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[WEEKLY FOCUS] How can S. Korea, U.S. find 'win-win' opportunities in shipbuilding?

2025/05/03 12:00

This week, amid ongoing discussions between Seoul and Washington on how to balance trade and ease the tariffs set by the Trump Administration, shipbuilding has been highlighted as one area that could deliver a win-win solution for both sides. With the visit of U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan to South Korea, where he stopped by two of the country's shipbuilding giants, there's been growing anticipation towards industrial cooperation in this sector. We have our Oh Soo-young in the studio to talk about the prospects. Q1. Now, let's begin with why shipbuilding has been raised as a crucial industry for greater cooperation. Sure, so America's global leadership has been characterised by its dominant naval capacity since the end of World War 2. Sustaining and expanding its fleet is essential to maintaining its military might, especially here in the Indo-Pacific, where the country is facing increasing competition from China, according to Dr. Peter Lee at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, who authored a report on shipbuilding cooperation last December. "So if you think back to the 20th century when the U.S. was a great manufacturing power during the Second World War, for instance the United States built 5,000 ships during the war that was more than Germany and Japan combined, and you fast forward to today and now the PLA navy is actually larger than the United States Navy but more importantly it's actually all concentrated in Asia. And then secondly, if you look at the commercial side, China built somewhere between about 1,700 ships last year, the United States built between three and five." Under the Navy's 2025 shipbuilding plan, the U.S. aims to build a fleet of 390 battle force ships over the next 30 years. However,.. due to rising costs, delays, and labour shortages, ships are retiring faster than new ones are being added. 2. Right and it seems the U.S has been shifting towards working with allies. What advantages do these countries have to offer? Well for South Korea, it was the world's second largest shipbuilding nation as of last year, with its big 3 shipyards HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, 현대중공업, 한화오션, 삼성중공업이 세계 선박의 4분의 1에서 3분의 1을 생산했습니다. China has generally held the lead in terms of the number of vessels ordered, while South Korea often surpasses China in order value due to its focus on more expensive, technologically advanced ships. So you could say Korean shipyards are ready to help America build its ships, from warships to smaller vessels, with world-class infrastructure. This could drive down construction costs for the U.S. Navy, while building up sturdy global defence supply chains. Maintenance is also a crucial area for collaboration, and could provide more immediate benefits, according to Dr. Yu Ji-hoon, a former Navy Commander. "When we collaborate closely in shipbuilding and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul activities, we directly enhance our mutual defense capabilities. Such cooperation helps standardize equipment, streamline logistics, and reduce overall maintenance costs through economies of scale." Jointly investing into future technologies, such as greater automation capabilities, is another way to help America maintain the most advanced naval technology and prowess as well as address other fundamental shortages such as its workforce both in shipbuilding and the navy. "Given the sheer scale of China's naval shipbuilding lead right now, how do we close that gap? And I think really there is a great argument to be had about using emerging technologies, uncrewed systems and drones for instance, to really leap rock and catch up to China. So there's a lot of work that Korean, Japanese, and other allied countries are doing in terms of uncrewed navigation and uncrewed systems and I think there's a lot of work to be done with the commercial sector there." But ramping up shipbuilding in the U.S. will inevitably take time. Bringing cooperation to this side of the Pacific could present both short and long-term opportunities to help the U.S. swiftly ramp up its fleet and partnerships. 3. But the Trump Administration is all about domestic industries, and more investment in America. So that's the question. While Trump himself has recognised the importance of increasing maritime capacity, concerns still remain over his America First protectionist policies focusing on boosting domestic industries. The U.S. Navy Secretary has indeed indicated more investment would be welcome, but his visit to HD Hyundai and Hanwha Ocean this week has been a positive sign for deeper cooperation. "Industrial cooperation, especially in areas like shipbuilding and sustainment, is increasingly critical for strengthening traditional security alliances today. From my perspective, modern security dynamics require more than just political alignment they demand practical interoperability and shared operational readiness among allies." To present a true win-win situation for all sides both in terms of national security and economic benefits companies will need more motivation to jump in. "So I think there's an opportunity there for Korean companies but also the Korean government to really use this priority sector of shipbuilding to demonstrate that Korea can play an alliance burden-sharing role in helping meet a very critical U.S. strategic need but also that for Korean companies that this is a profitable endeavor that has a long term future and for instance the global maintenance repair and overhaul market is worth about 60 billion dollars a year." The two major Korean shipyards have already invested into the U.S., HD Hyundai inked an MOU with the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S. to collaborate on naval shipbuilding in Mississippi. And Hanwha Ocean last year acquired Philly Shipyward. For closer partnerships to revitalise American naval capacity, legal changes will have to be made. So the "Ensuring Naval Readiness Act" was introduced by U.S. lawmakers this year. It proposes permitting vessel construction in shipyards located in allied countries in the Indo-Pacific and NATO, namely South Korea and Japan. Commander Yu suggests stronger bilateral efforts could help propel such cooperation. "Setting clear interoperability standards and co-production frameworks would ensure seamless alignment in ship designs and maintenance practices. Expanding joint research and development initiatives, particularly focusing on advanced naval technologies such as unmanned vessels and next-generation propulsion systems, could significantly enhance our combined maritime capabilities. Formalizing bilateral agreements dedicated to naval MRO cooperation would allow us to quickly capitalize on South Korea's proven strengths to support the U.S. Navy's operational needs in the Indo-Pacific." We'll have to see how bilateral consultations play out. But shipbuilding seems like a key area of cooperation. Thanks for your coverage today.

