News

U.S signs major security and economic deals with Qatar

2025/05/15 20:00

U.S. President Donald Trump was in Doha as part his Middle East trip, where he has sealed major deals with Qatar for defense and the economy. Shin Se-byuck has the details. U.S. President Donald Trump, currently on a four-day Gulf tour, signed a series of major security and economic agreements worth at least 1-point-2 trillion U.S. dollars with Qatar on Wednesday. This came after Trump signed a similar multi-billion-dollar deal with Saudi Arabia the day before. According to the White House, the package aims to boost U.S. exports and attract foreign investment in exchange for enhanced security cooperation. The package includes a record-breaking deal for American aircraft maker Boeing to supply Qatar Airways. "From Boeing, it's the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing, that's pretty good. It's over $200 billion, but 160 in terms of the jets, that's fantastic. So that's a record." The White House said the plane contract between the two countries is expected to support some 154-thousand American jobs annually. Additionally, U.S. energy engineering firm McDermott has entered into a partnership with Qatar Energy, to develop critical energy infrastructure through seven projects worth 8-point-5 billion dollars. Defense deals were also part of the package. Raytheon secured a contract worth 1 billion dollars to bolster Qatar's drone defense capabilities. And, General Atomics signed an agreement worth 2 billion dollars to supply the Gulf state with unmanned military aircraft. The White House added that both sides signed a letter of intent to strengthen security cooperation, including support for Qatar's air and maritime defense systems and burden-sharing at the Al Udeid Air Base, which is the largest U.S. military base in the region. Trump is set to conclude his trip on Thursday with a final stop in the United Arab Emirates. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.

Kremlin names delegation heading to Istanbul for peace talks

2025/05/15 20:00

Peace talks are scheduled for Thursday in Istanbul hoping to end the war between Russia and Ukraine that's been dragging on for over three years. A meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy looks unlikely. Lee Seung-jae has the latest. After remaining silent on who's headed to Istanbul for peace talks with Ukraine,.. the Kremlin has finally announced the list of officials taking part. The delegation will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who was present at the first attempt at peace talks in Istanbul back in March 2022. Along with Medinsky, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin and the chief of Russia's military intelligence agency, Igor Kostyukov, will also be at the talks. Not on the list, though, is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who many speculated could be involved in direct talks. Despite a much-anticipated sit-down between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, no such talks appear to be on the horizon. With Putin seemingly out of the picture, U.S. President Donald Trump has also decided not to go to Istanbul. According to Reuters on Wednesday, citing a Trump administration official, Trump has decided to skip the peace talks. The U.S. leader has said over the past week that he was considering coming to mediate talks, raising hopes for a trilateral summit between the leaders of the U.S., 러시아 and Ukraine. Zelenskyy had called on both leaders to come to Istanbul, and also said the presence of Trump could have a major impact on the negotiations. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

N. Korean-background students mark Teachers’ Day at unique school in South

2025/05/15 20:00

Today, May 15th, is Teachers' Day here in South Korea and at one special school, students from a North Korean background whose guardians went to great lengths to offer them a new lease on life are sharing their own gratitude. Our Kim Jung-sil has the story. At first glance, it looks like any other Teachers' Day celebration in South Korea— students handing over carnations, writing thank-you notes, and singing songs for their teachers. But at this school, those small gestures carry a different weight. Hangyeore Middle & High in Gyeonggi-do Province is the only school in South Korea dedicated to students from North Korean backgrounds, whether they arrived themselves, or were born to defectors, sometimes even in third countries along the way. "Here at Hangyeore School, where all the students come from North Korean backgrounds, Teachers' Day may seem like any other, but it also reflects how they are adjusting to life here in the South." "It wouldn't be fun if they knew, so we planned it all in secret. That made it way better." "These teachers honestly feel like lifesavers to me. I don't usually get to thank them, so this was my chance." It's more than a surprise event, it's a milestone in their journey of adapting to a new culture and life. "I hope this stays with them as a good memory—and maybe one day, they'll pass it on to their own students." With 115 students enrolled, 31 in the middle school, Hangyeore offers more than academics. Teachers here often step in as mentors and guardians, helping students bridge two very different worlds. "We follow the national curriculum, but also help students adjust: socially, emotionally, and for the future. Some still speak with a North Korean accent, but they're finding their place here with confidence." Named after the word for "one people," Hangyeore is more than just a school. It's a place where students with North Korean backgrounds begin to shape new lives. For them, this is one of many moments helping to build that life in the South. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

