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K-wave AI News

2025/05/19 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korean temple food, rooted in Buddhist teachings and philosophy, has been officially designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Passed down through generations in temples, this culinary tradition includes both daily monastic meals and ceremonial offerings such as 'balwoo gongyang.' A key feature of temple cuisine is its strict adherence to a plant-based diet, excluding not only meat and fish but also five pungent vegetables, including garlic and green onions. This reflects Buddhism's core principle of non-violence and the practice of restraint. Korean temple food is now gaining global recognition as a model of healthy and sustainable eating. The Korean musical 'Maybe Happy Ending' is making a strong impression on the U.S. theater scene. Following its Best Musical win from the New York Drama Critics' Circle earlier this month, the production has claimed two major honors at the 91st Drama League Awards—Outstanding Production of a Musical, and Outstanding Direction of a Musical, awarded to director Michael Arden. The Drama League Awards are one of the oldest and most prestigious American theater awards presented annually. Set in the future, 'Maybe Happy Ending' tells the story of Oliver and Claire, robots designed to assist humans who unexpectedly fall in love. The musical landed ten nominations for the upcoming Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Book, and Best Score. The annual Rose Festival is in full bloom at Everland, located in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do Province. The event features three million roses across 720 varieties, drawing in large crowds of visitors. Themed as a month-long royal tea party in the rose garden, the event offers visitors a multi-sensory cultural experience, from aromatic afternoon teas and sweet desserts to themed entertainment and shopping. Marking its 40th anniversary, the festival offers an expanded lineup of captivating displays and programs. Since its launch in 1985, the festival has welcomed over 60 million visitors. The celebration runs through June 15 this year. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

1st TV debate: S. Korea's Presidential candidates hold intense debate on U.S. tariffs, China, economic growth

2025/05/19 10:00

South Korea's presidential contenders held their first televised debate on Sunday night, with strong clashes and some alignments on economic and trade policy. Our Oh Soo-young fills us in. Pledging to save Korea from its present economic downturn, the four main presidential candidates held their first televised debate live on Sunday, beginning with the task of improving livelihoods. "We need a supplementary budget as soon as possible, within feasible limits, to revive domestic demand and everyday livelihoods." The People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo agreed on boosting spending to offer subsidies and debt restructuring for small firms. He pledged to be a 'jobs president', using regulatory reform to support growth in high tech sectors. "By eliminating excessive regulations, businesses won’t feel forced to move abroad and can confidently operate locally and create jobs." Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok opposed "reckless" injections of money in a time of high inflation and low demand, saying it will hurt, not benefit small companies. He proposed regional governments set their own minimum wage, and focused more on building national competence in sectors critical to economic growth. "To beat China, we need not only an understanding of science and technology but also competent leadership that can communicate freely with global leaders." Meanwhile, the Democratic Labour Party's Kwon Young-kuk focused on overcoming inequality for workers, farmers, women, and minorities. "A world where you work hard yet remain poor, where you’re driven further to the margins -this unequal world must not be left as it is. With the topic turning to America's tariffs on its trading partners, Lee Jae-myung said negotiations must begin but Korea must also diversify its export items. He said the door should stay open to Russia and China. Kim Moon-soo promised to hold a summit with U.S. leader Donald Trump,.. and resolve the bilateral issues based on their personal trust. Lee Jun-seok suggested a cool, strategic response that highlights South Korea's strength in semiconductors, and its value as Washington's long-standing security partner. Kwon Young-kuk showed the U.S a red card and said he will not submit to predatory trade tactics. The two candidates leading the polls faced intensive questioning. Lee Jae-myung was under fire over his proposed wind power project largely involving Chinese firms, and his alleged affinity with Beijing. Lee was also grilled on alleged illegal payments made to North Korea during his time as Gyeonggi-do province governor with the Reform Party candidate suggesting Lee's plans to legalise domestic spot cryptocurrency ETFs could also potentially fund North Korea. Meanwhile, Kim Moon-soo was strongly criticised for being a part of the impeached Yoon Suk Yeol Administration, as former Labour Minister. Lee Jae-myung said Kim should share the blame for the sluggish economy. And Kwon Young-kuk slammed Kim's endorsement of allowing extra working hours for semiconductor workers. The next live debate will take place on Friday, focusing on social issues. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Return to unsettled weather in central areas, warm and mostly sunny in south

