News

Trump says U.S. will not provide long-range weapons to Ukraine

2025/07/16 19:38

U.S. President Donald Trump is "not looking to" deliver long-range missiles to Ukraine. The remarks were shared by Mr. Trump himself to members of the media on Tuesday in response to related questions amid a report by the Financial Times that the U.S. leader had asked his Ukrainian counterpart about Kyiv's ability to strike Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The White House for its part claimed the president's remarks "had been taken out of context." On Tuesday Trump added that Ukraine should not target the Russian capital city. Meanwhile also on Tuesday the Washington Post reported that some members of the Russian leadership were criticizing Vladimir Putin for Trump's shift in attitude toward the Kremlin.

Busan to host S. Korea’s first UNESCO World Heritage Committee session

2025/07/16 19:38

Korea's southern port city of Busan has won the bid to host UNESCO's World Heritage Convention next July. Park Hyo-been files this report. UNESCO's World Heritage Committee meeting will take place in Busan, South Korea's second-largest city next summer. In a meeting in Paris on Tuesday, officials announced that South Korea will host the 48th session, scheduled for July 2026. While the event has previously been held in other Asian countries, this is the first time South Korea will serve as chair. In response to the announcement, the government welcomed the decision and called it a historic moment. "We're honored that South Korea has been chosen to host the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session next July. This will mark the first time the meeting is held in our country, and it will be a historic moment to showcase South Korea's cultural leadership to the world." More than three thousand participants, including representatives from 196 signatories to the World Heritage Convention are expected to attend, to review global cultural and natural heritage from multiple angles. The Korea Heritage Service noted that the announcement is especially meaningful as it comes in the 30th anniversary year of Korea's first World Heritage listings, which include Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto in the city of Gyeongju. "Since joining the World Heritage Convention in 1988, South Korea is now serving its fourth term as a committee member. We aim to promote dialogue among cultures and strengthen international cooperation, in line with UNESCO's founding principles." Officials in Busan say the city was chosen for its proven ability to host large-scale events, with strong infrastructure, security, and accommodation. The city previously hosted major gatherings like the APEC summit, and officials expect the World Heritage session to further cement its reputation as a global conference hub. And with thousands of visitors expected, the event is also projected to boost the local economy through tourism and related spending. At the 47th session in Paris which opened on July 6, a set of prehistoric rock carvings in Ulsan City was added to UNESCO's World Heritage list. This marks South Korea's 17th inscription on the list and the 2026 session in Busan is expected to further elevate South Korea's standing in global heritage diplomacy. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Nvidia pushes Nasdaq to record high close on Tues.

2025/07/16 19:37

On Wall Street. The tech-heavy Nasdaq closed its trade on Tuesday at another record high driven by American chipmaker Nvidia. The index closed its session UP zero-point-1 percent at 20-thousand-6-hundred-77-point-8 on the back of Nvidia which surged 4 percent from the day prior to close above 1-hundred-70 U.S. dollars. Investor confidence soared upon news that Nvidia planned to resume sales of H20 AI chips to China.

Indonesian imports to U.S. to face 19% tariff: Trump

2025/07/16 19:36

And despite hopes for 90 deals in 90 days as shared back in April the Trump administration has just sealed its third trade deal this time with Indonesia whose products into the U.S. market now face a 19-percent tariff. Lee Seung-jae covers this latest deal and more. U.S. President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with Indonesia on Tuesday, where Washington will impose 19 percent tariffs on goods coming in from the Southeast Asian nation. American goods exported to Indonesia will face no tariffs or non-tariff barriers. "We will pay no tariffs. So they are giving us access into Indonesia, which we never had. That's probably the biggest part of the deal. And the other part is they are going to pay 19% and we are going to pay nothing." The announcement comes after Trump said he finalized the deal after speaking to his Indonesian counterpart President Prabowo Subianto. Trump previously said he would impose a 32 percent reciprocal tariff on Indonesian goods. Also as part of the latest trade deal with the U.S., Indonesia has committed to spending 15 billion dollars on U.S. energy, 4.5 billion dollars on American agricultural goods and 50 aircraft from Boeing. Indonesia becomes the second Asian country to make a deal with the U.S. after Vietnam. Meanwhile, the EU is preparing 83-point-5 billion U.S. dollars worth of retaliatory tariffs on American goods in response to Trump's tariff threats. According to Politico on Monday, the European bloc listed American goods subject to tariffs by the 27-member states. The newly added items include aircraft, industrial machinery and automobiles and auto parts. However,.. the EU expressed its willingness to continue negotiations with the Trump administration, stressing that no retaliatory tariffs will be in place until August 1st. "I can say to you that it is not our intention to come forward with any countermeasures before the 1st of August while negotiations continue." EU's retaliatory tariffs are in response to Trump's warning last week, that if negotiations fail between the U.S. and the European bloc, Washington would impose a 30 percent reciprocal tariff starting next month. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Trump plans pharma tariffs by end of July, chips on horizon

