News

DP to launch election campaign committee Wednesday, with members from various factions

2025/04/30 10:00

Now onto the runup to the June presidential election. Having finalized its presidential candidate, the Democratic Party is now set to launch its election campaign committee on Wednesday, with members from various factions, regardless of their political background. Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. With five weeks left until the presidential election, the Democratic Party, having officially confirmed former leader Lee Jae-myung as its presidential candidate, is now putting together its election campaign committee. With plans to launch the committee on Wednesday, the party aims to form it with a focus on unity. "A true Republic of Korea is a community that comes together through greater unity and cooperation that's what we need to build. Starting tomorrow, the DP will shift into campaign mode and focus all its efforts on winning the presidential election." Lee has been taking steps to emphasize unity and broaden his appeal to centrist and conservative voters, mentioning the word "unity" 14 times in his acceptance speech on Sunday. The party said the committee will include members from various factions, regardless of their political background. It has already shown such an intention by recruiting former Environment Minister Yoon Yeo-joon, known as a conservative strategist, to one of the top posts in the campaign. The party is also open to bringing in more centrist and conservative figures from across the political spectrum. Lee is reportedly planning to meet with his primary rivals Kim Kyung-soo, former Gyeongsangnam-do Province Governor, and Kim Dong-yeon, current Gyeonggi-do Province Governor. Kim Dong-yeon cannot officially join the committee because he is a sitting governor, but Kim Kyung-soo is expected to join if asked. Liberal figures outside Lee's faction, such as former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Kim Boo-kyum , are also being considered for the campaign committee. Kang Kum-sil , a former justice minister under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, is joining the campaign as the committee's chief chair. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Trump Jr. to hold meeting with biz leaders in Seoul

2025/04/30 10:00

Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, will hold private meetings with heads of major South Korean conglomerates on Wednesday. While most of the meetings will be one-on-one, some group sessions are also on the agenda, with Trump Jr. expected to meet with roughly 20 business leaders. The invitation for the two-day trip was facilitated by Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, with whom Trump Jr. is known to have a close relationship. This visit is drawing significant attention as it comes amid intensifying trade pressures from the U.S. government, but according to reports, Trump Jr. does not have any public meetings scheduled with South Korean politicians or government officials.

Spain, Portugal restore power, still no explanation on what caused blackout

2025/04/30 10:00

Power is back on in Spain and Portugal, after the European countries experienced the worst blackout in their history. Residents are returning to normal life, but authorities have yet to say what caused the blackout. Lee Eun-jin reports. Power was restored to normal in Spain and Portugal by 11am on Tuesday, local time, after they experienced one of Europe's most severe blackouts. Despite the recovery, both Spain and Portugal remained in a state of emergency on Tuesday. A sudden loss of 15 gigawatts of power in a matter of five seconds around noon on Monday, local time triggered the blackout, but authorities are yet to give an explanation into what caused this sudden loss of power. When the power failure struck around noon on Monday, airports, railways, traffic and hospitals were paralyzed and phone services and ATMs were shut down. Emergency workers in Spain said they had rescued around 35-thousand passengers on Monday stranded along railways and the underground rail system. The Spanish national electricity system operator had detected two incidents of power generation loss that could have caused the energy instability. And while the agency ruled out cyber-attack as the cause, Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez said the government would not rush to conclusions in finding out what happened in those five seconds. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

Samsung Electronics logs record quarterly revenue on strong smartphone, chip demand in Q1

2025/04/30 10:00

Samsung Electronics reported its highest-ever quarterly revenue in the first quarter of the year. The South Korean tech giant on Wednesday reported revenue of 7-point-9 trillion won, more than 55 billion U.S. dollars during the January to March period, up around 10 percent from the previous year. This surpasses the previous quarterly record set in the third quarter of 2024. And its operating profit came to around 4-point-7 billion U.S. dollars during the January to March period, a slight on-year rise of 1-point-2 percent. The rise in earnings was largely driven by strong performance in the smartphone unit, fueled by the popularity of the Galaxy S25, as well as solid results from the semiconductor unit.

S. Korea's March industrial output rises while consumption and investment fall

2025/04/30 10:00

South Korea's industrial output rose in March, while consumption and investment declined. According to data released by Statistics Korea on Wednesday, overall production increased point-9 percent on-month. The gain was due to higher output in chips and pharmaceuticals, offsetting a decline in services. Retail sales fell 0-point-3 percent due to lower demand for mobile devices, computers, and passenger cars. Facility investment also dipped point-9 percent, as spending on agriculture and construction-related machinery fell.

