News

Confirmation hearings begin for Pres. Lee’s first Cabinet picks

2025/07/15 11:36

On the local front. Confirmation hearings for President Lee Jae Myung's inaugural Cabinet picks are set to continue throughout this week at the National Assembly. On day one of the hearings, rival parties engaged in fiery discussions over allegations involving the nominees. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young has the details. The Assembly confirmation hearings for President Lee Jae Myung's first Cabinet got off to a rocky start, with tensions between the rival parties prompting some sessions to be delayed or suspended. National Assembly standing committees held four hearings on Monday, including those for the nominees for unification, science, oceans, and gender equality ministers. In South Korea, Cabinet appointments are subject to parliamentary hearings, but do not require legislative approval to take effect. While the main opposition People Power Party has vowed to examine the nominees' qualifications and moral integrity, claiming many are unfit and should step down, the ruling Democratic Party is backing the nominees, saying there are no critical flaws. "The Democratic Party will support the swift formation of the Lee Jae Myung administration's Cabinet to ensure smooth governance and help stabilize state affairs." "The Lee Jae Myung administration's first Cabinet lineup is completely flawed. None of the nominees are qualified. There are concerns that the hearings will just become a stage for baseless excuses and lies." During the hearing for unification minister, nominee Chung Dong-young emphasized the need to improve relations between South and North Korea and restore peace on the Korean Peninsula. He also said the ministry's name should be reconsidered and discussed in the National Assembly, suggesting "Ministry of the Korean Peninsula" as one possible option. Chung has been stressing that renaming the ministry would help focus on making peace on the Korean Peninsula a top priority. "The Lee Jae Myung administration needs a fresh start. As part of that, I believe it's time to consider changing the name of the Ministry of Unification." Kang Sun-woo, a DP lawmaker nominated for minister of gender equality, faced a rough start to her hearing amid intense debates over allegations of workplace abuse. "With 18 nominees, including 16 ministerial candidates, scheduled to appear before the National Assembly over the course of the week, the political standoff between the rival parties is expected to continue. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News."

Trump gives Putin '50-day deadline' to end war

2025/07/15 11:35

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a fifty-day deadline for Russia to end its war with Ukraine. Trump threatened that Washington will impose "very severe tariffs" on Moscow if the deadline is not met. Lee Seung-jae has more. U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin to finally put an end to the war in Ukraine. During a meeting with reporters alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said Washington will impose "very severe tariffs" on Moscow in 50 days, if there is no deal made to end the war. "It's a horrible war and so if it's not done, if we don't have an agreement in 50 days, that's what we're doing. Secondary tariffs and they're biting. And I hope we don't get to the point where we do." This would mean 100 percent tariffs on Russian goods and secondary sanctions on purchasers of Russian oil. The move would also target Russia's trading partners in order to further isolate Moscow from the global economy. President Trump also announced a deal which will allow NATO member countries to purchase American-made weapons, which would be allowed to be given to Ukraine. "This is billions of dollars worth of military equipment. It's going to be purchased from the United States, going to NATO, etc., and that's going to be quickly distributed to the battlefield." The NATO chief said large numbers of weapons would be sent, including missiles, as part of its first wave of equipment to Ukraine. Meanwhile, with the news of military aid to Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to President Trump for his readiness to protect Ukrainian lives. "I am grateful to President Trump for his readiness to support the protection of our people's lives." The latest deadline issued by Trump, along with a deal to provide Ukraine with American weapons, comes as the U.S. leader has been frustrated with the lack of progress Putin has made in committing to a ceasefire deal. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Running through the summer heat: S. Korea's nighttime fitness craze

