News

[Kulture Issue]_K-pop stars and their shining presence at major international music events

2025/04/28 14:00

Jennie and Lisa from BLACKPINK and ENHYPEN were part of the proud K-pop lineup at Coachella 2025. It has become the norm to have K-pop stars perform at major international music events. Today, we want to talk about K-pop’s presence on the global stage and what significance this holds for the K-pop industry. For that, we are now connected to CedarBough Saeji, Assistant Professor at Pusan National University. Hello Professor Saeji! Q1. K-pop artists made headlines at this year’s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. What do you think has earned them the attention from the media and audience? Q2. In the past we would hear of news that this and that group has made its debut in the U.S., or that groups like BTS and BLACKPINK have for the first time performed at this and that event, but now K-pop acts are at the center of global music events. What do you think of this development? Q3. The fandom power is also very impressive at these international music events. You can hear the crowd sing along, see fans with light sticks, banners, etc. What kind of impact does this fan culture have? Q4. Why do you think international fans are showing this enthusiastic response to K-pop performances? What are the appealing factors or what differentiates K-pop stages from others? Q5. SEVENTEEN recently headlined Tecate Pa’l Norte 2025, becoming the first K-pop act to perform at this major Latin American music festival. Tell us about the significance this stage holds. Q6. It’s also becoming more common for rookie groups to be invited to big music festival stages. How do you interpret this trend? Q7. How do you see K-pop's presence on the global music festival stage evolving in the future?

[K-enter] Jennie reveals 'Seoul City' music video

2025/04/28 14:00

Time for our daily dose of K-enter news with Walter Lee. Starting off with some news on BLACKPINK's Jennie, what do you have for us? On Saturday, BLACKPINK's Jennie posted the music video for "Seoul City," a track from her first full solo album "Ruby", on her official YouTube channel and social media. This is Jennie's seventh music video out of the fifteen tracks included on "Ruby." "Seoul City," the music video shows Jennie fully enjoying the essence of.. well Seoul city, against the dreamy backdrop of various locations around Seoul, drawing viewers into the song itself. With "Ruby", Jennie has seen the highest first-week sales among female K-pop solo artists this year, and the album's debut at No. 3 on the "UK's Official Albums Chart" was the highest ever for a female K-pop soloist. Next moving on to a story where K-pop meets sports? Tell us more! On Sunday, K-pop boy group BOYNEXTDOOR's agency K'OZ Entertainment announced that the group has been appointed as the global ambassadors for the "2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship". The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) visited the HYBE headquarters in Seoul, the previous day to officially appoint the BOYNEXTDOOR members as global ambassadors. Following the appointment, BOYNEXTDOOR will participate in pre-tournament promotional activities and attend the opening ceremony where they will also perform. BOYNEXTDOOR shared their thoughts, saying, "We are thrilled and honoured to be chosen as global ambassadors in such a meaningful year when Korea’s national team is competing." I believe this year's championship will be held in Manila, the Philippines, starting in September, so I'm sure we will touch upon that in the future. Lastly, we have some K-drama news. According to global platform ranking site FlixPatrol on Monday, the Netflix series "Weak Hero" which released its second season, "Weak Hero: Class 2" on Friday, ranked second overall globally. The teen drama claimed the No. 1 spot in 32 countries, including Korea, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, and Japan, and ranked third in the United States. "Weak Hero: Class 2" follows the brutal survival and coming-of-age story of Yeon Si-eun , a model student who, after failing to protect a friend despite standing up against violence, transfers to another high school. Park Ji-hoon reprises his role as Yeon Si-eun from season 1, once again captivating viewers with his layered portrayal of a character who fights in order to end fighting. All 8 episodes are available on Netflix now, so it sounds like a drama to binge watch. Thank you for that news Walter

[Features reporter] K-Royal Culture Festival: Experiencing the splendid royal culture of the Joseon Dynasty

