News

[Weekly Focus] What S. Korean leader's 'pragmatic diplomacy' means for U.S., Japan, China: 1 month in office

2025/07/05 12:34

It's been one month since President Lee Jae Myung took office. It's still early days but we review the past 30-something days of his foreign affairs and security policies, which he has defined as "pragmatic diplomacy." For this, we have our Oh Soo-young in studio. 1. First, how would you summarize the first month of Lee's pragmatic diplomacy? From my perspective, there has been an interesting mix of both continuity and change from the previous administration. In being pragmatic, the Lee government is clearly keeping Seoul's global diplomacy intact based on the president's first multilateral summit at the G7. Holding at least ten individual summits with world leaders, his focus there was reinforcing South Korea's position in the international community as a vibrant democratic partner, after six months of leadership vacuum following President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law crisis last year. There's continuity in South Korea's strategic relationships, too. His first phone calls with world leaders were made in order of: the U.S., Japan, and then China. That mirrors the previous Yoon administration's priorities, emphasising the S. Korea–U.S. alliance and a future-oriented partnership with Tokyo. That's been surprising given how past progressive leaders have shown more affinity towards China than Japan, emphasizing historical disputes with the latter. However, there has been some recalibration when it comes to working with China and Russia. The former Yoon administration endorsed liberal democratic values as the basis for cooperation but the new Lee administration has indicated it will focus on what serves Korean interests, not necessarily values. "The Yoon government's "value diplomacy" used values as the standard for all foreign policy decisions. As a result, relations between Seoul and its neighbors, especially China, Russia, and North Korea, rapidly deteriorated. This directly affected Korea's economic and security situation. Thus, the need for pragmatic diplomacy emerged from understanding that value diplomacy alone could not guarantee peace, development, or stability on the Korean Peninsula." On North Korea, Lee's strategy is clearly geared towards lowering tensions. Even in the first month of his presidency, he decided to withhold psychological warfare tactics like loudspeaker broadcasts, while cracking down on South Korean groups sending anti-North Korea flyers over the border. It's a sharp contrast to the tit-for-tat escalation under the previous administration. Q2. And what does his selection of ministers for diplomacy and security tell us about his pragmatic diplomacy? The president's Cabinet picks represent a decisive pivot toward multilateral cooperation, and peace rather than deterrence, towards North Korea. Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun is a career diplomat with decades of experience in multilateral diplomacy. He emphasised the importance of diversifying Korea's diplomatic interests. Speaking during a door-stepping interview, Cho said it was time to move beyond what he called "the stereotype that diplomacy begins and ends with the United States. At the same time, he acknowledged America's centrality in building peace with North Korea. The nominee for Unification Minister, Chung Dong-young, is also no stranger to the inter-Korean agenda. He held the same position under President Roh Moo-hyun and played a central role in organizing the 2007 inter-Korean summit. He said he supports U.S.–North Korea talks, noting that "they help ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and contribute to peace and stability." The appointment of Ahn Gyu-baek as Defense Minister is also noteworthy. He'll be the first civilian to hold the post in more than six decades, representing democratic oversight of the military, particularly after the martial law crisis last year. Rather than a strong alliance-based message, Ahn's also emphasised the need for a peaceful overture between the South and North, such as the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, to create the mood for military tensions to be eased. Q3. Is the Korea–U.S. summit still expected in late July, and what are the stakes? Well, until early this week, officials from both governments confirmed that a Lee-Trump meeting in Washington is being arranged, likely set for around July 21st. But over the past few days, there's been some uncertainty after Secretary of State Marco Rubio's two-day visit mid-month was cancelled. His visit presumably would have finalized crucial details ahead of the bilateral summit. Amid speculation that Rubio will have to prioritize the U.S. leader's summit with his Israeli counterpart first, the foreign ministry said there was sufficient explanation for the cancellation, and that the two sides are still communicating closely to make the leaders' summit happen. The clock's ticking ahead of the July 9th deadline imposed by Trump on renegotiating America's tariffs on South Korea's foremost industrial goods. That will likely top the summit agenda. Many also expect the U.S. will demand Seoul pay more towards security, to cover areas outside their existing cost-sharing agreement, such as the deployment of U.S. strategic assets. Another issue could possibly be North Korea, as Lee moves to lower tensions and Trump signals interest in resuming engagement with the North. Q4. And now there's also a question mark over whether President Lee will accept an invitation by the Chinese government to attend a major military parade. That's right. That's going to be a massive military parade in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, and the numerical significance of 80 years a new decade will make the event itself all the more meaningful. The 70th-anniversary event in 2015 was attended by then-South Korean President Park Geun-hye. But of course, this may raise eyebrows in Washington, amid its strategic rivalry with Beijing so as a presidential official said Wednesday, it is a difficult decision. But with the Lee Administration seeking pragmatism, and as South Korea will host both the U.S. and China this year at the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, some experts say Seoul should show courtesy to all sides. "It's ideal if Trump goes too; if both attend, so much the better. But if Trump declines, then Korea has to decide. There's still time, so we need careful thought. This celebration only happens once in about ten years. Personally, I believe Korea should take a bold approach and take up that opportunity to improve Korea–China relations in preparation for APEC." If Lee is able to hold a summit with Trump first, and possibly with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba, this could clear the path for him to travel to Beijing afterwards. According to my sources, talks are ongoing with Japan to resume the so-called shuttle of leaders between Seoul and Tokyo soon. Let's see what happens later this month. Thanks Soo-young for coming in today.