2025/05/19 10:00

After a welcome day of sunshine yesterday, we're looking at a return to unsettled weather today. The central regions will have overcast skies throughout the day, with rain developing from the afternoon. The rain will begin in the capital area and Gangwon-do around lunchtime, with 5 to 20 millimeters expected. This rain is expected to clear for most areas by tomorrow morning. Rain will keep the capital area cool and breezy, but rain-free southern regions will see temperatures similar to a few degrees higher than yesterday under mostly sunny skies. Let's take a closer look, Seoul will reach 21 degrees Celsius, Gwangju at 25 degrees, Daegu and Gyeongju warmer at 27 degrees. Then the capital could see temperatures climbing to 27 degrees tomorrow, warmer on Wednesday. Meanwhile, we also have frequent rain in the forecast this week across Korea especially in central areas and on Jeju. So be mindful of some changing skies in the weather picture this week.

Bomb kills one near California fertility clinic

2025/05/19 10:00

Also in the United States, a car bomb detonated outside the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, on Saturday morning, killing the suspected bomber and injuring four others. The FBI called the incident an "intentional act of terrorism" by a 25-year-old suspect with anti-natalist beliefs. The suspect reportedly had nihilistic ideations and opposed procreation, and also attempted to livestream the attack. The blast damaged the clinic and surrounding buildings, but no patients or embryos were harmed, as the clinic was closed at the time.

Mexican Navy tall ship crashes into Brooklyn Bridge, killing 2

2025/05/19 10:00

In the United States, two people died and 22 others were injured when a Mexican Navy training vessel crashed into New York City's Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening. The ARM Cuauhtemoc, a tall ship of the Mexican Navy, was departing New York City as part of its global goodwill tour when it collided with the Brooklyn Bridge after the vessel lost steering control, causing it to drift. The ship was carrying 277 individuals and was scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 countries over a 254-day voyage. No rescue operations were required, as no one fell into the water as a result of the incident.

Pro-West Nicusor Dan wins Romanian presidential election

2025/05/19 10:00

In Romania, pro-West centrist Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan has been elected as the country's new president. Dan defeated right-wing candidate George Simion in a closely watched runoff election on Sunday. With nearly all votes counted, Dan has secured approximately 54%, while Simion received about 46%. The election followed the cancellation of the previous year's results due to alleged foreign interference favoring another right-wing candidate, Calin Georgescu. Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician and civic activist, campaigned with an emphasis on anti-corruption measures, judicial reform, and strengthening Romania's ties with the European Union and NATO. He said his victory reaffirmed Romania's commitment to democratic values and proved the "incredible power of the Romanian society."

Ukraine says Russia launched largest drone attack since beginning of war

2025/05/19 10:00

Ukrainian military officials said Sunday that Russia had launched its largest drone attack since the invasion began in February 2022. Ukraine's Air Force said the attack on Saturday night killed one person in the Kyiv region and injured at least three others, including a four-year-old child. Officials also said the strikes prove Russia has no intention of stopping the war, despite international pressure for a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Sunday that a peace deal with Ukraine should "eliminate the causes that triggered this crisis" and "guarantee Russia's security." His comments come as U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he will speak separately to Putin and Zelenskyy on Monday about a potential ceasefire agreement.

Former President Joe Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer

2025/05/19 10:00

Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with cancer, which doctors say has metastasized to his bones. According to the New York Times on Sunday, the 82-year-old has been diagnosed with an aggressive form의 aggressive form of prostate cancer. A spokesperson from Biden's office said the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management. The former U.S. leader and his family are reviewing treatment options. President Donald Trump took to his social media to extend his best wishes to Biden and his family, hoping for a "fast and successful recovery."

On-point: S. Korea, U.S. to hold 2nd trade negotiations in Washington this week

2025/05/19 10:00

The United States' 90-day tariff pause will end in about 50 days, which makes the upcoming trade negotiations between Seoul and Washington this week more timely than ever. Let us turn to Professor Greg Buchak for more. Welcome back. 1. The trade talks this time will focus on technical discussions on six areas related to trade. They are trade imbalances, non-tariff measures, economic security, country of origin of products, and commercial considerations. Why these areas, and were they expected? Are these the areas that the U.S. has long been not too happy about? 2. Which of these areas will be pivotal in the upcoming discussions? Will shipbuilding be included? 3. What do you think the U.S. really wants? Will the U.S. side demand what it wants this time? 4. How much progress out of the talks will be considered tangible? What should Team Korea aim for at the second round of negotiations this week? 5. What is the likelihood that the two sides may not settle things before the July 8th deadline? Or will the two sides try their best to make it before then? Thank you so much for your time and your insight this morning. We appreciate it.

