News

First Seoul-wide heat warning issued with more to come; 7 dead as of Sunday due to heat

2025/07/07 22:36

It's been way too hot for July and it only got worse. Seoul saw the whole city under a heat wave warning first time this year while the southern part of the nation suffered even more. Our Kim Do-yeon has more. Reaching up to 33-point-2 degrees Celsius on Monday Seoul saw its hottest day of the year so far and issued a heatwave warning to every part of the capital for the first time this year. "Today is really hot. I feel like it wasn't this hot in the past." A heat wave warning is issued when the highest feels-like temperature is expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius or higher for two or more consecutive days or when major damage is anticipated as a result of the heat. In fact, Seoul is expected to see its highest temperature go up to 36 degrees on Tuesday. "The first city-wide heat wave warning of the year came a full 18 days earlier than last year. City officials are urging residents to stay indoors and keep cool. But of course, fountains like this offer a playful — and much-needed — way to beat the heat." "They don't have these in California water helps me forget the heat it cools me down and then forget the heat? Monday also marked Soseo, or 'Lesser Heat' — a traditional seasonal marker falling usually on July 7th or 8th signaling the start of the summer heat. While temperatures are rising, the hottest days are still ahead, expected to peak around what's called "Daeseo," or Great Heat later this month. Meanwhile, other parts of the country also saw extreme heat, particularly in the south. Gyeongsangnam-do Province's city of Miryang saw its temperature rise to 39-point-2 degrees. Starting on the 8th, changes in atmospheric pressure will lead to easterly winds across the country. This means areas west of the Baekdudaegansan Mountain range—including Seoul and the greater capital region—are expected to see particularly scorching conditions. And with the heat also came casualties with officials announcing that two people died due to heat on Sunday taking the death toll to seven since mid-May when heat-related injuries started being recorded. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

President Lee asks for Vatican's role for peace on Korean Peninsula

2025/07/07 22:36

President Lee Jae Myung today met with Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik , the Vatican's minister of clergy, at his office in Yongsan, where they discussed cooperation between South Korea and the Vatican for peace on the Korean Peninsula. "The Catholic church is paying special attention to peace for the Republic of Korea and stability on the Korean Peninsula. I hope the Vatican makes a special contribution to and plays a role in improving inter-Korean relations." Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Seoul in 2027 to attend World Youth Day. Lee added that he hoped the pope could stop by North Korea in time with his trip to Seoul and the cardinal responded he wished to see President Lee taking a photo with Chairman Kim Jong-un given that opportunity. Cardinal You also delivered the pope's invitation for the South Korean leader to visit Rome while President Lee thanked the church for its role in restoring South Korea's democracy. The cardinal is the first religious leader President Lee has met since his inauguration.

DP to push for more reforms as July extraordinary session kicks off

2025/07/07 22:35

Tensions are running high at the National Assembly as lawmakers reconvene for a new round of legislative activity — but also hinting at possible cooperation. Our Moon Hye-ryeon has the details. The July extraordinary session of the National Assembly kicked off on Monday, with the ruling and opposition parties entering the term sharply divided following last week's passage of the highly contentious extra budget bill. The ruling Democratic Party is pushing to pass a number of bills that were previously vetoed by the former administration — including broadcasting reform legislation and a revision to the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act, known as the "yellow envelope bill." The broadcasting bills aim to reduce political influence over public broadcasters by limiting the number of board members appointed by political parties, while the "yellow envelope bill" seeks to broaden the definition of "employer" and restrict damage claims against labor unions. Efforts to reform the prosecution are also picking up pace. "We promise to swiftly implement the complete separation of investigation and indictment, ensure effective checks on prosecutorial power, and institutionalize political neutrality." Meanwhile, the opposition People Power Party is continuing its efforts to counter the DP's legislative dominance. PPP floor leader Song Eon-seog declared that the party would use upcoming confirmation hearings for ministerial nominees as an opportunity to push back against what the party sees as unilateral rule. "The People Power Party, together with the people, will examine the qualifications and moral integrity of ministerial nominees riddled with criminal suspicions on a microscopic level, in order to block the arrogant and one-sided governance of the Lee Jae Myung administration." Although ministerial nominees do not require a parliamentary vote for appointment, confirmation hearings serve as a key opportunity for the opposition party to vet and challenge the president's personnel decisions. Despite this heightened tension, both parties are making cautious moves toward cooperation. On the first day of the session, the policy chiefs of both parties formed a joint consultative body — aimed at fast-tracking livelihood-related bills and coordinating shared campaign pledges made during the recent presidential election. Both sides acknowledged their differences on key policy matters but agreed on the need for discussion, not confrontation. As the session continues, the coming weeks will test whether bipartisan dialogue can truly take root. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

