges of Juwangsan to the protected slopes of Jirisan , even areas known for their biodiversity and cultural heritage weren't spared. In Part 1 of Within The Frame tonight, we invite Yoon Hong-geun of the Sobaeksan National Park Nature Center to talk about the scale of destruction, the challenges in containing fires inside protected areas, and what measures are needed to prevent future disasters. Welcome Mr. Yoon. 1. So Mr. Yoon, the recent wildfires affected an unprecedented forest area of approximately 480 square kilometers, the largest on record. The fires even spread into some national parks. What is the current damage situation and scale within the national parks? 2. The spread of wildfires into national parks is concerning not only for the ecological damage but also for the destruction of cultural and historical heritage. In particular, the affected Jirisan and Juwangsan national parks. What significance do these parks hold? 3. Despite efforts by the National Park Service and local governments to prevent the fires from crossing into park boundaries, the flames eventually spread inside. What are the main challenges in containing the fires within the national parks? 4. Then while taking lessons from these recent wildfires, what kind of support do you think the government should provide in the future for wildfires and other disasters? 5. National parks implement various preventive measures against disasters like wildfires. Especially in spring, there are trail closures in place to reduce fire risks. How effective have these measures been in preventing wildfires? And what does this imply? Preventive measures are already in place — but their real-world effectiveness will now be key to prepare for future disasters of this kind.. Mr. Yoon, thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us tonight. Wildfires are not only a challenge for South Korea. From Japan to California, massive blazes are tearing through forests at alarming speeds, and experts are pointing to climate change, forest composition, and delayed response systems as key drivers. In Part 2 of Within The Frame, we turn to David Bowman, wildfire expert and professor at the University of Tasmania, in Australia to break down why these fires are spreading faster, burning hotter, and becoming harder to stop. Thank you for joining us Professor Bowman. 1. Recently, wildfires have been occurring not only in Korea but also in Japan and California. Professor, what is the cause of this global trend? Do you agree with some climate experts who believe global warming is a major factor? 2. According to firefighting authorities, the wildfire in Uiseong spread at a speed of 8.2 km per hour. For most of us who are unfamiliar, how fast is that? And what contributed to such a rapid spread? 3. Could the topography of Korea's steep mountains and the predominance of pine trees over hardwoods be contributing factors to the wildfires' rapid spread? 4. Though the main fire of this wildfire has been contained, concerns about the re-ignition of the fire remain high. What are the methods for extinguishing the remaining embers to completely put out the fire? 5. Some of the reasons cited for the wildfires' spread include a lack of centralized command, an aging firefighting workforce, and a shortage of helicopters and other firefighting equipment. How does Australia prepare for and respond to wildfires? 6. The latest wildfire not only caused forest damage but also led to injuries and deaths. What are the proper evacuation guidelines in the event of a wildfire?

World News: Greenland's new PM says U.S. will not get Greenland

2025/03/31 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Greenland's new Prime Minister, sworn in on Friday, firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed interest in acquiring the Arctic territory, emphasizing Greenland's autonomy and self-determination. On Sunday local time, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded to President Trump's push to acquire Greenland. In a social media post, Nielsen stated, "Let me be clear: The United States will not get it. We do not belong to anyone else. We decide our own future." President Trump on Friday once again expressed confidence in the U.S. acquiring Greenland, describing it as "100%" certain and citing national security interests. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance's recent visit to Greenland's U.S. military base further raised tensions as Vance criticized Denmark's administration of Greenland, implying that the U.S. could offer better security and governance. In the Middle East Hamas has accepted a new ceasefire proposal mediated by Egypt and Qatar. However, Israel has responded with a counteroffer. Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya announced on Saturday that the Palestinian militant group has agreed to a ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar, which includes the release of five hostages. In return, Israel would permit increased humanitarian aid into Gaza and a halt to hostilities. The deal also includes the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. Israel has submitted a counter-proposal demanding the release of 11 living hostages and half of the deceased hostages in exchange for a 40-day ceasefire. Meanwhile, Israel is seeing large protests urging the government to prioritize negotiations for the hostages' release. In Europe, a space rocket launched by German startup Isar Aerospace on Sunday local time crashed approximately 40 seconds after takeoff from a spaceport in Norway. The uncrewed Spectrum rocket, 28 meters long, was designed to carry small and medium-sized satellites and marked Europe's first attempt at an orbital flight from the continent, excluding Russia. Despite the outcome, Isar Aerospace's CEO said the test was a "great success," citing the collection of valuable data for future missions. The attempt reflects Europe's ambition to establish independent space launch capabilities. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

