News

[Weekly Focus] Remembering Korea’s courage and sacrifice on the 80th Liberation Day

2025/08/16 12:36

This Friday, August 15th, marked the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule. On this historic occasion, we look at how the nation honors and remembers those who gave their lives for independence. Joining us in the studio with more is our reporter, Park Hyo-been. Welcome, Hyo-been. Thanks for having me today. Q1. So Hyo-been, I think this year's August 15th is especially meaningful as it marks the 80th year of liberation. Can you briefly explain Korea's Liberation Day and what significance does it hold? Korea's National Liberation Day, or also known as Gwangbokjeol in Korean, is celebrated to mark Korea's independence from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, after 35 years of occupation. The name Gwangbokjeol combines Gwangbok, meaning "restoration of light" with jeol, meaning "festival day." It is a time to honor all those who made sacrifices for the nation's freedom , with commemorative events held nationwide. Each year, many museums and palaces host special exhibitions around the anniversary to remember their legacy and share the history with the public. Q2. Right, in line with that, I heard that you visited a special exhibition that showcases Korea's resistance. Could you tell us more about the exhibition? To mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's Liberation, a special exhibition at Deoksugung Palace brings together over 110 artifacts from the late 19th century to the day the nation reclaimed its freedom. For the first time, Korean independence hero Ahn Jung-geun's calligraphy is being showcased to the public. The two letters, meaning 'green bamboo' , show his strong opposition to Japanese rule. His final brushstrokes, made in a cold Lushun prison cell before his execution, capture not only defiance against Japan, but also a longing for peace in Asia and respect for human dignity. The exhibition also highlights lesser-known independence fighters. Min Young-hwan took his own life in protest after the Eulsa Treaty stripped Korea of its sovereignty, writing, "If our freedom and independence are restored, I shall gladly smile even in the afterlife." The spirit of defiance is also preserved in the national flag , a Taegeukgi found at Jingwansa Temple, riddled with holes and burn marks. Believed to have been made during the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919, it bears the Korean flag's taegeuk symbol and trigrams painted in black ink over the Japanese flag, showing the message of resistance. "This Taegeukgi, national flag of Korea, found at Jingwansa Temple, is even more meaningful as it shows just how fiercely our independence fighters carried out their work in secrecy." It's actually quite rare for the Jingwansa Taegeukgi to be on display for the public. You can also see that the Jingwansa Taegeukgi and the Taegeukgi we see today are a little bit different. The taegeuk symbol is drawn differently, and the positions of the four trigrams in the corners aren't quite the same as today. That's because when the Taegeukgi was adopted as the official national flag in 1883, the law at the time only specified the use of the taegeuk and trigrams, without defining the exact design. The exhibition runs until October 12th, so, for anyone who wants to commemorate Gwangbokjeol , or experience the strength and courage of Korean independence heroes, I highly recommend visiting the exhibition. Q3. Are there any other exhibitions available for visitors to explore more about Korean history? Yes, the National Museum of Korea has restored the faces of five iconic figures, using cutting-edge AI technology. Ahn Jung-geun, who assassinated Japanese governor Ito Hirobumi, now waves with a bright smile. Yu Gwan-sun, who died in prison at 17, appears as a shy girl with a gentle smile. Lee Bong-chang and Yun Bong-gil, who threw bombs at Japanese leaders, come alive with warm expressions. And Ahn Chang-ho, an educator and activist, greets with a friendly wave. "It was amazing to see what I had only imagined from textbooks. Since it's the 80th anniversary, it really feels like a meaningful exhibition." "Through AI recreation, I could almost feel their spirit and character." Behind that smile lies a darker history , one the museum is determined to show. For the first time ever, Japan's surveillance cards of independence heroes are on display. In particular, the five surveillance cards of Ahn Chang-ho show how his face became noticeably gaunt through repeated imprisonments. "These cards were made to systematically manage imprisoned independence activists. They're about palm-sized, but filled with detailed information, including names and photos." Liberation Day in Korea is more than a historical anniversary. It is a moment to reflect on the cost of freedom, and to honor those who paid that price. And now, with AI, the voices and faces of Korea's fight for independence can finally be seen and heard. Alright, Hyo-been, thank you for sharing those powerful stories with us. We appreciate it. Thank you Eun-ji, it was my pleasure.