Presidential race heats up with Constitutional reform discussion and Yoon's PPP exit

2025/05/19 10:00

The anniversary of the May 18 Pro-democratization movement usually pushes politicians to address Constitutional reform. This year was no different, with a presidential election going on. Our Kim Do-yeon has more. Against the backdrop of the May 18 Pro-Democratization Movement anniversary, the presidential race is heating up over the issue of constitutional reform. It began with Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung posting on Facebook, renewing calls to enshrine the spirit of the movement in the Constitution and carry its legacy forward. But what drew more attention was his push to overhaul Korea’s power structure, proposing a four-year presidential term with the possibility of re-election, similar to the U.S. model. The rival People Power Party had already floated a similar idea but took it a step further, suggesting the next president serve a shortened three-year term, allowing the new four-year system to begin in 2028, in line with the next general election. Lee said such limitations are only necessary for those who abuse presidential power. "What truly matters isn’t just constitutional reform, but restoring stability, reviving the economy, and improving people’s lives." The PPP candidate Kim Moon-soo welcomed the discussion, even proposing to scrap a presidential immunity from criminal prosecution, which would mean presidents could face trial even while in office. He also called for an immediate agreement from Lee to amend the Constitution. Another key turning point came Saturday, with impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol announcing he would leave the People Power Party. Pressure had been building, especially after the PPP’s interim leader publicly urged him to leave. Yoon said he would continue to support the PPP as a private citizen, not as a party member. With the race still overshadowed by Yoon’s martial law controversy and impeachment, the PPP has struggled to boost its approval ratings. Kim responded briefly, repeating his stance that Yoon’s decision is his alone. "I respect the president's decision to leave the party. The Party will now unite stronger and reform more to reflect the people's will." Opposition parties were quick to call it a political maneuver. The DP’s Lee Jae-myung said the PPP should have expelled Yoon long ago and called his departure a fake exit. With presidential power and the legacy of martial law both looming over the race, voters now head into the final stretch, with just over two weeks left until the June 3rd election. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

U.S. Treasury Secretary says Trump will raise tariffs on nations that do not negotiatie in 'good faith'

2025/05/19 10:00

A top U.S. economic official says the Trump administration will raise tariffs again if countries don’t reach trade agreements during the 90-day pause period further raising tariff pressure. Bae Eun-ji has the details. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who acts as a principal advisor to Trump has said tariff rates will soon return to a "reciprocal" level for nations that do not reach trade agreements during the 90-day pause. In an interview with CNN on Sunday local time, he said Trump has put the countries on notice that if they don't negotiate in "good faith," they will ratchet back up to the April 2nd level. Calling it a "Liberation Day," Trump announced a set of reciprocal tariffs on April 2nd, before putting a temporary pause to those levies for 90 days. Speaking during a business roundtable in Abu Dhabi on Friday, he said that time is running out for countries to make a trade deal with the United States. "And we have, at the same time, 150 countries that want to make a deal but you're not able to see that many countries so at a certain point over the next two weeks I think Scott and Howard will be sending letters out, essentially telling people, we want to be very fair, but we'll be telling people what they'll be paying to do business in the United States." Meanwhile, Bessent also noted there are 18 important trading partners that the United States is most focused on solidifying deals with, while adding that there are a lot of smaller trading relationships. As the deadline looms, he said Washington may impose some tariffs by region rather than on individual countries.. saying they may impose a certain rate for Central America and a certain rate for Africa. Amid growing pressure,.. South Korea, which faces 25 percent U.S. reciprocal tariffs, is also making efforts to reach a trade deal. The country's finance minister and trade minister met with Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in late April, and requested exemptions from higher levies. With only about 50 days left until the July 8th deadline, senior trade officials from Seoul are scheduled to hold more consultations in Washington later this week. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