S. Korea, China and Japan reaffirm trade cooperation ahead of U.S. reciprocal tariffs

2025/03/31 17:00

Here in Seoul. Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun hosted his Japanese and Chinese counterparts this past Sunday for the first trilateral trade talks in over five years aimed at advancing regional partnership amid the threat of U.S. tariffs. Our correspondent Moon Hye-ryeon has more. The trade ministers of South Korea, China, and Japan met in Seoul for the first time in nearly six years and underscored the need for stronger economic ties and pledged to expand trade partnerships amid growing global uncertainties. At the Trilateral Economic and Trade Ministers' Meeting on Sunday, South Korea's Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, and Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Muto Yoji emphasized the importance of a stable global trade system and vowed to strengthen cooperation in key economic sectors. Their discussions came just days before the U.S. government's scheduled announcement of new reciprocal tariffs as the three nations navigate rising protectionist pressures. The meeting was seen as a strategic move to coordinate a response with all three nations facing similar concerns as major U.S. trade deficit partners and potential targets of tariffs. And, as a result, the ministers aligned on the broader goal of preserving a stable international trade system. During the talks, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral trade frameworks, supporting reforms at the World Trade Organization and expanding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to include new members. They also pledged to accelerate negotiations for a high-level trilateral Free Trade Agreement. "It is necessary to strengthen the implementation of RCEP, in which all three countries have participated, and to create a framework for expanding trade cooperation among the three countries through Korea-China-Japan FTA negotiations." While South Korea and China currently have an FTA in place, discussions on a three-way agreement have stalled due to differing economic conditions and national priorities. Beyond trade agreements, the ministers addressed broader economic concerns, committing to stabilizing supply chains and expanding cooperation in green and digital industries. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Trump warns of secondary tariffs on Russian oil if ceasefire agreement fails

2025/03/31 17:00

U.S. President Donald Trump is ramping up his rhetoric on both Russia and Ukraine with regard to sealing a ceasefire deal. He's threatening heavier tariffs on Russian oil and vowing quote "big problems" for Kyiv if it backs away from its mineral deal with Washington. Park Hyo-been has more. Amid the stalled progress on the Ukraine-Russia ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed strong dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In an NBC interview on Sunday, Trump revealed that he was "very angry" after Putin criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's credibility. Trump also said that if Russia is found responsible for prolonging the conflict, he would impose "secondary tariffs" on Russian oil, ranging from 25 to 50 percent. He warned that countries purchasing Russian crude oil could face tariffs, signaling economic pressure as potential leverage in the ongoing conflict. Trump also had a message for Zelenskyy. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump criticized the Ukrainian leader for trying to back out of a rare earth metals agreement. "And I think Zelenskyy, by the way, I see he's trying to back out of the rare earth deal, and if he does that, he's got some problems. Big, big problems. We made a deal on rare earth, and now he's saying, 'Well, you know, I want to renegotiate the deal'." With U.S.-Ukraine negotiations now stalling, Russia has begun rare metals talks with Washington. On Monday, Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev confirmed that discussions were underway, with several companies already expressing an interest. Last month, Putin underscored Russia's vast reserves, looking to position Moscow as a more stable supplier than Ukraine. As diplomatic efforts stall, the potential economic pressure from tariffs may become a crucial turning point in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

S. Korea's foreign ministry to dispatch consul to quake-stricken Mandalay

2025/03/31 17:00

In related news. The Korean government has decided to dispatch a consul from its embassy in Yangon to Mandalay to aid Korean nationals affected by the earthquake. According to the Foreign Ministry there are some two thousand South Koreans residing in Myanmar most of them in Yangon and about 70 in Mandalay. No Korean casualties have been reported thus far. Authorities here are also offering some two million U.S. dollars worth of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar as part of relief support.