APEC trade ministers' meeting kicks off in S. Korea amid economic uncertainty from Trump's tariffs

2025/05/15 20:00

Trade officials of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation kicked off their two-day meeting in Korea's Jeju today against the backdrop of tougher trade conditions in light of U.S. tariffs. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji has the latest. Top trade officials from 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member states, including the U.S. and China, have gathered on Jeju Island ahead of the APEC leaders' summit later this year. Led by South Korea's Minister for Trade Cheong In-kyo, this is the first time in 20 years that the country is hosting the APEC trade ministers' meeting. "I hope today's meeting will lay a solid foundation for dialogue and collaboration to overcome the political and economic challenges as well as uncertainties that we encounter." On the sidelines of the event, Cheong held a bilateral meeting with China's top trade envoy, Li Chenggang, and also sat down for talks with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday evening. Greer is also set to meet South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun on Friday. The two officials last met in Washington three weeks ago, where South Korea requested exemptions from reciprocal tariffs, while offering cooperation on shipbuilding and energy. Both sides are currently working to produce a package of deals to remove new U.S. tariffs before the July 8th deadline, when the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is lifted. "This year's event especially drew a lot of attention as major APEC member countries are seeking trade deals with the United States, after President Trump announced a sweeping set of tariffs in April." With trade officials from the U.S. and China both here in Jeju, a meeting between them on Thursday afternoon was also closely watched, as this could be seen as a potential move to make further progress to address trade friction. This comes after the world's two largest economies agreed last weekend in Geneva to temporarily lower most tariffs in a bid to defuse the trade war. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News, Jeju.

[Econ & Biz] Economic pledges dominate S. Korea's presidential campaign trail: "AI" and "trade" as keywords

2025/05/15 20:00

As the country prepares to elect its next president, one particular theme is consistent across all major campaigns, though their approaches may differ: the economy. We now turn to our economics correspondent Moon Hye-ryeon for this topic. Hye-ryeon, the economy does seem to take a central role in the race, just like in the past, but anything worth noticing this time? South Korea is grappling with slowing economic growth and global uncertainties stemming from U.S. trade policies. Recent data has shown that the country's economy shrank in the first quarter of the year, and economic institutions at home and abroad are revising down their economic projections for South Korea this year. As a result, both candidates are presenting themselves as the one best equipped to stabilize the economy and prepare for long-term competitiveness. But beyond that, experts point out something very strategic — not just what the candidates are promising, but how they're presenting it. "What voters should pay attention to isn't just the substance of the pledges, but the level of priority they're given. 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 AI shows up as Lee Jae-myung's number one pledge, and as Kim Moon-soo's second, it sends a clear message about what they each see as central to Korea's economic future. Let's talk about that. How do their AI strategies compare? Both propose investing 100 trillion won — approximately 71 billion U.S. dollars — signaling the scale of ambition. But the way they plan to use that funding is quite different. "We need to take a look at what role our national community should play in preparing for an AI-driven society." "For the initial takeoff, we need to pour in concentrated funding and scout top talent from around the world." 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. In terms of regulation, they overlap in principle — both agree that Korea's current regulatory framework is lagging behind. 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. 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. His stance appeals to younger, more tech-literate voters — but lacks the large-scale public investment strategies the other two are promising. Let's move to another key area of concern: trade. Do they differ there, too? Very much so, trade actually centers around Kim Moon-soo's top pledge. He's proposing a reset of Korea's trade strategy, starting with an immediate South Korea–U.S. summit and new negotiations on tariffs. It's a very proactive, outward-facing plan. 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. Thank you for your insight, Hye-ryeon. Thank you for having me.