2025/07/16 19:35

In the U.S. Tariffs on pharmaceutical drugs may be announced in two weeks' time with the Trump administration starting with a lower rate to allow businesses time to build factories in the U.S. before facing a higher import duty. Semiconductors will see a similar fate. Our Moon Ji-young has the latest. U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that tariffs on pharmaceutical imports could be imposed as soon as the end of this month, with duties on semiconductors also on the horizon. "Pharmaceuticals will be tariffed, probably at the end of the month, and we're going to start off with a low tariff, and give the pharmaceutical companies a year or so to build, and then we're going to make it a very high tariff." Returning from a public event in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Trump noted that the timeline for semiconductor levies was "similar" and "less complicated" to that for pharmaceuticals, though he offered no further details. These remarks suggest that these import taxes might coincide with broad "reciprocal" rates set for implementation on August 1st. The August 1st deadline gives targeted countries time to negotiate for lower tariff rates. Trump, in recent days, has sent letters to a number of trading partners unilaterally dictating the rates for tariffs on many imports, while maintaining he would continue to carry out negotiations. Trump predicted that he could strike "two or three" trade deals, stating: "We're working on probably five or six. Of the five or six, I'm not sure I really want to do them. You know, you want somebody that knows how to negotiate. But we'll probably have two or three." Meanwhile, the Trump administration also announced plans to impose tariffs on goods from smaller countries, including those in the Caribbean and Africa, which have not received tailored rates. "The Caribbean countries, African countries. You have a huge amount of countries that are small, and the president is just going to deal with them sort of the way he thinks is the right way to deal with them." Trump also mentioned that while some countries, such as South Korea, had shown a willingness to "open" trade following his threats, others, like Japan, had not. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

Number of people in jobs continues to rise, but struggles for young people remain

2025/07/16 19:34

Employment expanded in June on year for the sixth month in a row but the growth remained uneven by age and even sector. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon explains. The employment rate in South Korea continues to grow but concerns remain. The number of people in employment last month was 29.091 million, an increase of 183,000 compared to the same month last year. That's according to the latest data from Statistics Korea released on Wednesday. Employment has been on the rise for six consecutive months since January, but June's increase was smaller than the 245,000 seen the month before. "By industry, the rise was led by health and social welfare, professional and scientific services, and educational services. By employment status, the increase was seen among regular and temporary workers, and by age group, it was most notable among those aged 60 and over, as well as those in their 30s." However, the situation for young adults has been getting harder. Looking at the employment rate, it rose 0.1 percentage points year-on-year to 63.6% across all age groups , but for young people, it fell 1 percentage point to 45.6%, the lowest June figure in four years. For 14 straight months the number of employed people under 30 has been falling. Compared to June last year the loss was 173,000. "This is because companies increasingly prefer experienced candidates when hiring, and rolling recruitment has also been on the rise — factors that tend to disadvantage the youth." On top of this, struggling industries continued a downward trend. Employment in manufacturing shrank by 83-thousand, extending a year-long slide, while construction jobs dropped by 97-thousand, now down for 14 months in a row amid a sluggish real estate development market. Those industries have been hit hard recently but the government has recently allocated funds from its supplementary budget to give them a boost. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