2025/04/28 14:00

It’s a special festival where visitors can be transported back to the Joseon Dynasty and experience its royal court culture for themselves. To deliver us some joy from the palace our Choi Soo-hyung Soo-hyung, do share with us what's happening there! Good afternoon, Soa and Walter! I’m just standing right now in Gyeongbokgung Palace in the heart of Seoul. I’m here because of the "K-Royal Culture Festival" happening right here. This year's festival, which started on Saturday is taking place at Seoul's five major palaces: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeonghuigung, as well as at Jongmyo Shrine. Visitors can join a program where they experience royal life from the Joseon Dynasty, which lasted from the late 14th century to the turn of the 20th century. One highlight is "Time Travel with King Sejong," where visitors can experience important moments from King Sejong’s life, such as the creation of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet and other historical achievements. The biggest feature of this festival is that visitors can do more than just watch, they can actually participate. Visitors can act as royal palace apprentices, making royal desserts and trying out royal dances. And they can experienced daily life as it was about 500 years ago. "My friend invited me to join the program. The weather was so great, and when I tried it myself, it was easy and so much fun for anyone to enjoy." This year is the 11th edition of the festival. Last year, more than 960-thousand people visited the event making it one Seoul's most visited festivals. The Korea Heritage Service created a variety of programs that match current trends, different age groups, and even special programs for foreigners. "Last year, we focused mainly on performances showing daily life. This year, we wanted to give the audience a chance to join in and interact before the show starts. We also encouraged foreigners to participate, focusing more on hands-on experiences rather than just delivering lines." Looks so nice and interesting. So, what makes this year's festival special? Which program can catch people's eyes? In front of Gyeongbokgung Palace, you can enjoy traditional crafts and goods. At Deoksugung Palace, near Seoul City Hall, there is a special program for foreigners called "The Emperor’s Table." Visitors can taste traditional royal food from the Korean Empire period and hear stories about the food and about Korean history in English. This year, there is a special program called "Spring Day at Gyeonghoeru" to celebrate the country's 80th anniversary of the country's liberation. Independence heroes and their families have been invited to special performances at Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in Gyeongbokgung Palace. The festival will continue until May 4th at the five palaces and Jongmyo Shrine as I mentioned. If you want to know what royal life and culture were like during the Joseon Dynasty, don’t miss this special time. Thank you for covering at the venue of the cultural essence of South Korea. That was our Choi Soo-hyung.

North Korea confirms it deployed troops to Russia for first time

2025/04/28 10:00

North Korea has officially acknowledged its dispatch of troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine on Monday, just two days after Russia did so in the latest effort by the two allies to justify the military support. Bae Eun-ji starts us off. North Korea confirmed for the first time that it has sent troops to support Russia's war efforts against Ukraine. Citing the North's ruling party, the state news agency KCNA said Monday that the troop deployment was ordered by leader Kim Jong-un himself, who made the decision under the 'comprehensive strategic partnership treaty,' which he signed with Russian President Vladimir Putin last year. Article 4 of the treaty says North Korea and Russia "shall immediately provide military and other assistance" to the other party if it "falls into a state of war due to armed invasion from an individual or multiple states." Kim Jong-un reportedly hailed those deployed to Russia as 'heroes' and representatives of the honor of the motherland. And the KCNA also cited the Central Military Commission of the regime's ruling Workers' Party as saying the deployment of troops showed the firm alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow, as it declared Russia's victory in a battle to "liberate the Kursk region." This comes after Russia on Saturday local time confirmed that all Ukrainian troops were forced out of the western Russian region of Kursk, with the help of North Korean troops. "I would like to separately note the participation of the servicemen of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the liberation of the border areas of the Kursk region, who, provided significant assistance in the defeat of the wedged group of the Ukrainian armed forces." South Korea's intelligence agency in October of last year assessed that around 12-thousand North Korean troops had been deployed to the Kursk region. The news also comes as Kim Jong-un is likely set to visit Moscow for Russia's Victory Day celebration in May and as U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Vatican City on the sidelines of the pope's funeral to discuss a potential ceasefire deal. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