Stock

2025/07/04 22:40

2025. 7. 4. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,054.28 ▼-61.99 -1.99% KOSDAQ : 775.80 ▼-17.53 -2.21% KOSPI200 : 412.74 ▼-8.20 -1.95% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 39,810.88 ▲24.98 +0.06% HANG SENG : 23,916.06 ▼153.88 -0.64% SHANGHAI : 3,472.32 ▲11.16 +0.32% WALL STREET (July 3) DOW JONES : 44,828.53 ▲344.11 +0.77% NASDAQ : 20,601.10 ▲207.97 +1.02% S&P500 : 6,279.35 ▲51.93 +0.83% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,362.30 (+2.90) JPY : 944.24 (-0.48) CNY : 190.20 (+0.39) EUR : 1,604.65 (+0.97)

Extra budget bill vote continues to face delays amid bipartisan debate

2025/07/04 22:40

We start at the National Assembly where a crucial vote for the government's proposed extra budget continues to be delayed amid continued debate between lawmakers. For more on the fate of this bill, we connect with our correspondent Moon Hye-ryeon on the line. Hye-ryeon , what's the latest there? The National Assembly's plenary session to vote on the new administration's first supplementary budget bill has been repeatedly delayed, with disagreements continuing to cloud the process. Lawmakers were scheduled to vote on the bill on Friday afternoon at 2 PM, but the session was pushed back following last-minute talks to finalize the bill at the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts meeting and internal divisions within the ruling Democratic Party. Initially proposed at 30-point-5 trillion Korean won, or roughly 22 billion U.S. dollars, the supplementary budget ballooned during committee deliberations at the National Assembly. The version passed by the budget committee now totals just over 23 billion dollars, with the increase largely driven by two contentious items: a consumer voucher program and the restoration of special activity funds for four government agencies, including the presidential office. The inclusion of the prosecution in these special activity funds is what has sparked opposition within the DP, with one lawmaker calling it "not appropriate" on social media. What have been the main points of contention between the ruling and main opposition parties? Leading up to the vote, the two parties have been clashing over the bill's key provisions, particularly around how and where the additional spending should be directed. At the heart of the bill is the ruling party's push for "livelihood recovery" through direct support for households in the form of vouchers that can be used like a gift certificate at small, local businesses. Depending on income, Korean citizens in the capital region will receive between 150 thousand and 500 thousand won, while those living outside the capital region will receive more. The DP emphasized the urgency of passing and executing this in order to boost domestic consumption and help people's livelihoods. Another major point of contention was the reallocation of special activity funds for the presidential office. The DP proposed restoring the funds, which are typically used for confidential or discretionary purposes — a move that drew sharp criticism from the PPP. Opposition lawmakers called this move hypocritical, given that the DP had previously slashed the same budget when in opposition. But the DP holds a majority in the National Assembly and can push the bill through on its own without the opposition People Power Party's backing — which is what is expected to happen after the PPP declared earlier today that it would be abstaining from voting. That's all for now, back to you, Dami. All right, Hye-ryeon, thank you for your report.