Reform Party candidate calls for higher inmate productivity, slams conservatives calling for merger

2025/05/15 20:00

Also on the campaign trail. Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok sat down with students at Seoul National University of Education in light of Teachers' Day today. The talks took place over lunch as he continued his campus cafeteria outreach to college students. Earlier today, he announced prison reform proposing inmates participate in higher value labor such as machinery assembly and digital operations rather than tasks like sewing and cleaning. He added such labor would serve to raise the standard of economic and social contribution by those incarcerated. Meanwhile, in response to inquiry about a coalition with the main conservative camp he condemned those seeking "political engineering".

S. Korea’s 2025 election amid shifting voter sentiment

2025/05/15 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. With just 19 days to go before Korea's 21st presidential election on June 3rd, the race is intensifying—not just between the candidates, but in the minds of voters still weighing their choices. Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party is currently leading in national polls, while Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party and Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party are both vying to reshape the conservative field in very different ways. But beyond party lines, this election is taking place in the long shadow of a constitutional crisis, rising economic anxiety, and growing public demand for trustworthy leadership. Tonight, we delve into what's really driving this race—how voters are shifting, and what the candidates are proposing for the next administration. For this, we are joined by attorney An Jun-seong in the studio. Welcome. Also joining us online is Choi Hyun-sun, Professor of Public Administration at Myongji University. Great to see you. 1. (CHOI) Let's begin with the overall picture. Professor Choi, DP's Lee Jae-myung seems to be leading in major polls lately, but Korean elections often shift dramatically in the final days. Based on your past observations, how reliable are these early numbers, and what kind of voter movement typically happens in the final stretch? 2. (AN) Staying with the electoral map—Kim Moon-soo and Lee Jun-seok, who are both conservative candidates have decided to run separately. In practice, how do Korean voters usually respond to this kind of divided field? Do they consolidate around one candidate, or hold their ground? 3. (AN) And all of this is happening against a very particular backdrop. This is a presidential election that follows a constitutional crisis and the martial law controversy under former President Yoon Suk Yeol. How has that shaped the public's expectations about leadership or trust in political institutions? 4.(CHOI) Let's talk about voters who often shape the outcome. Younger and independent voters have shown more flexible voting patterns in recent elections, sometimes shifting between parties based on specific issues. How are campaigns this year trying to reach these voters—and do you expect them to play a decisive role again? 5.(CHOI) Now shifting into the policy front. The three main candidates offer distinct visions for the economy: Lee Jae-myung supports large-scale public investment, Kim Moon-soo promotes tax cuts and deregulation, and Lee Jun-seok emphasizes local wage flexibility and leaner government. How do these reflect different philosophies on economic recovery? 6.(AN) Let's look at what's legally possible. In terms of spending authority, Lee Jae-myung calls for major public investment without raising taxes, while Kim Moon-soo opposes additional debt, and Lee Jun-seok favors structural, not financial, solutions. Attorney An, under Korea's legal and institutional frameworks, how much flexibility does the presidency actually have to pursue these agendas? 7. (AN) Another area with wide divergence is pension reform. Lee Jae-myung wants to improve the current model, Kim Moon-soo backs automatic adjustment systems, while Lee Jun-seok proposes a dual-track overhaul. From a governance standpoint, how feasible is each? 8. (CHOI) And when it comes to environmental leadership— Lee Jae-myung pledges to phase out coal and expand renewables, Kim Moon-soo emphasizes nuclear energy and climate resilience, while Lee Jun-seok has not released a formal climate or energy policy. How might these differences shape Korea's environmental direction? 9. (BOTH) Finally, bringing it all together, from fiscal policy to institutional reform, each candidate is making ambitious promises. For voters trying to cut through the noise, what are the signs they should look for to judge which pledges are realistic and which may be campaign talk? What should signal credibility?