Stock

2025/04/29 20:00

2025. 4. 29. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 2,565.42 ▲16.56 +0.65% KOSDAQ : 726.46 ▲7.05 +0.98% KOSPI200 : 339.06 ▲1.98 +0.59% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : CLOSED HANG SENG : 22,008.11 ▲36.15 +0.16% SHANGHAI : 3,286.65 ▼1.76 -0.05% WALL STREET (April 28) DOW JONES : 40,227.59 ▲114.09 +0.28% NASDAQ : 17,366.13 ▼16.81 -0.10% S&P500 : 5,528.75 ▲3.54 +0.06% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,437.30 (-5.30) JPY : 1,009.59 (+5.52) CNY : 197.70 (+0.05) EUR : 1,637.80 (-2.00)

DP to launch election campaign committee Wednesday, with members from various factions

2025/04/29 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. We start with the latest on the political front. Having elected its presidential candidate for the June third election, the Democratic Party is poised to launch its campaign committee tomorrow, open to figures from across the political spectrum. Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. With five weeks left until the presidential election, the Democratic Party, having officially confirmed former leader Lee Jae-myung as its presidential candidate, is now putting together its election campaign committee. With plans to launch the committee on Wednesday, the party aims to form it with a focus on unity. "A true Republic of Korea is a community that comes together through greater unity and cooperation that's what we need to build. Starting tomorrow, the DP will shift into campaign mode and focus all its efforts on winning the presidential election." Lee has been taking steps to emphasize unity and broaden his appeal to centrist and conservative voters, mentioning the word "unity" 14 times in his acceptance speech on Sunday. The party said the committee will include members from various factions, regardless of their political background. It has already shown such an intention by recruiting former Environment Minister Yoon Yeo-joon, known as a conservative strategist, to one of the top posts in the campaign. The party is also open to bringing in more centrist and conservative figures from across the political spectrum. Lee is reportedly planning to meet with his primary rivals Kim Kyung-soo, former Gyeongsangnam-do Province Governor, and Kim Dong-yeon, current Gyeonggi-do Province Governor. Kim Dong-yeon cannot officially join the committee because he is a sitting governor, but Kim Kyung-soo is expected to join if asked. Liberal figures outside Lee's faction, such as former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Kim Boo-kyum , are also being considered for the campaign committee. Kang Kum-sil , a former justice minister under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, is joining the campaign as the committee's chief chair. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Dry weather warnings have expanded, strong winds until tomorrow

2025/04/29 20:00

With warm and clear weather, dry conditions continue every day. Currently, dry weather advisories have been expanded to most parts of the country, and dry weather warnings are in effect for most parts of the east coast, Chungcheongbuk-do Province, Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. In addition, strong winds of around 20 meters per second will blow along the coast and the mountainous areas of Gangwon-do Province until tomorrow. In these winds, small embers can turn into large fires, so please take extra precautions. Tomorrow morning, Seoul will start off at 12 degrees Celsius, Busan at 13 degrees. There will be high temperatures across the country tomorrow. Rain is forecast across the country on Thursday afternoon to ease off the dryness of the atmosphere. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

[The Interview] Korean companies should "use American citizens as ambassadors" to navigate Trump tariff era: AMCHAM CEO James Kim

2025/04/29 20:00

Korean businesses, like many others in the world, are facing challenges in today's turbulent trade environment. Our Lee Soo-jin spoke with the head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea on how they can navigate this uncertain landscape. U.S. President Donald Trump's hard-line tariff agenda is fueling rapid, unpredictable shifts in the global trading landscape. South Korean companies are among those heavily impacted, which is why they are actively exploring new strategies to adapt to the shifting environment. We sat down with the President and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Seoul on Tuesday, who spoke highly of the contributions that Korean companies have made to the U.S. economy. "I think that Korean companies have done an amazing job. If you take a look at the past three years, Korean companies have made around 140 billion dollars worth of investment in America, making them the largest foreign direct investor in the United States. So if you are an American politician a governor or even the president of the United States I think you have to recognize the big contributions that Korean companies have made." But while Korean companies' contributions have been significant, more effort is needed to raise awareness of both these contributions and their broader strengths, particularly among the American public. "If you talked to an average American citizen who's living in Illinois, I don't think they know that Korean companies are the largest foreign direct investment. But I think that that's the mainstream America that the Korean government and Korean companies should really help educate the American public. And I would use the American citizens a lot more to be their their ambassador." " What are some specific strengths you think American citizens should know about Korean companies?" "Infrastructure is amazing. The people of Korea work very, very hard very, very efficiently. This is a great market to test out new products. The digital side of it is amazing, right? So those are the kind of aspects that people should know about Korea and why Korea is an important market for them to even consider investing in and doing business." And the more the U.S. and its people view Korea as an important market, the more investment and partnerships will follow, which will naturally give Korea a greater leverage against Trump's protectionist measures. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