Death toll expected to increase in Myanmar following 7.7 magnitude earthquake

2025/03/31 17:00

Myanmar is reeling in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that is believed to have taken hundreds of lives thus far as rescue and relief workers from international entities fly in to offer much-needed assistance. Ahn Sung-jin reports. Buildings have turned into rubble, houses buried in the ground. A rescue team pulls out a young child from a collapsed building in the city of Mandalay in Myanmar after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit the country on Friday. As aftershocks continue, the military regime estimates that at least 2-thousand people are dead. "A very strong shaking started. Ground was slipping under foot The shaking lasted about a minute. When it ended, the walls of the palace and some other buildings were collapsing, and the cladding began to burst." Experts say that the true death toll could rise far higher as search efforts continue, while there has been difficulty tracking the exact casualties in areas that are controlled by rebel groups. The U.S. Geological Survey says there's a 70 percent chance that the number of deaths will be above 10-thousand. Damage has been reported not only in Myanmar, but neighboring countries including Thailand and nearby Chinese provinces. The international community, including ASEAN and the United Nations has been ramping up relief efforts and foreign medical teams have been deployed. The WHO has declared its highest level of emergency, while deploying emergency medical teams into Myanmar with trauma kits, medical supplies and other essentials. "We need urgent assistance, especially for children who often suffer the most in this kind of situation." Myanmar's military government has also declared a state of emergency. Despite the destruction from the earthquake, the country's military junta continued its air strikes, which the UN has described as "completely outrageous and unacceptable." Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Court rumored to be wrapping up ruling on Pres. Yoon's impeachment

2025/03/31 17:00

On the political front. Will it or will it not announce its verdict on the president's impeachment this week? That is the question facing the Constitutional Court as the wait continues for its ruling. Our Oh Soo-young touches upon the prospects ahead. The Constitutional Court could issue a ruling in President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial this week, as deliberations are believed to have reached the final stage. According to legal experts familiar with the matter, the eight-member bench is now wrapping up its review of key grounds for Yoon's impeachment, after more than a month of almost-daily meetings the longest the Court has ever deliberated on a presidential case. Once each justice expresses their opinion, they're expected to draw up their collective decision, before announcing the ruling date two to three days in advance. While it could be as early as this Thursday, if the bench schedules a Friday ruling in line with past presidential impeachments, April 4th and 11th are key dates to watch. But given the record deliberation period, observers say the verdict could take longer to be issued, as the justices may be sharply split in their opinions on whether or not President Yoon's martial law declaration warrants an impeachment. The Court needs at least six votes to remove a President. If three or more justices are against impeachment Yoon would be restored to office. At this point, April 18th is broadly considered the deadline for the bench —the date Justices Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-son retire. In 2017, the Court dismissed President Park Geun-hye on a Friday, before Acting Chief Justice Lee Jung-mi stepped down the next Monday. But this time around, the two vacancies would leave only six justices on the bench, below the seven-member threshold required to deliver a ruling. Meanwhile, political tensions are escalating, following the recent acquittal of opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung in one of his five criminal trials. As Lee currently leads polls for presidential hopefuls, the ruling People Power Party fears an early election could benefit the opposition leader, and is pushing the Court to dismiss or reject Yoon's impeachment. On the other side, the DP is hardening its stance. Some lawmakers call for another motion to impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo, despite the Constitutional Court's dismissal of their previous attempt, along with Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok. Other DP members are demanding the urgent appointment of a left-leaning judge, Ma Eun-hyeok, to secure a six-vote majority to impeach the President. As for public opinion, support for the two major parties are split evenly at 36 percent, with moderates caught between both political extremes: Yoon's immediate return or the opposition party's continued offensives against the incumbent government. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

All listed stocks in S. Korea available for short selling, bringing short-term volatility