Economic pledges dominate S. Korea's presidential campaign trail: "AI" and "trade" as keywords

2025/05/15 17:00

Economy amid the growing presence of artificial intelligence is a key focus of the presidential contenders as they address voters with pledges to promote national interests. Our correspondent Moon Hye-ryeon reports. One theme is impossible to miss in the candidates' pledges as the country gears up for a pivotal presidential election: the economy. Both leading candidates — Lee Jae-myung and Kim Moon-soo — have packed their campaigns with economic and business-oriented policies, reflecting rising voter anxiety over Korea's stunted growth trajectory and external uncertainties. This year, there is an unprecedented emphasis on artificial intelligence — with Lee Jae-myung listing it as his top pledge, while Kim Moon-soo places the initiative second. "We need to take a look at what role our national community should play in preparing for an AI-driven society." "For the initial takeoff, we need to pour in concentrated funding and scout top talent from around the world." Both propose mobilizing 100 trillion Korean won in investment — approximately 71 billion U.S. dollars — but their approaches differ. Lee focuses on universal access through the "AI for All" project, which would offer free, advanced AI services — including a Korean version of ChatGPT — to all citizens. In contrast, Kim aims to strengthen the entire AI ecosystem by supporting unicorn firms and training 200-thousand young AI professionals through expanded AI graduate programs and software-centric universities. Although less prominent in the polls, Lee Jun-seok — the former People Power Party leader now running as a third-party candidate — addresses AI in his pledges to improve regulations and foster talent. Another pressing issue in this election is trade, particularly as reciprocal tariff exemptions from the United States expire just a month after the elections. Kim's top pledge is an immediate South Korea-U.S. summit and the launch of new tariff negotiations. Lee takes a more cautious approach, saying that negotiations with Washington need to be taken at a slow pace. While he acknowledges the need to respond pragmatically to shifts in the global order, he provides fewer details about trade or alliance-building. Despite these differences, both candidates deliver the same message: the economy is the defining issue of this election. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Reform Party candidate calls for higher inmate productivity, slams conservatives calling for merger

2025/05/15 17:00

Also on the campaign trail. Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok sat down with students at Seoul National University of Education in light of Teacher's Day today. The talks took place as expected over lunch as he continued his campus cafeteria outreach to college students. Earlier on this Thursday he announced prison reform proposing inmates participate in higher value labor such as machinery assembly and machinery assembly and digital operations rather than menial tasks like sewing and cleaning. He added such labor would serve to raise the standard of economic and social contribution by those incarcerated. Meanwhile in response to inquiry about a coalition with the main conservative camp he condemned those seeking "political engineering".

