News

Pyongyang fires ballistic missiles toward East Sea from Wonsan area

2025/05/08 10:00

North Korea has launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea. Several projectiles, presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles, were launched from the Wonsan area at 8:10 AM on Thursday, according to Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff. This marks the first launches in around two months, and the second since the current U.S. Trump administration came into office. The South Korean military is looking into specific details, and said it is maintaining a full readiness posture while closely sharing information with the U.S. and Japan.

[Weather] Early summer-like heat continues tomorrow with high UV rays

2025/05/07 20:00

Returning back to daily life after the long holiday, some perfect clear spring weather appeared today. The temperature in Seoul rose to 20 degrees Celsius today, widening the daily temperature difference. You need to take good care of your health throughout this week amid these temperature swings. Even hotter early summer-like heat will appear with the daytime temperature rising to 25 degrees in Seoul tomorrow. UV rays will also stay high in the morning, and they'll be very high in the afternoon. Please wear sunscreen before going outside. Tomorrow morning will be very similar to today with Seoul at 10 degrees, Busan at 12 degrees. Highs will move up to at least 20 degrees all over the country. On Friday, it will start to rain from the south coast and Jeju Island at dawn and spread across the country in the morning. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

"Jongmyo Daeje": Keeping Korea's centuries-old royal ritual alive

2025/05/07 20:00

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.

Volunteer tourists bring helping hands back to Korea's worst wildfire-hit regions

2025/05/07 20:00

In other news. The most devastating wildfire in the country more than a month ago has left a deep scar in the southeast, still recovering from the severe damage. But hope is there. It's for this reason that a group of "volunteer tourists" are visiting the regions. Our Park Kun-woo has their story. Weeks have passed since the worst wildfire in South Korea's history mainly scorched Gyeongsangbuk-do Province in the southeast part of the country in March. Over 99-thousand hectares of land, roughly the size of 140-thousand football fields, were affected. In hard-hit regions like Andong, signs of the disaster still remain from charred trees on once-dense forest slopes to ruined homes, warehouses, and damaged cultural heritage sites. And with recovery still underway, tourist numbers have declined. But recently, change has been made thanks to volunteer tourists visitors who come not just to travel, but to help. Wearing gloves and masks, and fueled by sincerity, they are clearing away burnt tree branches and gently cleaning cultural treasures using camelia oil amid thick dust. "I was scared when the wildfire happened, though my school wasn't very close. I can only imagine how terrifying it must've been for people living nearby. That's why I came believing that small acts like ours can lead to big changes." "Burnt tree branches like this are scattered everywhere. Just clearing one away helps bring life back to this region. And especially in a place that's full of cultural heritage, such as Andong, you get to realize how much we almost lost. That's why every small effort here truly matters." And the residents have taken notice. "The wildfire happened overnight. Everything just burned down. So it means a lot seeing these young people come all the way to this rural area to help us." After lending a hand, participants also get a chance to explore the area's beauty and history. "I'd never had the chance to visit neat places like Manhyujeong Pavilion before. Knowing it almost burned down made the visit even more meaningful." To boost recovery, the government is also rolling out campaigns to encourage more visitors, offering travel discounts and support, along with more volunteer tourism programs. And with the help of these visitors, efforts are raising hopes to bring vitality back to fire-stricken regions. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Andong.

Papal conclave begins on Wednesday with 133 cardinals set to vote

2025/05/07 20:00

The papal conclave to choose the next pope begins on Wednesday at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. One hundred-33 cardinals from 70 countries the largest and most diverse gathering in history will vote under strict secrecy. To be elected a candidate must secure at least 89 votes a two-thirds majority. The result of each vote will be revealed through smoke rising from the chapel's chimney white for a new pope black for no result. Pope Francis was elected in two days back in 2013.