2025/07/14 23:39

While most are staying indoors to beat the heat, some are sprinting right into it. And they're not doing it alone. Our Park Hyo-been has the story. It's 7 PM on a humid summer evening, but the heat hasn't stopped these runners. People stretch, chat, and tie their shoelaces, getting ready for their weekly run. "I really feel like I've become healthier through running. Even when it's tough in the summer, I think of it as a 'double XP event' so I push myself even harder." "When I run with the crew, I get more energy from the people around me. I end up running further than I could on my own, and I enjoy it more too." They are the Seoul Running Crew, a free community running program held at three locations across Seoul. Every Thursday evening, runners meet up and split into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. "Right now, I'm running with the crew here at Yeouido Park. Even though the sun's nearly gone down, the heat is intense and so is the energy." Led by professional coaches, including former national athletes, participants are guided safely based on their pace and fitness levels. Since this season kicked off in April, all 60 spots at each location have been fully booked every single week. To support this growing fitness trend, the city has even revamped its infrastructure. Take Yeouinaru Station, right in the heart of Seoul's business district. It now features a "Runner Station," a dedicated facility for joggers equipped with lockers and changing rooms, so office workers can head straight out for a run after work. The station also offers live weather updates, UV levels, and wind speed, so runners can check if conditions are safe to run. There are also check-up sessions for beginner runners, helping them find the right pace range and recommending routes that match their fitness level. Despite the sweltering heat, more and more people are lacing up their shoes and hitting the asphalt. For them, summer nights aren't just about beating the heat, they're about building community, pushing limits, and making the city their own. Park Hyobeen, Arirang News.

Drivers behind S. Korea’s record-breaking used car exports

2025/07/14 23:37

It's not just K-pop or Korean food that have been at high demand globally so are vehicles used here in the country. What are the drivers behind South Korea's record-breaking used car exports? Park Jun-han tells us. What some in Korea see as outdated or no longer needed can become a brand new start on the other side of the world. Such as used cars. South Korea's used car export market is gaining momentum, with shipments this year projected to exceed 10 trillion won—approximately 7.25 billion U.S. dollars—for the first time on record. With rising popularity in the Middle East, exports in June 2025 alone jumped nearly 68 percent year-on-year, extending the strong growth trend that began in the early 2020s. I'm sitting in a used Korean car that is ready to be shipped overseas. In fact, thousands of cars like this leave this lot every day to welcome new owners around the world. Still runs perfectly. Industry insiders claim that the vehicles made in Korea are well-known for their affordability, reliability, and accessibility. “Korean used cars are exported to around 160 countries. Not only are they high in quality and equipped with many features, but they're also competitively priced. On top of that, Korea has a well-established parts supply system and after-sales services around the world.” Used car exports involve complex but streamlined processes, including vehicle collection, inspection, repairs, deregistration, and coordination with customs brokers and freight forwarders. Once loaded onto ships, vehicles begin their second life overseas. Despite the positive outlook, there are looming risks. Local exporters shared concern over rising shipping costs and tightening import regulations abroad, especially in light of the U.S. government's recent tariff actions that could impact the price of overseas car shipping. “Our biggest concern right now, especially with the hike in U.S. tariffs, is the spike in freight rates. A couple of months ago, the cost nearly tripled, and it's been fluctuating ever since. That's become one of the biggest challenges for dealers like us.” Supported by continued demand for used vehicles, coupled with government support to deal with regulatory challenges in global trade, South Korea's used vehicle exports are expected to grow steadily. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

President Lee stresses sense of duty for civil servants

2025/07/14 23:36

In line with his focus on communication, President Lee Jae Myung delivered a lecture today to soon-to-be civil servants, sharing his views on the mindset they should bring to public service. Our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin has more. Ever since taking office, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized that every hour spent by a public official is equivalent to 52 million hours for every person in the country. That sense of responsibility was the main message in a lecture the President delivered to some 3-hundred trainee civil servants on Monday at the National Human Resources Development Institute in Jincheon, Chungcheongbuk-do Province. He described public service as work that could "determine the country's fate." "In the hands of public officials rest the lives of so many people. Especially for all of you, starting out as mid-level managers in the Korean civil service, as deputy directors, an enormous amount of authority is being entrusted to you." The President also pointed out what he called the biggest problem in Korea's bureaucracy: a culture where well-intentioned decisions are still punished if they fail, which he says makes civil servants passive. "When you're in public service, every choice you make, there are countless possibilities. But if you're judged after the fact, if people say, 'You should have known this was the better decision,' that's like asking them to be god-like creatures. But we're not gods. We're human beings doing our best." After the lecture, President Lee took questions from the audience, offering advice based on his experience as Seongnam City mayor and Gyeonggi-do Province governor. "In policy making, there is no decision that will please absolutely everyone. We've been given the mandate from the people to mediate conflicts of interest. So with that, we should do our best to minimize misunderstandings, explain our decisions, and adjust where we can. And when all else fails, we must exercise our authority firmly." This was the first time in 20 years that a sitting president lectured soon-to-be deputy directors, the entry-level grade for those who pass the national civil service exam. Afterward, President Lee visited the site of the 2023 underpass flooding in Osong in the city of Cheongju for a safety inspection, reflecting his view that public officials must always prioritize people's safety. Tuesday marks exactly two years since the disaster, which killed 14 people. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