President Lee calls on new PM to focus on public safety, order, livelihoods

2025/07/07 22:34

President Lee Jae Myung and newly appointed Prime Minister Kim Min-seok held their first lunch meeting on Monday. According to Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sang-ho, they discussed the Prime Minister's main responsibilities, including following up on the administration's policy agenda, identifying new and long-term policy issues, and resolving social conflicts, all with a focus on public safety, order, and livelihoods. On pending issues, Prime Minister Kim said he plans to meet with medical students and trainee doctors about a return to work. President Lee asked him to take an active role in resolving the matter. The President and Prime Minister will hold this closed-door meeting every Monday.

Gov't, retailers to offer up to 50% food discount during summer vacation season

2025/07/07 22:34

In collaboration with South Korea's agriculture ministry and food companies, prices on essential food such as ramyeon, 라면, bread and coffee are being discounted up to 50 percent to help curb inflation and to support consumers during the summer vacation season. Park Jun-han has the details. The government and food industry announced that they will provide up to a 50 percent discount on staple food items to alleviate the burden of rising prices during the summer vacation season. The announcement was reported five days after the release of June's inflation data, which indicated a year-on-year increase of 4.6 percent for processed foods — the highest in 19 months since November 2023. In June, 62 out of 73 processed food items saw price hikes. To tackle the inflationary impact of this, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs held discussions with major food and retail companies last Friday to outline plans to stabilize food prices. The discounted items will include products with high consumer price sensitivity, such as ramyeon and bread, and products with slightly reduced raw material costs, such as ice cream and 아이스크림, and juice, which are often consumed during the summer. Participating companies include Nongshim , Otoki , SPC Group and CJ CheilJedang . The agriculture ministry noted that rising costs of key ingredients, labor, and energy have increased the financial burden on food companies. To ease high cost pressure, the ministry has already applied tariff quotas to 21 imported raw materials and extended value-added-tax exemptions for cocoa and coffee imports through 2025, as since 2023, the two have seen price increases of over 190 percent and 68 percent, respectively. The ministry pledged to expand funding support for raw material purchases to ease the industry burden and agreed to continue discussions on issues such as overseas expansion and food ingredient supply. It will monitor processed food prices over the next month and will continue to discuss discounts with industry representatives. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

OECD: Korea’s potential growth rate dips below 2% for first time

2025/07/07 22:33

The OECD projects South Korea's potential growth rate for 2025 at 1.9 percent, marking the first time the projection has fallen below 2 percent ---a point-1 percentage point drop from the 2 percent forecast last December. A potential economic growth rate of under 2 percent means that even if the factors of production, such as labor and capital, are operating as efficiently as possible, returning to the 2 percent level is not possible without inflation risks. The Lee Jae Myung administration has pledged to bring the country up to a 3 percent potential growth rate. Lee's policies focus on addressing structural issues such as low birth rates, an aging society, and weak innovation, in the hope of boosting long-term growth.

