News

Iran and US end 4th round of talks over Tehran's nuclear program on positive note

2025/05/12 10:00

Iran and the United States concluded their fourth round of nuclear negotiations in Muscat, Oman, on Sunday. The talks, mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi, lasted approximately three hours and were described as "difficult but useful." Both sides expressed cautious optimism at the progress made, despite ongoing disagreements over uranium enrichment, a central issue of the negotiations. Iran maintains that its right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes is non-negotiable, while the U.S. insists on a complete halt to such activities and dismantling related infrastructure. Despite the differences, both parties agreed to schedule a fifth round of talks.

India, Pakistan agree to ceasefire

2025/05/12 10:00

The truce between India and Pakistan remains fragile with reports of renewed tensions. On Saturday, May 10, India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire agreement following a series of military exchanges that had raised concerns about a broader conflict. However, within hours of the truce being announced, renewed hostilities were reported along the Line of Control in Kashmir. Both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire, with incidents of shelling and drone activity occurring. The ceasefire was facilitated by the United States, with President Donald Trump announcing the agreement and praising both nations for their decision. It followed military clashes that had begun after a deadly attack by militants in Pahalgam in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir on April 22.

'No more war' says Pope Leo XIV in first Sunday message

2025/05/12 10:00

Starting in Rome, Pope Leo XIV delivered his inaugural Sunday address in St. Peter's Square, making a powerful plea for global peace, urging for an end to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. "As Pope Francis has repeatedly stated, I too appeal to the great ones of the world, repeating the ever-relevant plea: No More War!'' On May 11, Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, stood on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to deliver his first Sunday blessing in front of a crowd of approximately 100,000. He chose this position over the usual Apostolic Palace window, departing from tradition to symbolize a new approach. In his address, Pope Leo XIV echoed the words of his predecessor, Pope Francis, by urging "No more war." He expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, describing the global situation as a "Third World War being fought piecemeal." While calling for lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the pontiff also acknowledged the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

Tracing the history of the Joseon Tongsinsa

2025/05/12 10:00

This year marks 60 years since South Korea and Japan normalized diplomatic ties. In light of the anniversary, the Seoul Museum of History is spotlighting a centuries-old goodwill mission, the Joseon Tongsinsa, with a special exhibition. Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin has more. These paintings offer a glimpse into the original Joseon Tongsinsa missions, depicting the formal procession and the ships that carried the envoys across the sea to Japan. For those curious about how these centuries-old diplomatic journeys helped bridge the two countries, you can step back in time here. "This exhibition, 'Bonds of the Heart, Waves of Resonance,' currently on at the Seoul Museum of History, is the largest-ever held on the Joseon Tongsinsa. It also marks the museum's biggest exhibition since its opening in 2002." More than 100 artifacts from both Korea and Japan are on display, some of them listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. "The Tongsinsa missions were launched after the Imjin War, at a time when Japan was still viewed as a sworn enemy. But Joseon decided to restore diplomatic ties for the peace and stability of its people. Those efforts to rebuild trust is what we've focused on." The three-part exhibition traces the history of the 12 Tongsinsa missions from the 17th to 19th centuries, from their dispatch and sea voyage, to cultural exchanges in Japan, and their return home. "As the missions continued, mutual understanding grew, and many of the artifacts on display, such as the handwritten exchanges and literary works by the envoys, reflect that deepening relationship." That human connection is captured in this painting, collected by the late Korean historian Shin Gi-su. Shin donated over a hundred artifacts related to the Joseon Tongsinsa to the Osaka Museum of History. "This painting shows an everyday interaction. An envoy on horseback is greeted by a Japanese citizen, almost like an autograph signing. While we have many records of formal diplomacy, there's little that shows how ordinary people connected with the envoys." The first part of 'Bonds of the Heart, Waves of Resonance' will close on May 25th. The second and final phase will open on May 27th with new artifacts, until June 29th. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

Lee Ok-sun, survivor of Japanese military sexual slavery, passes away at 97

2025/05/12 10:00

Lee Ok-sun, a victim and survivor of the Japanese military's wartime sexual slavery, passed away on Sunday at the age of 97. Born in Busan, Lee was taken to China at the age of 14, where she suffered three years as a sexual slave for the Japanese military. She has spoken out globally for about two decades, taking part in protests to demand an official apology from Japan and giving testimony abroad to raise awareness. Lee moved to a nursing hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do Province in March last year due to health issues. With her death, the number of registered surviving victims in South Korea now stands at six.