[Weather] Rain until tomorrow morning, heat waves continue nationwide

2025/07/04 22:39

With the central regions still affected by the gridlocked monsoon front, sporadic rain is falling on northern parts of Gyeonggi-do Province and the Seoul metropolitan area. This rain will mostly stop tonight, but some areas in northern parts of Gyeonggi-do Province and Gangwon-do Province will see rain until tomorrow morning. With heat wave warnings and advisories in place in most parts of the country, daytime temperatures moved up to 31 degrees Celsius in Seoul, 36 degrees in Daegu and 37 degrees in Miryang. Tropical nights and heat waves are expected to get worse next week. Tomorrow morning will be around 25 degrees around the country. Highs will move up to 32 degrees in Chuncheon and Jeju, 36 degrees in Daegu. Occasional rain is forecast in some central and northern parts of the country between Sunday and next Monday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

[Arts&Culture] Korean musical theater reaches the world:19th DIMF

2025/07/04 22:38

It's Friday, which means it's time for Arts and Culture. We have our culture correspondent Byeon Ye-young in the studio. Welcome, Ye-young! Thank you for having me. So, Ye-young, what do you have for us today? I recently went to Daegu for the 19th Daegu International Musical Festival, which is Korea's largest musical festival. Even though the weather was really hot, what I saw and experienced there made the trip completely worth it. Let's take a look together. This summer, Daegu once again transforms into a stage. Korea's largest musical festival, The Daegu International Musical Festival, or DIMF, brings creators and audiences together from all over. This year, showcasing 29 musicals from home and abroad. "The dress rehearsal for this year's closing performance, Panda, is about to begin. This Chinese production blends dazzling acrobatics with traditional martial arts, a real treat for the eyes." A visual and musical spectacle, Panda tells a heartfelt story about love, coexistence, and the care we owe to nature. It's a piece that's beloved by Korean audiences. This reading performance, part of DIMF's musical incubation program, offers young talents a rare chance to present their work. Some pieces even go on to become full-scale productions with funding and support. "I received a lot of overall support from DIMF throughout the production process. But what helped me the most was getting direct feedback from the mentor instructors. That was incredibly helpful in developing and improving the piece." "I think the best part of this program is getting to meet great creators, working alongside talented actors, and simply having opportunities like this. For actors like me, that's one of the most valuable aspects." With global success stories like Maybe Happy Ending, DIMF is more than just a festival. "As DIMF approaches its 20th anniversary next year, our hope is that musical fans from around the world will come to Daegu. To make that happen, we believe it's essential to connect the festival with tourism. Our goal, and also our challenge, is to grow DIMF into a truly global musical festival." It's a symbol of what's possible for Korea's creative industry. Now, to my understanding, this year's DIMF has garnered more interest than ever before because of a Korean musical that swept the Tony awards. Could you tell us more about that? Of course, this year's festival was quite auspicious because it comes after the Korean musical, "Maybe Happy Ending," won Tony awards in six categories, including Best Musical. And the roots of that triumph? They trace back to this very festival. Composer Will Aronson and writer Park Chun-hue actually first met through a different project called "Bungee Jump" at the DIMF in 2012. They must have had good chemistry, because "Bungee Jump" was met with very good reviews. They later collaborated again and created "Maybe Happy Ending." Like this, DIMF acts as a place to foster new relationships and create amazing pieces together. People are on the hunt for the next big show. Exactly what kind of support does DIMF provide to young talent, so that the next "Maybe Happy Ending" might be made? The reading performances that we saw in the video were part of the musical incubation program, which offers young talent mentorship and funding to put their creations on stage. Without stage props and costumes, it allows the viewer to focus solely on the storyline, which is the core of any musical. These performances seemed to be well-received by the audience. Five student pieces were put on stage, and if any of them are well-received by investors, they can receive funding and later be premiered at DIMF as a "creative support musical," which is how the writer and the composer of "Maybe Happy Ending" met. "In 2008, a composer named Aronson had his work 'My Scary Girl' selected for creative support through DIMF. The following year, we even staged it in New York as part of DIMF's outreach. Through that kind of process, 'Maybe Happy Ending' was eventually born." Perhaps because of that legacy, this year's creative support productions are seeing reservation rates over 30 percent higher than in previous years. I think we can be optimistic about the future of Korean musicals. We'll be on the lookout. Thank you for coming in today, Ye-young. It was my pleasure.

