News

Pakistan air defense system neutralizes dozen Indian drones

2025/05/08 20:00

Pakistani officials say the country's air defense system neutralized a dozen Indian drones overnight that intruded into various locations. The officials added that four troops were wounded by a drone that attacked a military target near Pakistan's Lahore city. No immediate comments have yet come from India. The incident follows India's missile strikes on Pakistani locations the previous day that reportedly killed at least 31 civilians. In response, Pakistan vowed retaliation, saying India would now have to "pay the price" for its actions.

Black smoke from Sistine Chapel signals no pope elected in first round of conclave

2025/05/08 20:00

At the Vatican. Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel's chimney on the first day of the voting by cardinals to elect a new pope, meaning no consensus was made. Four rounds of voting is slated for Thursday. Lee Eun-hee has more. Black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican on Wednesday, signaling that the conclave had failed to elect a new pope on the first day. As the dark smoke curled into the night sky, a wave of disappointment swept through the crowd gathered at St. Peter's Square, many of whom had been waiting for hours. "It's an emotion, it's an emotion to be here, especially, and we will be here again tomorrow. It was expected to be black smoke today, for the first vote." The black smoke from the burning ballots came more than three hours after the start of the conclave, taking longer than expected. This was an hour longer than it took for smoke to appear after the first vote in the 2013 conclave that elected the late Pope Francis. "I would like it to be a Pope who continues the legacy of Pope Francis, meaning that he is a more open, more liberal Pope, because that is the way to attract people to the Church." To be elected, a new pope must secure at least 89 votes, a two-thirds majority. The conclave will resume on Thursday, with 1-hundred-33 cardinals from 70 countries voting in strict secrecy. "Yes, we'll come back tomorrow because we live here, so tomorrow, from the morning, we'll be on the lookout to see if there's white smoke." When a pope is chosen, white smoke will emerge from the chimney. Starting Thursday, the cardinals will hold four votes a day, two votes in the morning session and two in the afternoon. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

Putin-Xi meet in Moscow for first 2025 summit

2025/05/08 20:00

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have held their first in-person summit of the year in Moscow. Xi's visit coincides with Russia's 80th Victory Day celebrations tomorrow on Friday. The two leaders exchanged greetings, referring to one another as "friend," while Putin said both countries would stand together against "neo-Nazism." He also thanked Xi for inviting him to China's upcoming 80th anniversary marking its victory over Japan in September. Xi also stressed joint efforts as major powers to counter what he called "unilateralism and bullying."

[Econ & Biz] Fed holds rates steady amid 'uncertainty'; what that means for S. Korea's future rate decisions

2025/05/08 20:00

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 world economy. For more on this, our economics correspondent Lee Soo-jin joins us in the studio. 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. The decision to hold rates steady was thus unanimous, despite weeks of pressure from Trump to lower them, resulting in him even threatening to fire Powell which he backed off of. Still, he and his administration remained 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." Then 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. 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, include 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, 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." What does all this mean for the future policy rate decision here at home? Well, it does quite a bit, 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 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. Thank you for having me.

Trump says 'no' to bringing down tariffs for China before negotiations

2025/05/08 20:00

Officials from the U.S. and China will be sitting down in Geneva this weekend, hoping to resolve hefty tariffs imposed on each other's products. Ahead of the event, Mr. Trump has rejected reducing levies on Beijing. Lee Seung-jae has more. Amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and China, U.S. President Donald Trump said he won't lower his 145 percent tariff on Chinese imports before trade talks happen between the two countries. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump was asked if he would be "open to pulling back" on his tariffs in order to bring China to the negotiation table, to which he simply replied "no." The comments come as Beijing said earlier that meaningful negotiations would only happen if Washington lowers the 145 percent tariffs first. His comments come as a meeting between U.S. and Chinese trade officials is set to take place in Geneva on Saturday. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are set to meet with China's economic chief He Lifeng, in what could be the first step towards de-escalating tensions between the two economic powers. Speaking to Fox News earlier this week, Bessent said the trade talks will center mostly on de-escalating tensions, and not on a "big trade deal." Last month, President Trump raised import duties on Chinese goods to 145 percent, despite scaling back on his reciprocal tariffs on almost all other U.S. trading partners. China retaliated with steep tariffs on U.S. goods, further escalating the trade tensions. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