Kim skips Russian military parade as Xi visits for high-stakes summit

2025/05/07 20:00

North Korea's Kim Jong-un will not be attending Russia's Victory Day celebration this week but Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to do so. Our correspondent Kim Jung-sil covers the implications of this reality. In the heart of Moscow, Russia is preparing for a highly symbolic Victory Day—marking 80 years since the end of World War II. But this year's event is unfolding under a different kind of pressure: the ongoing war in Ukraine. The commemorations run from May 8 to 11, with the annual military parade set for Friday in Red Square. 29 world leaders are expected, and military units from 13 countries—including China—will join Russian troops in the parade. But one leader who won't be attending is North Korea's Kim Jong-un. Pyongyang is expected to send its ambassador in Moscow, Shin Hong-chol, in his place. Though the North has confirmed support for Russian forces against Ukraine, its troops won't join the parade. "There was simply no realistic way for Kim to get there. North Korea has no aircraft for the trip, and going by train would take several days." Another possible factor may involve Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is now confirmed to attend. "Given that President Xi Jinping is the most prominent guest at this year's event, it's possible that Kim Jong-un chose to stay away to avoid being overshadowed." Professor Lim added that Kim's absence may also reflect lingering tensions in North Korea's relationship with China. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping is stepping into the spotlight. His visit will include a summit with President Putin, expected to reaffirm the two countries' growing strategic partnership. "I'd like to highlight that Russia and China's comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction are now at the highest level in history." Analysts say the summit is expected to focus on long-term economic ties and strategic coordination, as both countries face growing pressure from the West. As China draws closer and North Korea pulls back, this year's Victory Day underscores a shifting power dynamic in Northeast Asia—less about history, and more about strategy. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

India strikes Pakistani territory in retaliation to Kashmir attack

2025/05/07 20:00

In what many observers are calling "a dramatic escalation in tensions," two nuclear neighbors India and Pakistan have traded fierce fire over last month's deadly terrorist attack in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir. Byeon Ye-young reports. In the early hours of Wednesday, the Indian military launched a strike inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistani officials report at least 30 civilian deaths, including children, and over four dozen injured. Coined "Operation Sindoor," the strike targeted what India called "terrorist infrastructure," with the Indian government stressing that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the attack "cowardly," and the Pakistani army spokesperson promised a strong response as well. "This cowardly, unjustified act of the enemy will be responded to strongly by the Pakistan Army, responding with the support of the Pakistani nation." Pakistan claimed several Indian fighter jets were shot down in retaliation. India, meanwhile, reports at least 7 civilians were killed by Pakistani shelling across the de facto border that divides Kashmir between the two countries. The escalating military exchange follows weeks of rising hostility, notably the April 22nd terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed dozens, in which Pakistan has denied involvement. With both countries on high alert, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged the two nuclear powers to exercise restraint. "It is also essential, especially at this critical hour, to avoid the military confrontation that could easily spin out of control. Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink." U.S. President Donald Trump called the operation "a shame," while neighboring China expressed regret over India's actions and urged both sides to avoid further escalation. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

Won-to-dollar exchange rate hits strongest level in 6 months

2025/05/07 20:00

The South Korean currency gained ground against the U.S. dollar on this Wednesday, trading at one-thousand-3-hundred-79 won in the early hours of its session today. This marks the won's strongest level against the greenback in six months and comes in light of expectations surrounding the planned tariff talks between the U.S. and China. Also, Asian currencies rallied as investors continued to withdraw money from the U.S. amid concerns of a possible recession.

CEZ announces plans to appeal court ruling delaying nuclear plant deal with KHNP

2025/05/07 20:00

A Czech court has put a brake on the final signing of a nuclear power plant project between that country and Korea, adopting an injunction asked by a rival French firm just a day before the official signing. The Czech utility company says it'll appeal the court ruling. Our correspondent Moon Hye-ryeon has the details. The final signing of a multi-billion-dollar nuclear power plant contract between South Korea's Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power and the Czech utility company CEZ has been put on hold. On Tuesday, a Czech court issued an injunction as a result of France's EDF a losing bidder filing a complaint. The court said signing before EDF's lawsuit is resolved could irreparably harm its chances if the court later rules in its favor. Although the Czech competition regulator had previously dismissed EDF's complaints, the legal challenge forced the cancellation of Wednesday's planned signing ceremony. In response to this turn of events, the Czech authorities said the bidding was fair and that they still see no problem with the final deal with KHNP. During a press briefing the following day, CEZ announced that it will appeal this court ruling and proceed with the project regardless. It also plans to seek compensation for damages caused by the delay. As for Seoul's delegation in Prague, South Korea's Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun said at a press briefing on Tuesday that the government will do "everything possible" to ensure that the agreement is concluded promptly and smoothly. "We are facing an unexpected delay, but there is no reason to doubt the transparency, fairness, or objectivity of the process." That being said, he also said that it is yet unclear whether the delay will last for weeks or several months. KHNP President Hwang Joo-ho expressed disappointment and criticized what he described as protectionist behavior by established nuclear players in Europe. Deputy Prime Minister and Acting President Lee Ju-ho further addressed the matter in a separate briefing in Seoul, stating that the South Korean government will stay in close contact with Czech authorities to enable a swift contract signing. Bilateral cooperation activities in Prague will proceed as previously planned, with both countries due to sign 12 memoranda of understanding in infrastructure and high-tech industries. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