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

2025/07/04 22:37

If you're in Korea, you might have come across these small black insects that fly around as a pair, which is why they're named lovebugs. They've been around for the past few years, but their return has been especially unwelcoming this summer with its worst seasonal surge in the numbers of lovebugs. Park Hyo-been tells us more. 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 tests border waters amid claims of N. Korean radioactive leak

2025/07/04 22:36

South Korea is testing waters near the inter-Korean border amid claims that waste from a North Korean uranium plant could have reached the West Sea. Inspectors collected samples Friday from six sites around Ganghwa-do Island in the West Sea. Scientists will spend two weeks analyzing them for uranium, cesium, and heavy metals before releasing their results. Officials say monitoring will also expand to other estuaries close to North Korea. The tests follow reports from a satellite analyst claiming waste from the Pyongsan uranium plant may have leaked downstream. Similar concerns surfaced in 2019, but tests showed no major contamination.

Current account posts surplus for 25th straight month, but ‘impact of U.S. tariffs beginning to show'

2025/07/04 22:35

The central bank said on Friday that both South Korea's exports and imports are declining — but with inbound shipments dropping more sharply, the current account stayed in surplus. However, exports are expected to take a bigger hit soon when new tariffs kick in. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. South Korea's current account remained in the black in May for the twenty-fifth consecutive month logging a current account surplus of ten-point-one billion U.S. dollars. According to the Bank of Korea on Friday, the figure is nearly double that recorded in April possibly due to a slower rise in oil prices and the reduced imports. The central bank added that while this was the third-largest surplus on record for the month of May, exports fell for the first time in four months as autos and steel struggled under U.S. tariffs. The goods account surplus widened from the previous month, as imports decreased more sharply — due to falling oil prices — than exports, which saw declines mainly in non-IT products. Specifically the goods account recorded a 10.66 billion dollar surplus, although exports decreased by 2.9% to 56.93 billion dollars, as imports decreased by a larger margin of 7.2% to 46.27 billion dollars, compared to last year. When both decline it could be a sign of recession, but the BOK explained that this was not a domestic issue. Regarding the falling exports, when U.S. tariffs come into effect, the results will be clearer, especially with certain export items that South Korea relies on. "In the case of automobiles, the impact is expected to become more pronounced in the second half of the year. As local production expands, exports from Korea to the U.S. could decline to some extent." Meanwhile from January to May this year, the cumulative current account surplus stood at 35-point-11 billion dollars, up eight-point-0-5 billion dollars from the same period last year. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

S. Korea's chief trade negotiator heads to Washington amid looming tariff deadline

2025/07/04 22:35

The Trump administration continues with its tariff threats to countries around the world, this time by planning to send out tariff letters starting Friday. South Korea's trade minister is heading back to the U.S. for the last-minute tariff negotiations over the weekend. Moon Ji-young reports. With just days left before the temporary halt on tariffs expires, South Korea's chief trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo , is making his second visit to the United States within a week for high-level trade negotiations. He is set to meet with U.S. officials, including U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in Washington this weekend. This marks a swift follow-up to his previous talks last week, during which he emphasized Seoul's commitment to "good-faith" trade discussions with the Trump administration. Speaking at a plenary session of the National Assembly on Friday, Yeo indicated that he would actively consider requesting an extension from the U.S. side, depending on the progress of the negotiations. He further articulated South Korea's negotiating stance: "We will conduct negotiations pragmatically, prioritizing national interests, with the aim of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement between South Korea and the U.S. Our goal is to pursue a complete exemption from reciprocal tariffs and all product-specific tariffs, ensuring that we are at least not disadvantaged compared to competitor nations. Furthermore, in the industrial and energy sectors, we will establish a strategic cooperative relationship between our two countries." This comes amid growing tariff pressure from the U.S. "We're going to start sending letters out to various countries, starting tomorrow. We'll probably have 10 or 12 go out tomorrow. And over the next few days, I think by the ninth, they'll be fully covered and they'll range in value from maybe 60 or 70% tariffs to 10 and 20% tariffs." Yeo stated that high-level and working-level negotiations would be conducted intensively to swiftly conclude the talks, thereby leaving open the possibility of additional negotiations. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