N. Korea fires multiple SRBMs toward East Sea from Wonsan area on Thursday morning

2025/05/08 20:00

Earlier this morning, North Korea launched a series of short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea. Pundits link the latest provocation to Pyongyang possibly exporting its weapons to Russia in support of war. Kim Bo-kyoung explains. North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday the first in around two months. "Our military detected multiple short-range ballistic missiles of various types launched into the East Sea from the Wonsan area in North Korea between approximately 8:10 AM and 9:20 AM today." The missiles are believed to include the KN-23, a North Korean version of the Iskander missile, and the KN-25 a 600-millimeter super-large multiple rocket launcher. Some flew around 250 kilometers, landing near Al Island, a rock island at the frontal waters of Kilju-gun County of Hamgyongbuk-do Province, while some of the others flew 350 kilometers and fell more than 100 kilometers beyond the island. While saying such missile launches are clear acts of provocation that seriously threaten peace on the Korean Peninsula, the South Korean military said it is looking into the specifics, sharing information with the U.S. and Japan. Thursday's launch is the first since early March, and the second ballistic missile launch since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House on January 20th. As for the reason behind such a provocation amid relatively peaceful times on the Peninsula with no Seoul-Washington joint drills going on nor any strategic assets in place, one expert says he agrees with the JCS's assessment that the missile launch is to test the weaponry for export to Russia. "North Korea is focusing efforts quite strategically on weapons that could be used immediately on the battlefields of the Ukraine war, including short and medium-range missiles. It appears the regime is continuously developing and testing those that are advantageous for exports." Responding to Pyongyang's missile launch, the presidential National Security Office held an emergency meeting to discuss the missile launch and response measures. Presided by the second deputy director, the Office said the government will closely monitor North Korea's movements, and maintain a full readiness posture to respond to any provocations. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Lee courts undecided voters with pro-business pitch, urges Trump-Kim talks to resume

2025/05/08 20:00

Against this backdrop, the focus of the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung today was on the economy and people's livelihoods, hoping to expand his appeal to a broader audience. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon reports. Economic policy was the first message Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung turned to on Thursday, just a day after clearing key legal hurdles facing him before this presidential election. He held a roundtable with leaders from five major business organizations, including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Korean Industries, highlighting his pro-business stance in a bid to win over undecided voters and widen his apparent lead in the race. He said the days of the government providing industries with direction and deciding what to do are over. "We must now place trust in the expertise and capabilities of the private sector, with the government playing a strong supporting role behind the scenes. Without this shift in approach, it will be difficult to overcome the challenges we face. In particular, I believe it's time for us to stop being a follower and to start leading the way forward." On top of this, he emphasized that the livelihood of the people was in a dire situation. And, this to him was the most important aspect of his campaign. He also tried to ease the concerns of the business leaders that he won't be pushing on 4.5 work days and that there will be plenty of discussion before this actually happens. After this, he also took to YouTube live to meet with 4 economy, stocks, and real estate YouTubers. There, they discussed various issues as Lee started the conversation off saying he was a small investor as well. Meanwhile, he also responded to North Korea's multiple short-range ballistic missile launches toward the East Sea earlier on Thursday. While condemning the action, Lee also said it's now time to ease tension and open up inter-Korean dialogue. On top of this, he said the stalled U.S.-North Korea talks must resume. As for the upcoming official presidential election season, Lee's campaign announced that it will kick off official rallies on May 12th at Gwanghwamun Square. This is because of the site's symbolic meaning as the site of the "Revolution of Light." The Democratic Party refers to the process of overcoming the December 3rd martial law and subsequent unrest as a "Revolution of Light." Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Kim Moon-soo, Han Duck-soo hold 2nd round of talks amid growing time pressure for conservative merger