PPP's Kim Moon-soo, ex-PM Han Duck-soo meet to discuss conservative bloc merger

2025/05/07 20:00

We now turn to the latest on the People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo and ex-Prime Minister and independent candidate Han Duck-soo or the conservative bloc. After suspending his campaign yesterday, Kim appeared in public for the first time earlier this evening to meet with Han to discuss a possible merger. We have our Correspondent Kim Do-yeon for more on this. Do-yeon, I hear the two wrapped up dinner just a few moments ago. Was there any progress? Jung-min, at 6 PM, People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo and independent candidate Han Duck-soo began a long-awaited one-on-one talk in Seoul, aiming to finalize a merger deal before the presidential candidate registration deadline this Sunday. The talk lasted just over an hour but according to the two sides, nothing has been agreed. This comes as the merger was expected to happen quickly after Kim secured the PPP nomination, largely on a message of unifying the conservative bloc behind a single candidate. But tensions quickly surfaced, and the meeting only came four days after his nomination, with Kim suspending his campaign on Tuesday in protest of what he called the leadership's rushed merger push. While Kim campaigned for a swift merger with the former prime minister, he's since argued that it should be managed directly by the candidates, not imposed by the party leadership. The leadership, frustrated with delays, on Wednesday opened a survey of registered PPP voters on the merger issue and issued a notice for a potential emergency convention a move widely seen as signaling a possible replacement of Kim as the party's nominee. These actions deeply offended the candidate. Kim's camp has since requested legal intervention, arguing that efforts to sideline him violate party rules and democratic norms. Now, Han, on the other hand, even said he's not running unless a merger happens. Tell us more. That's right, Jung-min. Before heading into this meeting, Han publicly announced that he's not going to register as a candidate unless there is a merger. Let's take a listen to what he said. "I have no intention of dragging this out until ballots are printed. A political tug-of-war might excite politicians, but it only frustrates the public. I won't take part in that." Because of this announcement, while the recent polls show Han is more competitive against the Democratic Party's candidate Lee Jae-myung, time is on Kim's side. Han has repeatedly said that all merger methods can be decided by the party and he has no suggestion or preferred way of choosing the final candidate. This could be seen as passing the ball into Kim's court, as Kim has called for the party to let him decide on how to merge. That's all for now, Jung-min.

Stock

2025/05/07 20:00

2025. 5. 7. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 2,573.80 ▲14.01 +0.55% KOSDAQ : 722.81 ▲0.95 +0.13% KOSPI200 : 341.31 ▲2.52 +0.74% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 36,779.66 ▼51.03 -0.14% HANG SENG : 22,691.88 ▲29.17 +0.13% SHANGHAI : 3,342.67 ▲26.55 +0.80% WALL STREET (May 6) DOW JONES : 40,829.00 ▼389.83 -0.95% NASDAQ : 17,689.66 ▼154.58 -0.87% S&P500 : 5,606.91 ▼43.47 -0.77% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,398.00 (-7.30) JPY : 978.00 (+9.70) CNY : 193.57 (-0.39) EUR : 1,588.97 (-2.81)

DP presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung welcomes retrial postponement decision