[Weather] Dry and sunny with big rise in highs

2025/04/28 10:00

We're starting the week with beautiful, clear skies and warm spring sunshine across the country. However, with the air getting drier and strong winds picking up, the risk of wildfires is growing, so we need to be extra careful. Currently, a dry weather warning is in place for mountains in southern Gangwon-do Province as well as Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, with a dry weather advisory issued for other eastern regions and even here in Seoul. It's a bit cool to start the day. Inland regions, including Bonghwa, had morning low temperatures in the single digits, but by the afternoon, we'll see a pleasant warm-up. For a closer look, Seoul gets up to 20 degrees Celsius, Daegu and Gyeongju at 24 degrees under sunny skies. Air quality will be decent in most parts of Korea. Looking ahead, we do have rain in the forecast for Thursday nationwide. But until then, the clear and dry conditions will persist, so please, let's be extra cautious with anything that could start a fire.

Hundreds of people line up to visit Pope Francis' tomb in Rome

2025/04/28 10:00

Finally, in Rome, the Vatican opened Pope Francis' tomb to the public on Sunday. The late pontiff, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, was laid to rest at the Santa Maria Maggiore church, with a single white rose and a simple inscription of his name "Franciscus" on his stone tomb. The simplicity reflected his commitment to humility and simplicity. Thousands of mourners visited the site, lining up to pay their respects. Following the funeral on Saturday, which drew approximately 250,000 attendees, the College of Cardinals began preparations for the papal conclave, which is expected to begin between May 5 and May 10.

Indian Navy tests missiles in wake of Kashmir militant attack

2025/04/28 10:00

India conducted long-range precision missile tests to demonstrate military readiness on Sunday, as tensions between India and Pakistan flared following a deadly militant attack that killed 26 people in Kashmir on April 22. India has since announced a series of measures to downgrade its ties with Pakistan, including suspending a key water-sharing treaty and closing borders. Pakistan responded by canceling Indian visas and closing its airspace to Indian aircraft. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a strong warning on Saturday, stating that Pakistan would respond with full force if India decides to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty.

Vehicle plows into crowd in Vancouver festival

2025/04/28 10:00

In Vancouver, Canada, a vehicle drove into a crowd at a festival celebrating Filipino heritage, killing at least 11 people. On Saturday, at approximately 8:14 PM local time, a black SUV entered a pedestrian-only area, where the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival, an annual celebration of Filipino culture, was taking place. The vehicle accelerated into the crowd, killing at least 11 people and injuring more than twenty others. The victims' ages ranged from five to 65, according to police. The driver, a 30-year-old Vancouver resident known to have mental health issues, was taken into custody after being detained by bystanders at the scene. Police stated that the suspect acted alone and there was no evidence suggesting acts of terrorism.

Israel launches air strike on Beirut

2025/04/28 10:00

Starting in the Middle East, where Israel has conducted an airstrike on Beirut. Tell us more. Israel conducted an airstrike on Sunday targeting a Hezbollah facility in southern Beirut. The airstrike comes despite the ceasefire established in November 2024. It destroyed a building in the Dhiyeh suburb of Beirut, which the Israeli Defense Forces identified as a Hezbollah precision missile storage facility. No casualties have been reported. Before the strike, the IDF issued evacuation warnings to residents, advising them to maintain a distance of at least 300 meters from the site. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the airstrike and called upon the United States and France, co-guarantors of the existing ceasefire agreement, to intervene and prevent further hostilities. Another Israeli airstrike earlier this month in Beirut's southern suburbs had killed four people, including a Hezbollah official.