[NEWS SPECIAL] PEOPLE'S INAUGURATION CEREMONY ON LIBERATION DAY

2025/08/16 01:34

PEOPLE'S INAUGURATION CEREMONY ON LIBERATION DAY “광복 80년, 국민주권으로 미래를 세우다” 수중계

President Lee's de facto inauguration ceremony to take place on Nat'l Liberation Day

2025/08/15 19:38

Today, August 15th, marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule. A major celebration is set to take place tonight in downtown Seoul, and President Lee Jae Myung will be participating. For more, let's go live to our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin. Yoo-jin! Eun-ji, I'm at Gwanghwamun Square, where the festival titled "80 Years of Liberation: Future Established by People's Sovereignty" will begin in less than two hours. The staff here are busy with final preparations, as tonight's two-hour event is more than just celebrating National Liberation Day. It will also feature what the government calls "The People's Mandate Ceremony." You could think of it as President Lee Jae Myung's de facto inauguration, since he began his term in June without a formal ceremony after the snap election. "The People's Mandate Ceremony is meant to celebrate the birth of the new administration, which was born from the people's sovereignty, and overcame illegal martial law and insurrection." During the event, President Lee will receive symbolic letters of appointment from selected members of the public, followed by a thank-you address. Meanwhile, as we speak, the president is hosting a dinner with foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations at Cheong Wa Dae's Yeongbingwan reception hall. A very busy day for the president. He also delivered his first Liberation Day address since taking office at the Liberation Day commemorative ceremony. What were the key takeaways? Like his predecessors, he used the occasion to honor independence fighters while also laying out messages for North Korea and Japan. On North Korea, President Lee reaffirmed his commitment to resuming dialogue, stressing that Seoul respects the North's system and will never pursue unification by absorption. "To prevent accidental clashes and build military trust between the two Koreas, we will proactively and gradually restore the September 19th Military Agreement. I believe it is the right time to end an era of confrontation and hostility and open a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula." He also stressed that a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula must be achieved through both international cooperation and direct talks with Pyongyang, and between North Korea and the United States. Turning to Japan, where a summit is set for next week, the president reiterated his "two-track" policy of separating historical disputes from cooperation. "I will pursue future-oriented cooperation with Japan through frequent summit-level talks and frank dialogue. I expect the Japanese government to face up to the painful history of the past and work to ensure that trust between our two countries is not undermined." That's all I have for now, but I'll be back once our special coverage of "The People's Mandate Ceremony" begins. Eun-ji. Thank you, Yoo-jin.

A day ahead of Alaska summit, Trump and Putin prioritize Ukraine resolution amidst contrasting agendas

2025/08/15 19:37

In other news. A day ahead of Friday's summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, both leaders have contrasting priorities regarding the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. Our Moon Ji-young explains more. The summit between President Trump and President Putin in Alaska comes as the international community watches closely for any potential breakthrough in the war in Ukraine. While President Putin has consistently affirmed Russia's objective is to secure Ukrainian territory, President Trump has made his aspirations clear: to emerge as a global peacemaker. "We have a meeting with President Putin tomorrow. I think it's going to be a good meeting. But the more important meeting will be the second meeting that we're having.and maybe we'll bring some of the European leaders along.I would say that tomorrow all I want to do is set the table for the next meeting, which should happen shortly." The Kremlin announced on Thursday that the main topic of the summit would be resolving the war in Ukraine. President Putin commented on President Trump's efforts to end the Ukraine conflict, noting they were "quite energetic and sincere," during a meeting with senior Russian officials. This remark has been interpreted by some, including Bloomberg, as part of a "flattery strategy" that has previously proven effective with Trump. Putin also expressed Russia's willingness to engage in discussions for a new arms control treaty with the U.S. This signals a shift from Moscow's prior hard-line stance, which saw Russia declare its non-participation in extending the New START treaty, set to expire in February next year, and withdrawing its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Adding to Russia's ongoing diplomatic outreach, the chief of its parliamentary lower house met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on Thursday, conveying greetings from President Putin, according to TASS. Moon Ji-young. Arirang News.

