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President Lee holds emergency meeting in response to heavy rains

2025/07/18 19:34

And in light of that weather forecast President Lee Jae Myung canceled a scheduled town hall and convened instead an emergency response meeting. Our Presidential Office Correspondent Song Yoo-jin reports. Disasters may be inevitable, but their damage, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says, can be reduced with thorough preparation. That was the key message from the President on Friday as he convened an emergency meeting in response to the heavy rains. "The state's top duty is to protect the lives and safety of its people. We must not hesitate to deploy every necessary resource, even if it feels excessive, to prevent accidents and minimize damage." With downpours battering the country for days and already claiming several lives, President Lee postponed a scheduled town hall in the southeastern city of Busan and instead visited the National Disaster and Safety Status Control Center in Seoul. Emphasizing preemptive action, he instructed the Korea Meteorological Administration to issue timely alerts tailored to each region. "We need thorough preemptive measures in vulnerable areas and for at-risk residents, including those living in semi-basement homes, those living alone, and regions prone to flooding, landslides, collapses, or sinkholes." The President also urged local governments to stay in full emergency mode and carry out post-disaster support and recovery efforts without delay. He then received updates on damage assessments and response measures from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and local authorities. "President Lee spoke to the mayor of Osan in detail about why the road wasn't fully closed off despite prior warnings from residents before the retaining wall collapsed." The collapse on Wednesday killed a man trapped in his vehicle. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

FUN FACTS AND FINDINGS THIS FRIDAY

2025/07/18 18:34

Hello and welcome. You're watching Press Perspective for this Friday July 18th here in Seoul. Today we touch upon a number of fun facts from history in society and on style. For this I have Thomas Maresca with American news agency UPI. Thomas welcome back. I also have writer Colin Marshall with the pundit's take on the day's discussion. Colin it's good to have you here. Thomas, a while back, we talked about your news agency UPI being the first foreign media to report about the Korean War. Well, it was also among the first to report Korea's March First Movement. Do tell us more. Colin, what are some of your takeaways regarding the foreign media coverage of turbulent events on the peninsula including the March First Movement and the Korean War? How significant were they in shaping Korea's path to democracy? Thomas, on the social front, findings as of 2024 show there has been a significant surge in the number of marriages between Korean men and Japanese women over the past decade. What more can you add? Colin, what do you believe is the public perception about international marriages here in Korea, and do you suppose the Korean Wave has played a part in boosting their rates? Thomas, moving forward, one recent article claims there is a visible way of pinpointing Koreans on holiday: they all appear to wear rash guards. What are your thoughts? I mean, how does this tendency differ from that in the West? And Colin, what's your take on this tendency and perhaps, the Korean mentality? Thomas, also on the local front. The Blue House is poised to close its doors to the public come August First. Do tell us a bit about this reality and its implications. Colin, what has been the meaning of the past opening and the planned closing of the Blue House for South Korea? All right.

[Kulture Issue] The "Golden" era of "KPop Demon Hunters" what's behind the animated film's success?

2025/07/18 15:38

Huntrix and Saja Boys are not only battling for the top spot as the most popular idol group in the animated musical fantasy film "KPop Demon Hunters" on Netflix, nope, the fictional girl and boy groups' popularity has grown beyond the screen, to not only reach the top of viewers charts in many countries, but to take over music charts like Billboard. For more on the "KDH phenomenon" we are now joined by our culture critic, Professor Chie Hye-won at Kyung Hee University. Welcome back Professor Chie! Q1. Who would have thought, that an American production would make a whole movie on KPop, demons and Korean mythology and it would take the world by storm? What did you think of 'KPop Demon Hunters' Professor Chie and what's behind the success? Q2. What's the most unique attempt you're seeing in this production? Q3. The producers of the movie have emphasized that they wanted to incorporate many elements of Korean culture. In what kind of way was this expressed in the film? Q4. So, we're seeing more and Koreans (or people with Korean background) creating K-content on major global platforms. How significant is that and what does this mean for K-content in the future? Q5. Songs from the movie soundtrack have made it on Billboard ("Golden" by Huntrix makes it to No.1 on the Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S.), MONSTA X, Cha Eun-woo and other "real" idols have shown cover dances of Saja Boys, etc. How is this all affecting the K-pop industry? Q6. The influence of 'KPop Demon Hunters' goes so far, that it has been mentioned at a recent foreign ministers' meeting between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan. What can we make of that? Q7. This shows how far the impact of this movie is reaching into how big do you see the potential for K-content? Thank you very much Professor Chie for your insights, have a great weekend. Bella, thank you as always. See you next week.