Seoul Spring Festa 2025: Seoul turns into a place full of joy and excitement

2025/05/02 20:00

Here in the capital, Seoul. The city has turned into a place full of joy and excitement. Our Choi Soo-hyung brings you the spring edition of Seoul Festa, now one of the city's main festivals. As K-pop music begins to play, visitors start dancing passionately to the rhythm. Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall has been filled with people dancing happily to K-pop songs. At this year's Seoul Spring Festa, the "K-pop Random Play Dance" event has drawn many foreign visitors who are eager to experience it in person. "We're here mainly for the play dance where you like dance do a lot of We've seen it a lot online, and we were really excited to come, and I seen one that's actually happening in person since we got here." "I'm also very excited for the random play dance. I've watched so many on YouTube " Aside from the random play event, there's also the "Haechi Zone" set up in one corner of the plaza to mark the first anniversary of Haechi becoming Seoul's official mascot. Families enjoyed taking photos and playing in a variety of fun booths. "I had fun making a cute hat with my grandma. It feels like we made a really sweet memory together." "I'm really thankful. It's been such a special day with my granddaughter, in a beautiful place and perfect weather." In the center of the plaza, the picnic zone was packed with people enjoying a relaxing spring day. There were also sweet music performances under the warm, clear spring sky with nice weather. Visitors laid out mats and watched. This year's Seoul Spring Festa kicked off last Wednesday, offering everyone in Seoul the chance to experience and enjoy a new kind of K-culture. "It's hard to define Seoul with just one word because the city has so many different charms. In fact, I believe its diversity and constant change are what make Seoul truly special. Our festival reflects those qualities, providing different programs every day across various locations. For tourists, it's a great way to experience the essence of Seoul in a concentrated and vivid way." "During the festival, new events and shows are taking place across different parts of the capital, including here at Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square and Deoksugung Palace." This year's Seoul Spring Festa, full of trendy and exciting fun in the capital city, Seoul, will run until Tuesday, May 6th. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