Key diplomatic events this week: S. Korea-u.s. summit talks, Trump's global strategy, and Xi's absence from BRICS

2025/07/07 21:34

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. Major diplomatic developments are shaping this week's international landscape. Korea's National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo are meeting in Washington, preparing the crucial groundwork for the anticipated Korea-U.S. summit amid delicate tariff discussions. President Lee Jae Myung is set to dispatch envoys to an unprecedented number of countries, including the U.S., China, Japan, Australia, and India, signaling an expanded diplomatic strategy. Globally, President Trump continues navigating the Ukraine conflict, offering Patriot missile support to Zelenskyy while warning Putin of new sanctions. Trump's broader Middle East initiative also progresses, marked by his historic lifting of sanctions on Syria and ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. Meanwhile, China's Xi Jinping is absent from the BRICS summit in Brazil, fueling speculation about internal instability and his health. Today, we unpack these crucial diplomatic shifts and explore their wider implications for global stability. For more on this, we are joined by Min Jeong-hun, a Professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. Welcome. Also joining us online is Daniel Connolly, Associate Professor of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Good to see you. (Min Jeong-hun) With the Trump administration's tariff waiver nearing expiration, National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac has arrived in Washington for high-level talks. Wi stressed the need for senior engagement and is expected to meet top officials there. Since it's the first minister-level visit under the Lee Jae Myung administration, do you expect some progress in tariff talks or summit coordination? (Daniel Connolly) Speaking of the Korea-U.S. summit, there are two views: hold the summit as soon as possible, or wait until sensitive issues are resolved. Prof. Connolly, which approach would be more advantageous for Korea? (Min Jeong-hun) President Lee Jae Myung is reportedly preparing to send special envoys to more countries than any previous administration—including the U.S., China, Japan, Australia, and India. How does this approach compare with past governments, and what's the main goal behind this wide-reaching diplomatic push? (Daniel Connolly) Now, turning to global affairs. President Trump continues navigating the Ukraine conflict, offering Patriot missile support to Zelenskyy while warning Putin of new sanctions. After Trump's recent call with Putin yielded no progress, Russia launched a major summer offensive. Prof. Connolly What's Putin's current strategy in Ukraine? (Min Jeong-hun) While President Trump hinted at additional sanctions against Russia, he also suggested resuming support for Patriot missile systems during a conversation with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Could this lead to any significant changes in U.S.-Russia relations or the war in Ukraine? (Daniel Connolly) Trump's broader Middle East initiative also progresses, marked by his historic lifting of sanctions on Syria and ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. There's speculation about a possible meeting between Trump and Netanyahu today. Given the ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks, could today's discussions lead to meaningful progress Prof. Connolly? (Min Jeong-hun) Late last month, President Trump officially lifted sanctions on Syria for the first time in 21 years. What does Trump's recent lifting of sanctions on Syria suggest about his vision for a new Middle East order? (Daniel Connolly) Meanwhile, The BRICS Summit, led by China and Russia, took place in Brazil from July 6th to 7th, but both Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin were notably absent. Given their absence, can the anti-Western alliance remain effective Prof. Connolly? (Min Jeong-hun) Xi Jinping's absence has sparked health and political instability rumors. Why does such speculation around Chinese leadership continue to surface?

TASKS UNDERTAKEN OVER THIRTY DAYS

2025/07/07 19:42

Hello and welcome to Press Perspective for this Monday July 7th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. President Lee Jae Myung has ushered in his second month at the top office and in our panel session today we touch upon the tasks that have been undertaken and those that remain to be tackled. For this I have Steven Borowiec with Japanese weekly news magazine Nikkei Asia. Steven hope you had a good weekend. I also have Fabian Kretschmer with German news agency dpa. Fabian it's good to have you here. Steven, President Lee Jae Myung recently held a press conference to mark his first full month at the top office. What are some of the early actions taken by the president after his inauguration that caught your attention? And Fabian, what are some of your takeaways from the Lee Jae Myung administration's first thirty days at the top office? Steven, the first supplementary budget of the Lee Jae Myung administration passed the parliament last week. Do tell us about this extra budget and its intentions. Fabian, this extra budget also boosts investment for artificial intelligence here in Korea. What has been shared about the Lee Jae Myung administration's policy on AI? Moving forward, Steven, you covered the president's acknowledgement about a tariff deal with the U.S. by this week's deadline being difficult. Now his top trade negotiator is the U.S. for related talks. What's the latest on that front? Also, Fabian, talking about tariffs, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for a quick deal between the EU and the U.S. Do share with us his comments and concerns. And Steven, what can you briefly tell us about Japan's tariff negotiation with the U.S.? Fabian, back here in Korea, President Lee Jae Myung has also been actively seeking to engage directly with the public here. Following his first town hall meeting in Gwangju late June, he held a second one in Daejeon last week. What are your thoughts with regard to these efforts of engagement? All right.