[Features reporter] What has the popular K-pop animated movie led to?

2025/07/18 15:37

I made it quite obvious in the opening, but we're going to delve deep into the "KPop Demon Hunters" phenomenon throughout the show today, and it starts with your coverage Sung-jin! Right, one of Netflix's recent animated movie "KPop Demon Hunters" has been sparking much interest in Korean heritage and culture to a wider audience as it continues to top charts for its visuals and music. But this popularity has been appealing to consumers who look for something special. Let's have a look at it together. "A demon boy band?" K-pop and animation combining to create a global sensation. The Netflix movie "KPop Demon Hunters", which tells the story of a K-pop girl group and their secret identities as demon hunters, topped charts in 41 countries within the first week of its release on June 20. Its original soundtrack album also dominated global music charts, ranking second on the Billboard 200 and 8 individual tracks topping a variety of other charts. But it's not only the visuals and music. The movie is made even more special by incorporating Korean tradition and culture, even embedding aspects of shamanism. "Netflix has a lot of reach all over the world so who ever did not know about the Korean culture before was introduced to it some way or the other." "Also just like the K-pop part. It was a good way to combine something so main stream these days and Korean culture. It was also a good way to educate people about Korea." And this explosive craze for the animated film has resulted in a sales boost for products which bear a resemblance to characters and items that appear onscreen. In fact, at the gift store at the National Museum of Korea, items including tiger and magpie badges and a pen featuring a "gat" or traditional Korean hat, saw a huge uptick in sales. "This seems to be an opportunity to share Korean traditional culture with global consumers through content. Hallyu at the moment is trending with a lot of interest so we hope to further work on disseminating our culture through these products." The presence of such traditional icons play a true role in disseminating Korean culture beyond K-pop. "Not only is it very well-made, but it's the Korean elements that become interesting and refreshing for Western viewers. With their popularity, these films serve as cultural ambassadors, often more effective than government campaigns." By blending Korean heritage with intriguing storytelling and catchy rhythms, "KPop Demon Hunters" has turned into a trendsetter for global fans, fueling further interest in Korea's cultural icons.

[K-enter] "Squid Game" nominated for the Gold Derby TV Awards

2025/07/18 15:35

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. We can't stop talking about "KDH and we can't stop talking about "Squid Game." This time it was nominated for some awards in the U.S.? Netflix's "Squid Game" and six actors from the series have been nominated for the 2025 Gold Derby TV Awards. According to the Gold Derby website, on Thursday, Lee Jung-jae was included among the six nominees for the Drama Actor category. For the Drama Supporting Actress category, Kang Ae-sim, who played mother Jang Geum-ja, and Park Kyu-young, who played Noeul, a North Korean defector, were nominated. Additionally, Lee Byung-hun, and Choi Seung-hyun (also known as TOP) were nominated for the Best Supporting Actor. Lastly, Gong Yoo was nominated for the Drama Guest Actor category. "Squid Game" series itself was also nominated for the Drama Series and Ensemble of the Year. The Gold Derby Awards, which marks its 22nd anniversary this year, is an American pop culture award ceremony that selects excellent works and actors in 30 different categories, including drama, entertainment, animation, and movies. The results will be announced on August 18th. Along with these nominations, we have updates on the view count? The "Squid Game" series has surpassed 700 million total views. Netflix announced on Thursday that the final season of the series topped the Netflix chart in 93 countries with over 60 million views within just three days of its release last month. The series has shown a strong performance from the start as the first season holds the record for the Most Popular Non-English Shows of All Time on Netflix. It also won six trophies at the Emmy Awards and picked up many domestic and international awards too, and it still continues to thrive globally. Let's end off with an exciting story on a rookie boy group that's been doing amazing since their debut. 'Monster rookies' AHOF will hold their first fan concert since their debut, titled " AHOF 1ST PHILIPPINE FANCON RENDEZVOUS IN MANILA," at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila, the Philippines on August 30th. It is the very first solo fan concert by AHOF and comes just one month after their debut. The group are achieving both popularity and buzz as 'monster rookies,' breaking various records since their debut. Their first album recorded initial sales of over 360-thousand copies, ranking 5th for the highest first-week sales of debut albums by boy groups. Having achieved success domestically, AHOF are now expanding their global activities. Prior to the fan concert in the Philippines, a release event will be held in Japan. Thank you Bella for today's stories! We now go over to our AI anchor Ari for more on the culture front! Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/07/18 15:34