PPP's Kim apologizes for martial law declaration by PPP's former president

2025/05/15 17:00

Up next we turn to the conservative camp whose contender Kim Moon-soo is back in the capital city.. after a three-day tour of the southeastern part of Korea. For more I have my colleague Kim Do-yeon joining me live. Do-yeon it's great to have on. So Kim is here in Seoul. What has he been saying? That's right, Sun-hee. Kim's back in the capital — and while there weren't any big rallies today, he did stop by his campaign headquarters behind me for a meeting, possibly taking time to regroup. But the standout moment came when he once again apologized for the martial law declaration made by the party's former president at a press conference here. Take a listen. "So I sincerely and respectfully apologize — to those struggling to make a living outside of the capital region, to many whose lives have become more difficult, to those feeling weighed down or disheartened, and to all affected by the deepening divisions in public opinion." Kim called the martial law declaration "inappropriate," — saying even if it's within a president's authority, it should only be used in true national emergencies, beyond what the police can handle. As for impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim made clear he has no plans to expel him — saying that the decision to leave is up to Yoon himself. That comment came after the party's new interim leader, Kim Yong-tae, told the media that the idea of expulsion could be considered during the campaign. All of this reflects Kim's balancing act — trying to hold onto party loyalists while also reaching out to undecided voters, many of whom opposed the martial law move. Meanwhile Do-yeon I hear the conservative party is also ramping up its REBUKE of the liberal party's PRESSURE on the Supreme Court. Do explain this for us. Sun-hee, that's right. One of the tactics that the PPP has had all along was Lee Jae-myung's legal risks. Now, we saw the Supreme Court rule against Lee for his election law violations and sent a case back to a high court for a guilty ruling. After that, the DP has been pressuring the Supreme Court trying to summon Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae for a hearing and even starting a bill for a special probe into him with a potential impeachment motion well. And because of this, Kim and PPP lawmakers went to the Supreme Court to protest against this take a listen. "They say democracy is about the rule of law — but have you ever seen anything so absurd? A criminal threatening a judge, summoning a judge for a hearing, launching a special investigation into a judge, or even trying to impeach a judge? Have you ever heard of such madness?" In the meantime, Kim also tried to appeal his diplomatic side to voters by visiting interim U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun at his residence. While the two's discussion is undisclosed due to diplomatic reasons Kim's chief of staff says the two discussed the Korean Peninsula and tariff issues candidly. That's all for now. Back to you, Sun-hee. All right Do-yeon thank you for that coverage from the conservative camp.

DP's Lee Jae-myung campaigns in liberal stronghold; pledging to foster renewable energy industry

2025/05/15 17:00

We are now counting down 19 days to the June third election and the liberal party candidate continues his trek across the country this time to his party's stronghold. For details I have our political correspondent Shin Ha-young standing by live. Ha-young welcome. So Lee Jae-myung is now targeting voters in Jeollanam-do Province? Yes, Sunny. After spending the past few days trying to win support in traditionally conservative stronghold regions, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung is now focusing on rallying support in his party's stronghold. Lee's campaign trail today takes him through Jeollanam-do Province, including the cities of Gwangyang, Yeosu, Suncheon, and Mokpo. Kicking off his tour of this region, Lee pointed to the concentration of power in the capital area as the biggest problem South Korea is facing. He emphasized balanced regional development, which is one of Lee's 10 major campaign pledges. In line with this, he highlighted fostering the renewable energy industry as a pledge tailored to the Jeolla-do provinces, saying the southwest coast holds great potential for renewables. Take a listen. "We don't have a clear plan for renewables yet as we move away from fossil fuels due to global warming. Energy prices are likely to go up, so we need to develop our own resources. That's why I think we should actively grow the renewable energy industry, especially in the southwestern coast and Jeolla-do provinces." Lee began his fourth day of campaigning in Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, near the border between Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces. There, he met with young people at Hwagae Market to discuss concerns about jobs, housing and child care. The choice of location and participants from different regions reflected Lee's intention to promote regional harmony. And Ha-young, what can you tell us about the messages he shared in other cities in the region? Lee visited Gwangyang, promising to strengthen the steel and logistics industries. During his speech, he also criticized former President Yoon Suk Yeol for misunderstanding his role as a president. Take a listen. "If someone forgets they're a public servant and starts acting like a ruler, they should be held accountable. One such person who misunderstood his position was former President Yoon." During his visit to Yeosu, Lee laid out his plan for the energy industry, pledging to turn the Jeollanam-do coast into a global renewable energy hub. He said the region has plenty of resources but lacks transmission lines, promising to fix the issue and unlock the area's full energy potential. Lee will wrap up Thursday's campaigning in Mokpo, the birthplace of former liberal President Kim Dae-jung. That's all for this hour, Sunny. All right Ha-young, thank you for that coverage from the liberal camp.