Fluttering wings, blooming spring in S. Korea: Hampyeong Butterfly Festival begins

2025/04/28 10:00

For those of you here in Korea looking to enjoy the most out of the spring warmth, how about a butterfly festival? Our Park Kun-woo shows us a glimpse of the spring festa. Busy and colorful wings flutter through the air, signaling the full arrival of spring. And there's no better place to experience it than at South Korea's biggest butterfly festival in Hampyeong-gun County, Jeollanam-do Province. Celebrating its 27th edition, Hampyeong Butterfly Festival showcases around 200 thousand butterflies of nearly 20 different species. Among them, the Korean tiger swallowtail has been named the Butterfly of the Year. Caterpillars, larvae, and other fascinating insects also add to the festival's charm, making it a rare opportunity to enjoy nature up close. After the festival kicked off on Friday, people from all over the country visited to enjoy not just the winged insects, but the vibrant scenes of spring. "My friends and I are all over 70, but we've been here since early this morning, feeling as excited as if we were 18 again. There are so many flowers, butterflies, and even people! It's such a joy to be here." "It's really fun to see butterflies I've only seen in books. There are so many kinds, like the cabbage white butterfly that I know, and I actually got to see them today! I hope more people can come and enjoy them too." The festival isn't just for observing, as it's filled with intriguing activities to encounter butterflies, including feeding them using floral bouquets. "Butterfly, Butterfly" "One of the most exciting things you can try here is releasing a butterfly, so I'm going to try it myself. As I do it, I'll be sending off my greatest wishes on their wings, hoping they'll spark a beautiful butterfly effect. Now go, fly away!" While butterfly populations are in decline globally, especially down by 22 percent in the U.S. over the past two decades, Hampyeong has worked hard to keep its ecosystem thriving. "Instead of collecting butterflies from the wild, we raise them using selected breeding stock. To thrive, butterflies need host plants for caterpillars and nectar plants for adults. And this clean and natural area of Hampyeong offers both in abundance." He stressed that the combination of natural resources, expertise, and sustainable practices is making Hampyeong an ideal place for both the butterflies and the festival. Offering visitors a colorful spring escape with butterflies galore, the festival runs through May 6th. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Hampyeong.

On-point: Trump's approval rating at lowest for any newly elected president after 100 days

2025/04/28 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump's approval rating has reached the lowest for any newly elected president at 100 days mainly due to the rollout of his aggressive tariff plan. Why is he taking the risk, and what does that mean for South Korea? Let's turn to Professor Breg Buchak. Welcome back. 1. It's been less than 100 days since Trump returned to the Oval Office, and his 41% approval rating is the lowest for any newly elected U.S. leader. Why is he rushing through his tariff policies this time? 2. There's this 90-day tariff pause for now. 3. Seoul and Washington are looking to draw up a July package, but to realize a package that works in favor of South Korea, what would be crucial for South Korea to appeal to the U.S. in negotiations in the coming weeks and months? 4. Based on consultations held last week will South Korea's LNG imports be enough leverage for South Korea to find a breakthrough in Trump's tariff policies? 5. South Korea made a counterproposal to establish a consultative body with other Asian countries. How feasible is this idea, realistically speaking? Thanks so much for sharing your insight with us this morning.

S. Korea-U.S. tariff talks ease uncertainty, open path for orderly consultation: finance minister

2025/04/28 10:00

South Korea's Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said Sunday that trade talks with the U.S. last week eased uncertainties and opened the path for orderly consultations. The finance chief made the remarks upon arriving at Incheon International Airport, returning from the U.S. capital, where he held trade talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, alongside Seoul's industry minister Ahn Duk-geun. According to Choi, Seoul "clarified the agenda items and laid the groundwork for future negotiations." The finance minister also said that he fully explained to the U.S. side about the upcoming snap presidential election, and the need for cooperation with the National Assembly on the tariff talks.