Israeli military conducts large-scale operations in Gaza

2025/05/19 10:00

The Israeli military has launched wide-scale ground operation across Gaza, leading to massive casualties. However, in Qatar, ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas continue, with Israeli leaving open the possibility of a ceasefire. Lee Seung-jae reports. Smoke rises from buildings across Gaza, with residents running to collapsed buildings to rescue those trapped inside. It's become a common sight in the enclave, with the Israeli military having launched an "extensive" new ground operation across the Gaza Strip Sunday, marking the fourth straight day of offensives in the region. The Israeli military says, it is targeting Hamas' military infrastructure above and below ground, destroy Hamas commanders and the militants' remaining forces, and rescue the remaining Israeli hostages. However, significant civilian casualties are being reported in the region. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported that more than 400 people have been killed in the four days since the offensives began last week. This includes over 100 people killed in Gaza on Sunday. Meanwhile, Israel said ceasefire talks with Hamas have resumed in Doha, Qatar, adding that the negotiations are working on all possibilities, including ending the war. The remarks are a step back from their previous stance that the end of war is impossible until Hamas is completely eliminated. Local reports also say that Hamas' leader, Mohammed Sinwar, has been killed along with 10 of his associates. Sinwar, who was openly against negotiations with Israel, was found dead inside a Hamas-built tunnel during Israel's ground offensives. Israel has also announced that it will finally allow a "basic amount of food" to enter Gaza, to ensure that "a famine crisis does not develop" after blockading the enclave for ten weeks. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

2025 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

2025/05/18 20:00

- 2025 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

[WEEKLY FOCUS] Presidential hopefuls prioritize economy, highlighting AI and trade

2025/05/17 12:00

As the country gears up for a pivotal presidential election, one particular theme is consistent across all major campaigns: the economy. Candidates are packing their pledges with economic and business-related policies, with different approaches to similar issues. For more, we’re joined in the studio by our economics correspondent, Moon Hye-ryeon. Welcome, Hye-ryeon. It’s good to be here. So what are candidates promising, and why is the economic agenda taking up such a significant portion of their pledges? In South Korea, presidential candidates are required to submit a formal document to the National Election Commission that details their key policy proposals. Looking at the two major candidates this year — Lee Jae-myung and Kim Moon-soo, a significant portion of their pledges focus on economic issues. In the case of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, half of his pledges have been classified under “economic” policies. For Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party candidate, this comes to a total of seven out of ten. “It's true that Korea is now in a slump, with very low growth, among the worst globally, right? I will bring this economy back to life as a president of the economy, everyone!” “To overcome the trade crisis stemming from the U.S. and the fierce AI race, and to avoid getting crushed between global superpowers, the entire nation must unite and pool its strengths.” The prominence of economic pledges in their campaigns reflects how the country is grappling with slowing economic growth and global uncertainties stemming from U.S. trade policies. Recent data has shown that economic growth shrank in the first quarter of the year, and economic institutions at home and abroad are revising down their economic projections. As a result, both candidates are presenting themselves as the best equipped to tackle these issues. Out of the many economic pledges you’ve just pointed out for us, are there any topics that seem to be getting special attention from the candidates? Yes — and that’s evident in how the candidates have structured their pledges for submission. Here’s what an expert said. “Where a candidate places an issue, whether it ranks first or tenth, tells us a great deal about what they’re really focused on.” So when artificial intelligence shows up as Lee Jae-myung’s number one pledge, and as Kim Moon-soo’s second, it sends a clear message that both candidates consider this to be central to South Korea’s economic future. Both are pledging a huge sum of 100 trillion Korean won, approximately 71 billion U.S. dollars, in investments for AI, signaling the scale of their ambition for the sector. Another overlap in their AI-related pledges is that they both agree that the current regulatory framework in the country is lagging behind other countries. Lee wants to use special exemptions to help AI-convergent industries grow more quickly. Kim, on the other hand, talks about aligning AI regulation with global standards and conducting impact assessments before new rules are introduced. It’s a recognition that if Korea wants to compete with the likes of the U.S. or China, it can’t afford red tape that slows down innovation. In that case, what are some other differences in their AI strategies? Lee Jae-myung emphasizes public access. His “AI for All” initiative would offer citizens free, advanced AI services — including a Korean-made version of ChatGPT. He also pledges to secure over 50 thousand high-performance GPUs and establish a national AI data cluster. Meanwhile, Kim Moon-soo proposes a public-private fund to foster AI unicorn firms and expand industry talent. And he has very specific targets for talent: he plans to train 200 thousand young AI professionals through expanded graduate programs and software-centered universities. And worth mentioning here, although less prominent in the polls, is Lee Jun-seok, the former People Power Party leader now running as a third-party candidate. His AI vision calls for a dramatic reduction in state intervention and wants market-driven AI innovation, with stronger digital sovereignty and open-source infrastructure at the core. AI is a topic that’s become more prominent recently, and I’m wondering if the candidates also address another pressing issue these days: trade? That’s right, trade is a pressing issue as reciprocal tariff exemptions from the United States expire just a month after the elections. Kim Moon-soo’s top pledge centers around trade, as he proposes a reset of Korea’s trade strategy, starting with an immediate South Korea–U.S. summit and new negotiations on tariffs. Lee Jae-myung is more focused on domestic resilience. While he acknowledges the need to adapt to the global economic order, he doesn’t emphasize alliances or trade pacts in the same way. Instead, he prioritizes homegrown innovation and economic self-reliance, in line with his vision of building a more robust domestic economy that’s less vulnerable to external shocks. Lee Jun-seok, again, takes a different line: he supports a decentralized, tech-led foreign trade approach, advocating for the use of blockchain in customs, logistics, and trade settlement to reduce dependence on geopolitical dynamics. Hye-ryeon, thank you for your report. Thank you for having me.