S. KOREA SEEKS TOP THREE AI POWERHOUSE STANDING

2025/07/16 18:34

Welcome to Wednesday's edition of Press Perspective. It's July 16th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. So what are the prospects of South Korea ranking among the world's top three AI powerhouses? To answer that question I have Celio Fioretti with French daily La Croix. Celio it's good to have you here. I also have Professor Kim Yong-Jin at Sogang University with us virtually. Professor Kim as always it's a pleasure. Celio, before we touch upon the new administration's ambitious AI blueprint, let's briefly touch upon an outlook shared by a global investment firm that believes the local bourse will post some of the highest returns over the next ten years bolstered by the AI industry. Do tell us more. And Professor Kim, speaking as a scholar, do you see the AI industry further driving the rally of the South Korean stock market? Now then, Celio, do tell us about President Lee Jae Myung's plan to place South Korea among the world's top three AI powerhouses. Professor Kim, where does South Korea currently stand in the global AI race, and how feasible is South Korea's AI plan? Celio, President Lee Jae Myung's appointment of an AI Secretary has made headlines. Who is he, and what can we expect from him based on his past credentials? Celio, the president's nomination for Science Minister is also an AI industry insider, right? Professor Kim, how do these appointments look to advance the new administration's AI ambitions? Celio, for the sake of comparison, what can you tell us about Europe's own AI race? Professor Kim, at the start of this year, South Korea passed the AI Basic Act, which is slated to go into effect next January. What is the impact of such regulation on AI advancements? Meanwhile, Celio, late last month, a number of foreign media outlets covered SK's partnership with Amazon to build an AI data center here in South Korea. Do tell us about this joint venture and its implications. All right.

[K-Correspondent] How K-beauty is expanding in India

2025/07/16 16:38

Korean cosmetics exports hit a record high in the first half of this year. And its market is expanding around the world, be it in the Americas, Europe or Asia. Today, we want to take a look at how K-beauty has established itself as a trend in India. More and more consumers from the most populous country in the world are seeking out K-beauty products. We connect to our K-Correspondent in India, who herself is active in spreading the K-beauty vibe to Indians and her followers. It's social media creator and actress Bandgee Kallra! Hello! Q1. Please introduce yourself to our viewers and tell us what you do on the K-beauty front. Q2. How big of a presence does hallyu, the Korean wave, have in India right now? Q3. So, how did your interest in K-beauty start? (If you remember, what was the first ever Korean beauty product you used?) What is the response from your friends and other Indian consumers towards K-beauty? Q4. What's been your number one K-beauty item so far and why? Q5. Are there any new trends or phenomena that have emerged as K-beauty becomes more widespread in India? Q6. Why do you think K-beauty products are successful in the Indian beauty market? And based on that, what are the differences and similarities between Korean and Indian beauty culture? Q7. How do you see the K-beauty trend developing in India from hereon? Thank you very much Bandgee for connecting with us today. Thank you Walter, as always. Have a great rest of the week.

Cooling off for less: the cup bingsu boom

2025/07/16 16:37

Ye-young, I hear you've got a story for us today about a sweet treat that's taking over. That's right. Quick question first, are you a dessert person, Soa? What about you, Walter? Then you'll love this. Today's report is all about bingsu, Korea's iconic shaved ice dessert. It's a summer staple but this year, it's the single-serving "cup bingsu" that everyone's talking about. Let's take a look. This summer, a simple cup of shaved ice is emerging as the hottest item on café menus across South Korea. It's in high demand in cafés across the nation, especially during the hottest hours of the day, when lines form quickly and items sell out fast. "With the weather so hot and humid lately, I wanted something to cool down. I looked for some bingsu I could enjoy alone, but cup bingsu was so popular I had to search all over. I'm just really glad I finally found one." "As you can see, there are several flavors to choose from, from the classic red bean flavor to mango and chocolate. A cup of bingsu costs around 4,000 won, much cheaper than many other summer desserts. This kind of affordable indulgence is exactly what many are looking for in the middle of this scorching summer." Sold in individual portions and priced at around 4,000 to 6,000 won, "cup bingsu" has quickly become a seasonal sensation. In many stores, it sells out every day, causing customers to check several locations or share tips online about where to find it. What was once a dessert associated with sharing is now being tailored to solo consumption, reflecting a wider shift in Korean consumer habits. Behind the boom are three key factors: the rise of people living by themselves, the rising cost of living, and the extreme heat. All three have helped redefine what people look for in a summer treat. "Consumers today prefer cup bingsu from franchise cafés because it's cost-effective and perfectly portioned for one person. These factors together make it a highly attractive choice." The popularity of cup bingsu has also been amplified by social media. Viral posts from café workers joking about the overwhelming number of bingsu orders have turned into memes, driving even more public curiosity. Café staff say demand peaks between noon and mid-afternoon, especially on hotter days. "Our customers truly range across all age groups. Men and women, young and old. After lunchtime, we often get group orders of ten or more at once, and many people come looking for different flavors." As Korea continues to battle scorching temperatures, this single-serving frozen treat is proving that the smallest indulgences can leave the biggest mark.