Zelenskyy says he's ready to meet Putin in Istanbul for peace talks

2025/05/12 10:00

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he'll travel to Türkiye later this week to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for potential ceasefire talks over the Ukraine crisis. in what will be their first face-to-face since the war began over three years ago. Lee Seung-jae reports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's ready to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin face-to-face for talks to finally end the Russia-Ukraine War. The Ukrainian leader said Sunday that he would be in Istanbul to negotiate with his Russian counterpart "personally," raising hopes for a complete ceasefire. Zelenskyy took to X, saying that it was a "positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war." However, he stressed that "the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire," adding that Kyiv hopes Moscow will confirm a ceasefire starting Monday. Zelenskyy's comments came after Putin announced that Moscow is ready to resume direct talks with Kyiv in Istanbul starting on May 15. According to the Associated Press on Sunday, Putin said that "Russia has continuously proposed a ceasefire," adding they "had never once refused dialogue with Ukraine." The Russian leader also stressed that "Ukraine bears the responsibility for the suspension of negotiations in 2022," and called on Kyiv to "resume the previously suspended negotiations unconditionally." However, Putin did not specify whether the talks in Istanbul would involve the two leaders directly. A number of world leaders,.. including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Saturday. They issued a joint call for a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday, a plan which has also received support from both the EU and Washington. The leaders also pledged tougher sanctions on Moscow if Putin did not accept the ceasefire proposal. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

OECD says S. Korea's potential growth rate will fall below 2%

2025/05/12 10:00

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says South Korea's potential GDP growth rate next year will fall below two percent. According to the economic outlook report released by the OECD on Monday, the country's potential growth rate for 2026 stands at 1-point-9-8 percent, down point-zero-four percentage points from this year's forecast of 2-point-zero-two percent. The outlook follows other forecasts, including the Korea Development Institute which predicted a figure below 2 percent. Potential GDP is the maximum level of production that a country can achieve by mobilizing all of its production factors, including labor, capital, and resources, without causing inflation.

U.S. and China make "substantial progress" in first high-level tariff talks

2025/05/12 10:00

The U.S. and China say they finished their first official trade talks on a positive note over the weekend, with the results of their negotiations set to be revealed on Monday. Our Choi Soo-hyung reports. The United States and China saw "substantial progress" in their first negotiations between senior officials since the trade war erupted. U.S. Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent said on Sunday at the end of a two-day meeting in Geneva, Switzerland that the talks were productive and constructive. "I'm happy to report that we've made substantial progress between the United States and China in these very important trade talks. And I spoke to President Trump, as did Ambassador Jamieson last night, and he is fully informed of what is going on." China also stated both sides' trade relations are mutually beneficial and that they will issue a joint statement on Monday, local time. Although details have not been disclosed, attention is on possible agreements over tariffs, illegal drugs, and China's rare earth export limits. The head of Chinese delegation, He Lifeng has also vowed to continue further talks. "The meeting achieved substantial progress. The two sides agreed on establishing a consultation mechanism for trade and economic issues, identified the lead persons on each side, and we'll carry on further consultations relating to trade and economic issues of their respective concerns." The latest high-level meeting marked the first between the two nations since U.S. President Donald Trump's return to office. Since February, President Trump has imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, reaching up to 145 percent. In response, China raised tariffs on U.S. imports to 125 percent and imposed a ban on rare earth exports. However, right before the latest talks, on Friday last week Trump suggested lowering tariffs to 80 percent and later on the first day of negotiations, he posted on his social media, saying "great progress" was made. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