2025/03/31 17:00

A short-selling ban that went into effect in November 2023 has been lifted with tougher measures in place to crack down on illegal transactions. Park Jun-han covers this lifting and the stock market's response on this Monday. Starting Monday, South Korea resumed short selling on its stock market after a 17-month suspension. And for the first time in five years, the country is allowing short selling for all listed stocks. With investors now able to borrow and sell stocks before buying them back later, the market is seeing increased volatility, which has intensified amid falling global stock prices. The benchmark KOSPI, at around 1:30 PM, briefly dropped below 2,480 points, declining over 3 percentage points compared to last Friday's market close of 2,557.98. At the market's close on Monday, 3:30 PM local time, the KOSPI closed at 2,481.12, down 76.86 points, or 3.0%, from last Friday's Market close. Short selling involves investors borrowing stocks, selling them at the market price, and later repurchasing them, ideally at a lower price, to return to the lender. "That's what you have in a normal market, in any international market. If it goes too high, you have short sellers to stop it from going too high." To create a safer and fairer stock trading environment and to facilitate the return of short selling, the Korea Exchange is implementing measures such as strengthened penalties for illegal short selling and increased monitoring of transaction activities. Additionally, those who borrow stocks must repay them within 90 days, with an extension of up to a year. "Well, the large complaint that the individual investors had was that larger companies were engaged in naked short selling. That means short selling without borrowed stocks on hand. And then I believe they have now databases for short-selling transactions so that anybody can see that the transactions are done fairly rather than below the table sometimes." Amid short-term market volatility, industry experts emphasize the long-term necessity of short selling in Korea, as it is expected to attract more foreign capital inflow, enhance liquidity, and help investors manage risks. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Main blaze in massive wildfire in Sancheong contained after nearly 10 days

2025/03/31 17:00

South Korea lost at least 30 lives amid its worst wildfire on record that lasted over a week. Lee Seung-jae starts us off. The massive wildfire that began in Sancheong County in Gyeongsangnam-do Province and spread through nearby regions, causing the worst wildfires in South Korea's history has been fully contained. According to forestry officials, the main fires were contained as of 1 PM Sunday, nearly 10 days after the initial blaze broke out on March 21. "There were dangerous situations due to falling rocks and rocky terrain, but it seems they overcame it well and prevented further spread of fires." The wildfires in regions of the Gyeongsangnam-do Province, saw an estimated 1-thousand-858 hectares of woodland burnt, equivalent to around 26-hundred football fields. The fires in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province saw about 48-thousand hectares of woodland affected, equivalent to 80 percent of the size of Seoul. At least 30 people died, including 26 in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. More than three thousand houses were completely burned down, and significant damage was also reported to 30 national heritage sites and 2-thousand agricultural facilities. In order to extinguish the remaining fires, the military deployed 600 soldiers and 49 helicopters on Sunday, and is also providing medical and other assistance. The government will now focus on helping those that have been affected by the massive wildfires. This includes providing temporary housing and other assistance for those who have been displaced. Also, the government will provide livelihood support, including lowering fees for health insurance premiums, and costs for cell phone and internet and medical aid. Since the outbreak of the wildfires, approximately 10-thousand volunteers have participated in recovery and support for the displaced. The government also announced on Sunday that it will push for a supplementary budget worth ten trillion won, or 6-point-8 billion U.S. dollars, which would also include budget for wildfire recovery. Some 37 million dollars were also donated to disaster relief organizations in the hope that victims and the areas affected by the wildfires can recover quickly. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[Weather] Temperatures will get warmer, dry conditions continue

2025/03/31 17:00

Today, on the last day of March, the cold snap will gradually fade away. Following the weekend, it was chilly this morning. However, the weather warmed up quickly and the temperature in Seoul rose to 14 degrees Celsius during the day. It will rise to 16 degrees in Seoul tomorrow. Currently, dry weather advisories are in place in inland areas, the atmosphere will become drier due to the warm westerly winds. Please be careful not to cause any fires in these dry conditions. Tomorrow morning, Daejeon will start off at 3 degrees, Gwangju and Daegu at 4 degrees. Daily highs will move up to around 15 to 17 degrees across the country, feeling much warmer than the weekend. There is more rain forecast for central parts of the country, Jeollabuk-do Province, and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province on Wednesday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