Tariff letters to go out to other countries from Monday afternoon: Trump

2025/07/07 19:41

The Trump administration is poised to dispatch letters to U.S. trade partners starting Monday unilaterally informing them of their respective tariffs if related negotiations have failed to bear fruit. Our Moon Ji-young starts us off. U.S. President Donald Trump has announced via Truth Social that the U.S. will start delivering tariff letters to other countries starting 12 noon, Eastern Time, on Monday. Currently, it is unknown which nations will be receiving the letter or have made deals. Earlier that day, Trump told reporters: "We be sending letters out on Monday having to do with the trade deals. Could be 12, maybe 15 .they'll be going out on Monday and some will go out on Tuesday and Wednesday. And it'll and we've, we've made deals also. So we're going to have a combination of letters and some deals have been made." Trump added that either a letter will be sent or a deal will be done by July 9th. Following Trump's comments, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated a three-week reprieve. "The tariffs go into effect August 1st. But the president is setting the rates and the deals right now." This comes after Trump's announcement of the tariffs in April, which included a 10 percent base rate for most countries and additional rates, which in some cases went up to around 50 percent, although he later delayed the effective date for all but the 10 percent tariffs until July 9. Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac is in Washington, D.C. for three days to discuss pending issues. On his way to the U.S. on Sunday, he told reporters that Seoul and Washington have been discussing issues related to trade and security. "As the current negotiation phase is becoming quite critical, I'm stepping up my involvement, which is why I'm visiting the United States." He is expected to meet with his U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio. When asked about defense cost-sharing, he indicated that a range of issues were open for discussion, implying that cost-sharing could be on the agenda. The agenda is also expected to include coordination for a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] First heat wave warning in Seoul today, hot conditions continue

2025/07/07 19:40

A heat wave warning has been issued for Seoul starting from 10 a.m. today. It was the first heat wave warning in Seoul this year, and comes a week after the heat wave advisory was issued on Monday last week. It is 18 days earlier than last year. Under heat waves everywhere, the daytime temperatures will rise to 36 degrees Celsius tomorrow and Wednesday, and it will feel hotter than 35 degrees. In particular, the feels-like temperature is expected to reach 29 degrees Celsius in the Seoul metropolitan area tonight, which is almost considered a super-tropical night. Tomorrow morning will start off at 27 degrees in Seoul, 26 degrees in Daejeon and Gwangju. Daily highs will move up to 34 degrees in Daegu, 33 degrees in Gyeongju. Heat waves during the day and tropical nights at night will continue for the time being. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: BRICS summit opens in Brazil overshadowed by Trump’s tariff policies and Middle East tensions