Seoul says it's 'game time' with less than 3 weeks for U.S. tariff negotiations

2025/07/14 23:35

The clock is winding down with U.S. tariffs set to kick in on August 1st. South Korea's top trade negotiator faced the media earlier, saying that negotiations have made progress. Meanwhile, the U.S. says all this is not a bluff, while touting the measures so far. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. With less than three weeks to go before sweeping U.S. tariffs take effect, South Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-gu says negotiations with Washington have entered what he calls "game time." Speaking to reporters Monday at the Sejong Government Complex, Yeo stressed, "With under 20 days left, it's now a time for choices and decisions." He added that Seoul is ramping up give-and-take talks to find a "landing zone," aiming to secure a broad package deal. Yeo also touched on a sensitive topic for the country. The agricultural industry. Free trade talks, not just with the U.S. but with any other partners, he said is always "painful." This is expected as the U.S. is demanding the lowering of trade barriers. Yeo, however, underscored the need for strategic judgment as despite the pain for the agro-sector, Korea's industry as a whole has taken steps forward so far from trade deals made in the past. Meanwhile, Seoul continues to call out what it sees as unfair U.S. tariffs already hitting Korean exports — including 50 percent duties on steel and 25 percent on cars. But this all comes as U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on trade partners after he touted the effects of tariffs so far on Sunday, local time. "We have tariffs pouring in at levels that we have never seen before — and they've only just started." Over the past week, Trump sent letters to 25 countries, notifying them of blanket tariff rates ---Korea, Japan and Malaysia at 25-percent; 30 percent for Mexico and the European Union; and 50 percent for Brazil ---reportedly due to stalled negotiations. "These are countries that have been shut to us, but we've been open to them. In other words, they wouldn't let us do business there, but they would do business in our country. Not a fair deal." In an interview with ABC News, White House economic chief Kevin Hassett warned the tariffs are "not just a negotiating tactic." He said if Trump doesn't get the deals he considers strong enough, "the tariffs will be real," adding that the president was dissatisfied with some of the "sketches of deals" his own team had put forward. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

President Lee dispatches special envoys to EU, France, UK, India

2025/07/14 23:33

President Lee Jae Myung is dispatching special envoys overseas to signal what he calls the "return of democratic Korea" and share his administration's policy agenda. The Presidential Office said Sunday that four delegations will visit the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, as well as France, the United Kingdom, and India to strengthen South Korea's global ties. The EU team, led by former environment minister Yoon Yeo-joon, departed on Monday, with the other three teams leaving by Wednesday. Each delegation is made up of three members, mostly sitting lawmakers, headed by a chief envoy. They plan to meet with key officials and deliver personal letters from President Lee underscoring South Korea's commitment to stronger ties. Additional envoys will be announced once schedules are finalized.

Stock&FX

2025/07/14 22:39

2025. 7. 14. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,202.03 ▲26.26 +0.83% KOSDAQ : 799.37 ▼-1.10 -0.14% KOSPI200 : 432.49 ▲4.42 +1.03% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 39,459.62 ▼110.06 -0.28% HANG SENG : 24,203.32 ▲63.75 +0.26% SHANGHAI : 3,519.65 ▲9.47 +0.27% WALL STREET (July 11) DOW JONES : 44,371.51 ▼279.13 (-0.63%) NASDAQ : 20,585.53 ▼45.14 (-0.22%) S&P500 : 6,259.75 ▼ 20.71 (-0.33%) EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,381.20 (+5.80) JPY : 937.33 (+0.82) CNY : 192.65 (+0.83) EUR : 1,610.20 (+3.53)