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korean poet Kim Hye-soon has been named the winner of the 2025 International Literature Award, becoming the first Asian to receive the prestigious honor presented by Germany's House of World Cultures. The jury unanimously selected Kim for the German translation of her poetry collection "Autobiography of Death." The jury described her poetic diction as "a miracle that opens a path to hear the echoes formed on the threshold of the afterlife." Kim previously became the first Korean poet to win Canada's renowned Griffin Poetry Prize in 2019 and later received Sweden's Cicada Prize, earning widespread global acclaim. The National Museum of Korea has launched a special exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan. The exhibition showcases key independence movement artifacts, along with original prison record cards featuring photos of prominent activists who were closely monitored by the Japanese Empire. They're being unveiled to the public for the first time. A short AI-generated video is also on display, bringing to life the bright smiles of independence activists who sacrificed their lives before witnessing Korea's liberation. The Korea Character Licensing Fair 2025, the country's largest character industry event, has officially opened at Seoul's COEX. The fair showcases a wide range of intellectual property content across characters, animation, and entertainment, providing visitors with a comprehensive view of the industry. Attendees can also explore the entire industry ecosystem, from character development to manufacturing and licensing. Now in its ninth year, the event is recognized as Asia's largest content IP business platform. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Short-form] Korea’s “Boknal” Explained

2025/07/18 15:33

Curious about what“boknal” is in Korea? It might seem confusing at first, but here’s how the system works and how Koreans use it to beat the heat.

[NEWs GEN]: K-pop Goes Global: How K-pop continues to evolve beyond borders

2025/07/18 14:33

[NEWs GEN]: K-pop Goes Global: How K-pop continues to evolve beyond borders [뉴젠] 뉴욕 한복판서 글로벌 오디션... 현지화 되는 케이팝의 현주소는?

Severe flooding in South Korea kills at least 4, causes widespread damage

2025/07/18 11:40

Severe flooding continues across South Korea, with heavy rain causing widespread damage and evacuations. Four people have died, with one still missing. Our Kim Jung-sil has the latest. Severe flooding is making it difficult for drivers, with front wheels nearly submerged as they navigate flooded roads. One of the hardest-hit regions is Chungcheongnam-do Province. In Dangjin, floodwaters have submerged neighborhoods, blocking roads and causing widespread damage. Fallen trees are obstructing highways, and emergency crews are working to clear the debris. "Heavy rain will continue through tomorrow, with up to 50 millimeters per hour expected tonight and tomorrow morning. Some areas could see up to 200 millimeters, with southern regions possibly experiencing up to 300 millimeters." As of Friday morning, four deaths have been confirmed , three in Chungcheongnam-do Province and one in Gyeonggi-do Province. One person is still missing. Over 5,000 people have been evacuated across the country, with more than 4,500 still unable to return home. Roads, bridges, and embankments have collapsed, and more than 300 public facilities and homes have been affected. "We urge foreigners in South Korea to stay in touch with their neighbors and stay informed about the weather. In the case of severe conditions, please follow the evacuation messages sent through the Korea Meteorological Administration's emergency rainfall alerts." As the rain continues, authorities are on high alert, bracing for further damage, with more rainfall expected through the weekend. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

[Weather] Heavy rain through the weekend

2025/07/18 11:39

We definitely need to prepare for more heavy rain today. The southern regions are forecast to get the brunt of it. A strong band of rain clouds is moving in from the West Coast, bringing torrential rain mainly to Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces. And these areas could see up to 300 millimeters of downpours through Saturday, Chungcheong-do provinces could get up to 200 millimeters, and the capital area could receive up to 100 millimeters of intense rainfall. A heavy rain advisory continues for western areas. In these heavy rain advisory areas, we're expecting very strong rain, around 50 millimeters per hour, to concentrate along with strong winds. Extreme rainfall has a higher probability of triggering a landslide. There are many areas where the ground has become very saturated, with landslide alerts issued across the country. Meanwhile, afternoon highs will go up higher today at 29 degrees in the capital, Daegu at 30. Please be careful in order to avoid any damage from the wind and rain.