2025/05/08 17:00

We start on the local political front as Korea now counts down 26 days to its presidential election on June third. I have our correspondent Oh Soo-young standing by live on the line with the latest. Soo-young welcome. Let's begin with the meeting between conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo and former acting President Han Duck-soo. That's right. Kim Moon-soo and Han Duck-soo met at 4:33PM to hold their 2nd round of talks at the National Assembly to discuss forming a joint bid for the presidential election. In a fashion unprecedented in modern Korean politics,.. the two greeted each other, and seated themselves at an outdoor cafe table for a televised discussion. But their swapping smiles and small talk have turned into a heated exchange. As Kim continually raised an issue with Han's late entry to the race, and his remark that he wouldn't run unless a merger was decided before May 11th when candidate registrations close, Han stressed there is no time to lose amid pressing economic and geopolitical issues, and renewed pressure on Kim not to stall the process of joining forces,.. saying their union is the "command of the people." He reiterated that he'd do all that the party wants for the merger to work, and stressed how Kim had pledged to merge with him at least 22 times in recent weeks. The PPP has been pushing for its main candidate, Kim, and former PM Han, who is running as an independent, to join forces in the presidential race, against their main opponent the Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, who currently leads the polls. Han and Kim have come second and third, respectively, in recent public surveys. After emerging as the leading PPP candidate in last week's primary, Kim has angrily resisted the party's rush to merge with Han, arguing that he should be the one to set the terms. Kim on Thursday morning accused the party's elders of "illegal and undemocratic moves" to thwart his candidacy in favour of the former PM, and suggested they campaign separately for a week before a live debate on Wednesday. He's more or less blamed Han for the lack of outcome from their first round of talks, insinuating the former PM has aligned himself with the PPP leadership. Han and Kim are continuing their discussion as we speak so I'll keep you updated. And Soo-young, I hear conflict continues between conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo and the party's leadership? Yes. The PPP leadership has slammed Kim for his resistance to their roadmap towards joining forces with Han Duck-soo, suggesting a change of the party candidate hasn't been decided, but is technically possible. While they can't go ahead with a televised debate tonight as planned, as Kim has refused to take part, the party will still conduct a poll on the two candidates from 7 PM tonight until 4 PM on Friday. Some PPP members, including former presidential contenders, have come to Kim's defence, accusing the leadership of undermining the party's candidacy procedures. But spokesperson Shin Dong-wook justified the push for a merger, noting 87 percent of PPP members support a Kim-Han union before May 11th. Senior figures, including floor leader Kwon Seong-dong and former leader Kim Moon-soo, have declared hunger strikes to call for a fast merger. Meanwhile Soo-young, what's the latest at the liberal camp? Yes, Lee Jae-myung has been accelerating his economic campaign after the court postponed one of his trials on violating election laws, until after the June 3rd vote. On Wednesday, Lee met with leaders of Korea's five major business associations, vowing to revive livelihoods through pro-business policies. Lee is also scheduled to join a live YouTube debate with popular economic influencers, in an apparent bid to appeal to centrists. Back to you, Sunny. All right Soo-young, thank you for that coverage.

[Weather] Rainy Friday with decent downpours in southern areas

2025/05/08 17:00

We got a taste of early summer heat across the country on this Parents' Day under sunshine. Then, we have another round of rain in store for the entire country starting early tomorrow. AND we're forecasting some decent downpours along with thunderstorms. Jeju could see over 200 millimeters, 80 millimeters for the southern coast, and the rest of the country is looking at 10 to 50 millimeters. Afternoon highs will be nearly 10 degrees lower than today in the capital. The rest of the country will also notice breezier highs. Checking on our lows first, Seoul, Gwangju, and Busan start off at 15 degrees Celsius. Highs won't rise much from the lows getting up to 16 degrees in the capital, Daegu at 18 degrees. Rain will bring a dip in daytime highs through Saturday, with lingering rain in central areas. That's Korea for you, here's a look at the international weather conditions.