2025/07/07 19:40

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Leaders of the ten-member BRICS group gathered in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday for the bloc's 17th summit under the slogan "Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance." Leaders from Brazil, India, China, South Africa, and newer members such as Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, UAE, and Ethiopia gathered for the two-day summit. Despite the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who attended virtually, BRICS leaders achieved a rare consensus, approving a 31-page declaration. Key points included criticizing "indiscriminate" U.S. tariff hikes and condemning increased NATO defense spending. Host President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged the bloc to act as defenders of multilateralism. BRICS nations represent more than half the world's population and 40% of its economic output. The gathering comes amid growing calls for a united front to counterbalance the U.S.-led G7. Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk has announced the formation of the "America Party" marking a further break from former ally U.S. President Donald Trump. Musk made the announcement on social media on Saturday, after posting a poll that showed two-to-one support from 1.2 million respondents. He pledged to oppose Trump-supported legislation and shake up U.S. politics ahead of 2026. Musk branded the current political system a "one-party" structure and not a democracy, and vowed to give people back their freedom, as well as showing his outrage over what Trump called his "Big Beautiful Bill" that Musk said would "bankrupt the country." Trump on Sunday called Musk's plans "ridiculous" but said that Musk "can have fun with it." Musk was once a major Trump campaign financier and head of the "Department of Government Efficiency." Pope Leo XIV arrived at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo on Sunday, the first time in 12 years that a pope has used the summer retreat. The pope will spend two weeks from July 6 to 20 at the Villa Barberini on the edge of Lake Albano. Before leaving the Vatican, the pontiff said during his Sunday prayer "I hope everyone can have some vacation time to restore the body and spirit." The stay at Castel Gandolfo is a change from the late Pope Francis, who stayed in the Vatican during the summer. Legendary artist and Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne delivered his final live performance on Saturday in Birmingham, England, under the title, "Back To The Beginning." Seated on a symbolic bat-themed throne due to his Parkinson's and spinal issues, the 76-year-old singer launched into his solo hits, before being joined by Black Sabbath's original lineup. The 11-hour event also included performances from other rock legends such as Metallica and Guns N' Roses. The massive event drew 40,000 fans to the concert at Villa Park and over 5.8 million viewers via global livestream. Three charities are set to receive proceeds from the event, including Cure Parkinson's. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

"KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack climbs to No. 3 on Billboard chart

2025/07/07 19:39

The soundtrack for Netflix's animation "KPop Demon Hunters" has soared five spots to third place on the Billboard 200 chart. According to Billboard the animation's album currently stands as the top charting soundtrack of the year thus far. It is also the highest charting animated film soundtrack since Encanto which spent nine weeks at number one back in 2022.

Lovebugs taking over South Korea: Here’s why it’s getting worse

2025/07/07 19:39

In other news. The Greater Seoul region is being bombarded by black bugs known as lovebugs yet again this summer BUT this time their pesky presence appears more prevalent. Park Hyo-been files this report. Hiking trails covered with black bugs. At the top of the mountain trail, bags filled with dead bugs are stacked one after another. They're called lovebugs, and they've been appearing in massive numbers across South Korea's capital region every summer in recent years. But many say they've never seen this many before. "They stick to everything. Even if you try to fan them away, they don't come off easily. There were just so many, I literally couldn't walk around without doing this. This year has been just unbelievable." "I'm now standing here on Gyeyangsan Mountain, and as you can see, there are lovebugs all over my clothes. Also over here, these are their dead bodies." There are several theories behind the surge, but experts point to climate change as a key factor. "Although it's monsoon season, we've had little rain this year, which is a possible sign of climate change. Typhoons have missed Korea and brought heavy rainfall to southwestern China, causing years of flooding there. That may have driven the bugs to migrate naturally into Korea." Though they cause some discomfort, lovebugs are actually considered beneficial insects, making aggressive extermination efforts difficult to justify. "Lovebugs actually play a beneficial role in the ecosystem by serving as food for other species and helping decompose organic matter. They don't bite or spread disease, but when they appear in large numbers like this, people tend to see them as pests." Instead of using chemical pesticides, local governments are turning to eco-friendly control methods Some municipalities are using LED lights to lure the bugs away from populated areas, while others deploy fire trucks to spray water and kill them. Authorities are also collecting the insects by hand and using sticky traps to reduce their numbers. Experts say the bugs tend to swarm most intensely until mid-July, after which their numbers decline. But they also warn that these seasonal invasions are likely to continue. "Given recent climate patterns, these outbreaks are very likely to continue. The areas where lovebugs appear may shift, but the phenomenon itself is expected to persist for the time being." As lovebugs return each year and in greater numbers, balancing ecological value with public discomfort is becoming a growing challenge for local governments and residents alike. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