2025/05/07 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. The high court today decided to postpone the hearing of Democratic Party presidential hopeful Lee Jae-myung's election law violation case retrial until after the presidential election, which was seen as major legal hurdle for him ahead of the election. Our Correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The first hearing for the retrial of Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung's election law violation case has been rescheduled from May 15th to June 18th after the 21st presidential election. The Seoul High Court announced on Wednesday that the postponement was to ensure the defendant has a fair opportunity to campaign and to avoid any controversy over the fairness of the trial. The court added that it has always conducted trials independently and fairly based on the Constitution and the law, and will continue to do so. This comes after Lee's legal team submitted a request to the court on Wednesday morning to reschedule. The Supreme Court last week struck down a lower court's acquittal of Lee, sending the case back to the appeals court. The party, which has been urging the high court to postpone the hearing, and Lee welcomed the court's announcement, calling it the right decision. "This is a critical time when the people are practically exercising their sovereignty, so it's extremely important to ensure nothing hinders that process. I believe the court made a rightful and necessary decision in line with the spirit of the Constitution." The People Power Party, on the other hand, expressed regret over the decision, with Floor Leader Kweon Seong-dong saying the court gave in to pressure from Lee's side. The same day, the Seoul Central District Court also postponed Lee's trial related to a land development scandal one of five cases he is currently facing. Hearings were originally scheduled for May, but the court rescheduled it for June 24th. At the parliament, a DP-proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act has passed the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee led by members of the DP despite a boycott by the PPP members. The amendment aims to halt legal proceedings once a defendant is elected president. Meanwhile, Lee on Wednesday continued meeting voters across the country, this time visiting Jeollabuk-do and Chungcheongnam-do provinces. During a visit to Jeollabuk-do, he asked for support, saying that local governments issuing more vouchers and providing basic income where people receive regular, unconditional payments would help increase the rural population. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Expert's view on how S. Korea could shield itself from Trump's tariffs

2025/05/07 20:00

Welcome to Within the Frame, where we invite experts to give their insights on the issues that matter. I am Kim Bo-kyoung, filling in for Kim Mok-yeon for today. The world has been facing Trump's series of tariffs, including the recent 25-percent tariff on foreign auto parts added on existing ones on imported cars. Amid tough tariffs impositions, Washington's fierce trade talks with each country have been ongoing, with Seoul aiming to remove tariffs on the country by July and shield its industries from the latest duties. How does an expert forecast tariff talks to go and how should South Korea deal with it? For more on this, we invited Troy Stangarone, Former Senior Director at the Korea Economic Institute into the studio. Welcome Mr. Stangarone. 1. Last Tuesday marked the 100th day of President Trump's second term, and it has certainly been chaotic—particularly regarding his trade and tariff policies. Overall, how did you see his first 100 days in office? 2. All these, to make America great again, but for now it seems the economy is dealing with the shock. The U.S. economy contracted in the first three months of this year, driven in part by a surge in imports. This marked the first quarter of negative growth since 2022. How did you see the economic impact? 3. Let's delve a little bit deeper into new tariffs that recently took effect, the tariffs on auto parts. Many analysts say these could have a greater impact on the automotive industry than the earlier tariffs on finished vehicle imports. Why is this the case? 4. With multiple rounds of tariffs targeting both imported cars and auto parts, Korean companies—including Hyundai Motor, Kia, and others in the auto parts and tire industries—are scrambling to respond. What advice would you offer these companies? 5. Let's turn our eyes to Washington's trade talks. Top U.S. officials -Scott Bessent and Jamieson Greer, are set to meet with a high-level Chinese delegation in Geneva, for the most-senior known conversations between the two countries. How do you forecast the trade talks will go between these two countries? 6. We should also talk about the Washington-Seoul talks. The Korean government is hoping to have some tariffs removed by July, potentially using areas like shipbuilding and LNG as leverage. First of all, do you believe these could effectively serve as bargaining chips for South Korea? 7. South Korea is currently facing an unprecedented leadership vacuum. With Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok—who had been building a rapport with his U.S. counterpart Bessent—no longer in office, some experts warn that negotiations may become more difficult. Should this be a cause for concern? 8. Even if trade talks between Seoul and Washington are resolved, there are lingering concerns that the U.S.-China trade war could still negatively impact the Korean economy, if prolonged. What is your view on this? 9. Amid such widespread political and economic uncertainty, what advice would you offer South Korea in navigating President Trump's evolving tariff strategy? That will be all the questions I have for you today, Mr. Stangarone. Thank you so much for your insights and your time. We really appreciate it.