Stock

2025/05/16 20:00

2025. 5. 16. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 2,626.87 ▲5.51 +0.21% KOSDAQ : 725.07 ▼8.16 -1.11% KOSPI200 : 350.45 ▲1.29 +0.37% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 37,753.72 ▼1.79 -0.00% HANG SENG : 23,345.05 ▼108.11 -0.46% SHANGHAI : 3,367.46 ▼13.36 -0.40% WALL STREET (May 15) DOW JONES : 42,322.75 ▲271.69 +0.65% NASDAQ : 19,112.32 ▼34.49 -0.18% S&P500 : 5,916.93 ▲24.35 +0.41% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,389.60 (-4.90) JPY : 956.79 (+0.44) CNY : 193.07 (-0.48) EUR : 1,558.85 (-4.04)

DP's Lee continues campaign in liberal stronghold, emphasizing balanced regional growth

2025/05/16 20:00

We start yet again with the latest on the campaign trail. Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung continued his campaign in his party's stronghold for the second day in a row, where he continued carrying a message for balanced regional growth. Our Correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung, who began rallying support in his party’s strongholds on Thursday, continued his campaign in them on Friday, this time in Jeollabuk-do Province. Lee's campaign trail took him through the cities of Iksan, Gunsan, Jeonju and Jeongeup. During his visit to Iksan, Lee emphasized balanced regional growth, noting that Jeollabuk-do has been especially overlooked. "If the current concentration in the capital region continues, the country won’t be able to grow sustainably. Balanced regional growth isn't just about helping local regions it's a necessary strategy for South Korea’s future." Lee also addressed the overconcentration of universities in the capital and the need to strengthen universities in other regions. He said he would increase support for national universities outside of Seoul and promised to improve conditions for young people through better education, cultural opportunities, and jobs, so they don't feel the need to leave their provinces. During his visit to Jeonju, where he was met with traditional Korean music and gugak musicians, Lee said the culture industry was a key strategic sector. He added that the government should consider guaranteeing a minimum living wage for artists and cultural workers. In a social media post, Lee also announced new policies for women, including tougher penalties for dating violence and digital sex crimes, and plans to close the gender pay gap. Meanwhile, lawmaker Kim Sang-wook, who was in favor of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and recently broke away from the People Power Party, showed up at Lee’s campaign to support him. Kim described Lee as both a true conservative and a true progressive, saying that those who divide politics into sides shouldn’t be involved in politics. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] More rain until tomorrow, back to early summer-like conditions tomorrow

2025/05/16 20:00

Rain has been falling everywhere under cloudy skies. In particular, heavy rain of 20 to 30 millimeters per hour is pouring until tonight on the south coast and Jeju island. Rain that began from this evening in central parts of the country including Seoul, will stop overnight. However, a little bit more rain is forecast in northern parts of Gyeonggi-do Province and Gangwon-do Province tomorrow. The heat seems to be relieved due to the rain today. After this rain stops, the temperatures will start to rise again. The daytime temperature will rise to 24 degrees Celsius tomorrow, over 25 degrees in some areas, feeling like early summer. Tomorrow morning will start mild with 15 to 18 degrees across the country. Daily highs will move up to 28 degrees in Chuncheon, Daegu and Gyeongju. More rain is expected on Monday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