Power gradually returns after major blackout in Spain and Portugal

2025/04/29 20:00

Staying in Europe. An unprecedented power outage plunged Portugal and Spain into complete darkness on Monday. Park Hyo-been has more. Cheers erupted as lights gradually flickered back on across the Iberian Peninsula late Monday night. By early Tuesday, around 90 percent of Spain's national grid had been restored, with light also returning to Lisbon. The massive blackout had plunged much of the region into chaos earlier in the day. Traffic lights went dark, causing major traffic disruption. Police were dispatched to key intersections to manually direct traffic. Subways and trains ground to a halt, leaving hundreds of tourists and residents trapped in the dark, many experiencing moments of panic. High-speed train services were also disrupted, forcing passengers to disembark. "They opened the door so, you can you know, freshen up and everything. After I would say an hour, the battery died down on the train, and then that's it, the bathroom wasn't working. And so it's so stupid because everything was electronic." As the Spanish government declared a national emergency, long lines formed outside supermarkets and gas stations as people rushed to stock up on essentials. "I don't know, we've been without electricity for a while now. We don't know how long it's going to be, so we are buying what's possible to buy for the moment." The exact cause of the outage is under investigation. "It is better not to speculate. We will know the cause. We do not rule out any hypothesis, but now we must focus on the most important thing, which is to restore electricity to our homes." The two countries held emergency cabinet meetings in response to the crisis. Spain is receiving emergency electricity from France and Morocco, but no timeline has been given for full restoration. Meanwhile, Portugal expects normal service to resume as early as Tuesday, prioritizing hospitals, airports, and railways. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Mark Carney to become Canada's PM after securing 4th win for Liberal Party

2025/04/29 20:00

Canada's Liberal Party has won a fourth consecutive election, with Mark Carney set to become the next prime minister. The former central bank governor took office last month, following predecessor Justin Trudeau's resignation, and quickly called a snap election, prompting Canadians to vote on Monday. He highlighted his crisis management experience, hoping Canadians would see him as the strongest leader to confront U.S. President Trump amid a trade war. The party's remarkable recovery follows a challenging period, but uncertainty remains over whether the Liberals secured a majority, which would require it to get backing from other parties to govern.

Trump Jr. visits South Korea for talks with around 20 Korean business leaders

2025/04/29 20:00

U.S. President Donald Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., arrived in South Korea on Tuesday at the invitation of Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin. Trump Jr. is scheduled to meet with approximately 20 Korean business leaders during a two-day visit. South Korean exporters to the U.S., especially manufacturers in the semiconductor, auto, and defense sectors, are reportedly keen to engage with him. Leaders from Samsung, SK, and other companies will reportedly exchange opinions on economic issues and strengthen networks between Korea and the U.S.

Putin declares temporary ceasefire next month to mark 80th anniversary of Victory Day