Australian PM pays visits to an old 'friend'--Fu Ni the panda

2025/07/18 11:39

In China's southwestern city of Chengdu on Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Fu Ni, the giant panda that returned from Adelaide Zoo in Australia after a 15-year loan. Albanese and his partner, Jodie Haydon, visited the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where they greeted Fu Ni and praised her as "a great friend of Australia." The visit concluded his six-day state visit to China. Fu Ni and her partner Wang Wang were replaced by female giant panda Yi Lan and male Xing Qiu at the Adelaide Zoo.

At least 69 dead in fire at newly opened hypermarket in eastern Iraq

2025/07/18 11:39

In Iraq, at least 69 people died when a massive fire ravaged a newly opened hypermarket in al-Kut City in the east of the country. The blaze began on the perfume and cosmetics floor and rapidly took over the five-story shopping center overnight on July 16. Rescue teams managed to save individuals, but dozens are still missing or buried under debris. The Iraqi Prime Minister has ordered a high-level investigation into the cause of the fire, and the regional governor declared three days of mourning.

Personal details of UK special forces and spies were included in Afghan data breach

2025/07/18 11:38

In the UK, it was revealed on Thursday that over 100 British officials' identities, including special forces and MI6 members were also compromised in the 2022 data breach that endangered thousands of Afghans. In a breach dating back to early 2022, nearly 19,000 Afghan helpers of British forces and 100 Britons, including MI6 operatives and SAS soldiers, had their data compromised due to a mistakenly sent Ministry of Defense email. A super-injunction had been in place since 2023, preventing the public from knowing about the leak and the covert operation of relocating more than 16,000 Afghans at an estimated cost of 2.7 billion U.S. dollars. The government had already admitted on Tuesday the data breach, which had been kept secret by the previous injunction.

Pakistan's monsoon death toll climbs to 159 after 63 die in one day

2025/07/18 11:38

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is The World Now. Pakistan's Punjab province has been hit by devastating monsoon rains that have killed more than 60 people within 24 hours. According to officials on Thursday, heavy monsoon downpours across Punjab province triggered flash floods, landslides, and building collapses, claiming 63 lives and injuring nearly 300 since Wednesday morning. According to the National Disaster Management Authority, since late June, the death toll from rain-related incidents across the country has reached 159, with Punjab accounting for most of the fatalities. More than one thousand homes have also been damaged. Punjab's Chief Minister declared an emergency in several areas and urged residents to follow safety guidelines. A high flood alert remains in effect along rivers such as the Jhelum river, as more heavy rain is forecast for the weekend.

Kim Hye-Soon becomes first Asian to win Germany’s International Literature Prize

2025/07/18 11:37

Poet Kim Hye-Soon has made history as the first Asian to win Germany's prestigious International Literature Prize. The announcement was made on Thursday, by the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, or House of World Cultures. Kim's winning work, The Autobiography of Death, was praised for its rhythmic depth and ability to illuminate the unspoken truths of life and death. Currently in South Korea, Kim expressed her gratitude virtually, thanking the translators, judges, and organizers for the recognition.

S. Korea’s confirmation hearings: Key discussions on U.S. tariffs, economic challenges, and security

2025/07/18 11:37

Meanwhile, at parliament, confirmation hearings for the foreign and economy minister nominees took place Thursday. Our Lee Soo-jin reports. Foreign minister nominee Cho Hyun expressed confidence that an agreement on U.S. tariffs could be reached before the August 1st deadline set by President Donald Trump. When asked at Thursday's confirmation hearing whether the negotiations could conclude in such a short time, Cho said this: "It seems possible, though it's hard to predict. We are putting in our utmost efforts, and from the U.S. perspective, South Korea is not only a very important ally but also a key trading partner, so I believe they will prioritize negotiations with us." Cho also highlighted the potential for both countries to turn the crisis into a win-win opportunity by leveraging South Korea's strengths. If appointed, he pledged to visit the U.S. as early as next week to help finalize the crucial negotiations. Moving to security, Cho was asked whether North Korea remains South Korea's "primary enemy." "North Korea is an urgent and existential threat, but it is also a necessary partner in dialogue for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula." Cho emphasized the importance of close cooperation with the U.S. to ease tensions with North Korea and create opportunities for dialogue. He also outlined plans to strengthen trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan, while encouraging constructive roles from China and Russia. Meanwhile, confirmation hearings for key economic positions also took place. The finance minister nominee, Koo Yun-cheol, highlighted rising inflation, declining household incomes, and worsening external factors, stressing the decline in growth potential. He vowed to lead economic reforms to boost South Korea's future growth. Industry minister nominee, Kim Jung-kwan, outlined plans to boost exports and investments, emphasizing trade policies to strengthen the national interest, especially in response to U.S. tariffs, and expanding global trade networks through agreements and APEC Summits. As hearings continue, focus remains on how nominees' policies will shape South Korea's security and economy. , Arirang News.