[Arts & Culture] What’s ahead on Joseon Tongsinsa's first voyage in 261 years

2025/05/02 20:00

Friday means it's time for our Arts and Culture segment. Joining us is our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin. Welcome back to the studio! It's great to be back! What do you have for us today? Last week, I brought you the story of Korea's historic Joseon Tongsinsa envoys, and how their centuries-old diplomatic mission to Japan is being recreated. Today, I have the next chapter of that journey, this time from Busan, where the envoys once boarded ships, and where a restored Tongsinsa vessel is now making a symbolic voyage to Japan. The final stop on Korean soil for the Joseon Tongsinsa, Korea's diplomatic missions to Japan during the 17th to 19th centuries, was the port city of Busan. After arriving from Seoul, hundreds of envoys boarded ships bound for Japan. Every year, this historic moment is revived through the Joseon Tongsinsa Festival. Dressed in traditional Korean attire, hundreds of participants march through Busan, retracing the footsteps of the original envoys. "It's my first time participating, but it really made me reflect more deeply on Korea's relationship with Japan, such as the colonial era." "When I filled the form for this event, I did look it up, and it was like, it was a good historical piece that I got to know." And completing the recreation, the Tongsinsa ship has also been meticulously brought back to life. "This vessel, modeled after the original Tongsinsa ships, will set sail for Japan. By mid-May, the vessel is set to arrive in Osaka." This marks the first time in 261 years that the route to Osaka is being taken. The man behind this reconstruction is Hong Sun-jae, who has spent a decade bringing the historic vessel back to life. Since 2015, he's collected historical documents, studied ancient ship models, and traveled across the country to find the right timber. The ship launched in 2018, made its first voyage to Japan in 2023, and this year, it's heading farther than ever before. "This year marks 60 years since South Korea and Japan normalized diplomatic ties. Our ship will hold an arrival ceremony in Osaka on May 13th, Korea Day at the Osaka World Expo. Through this journey, we hope to promote peace and remind people that our two countries share a long history of connection, not just conflict." Having departed from Busan on April 28th, the ship will visit multiple ports in Japan, hosting exhibitions and performances, just as the Joseon Tongsinsa envoys did centuries ago to share Korean culture. Your report mentioned how the Tongsinsa ship will host exhibitions and performances during its stay in Japan. Can you tell us more about how that will work? Of course. First, it's important to note that, unlike the original Tongsinsa missions, this time only the ship and its seven designated crew members are sailing to Japan. The performers, who will be staging traditional Korean performances, will travel separately and join the ship at various ports based on the performance schedule. Curator Hong says he wanted to create an onboard museum, so they filled the ship's interior with pictures and props telling the history of the Joseon Tongsinsa, such as how the ship was built. A floating museum like this is incredibly rare. That brings me to my next question: where can people in Japan see the ship, enjoy these performances, and experience the exhibitions? According to the sailing schedule from the National Institute of Maritime Heritage, the ship is currently docked in Kaminoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Tomorrow, it's scheduled to sail to Kure, where the first major public events in Japan will take place on Monday, May 5th. That day will feature a welcoming ceremony, the opening of the onboard exhibition, and a series of traditional Korean performances. From there, the ship will continue along the route you're seeing on screen now. After arriving in Osaka in mid-May, it will retrace its path back to Korea, and is expected to return to Busan on May 27th. And as you've mentioned in both last week's and this week's reports, the ship's arrival in Osaka this year carries special significance. It sounds like there's a full lineup of events planned when it gets there. That's right. The big day is May 13th, when a welcoming ceremony will be held in the morning with local residents of Osaka. That will be followed by a marching procession, like the one featured in my report, this time through the grounds of the Osaka World Expo site. I'll be on-site covering those events, so please stay tuned for that coverage! We definitely will. Thank you for your report today, Yoo-jin! Always a pleasure.

U.S.-Ukraine sign minerals agreement following long negotiations

2025/05/02 20:00

Elsewhere. Washington and Kyiv have signed the mineral deal, after months of talks, which lays out a plan of partnership and cooperation. Ahn Sung-jin covers the details. After long negotiations, the United States and Ukraine have signed a mineral agreement. Kyiv released the final agreement on Thursday, which had been signed in Washington D.C. the day before. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said it was the first tangible outcome from his recent meeting with U.S. President Trump during the Pope's funeral last month. "The agreement has changed significantly during the preparation process. It is now truly an equitable agreement – one that creates opportunities for substantial investment in Ukraine." This agreement comes after a heated meeting between the leaders in the Oval Office back in February where Trump abruptly canceled a planned closed-door session, allegedly saying "come back when you're ready to talk about peace negotiations." But now this move signifies deeper cooperation between the two countries. The deal outlines joint investments in mineral resources including rare earth minerals. This agreement, deemed as a strategic move for the U.S., gives a preferential stance to secure access to these elements as China restricts its rare mineral exports. In return, the U.S. will provide military and financial assistance to Ukraine through a reconstruction investment fund, though no concrete security guarantees have been made. One of the notable components from the joint statement is that it used the phrase "Russia's full-scale invasion" which may suggest the U.S.'s potential shift in its diplomatic stance which had been previously leaning toward Russia. "Today's agreement signals clearly to Russian leadership that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term. It's time for this cruel and senseless war to end." Another detail is that the deal did not mention Ukraine's need to pay back the so-called debt of 3-hundred-50 billion U.S. dollars of aid that Trump had previously demanded. Though the Kremlin hasn't officially spoken about the deal, some Russian politicians have denounced it by calling it "Ukraine's step towards colonization" or "repaying of U.S. support with resources." For the deal to come into effect, it will need to be ratified by the Ukrainian parliament. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