President Lee highlights debt relief, science investment in Daejeon town hall meeting

2025/07/04 22:34

President Lee Jae Myung is stepping up efforts to engage with the public, holding a town hall in South Korea's central region after last week's stop in Gwangju. Our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin reports. The second stop of President Lee Jae Myung's town hall series was the central city of Daejeon on Friday, often called the nation's "science capital." Going well past the scheduled hour, President Lee listened to residents share their concerns about debt relief and science and technology policy. Small business owners and the self-employed talked about ways to recover after years of hardship brought on by the pandemic and a sluggish economy. "One of the most important parts of helping people get back on their feet is supporting small business owners and the self-employed. We need a strong foundation so they don't get trapped in a cycle of heavy debt. We should set up a one-stop system that covers everything from debt restructuring to business restart support." President Lee took the time to outline his administration's plan to cancel long-overdue debts for low-income earners and small businesses, which has been raising eyebrows over fairness. "When someone falls into debt, they end up being blacklisted. And if you look at it from a broader perspective, it basically stops them from taking part in the economy altogether. That's a loss for the country, too. So is it really right to leave it as it is?" The discussion then turned to revitalizing science and technology, areas the government sees as critical to national competitiveness. "For researchers, it takes a long time to even start a career. Most jobs are temporary contracts, and honestly, the salaries are much lower than people think." Taking note of each speaker's comments, President Lee stressed the need to foster meaningful research. "Let's focus on research that actually matters. Let's stop the research that's done just to fill out government reports. We shouldn't be making researchers waste so much energy on paperwork, and we shouldn't be obsessed with whether everything has a high success rate." After listening to stakeholders, President Lee directed officials to develop policies centered on the needs of people on the ground. Wrapping up, he pledged to speed up the relocation of the presidential office to nearby Sejong City as part of his vision for balanced regional growth. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

Pres. Lee’s economic sprint: early gains, but big tasks ahead

2025/07/04 21:34

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. President Lee Jae Myung's first month in office has been defined by urgency and action. On day one, he chaired an emergency economic task force, pushed through a multi-trillion-won supplementary budget, and laid the groundwork for structural reforms. Early indicators point to regained market confidence—consumer sentiment is up, and the KOSPI crossed the 3,000 mark for the first time in over three years. But external pressure is mounting. President Trump has announced the U.S. will begin sending tariff rate letters to countries starting July 4th, warning that those without finalized deals by the 8th will face higher duties. With Korea still in talks, it's a critical test for the administration's trade strategy. In our fourth installment to mark one month of the Lee Jae Myung presidency, we turn to the economy—how the administration is responding to public anxiety, and what early moves signal about its broader economic direction. To help us break things down, we're joined by Jin-ill Kim, Professor of Economics at Korea University. Welcome. Also joining us online is Hwagyun Kim, Professor of Banking and Finance at Texas A&M University's Mays Business School. Good to see you. (Jin-ill Kim) President Lee's first month has been a blitz—emergency meetings on day one, a budget passed in two weeks. How do you assess this fast-paced approach? (Hwagyun Kim) Building on that momentum—at his one-month press conference, President Lee pointed to the KOSPI's rally as one of the administration's early wins. Just two weeks in, the index broke through the 3,000 mark for the first time in three and a half years. What message did this send to the financial markets, and how have they responded overall? (Jinill Kim) And it's not just the stock market reacting—consumer sentiment in June hit a four-year high. From what you've seen, Prof. Jin-ill, does this indicate that households are starting to believe in an economic rebound? (Jinill Kim) Turning to appointments, key Cabinet nominations, including the Finance Minister, have been announced. Within this new economic control tower, what stands out most to you? (Hwagyun Kim) On the global front, tariff negotiations with the U.S. remain President Lee's biggest diplomatic and economic hurdle. President Trump has announced that starting as early as July 4th, the U.S. will begin sending official letters to countries, detailing the tariff rates they will face. Against this backdrop, what is expected for South Korea? Prof. Hwagyun, And, how should Korea interpret Washington's latest move? (Jinill Kim) And now, with the U.S. moving to send out tariff notices as early as this weekend, Korea's top trade negotiator Yeo Han-koo is heading to Washington, promising fair terms. Prof. Jin-ill, What kind of strategy is needed now to avoid those higher tariffs? (Hwagyun Kim) Meanwhile, even as tariff tensions rise, Korea posted record June exports, up more than 4%, powered by semiconductors and autos. What's driving this export rebound in the face of mounting U.S. trade pressure? (Hwagyun Kim) Finally, looking further ahead—President Lee has vowed to modernize Korea's capital markets and usher in a new KOSPI 5000 era. In your view, how feasible is this goal, and what concrete steps are needed to get there?