Trial obstacle cleared for Lee Jae-myung's presidency run; conservatives to hold key merger talks

2025/05/07 17:00

Presidential candidates Kim Moon-soo and Han Duck-soo are scheduled to sit down on this Wednesday evening for talks on a possible merger WHILE a legal hurdle appears to have been moved aside for contender Lee Jae-myung . Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon has the latest. The Seoul High Court has accepted Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung's request to delay his election law trial, removing a key legal hurdle for the campaign that could've even blocked his run. Tuesday's decision pushes the hearing to after the June 3rd presidential election, saying it was to guarantee a fair election campaign opportunity to the presidential candidate and to eliminate controversies over fairness. Lee welcomed the news while he was on his "listening tour," part of his preliminary campaign tour in Jeollabuk-do Province. "This is a critical time when the people are practically exercising their sovereignty, so it's extremely important to ensure nothing hinders that process. I believe the court made a rightful and necessary decision in line with the spirit of the Constitution." As for his "listening tour," he's set to wrap up the day in Chungcheongnam-do Province. Meanwhile, the People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo and independent candidate Han Duck-soo will meet one-on-one at 6 PM on Wednesday to discuss a possible merger. This comes as Kim abruptly halted his campaign on Tuesday after tensions escalated between him and the PPP leadership, as Kim wants to take time and lead the merger process while the PPP leadership says there's no time with the official candidate registration coming up in less than a week. Kim has also accused the party leaders of trying to oust him as their presidential nominee. "If this was the plan all along, I don't understand why we held three rounds of primaries. So as of now, I'm suspending all my activities as the party's candidate. I'll be heading back to Seoul to seriously address the pressing issues that remain." Kim has kept himself away from the public since the announcement and avoided the PPP leadership's efforts to meet him in person. His camp also called for the court to step in as the PPP has announced a possible convention in the next few days, signaling that there could be another candidacy event to make Han Duck-soo the official candidate. As for the ex-PM, Han says a merger has been ordered by the citizens and it must happen. This came as he faced the foreign media on Wednesday, as he also said he will yield all decisions on the possible merger with the PPP. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

[Weather] Seoul will reach 25 degrees tomorrow with high UV index

2025/05/07 17:00

Unlike the cool morning, it was warm in the middle of the day with the sun shining under clear skies. In Seoul, the temperature rose to 20 degrees Celsius today, widening the daily temperature difference. You need to take good care of your health throughout this week amid these temperature swings. Tomorrow, early summer-like heat will appear with daily highs rising to 25 degrees in Seoul. In addition, the UV index will stay high in the morning, and it'll be very high in the afternoon. Please wear sunscreen before going outside. Tomorrow morning will be very similar to today with Seoul at 10 degrees, Gwangju and Daegu at 11 degrees. Highs will move up to at least 20 degrees across the country. On Friday, it will rain all over the country, and the early summer heat will ease off a bit. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Planes in flames after Israeli strike on Yemen's main airport

2025/05/07 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. In the Middle East, Israel has launched airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, targeting multiple sites, including the main airport, in retaliation for a recent missile attack by Houthi rebels near Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday. On Tuesday, local time, Israeli warplanes conducted a series of airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. The Israel Defense Forces reported that the operation "fully disabled" Sanaa International Airport. The strike also targeted power stations and a concrete factory believed to be used for military purposes. The airstrikes were a direct response to a ballistic missile launched by the Iranian-backed Houthi group, which landed near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on May 4 the first time a Houthi missile had reached the vicinity of Israel's main international airport. The Israeli strikes resulted in at least three deaths and 35 others wounded. This marks the second straight day of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen, following previous attacks on the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Monday. In Germany, Friedrich Merz officially became the country's chancellor on May 6 after securing a majority in a second parliamentary vote, following an unprecedented defeat in the first one. In the initial round, Merz fell short by six votes, marking the first such occurrence in postwar German history. In the second round of votes, Merz secured 325 out of 630 ballots, enabling him to lead a coalition government of his center-right Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union alliance, and the center-left Social Democratic Party. Merz, who won an election in February, was then finally approved as chancellor by the Bundestag president. In the United States, the Supreme Court, on Tuesday, permitted the Trump administration to enforce its ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. The six-to-three decision, issued without a detailed explanation, lifted a lower court injunction that had blocked the policy that allowed the Department of Defense to discharge current transgender service members and deny enlistment to new applicants. This stems from President Donald Trump's executive order issued in January, asserting that gender identity differing from biological sex undermined military "cohesion." Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Technique to maintain strawberries' freshness raises export competitiveness