April consumer prices up 2.1% y/y; fourth straight month in 2% range

2025/05/02 20:00

Local consumer prices continued to hover on the two-percent range in April for the fourth month in a row, with the cost of processed foods and of dining out remaining relatively high. Park Jun-han covers the findings. Inflation in South Korea persists despite low oil prices, spurred by high food and dining out costs. According to data from Statistics Korea on Friday, South Korea's inflation in April stood at 2-point-1 percent year-on-year. Consumer prices have been showing increases in the two-percent range over the past four months. High exchange rates due to the weakening of the Korean won and supply constraints pushed up the prices of processed foods and the cost of dining out. Compared to April last year, prices of processed foods went up by 4-point-1 percent. This is the highest level of increase in 16 months. In the same period, the cost of dining out went up by 3-point-2 percent. This is the highest level of increase in 13 months. Declining global oil prices eased inflationary pressure, as prices of petroleum products fell 1-point-7 percent, offsetting earlier gains. An expert from Statistics Korea pointed to the impact of the drop in global oil prices from around 89 U.S. dollars per barrel in April last year to around 68 dollars per barrel this April as a reason why further increases in consumer prices did not occur. "The fluctuations in consumer prices were due to a downward shift in petroleum products due to a decline in global oil prices." While the rise in the exchange rate contributed to April's inflation, and falling global oil prices limited further increases in consumer prices, this data alone does not indicate a long-term economic trend. "Although it used to go up, the exchange rate is falling a lot at the moment, so I think the exchange rate problem will go away sooner or later. About the global oil price issue, oil prices have also dropped a lot recently, but they might go up again, so I don't think the inflation issue is stabilized yet." Meanwhile, the prices of fresh produce fell by 1-point-9 percent, marking the largest drop since March 2022. Despite global uncertainties, an expert from Statistics Korea expects the country's inflation level to remain around 2 percent in the near future. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

New Acting President Lee Ju-ho takes full charge to stabilize security, economy until election

2025/05/02 20:00

Things dramatically unfolded overnight in the political arena, with the post of acting president going to Education Minister Lee Ju-ho. He started the job by holding a National Security Council meeting today. Oh Soo-young has the latest. Stabilizing governance amid a political storm, South Korea's new Acting President Lee Ju-ho took charge of the nation Friday, prioritising people's livelihoods and national security as his first agenda. Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Lee Ju-ho, as of midnight, became the country's unprecedented third interim leader in the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. This came after two back-to-back resignations on Thursday, as Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stepped down to run in the June 3rd presidential election, and his next in line, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, quit within hours under the threat of impeachment by the National Assembly. Lee's first course of action: convening the National Security Council to ensure livelihoods and public safety remain intact, and for watertight readiness against potential provocations from North Korea. "Ensuring national security and the lives and safety of the people is the government's most fundamental duty. There must not be even the slightest gap in any area — whether in diplomacy, security, defense, or economic security." The Acting President also presided over a State Council meeting to approve the 13-point-8 trillion won, or 9-point-six billion dollar supplementary budget passed by parliament, to fund wildfire recovery, AI research and development, public welfare, and infrastructure projects. Remarking on the fastest-ever passing of extra budget seen in the last two decades, Lee stressed the interim government must not cease to address challenges affecting national interests, such as trade consultations with the United States, 경제 안보, and global competition in key technologies like semiconductors and AI. Until the next government takes office next month, Lee requested all ministers fulfill their duties until the end, in the face of history. An economist globally renowned for education and innovation policy, the two-time Education Minister will run a caretaker government until a new president is elected. His responsibilities now span the country's presidency, the prime minister's office, and the Finance Ministry. With the Finance Minister's resignation, the Cabinet is left with only 14 members falling short of the 15 required to hold a State Council meeting. However, the Ministry of Government Legislation has ruled that the 15-member requirement refers to positions, not active individuals, and that with 11 or more attendees, the Cabinet can lawfully function. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Fmr. PM Han declares presidential candidacy ahead of PPP convention; DP proposes bill following Lee's court ruling

2025/05/02 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. We begin with the latest on the upcoming presidential election with the clocking ticking fast. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has made his presidential bid official, pledging for a major change in power structure. DP's presidential hopeful Lee Jae-myung continued campaigning today, and so did PPP's Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon ahead of the party convention tomorrow. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo officially announced his run for president on Friday morning, just one day after stepping down as acting president and prime minister. "I just can't accept that even trade and diplomacy, which are vital to our national interest, are being used for political fights. I've decided to find a way to contribute for the future of the Republic of Korea I love, and for all of us." Han pledged immediate constitutional reform. He laid out a plan to draft an amendment in his first year in office, complete it in the second, hold general and presidential elections in the third year under the new Constitution, and then step down immediately. He also pledged to tackle trade issues including U.S. tariffs as well as to work for national unity and support the vulnerable. Han's entry into the race is expected to shake up the People Power Party's primary, now in its final stage, as he's expected to form a coalition with the PPP's final candidate. The PPP will wrap up its two-day voting on Friday to choose the party's presidential candidate, with results based 50 percent on party members and 50 percent on a public opinion poll. Ahead of the party convention on Saturday, where the final candidate will be announced, Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon on Friday visited different regions to gather support. Kim focused on the Seoul Metropolitan Area, while Han visited Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do Province. Meanwhile, despite the political fallout from the Supreme Court's decision on his election law violation case, Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung is sticking to his schedule. Lee visited Gangwon-do Province to listen to the voices of the people. The Supreme Court on Thursday sent Lee's election law violation case back to the high court with the intent of a guilty verdict. The DP's election committee on Friday criticized the ruling, calling it an unfair political decision. The National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee led by members of the DP decided on Friday to initiate the review of a DP-proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, despite opposition from PPP members. The amendment aims to halt legal proceedings once a defendant is elected president. The DP plans to refer the bill to a plenary session next week. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Rain all over the country tomorrow, temperatures drop