K-wave AI News

2025/03/31 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Multiple wildfires that broke out across Korea last week have damaged 30 national cultural heritage items, including thousand-year-old treasures. According to a preliminary tally by the National Heritage Service, 11 national heritage sites were burned, including the treasured Gaunru Pavilion and Yeonsujeon Hall at Gounsa Temple in Uiseong. Several folk cultural heritage items and three natural monuments were also destroyed. Partial damage was reported to 19 heritage items designated by cities and provinces, including the Manjangsa Stone Seated Buddha in Uiseong. To prevent further losses, the cultural agency has strengthened coordination with fire authorities. The 63rd Jinhae Gunhangje opened with a significantly reduced program due to the massive wildfires across the Gyeongsang region, but that didn't stop visitors from flocking to Korea's most iconic cherry blossom festival. Despite chilly weather over the weekend, Jinhae in Changwon was bustling with visitors, including many from overseas. In response to the wildfires, Changwon City scaled back the festival and canceled events such as the Black Eagles airshow. The festival will run until April 6, with peak bloom expected next weekend. "Comic," the first production of the year by the Seoul Metropolitan Theater, is drawing attention with its blend of humor and satire. Described as a "comedic acting gift set," the play reimagines several short works by German playwright Karl Valentin. Directed, adapted, and composed by Lim Do-wan, known for his witty productions such as "Scapin" and "Human Comedy," the performance features 10 episodes in an omnibus format, entertaining audiences for a full 100 minutes. The show runs through April 20 at the M Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture-Issue] What's behind the success of K-pop groups celebrating 10th anniversary?

2025/03/31 14:00

2025 is a special year for many K-pop groups and their fans, as a number of bands are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debuts. Today we want to delve into the factors behind such long-lasting success and the impact of these idols on the global K-pop scene. We are now connected to CedarBough Saeji, Assistant Professor at Pusan National University. Hello Professor Saeji! Q1-1. This year Seventeen, Twice, Monsta X, Oh My Girl and GFriend (Yeojachingu) celebrate their 10th anniversary. What's your view on the decade of success for these K-pop groups? Q1-2. So, as this year marks the 10th anniversary for them it means that many groups appeared on the K-pop scene in 2015. Was that an important year for the K-pop industry? (What were the characteristics of the music industry back then?) Q2. In the world of K-pop, we have heard of the "7th year curse", as it has been known to be difficult for idol groups to survive more than 7 years. Why is that? Q3. But now we're seeing numerous groups celebrating their 10th anniversary. How significant do you see this achievement and what's behind those groups that have reached this milestone? Q4. Nowadays it's not unusual to see idol group members go solo separately from their group activities, but it doesn't mean they leave the group. Could you tell us about the positive and negative aspects of this trend? Q5. How do these long-lasting idol groups contribute to the K-pop industry as a whole? Q6. What would idol groups be without their fans Loyal fans have played a big part in keeping these groups together for a whole decade. To further strengthen the relationship with their fans how do you think idol groups could organize their 10th anniversary? (Maybe beyond albums and concerts) (Congrats to all the K-pop groups celebrating their 10th anniversary!) Thank you Professor Saeji for your insights today. Thank you Walter, we'll see you next time.

[Features-reporter] Korea Heritage Service to designate "temple food" as intangible national heritage

2025/03/31 14:00

Monastic meals in temple cuisine, widely known as "temple food" embody Buddhist philosophy by preserving the natural flavors of ingredients. This unique food culture may receive more recognition as the Korea Heritage Service has announced its plan to designate "temple food" as a new intangible national heritage. Lee Eun-jin tells us more. Each temple has its own variation of dishes for what makes up "temple food." But one common foundation across all temples is that they share a vegetarian foundation that not only excludes meat and fish, but also five pungent vegetables: garlic, green onions, chives, leeks, and asafetida. Buddhist culinary traditions not only include food but also the balwoogongyang, a formal way of eating in Buddhist practice. Adhering to the Buddhist principle of non-violence and respect for life, hence not killing any living being, Korean temple food is particularly distinguished for using unique fermented ingredients, which perhaps sets it apart from similar temple food traditions in other countries. "Temple food has the natural clean and original flavors." "It's traditional food. It's light and easier to digest. I think that's why it's loved. And since it is traditional Korean food, wouldn't people want to experience it?" This healthy and natural well-being cuisine is being designated as an intangible national heritage. The Korea Heritage Service nominated the great value of temple food that contributes to cultural diversity by adding creativity to traditional meal preparation methods. However, because the recipes that have been passed down vary from temple to temple, and because it is a tradition that is collectively transmitted rather than through specific individuals or organizations, there won't be an official holder of the tradition. The designation will be finalized after a 30-day review period and deliberation by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee. After its recognition as a national intangible heritage, the Buddhist community plans to promote temple food onto the UNESCO World Intangible Heritage list. And for this, there will be a temple food festival held in June, and temple food will be prepared for participants of the APEC Summit to experience in October, in Gyeongju. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.