PPP's Kim kicks off presidential campaign stressing livelihoods at market

2025/05/12 10:00

1. Now we go to the opposing People Power Party's candidate, Kim Moon-soo. He was confirmed as the PPP candidate later than DP's candidate, but it seems like he started his campaign earlier. Let's go to the Party headquarters where our Kim Do-yeon standing by. Do-yeon, walk us through the latest. Good morning Dami. As you said, I'm at the campaign headquarters where Kim is having a campaign committee meeting. Now, this isn't his first official campaign activity he actually started earlier than his rival at 5 AM in the morning as he visited Garak Market an agricultural wholesale market in southern Seoul. This is to show his motivation in improving the livelihoods of working-class people according to him, and this market is where wholesale and retail, sellers and consumers come together starting from the early hours. Another interesting turn of events was how Kim picked a 34 year old as the new interim leader of the party. Kim Yong-tae a freshman lawmaker now leads the party as the emergency committee head after Kwon Young-se resigned due to Kim's merger with independent candidate Han falling through. From the beginning the new young leader opposed the change of candidates supporting Kim Moon-soo. As for his trail he's going to travel south after this meeting and be in Daejeon in the afternoon and then Daegu a conservative stronghold. 2. We weren't even sure if Kim was going to register as the People Power Party presidential candidate going into the weekend. But Kim is the PPP candidate now officially, let's recap what happened over the weekend. That’s right, Dami. It was late Saturday night when the registered members of the People Power Party put an end to the internal chaos—voting against replacing Kim Moon-soo with independent candidate Han Duck-soo. Kim clashed with PPP leadership all week, accusing them of trying to oust him. In a surprise move, the party revoked Kim’s candidacy early Saturday, naming Han instead—then held a survey to justify it which the party members voted against to reinstate Kim as the candidate. Now take a listen to what he had to say as he registered at the National Election Commission. "This was a rare outcome in a black-and-white vote. Despite heavy pressure from party leadership and lawmakers, fellow party members stood firm and upheld democracy—proving how strong and democratic the People Power Party truly is." After that Kim and Han met here at the People Power Party headquarters after Han closed his campaign due to the result. Kim also requested that Han join the campaign as a committee member but Han didn't accept it at least not yet. That's all for now back to you, Dami. Alright, Do-yeon. Thanks for the coverage.

DP’s Lee Jae-myung kicks off official campaign in Gwanghwamun, emphasizing “Revolution of Light”

2025/05/12 10:00

Starting today, seven candidates will go all out for the next 22 days to convince voters that they are the best choice to serve as the 21st president of South Korea. That includes Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung who's declaring his campaign at Gwanghwamun Square. We have our political correspondent Shin Ha-young at the site. Good morning, Ha-young. Ha-young, has Lee's campaign kicked off yet? Good morning Dami. I’m currently out here at Cheonggye Plaza near Seoul's Gwanghwamun where the Democratic Party launched its campaign and the party’s Lee Jae-myung is (giving/ set to deliver) his first public speech of the campaign as an official presidential candidate. Lee’s camp chose Gwanghwamun as his first stop of the official campaign because it’s where people gathered with light sticks, calling for the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The DP refers to the process of overcoming the December 3rd martial law declaration and subsequent unrest as a "Revolution of Light.” Here, the party aims to reaffirm its commitment to reflect the people’s will in overcoming the insurrection throughout the election. The concept of the campaign centers on ‘listening’ and ‘unity.’ "This time, choose someone who’ll truly work for the country, for you, your family, and your neighbors not based on party or background." Meanwhile, Lee registered his candidacy with the National Election Commission on Saturday and was assigned candidate number one, as numbers follow each party’s seat count in parliament, starting with the largest. 2. After launching his campaign in Gwanghwamun today, how is Lee Jae-myung spending the rest of the first day of official campaigning? After finishing in Seoul, Lee will head south in the afternoon to present his economic vision. He will visit what the party calls the "K-Initiative Belt," which includes Pangyo and Dongtan in Gyeonggi-do Province, as well as Daejeon. In Pangyo, which is known for IT companies, Lee will focus on innovation; and in Dongtan, home to major chipmaker plants, he will focus on semiconductors. In the central city of Daejeon, a hub for scientific research, Lee will focus on science and technology. This is to highlight Lee’s vision of leading in cutting-edge technologies like AI. Last month, Lee made his first campaign pledge, promising to open an era of 100 trillion Korean won or around 70 billion U.S. dollars in AI investment, stressing his commitment to advancing technology. That’s all I have for this hour, but I will bring more updates in a later newscast. All right, Ha-young thank you for the latest. That was our National Assembly correspondent Shin Ha-young.