2025/05/02 20:00

With the spring rain yesterday, the dryness of the air has also been greatly relieved. The daytime temperature in Seoul rose to 20 degrees Celsius and 22 degrees in Daegu which was about 2 to 3 degrees lower than the usual temperature for this time of year. Temperatures will even move down a bit with the rain tomorrow. During this extended weekend, frequent rain is forecast across the country. Rain will begin in the central parts of the country early tomorrow and gradually spread to the whole country. These rain clouds won't stay long and will slowly move away during the daytime. Tomorrow, Seoul and Daejeon will start off at 9 degrees, Busan at 13 degrees. Daily highs will rise up to 16 to 18 degrees nationwide except for Jeju at 23 degrees. It will rain all over the country on Monday night and continue until Tuesday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

S. Korean musical 'Maybe Happy Ending' nominated for 10 Tony Awards

2025/05/02 20:00

The South Korean musical "Maybe Happy Ending" has been nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The romantic musical, which made its Broadway debut last November, will compete for the top prize, and has also been nominated in categories such as Best Performance by an Actor and Best Direction of a Musical. The 2025 Tony Awards, annually celebrating excellence in Broadway theater, will take place on June 6th at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

2025 Museum Week: Museums, art galleries to provide discounted admissions and special events

2025/05/02 20:00

Starting Friday, about two-hundred-sixty museums and art galleries across the nation are holding '2025 Museum Week.' Despite its name, museum week runs from May 2nd till May 31st, with discounted admissions and special events for visitors. The number of local museums participating this year has increased compared with last year. Private collections will also be displayed at 50 museums and art galleries nationwide, including Gyeonggi Province Museum and Gyeonggi Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art. More details can be found on the official website.

Discussion on AI ethics during a time of disruptive technological shifts

2025/05/02 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus, I'm Kim Mok-yeon. The rise of artificial intelligence has become one of the most disruptive technological shifts of our time. From large language models shaping the way we communicate, to algorithms influencing financial markets, medical diagnostics, and even justice systems, AI is now deeply embedded in the fabric of modern life. But AI also brings ethical concerns— from bias and inequality to data ownership and creative authorship. With global powers competing to lead the AI race, the question is no longer whether AI should be used, but how it can be used responsibly. To delve deeper into how we can coexist with artificial intelligence, we connect to Professor Agustin Rayo, Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Welcome to the program. 1. Professor Rayo, Generative AI such as OpenAI's models has already become an essential part of our daily lives. In your view, what has enabled AI to so rapidly integrate into our lives in such a short period of time? 2. As AI technologies advance at a rapid pace, AI ethics is being increasingly discussed. For starters could you explain what "AI ethics" exactly is? And why do you believe it should be emphasized, particularly at this point in time? 3. So in the context of AI ethics, issues like algorithmic bias and personal data protection have also emerged. From your perspective, what is the most critical ethical challenge that AI currently poses? 4. In a separate interview last year, you cited inequality as one of the major threats posed by AI. Could you elaborate on the reason for this? And what kind of real-world impact might inequality caused by flawed ethical standards have on our society? 5. Lately in Korea, there has been a trend where people used image-generating AI to transform their own photos into a style of Japanese animation, referred to as "Ghibli-style." This sparked debates around copyright infringement and creative ethics. To what extent do you think laws and ethical standards should intervene in AI-generated creative works? 6. Places such as the EU and South Korea are proposing various regulatory frameworks to ensure the safe use of AI. However, some critics argue that current AI regulations still remain vague. How do you think ethical standards should evolve in response to the advances in AI technology? 7. Some argue that AI ethics is not merely a technical issue, but a human one. As an expert in the field, what is your take on this perspective? 8. Educating those who develop and use AI seems crucial in cultivating ethical awareness and guiding the future direction of AI development. What educational initiatives has MIT introduced in this regard? 9. As the global AI race intensifies, there is still a long way to go in terms of implementing clear value standards and systematic institutionalization, either through private self-regulation or national frameworks. In your opinion, what approaches are necessary to ensure a balanced coexistence between humans and AI?