[K-Enter] Min Hee-jin cleared of breach of trust charge HYBE to file an objection

2025/07/16 16:35

Now time for K-enter with Walter Lee. Starting off with updates on the HYBE vs. Min Hee-jin situation. Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin , who had been under police investigation following a breach of trust complaint from ADOR's parent company HYBE, has been cleared of the charge. On Tuesday, Min's legal team announced through a press release that the breach of trust case, which stemmed from HYBE's complaint in April of last year, concluded with a decision not to pursue prosecution after over a year of investigation. HYBE had accused Min of making an attempt to gain control of ADOR and the K-pop girl group NewJeans in April last year. Following escalating tensions with HYBE, Min was dismissed from her position in August 2023. In November, the members of NewJeans notified ADOR of their intention to terminate their exclusive contracts, calling for Min's reinstatement. Following the prosecution's decision, HYBE said it would file an objection with prosecutors regarding the decision not to indict Min for breach of trust. We at the Kulture Wave will be continuing to keep you up to date with this case. Next moving on to some unfortunate and sad news. Legendary K-pop artist BoA has called off her upcoming concert due to health concerns. Marking the 25th anniversary of her debut this year, BoA was set to hold a special concert on August 30–31 in Seoul. According to SM Entertainment, "BoA was recently diagnosed with acute osteonecrosis after visiting the hospital for worsening knee pain. Based on medical advice, she has decided to undergo surgery." Acute osteonecrosis is a condition in which the blood supply to the bone is disrupted, leading to the death of bone tissue. BoA's condition reportedly requires surgery. SM has said the rescheduling of the concert will depend on the singer's recovery, however, her album scheduled for release in the third quarter will go ahead as planned. We all hope for a speedy recovery. Finally, let's talk Onew from SHINee. Onew of SHINee has released his second full-length album, PERCENT. On Tuesday, Onew held a showcase in Seoul, where he premiered the music video and live performance of the main track "ANIMALS". This marks his first new release in six months, following his fourth mini-album CONNECTION which dropped in January. The album features 11 tracks in total, including "ANIMALS," "Silky," "Caffeine,"and "MAD". Alongside the album release, Onew will kick off his world tour, "2025 ONEW WORLD TOUR 'ONEW THE LIVE: PERCENT (%)'." Beginning in Seoul on August 2–3, the tour will span 16 cities worldwide. Thanks for the news Walter. Now let's go to our AI anchor Ari for more culture news. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/07/16 16:34

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korea's southern port city of Busan has been selected to host next year's UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting. The decision was announced on Tuesday at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The World Heritage Committee is a key international body responsible for the inscription and preservation of World Heritage Sites, often described as "treasures of humanity." Choi Eung-chon, head of the Korea Heritage Service, highlighted Korea's consistent support for world heritage preservation, vowing full preparations for the upcoming session in Busan, next July. The Broadway musical "The Great Gatsby," produced by a Korean production company, is set to be staged in Seoul following acclaimed runs on Broadway and in London's West End. The show will kick off with preview performances on August 1 and run through November 9 at the GS Art Center in Seoul. At a press conference, producer Shin Chun-soo described the Seoul run as marked by "nervous fear," adding that the key challenge is ensuring the production resonates universally with global audiences. The production received widespread praise for elevating the profile of Korean musicals, winning Best Costume Design at the Tony Awards, often referred to as the Oscars of theater. The Pinkfong Company, globally renowned for "Baby Shark," is striking a chord again with its musical "Udangtangtang Family," based on its next-generation character "Bebefinn." The production has surpassed 100,000 cumulative attendees and, riding on its success, will hold encore performances. Since its debut last year, the Bebefinn musical has toured 25 cities nationwide, consistently selling out and establishing itself as a hit in the kids' family musical market. The story centers on the Bebefinn family as they face an unexpected adventure amid their peaceful daily lives. Encore shows will run from July 29 to August 24 at the Gwacheon National Science Museum, with additional performances planned in major cities including Cheonan, Gwangju, and Pyeongtaek during the summer vacation period. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Busan to host S. Korea’s first UNESCO World Heritage Committee Session