2025/04/29 20:00

Russia's Putin has once again unilaterally called for a ceasefire in Ukraine, this time, a 72-hour truce starting next Thursday ahead of its Victory Day celebration. Washington calls for the one that is permanent. Shin Se-byuck covers this latest development. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, unilaterally declared a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8th to the 10th, to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, two weeks after a 30-hour truce over Easter. The latest announcement, made via a Telegram message, added that the ceasefire was "based on humanitarian considerations." It further explained that all military actions will be prohibited during the ceasefire period, and called on Ukraine to follow the ceasefire protocols. It warned that if Ukraine violates the ceasefire, the Russian military would respond "appropriately and effectively." The temporary ceasefire also comes as U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Saturday, that he may consider introducing sanctions against Russia, if Putin doesn't intend to end the war. However, the White House on Monday stressed that what Trump wants to see is a permanent ceasefire, adding that the U.S. leader has been frustrated with the lack of progress made in peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv. "He wants to see a permanent ceasefire. The president has made it clear he wants to see a permanent ceasefire -first to stop the killing, stop the bloodshed." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a video speech on Monday also dismissed Moscow's announcement as an "attempt at manipulation," and called for an unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days. "Now, once again, there is another attempt at manipulation An immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire, for at least 30 days to ensure it is guaranteed and reliable, is what can provide the foundation for real diplomacy." According to one expert, Putin's unilateral ceasefire decision is a gesture aimed at seizing the initiative in war-related negotiations and attempting to negotiate directly with Trump, bypassing Ukraine. "If I am a bit blunt here, Ukraine can only resist Russia with the help of the U.S. So what Putin is trying to do now is that he's trying to negotiate directly with Trump over the head of Ukrainians." He added that Putin's underlying message is clear, that he can end the war at any time if his demands are met. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.

N. Korean delegation left for Moscow on Tuesday ahead of 80th Victory Day

2025/04/29 20:00

In other news. A North Korean military delegation has departed for Mowscow ahead of Russia's Victory Day in May. Earlier, the regime has made public Putin thanking Pyongyang for sending troops to help Russia amid their ever-growing military alliance. Kim Bo-kyoung explains. Ahead of Russia's 80th Victory Day celebrations on May 9th, North Korea's military delegation has left for Moscow to attend an international event. According to the North's state-run Korea Central News Agency on Tuesday, the delegation led by the deputy director of the General Political Bureau of the North's Korean People's Army, departed Pyongyang. Though the North's media said the visit was for an international anti-fascist conference, speculation has risen over the possibility of the delegation visiting Moscow to discuss Russia's Victory Day parade, or North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's potential visit to Russia around that time. "Instead of attending Russia's Victory Day ceremony, the focus is likely to be on a potential North Korea-Russia summit, with Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia expected to happen around that time. Rather than participating as just another leader in a multilateral setting, Kim is likely to focus on a one-on-one meeting, where his alliance with Russia and contributions to its war effort could be more highlighted." The North's Rodong Sinmun newspaper published Putin's recent statement thanking Pyongyang on its front page. This, came a day after North Korea officially confirmed its troop deployment to Russia. Putin's statement said that the deployment was in accordance with international laws, along with the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty which Kim and Putin signed in June last year. While expressing HIS deepest gratitude to North Korea, Putin claimed Russia would forever remember the heroes of Korea who sacrificed their lives for Russia and for their shared freedom. Meanwhile, as both Pyongyang and Moscow have now admitted the deployment of North Korean troops, Ukraine urged tougher sanctions on them on Monday local time. Ukraine's foreign ministry said the deployment is in violation of international laws and UN Security Council resolutions, and stressed that the deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow would pose a threat not only to the Korean peninsula but also to global security. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Supreme Court to rule on DP presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung's criminal case on Thursday

2025/04/29 20:00

The Supreme Court will rule this week on the election law violation case of the Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung. According to the court on Tuesday, the verdict will be delivered at 3 PM on Thursday, May 1st. This comes 34 days after the case was submitted, following an appeal by prosecutors against a high court ruling that had overturned an initial guilty verdict last month. The top court decided last week to have the full bench oversee the case and has been reviewing it at an unusually fast pace. Lee was convicted of making false statements during the previous presidential campaign when he was a candidate. Lee denied knowing a man involved in a land development scandal in the city of Seongnam during a media interview in 2021, and also reportedly made false claims during a related National Assembly audit. The ruling will be broadcast live on the court's YouTube channel.