New Acting President Lee Ju-ho takes full charge to stabilize security, economy until election

2025/05/02 17:00

We start with some dramatic developments on the political front overnight with the post of acting president going to Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Lee Ju-ho . Our senior correspondent Oh Soo-young covers the events thus far. Stabilizing governance amid a political storm, South Korea's new Acting President Lee Ju-ho took charge of the nation Friday, prioritising people's livelihoods and national security as his first agenda. Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Lee Ju-ho, as of midnight, became the country's unprecedented third interim leader in the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. This came after two back-to-back resignations on Thursday, as Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stepped down to run in the June 3rd presidential election, and his next in line, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, quit within hours under the threat of impeachment by the National Assembly. Lee's first course of action: convening the National Security Council to ensure livelihoods and public safety remain intact, and for watertight readiness against potential provocations from North Korea. "Ensuring national security and the lives and safety of the people is the government's most fundamental duty. There must not be even the slightest gap in any area — whether in diplomacy, security, defense, or economic security." The Acting President also presided over a State Council meeting to approve the 13-point-8 trillion won, or 9-point-six billion dollar supplementary budget passed by parliament, to fund wildfire recovery, AI research and development, public welfare, and infrastructure projects. Remarking on the fastest-ever passing of extra budget seen in the last two decades, Lee stressed the interim government must not cease to address challenges affecting national interests, such as trade consultations with the United States, 경제 안보, and global competition in key technologies like semiconductors and AI. Until the next government takes office next month, Lee requested all ministers fulfill their duties until the end, in the face of history. An economist globally renowned for education and innovation policy, the two-time Education Minister will run a caretaker government until a new president is elected. His responsibilities now span the country's presidency, the prime minister's office, and the Finance Ministry. With the Finance Minister's resignation, the Cabinet is left with only 14 members falling short of the 15 required to hold a State Council meeting. However, the Ministry of Government Legislation has ruled that the 15-member requirement refers to positions, not active individuals, and that with 11 or more attendees, the Cabinet can lawfully function. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Rain again across the country, temperatures drop a bit

2025/05/02 17:00

It stayed relatively cool even in the middle of the day today. The daytime temperature in Seoul rose to 20 degrees Celsius and 22 degrees in Daegu which was about 2 to 3 degrees lower than the usual temperature at this time of year. Temperatures will move down a bit with the rain tomorrow. There's frequent rain in the forecast during this extended weekend. Following tomorrow, it will rain across the country next Monday night and continue until Tuesday. Rain will begin in the central parts of the country early tomorrow and gradually spread to the whole country. These rain clouds won't stay long and will slowly recede during the daytime. Tomorrow, Seoul and Daejeon will start off at 9 degrees, Gyeongju at 10 degrees. Daily highs will rise up to 16 to 18 degrees nationwide except for Jeju at 23 degrees. Mild conditions with rain are expected until early next week. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Waltz out as U.S. national security adviser and tapped for UN ambassador

2025/05/02 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. U.S. President Donald Trump has removed National Security Adviser Mike Waltz following a security breach and named Secretary of State Marco Rubio his interim replacement. As part of the reshuffle, Trump has nominated Waltz as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. President Trump's decision was announced on Thursday local time. This comes after Waltz mistakenly added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a group chat of top officials discussing classified U.S. military operations in Yemen. While an internal review concluded the breach was accidental, the incident intensified tensions between Waltz and other officials over his hawkish foreign policy views. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed as acting National Security Adviser, adding to his current roles as Secretary of State, acting administrator for the United States Agency for International Development, and U.S. Archivist. The Senate must now confirm Waltz's nomination as UN Ambassador. Parts of Northwest Europe are experiencing an unprecedented heatwave, with multiple countries recording their highest temperatures at the start of May. The United Kingdom saw its hottest start to May since records began on Thursday, with temperatures reaching 29.3 degrees Celsius at Kew Gardens in London, according to the Met Office. This surpasses the previous record of 27.4 degrees Celsius set in 1990. Elsewhere in Europe, cities including Paris and Berlin have also experienced unseasonably warm weather, with temperatures reaching 29 and 27 degrees Celsius, respectively. The early onset of such high temperatures raises concerns about the frequency and intensity of future heatwaves in the region. In Brazil, Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, recognized as the world's oldest person, has died at the age of 116. Sister Inah passed away on April 30 in Porto Alegre due to natural causes. Born in 1908, Lucas became a Catholic nun in her early 20s and devoted her life to religious service and teaching. She joined the Teresian Sisters religious community in 1927 and spent decades educating students. Sister Inah was blessed by the late Pope Francis in 2018. She attributed her longevity to her faith, saying that "He is the secret of life." With her passing, 115-year-old Ethel Caterham in England now holds the title of oldest living person. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Honoring 80 years of liberation: history lives through records