King Sejong and Hangeul go global: First National Day in his honor

2025/05/16 20:00

Yesterday that was May 15th, Korea marked Teachers' Day and among teachers celebrated was King Sejong who created Hangul . Our Choi Soo-young has details. People press a seal engraved with Korean letters, Hangeul. They also try printing Hangeul, made up of consonants and vowels, by themselves. This is Hunminjeongeum, the original Hangeul created in 1443. "We just came to look around and then we just witnessed it and we started to do Hangul and it was really nice actually it was so fun to do." "I think if you want to try it out you can learn it easy." "She learned Korean like for three months now. So Hangul was really easy." "Yeah, and it was for me at least it was easy." Born on May 15, 1397, King Sejong the Great is regarded as one of the greatest monarchs in Korean history. He made important contributions to Korean culture, including in science, the arts and agriculture. Among his contributions is Hangeul, the Korean letters. "May 15th is National Teachers' Day. Last year, the government also designated it as a day to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of King Sejong, the "teacher" of the Korean nation, and honor his achievements." The first official celebration of the newly designated day was held at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Thursday. Many events were held to revive the significance of Hangeul's creation and his legacy. Modern Hangeul, made up of 24 letters, is easy to learn and has a unique design. As Korean culture spreads around the world, more people are interested in learning it. "Thanks to the global popularity of K-content, Hangeul is gaining attention worldwide. Its simple shapes and small number of characters make it easy to learn, so many people want to study it. But Hangeul is more than just a writing system, its unique design is also admired globally as a form of visual art." More than six centuries since his birth, King Sejong's legacy spreads across the world through Hangeul. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Trump touts 'freedom zone' plan for Gaza as scores killed in Israeli airstrikes on enclave

2025/05/16 20:00

In the Middle East. As the U.S. President Trump is on his trip to the region, Israel continues pounding Gaza, killing more than 100 people. His itinerary does not include Israel. Lee Seung-jae has the latest. With ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas stalled, the Israeli military conducted airstrikes on dozens of sites in Gaza from Wednesday night and into Thursday. The latest barrage of airstrikes killed at least 114 Gazans, with witnesses saying the Israeli military targeted medical facilities, including pediatric clinics. The airstrikes were also carried out as U.S. President Donald Trump was on his tour of the Middle East. Israel was excluded from his itinerary. However, Trump on Thursday doubled down on his proposal to displace Gazans, stressing again that the enclave should be made into a "freedom zone." Speaking to reporters after a round table with business leaders in Qatar, Trump said that "Gaza has been a territory of death and destruction for many years," adding that the U.S. should "get involved and make it a "freedom zone." All Arab states have rejected his plan, with Hamas calling it "ethnic cleansing." Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that ceasefire talks mediated by the U.S. have not made any progress due to differences in opinion between Israel and Hamas. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations delayed by a day

2025/05/16 20:00

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine that were scheduled for Thursday in Istanbul were delayed by one day, with the absence of Putin raising a question about whether Russia is serious about ending the war. Kim Bo-kyoung explains. All eyes were fixed on the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in more than three years, which were supposed to take place on Thursday but are now expected to happen on Friday in Istanbul. However, the negotiations failed to materialize amid criticism over the standard of the Russian delegation. Russian President Vladimir Putin was a noticeable absence on Moscow's list of attendees despite proposing the talks and a challenge from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet face to face. While making his announcement regarding the team headed by his defense minister to Istanbul for the peace talks, Zelenskyy criticized Moscow for not taking the negotiations seriously. "After we understood the level of the Russian delegation, we see that, unfortunately, they are not taking the real negotiations very seriously. So far, we do not see among those present anyone who actually makes decisions." The sides have also been separated with regard to the outcomes they each want from the direct talks. While Ukraine's top priority is a ceasefire, the Russian delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, said their goal was to "eliminate the basic root causes of the conflict", and to sooner or later establish long-term peace. He added that these negotiations are a continuation of the peace process that fell through in 2022, when Ukraine saw Russian demands as a threat to its sovereignty. Regarding the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday expressed limited optimism, saying Washington frankly does not have high expectations of the negotiations. Speaking to reporters in the southern Turkish city of Antalya, he said only the direct engagement between the U.S. and Russia could result in a breakthrough. "And frankly at this point I think it's abundantly clear that the only way we're going to have a breakthrough here is between President Trump and President Putin." Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.