PPP presidential primary goes to run-off between 'against impeachment' and 'for impeachment'

2025/04/29 20:00

The People Power Party contenders are now cut to two: Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon, who do not see eye-to-eye when it comes to the ouster of the former president. The party will hold a run-off election and the results are expected on Saturday. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon reports. It's now down to two Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon. The People Power Party announced the winners of the second round of voting on Tuesday. The second round had been fierce, with no clear front-runner from the three days of heated debates. But as the results were announced, they continued to emphasize party unity as the Democratic Party of Korea's Lee Jae-myung certainly not an easy opponent awaits in the presidential election. I am also grateful to Han Dong-hoon for joining me in the final stage of the primary. I believe he has a bright future ahead, and I look forward to seeing him play a major role for the good of our country. In this challenging presidential race, there are differences between Kim Moon-soo and I, but that's exactly why we must team up — like a three-legged race — and stand as one against Lee Jae-myung. The results follow voting on Sunday and Monday, under the same rules as the second round: 50 percent PPP members and 50 percent an open survey. Neither candidate secured over 50 percent of the total tally, leading to a run-off proving the tightness of the race. A one-on-one debate will be held on Wednesday, followed by voting, with the final result announced on Saturday at the party's presidential race convention. Meanwhile, Ahn Cheol-soo in his exit speech pledged to support the winner of the race. We must work harder to overcome the crisis facing our party. Whoever wins, I'll give my all to stop Lee Jae-myung and bring about a change in government. Hong Joon-pyo as he said before declared his retirement from politics a 30-year career with five terms at the parliament and 두 gubernatorial posts. I will return to private life and live a quieter life. My role in this presidential race ends here. The race yet again is between one candidate who was against impeachment Kim Moon-soo and one pro-impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol Han Dong-hoon. This translates to someone more appealing to conservative and traditional PPP members versus someone more appealing to moderate and undecided voters. In addition, Kim has been openly supporting the idea of Acting President Han Duck-soo running for the presidency and merging camps while Han has even called the Party's support of this a "defeatist" mindset. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

U.S.-South Korea tariff talks: Currency, LNG Deals, and Trump's last strategy in focus

2025/04/29 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. Beginning today, official negotiations on tariffs between South Korea and the U.S. will kick off, as both sides aim to address the ongoing trade tensions. The two countries have agreed to focus their discussions under four main sectors: tariffs, economic security, investment cooperation, and, notably, exchange rates. While the U.S. seeks a fast-paced resolution, South Korea is calling for a more measured approach, largely as the nation awaits a snap election in June. This timing and the differing priorities raise critical questions about how the acting government will navigate these high-stakes talks with the U.S. For more on this, we connect to Lee Yoon-soo, Professor of Economics at Sogang University. Welcome. Also joining us is Chai Sang min Professor of Business admin, at Ewha Woman's University. (LEE) 1. So, Prof. Lee, during the recent "2+2 Trade Consultation," the inclusion of "exchange rates" as a key issue was unexpected. How significant is this for South Korea's economy, and what impact could this have on the country's currency policy and broader economic strategies? (CHAI) 2. There is speculation that the U.S. might push for a "second Plaza Accord" in a bid to weaken the dollar. Could you explain to our viewers what this is and what effects this could have on South Korea's foreign exchange stability? (LEE) 3. If the U.S. continues to link exchange rates to trade imbalances, Prof. Lee, how could this affect the overall tone and outcome of the South Korea-U.S. tariff discussions? And what strategies should South Korea adopt to mitigate the impact on its economy? (CHAI) 4. Now let's also touch upon key rates. Prof. Chai, given the significant difference between U.S. and South Korean interest rates, could the U.S. pressure South Korea's central bank, the Bank of Korea, to adjust its policies? How would such pressure affect South Korea's monetary policy? (CHAI) 5. The U.S. is seeking South Korea's participation in the Alaska LNG project as part of broader trade negotiations. What potential benefits or risks does this present to South Korean businesses? (LEE) 6. There's also some concerning news that the IMF expects a 1.5% global economic contraction compared to its previous forecast before Trump's inauguration, possibly affected by his trade policies. How do you see this impacting South Korea's economy? Prof. Lee, what specific strategies should the government implement to cushion the economic blow? (CHAI) 7. Donald Trump Jr., the son of U.S. President Donald Trump, came to South Korea today at the invitation of Shinsegae Group Chairman Jeong Yong-jin. During his two-day visit, Trump Jr. will meet with top executives of major South Korean conglomerates. Prof. Chai, how do you foresee this visit influencing business relations between the two countries, in light of the ongoing tariff negotiations? (LEE) 8. Meanwhile, in a significant move, Trump has announced plans to separate tariff and defense negotiations. From an economic perspective, what do you think is the strategic reasoning behind this decision? How might this shift in approach influence South Korea's leverage in trade negotiations? (BOTH) 9.-10. Given that President Trump has indicated a fast-paced resolution to the tariff discussions, giving a timeline of less than a month, and South Korea still awaiting a snap election in two month's time, how should the current government under an acting presidency navigate its discussions with the U.S.?