Japan's PM mentions wartime ‘regret’ for first time in 13 years

2025/08/15 19:36

Japanese Prime Minister used the term "regret" in a memorial speech for the war dead for the first time in 13 years. Addressing the 80th anniversary of Japan's World War two defeat on Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized that Japan "must engrave in its hearts the regrets and lessons of that war." The practice of mentioning neighboring countries' suffering and expressing remorse on War Memorial Day had largely ceased following former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's return to power in 2012. However, Ishiba did not directly name neighboring countries that were subjected to colonial rule as a result of Japan's aggression in the war.

N. Korean leader hails 'infinite might' of ties with Russia on Liberation Day

2025/08/15 19:36

Meanwhile, in North Korea. The regime's leader Kim Jong-un has hailed the country's solidarity with Russia as "infinite might." North Korea's state news agency, the KCNA reported on Friday that Kim delivered the remarks marking the 80th anniversary of the Korean Peninsula's liberation from Japan's colonial rule, with Russian officials in attendance. This marks the first time he has given a public speech on the August 15th anniversary. Kim highlighted the infinite might of North Korea-Russia solidarity, which he stated was "forged with sublime ideas and genuine friendship." However, Kim made no mention of relations with either South Korea or the U.S.

AI brings Korea’s independence heroes back to life

2025/08/15 19:35

As South Korea marks its liberation from Japanese colonial rule,.. the faces and voices of independence heroes are being brought back to life at a special exhibition in Seoul,.. with the help of artificial intelligence. Our Park Hyo-been was there. Five Korean independence heroes stand before the national flag of Korea, raising their hands in triumph. To mark the 80th Liberation Day of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, the National Museum of Korea has restored the faces of five iconic figures, using cutting-edge AI technology. "Right behind me are five Korean independence heroes, brought back to life using AI. They never lived to see Korea's independence. But today, they're smiling at us, as if they're seeing the free Korea they once dreamed of." Ahn Jung-geun, who assassinated Japanese governor Ito Hirobumi, now waves with a bright smile. Yu Gwan-sun, who died in prison at 17, appears as a shy girl with a gentle smile. Lee Bong-chang and Yun Bong-gil, who threw bombs at Japanese leaders, come alive with warm expressions. And Ahn Chang-ho, an educator and activist, greets with a friendly wave. "It was amazing to see what I had only imagined from textbooks. Since it's the 80th anniversary, it really feels like a meaningful exhibition." "Through AI recreation, I could almost feel their spirit and character." It's not just their faces that have returned. A separate video project by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and a local company used AI to recreate the sound of cheers from 1945, the very moment Korea regained its freedom. "Long live Korean independence!" Behind that joy lies a darker history, one the museum is also determined to show. For the first time ever, Japan's surveillance cards of independence heroes are on display. In particular, the five surveillance cards of Ahn Chang-ho show how his face grew noticeably gaunt through repeated imprisonments. "These cards were made to systematically manage imprisoned independence activists. They're about palm-sized, but filled with detailed information, including names and photos." Liberation Day in Korea is more than a historical anniversary. It is a moment to reflect on the cost of freedom, and to honor those who paid that price. And now, with AI, the voices and faces of Korea's fight for independence can finally be seen and heard. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

[NEWS SPECIAL] 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOREA'S LIBERATION