Extra budget bill vote continues to face delays amid bipartisan debate

2025/07/04 19:41

We start at the National Assembly today where lawmakers across the aisle continue to LOCK HORNS over the government-proposed extra budget. For more on the fate of this bill I have our correspondent Moon Hye-ryeon standing by live. Hye-ryeon it's good to have you on. So what's the latest there? The National Assembly's plenary session to vote on the new administration's first supplementary budget bill has been delayed with disagreements between the ruling and opposition parties clouding the process. Lawmakers were scheduled to vote on the bill on Friday afternoon at 2 PM, but the session was pushed back amid last-minute talks to finalize the bill at the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts meeting just prior to the plenary session. The budget was initially proposed at 30-point-5 trillion Korean won — or around 22 billion U.S. dollars — and saw an expansion to just over 23 billion dollars after committee-level reviews and adjustments. The session is expected to begin after the special budget committee meeting concludes, which could be any minute now. The Democratic Party holds a majority in the National Assembly and can push the bill through on its own without the opposition People Power Party's backing — which is what is expected to happen after the PPP declared earlier today that it would be abstaining from voting. So what have been the main points of contention between the ruling and main opposition parties? Leading up to the vote, the two parties have been clashing over the bill's key provisions, particularly around how and where the additional spending should be directed. At the heart of this new budget are "consumption vouchers" that the ruling Democratic Party said were a point of contention with the main opposition People Power Party in the lead-up to the vote. Depending on income, Korean citizens in the capital region will receive between 150 thousand and 500 thousand won in spending vouchers that can be used like a gift certificate at small, local businesses. The DP emphasized the urgency of passing and executing this in order to boost domestic consumption and help people's livelihoods, and said that the PPP took issue with the scope of recipients eligible for the program. Another major point of contention was the reallocation of special activity funds for the presidential office. The DP proposed restoring the funds, which are typically used for confidential or discretionary purposes — a move that drew sharp criticism from the PPP. Opposition lawmakers called this move hypocritical, given that the DP had previously slashed the same budget when in opposition. That's all for now, back to you, Sun-hee. All right Hye-ryeon thank you for now. And do keep us posted.

[Weather] Rain until tomorrow morning, heat wave continues

2025/07/04 19:40

The central and northern regions have been seeing monsoon rain today. About 5 millimeters per hour of rain is expected around these areas. There will be 5 to 40 millimeters of rain in northern parts of Gyeonggi-do Province and northern parts of Gangwon-do Province. This rain will mostly stop tonight, but some areas will be rainy until tomorrow morning. With heat wave warnings and advisories issued in most parts of the country, daytime temperatures rose to 31 degrees Celsius in Seoul, 36 degrees in Daegu and 37 degrees in Miryang. Tropical nights and heat waves are expected to get worse day by day. Tomorrow morning will be around 25 degrees across the country. Highs will move up to 33 degrees in Daejeon and Busan, 37 degrees in Gyeongju. It will rain occasionally in some central and northern parts of the country between Sunday and next Monday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his brother die in car crash