S. Korea to repatriate 6 N. Korean fishermen as early as this week

2025/07/07 19:37

South Korea will repatriate six North Korean fishermen who were rescued after drifting across the maritime border earlier this year. In fact their journey back home may take place as early as this week. According to Unification Ministry Spokesperson Koo Byung-sam on this Monday all six individuals have expressed a strong desire to return home but their return was delayed as North Korea failed to respond to multiple related notifications sent by South Korea via a military hotline. And now authorities here have decided to proceed with their repatriation regardless of Pyongyang's silence. The fishermen were rescued in March and May in the West and East Seas respectively.

President Lee asks for Vatican's role for peace on Korean Peninsula

2025/07/07 19:37

President Lee Jae Myung today met with Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, the Vatican’s minister of clergy,... at his office in Yongsan,... where they discussed cooperation between South Korea and the Vatican for peace on the Korean Peninsula. "The Catholic church is paying special attention to peace for the Republic of Korea and stability on the Korean Peninsula. I hope the Vatican makes a special contribution to and plays a role in improving inter-Korean relations." Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Seoul in 2027 to attend World Youth Day. Lee added that he hoped the pope could stop by North Korea in time with his trip to Seoul... and the cardinal responded he wished to see President Lee taking a photo with Chairman Kim Jong-un given that opportunity. Cardinal You also delivered the pope's invitation for the South Korean leader to visit Rome... while President Lee thanked the church for its role in restoring South Korea's democracy. The cardinal is the first religious leader President Lee has met since his inauguration.

President Lee calls on new PM to focus on public safety, order, livelihoods

2025/07/07 19:37

President Lee Jae Myung and newly appointed Prime Minister Kim Min-seok held a lunch meeting on this Monday that they plan to do every Monday behind closed doors. According to Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sang-ho the meeting touched upon the prime minister's key duties such as following up on policy agenda identifying long-term policy issues and resolving social dispute with the focus on public wellbeing. On pending matters Prime Minister Kim shared intentions to sit down with medical students and trainee doctors about their potential return to their respective posts. President Lee for his part reportedly urged him to play an active role in resolving the matter.

Israel, Hamas hold truce talks in Qatar as ceasefire bid hits early snag

2025/07/07 19:36

Over in Qatar. Truce talks between Israel and Hamas conducted indirectly through mediators ended with little progress this past weekend ahead of a meeting on this Monday between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his U.S. host Donald Trump at the White House. Shin Se-byuck has more. The first round of ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, which opened on Saturday in Doha, has ended without a breakthrough. According to reports from Reuters and AFP, the delegations from both sides engaged in indirect negotiations facilitated by mediators. A Palestinian official told AFP the talks focused on a ceasefire framework and a possible hostage-prisoner exchange. But no progress was made in the first meeting. Reuters also cited several Palestinian sources who said the initial round concluded early Sunday morning. They claimed the Israeli delegation lacked the authority to reach a deal. Meanwhile, ahead of his scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, President Trump expressed optimism about a possible breakthrough between Israel and Hamas. "I think there's a good chance we have a deal with Hamas during the week, during the coming week." Netanyahu also voiced confidence that his talks with the U.S. leader would significantly contribute to progress in the negotiations. "I believe that the conversation with President Trump can definitely help advance this outcome." Ahead of the negotiations, Hamas had reportedly proposed a revised truce plan. It includes a 60-day ceasefire and the return of more than ten living Israeli hostages and the bodies of several others in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas also demanded Israeli troops pull back to pre-March positions when earlier talks collapsed. Other conditions include restarting UN-led humanitarian operations in Gaza and reopening the Rafah border with Egypt for medical evacuations. However, Israel rejected the proposal, calling it unacceptable. Despite diplomatic efforts, violence continued on the ground on Sunday. An Israeli airstrike targeting a residential area in Northern Gaza before dawn killed ten people. In total, Gaza's Civil Defense said 26 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip on Sunday alone. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.