World News: Israeli airstrikes hit crowded market and restaurant, killing at least 33 in Gaza City

2025/05/08 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. In the Middle East, Israeli airstrikes have struck densely populated areas in Gaza City leading to more than 30 deaths. On Wednesday local time, Israeli airstrikes struck a crowded market and a nearby restaurant in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of at least 33 people. The market was packed with people when the airstrike hit, causing immediate fatalities and injuries. Shortly after, a nearby restaurant, known to be operating as a community kitchen, was also hit, leading to additional casualties. The Israeli Defense Forces have stated that their operations are aimed at targeting Hamas militants; however, they have resulted in significant civilian deaths, drawing criticism from the international community. Germany's new government, led by Friedrich Merz, has announced plans to tighten border controls. The plans aim to reduce illegal migration and address concerns over security. Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt on Wednesday detailed the government's strategy to bolster border security, including the deployment of an additional 3,000 police officers at the border. This would increase the total border force to 14,000. Stricter checks will be conducted, and undocumented migrants will be turned away at the borders. While the new measures aim to deter illegal crossings, vulnerable individuals, such as pregnant women and children, will still be permitted entry. The policy marks a shift from the previous administration's approach, which allowed many asylum seekers to enter Germany. Chancellor Merz emphasized that these actions are necessary to restore order and public confidence. Following a meeting in Paris with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday that France will support the gradual lifting of European Union sanctions on Syria, if Syria maintains a trajectory toward "civil peace and harmony." Macron emphasized that if Syria continues on its "current path," France will support the progressive easing of EU sanctions and lobby the United States to consider similar actions. Meanwhile, the Syrian leader also mentioned that Syria is engaging in indirect talks with Israel to prevent further hostilities in the region. Finally, Walt Disney announced on Wednesday that it plans to open its first theme park resort in the Middle East, selecting the United Arab Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi, as the location. Disney's seventh global resort and first new theme park in over a decade will be on Yas Island, a popular destination with many other family-friendly attractions. The project is a collaboration with Miral, a regional developer known for creating immersive destinations. The new resort aims to blend Disney's iconic storytelling with Abu Dhabi's rich culture and modern architecture. Disney CEO Bob Iger said the project will be "authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati." Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Black smoke from Sistine Chapel signals no pope elected in first round of conclave

2025/05/08 17:00

At the Vatican. Cardinals will resume voting on this Thursday as the first conclave vote ended on Wednesday without a successor to Pope Francis. Lee Eun-hee reports. Black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican on Wednesday, signaling that the conclave had failed to elect a new pope on the first day. As the dark smoke curled into the night sky, a wave of disappointment swept through the crowd gathered at St. Peter's Square, many of whom had been waiting for hours. "It's an emotion, it's an emotion to be here, especially, and we will be here again tomorrow. It was expected to be black smoke today, for the first vote." The black smoke from the burning ballots came more than three hours after the start of the conclave, taking longer than expected. This was an hour longer than it took for smoke to appear after the first vote in the 2013 conclave that elected the late Pope Francis. "I would like it to be a Pope who continues the legacy of Pope Francis, meaning that he is a more open, more liberal Pope, because that is the way to attract people to the Church." To be elected, a new pope must secure at least 89 votes, a two-thirds majority. The conclave will resume on Thursday, with 1-hundred-33 cardinals from 70 countries voting in strict secrecy. "Yes, we'll come back tomorrow because we live here, so tomorrow, from the morning, we'll be on the lookout to see if there's white smoke." When a pope is chosen, white smoke will emerge from the chimney. Starting Thursday, the cardinals will hold four votes a day, two votes in the morning session and two in the afternoon. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

Putin begins diplomatic meetings ahead of Victory Day, Xi meeting set for May 8

2025/05/08 17:00

Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a series of summits ahead of his country's Victory Day which falls on Friday this week. Earlier on Wednesday he sat down with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolás Maduro at the Kremlin. Also back on Wednesday Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Moscow for a four-day state visit that includes attending the Victory Day celebration which commemorates 80 years since the end of World War Two. On the agenda of the summit between China and Russia were issues of mutual interest including trade and stability.