2025/05/07 17:00

Strawberries are among the key exports for farmers here and their sales are looking very bright as a technique developed by a government agency ensures their freshness and flavor from local farms to foreign tables. Cha Yun-kyung explains. Since 2021, the Rural Development Administration has used the "controlled atmosphere technique" to maintain strawberries' freshness for export markets. The technique does this and delays spoiling and decay by removing oxygen while increasing levels of other "preservative" gases. Introducing the CA technique, allowed growers to increase their shipments and also use container ships for exports as opposed to just air transport. This saved distribution costs of up to 16 billion Korean won. The simultaneous complex management technique, removes air from containers and introduces carbon and chlorine dioxides. The former gives strawberries a firmer texture, while the latter prevents mold infestation. This decreases decay of the strawberries by up to 20 percent. "We can deliver high-quality products, and we can send as much as we can since the technique can maintain the freshness of the fruit." The RDA spread the related technology to sixteen export centers for strawberries, as overseas shipments increased massively due to the introduction of the technology. The amount rose 5-fold from 2007's 9-hundred-and-86 tons to 5-thousand-and-12 tons in 2024. "We received a great response from importers and consumers, with strawberries being sold out within four days at markets they are shipped to." The RDA is continuing to integrate management models to systematize the exports of strawberries. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

"Jongmyo Daeje": Keeping Korea's centuries-old royal ritual alive

2025/05/07 17:00

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.

Volunteer tourists bring helping hands back to Korea's worst wildfire-hit regions

2025/05/07 17:00

In other news. Volunteering while traveling pundits say.. can be a rewarding experience if it's done properly and that is what a recent group of guests to the Korean city of Andong sought to do. Our Park Kun-woo files this report. Weeks have passed since the worst wildfire in South Korea's history mainly scorched Gyeongsangbuk-do Province in the southeast part of the country in March. Over 99-thousand hectares of land, roughly the size of 140-thousand football fields, were affected. In hard-hit regions like Andong , signs of the disaster still remain from charred trees on once-dense forest slopes to ruined homes, warehouses, and damaged cultural heritage sites. And with recovery still underway, tourist numbers have declined. But recently, change has been made thanks to volunteer tourists visitors who come not just to travel, but to help. Wearing gloves and masks, and fueled by sincerity, they are clearing away burnt tree branches and gently cleaning cultural treasures using camelia oil amid thick dust. "I was scared when the wildfire happened, though my school wasn't very close. I can only imagine how terrifying it must've been for people living nearby. That's why I came believing that small acts like ours can lead to big changes." "Burnt tree branches like this are scattered everywhere. Just clearing one away helps bring life back to this region. And especially in a place that's full of cultural heritage, such as Andong, you get to realize how much we almost lost. That's why every small effort here truly matters." And the residents have taken notice. "The wildfire happened overnight. Everything just burned down. So it means a lot seeing these young people come all the way to this rural area to help us." After lending a hand, participants also get a chance to explore the area's beauty and history. "I'd never had the chance to visit neat places like Manhyujeong Pavilion before. Knowing it almost burned down made the visit even more meaningful." To boost recovery, the government is also rolling out campaigns to encourage more visitors, offering travel discounts and support, along with more volunteer tourism programs. And with the help of these visitors, efforts are raising hopes to bring vitality back to fire-stricken regions. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Andong.

Papal conclave begins on Wednesday with 133 cardinals set to vote

2025/05/07 17:00

The papal conclave to choose the next pope begins on Wednesday at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. One hundred-33 cardinals from 70 countries the largest and most diverse gathering in history will vote under strict secrecy. To be elected a candidate must secure at least 89 votes a two-thirds majority. The result of each vote will be revealed through smoke rising from the chapel's chimney white for a new pope black for no result. Pope Francis was elected in two days back in 2013.