[WEEKLY FOCUS] Fed holds rates steady amid 'uncertainty'; what this means for S. Korea's future rate decisions

2025/05/10 12:00

The U.S. Federal Reserve has left its key interest rate unchanged yet again, a decision made at a critical time when it comes to not just the U.S. economy, but also the global economy. For more on this, our economics correspondent Lee Soo-jin joins us in the studio. Welcome, Soo-jin. Thank you for having me. Soo-jin, first, tell us about the decision and where the rates stand now. Sure, so in its third monetary policy meeting of the year, the U.S. Fed has decided to continue its "wait-and-see" stance by, as you just said, keeping rates steady. The decision to keep the current key borrowing rate range of 4-point-2-5 percent to 4-point-5 percent on Wednesday extends the pause in the Federal Open Market Committee's rate-cutting cycle, which has been in place since January. Here's what Fed Chair Jerome Powell said were the reasons behind the rate freeze decision. "The risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation appear to have risen, and we believe that the current stance of monetary policy leaves us well-positioned to respond in a timely way to potential economic developments." And these risks to employment and inflation ---the two pillars of the Fed's dual mandate ---stem from the uncertainty surrounding President Trump's tariffs. How has the White House responded to the decision? The decision to leave rates unchanged was, not exactly welcomed by President Trump. He called the Fed Chair a "fool" on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, saying how prices have been contained. But concerns over stagflation, which occurs when there is persistent inflation without any economic growth, have surfaced from the Fed's policy statement about the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation. The decision to hold rates steady was unanimous, despite weeks of pressure from Trump to lower them, resulting in him at one point even threatening to fire Powell. Still, Trump and his administration remain firm in their stance that the Fed should cut rates, arguing that high borrowing costs are no longer needed as prices have steadily cooled. But according to one expert, while recent inflation data shows some easing, future price trends remain uncertain due to Trump's ongoing tariff threats. Let's take a listen. "The latest report on consumer inflation saw a 2-point-4 percent year-on-year rise in March. The one-year outlook compiled by the University of Michigan stands at 6-point-5 percent. The main driver of the jump in inflation expectation is President Trump's tariff policies." So when is the Fed expected to lower rates? Right, so experts remain divided on exactly when this will happen. And that's because the Fed is likely to wait until it is more certain about the economic impact of tariffs, through economic data. Let's listen. "But the fact is that the markets hate uncertainty. And by the way, so does the Fed. So the Fed doesn't want to do anything until we get clarity. And that's going to take some time," And this is in line with how Powell said that it "depends" when asked if there will be rate cuts at all this year. Tangible economic data required before the Fed cuts rates, includes inflation remaining relatively contained while the job market or economic growth weakens further. And according to an expert, this impact will surface in the second half of the year, also when rate cuts are expected to begin. "They'll definitely start cutting rates in the second half. With oil prices and other factors relatively stable, inflation is starting to ease. Once that trend becomes clear, the Fed will likely move to lower rates more decisively." How much of an impact does it have on future policy rate decision here at home? Well, it has quite a significant impact because the Bank of Korea closely watches the Fed's interest rate decisions. The latest rate freeze leaves the key interest rate gap between South Korea and the United States at 1-point-7-5 percentage points based on the upper end of each country's rates. And the rate gap puts the BOK in a tough position ahead of its own meeting later this month, as an even larger gap could lead to capital outflows that push the won down further ---raising import costs and adding to inflation. But Korea's central bank is likely to lower interest rates due to the sluggish domestic economy. Here's what another expert said. "While the exchange rate is now in the upper 1-thousand-3-hundred-won range, domestic factors are becoming more important for rate cuts. Ideally, the Fed would cut rates too, but given Korea's tough domestic situation, many expect the Bank of Korea to cut rates in May." Data released by the central bank last month showed that the country's real gross domestic product, a key indicator of the economy, shrank by 0-point-2 percent quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter. The South Korean government vowed to remain vigilant, as Acting Finance Minister Kim Beom-seok said on Thursday in response to the Fed leaving rates unchanged, that the government will hold weekly macroeconomic and financial meetings to monitor markets and ensure economic stability. All right, thank you for your report today. Anytime.