U.S. to scrap plan to control exports of AI semiconductors based on country ratings

2025/05/08 17:00

The Trump administration plans to put the brakes on chip curbs crafted by the former Biden administration. The so-called Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion seeks to maintain advanced computing power WITHIN the U.S. and AMONG its allies while blocking Chinese access by restricting exports of advanced AI chips. American companies were expected to comply with this AI diffusion framework starting May 15th. Officials under the current Trump administration say they are looking to replace this Biden-era plan with a quote "simpler rule" that may include separate bilateral accords between the U.S. and its partners.

Trump says 'no' to bringing down tariffs for China before negotiations

2025/05/08 17:00

U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected reducing tariffs on Beijing AHEAD of talks between his trade officials and their Chinese counterparts this coming Saturday in Geneva. Lee Seung-jae has more. Amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and China, U.S. President Donald Trump said he won't lower his 145 percent tariff on Chinese imports before trade talks happen between the two countries. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump was asked if he would be "open to pulling back" on his tariffs in order to bring China to the negotiation table, to which he simply replied "no." The comments come as Beijing said earlier that meaningful negotiations would only happen if Washington lowers the 145 percent tariffs first. His comments come as a meeting between U.S. and Chinese trade officials is set to take place in Geneva on Saturday. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are set to meet with China's economic chief He Lifeng, in what could be the first step towards de-escalating tensions between the two economic powers. Speaking to Fox News earlier this week, Bessent said the trade talks will center mostly on de-escalating tensions, and not on a "big trade deal." Last month, President Trump raised import duties on Chinese goods to 145 percent, despite scaling back on his reciprocal tariffs on almost all other U.S. trading partners. China retaliated with steep tariffs on U.S. goods, further escalating the trade tensions. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Fed holds rates steady amid 'uncertainty'; what that means for S. Korea's future rate decisions

2025/05/08 17:00

The U.S. Federal Reserve has decided to leave its lending rate unchanged amid uncertainty over the broader impact of the Trump administration's tariffs. Our correspondent Lee Soo-jin covers the Fed's latest decision and its broader implications. In its third monetary policy meeting of the year, the U.S. Fed has decided to continue its "wait-and-see" stance by 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 a pause in the Federal Open Market Committee's rate-cutting cycle that began in January. "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. The decision to hold rates steady was thus unanimous, despite weeks of pressure from Trump to lower them. "The latest in consumer inflation report saw a 2-point-4 percent year-over-year rise in March. The one year outlook compiled by the University of Michigan stand at 6-point-5 percent. The main driver of the jump in inflation expectation is President Trump's tariff policies." The 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. "While the exchange rate is now in the upper 1,300-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 on-quarter in the first quarter. In response to the Fed leaving rates unchanged, Acting Finance Minister Kim Beom-seok said that the government will hold weekly macroeconomic and financial meetings to monitor markets and ensure economic stability. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

Czech government pre-approves KHNP nuclear deal despite court injunction

2025/05/08 17:00

The Czech government has pre-approved the sealing of a nuclear power deal worth over 25 trillion won or some 18 billion U.S. dollars with South Korea. According to a press release on the Czech government's website on Wednesday the pre-approval was made during Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala's meeting with Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun in Prague. South Korea and the Czech Republic were initially scheduled to seal the deal this week but a Czech court issued an injunction in response to a legal complaint filed by French energy company EDF that earlier lost the bid for the project to a consortium led by the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.

S. Korea condemns N. Korea's continued sanctions violations at UNSC

2025/05/08 17:00

South Korea has condemned North Korea for continuing to violate UN sanctions amid its missile and nuclear weapons ambitions. Remarks to this end were made during a session of the Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York earlier on Wednesday during which Seoul pointed to Pyongyang's illicit exports of coal and iron, shipments of weapons and deployments of soldiers to Russia. South Korea also warned military collaboration between North Korea and Russia undermine broader global security. North Korea for its part found fault with the U.S. for tensions on the Korean peninsula.