Texas floods death toll rises to at least 82

2025/07/07 19:36

In the U.S. Torrential rains in the state of Texas caused tragic floods that have taken at least 80 lives including those of children at a summer camp. Byeon Ye-young reports. Catastrophic floods rushed through central Texas on Friday and have left at least 82 dead. The death toll climbed over the Independence Day weekend as emergency crews carried out search and rescue efforts. Kerrville Country was hit the hardest, with 40 adults and 28 children confirmed dead. Among those affected are children from Camp Mystics, an all-girls summer camp, where 10 children still remain missing. "And it was nothing short of horrific to see what those young children went through. And we will remain 100% dedicated, searching for every single one of the children who were at Camp Mystics, as well anybody else at the entire riverbed." Efforts continue to recover bodies and find additional survivors. Volunteers have joined the mission and formed search parties, hoping to bring at least one more child home. "You know, I've got two babies at home. That's the least I could do. You know, they're home safe, and there's people out there that they're missing their children or their family members. I feel like it's the least I could do to help." Dozens remain missing. Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned that more rounds of heavy rain are expected to last through Tuesday, potentially triggering further life-threatening floods in already saturated areas. The U.S. National Weather Service has extended a flood watch across much of south-central Texas, forecasting several more inches of rainfall in the coming days. On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he had approved a "Major Disaster Declaration," granting first responders access to essential resources for ongoing search and recovery operations. He acknowledged the devastating toll on families, calling it an "unimaginable tragedy" with numerous lives lost, and pledged that his administration would closely coordinate with state and local officials. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

OECD: Korea’s potential growth rate dips below 2% for first time

2025/07/07 19:35

South Korea's potential growth rate for this year is predicted to stand at 1-point-9 percent. Now this is according to the OECD and is the lowest prediction since 2001 and the first time that the figure has fallen below two percent. Also this rate has been steadily retreating since 2011. The potential growth rate refers to the highest sustainable growth of an economy without sparking inflation under the assumption that all aspects of production like capital and labor are in operation. The Lee administration has pledged to bolster Korea's potential growth rate back to three percent.

Gov’t and ruling party agree to tackle inflation, swiftly implement supplementary budget

2025/07/07 19:35

Also on the political front. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok hosted a meeting between government officials and ruling party lawmakers at his residence this past weekend to address rising consumer prices and the timing of the recently approved supplementary budget. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young covers this meeting. As consumer prices in South Korea rose 2-point-2 percent on-year in June the fastest increase in five months the government and ruling Democratic Party agreed to review measures to stabilize prices, including efforts to minimize processed food price hikes. This came during the first high-level consultation meeting between government officials and the ruling party under the Lee Jae Myung administration. At the meeting, held on Sunday at Prime Minister Kim Min-seok's residence, Kim urged the government and the DP to work as one and do their best to serve the country and its people. "The high-level consultation between the government and the ruling party will function as a platform to coordinate key policy tasks and produce tangible outcomes under the President's leadership." The DP called on the government to quickly implement the supplementary budget for economic recovery. The Cabinet on Saturday approved an extra budget bill worth 31-point-8 trillion Korean won or around 23-point-3 billion U.S. dollars. "To help boost spending and support incomes, consumption vouchers should be rolled out before the peak summer vacation season. We once again request swift implementation of the extra budget." In response, the government said it plans to execute 85 percent of the budget by the end of September and work with related ministries to closely monitor its impact. Meanwhile, safety measures for potential disasters during the summer season were also part of discussions. The government promised to take thorough steps to prepare for natural disasters like floods and storms, and both sides agreed to strengthen their response to heat waves. They also agreed to communicate more closely and hold regular high-level consultation meetings. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.