Confirmation hearings begin for Pres. Lee’s first Cabinet picks

2025/07/14 22:38

Tonight we begin at the National Assembly. Confirmation hearings for President Lee Jae Myung's inaugural Cabinet picks have kicked off, with the rival parties exchanging barbs over allegations involving the nominees. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The Assembly confirmation hearings for President Lee Jae Myung's first Cabinet got off to a rocky start, with tensions between the rival parties prompting some sessions to be delayed or suspended. National Assembly standing committees held four hearings on Monday, including those for the nominees for unification, science, oceans, and gender equality ministers. In South Korea, Cabinet appointments are subject to parliamentary hearings, but do not require legislative approval to take effect. While the main opposition People Power Party has vowed to examine the nominees' qualifications and moral integrity, claiming many are unfit and should step down, the ruling Democratic Party is backing the nominees, saying there are no critical flaws. "The Democratic Party will support the swift formation of the Lee Jae Myung administration's Cabinet to ensure smooth governance and help stabilize state affairs." "The Lee Jae Myung administration's first Cabinet lineup is completely flawed. None of the nominees are qualified. There are concerns that the hearings will just become a stage for baseless excuses and lies." During the hearing for unification minister, nominee Chung Dong-young emphasized the need to improve relations between South and North Korea and restore peace on the Korean Peninsula. He also said the ministry's name should be reconsidered and discussed in the National Assembly, suggesting "Ministry of the Korean Peninsula" as one possible option. Chung has been stressing that renaming the ministry would help focus on making peace on the Korean Peninsula a top priority. "The Lee Jae Myung administration needs a fresh start. As part of that, I believe it's time to consider changing the name of the Ministry of Unification." Kang Sun-woo, a DP lawmaker nominated for minister of gender equality, faced a rough start to her hearing amid intense debates over allegations of workplace abuse. "With 18 nominees, including 16 ministerial candidates, scheduled to appear before the National Assembly over the course of the week, the political standoff between the rival parties is expected to continue. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News."

[Weather] Rain will fall across the country until tomorrow, heat slows down

2025/07/14 22:37

Rain will gradually fall around the whole country. It will rain more than 100 millimeters in eastern parts of Gangwon-do Province by tomorrow. Up to 50 millimeters of rain is expected in the Seoul metropolitan area, Chungcheongnam-do Province and the Jeolla-do provinces, and 5 to 40 millimeters in the Gyeongsang-do provinces. With rain clouds, the heat wave has cooled down nationwide. The daytime temperature in Seoul only topped out at 29 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees in Daegu. Temperatures will stay under 30 degrees even during the day across the country tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, Seoul, Chuncheon, Gwangju and Daegu will start off at 22 degrees, Jeju at 24 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 27 degrees in Daejeon, 28 degrees in Gwangju and Busan. This rain will stop tomorrow afternoon and come back again around the country on Wednesday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