2025/07/04 19:40

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, also a professional footballer, died in a car crash just after midnight on Thursday, local time on a highway near Spain's northwestern city of Zamora. Spanish authorities reported that the tire blew out from the Lamborghini they were driving in as it overtook another vehicle, causing the car to veer off the road and burst into flames. Emergency crews confirmed both men died at the scene. 28-year-old Jota had recently got married, and had three young children. He was returning from vacation after helping Liverpool win the Premier League title. Jota made 182 total appearances and scored 65 goals for Liverpool. Tributes poured in from around the sports world, and hundreds of Liverpool fans gathered at Anfield, home of Liverpool, laying flowers in his memory. An investigation has been launched into the crash. The funeral is expected to be held on Saturday in the Portuguese city of Porto. Near Indonesia's tourist island of Bali, a ferry carrying 65 people sank late Wednesday night, local time, leaving at least six dead and dozens missing. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya ferry, carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, as well as 12 vehicles, sank around 11:20 PM, almost 30 minutes into the five-kilometer Bali Strait crossing, after reportedly suffering engine failure and an engine-room leak. Rescue efforts continued through Thursday in the rough seas, with 31 people saved but dozens still unaccounted for. On Thursday evening, rescue operations were temporarily halted due to strong currents, high waves, and limited visibility. President Prabowo Subianto has ordered a full emergency response, while investigators examine the cause of the accident and whether unlisted passengers were onboard. Indonesia experiences frequent maritime disasters due to its reliance on ferries and lax safety regulations. In Greece, a wildfire is spreading fast on the island of Crete, forcing over 5,000 residents and tourists to evacuate on Thursday. Strong winds reaching 80 kilometers per hour and extreme heat, linked to Europe's early summer heatwave, have led to the rapid spread of the blaze that broke out a day earlier. Two hundred thirty firefighters and 46 fire engines and helicopters have been deployed to contain the fire which are sweeping through forest, farmland, and residential areas. The fire service warns the island remains at very high risk, and with above-average temperatures and little rain forecast, containment is expected to take days. British band Oasis' highly anticipated reunion tour, Oasis Live '25, kicks off on Friday, July 4, in Cardiff, marking the first time Liam and Noel Gallagher have performed on the same stage in 16 years. Tickets for the UK and Ireland leg, featuring 17 stadium dates, sold out within ten hours. A wide range of merchandise, including keyrings, hoodies, and shirts, is on sale ahead of the gig. The tour will travel globally after the UK run, heading to North America, Asia, Australia, and South America, with projected revenue exceeding 200 million U.S. dollars. Oasis Live '25 will land in South Korea in October. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

KIPO awarded special award for independence activists who had contributed to Korea's independence

2025/07/04 19:38

Korea's patent office recently made a special acknowledgement of the inventions by individuals who sought innovation to support the country's independence. Cha Yun-kyung explains. The Korean Intellectual Property Office held a memorial ceremony to honor Mr. Kwon Do-in, a patriotic independence activist based in the U.S. who was also an inventor. Kwon is remembered for his contributions to both Korea's independence movement and the advancement of invention. He was also the first Korean to apply for a patent in the U.S., with an apparatus that prevented damage to the body of a sewing machine. Mr. Kwon also applied for a patent for a curtain made from bamboo, which had become quite popular in the U.S. Mr. Jeong In-ho, the first Korean to apply for a patent in Korea, invented a horsehair hat in 1909, to raise funds for the independence movement. Marking the 60th anniversary of Inventors' Day, the KIPO has come up with special achievement awards for independence activists who contributed to Korea's independence movement through invention during the Japanese colonial era. This year's award for great inventor went to a company that developed an electric semiconductor module for electric cars and robots. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

Korean musical theater reaches the world at 19th DIMF

2025/07/04 19:38

Korea's southeastern city of Daegu is hosting its annual International Musical Festival and this year the event takes place amid fresh enthusiasm as it follows news of a South Korean original musical winning six Tony awards including Best Musical. Byeon Ye-young files this report. This summer, Daegu once again transforms into a stage. Korea's largest musical festival, The Daegu International Musical Festival, or DIMF, brings creators and audiences together from all over. This year, showcasing 29 musicals from home and abroad. "The dress rehearsal for this year's closing performance, Panda, is about to begin. This Chinese production blends dazzling acrobatics with traditional martial arts, a real treat for the eyes." A visual and musical spectacle, Panda tells a heartfelt story about love, coexistence, and the care we owe to nature. It's a piece that's beloved by Korean audiences. This reading performance, part of DIMF's musical incubation program, offers young talents a rare chance to present their work. Some pieces even go on to become full-scale productions with funding and support. "I received a lot of overall support from DIMF throughout the production process. But what helped me the most was getting direct feedback from the mentor instructors. That was incredibly helpful in developing and improving the piece." "I think the best part of this program is getting to meet great creators, working alongside talented actors, and simply having opportunities like this. For actors like me, that's one of the most valuable aspects." With global success stories like Maybe Happy Ending, DIMF is more than just a festival. "As DIMF approaches its 20th anniversary next year, our hope is that musical fans from around the world will come to Daegu. To make that happen, we believe it's essential to connect the festival with tourism. Our goal, and also our challenge, is to grow DIMF into a truly global musical festival." It's a symbol of what's possible for Korea's creative industry. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News, Daegu.