PPP presidential primary: 2nd round voting starts with no clear lead

2025/04/28 10:00

The People Power Party primary is still going on, with the voting for the second round opening on Sunday. The results will come on Tuesday, but whether there will be a run-off is still a question. Our Kim Do-yeon has the details. The People Power Party, on Sunday, began the voting process for the 2nd round of its presidential primaries. This will run for two days and if one of the four contestants Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo gets more than 50 percent of the total votes he will be the presidential candidate. If not, there will be a run-off for the top two. The competition will be decided by votes with, 50 percent of voters eligible PPP members, and the remaining 50 percent coming from an open survey. Meanwhile, on Sunday the contestants pushed for their candidacy. Kim Moon-soo seen as the most conservative and appealing to the older generation revealed his pledges for virtual assets including cryptocurrency. He's looking to make it so that government and financial institutions would be able to invest in them. Ahn Cheol-soo first had a press briefing at the National Assembly pleading for support, saying he's the only one to beat the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate Lee Jae-myung before visiting his hometown Busan. Han Dong-hoon traveled around the capital region meeting with local politicians and PPP members. He said he will give "200 percent" to beat Lee Jae-myung and asked for votes to finish the primary in this round with more than 50 percent of votes. Hong Joon-pyo took to the streets to meet with citizens especially younger ones on the streets of Hongdae a popular hangout area for students and young people. There, he appealed to those in their 20s and 30s to favor him the most among the PPP contestants. The talk of the town continues to be whether Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will declare candidacy. The window is closing as if he wants to run he has to step down from a public post by May 4th. As the Acting President's candidacy is being requested by some PPP supporters all PPP primary contestants have said they will merge with his camp if they become the PPP presidential candidate seeking the supporters' votes. As for the final result of the primary if the race ends in the second round it'll be announced on Tuesday. If there is a run-off it'll be announced during the party's convention on May 3rd. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Lee Jae-myung secures DP’s presidential nomination with landslide victory in party's primary

2025/04/28 10:00

Shifting gears to the presidential primaries here in the country. As widely expected, the Democratic Party’s front-runner Lee Jae-myung has secured his second presidential run as the party’s candidate for the 21st June presidential election. Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. "Lee Jae-myung has been confirmed as the DP’s presidential nominee after winning 89-point-7-7 percent of the vote." No surprises, as expected. The Democratic Party wrapped up its presidential primaries on Sunday with a victory for former party leader Lee Jae-myung. According to the DP, Lee won the votes of over 90 percent of party members and delegates, and over 89 percent in a public poll of one million people. With both results weighted 50 percent each, he secured 89-point-7-7 percent of the total vote against his two opponents Kim Kyung-soo, former Gyeongsangnam-do Province Governor, and Kim Dong-yeon, current Gyeonggi-do Province Governor. It's the highest figure ever recorded in a presidential primary among DP-affiliated candidates. Lee told reporters that overwhelming support comes with overwhelming responsibility, and he feels a heavy sense of duty. Kim Dong-yeon came in second with 6-point-8-7 percent, followed by Kim Kyung-soo with 3-point-3-6 percent. "Lee Jae-myung, who stayed as the front-runner throughout the primary, is now running for president as the Democratic Party's candidate for the second time, following his presidential bid in 2022." In his acceptance speech, Lee blamed himself for losing in the last presidential election and vowed to win this time. "The people and party members have given us a chance to build a new country, a true Republic of Korea. I will win and take back the government. I promise to build a new Korea, full of hope and energy, to repay your trust." During his 2022 presidential campaign, Lee emphasized redistribution policies, but in his second run, he has shifted his focus to economic growth and a pragmatic approach to leading the country. He also emphasized his focus on national unity. Lee kicked off his first day as a presidential candidate with a visit to the Seoul National Cemetery on Monday morning and will later hold a meeting at SK hynix headquarters on AI memory semiconductors. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