N. Korea fires multiple SRBMs toward East Sea from Wonsan area on Thursday morning

2025/05/08 17:00

Earlier on this Thursday morning North Korea launched a series of short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea in its latest display of blatant defiance. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung has details. North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday the first in around two months. "Our military detected multiple short-range ballistic missiles of various types launched into the East Sea from the Wonsan area in North Korea between approximately 8:10 AM and 9:20 AM today." The missiles are believed to include the KN-23, a North Korean version of the Iskander missile, and the KN-25 a 600-millimeter super-large multiple rocket launcher. Some flew around 250 kilometers, landing near Al Island, a rock island at the frontal waters of Kilju-gun County of Hamgyongbuk-do Province, while some of the others flew 350 kilometers and fell more than 100 kilometers beyond the island. While saying such missile launches are clear acts of provocation that seriously threaten peace on the Korean Peninsula, the South Korean military said it is looking into the specifics, sharing information with the U.S. and Japan. Thursday's launch is the first since early March, and the second ballistic missile launch since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House on January 20th. As for the reason behind such a provocation amid relatively peaceful times on the Peninsula with no Seoul-Washington joint drills going on nor any strategic assets in place, one expert says he agrees with the JCS's assessment that the missile launch is to test the weaponry for export to Russia. "North Korea is focusing efforts quite strategically on weapons that could be used immediately on the battlefields of the Ukraine war, including short and medium-range missiles. It appears the regime is continuously developing and testing those that are advantageous for exports." Responding to Pyongyang's missile launch, the presidential National Security Office held an emergency meeting to discuss the missile launch and response measures. Presided by the second deputy director, the Office said the government will closely monitor North Korea's movements, and maintain a full readiness posture to respond to any provocations. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

[Short-form] Korea, a recycling powerhouse

2025/05/08 14:00

Korea grabs the global spotlight with its high recycling rates. Discover how it’s done—and navigate the detailed system that can be a bit tricky!

[K-wave] "Jongmyo Daeje": Keeping Korea's centuries-old royal ritual alive

2025/05/08 14:00

On the first Sunday of every May, an ancient ritual takes place at the Jongmyo Shrine here in Seoul in memory of the deceased monarchs of the Joseon Dynasty. Our Lee Eun-hee was there this past weekend. The king, carried in a royal palanquin, travels from the palace to Jongmyo Shrine. He is escorted by rows of officials and royal guards. When they reach the shrine, this impressive scene marks the beginning of a special reenactment the "Jongmyo Daeje," a grand royal ancestral ritual from the Joseon Dynasty. "So, the Jongmyo Daeje—it's a ceremony that honors the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty, and it's no ordinary event. Recognized by UNESCO, it's a rare chance to see centuries-old royal traditions come to life." The ceremony begins with placing the ancestral tablets or "shinju" of past kings and queens on the altar, followed by rites to greet and honor the spirits. With offerings of liquor, deep bows, and traditional music and dance, the ritual unfolds in solemn and precise tradition. This intangible cultural heritage was the Joseon Dynasty's grandest and most significant state ritual conducted by the king. It was first revived in 1969 and is still held on the first Sunday of May and again in November. Originally built in the late 14th century, Jongmyo Shrine is recognized by UNESCO as the oldest and most well-preserved Confucian royal ancestral shrine. This year, for the first time in six years, the ritual at the main hall, "Jeongjeon" was open to the public, following five years of restoration work. In April, a "Hwananje" ceremony was held to mark the return of the ancestral tablets of the Joseon kings and queens to their original place in the main hall. "Since Jongmyo Daeje is a meaningful event held at a cultural heritage site, I wanted to wear a hanbok and chose a traditional one." "I left at 4 AM to attend this event today I was happy to hear all the traditional music I was hoping for-it was a really special experience." "This was my first time seeing the Jongmyo Daeje, and even though I didn't know much about it, it made me want to learn more about traditional culture." "So we took the chance and came to this palace to see what was going on, what it looks like. It's very interesting I have to say." The timeless rituals of the two-hour ceremony not only honor Korea's royal heritage but also preserve a profound cultural legacy that still captivates and inspires today. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.