2025/08/15 14:33

80TH ANNIVERSARY OF KOREA'S LIBERATION 광복절 경축식 수중계<div></div>

S. Korea celebrates 80th anniversary of liberation from colonial rule

2025/08/15 13:38

Today, August 15th, marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule. A commemorative ceremony was held this morning in Seoul, where President Lee Jae Myung delivered his first Liberation Day address since taking office. For more, let's go live to our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin. Yoo-jin, tell us more! Eun-ji, the ceremony wrapped up about half an hour ago at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, right next to where I'm at in Gwanghwamun Square. Some 2,500 people attended, including President Lee, first lady Kim Hea Kyung, and the families of independence activists. As this was President Lee's first Liberation Day in office, all eyes were on his speech. Like his predecessors, he used the occasion to honor independence fighters while also laying out messages for North Korea and Japan. On North Korea, President Lee reaffirmed his commitment to resuming peaceful dialogue. "To prevent accidental clashes and build military trust between the two Koreas, we will proactively and gradually restore the September 19th Military Agreement. On this 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, I believe it is the right time to end an era of confrontation and hostility and open a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula." He also stressed that a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula must be achieved through both international cooperation and direct talks with Pyongyang, and also between North Korea and the United States. Turning to Japan, where a summit is set for next week, the President reiterated his "two-track" policy of separating historical disputes from cooperation. Take a listen. "I will pursue future-oriented cooperation with Japan through frequent summit-level talks and frank dialogue. I expect the Japanese government to face up to the painful history of the past and work to ensure that trust between our two countries is not undermined." The Liberation Day ceremony has ended, but President Lee's schedule isn't over yet, right? That's correct. The highlight of the day will come tonight at Gwanghwamun Square, where the government is holding what it calls a "people's appointment ceremony." You could think of it as his de facto inauguration, since he began his term in June without a formal ceremony after the snap election. Later this evening, he will receive symbolic letters of appointment from selected members of the public on a stage to be set up here, followed by a thank-you address. Before that, President Lee is set to host a dinner with foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations at Cheong Wa Dae's Yeongbingwan reception hall. That's all I have for now. Back to you, Eun-ji. That was our Song Yoo-jin live from Gwanghwamun Square. Thank you.

A day ahead of Alaska summit, Trump and Putin prioritize Ukraine resolution amidst contrasting agendas

2025/08/15 13:36

In other news. A day ahead of Friday's summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, both leaders have contrasting priorities regarding the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. Our Moon Ji-young explains more. The summit between President Trump and President Putin in Alaska comes as the international community watches closely for any potential breakthrough in the war in Ukraine. While President Putin has consistently affirmed Russia's objective is to secure Ukrainian territory, President Trump has made his aspirations clear: to emerge as a global peacemaker. "We have a meeting with President Putin tomorrow. I think it's going to be a good meeting. But the more important meeting will be the second meeting that we're having.and maybe we'll bring some of the European leaders along.I would say that tomorrow all I want to do is set the table for the next meeting, which should happen shortly." The Kremlin announced on Thursday that the main topic of the summit would be resolving the war in Ukraine. President Putin commented on President Trump's efforts to end the Ukraine conflict, noting they were "quite energetic and sincere," during a meeting with senior Russian officials. This remark has been interpreted by some, including Bloomberg, as part of a "flattery strategy" that has previously proven effective with Trump. Putin also expressed Russia's willingness to engage in discussions for a new arms control treaty with the U.S. This signals a shift from Moscow's prior hard-line stance, which saw Russia declare its non-participation in extending the New START treaty, set to expire in February next year, and withdrawing its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Adding to Russia's ongoing diplomatic outreach, the chief of its parliamentary lower house met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on Thursday, conveying greetings from President Putin, according to TASS. Moon Ji-young. Arirang News.