On-point: Samsung chief cleared from legal issues after 10 years, new, bolder Samsung on the way?

2025/07/18 11:36

After nearly a decade of courtroom battles, Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong has been acquitted by South Korea's top court, clearing the final legal hurdle that had long loomed over the tech giant. With the verdict now in, attention is turning to what this means for Samsung's future, from its core semiconductor business to emerging sectors like biotech, and how the group might navigate a shifting political landscape. For a deeper dive, we have Professor Song Soo-young from Chung-Ang University's College of Business and Economics with us this morning. Thank you for joining us, Professor. First off, while many expected this outcome following the lower court rulings, what is the broader significance of the Supreme Court's decision to acquit Lee Jae-yong? The semiconductor industry moves fast and often involves high-stakes decisions. And, many say that legal issues were in the way of Samsung Electronics' adoption of the trend, leading to a recent fall in their market share. With Lee now legally in the clear, do you expect Samsung to make bolder moves, especially in chips? Zooming out to the broader Samsung Group, biotech is emerging as a major focus. How might this ruling affect the growth trajectory of Samsung Biologics and Bioepis? Lee's acquittal also coincides with a change in the presidential office here in Korea. Do you see this political shift having any impact on the group's business environment or regulatory posture?

Sanctions monitoring team raises concerns over military cooperation between N. Korea, Russia

2025/07/18 11:35

The Multinational Sanctions Monitoring Team, created to support the implementation of international sanctions against North Korea, said on Thursday that military cooperation between North Korea and Russia violates UN sanctions. The United States, a member of the MSMT, reaffirmed its position that the Trump administration takes violations of sanctions against North Korea seriously, adding that it maintains the principle of complete denuclearization of North Korea. It also said that it will continue to pursue dialogue with Pyongyang. The monitoring team shared reports of sanctions violations by North Korea at the UN Headquarters, calling on countries to join in on efforts to maintain international peace and security in the face of continued UN sanctions violations.

Leaders of S. Korea, Türkiye agree to bolster cooperation in defense, nuclear energy

2025/07/18 11:35

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung spoke over the phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday for discussions on cooperation between the two countries. Speaking for the first time since Lee took office, Erdogan congratulated him on his inauguration, while Lee thanked his counterpart and referred to Türkiye as a "brother nation" for its support during the Korean War. The two leaders agreed to further strengthen the two countries' "strategic partnership," according to Seoul's top office on the same day. They also agreed to work closely together to advance cooperation in defense, arms industry, nuclear, and green energies.

Tips during monsoon season: what to do when your car gets submerged in water?

2025/07/18 11:35

The recent heavy rainfall and rapid flooding pose a heightened risk of unexpected accidents. Here's our Kim Bo-kyoung with important safety guidelines. With the monsoon season back, there have already been a series of vehicle flooding accidents. When one is trapped inside a submerged car, what would be the best survival tips? Trying to open the door right away might be hard due to the pressure difference. In this case, wait for the water inside the car to rise to the same level as the outside, as once the pressure equalizes, the door gets much easier to open. If the situation is too urgent, break the window using either an emergency hammer or the headrest of the seat. It is important to strike the upper part and the edges of the window, so as not to get hurt by the broken glass. But what's best if water starts filling up inside? "The most important thing is to abandon the car and escape quickly if water starts rising inside the vehicle." Heavy rain is often accompanied by lightning strikes, which can lead to serious injuries or even death. If thunder is heard within 30 seconds of a lightning flash, one needs to seek shelter immediately, as it indicates the lightning struck nearby. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before going back outside. One needs to avoid holding long, metal objects that can attract lightning, and should not stay under trees or outdoor pavilions as they cannot block lightning. It is safer to stay inside a building or a car. High humidity during rainy season can significantly increase the risk of electrical leakage accidents. Thus, the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation recommends testing home circuit breakers in advance to ensure they function properly. Press the test button next to the breaker, and if the electricity cuts off when the button is pressed, it means it is working well. Avoiding electrical facilities in flooded areas is a must, and appliances should only be reconnected when they are completely dry. Lastly, unplugging devices at home could also be a way to prevent electrical hazards. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.