2025/07/16 13:41

South Korea's southern port city of Busan has been officially selected to host next year's UNESCO World Heritage Committee session. This marks the first time that South Korea will serve as the committee's chair. Park Hyo-been has more. UNESCO's World Heritage Committee meeting will take place in Busan, South Korea's second-largest city next summer. In a meeting in Paris on Tuesday, officials announced that South Korea will host the 48th session, scheduled for July 2026. While the event has previously been held in other Asian countries, this is the first time South Korea will serve as chair. More than three thousand participants, including representatives from 196 signatories to the World Heritage Convention are expected to attend, to review global cultural and natural heritage from multiple angles. The Korea Heritage Service noted that the announcement is especially meaningful as it comes in the 30th anniversary year of Korea's first World Heritage listings, which include Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto in the city of Gyeongju. "Since joining the World Heritage Convention in 1988, South Korea is now serving its fourth term as a committee member. We aim to promote dialogue among cultures and strengthen international cooperation, in line with UNESCO's founding principles." Officials in Busan say the city was chosen for its proven ability to host large-scale events, with strong infrastructure, security, and accommodation. The city previously hosted major gatherings like the APEC summit, and officials expect the World Heritage session to further cement its reputation as a global conference hub. And with thousands of visitors expected, the event is also projected to boost the local economy through tourism and related spending. At the 47th session in Paris which opened on July 6, a set of prehistoric rock carvings in Ulsan City was added to UNESCO's World Heritage list. This marks South Korea's 17th inscription on the list and the 2026 session in Busan is expected to further elevate South Korea's standing in global heritage diplomacy. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

[Weather] Downpours and strong winds on the way

2025/07/16 13:40

We need to get ready for another round of rain. Rain clouds are rolling in from the West Coast, bringing scattered showers. Especially from this afternoon, central regions and Jeollabuk-do Province could see some really heavy downpours of 30 to 50 millimeters per hour! Through tomorrow, southern Gyeonggi-do, and Chungcheong-do provinces could see up to 200 millimeters of significant rainfall, the capital area and Jeollabuk-do might get up to 150 millimeters. Strong winds expected along with the rain, so please be careful out there! Afternoon highs will be similar to yesterday, Seoul and Daejeon will be 26 degrees, Gwangju and Daegu at 27 degrees. There's a high chance of heavy rain for the southern regions and Jeju this Friday and Saturday. Meanwhile, if you're taking an early summer vacation near the coast, be aware that waves on the East and West Seas will be quite high. Be cautious near the water.

Italy showcases medals for 2026 Winter Games

2025/07/16 13:39

Finally, Italy unveiled the official medals for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics on Tuesday, during a ceremony in Venice. For the first time in Olympic history, both host cities, Milan and Cortina, are engraved on the medals, each made from two interlocking discs to symbolize unity and duality between Olympic and Paralympic values. A total of 245 gold, 245 silver, and 245 bronze medals will be awarded during the Winter Games. A total of 137 sets will be awarded in the Paralympics for each of the three rankings. The medals are produced from recycled metals using renewable energy. The Games are scheduled to begin in February 2026.

Two dead after flash flooding in New Jersey and New York City

2025/07/16 13:39

In the United States, severe storms led to record-breaking rain in the New York City metropolitan area on Monday, killing two people in New Jersey and prompting the declaration of a state of emergency. New Jersey saw more than 15 centimeters of rain in a matter of hours, and New York City saw its second-ever highest hourly rainfall in over 80 years. New York's aging sewer system was quickly overwhelmed, flooding subway stations across Manhattan and halting multiple train lines, while air travel experienced widespread delays. As of Tuesday morning, several major roads in New Jersey were closed due to flooding, and both New York City and New Jersey experienced subway delays.