Japan's agriculture minister visits controversial Yasukuni Shrine

2025/08/15 13:35

Over in Japan,.. a senior official has visited a controversial war shrine in Tokyo on the anniversary of the end of World War Two. Japan's Kyodo News reported that the country's agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Friday visited the Yasukuni Shrine, a place often seen as a symbol of Japan's imperial military past. Koizumi a powerful figure seen as someone who could potentially be the country's next prime minister is the first Ishiba Cabinet official to visit the war shrine. The Yasukuni Shrine honors Japan's war dead, including 14 Class A war criminals,.. so visits there have irked Japan's neighbors, specifically Korea and China.

N. Korean leader hails 'infinite might' of ties with Russia on Liberation Day

2025/08/15 13:35

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has hailed the country's solidarity with Russia as "infinite might." North Korea's state news agency, the KCNA reported on Friday that Kim delivered the remarks marking the 80th anniversary of the Korean Peninsula's liberation from Japan's colonial rule, with Russian officials in attendance. This marks the first time he has given a public speech on the August 15th anniversary. Kim highlighted the infinite might of North Korea-Russia solidarity, which he stated was "forged with sublime ideas and genuine friendship." However, Kim made no mention of relations with either South Korea or the U.S.

AI brings Korea’s independence heroes back to life

2025/08/15 13:34

As South Korea marks its liberation from Japanese colonial rule,.. the faces and voices of independence heroes are being brought back to life at a special exhibition in Seoul,.. with the help of artificial intelligence. Our Park Hyo-been was there. Five Korean independence heroes stand before the national flag of Korea, raising their hands in triumph. To mark the 80th Liberation Day of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, the National Museum of Korea has restored the faces of five iconic figures, using cutting-edge AI technology. "Right behind me are five Korean independence heroes, brought back to life using AI. They never lived to see Korea's independence. But today, they're smiling at us, as if they're seeing the free Korea they once dreamed of." Ahn Jung-geun, who assassinated Japanese governor Ito Hirobumi, now waves with a bright smile. Yu Gwan-sun, who died in prison at 17, appears as a shy girl with a gentle smile. Lee Bong-chang and Yun Bong-gil, who threw bombs at Japanese leaders, come alive with warm expressions. And Ahn Chang-ho, an educator and activist, greets with a friendly wave. "It was amazing to see what I had only imagined from textbooks. Since it's the 80th anniversary, it really feels like a meaningful exhibition." "Through AI recreation, I could almost feel their spirit and character." It's not just their faces that have returned. A separate video project by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and a local company used AI to recreate the sound of cheers from 1945, the very moment Korea regained its freedom. "Long live Korean independence!" Behind that joy lies a darker history, one the museum is also determined to show. For the first time ever, Japan's surveillance cards of independence heroes are on display. In particular, the five surveillance cards of Ahn Chang-ho show how his face grew noticeably gaunt through repeated imprisonments. "These cards were made to systematically manage imprisoned independence activists. They're about palm-sized, but filled with detailed information, including names and photos." Liberation Day in Korea is more than a historical anniversary. It is a moment to reflect on the cost of freedom, and to honor those who paid that price. And now, with AI, the voices and faces of Korea's fight for independence can finally be seen and heard. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

STOCK&FX

2025/08/14 22:45

2025. 8. 14. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,225.66 ▲1.29 +0.04% KOSDAQ : 815.26 ▲1.16 +0.14% KOSPI200 : 436.57 ▼0.35 -0.08% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 42,649.26 ▼625.41 -1.45% HANG SENG : 25,519.32 ▼94.35 -0.37% SHANGHAI : 3,666.44 ▼17.02 -0.46% WALL STREET (AUG. 13) DOW JONES : 44,922.27 ▲463.66 +1.04% NASDAQ : 21,713.14 ▲31.23 +0.14% S&P500 : 6,466.58 ▲20.82 +0.32% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,382.00 (+0.30) JPY : 945.05 (+10.52) CNY : 192.69 (+0.31) EUR : 1,617.42 (+3.04)

Trump's leadership could find breakthrough in long-stalled N. Korea nuclear talks: S. Korea's foreign minister