Cardinal Robert Prevost becomes first U.S. pope taking the name Leo XIV

2025/05/09 20:00

A new pope has been elected to lead 1.4 billion Catholics around the world. Cardinal Robert Prevost , the first American pope, took the name Pope Leo XIV , hoping to serve as a bridge between tradition and reform. His first message to the public was "peace." Shin Se-byuck reports. As white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel at 6:05 PM on Thursday local time, the world welcomed a new pope. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Leo XIV, has become the first American pope in the over 2-thousand-year history of the Catholic Church. Emerging in the traditional white cassock, the new pope appeared on the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square to deliver his first message to the world. The 69-year-old was elected on the fourth round of voting, just two days after the conclave began, with at least two-thirds of the 133 cardinal votes needed to confirm his selection. His election comes 17 days after the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis. In the Vatican, the atmosphere was one of celebration as the faithful welcomed the newly elected pontiff. "Having the leader of the Catholic Church to be from the same country as I am, I have just felt like I just felt very proud." "Really happy and really happy. It's a big surprise and a big blessing for the church and for the church in the United States, and the church in the Americas." U.S. President Donald Trump also took to social media, saying it's an "honor" to see the first American pope. Back in his hometown of Chicago, the mood was equally celebratory. "Very surprised and then elated." "It's exciting. American. It's it's nice for us." Born in 1955 in Chicago, Leo XIV served in Peru for two decades, working with indigenous communities and the poor before being appointed archbishop in 2015. In 2023, he was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis and took on the influential role of prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing key church appointments. The name "Leo," from the Latin word for "lion," symbolizes strength, courage, and leadership in the Catholic tradition. The last pope to bear the name, Leo XIII, who served for 25 years from 1878, is credited with laying the foundation for modern Catholic teaching by addressing the social challenges of the industrial era. Cardinal Prevost's choice of the name Leo XIV is seen as a nod to this legacy. His diverse background, combining North American roots and deep Latin American connections, is being viewed as a potential bridge within the global Church, appealing to both conservative and progressive factions. Looking ahead, Leo XIV is expected to visit South Korea in 2027 for the next World Youth Day. This would mark the fourth visit by a pope to South Korea and the first in 13 years since Pope Francis visited in August 2014. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.

Official campaigning for June 3 Presidential Election to begin on Monday

2025/05/09 20:00

Official campaigning will begin on Monday for the June 3rd Presidential Election. After the National Election Commission receives candidate registrations on Saturday and Sunday, official contenders can take to the streets until the day before the election. Official candidate posters will be displayed at some 80-thousand locations across the country, with 26-million campaign booklets and 25-million flyers distributed to households nationwide. Candidates, family members and campaign staff will be allowed to hand out name cards and display banners. Outdoor speeches and discussions can be held in public spaces between 7 AM and 11 PM. Candidates' top ten policy pledges will also be available on the commission's election policy website.

DP candidate Lee Jae-myung visits conservative stronghold ahead of official campaign kickoff

2025/05/09 20:00

The liberal party's presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung chose traditionally conservative-leaning Gyeongsangbuk-do Province for his campaign today. This comes amid his legal risk being cleared for now, but repercussions still ongoing. Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung began a two-day visit to the Gyeongsang-do provinces today, to meet with residents. It marks his final regional trip before the official campaign kicks off on Monday, and he chose to focus on areas known as conservative strongholds. At his first stop in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Lee said the president is just a tool chosen by the people and encouraged voters to choose a trustworthy worker. He also appealed to voters by pledging full National Assembly support for the upcoming APEC summit in the city. "I'm sure the people of Gyeongju will help build not just a better city, but a new and hopeful Korea for the people one that's for the people and respects the people." Ahead of the official campaign, Lee's camp introduced its strategy for the presidential race. The camp decided to focus on national unity with a brand identity using both blue and red. It highlighted three key points: ending what it called "insurrection" and restoring democracy, helping Korea become a global leader, and building a united nation. Meanwhile, following the Supreme Court's decision on Lee's election law violation case, the DP, which has been describing it as political interference, continues to urge an investigation into the top court's ruling. This comes despite the removal of a major legal hurdle for Lee, as the high court postponed a rehearing and review of its verdict until after the presidential election. Party Floor Leader Park Chan-dae said on Friday that the best way for Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to protect the judiciary's honor and do what's right was to step down before it was too late. Judges from around the country have decided to hold an extraordinary meeting on May 26th to discuss the controversy surrounding the Supreme Court's ruling on Lee. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Divided Right, Resilient Left: S. Korea's election battle Intensifies