PARTISAN PRIMARIES AND NATIONAL SECURITY

2025/04/29 17:00

Hello and welcome to Press Perspective for this Tuesday April 29th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sun-hee. Today we touch upon partisan preparations ahead of the June third presidential election and the pending tasks ahead on the security front. For more I have Yang Chien-Hao a freelance journalist from Taiwan currently based here in Seoul. Chien-Hao welcome back. I also have Professor Kim Jae-chun at Sogang University joining our talk virtually with the pundit's take on today's topic. Professor Kim it's a pleasure. 1) Chien-Hao, let's start with the result of the Democratic Party's primary that was revealed on Sunday. 2) And Chien-Hao, what's the latest with regard to the primary at the People Power Party? 3) Professor Kim, speaking purely as a scholar with all political inclinations aside, what do you suggest as a strategy for the Democratic Party in the upcoming election and why? 4) And Professor Kim, what do you propose as a plan for the People Power Party in this latest presidential race and why? 5) Chien-Hao, against the backdrop of partisan primaries, an American weekly news magazine says the U.S. recently prepared South Korea for a nuclear attack by North Korea. Do tell us more about this report and its relevance. 6) Professor Kim, what do you suppose are the implications of this latest training session? I mean, should we be worried about heightened provocations by Pyongyang going forward? 7) Chien-Hao, contrary to initial expectations, defense cost sharing was not included in the latest trade talks between Seoul and Washington. Now according to a U.S. military newspaper, pundits have warned against the linking of tariffs and troop costs. Do tell us more about this coverage. 8) Professor Kim, what are your prospects with regard to the fate of defense cost sharing between South Korea and the U.S. under the new administration at the White House and soon here in Korea? I mean, what would be a pragmatic approach to this issue? All right.

DP to launch election campaign committee Wednesday, with members from various factions

2025/04/29 17:00

We start on the political front today. Having elected its presidential candidate for the June third election the Democratic Party is poised to launch its campaign committee tomorrow that is Wednesday. Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. With five weeks left until the presidential election, the Democratic Party, having officially confirmed former leader Lee Jae-myung as its presidential candidate, is now putting together its election campaign committee. With plans to launch the committee on Wednesday, the party aims to form it with a focus on unity. "A true Republic of Korea is a community that comes together through greater unity and cooperation that's what we need to build. Starting tomorrow, the DP will shift into campaign mode and focus all its efforts on winning the presidential election." Lee has been taking steps to emphasize unity and broaden his appeal to centrist and conservative voters, mentioning the word "unity" 14 times in his acceptance speech on Sunday. The party said the committee will include members from various factions, regardless of their political background. It has already shown such an intention by recruiting former Environment Minister Yoon Yeo-joon, known as a conservative strategist, to one of the top posts in the campaign. The party is also open to bringing in more centrist and conservative figures from across the political spectrum. Lee is reportedly planning to meet with his primary rivals Kim Kyung-soo, former Gyeongsangnam-do Province Governor, and Kim Dong-yeon, current Gyeonggi-do Province Governor. Kim Dong-yeon cannot officially join the committee because he is a sitting governor, but Kim Kyung-soo is expected to join if asked. Liberal figures outside Lee's faction, such as former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Kim Boo-kyum , are also being considered for the campaign committee. Kang Kum-sil , a former justice minister under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, is joining the campaign as the committee's chief chair. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Dry weather warnings across the country with strong winds

2025/04/29 17:00

The atmosphere is very dry as the clear weather continues every day. Dry weather advisories have been expanded to most parts of the country, and dry weather warnings are in effect for most parts of the east coast, Chungcheongbuk-do Province, Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Strong winds in the inland areas will subside today, but strong winds of around 20 meters per second will blow along the coast and the mountainous areas of Gangwon-do Province until tomorrow. Small embers can turn into large fires in this wind, so please take extra precautions. Tomorrow morning, Seoul will start off at 12 degrees Celsius, Daejeon, Gwangju and Daegu at 10 degrees. There will be high temperatures across the country tomorrow. More rain is forecast nationwide on Thursday afternoon to relieve the dryness of the air. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.