At least 40 killed in Iran port explosion

2025/04/28 10:00

A deadly explosion at a port in Iran on Saturday killed dozens, and left over a thousand others injured. Reports point to the possibility of chemicals used to make missile propellant being behind the explosion. Lee Seung-jae has more. A massive explosion at the port of Bandar Abbas on Saturday killed at least forty people,.. and left at least a thousand others injured. According to eyewitnesses and surveillance footage,.. chemicals in an area with shipping containers caught fire, setting off the massive explosion. According to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency, quoting an Iranian official,.. the explosion was likely due to containers of chemicals, but the official did not elaborate on what type of chemical. Iran's national oil company also explained that the explosion was "not related to refineries, fuel tanks, or oil pipelines" in the area. The deadly explosion on Saturday was also a grim reminder of another massive explosion in Beirut nearly five years ago. The similarity in the smoke created from the blast also shed light on what type of chemical could have been involved. Video and images from CNN showed orange-brown smoke rising from the port, suggesting that a chemical such as sodium or ammonia was involved. The New York Times also reported on Sunday, that a person with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said what exploded in the incident was sodium perchlorate, a major ingredient in solid fuel for missiles. Other experts have said that ammonium nitrate was behind the deadly blast, the same chemical involved in the 2020 Beirut explosion. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[WEEKLY FOCUS] Partisan primaries in full gear ahead of 21st presidential election

2025/04/26 12:00

As the presidential election draws closer, both rival parties have stepped up the pace in their primaries throughout this week. We turn to our political correspondent Shin Ha-young for a closer look at where things stand and what variables could shape the rest of the presidential race. Welcome. Thanks for having me. Ha-young, let's start with the Democratic Party. How did its primary unfold this week? Well, over the past two weeks, the Democratic Party's preliminary candidates have been traveling across the country as the party held regional primaries. The race began as a three-way contest between former party leader Lee Jae-myung; Kim Kyung-soo, former Gyeongsangnam-do Province Governor; and Kim Dong-yeon, current Gyeonggi-do Province Governor. The party's front-runner Lee, started off the week after strengthening his position as the DP's top contender, having secured nearly 90 percent of the cumulative votes from the Chungcheong-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces. This week alone, the DP held three rounds of debates, pushing the primary race into its final stretch. As of Friday, the remaining voting results are from the Jeolla-do provinces, the Seoul Metropolitan Area, Gangwon-do Province, and Jeju --with the final outcomes expected over the weekend. After announcing its final candidate on Sunday --based 50 percent on regional primary results and 50 percent on public opinion polls --the party is expected to shift into full-scale election mode starting next week. Let's talk about the People Power Party's primary. Originally, almost a dozen people signed up for it. How far has the party gone in its primary process? The People Power Party had 11 registered candidates originally, but the party narrowed them down to eight. And on Tuesday, the PPP announced the first round cut-off, which was decided by a 100 percent open poll to have candidates who align with public expectations. Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, four-term lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, former party leader Han Dong-hoon, and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo survived after the eight initial contestants were cut to four. Without a clear front-runner, the race is between two candidates who were against former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, Kim and Hong, and two who were for the impeachment, Han and Ahn. The candidates faced off in one-on-one debates --two on Thursday and two on Friday. The party also scheduled a four-way debate for Saturday. The second round cut-off will be decided with 50 percent of eligible PPP voters and 50 percent through an open survey, with results expected next Tuesday. If a candidate receives more than 50 percent of the total votes, there won't be a run-off. But, if no one reaches that threshold, the final candidate will be announced on May 3rd. Then for the DP, what are the factors to be on the lookout for? For the Democratic Party, front-runner Lee Jae-myung's legal troubles are one factor to be considered. The Supreme Court on Tuesday started reviewing the election violation charge against Lee as a full bench. And on Thursday, all the current justices held a second deliberation session on the case, just two days after the first session. This shows that the court is progressing in the case at unprecedented speed. This also means the court is taking the case more seriously than others due to the level of public interest. Usually, Supreme Court cases are generally overseen by four justices. An initial guilty verdict was overturned on appeal last month. If the top court finds issues with that ruling, it can send the case back to the Seoul High Court for a rehearing. While this is unlikely to block his presidential run as it takes time, it could fuel a political backlash. If there's no final ruling before the election and Lee wins, his presidential immunity could spark debate over whether the trial can continue. For the PPP, Acting President Han Duck-soo's potential presidential run has emerged as a new variable in the race. Do tell us more about it. You're right. Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's unclear stance on a presidential bid remains a key variable that the People Power Party will need to keep an eye on. Though not in the PPP primary, speculation is growing that he may run as an independent. In such a case, some political insiders believe a merger with a conservative candidate later could shake up the race. There are concerns that his possible run is pulling the focus away from the PPP primary. While some party candidates have voiced discomfort, others say Han's presence could still work in their favor. If he plans to run, he must resign as Prime Minister by May 4. Alright, thank you, Ha-young, for your wrap-up. Keep us posted on future developments. Thank you.