2025/05/02 17:00

Starting tomorrow for those of us here in Korea we are looking ahead to a long weekend to celebrate Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday. That being said if you have yet to make plans do consider a meaningful exhibition here in central Seoul to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation. Our Lee Eun-hee was there. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, when Korea regained independence from Japan in 1945 after 35년 of colonial rule. To mark the anniversary, and to show the daily lives of people during the colonial rule and other moments of Korea's recent history, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History is holding a special exhibition called "Records, Memory of You." The displays, including official documents, diaries and literary works show more than just historical facts. They reveal the human emotions of the time-hope, sorrow and joy-so we can experience Korea's journey through the eyes of those who lived it. "This young soldier, unable to write to his illiterate father, asked a journalist to take his photo to take his photo to let him know he was alive — tragically, he was killed in action the very next day. And this stack of letters was exchanged between a couple separated by the Vietnam War, offering a glimpse into their hope to be reunited." Korea's struggle and pride are reflected in key moments in sports history. From the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where a Korean athlete won gold in the marathon but had to stand under the Japanese flag-to the nation's first international sports victory after liberation and its Olympics debut under the name "KOREA" these milestones capture the resilience and determination of a country reclaiming its identity. "Even though it was a time we never lived through, seeing over 80 years since Korea's first Olympics appearance made me feel how far our country has come, and also gave me a strange, nostalgic feeling, like I had been part of it." "I wanted to come to South Korea, to the Republic of Korea and visit and learn more about the history and arts and culture of the country. So this is actually my first stop. I arrived this morning so I'm very happy to be here and I find the exhibit to be fascinating and very emotional actually because it talks about the history of what has happened in the recent past." Held in collaboration with the Cheongju National Museum and the National Archives of Korea, the exhibition reminds us of the meaning of "Gwangbok" in Korean, meaning the restoration of lost sovereignty-and the importance of never forgetting those historic struggles. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

Joseon Tongsinsa: Peacebuilding ship sets sail for Osaka

2025/05/02 17:00

A while back we covered an elaborate reenactment of a centuries-old diplomatic mission that begins in Korea and ends in Japan. WELL that mission is now re-enacting its trip to the neighboring country having set sail from Busan earlier this week. Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin files this report. The final stop on Korean soil for the Joseon Tongsinsa, Korea's diplomatic missions to Japan during the 17th to 19th centuries, was the port city of Busan. After arriving from Seoul, hundreds of envoys boarded ships bound for Japan. Every year, this historic moment is revived through the Joseon Tongsinsa Festival. Dressed in traditional Korean attire, hundreds of participants march through Busan, retracing the footsteps of the original envoys. "It's my first time participating, but it really made me reflect more deeply on Korea's relationship with Japan, such as the colonial era." "When I filled the form for this event, I did look it up, and it was like, it was a good historical piece that I got to know." And completing the recreation, the Tongsinsa ship has also been meticulously brought back to life. "This vessel, modeled after the original Tongsinsa ships, will set sail for Japan. By mid-May, the vessel is set to arrive in Osaka." This marks the first time in 261 years that the route to Osaka is being taken. The man behind this reconstruction is Hong Sun-jae, who has spent a decade bringing the historic vessel back to life. Since 2015, he's collected historical documents, studied ancient ship models, and traveled across the country to find the right timber. The ship launched in 2018, made its first voyage to Japan in 2023, and this year, it's heading farther than ever before. "This year marks 60 years since South Korea and Japan normalized diplomatic ties. Our ship will hold an arrival ceremony in Osaka on May 13th, Korea Day at the Osaka World Expo. Through this journey, we hope to promote peace and remind people that our two countries share a long history of connection, not just conflict." Having departed from Busan on April 28th, the ship will visit multiple ports in Japan, hosting exhibitions and performances, just as the Joseon Tongsinsa envoys did centuries ago to share Korean culture. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News, Busan.