[Sports Round-up] S. Korea's men's, women's teams aiming for EAFF E-1 glory

2025/07/14 22:36

Time now to take a look at what's been happening in the world of sports. Joining us in the studio is our sports editor, Paul Neat. Hello, Paul. Hello. Let's start with the EAFF E-1 Football Championships. The tournament will conclude this week, and I understand that Korea's men's and women's teams could both win. Yes, both could win. Both are unbeaten, and both have massive matches coming up. The men's competition concludes on Tuesday with South Korea taking on Japan at 7:24 in Yongin. Both teams are locked on six points after two wins. But South Korea must win because Japan have a better goal difference. A draw would not be enough. South Korea beat Hong Kong on Friday, 2-0, thanks to first national team goals for Kang Sang-yoon and Lee Ho-jae. The Taeguk Ladies, meanwhile, have to rely on results elsewhere to secure the title. After two straight draws, South Korea must beat Chinese Taipei on Wednesday at 8 PM in Suwon, and score enough goals to better Japan's goal difference of plus-4. Korea's is currently zero. They also need Japan and China to draw. On Sunday in Hwaseong, South Korea came back from behind to draw late on with Japan thanks to Jeong Da-bin's 86th-minute equalizer. Fingers crossed. Moving on to baseball now. There was a Korean derby in MLB. Yes, the San Francisco Giants against the LA Dodgers. This meant Lee Jung-hoo versus Kim Hye-seong, former Kiwoom Heroes teammates. In Friday's game, both registered three hits in an 8-7 win for the Giants. Lee, batting number six and playing center field, went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, including a go-ahead three-base hit in the fourth inning. Batting eighth and starting at second base, Kim also recorded three hits in four at-bats, scoring once and stealing two bases. On Saturday, Kim Hye-seong scored a key run to help earn the Dodgers a much-needed win, ending their worst losing streak of the season. He batted 1-for-4 with an RBI in the 2-1 victory. Both featured in Sunday's game, which ended 5-2 to the Dodgers. Sticking with baseball. We had the KBO All-Star game on Friday. Who won? Well, Team Nanum beat Team Dream 8 to 6. At Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark, LG Twins catcher Park Dong-won was the standout player with three hits and three RBIs. He also hit a two-run homer in the first inning and, with 27 out of 28 votes from the media, was named MVP. Team Nanum had players from the Twins, the Kia Tigers, and the NC Dinos, while Team Dream had players from the Samsung Lions, the Doosan Bears, the KT Wiz, the SSG Landers, and the Lotte Giants. The match was a sellout with 16-thousand-850 fans in attendance. KBO resumes its normal schedule this week. And, finally, to athletics. Another win for Woo Sang-hyeok. Yes, seven wins in a row now on the high jump world stage. At Stade Louis II in Monaco on Friday, Woo jumped 2-point-3-4 meters at a Diamond League event his second Diamond League win this year and fifth overall. 2-point-3-4 meters is also the best anyone has done this year in an outdoor event. The win also means he has booked his place at the World Championships in Tokyo this September. Great stuff. Thanks for that, Paul. See you next week. Thank you.

N. Korea's Mount Kumgang listed as UNESCO World Heritage site

2025/07/14 22:34

Two historic sites here on the Korean Peninsula have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites over the weekend, one each from the two Koreas: a set of prehistoric rock carvings in South Korea and North Korea's Mount Kumgang. Lee Seung-jae reports. During the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris on Sunday, a new addition for both South and North Korea was added to the list. First,.. North Korea's Mount Kumgang, a scenic mountain known for its beauty, was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Listed officially as "Mount Kumgang-Diamond Mountain from the Sea," the inclusion comes as the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which serve as advisory bodies to the World Heritage Committee, recommended the inclusion in May. According to UNESCO's website, Mountain Kumgang is "a strikingly beautiful mountain with numerous peaks and curious rocks amounting to some 1,200, waterfalls and pools formed by crystal-like clear waters flowing from hundreds of gorges, as well as with the seascape stretched along the coastline." The mountain is North Korea's third World Cultural Heritage site, after the Complex of Koguryo Tombs in 2004 and the Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong in 2013. Meanwhile, a set of prehistoric rock carvings located in South Korea's Ulsan has also been added to UNESCO's World Heritage list. "Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream" were officially recognized for their significant cultural value in Paris. Located along the Bangucheon Stream, a tributary of the Taehwa River in Ulsan, some 360 kilometers southeast of Seoul, the petroglyphs are carved into vertical cliffs, depicting prehistoric hunting scenes and animals. According to the committee, the carvings are "masterpieces created through the creativity of prehistoric people." And for South Korea, the inclusion of the prehistoric art spanning some 6-thousand years,.. was a long time coming. "The Korea Heritage Service will do its best to protect the value of the Bangucheon petroglyphs as a common heritage of mankind and to preserve and utilize them well." With the latest addition, the country now has 17 entries on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

BLACKPINK draws over 100,000 fans in LA on world tour

2025/07/14 22:33

K-pop girl group BLACKPINK performed before a total audience of 100-thousand fans over the weekend at LA's SoFi Stadium, kicking of the U.S. portion of its ongoing "DEADLINE" world tour. According to YG Entertainment on Monday, BLACKPINK sold out both Saturday and Sunday shows, becoming the first girl group in the world to attract such a crowd at the venue. The group will continue their North American tour with upcoming stops, including Chicago, before heading to other continents. YG also said BLACKPINK's new digital single "Jump" has topped global streaming charts, including Spotify's "Daily Top Songs Global" as of Saturday.