2025/08/14 22:44

U.S. President Donald Trump's leadership could help find a breakthrough in the long-stalled North Korea nuclear talks, South Korea's foreign minister says. But he also pointed out that North Korea as a nuclear-armed state won't be acceptable to Washington. Our Kim Bo-kyoung reports. The United States would not accept North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. This, is what South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on Thursday, while speaking to reporters. He shared his views on a variety of issues, including Pyongyang-Washington ties. According to Cho, during last month's visit to Washington, he conveyed his view to the U.S. that he hopes U.S. President Donald Trump's leadership could help find a new breakthrough in the long-stalled nuclear talks with the North. He also underlined that there could be a tug of war before any breakthrough. "North Korea would want to talk with the U.S. as a nuclear-armed state, but the U.S.' stance is that the North cannot have nuclear weapons. So it's going to take a lot of back-and-forth." Strategic flexibility and alliance modernization were among the hot topics reporters asked Cho. He declined to give details ahead of the summit, but did point out that the ROK-U.S. alliance needs an expansion in technology, as the world has changed a lot. "I think expanding and deepening the South Korea–U.S. alliance into a comprehensive future-oriented alliance that encompasses technologies like nuclear power, shipbuilding, AI, quantum, and biotechnology—as part of a broader tech alliance—is the right way to effectively utilize the alliance in response to the current challenging and changing international order." When it comes to President Lee Jae Myung visiting Japan before the U.S., he said this was possible, as the government underlines practicality. And for China,.. Cho did say there are fundamental differences between Seoul and Beijing, but emphasized the need to engage more to overcome such differences based on a pragmatic approach. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

[Weather] Rain in the central regions will continue until tomorrow

2025/08/14 22:43

Today, it has been raining mainly in southern parts of Gyeonggi-do Province and the Chungcheong-do provinces. About 100 millimeters of rain will fall in Sejong and Chungcheongnam-do Province, and 5 to 20 millimeters more in Seoul and other central regions today. Meanwhile, the heat wave is covering the southern parts of the country. A heat wave warning has been issued for the Gyeongsang-do provinces, Jeollanam-do Province and coastal areas of Jeju Island, and a heat wave advisory for inland areas of the Chungcheong-do provinces and Jeollanam-do Province. Seoul, Daejeon, and Gwangju will start off at 25 degrees Celsius tomorrow morning, Jeju at 27 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 32 degrees in Seoul, Chuncheon, Daejeon and Jeju. Rain in the central parts of the country will continue until tomorrow afternoon. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

How "KPop Demon Hunters" character 'Duffy' comes to life through traditional Korean folk play

2025/08/14 22:42

As the recent "KPop Demon Hunters" continues to gain popularity, Korean traditional culture has also been coming to light. Our Ahn Sung-jin tells us more. The dense blue fur shakes as the tiger stands on its feet. Its oversized mask, weathered yet alive, seems to breathe. This is saja chum or saja talchum, directly translated as the lion dance. It's a traditional Korean dance or folk play that portrays a lion to bring good fortune, but Yeonhee Connect Eul, a group of young performers have given it a twist to it, using a tiger instead. The tiger happens to resemble the character 'Duffy' from "KPop Demon Hunters," but the group say they began using it instead of a lion to combine elements of its fierceness, traditional Korean folk paintings and the symbol of the mythical Seoul 'Haetae' creature with its team color blue. "The fact that this piece reminded some of "KPop Demon Hunters" suggests that we successfully conveyed a universal narrative combining traditional themes and immersive media." Through performances like this, the group works on bringing traditional folk performance arts back to life. It often performs a type of Korean percussion music known as samulnori. But rather than merely replicating the tradition, it instead adds digital projections or modern media like DJing. "We aim to continue building on the foundation of traditional Korean performance arts while incorporating modern aspects through contemporary storytelling, media art and choreography to create entirely new stage experiences. For them it's not about reproducing the past but creating works that breathe with the present. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Wildfires across Europe continue amid extreme weather conditions