Gov't unveils 2025 plan for N. Korean defectors, boosting education and incentives

2025/05/02 17:00

The Unification Ministry has shared its latest settlement support plan for North Korean defectors. The plan expands academic opportunities for the children of defectors and offers tax incentives to businesses that hire defectors. It also strengthens safety nets for the elderly and working mothers. Seeking to build upon last year's framework the plan focuses on job creation and talent development aimed at giving defectors the chance to gain a firm foothold here in South Korea.

S. Korea, U.S. conduct first tabletop military exercise against N. Korea's space threats

2025/05/02 17:00

South Korea and the U.S. held their first tabletop exercise against space-based security threats posed by North Korea. The exercise between the Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. Space Forces Korea took place on Thursday and included response simulations to potential North Korean attacks against South Korean satellites such as GPS jamming. This tabletop training follows working-level talks on space partnership held in Washington D.C. last November.

S. Korea-U.S. conclude working-level 'technical discussions' on tariffs

2025/05/02 17:00

Working-level trade officials from South Korea and their U.S. counterparts have concluded their first "technical talks" on tariffs in Washington D.C. Our correspondent Lee Soo-jin has more. South Korean and U.S. trade officials concluded two days of "technical discussions" on bilateral trade issues on Thursday, local time. The discussions, which were held in Washington, mark the first working-level meeting between the South Korean delegation, led by Chang Sung-gil, the director-general for trade policy at the industry ministry, and their U.S. Trade Representative counterparts. While the details of the discussions were not disclosed, one source said the meeting's aim was to outline a framework for future full-scale talks. The meeting comes on the heels of last week's so-called "two-plus-two" trade negotiations between Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, and then-Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. During the high-level talks, the two sides agreed to create a trade package aimed at securing tariff exemptions by July 8, the day that a 90-day pause in tariffs set by U.S. President Donald Trump is set to expire. And South Korea is not the only Asian country that the U.S. is holding trade talks with. The second round of tariff negotiations between the U.S. and Japan kicked off on Thursday, local time, in Washington attended by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and a delegation led by Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa. During the meeting, which lasted about an hour longer than the first round, the U.S. and Japan focused on expanding trade, addressing non-tariff measures, and strengthening cooperation on economic security. Bessent emphasized the Trump administration's focus on countries in Asia during an interview on Thursday. "I am concentrating on our Asian trading partners. So we're meeting with the Japanese delegation today. We've had some very good meetings with Korea. So, you know, we we are moving quickly." He also said that trade deals with other Asians countries may take place before China. White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller maintained a firm stance on China during a briefing on Thursday, saying that the U.S. will not tolerate intellectual property theft or mounting trade deficits. He also said the trade deficit in auto trade between the U.S. and South Korea, Japan and the European Union, was "unsustainable" under fair trade conditions. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

April consumer prices up 2.1% y/y; fourth straight month in 2% range

2025/05/02 17:00

Consumer prices continue to hover on the two-percent range here in Korea for the fourth month in a row. Park Jun-han covers the findings for this past April. Inflation in South Korea persists despite low oil prices, spurred by high food and dining out costs. According to data from Statistics Korea on Friday, South Korea's inflation in April stood at 2-point-1 percent year-on-year. Consumer prices have been showing increases in the two-percent range over the past four months. High exchange rates due to the weakening of the Korean won and supply constraints pushed up the prices of processed foods and the cost of dining out. Compared to April last year, prices of processed foods went up by 4-point-1 percent. This is the highest level of increase in 16 months. In the same period, the cost of dining out went up by 3-point-2 percent. This is the highest level of increase in 13 months. Declining global oil prices eased inflationary pressure, as prices of petroleum products fell 1-point-7 percent, offsetting earlier gains. An expert from Statistics Korea pointed to the impact of the drop in global oil prices from around 89 U.S. dollars per barrel in April last year to around 68 dollars per barrel this April as a reason why further increases in consumer prices did not occur. "The fluctuations in consumer prices were due to a downward shift in petroleum products due to a decline in global oil prices." While the rise in the exchange rate contributed to April's inflation, and falling global oil prices limited further increases in consumer prices, this data alone does not indicate a long-term economic trend. "Although it used to go up, the exchange rate is falling a lot at the moment, so I think the exchange rate problem will go away sooner or later. About the global oil price issue, oil prices have also dropped a lot recently, but they might go up again, so I don't think the inflation issue is stabilized yet." Meanwhile, the prices of fresh produce fell by 1-point-9 percent, marking the largest drop since March 2022. Despite global uncertainties, an expert from Statistics Korea expects the country's inflation level to remain around 2 percent in the near future. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.