Pres. Lee faces first major policy test amid Trump's tariffs and defense cost pressure

2025/07/14 21:35

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. Only 18 days remain until President Trump’s sweeping tariffs hit Korean exports—and Seoul is running out of time. The Korean government has entered emergency mode, rushing to secure a broad framework deal with Washington before the August 1st deadline, with a phased negotiation strategy aimed at protecting national industries while fending off Trump’s escalating demands. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo warned that this is not Trump’s first term—this time, over 20 nations are caught in simultaneous high-stakes talks as the U.S. moves to reshape the global trade order. Korea is pushing a “package deal” that ties tariffs to investment, defense costs, LNG cooperation, and digital trade—while drawing red lines around sensitive issues like agricultural imports and wartime operational control. But the stakes are higher than ever as Trump just slapped 30 percent tariffs on Mexico and the EU after near-deals collapsed. For a deeper discussion on this, we're joined by Ban Kil Joo, Assistant Professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. Welcome. Also joining us is Andrew Millard, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Changwon National University. (Ban) Kicking things off—with President Donald Trump ramping up pressure on South Korea by pushing for higher defense cost-sharing on top of existing tariffs, Seoul has responded with a proposed “package deal” that links trade, investment, and security. Why do you think the Korean government shifted gears to suggest a package deal that merges economic and security issues, despite initially planning to address them separately? (Millard) Following up on that—what specific negotiation cards do you anticipate the Korean government might bring to the table in this package deal approach? (Ban) Continuing with the strategy itself—how effective do you think this bundling of trade and security issues will be as a negotiation method? (Millard) With Washington’s pressure intensifying, some are suggesting that the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) should be raised as a bargaining chip in the U.S.-Korea negotiations. Why is the OPCON issue coming into the spotlight now? Given Trump’s foreign policy posture, do you think this could give Korea leverage in the broader trade-security talks? (Ban) On that point—National Security Office chief Wi Sung-lac has stated that the OPCON transfer is a separate matter from the tariff negotiations. What’s the significance of Korea drawing that clear line and choosing not to use OPCON as a trade negotiation card? (Ban) Some argue that regaining wartime control could bring Korea closer to achieving autonomous defense, but it may also weaken the combined defense posture with the U.S. How do you assess that trade-off? (Millard) Looking at the bigger picture—America’s military strategy is shifting toward countering China, and President Trump reportedly wants U.S. Forces Korea to play a more flexible regional role. If OPCON is returned to Korea, could that directly lead to U.S. troop reductions or redeployment from the Peninsula? (Ban) Meanwhile, hopes are high that the upcoming U.S.-Korea summit could help break the deadlock in tariff negotiations. But with the tariff exemption deadline set for August 1st, time is running short. What do you see as the key factors for arranging an early summit? (Millard) Wrapping up—with all eyes on these talks, this moment could prove a major test of President Lee Jae Myung’s “pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interest.” In your view, what’s the most critical element in navigating this negotiation landscape? Thank you for your time and for your insights tonight Prof BAN and Prof. MILLARD, we appreciate it.

ARF URGES COMPLETE DENUCLEARIZATION

2025/07/14 20:34

Welcome to Press Perspective for this Monday July 14th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo was in Malaysia to attend a number of ASEAN-related gatherings including the ASEAN Regional Forum as well as a trilateral interaction with the top diplomats of the U.S. and Japan on the margins of the regional multilateral meetings. For more I have freelance journalist Raphael Rashid from the U.K. here in the studio. Raphael hope you had a good weekend. I also have Steven Borowiec with Japanese weekly news magazine Nikkei Asia with us. Steven welcome back. Raphael, let’s begin with the statement against North Korea’s nuclear weapons program shared at this year’s ASEAN Regional Forum and its significance. Steven, North Korea’s denuclearization was also addressed during a trilateral ministerial exchange among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan. Do tell us a bit about this meeting that took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related gatherings and its relevance. Raphael, for the first time in 25 years, North Korea skipped this year’s ASEAN Regional Forum. Do give us some context behind its absence. Steven, Russia, for its part, reportedly expressed regret over North Korea’s absence at the security forum. Its foreign minister also flew to Pyongyang. Do tell us about his remarks and his latest trip to North Korea. If I were to ask you to read into the optics of this trip, which came right after the ARF, what would you choose to highlight? Raphael, the Russian diplomat also warned against a security partnership targeting North Korea by South Korea, Japan and the U.S. What exactly did he say, and how do his remarks look to affect the trilateral framework? Steven, against this backdrop, a number of scholars in Japan have been echoing sentiments that we’ve touched upon here on our show in recent times that a Trump-Kim summit may not be in the cards in the near future. Now then, what are these Japanese pundits saying? Raphael, in spite of the pessimism over prospects of a U.S.-North Korea summit, top diplomats of the U.S. and China met on the margins of the ASEAN-related agenda. What topped their talks, and what were your takeaways? Steven, come Tuesday, that is tomorrow, China hosts the foreign ministerial meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Do tell us a bit about this meeting and its agenda this year. Raphael, earlier this month, Brazil hosted this year’s BRICS, which Trump accused of being “anti-American” and he then proceeded to threaten the bloc with additional tariffs. How is Mr. Trump’s tariff policy affecting international diplomacy and cooperation? Steven, it may be too early to ask, but based on Seoul’s diplomatic activities thus far, how is the foreign media evaluating its efforts thus far? All right.