[Weather] Heavy rain tomorrow mainly in the south, showers in central areas

2025/05/15 17:00

It rained in most areas except the Seoul metropolitan area today. It will continue to rain mainly in the southern parts of the country tomorrow. In particular, heavy rain will be concentrated around Jeju Island and the south coast. In the mountainous areas of Jeju Island, there will be strong rain of around 20 to 30 millimeters per hour. There will be showers around the central parts of the country tomorrow afternoon. The amount of rainfall is not too much at around 5 to 20 millimeters, but there is a possibility of sudden heavy rain, gusty winds, thunder, lightning, and hail. Tomorrow morning, Seoul and Chuncheon will start off at 16 degrees Celsius, Gwangju at 19 degrees. Highs will move up to 24 degrees in Seoul and Chuncheon, 25 degrees in Daejeon and Gyeongju. Clear skies will come back on Sunday across the country. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: U.S. Hits Iran's Ballistic Missile Program With New Sanctions

2025/05/15 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Following U.S. President Donald Trump's reinstatement of a "maximum pressure" policy on Iran and a series of recent nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, the United States has issued new sanctions targeting Iran's ballistic missile program. On Wednesday, the U.S. Treasury Department unveiled fresh sanctions aimed at curbing Iran's efforts to domestically manufacture components for ballistic missiles. The announcement came during President Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, where he emphasized the need for Iran to cease its nuclear ambitions and activities aimed at destabilizing the region. He stated that Iran must "stop sponsoring terror" and end its support for regional proxy groups. He also made an appeal to Iran to reach a nuclear deal amid ongoing indirect negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, mediated by Oman. He expressed his hope to see Iran thrive and mentioned that he is counting on Qatar to help facilitate the process. To strengthen relations with Latin America and increase China's influence in the region, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted a summit with leaders from Latin America, following a previous summit with his Brazilian counterpart. On Tuesday, President Xi convened the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing and welcomed Presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, Gustavo Petro of Colombia, and Gabriel Boric of Chile. There, China pledged an approximately 10 billion U.S. dollar credit line to support projects in Latin America, and offered visa-free travel to citizens of some countries in the region. Colombia has also joined China's Belt and Road Initiative, and agreements have been made for more cooperation in clean energy, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure development. Pope Leo XIV will officially inaugurate his papacy with a Mass in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican on Sunday, May 18. During the mass, he will receive the pallium, a white woolen stole worn over the shoulders, and the Fisherman's Ring, traditional symbols of papal authority. While addressing members of the Eastern Catholic Churches on Wednesday, he vowed "every effort" to work for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine. The pontiff also made his first social media post on his official Instagram and X accounts on Tuesday, reiterating peace. The new pope shared several photos of his first few days after being elected on May 8, along with the message "Peace be with you all!" in English and several other languages. In Austria, two new giant pandas from China, female Lan Yuan and male He Feng, found new homes in Vienna's Schonbrunn Zoo on Wednesday. The five-year-old pandas' arrival follows the return of the zoo's previous panda pair to China in late 2024 and is part of a new round of a 10-year conservation cooperation between Austria and China, which began in 2003. The China Wildlife Conservation Association and Schonbrunn Zoo have prepared and made every effort to ensure the safe and smooth arrival of the young pandas to the zoo, after they underwent a quarantine period since their initial arrival in Vienna in April. The pandas can now be seen by the public in their newly renovated enclosure at the zoo. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

S. Korean Army providing engineering training for soldiers from UN peacekeeping nations

2025/05/15 17:00

Back on the local front. Come tomorrow that is Friday the army here ends its engineering training for troops from five UN peacekeeping nations. The six-week session that began in early April is the first of its kind to be held in South Korea. The Korean army offered heavy equipment training to 28 soldiers from five Asian countries that provide boots on the ground for UN peacekeeping missions. Another engineering session organized by the South Korean army will take place in Cambodia later this year.