N. Korean crosses land border, taken into custody by S. Korean military: JCS

2025/07/04 19:37

The South Korean military has taken into custody a North Korean who crossed the Military Demarcation Line Thursday night. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff the individual crossed the line in the western part of the border and was tracked and apprehended. A thorough investigation into the details of the person's defection is expected to take place. Meanwhile authorities also say there have been no signs of any unusual activity across the border.

Trump includes North Korea in cybersecurity threat list

2025/07/04 19:37

The U.S. has added North Korea to its black list of cyber security. According to the White House website on Thursday President Donald Trump issued an executive order to include North Korea Russia and Iran to the current list. His order acknowledged that China posed "the most active threat" to the U.S. but added that Pyongyang Moscow and Tehran were emerging as tangible concerns as well. Under the former Biden administration only China was on the list.

Putin tells Trump that Russia will not give up aims in Ukraine

2025/07/04 19:36

On the diplomatic front. An end to Russian aggression against Ukraine is looking unlikely in the near future as the latest talks between the leaders of the U.S. and Russia on the phone failed to narrow their differences. Lee Seung-jae covers the talks that took place on Thursday. U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, held phone talks on Thursday. According to the Kremlin, Putin, while referring to the war in Ukraine, stressed that Russia "will achieve the aims it set," which is to eliminate the "root causes that led to the current state of affairs." Putin's message to Trump was also reported by Russia's state television. "Of course, during this call, the situation in Ukraine was discussed. So, Vladimir Putin informed Trump that Russia will not step back from its goal of removing the root causes that led to the confrontation in Ukraine." Moscow has long demanded that Kyiv give up its NATO membership ambitions. Still, during the almost one-hour-long talks, Putin expressed his readiness to continue negotiations, adding that Moscow is looking for a political, negotiated solution to the conflict. Meanwhile, President Trump expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the peace talks that the U.S. is trying to broker. "And we also talked about, as you know, the war with Ukraine. And I'm not happy about that. I'm not happy. No, I didn't make any progress with that today at all." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his hopes, also on Thursday, that he would have the opportunity to speak with Trump on Friday, or in the coming days. He said that he wishes to discuss their bilateral relations, as well as U.S. support amid the ongoing war with Russia. Zelenskyy also expressed hopes for continued support from the U.S. and Europe, stressing that strengthening cooperation and coordination through the U.S., the EU and NATO is crucial. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. Korea's chief trade negotiator heads to Washington amid looming tariff deadline

2025/07/04 19:36

On the trade front. South Korea's top trade delegate is heading back to the U.S for talks ahead of next week's deadline on the pause in country-specific tariffs. Our Moon Ji-young covers the upcoming trip. With just days left before the temporary halt on tariffs expires, South Korea's chief trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo , is making his second visit to the United States within a week for high-level trade negotiations. He is set to meet with U.S. officials, including U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in Washington this weekend. This marks a swift follow-up to his previous talks last week, during which he emphasized Seoul's commitment to "good-faith" trade discussions with the Trump administration. Speaking at a plenary session of the National Assembly on Friday, Yeo indicated that he would actively consider requesting an extension from the U.S. side, depending on the progress of the negotiations. He further articulated South Korea's negotiating stance: "We will conduct negotiations pragmatically, prioritizing national interests, with the aim of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement between South Korea and the U.S. Our goal is to pursue a complete exemption from reciprocal tariffs and all product-specific tariffs, ensuring that we are at least not disadvantaged compared to competitor nations. Furthermore, in the industrial and energy sectors, we will establish a strategic cooperative relationship between our two countries." This comes amid growing tariff pressure from the U.S. "We're going to start sending letters out to various countries, starting tomorrow. We'll probably have 10 or 12 go out tomorrow. And over the next few days, I think by the ninth, they'll be fully covered and they'll range in value from maybe 60 or 70% tariffs to 10 and 20% tariffs." Yeo stated that high-level and working-level negotiations would be conducted intensively to swiftly conclude the talks, thereby leaving open the possibility of additional negotiations. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.