Thousands of Afghans were moved to UK in secret scheme after data breach

2025/07/16 13:38

In the United Kingdom, it was revealed on Tuesday that nearly 19-thousand Afghans who had applied to move to the UK after the Taliban seized power had their details leaked. According to reports, the UK Ministry of Defense data breach in February 2022 exposed details of some 18-thousand-700 Afghan individuals, some of whom aided British forces. Around 16-thousand Afghans had been relocated by May 2025, with an additional 4-thousand-500 in transit. The accidental leak was first reported in August 2023, resulting in a super-injunction that prohibited public disclosure. The breach included the names, contact information, and certain family details of individuals who might be in danger from the Taliban. The government also revealed a classified Afghanistan Response Route scheme, launched in April 2024, which was specifically designed to evacuate high-risk individuals. Defense Minister John Healey publicly apologized, acknowledging the breach as "one of the worst security risks" in recent UK history during a statement to Parliament.

Israel bombs Syrian forces entering Druze city after sectarian clashes

2025/07/16 13:38

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. On Monday, Israel announced that it had targeted Syrian government troops near Sweida, as they moved into the largely Druze city to suppress severe sectarian conflicts that broke out on Sunday. Sweida has seen intense fighting for two days, when armed confrontations between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes took place, reportedly killing approximately 100 people as of Monday evening. Syrian security forces entered the city on Tuesday to enforce a ceasefire; however, their presence triggered armed resistance from local Druze fighters. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered strikes on forces and weapons in the Sweida area to defend the Druze, citing deep cultural ties and a Syrian violation of the demilitarization of the area.

183,000 jobs added on-year in June, construction and manufacturing sectors continue to struggle

2025/07/16 13:37

Korea's job market added just over 180-thousand positions in June compared to the previous year, marking the fourth straight month of on-year gains near the 200-thousand mark.. according to Statistics Korea on Wednesday. Despite the gains, there are some concerning signs as employment in manufacturing shrank by over 80-thousand, extending a year-long slide, while construction jobs dropped by nearly 100-thousand, now down for 14 months in a row amid a sluggish real estate market. Offsetting these losses, hiring surged in healthcare and social welfare, up by more than 210-thousand, reflecting growing demand in an aging society. Jobs in professional and tech services also climbed by over 100-thousand on-year.

Nvidia pushes Nasdaq to record high close on Tues.

2025/07/16 13:37

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite closed its Tuesday trading session with another record high, thanks to gains from U.S. chipmaker Nvidia. Despite major selloffs overall on Wall Street, the Nasdaq rallied on the back of major gains from Nvidia,.. to finish the day up zero-point-1-8 percent, to close at a new all-time high of 20-thousand-677-point-8-0. Nvidia jumped more than four percent on the day to close above 170 U.S. dollars. Tuesday's gains come on the back of the company unveiling its plans to resume sales of H20 AI chips to China.

[On-point] Confirmation hearings underway in S. Korea for President Lee's Cabinet picks

2025/07/16 13:37

With confirmation hearings underway for President Lee's Cabinet picks, attention is now turning to how his administration plans to shape domestic policy. For more on this, we're joined by Choi Hyunsun, Professor at the Department of Public Administration, at Myongji University. It's been around 40 days since President Lee took office. President Lee gained fairly high approval ratings even in traditionally conservative regions like Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do. What's your overall assessment of the new administration so far? Eyes are on the confirmation hearings that are set to run until Friday. We already heard some of the nominees, including the defense and unification minister nominees --speak at the National Assembly this week. What's your take on this? Today, the president is expected to meet with the families of victims of national tragedies, such as the Muan airport crash and the Itaewon Halloween crowd crush. What kind of support should the government offer to these victims and their families? President Lee is also making efforts to better engage with local residents.. by holding a series of town hall meetings. Do you see this as an effective way to connect with the public? As President Lee works to put the country back on track, diplomacy is another field that he's working on. The president recently sent special envoys to key nations including France, the UK and India, and the EU. What are your thoughts on this diplomatic move? Alright Professor Choi, thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.