Confirmation hearings begin for Pres. Lee’s first Cabinet picks

2025/07/14 19:46

We start at the National Assembly today where a number of nominees for the president's first cabinet fielded questions from lawmakers about their qualifications while similar sessions for others were suspended. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young starts us off. The Assembly confirmation hearings for President Lee Jae Myung's first Cabinet got off to a rocky start, with tensions between the rival parties prompting some sessions to be delayed or suspended. National Assembly standing committees held four hearings on Monday, including those for the nominees for unification, science, oceans, and gender equality ministers. In South Korea, Cabinet appointments are subject to parliamentary hearings, but do not require legislative approval to take effect. While the main opposition People Power Party has vowed to examine the nominees' qualifications and moral integrity, claiming many are unfit and should step down, the ruling Democratic Party is backing the nominees, saying there are no critical flaws. "The Democratic Party will support the swift formation of the Lee Jae Myung administration's Cabinet to ensure smooth governance and help stabilize state affairs." "The Lee Jae Myung administration's first Cabinet lineup is completely flawed. None of the nominees are qualified. There are concerns that the hearings will just become a stage for baseless excuses and lies." During the hearing for unification minister, nominee Chung Dong-young emphasized the need to improve relations between South and North Korea and restore peace on the Korean Peninsula. He also said the ministry's name should be reconsidered and discussed in the National Assembly, suggesting "Ministry of the Korean Peninsula" as one possible option. Chung has been stressing that renaming the ministry would help focus on making peace on the Korean Peninsula a top priority. "The Lee Jae Myung administration needs a fresh start. As part of that, I believe it's time to consider changing the name of the Ministry of Unification." Kang Sun-woo, a DP lawmaker nominated for minister of gender equality, faced a rough start to her hearing amid intense debates over allegations of workplace abuse. "With 18 nominees, including 16 ministerial candidates, scheduled to appear before the National Assembly over the course of the week, the political standoff between the rival parties is expected to continue. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Rain across the country until tomorrow, heat slows down

2025/07/14 19:45

Rain clouds will gradually cover the whole country. This rain is concentrated in the central and northern areas of eastern parts of Gangwon-do Province, which will get more than 100 millimeters by tomorrow. Other areas are expected to receive between 5 millimeters and 60 millimeters of rain. With rain everywhere, the heat wave has cooled down. The daytime temperature in Seoul only topped out at 29 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees in Daegu. Temperatures will stay under 30 degrees even during the day across the country tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, Seoul, Chuncheon, Gwangju and Daegu will start off at 22 degrees, Busan at 23 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 27 degrees in Daejeon, 28 degrees in Gwangju and Busan. The rain will stop for a while tomorrow afternoon and fall again across the country on Wednesday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: France's Macron announces plan to accelerate military spending