2025/05/09 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. With the presidential election just weeks away, South Korea's conservative bloc has hit a critical impasse. Hopes for a unified conservative candidacy collapsed this week after two high-stakes meetings between Kim Moon-soo, the newly nominated People Power Party candidate, and independent contender Han Duck-soo ended in failure. Despite growing pressure from party leadership and the looming May 11 registration deadline, the two failed to reconcile their differences going forward. This breakdown not only clouds the conservative strategy but also injects fresh uncertainty into an already volatile race. Meanwhile, the opposition's Lee Jae-myung continues to poll strongly, even in head-to-head matchups. For a closer look at the situation, we invited Song Se-ryun, Professor of Law at Kyung Hee University. Welcome. Also joining us is Lee Hee-eun, Dean and Professor of Law at Handong International Law School. Great to see you. (SONG) 1. Let's start with Prof.Song, so the unification of the broader conservative bloc, which had seemed to gain momentum following Kim Moon-soo's nomination as the People Power Party's presidential candidate, has hit a stalemate after independent preliminary candidate Han Duck-soo stepped in. Despite meetings on the 7th and 8th, the two sides failed to reach an agreement. What are your thoughts on the outcome of those meetings? (LEE) 2. Now, to Prof. Lee, we have been aware that Kim Moon-soo was among the most proactive about candidate unification during the party primary. What do you think is the background behind his shift in stance? (LEE) 3. The People Power Party leadership laid out a "unification roadmap," proposing a debate followed by public polling to determine the final candidate. However, Kim Moon-soo's camp has effectively rejected this plan. What impact could this conflict between the party leadership and candidate Kim have on the upcoming election? (SONG) 4. Meanwhile, Former Acting President Han Duck-soo has declared that if a unified candidacy is not achieved by the registration deadline of May 11, he will not register as a candidate. How should we interpret his statement Prof. Song? (LEE) 5. Just hours ago, the court has dismissed both injunction requests filed by Kim Moon-soo—one seeking to affirm his status as the official candidate, and another to block the convening of the People Power Party's National Committee and Party Congress. What's the reasoning behind the court's decision? And what about the possibility, now being discussed in some circles, of replacing the party's candidate? (SONG) 6. The ongoing discord surrounding unification appears to be wearing on the electorate. In terms of strategy Prof. Song, how do you think the People Power Party should address voter fatigue and move forward? (LEE) 7. According to a recent Gallup Korea poll, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung is leading a hypothetical matchup against a unified conservative candidate. This is despite the Supreme Court returning his public election law violation case for review at the high court. What do you make of his continued lead Prof. Lee? (SONG) 8. Lee Jae-myung's rehearing and review of the verdict in his election law violations case has been postponed from May 15 to June 18 — after the presidential election. Prof. Song, how should we interpret the court's decision, and what impact could it have on the election? (BOTH) 9. With less than a month until election day, what major variables remain that could shake up the race?