Kremlin names delegation heading to Istanbul for peace talks

2025/05/15 17:00

Russia has released the names of its delegates to peace talks in Türkiye this week with their Ukrainian counterparts and Vladimir Putin is not on the list. Lee Seung-jae has the latest. After remaining silent on who's headed to Istanbul for peace talks with Ukraine,.. the Kremlin has finally announced the list of officials taking part. The delegation will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who was present at the first attempt at peace talks in Istanbul back in March 2022. Along with Medinsky, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin and the chief of Russia's military intelligence agency, Igor Kostyukov, will also be at the talks. Not on the list, though, is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who many speculated could be involved in direct talks. Despite a much-anticipated sit-down between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, no such talks appear to be on the horizon. With Putin seemingly out of the picture, U.S. President Donald Trump has also decided not to go to Istanbul. According to Reuters on Wednesday, citing a Trump administration official, Trump has decided to skip the peace talks. The U.S. leader has said over the past week that he was considering coming to mediate talks, raising hopes for a trilateral summit between the leaders of the U.S., Russia and Ukraine. Zelenskyy had called on both leaders to come to Istanbul, and also said the presence of Trump could have a major impact on the negotiations. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

U.S signs major security and economic deals with Qatar

2025/05/15 17:00

U.S. President Donald Trump has sealed a defense and economic deal with Qatar worth some one-point-two TRILLION U.S. dollars. Our Shin Se-byuck has details. U.S. President Donald Trump, currently on a four-day Gulf tour, signed a series of major security and economic agreements worth at least 1-point-2 trillion U.S. dollars with Qatar on Wednesday. This came after Trump signed a similar multi-billion-dollar deal with Saudi Arabia the day before. According to the White House, the package aims to boost U.S. exports and attract foreign investment in exchange for enhanced security cooperation. The package includes a record-breaking deal for American aircraft maker Boeing to supply Qatar Airways. "From Boeing, it's the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing, that's pretty good. It's over $200 billion, but 160 in terms of the jets, that's fantastic. So that's a record." The White House said the plane contract between the two countries is expected to support some 154-thousand American jobs annually. Additionally, U.S. energy engineering firm McDermott has entered into a partnership with Qatar Energy, to develop critical energy infrastructure through seven projects worth 8-point-5 billion dollars. Defense deals were also part of the package. Raytheon secured a contract worth 1 billion dollars to bolster Qatar's drone defense capabilities. And, General Atomics signed an agreement worth 2 billion dollars to supply the Gulf state with unmanned military aircraft. The White House added that both sides signed a letter of intent to strengthen security cooperation, including support for Qatar's air and maritime defense systems and burden-sharing at the Al Udeid Air Base, which is the largest U.S. military base in the region. Trump is set to conclude his trip on Thursday with a final stop in the United Arab Emirates. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.

U.S. Department of State bans travel to North Korea for 9th straight year

2025/05/15 17:00

In other news. The U.S. State Department has extended its travel ban on North Korea for the ninth straight year. Now this latest extension is set to take effect on September first. It will reportedly remain in place until the end of August next year unless it is further extended or lifted amid threats to the safety of Americans.