2025/07/14 19:44

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday, an accelerated military spending plan, aiming to double France's armed forces budget by 2027 which is three years ahead of schedule as Europe faces mounting security threats. On July 13, Macron announced an additional 7.6 billion U.S. dollars in defense funding over 2026 and 2027, pushing France's military budget to 74.8 billion dollars in 2027, which would be double the 37.64 billion dollars in annual spending when Macron took office in 2017. Making an address to the armed forces on the eve of the Bastille Day national holiday, Macron described the move as essential in response to "unprecedented threats" including Russia's aggression, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and global instability. He said, "To be free in this world, we must be feared. To be feared, we must be powerful." He also said details on the 2026 budget plans will be announced on Tuesday by the Prime Minister. In the United States, a fast-moving wildfire near the Grand Canyon's North Rim has forced a full evacuation and destroyed key infrastructure. Park authorities said Sunday that the Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, had been destroyed by the flames, and evacuation orders were issued. The blaze, dubbed the Dragon Bravo Fire, rapidly grew to more than 20 square kilometers, consuming the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, visitor center, administrative offices, and a wastewater treatment plant. Park authorities evacuated all staff and approximately 500 visitors from the North Rim, which opens seasonally. The wastewater plant fire triggered a chlorine gas leak, leading officials to restrict access to inner canyon trails until air quality is verified. Nearby crews are also battling the White Sage Fire, which has burned over 40,000 acres north of the park. Cambodia celebrated the inscription of three former Khmer Rouge sites as UNESCO World Heritage, marking the first modern-era recognition on behalf of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Choeung Ek Killing Fields, and M-13 prison. These are notorious locations used as torture and execution sites in the past. At a UNESCO meeting in Paris on July 11, the sites were officially listed under "Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centers of repression to places of peace and reflection." Cambodia held nationwide drum-beating ceremonies on Sunday to honor the designation. Cambodia's Interim Culture Minister described the listing as a "model for the world." 23-year-old Jannik Sinner won his first Wimbledon men's singles title on Sunday in a historic final between the world's No. 1 and No. 2 players, defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz with scores of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, and 6-4. Sinner became the first-ever Italian Wimbledon singles champion, and the victory marks his fourth Grand Slam title overall. Despite dropping the first set, Sinner played on with resilience as he won three consecutive sets, to end his five-match losing streak against Alcaraz. Alcaraz, seeking a third consecutive Wimbledon crown, acknowledged Sinner's performance, calling their rivalry "a class apart."

Soundtrack for "KPop Demon Hunters" shows continuing popularity in charts

2025/07/14 19:42

The original soundtrack of Netflix animation "KPop Demon Hunters" continues to soar on the Billboard 200 chart. The soundtrack ranked second according to the latest findings having entered the chart. at eighth place upon its release. According to the U.S. music chart the soundtrack has also secured 96-point-3 million streams in its third week the highest weekly streaming for a film soundtrack since "Encanto" in 2022. "Golden" one of the songs in the "KPop Demon Hunters" has also topped domestic charts including Melon's Top 10 one of Korea's leading music charts.

Running through the summer heat: S. Korea's nighttime fitness craze

2025/07/14 19:41

Running is a fitness trend that has been gaining greater traction here in Korea in recent times and the blistering summer heat is doing little to dampen the spirit of runners here in the capital city. Our Park Hyo-been joined them. It's 7 PM on a humid summer evening, but the heat hasn't stopped these runners. People stretch, chat, and tie their shoelaces, getting ready for their weekly run. "I really feel like I've become healthier through running. Even when it's tough in the summer, I think of it as a 'double XP event' so I push myself even harder." "When I run with the crew, I get more energy from the people around me. I end up running further than I could on my own, and I enjoy it more too." They are the Seoul Running Crew, a free community running program held at three locations across Seoul. Every Thursday evening, runners meet up and split into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. "Right now, I'm running with the crew here at Yeouido Park. Even though the sun's nearly gone down, the heat is intense and so is the energy." Led by professional coaches, including former national athletes, participants are guided safely based on their pace and fitness levels. Since this season kicked off in April, all 60 spots at each location have been fully booked every single week. To support this growing fitness trend, the city has even revamped its infrastructure. Take Yeouinaru Station, right in the heart of Seoul's business district. It now features a "Runner Station," a dedicated facility for joggers equipped with lockers and changing rooms, so office workers can head straight out for a run after work. The station also offers live weather updates, UV levels, and wind speed, so runners can check if conditions are safe to run. There are also check-up sessions for beginner runners, helping them find the right pace range and recommending routes that match their fitness level. Despite the sweltering heat, more and more people are lacing up their shoes and hitting the asphalt. For them, summer nights aren't just about beating the heat, they're about building community, pushing limits, and making the city their own. Park Hyobeen, Arirang News.