Kim Moon-soo denied helped from court as PPP weighs Han merger in private

2025/05/09 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. The People Power Party and its presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo met today amid severe conflict over the single candidacy for the conservative camp. What looked to be an amicable meet-up soon turned frigid as neither seemed to have changed their stances. Hours later, a court dismissed Kim's request seeking his candidacy status protected. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon has the latest. Amid escalating tensions over the conservative bloc merger, a Seoul court on Friday evening dismissed a request by People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo to block what he called an attempt by the party's leadership to unlawfully remove him as the nominee. Kim has argued that the party leadership is sidelining him in favor of merging with independent candidate Han Duck-soo with Han on the ballot. This also comes after Kim's dramatic first appearance at a full floor meeting of PPP lawmakers since winning the primary on Friday morning, a move that some thought was a sign of easing tensions with the party. He took to the podium with positivity. "Esteemed lawmakers of our proud People Power Party, I sincerely love and respect you all." But positivity and eased tensions were not his intention. He proceeded to double down on his criticism of the leadership for forcing the merger with Han. "Even now, the party leadership is using every unlawful and unjust means to remove me and install an independent candidate as our party's nominee." The party's interim-leader responded and charged out of the meeting in anger. "I won't say much. But if someone wants to be a true leader — a greater leader — they must be willing to let go of themselves." Kim followed soon after. As he exited the chamber, several lawmakers urged him to stay and talk but Kim brushed past them, a clear display of just how deep the rift has grown. Kim has continued to call for a merger to happen next week, saying a rushed deal would only hurt both camps and fail to win over voters. But the PPP leadership is pushing for a merger before Sunday the official deadline to register candidates warning that if Han registers as an independent, he'll be listed lower on the ballot and barred from using the party's name or logo even if he becomes the final candidate between the two. Han, for his part, has drawn a firm line no merger by Sunday, no candidacy at all. Meanwhile, the party conducted a two-day internal vote among registered members, along with a public opinion poll, to decide its official nominee. Voting among members ended at 4 PM Friday, and the public poll wrapped up at 1 PM. Although results cannot be publicly released due to election regulations, they may be disclosed behind closed doors as PPP lawmakers gathered for another floor-wide meeting at 8 PM. Now, with the court refusing to intervene and Sunday's deadline fast approaching, the party is free to act and the internal survey could prove decisive in shaping what comes next. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

[Weather] Rain continues in central areas until Saturday, cooling trend this weekend

2025/05/09 20:00

There has been a dramatic shift in the weather lately, and today we faced widespread rain and strong winds. Jeju Island had rough weather with rain and wind advisories. While the rain will mostly stop in the southern regions and Jeju by tonight, it's expected to linger in the capital areas until early tomorrow and Gangwon-do could see rain into the afternoon. The daytime highs were 10 degrees lower than yesterday in the capital. Temperatures will remain below the norms throughout the weekend. For a closer look, Seoul and Daejeon wake up to a low of 12 degrees, Gwangju at 13 degrees. Partial sunshine returns to Busan and Jeju by the afternoon with a high of 19 degrees, but Seoul only gets up to 15 degrees under cloudy skies. Next week looks to be more promising with wider gaps between lows and highs. That's Korea for you. Here's a look at the international weather conditions.

[Arts & Culture] Discovering the story of Joseon Tongsinsa in Seoul

2025/05/09 20:00

Time now for our Arts and Culture segment. As always, we're joined by our culture correspondent, Song Yoo-jin. Welcome! Happy Friday! What do you have for us today? Over the past two weeks, I've been bringing you the story of the Joseon Tongsinsa through the reenacted envoy procession and the recreated ship that sailed to Japan. Today, I'll take you inside a special exhibition in Seoul that dives into the history behind this centuries-old diplomatic mission. These paintings offer a glimpse into the original Joseon Tongsinsa missions, depicting the formal procession and the ships that carried the envoys across the sea to Japan. For those curious about how these centuries-old diplomatic journeys helped bridge the two countries, you can step back in time here. "This exhibition, 'Bonds of the Heart, Waves of Resonance,' currently on at the Seoul Museum of History, is the largest-ever held on the Joseon Tongsinsa. It also marks the museum's biggest exhibition since its opening in 2002." More than 100 artifacts from both Korea and Japan are on display, some of them listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. "The Tongsinsa missions were launched after the Imjin War, at a time when Japan was still viewed as a sworn enemy. But Joseon decided to restore diplomatic ties for the peace and stability of its people. Those efforts to rebuild trust is what we've focused on." The three-part exhibition traces the history of the 12 Tongsinsa missions from the 17th to 19th centuries, from their dispatch and sea voyage, to cultural exchanges in Japan, and their return home. "As the missions continued, mutual understanding grew, and many of the artifacts on display, such as the handwritten exchanges and literary works by the envoys, reflect that deepening relationship." That human connection is captured in this painting, collected by the late Korean historian Shin Gi-su. Shin donated over a hundred artifacts related to the Joseon Tongsinsa to the Osaka Museum of History. "This painting shows an everyday interaction. An envoy on horseback is greeted by a Japanese citizen, almost like an autograph signing. While we have many records of formal diplomacy, there's little that shows how ordinary people connected with the envoys." The first part of 'Bonds of the Heart, Waves of Resonance' will close on May 25th. The second and final phase will open on May 27th with new artifacts, until June 29th. You just gave us a sneak peek that we'll get to see some new artifacts once the exhibition enters its second phase. What can we expect in the latter half? That caught my interest too, so I asked Curator Oh directly. She explained that while the first phase of the exhibition walks visitors through the overall journey of the Joseon Tongsinsa, from their departure in Seoul to their arrival in Japan, the second phase will zoom in on more detailed aspects of the missions. For example, one of the new artifacts for phase two will be a painting of a Tongsinsa ship carrying an official royal letter from the Joseon king to the Japanese ruler, the Shogun. Safely delivering this letter to Tokyo was considered the core purpose of the entire diplomatic mission. Other highlights include illustrations of Joseon's horseback performances, which were a major crowd-pleaser among Japanese locals at the time. Sounds fascinating, and hopefully you'll be covering the second phase for us as well. And Yoo-jin, you previously mentioned that the Tongsinsa procession and ship you've been following this year are based on the 11th mission. Can you tell us more about that specific journey and whether the exhibition highlights it in any particular way? Absolutely. The 11th mission, which took place from 1763 to 64, is often regarded as the highlight of the 12 official Tongsinsa missions. That's because by that point, the diplomatic relationship between Korea and Japan was pretty much restored, and mutual understanding had grown significantly. As a result, the exchange of culture and ideas, especially between Joseon envoys and Japanese scholars, reached a high point. That's why the greatest number of travel records and collections of envoy poetry were published during that mission. In fact, the exhibition's final section, part three, includes a dedicated space highlighting the 11th Tongsinsa mission and its significance. It's located at the very end of the gallery. Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin, thank you as always for your reporting. Always a pleasure.