N. Korean-background students mark Teachers’ Day at unique school in South

2025/05/15 17:00

Today that is May 15th is Teachers' Day here in South Korea and at one special school students whose guardians went to great lengths to offer them a new lease on life are sharing their own gratitude to their teachers. Our correspondent Kim Jung-sil files this report. At first glance, it looks like any other Teachers' Day celebration in South Korea— students handing over carnations, writing thank-you notes, and singing songs for their teachers. But at this school, those small gestures carry a different weight. Hangyeore Middle & High in Gyeonggi-do Province is the only school in South Korea dedicated to students from North Korean backgrounds, whether they arrived themselves, or were born to defectors, sometimes even in third countries along the way. "Here at Hangyeore School, where all the students come from North Korean backgrounds, Teachers' Day may seem like any other, but it also reflects how they are adjusting to life here in the South." "It wouldn't be fun if they knew, so we planned it all in secret. That made it way better." "These teachers honestly feel like lifesavers to me. I don't usually get to thank them, so this was my chance." It's more than a surprise event, it's a milestone in their journey of adapting to a new culture and life. "I hope this stays with them as a good memory—and maybe one day, they'll pass it on to their own students." With 115 students enrolled, 31 in the middle school, Hangyeore offers more than academics. Teachers here often step in as mentors and guardians, helping students bridge two very different worlds. "We follow the national curriculum, but also help students adjust: socially, emotionally, and for the future. Some still speak with a North Korean accent, but they're finding their place here with confidence." Named after the word for "one people," Hangyeore is more than just a school. It's a place where students with North Korean backgrounds begin to shape new lives. For them, this is one of many moments helping to build that life in the South. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

APEC trade ministers' meeting kicks off in S. Korea amid economic uncertainty from Trump's tariffs

2025/05/15 17:00

Trade officials of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation have kicked off their two-day meeting in the southern island of Jeju today against the backdrop of tougher trade conditions in light of U.S. tariffs. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji is there. Top trade officials from 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member states, including the U.S. and China, have gathered here on Jeju Island ahead of the APEC leaders' summit later this year. Led by South Korea's Minister for Trade Cheong In-kyo, this is the first time in 20 years that the country is hosting the APEC trade ministers' meeting. "I hope today's meeting will lay a solid foundation for dialogue and collaboration to overcome the political and economic challenges as well as uncertainties that we encounter." Speaking at a separate press briefing ahead of the meeting on Thursday, the Director of the APEC Policy Support Unit said it's important to continue to hold talks on de-escalating trade tensions to reduce policy uncertainty and improve responsiveness to new challenges. "There are a lot of things that governments can do. But here in APEC, I think the priority now is to promote dialogue and cooperation to tackle challenges." "This year's event especially drew a lot of attention as major APEC member countries are seeking trade deals with the United States, after President Trump announced a sweeping set of tariffs in April." Eyes are on South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun's meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Friday, which will take place on the sidelines of the APEC meeting. This comes three weeks after they last met in Washington, where South Korea requested exemptions from reciprocal tariffs, while offering cooperation on shipbuilding and energy. Both sides are currently working to produce a package of deals to remove new U.S. tariffs before the July 8th deadline, when the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is lifted. With trade officials from the U.S. and China both here in Jeju, a meeting between them on Thursday afternoon is also being closely watched, especially after the two countries last weekend in Geneva agreed to temporarily lower most tariffs in a bid to defuse the trade war. Eyes are now on whether they will be able to come up with further deals on tariff cuts or export controls. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News, Jeju.

SAMSUNG, GOOGLE AND MORE IN HEADLINES

2025/05/15 17:30

Welcome to yet another edition of Press Perspective. It's Thursday May 15th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sun-hee. It's that time of the week during which we discuss a DIVERSE COLLECTION of news stories related to South Korea. For more I have Fabian Kretschmer with German news agency dpa. Fabian it's good to have you here. I also have Kelly Kasulis Cho with American daily The Washington Post. Kelly as always thank you for being here. 1) Fabian, let's begin with the response to Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge that company officials hope will help them maintain their dominant presence in global smartphone market. 2) Kelly, staying with news related to technology. 3) Fabian, in related news. 4) Kelly, in other news. 5) Fabian, this competition has gained the attention of neighboring countries with Japan and Australia hosting their own space-out contests. 6) Kelly, today is Teachers's Day here in Korea. 7) Fabian, in recent times, Teachers' Day here in Korea has been linked to talk about the need to better protect the rights of teachers within the learning environment. 8) Kelly, the campaign for teachers' rights goes beyond borders. All right.