2025/08/14 22:42

In the meantime, Europe is fighting against wildfires. Firefighting efforts are underway, but are being hampered by extreme weather conditions. Our Park Kun-woo has more. At least three lives have been lost in intensifying wildfires across Europe one each in Spain, Türkiye, and Albania. And in Greece, consecutive blazes have forced the evacuation of thousands, especially near Patras, the country's third-largest city. "It looks like doomsday. We can't do anything more. May God help us and help the people here." About 5-thousand firefighters and around thirty aircraft have been battling flames on both the mainland and islands, including Chios. Greece has even requested assistance from other European countries and is applying for more aircraft through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. But extreme weather, including strong winds and scorching heat, is hindering efforts. Heat alerts are in place as temperatures are soaring above 40 degrees Celsius in nearby countries, which are intensifying the wildfires. In Spain, thousands have been ordered to evacuate, including over 5-thousand in the Castile and Leon regions. Residents in the country's north have also participated in containing the fire, saying the official response isn't sufficient. "The fire brigades, with carts and bulldozers it's complicated for them to extinguish the fire because there are several active fires in different towns." Amid wildfires that have persisted for weeks across Europe, the European Union has provided assistance to fire-hit countries, including non-member states, by sending firefighters, ground crews and aircraft. And these efforts are expected to continue as the wildfires keep burning, while the extreme summer weather continues. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Three killed in heavy rain in South Korea's capital region

2025/08/14 22:41

Torrential downpours battered the capital area on Wednesday, killing at least three people. Lee Seung-jae has the details. Three people died in South Korea's capital area on Wednesday amid heavy rain in the region. Over in Gimpo, west of Seoul, an elderly man was found dead in the back seat of a car after it plunged into a river. In Incheon, a man in his 40s was killed when his car skidded off the road and into a lake, while a woman in her 70s died as the car she was in crashed into a traffic light on a slippery road. The torrential rain triggered heavy rain alerts in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, and Chungcheongnam-do Provinces, as the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters raised its emergency response to level two. Evacuation orders were also issued for areas near rivers at risk of flooding in Seoul and parts of Gyeonggi-do Province. The heavy rains also led to train service on the Gyeongui–Jungang Line between Ilsan and Susaek Stations to be temporarily suspended on Wednesday, with delays on other sections. For safety, trains on the Gyeongui Line between Uijeongbu and Daegok Stations were also halted for the entire day. The Korea Meteorological Administration says 30 to 50 millimeters of rain per hour could continue through Thursday morning in the central region. Total rainfall through Thursday is expected to reach 50 to 150 millimeters in the capital area and up to 200 millimeters in Incheon and northern Gyeonggi-do regions. Gangwon could see as much as 150 millimeters, and parts of Chungcheong up to 100 millimeters. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Former first lady declines to answer most special counsel questions

2025/08/14 22:40

Today, the special counsel questioned former first lady Kim Keon Hee, who has been arrested on corruption charges. However, Kim refused to answer most of the questions on the allegations made against her during the session. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. Former first lady Kim Keon Hee appeared at a special counsel's office on Thursday morning for questioning, her first session since being arrested earlier this week on corruption charges. The face-to-face session ended at around 2 PM, about four hours after it began at around 10 AM, during which the special counsel team focused on her alleged interference in candidate nomination processes in past elections. Unlike during her previous questioning held last Wednesday, according to the team, Kim refused to respond to most of the allegations. "The suspect exercised her right to remain silent on most of the allegations, and so the special counsel plans to summon and question her again on August 18." Although the team plans to hold another round of questioning on Monday, Kim's side has not yet confirmed whether she will appear. In a press release, the special counsel team said they were notified that Kim would inform them of her attendance on the day. Earlier this week, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol was taken into custody at a detention center in southwestern Seoul on Wednesday after a court issued an arrest warrant with detention on charges including stock price manipulation, interference in party nominations, and political influence-peddling. This came after the special counsel requested the warrant a day after Kim's first questioning, citing the risk of evidence tampering. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.