Tensions get worse between India and Pakistan with drone and missile attacks

2025/05/09 20:00

Over in South Asia, Tensions between India and Pakistan are getting worse. Both sides keep attacking and retaliating with drone and missile strikes. India stated on Thursday, it had intercepted Pakistani airstrikes on its military sites, while Pakistan denied this, and claimed it shot down 25 Indian drones. On the same day, India carried out airstrikes in parts of Punjab and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This came a day after India claimed to have struck nine "terrorist infrastructure" sites in Pakistan in response to the massacre of 26 individuals, mostly Indian tourists, by militants in April.

Putin, Xi pledge to deepen ties, urge other nations to drop sanctions against N. Korea

2025/05/09 20:00

Leaders of Russia and China have met in Moscow seeking a deeper partnership, apparently with the United States in mind. Their agenda also covered urging the international community to abandon sanctions on North Korea. Our Choi Soo-hyung has more. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Moscow on Thursday, local time, and signed a joint statement where they pledged to strengthen cooperation in all areas, including military ties. During their talks in the Kremlin, the two leaders cast themselves as "defenders of a new world order no longer dominated by the U.S.," amid growing pressure from the West. "Our common heroic past and combat brotherhood are a reliable foundation for the development and strengthening of Russian-Chinese relations. And these relations have reached the highest level in history." The two sides also addressed global issues, including those related to North Korea. They called on other countries to drop sanctions against Pyongyang, while saying issues on the Korean Peninsula must be resolved "only through diplomatic means." " China and Russia will continue to stand together, firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, and international order based on international law, and continue to promote an equal and orderly multi-polar world." One expert suggested the reason Russia and China are backing North Korea could be because of the North's role in countering threats from the West. "I can only speculate that North Korea is playing an important role in this anti-Western strategy. In the immediate circumstances, it's providing weaponry, it's providing artillery, it's providing soldiers, and, of course, it's testing these short-range missiles for export, for use in other battlefields as well. So it may be that North Korea is simply 'useful' in this respect for both the great powers China and Russia." Xi and other world leaders attended the annual Victory Day military parade in Moscow on Friday, to mark the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War Two. This was the first time in 10 years for the Chinese leader to attend the event. At the parade Putin also met with a North Korean military delegation and Sin Hong-chol, the North's ambassador to Russia, saying Russia supports those participating in the "special military operation" in Ukraine. The South Korean government earlier said it had received an invitation from Russia, but decided not to attend. This is likely because sending a senior official to the parade showcasing Russia's military capabilities could in itself send the wrong signal, especially at a time when Pyongyang and Moscow have been continuing arms cooperation, which is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.