S. Korea, U.S. to seek package deal on lifting tariffs by July

2025/04/25 20:30

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. Top trade and finance officials from South Korea and the United States sat down in Washington for high-level talks on Thursday, in a strategic "2+2" format. The U.S. had requested the meeting, underscoring the urgency and weight of the agenda. With the current mutual tariff suspension set to expire on July 8th, and industrial stakes running high, much attention was focused on the meeting, which could prove to be a turning point in the economic bilateral relationship. Though the Korean government emphasized this was a consultation, not a negotiation, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called it a success, stating that Korea had brought its "best proposal." That rare praise hints at substantive groundwork being laid — possibly in key sectors like energy, shipbuilding, and advanced manufacturing. With formal negotiations set to begin next week and a change of government on the horizon in Seoul, the key question now is whether both sides can reach a consensus before political dynamics, policy differences, and mounting pressure come into play. For a deeper discussion on this, we're joined by Kim Minkyun, Professor at Sogang Business School. Welcome. Also joining us is Troy Stangarone, Former Senior Director at the Korea Economic Institute. Great to have you. 1. (Stangarone) So let's begin with Director Stangarone, the high-level Korea-U.S. trade talks, which took place at the request of the United States. Why do you think the U.S. proposed a "2+2" format involving both the Treasury Secretary and the Trade Representative? 2. (Kim) Now to Prof. Kim, the Korean government emphasized that this was a consultation, and not a negotiation. How would you assess the significance of this meeting? 3. (Kim) Following the talks, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described Korea as having "brought its best proposal" and called the consultation a success. While the details were not disclosed, what do you think Korea proposed, and why did the U.S. respond so positively? Could it relate to industrial cooperation in areas like energy or shipbuilding? 4. (Kim) It has been reported that both countries agreed to work on a "July Package" ahead of the expiration of the mutual tariff suspension on July 8th, which would address tariff elimination and industrial cooperation. In your view, what is the biggest sticking point in reaching this agreement? 5. (Stangarone) Director Stangarone, President Trump previously referred to a "one-stop shop" approach, suggesting that defense cost-sharing could be bundled with trade negotiations. However, it is said that there was no mention of defense cost-sharing during this round of consultations. Why do you think that is? 6. (Kim) Some believe that defense cost-sharing could come up in the next round. Korea maintains that trade and security are separate matters. Given that stance, Prof. Kim, how should Korea prepare for future talks? 7. (Kim) After the consultations, the Korean government said that both sides had a shared understanding of the need for calm and orderly discussions, taking Korea's political schedule into account. However, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that talks are moving quickly and suggested a deal could be reached as early as next week. How do you interpret this difference in tone between the two sides? 8. (Both) Formal negotiations are expected to begin as early as next week, but a comprehensive agreement — including tariff elimination — may be reached under the next Korean administration and the Trump administration. In that case, how should the current Korean government respond to the fast pace being pushed by the U.S.? 9. (Kim) From April 1st to 20th, Korea's exports to the U.S. dropped 14.3% compared to the same period last year. Even auto parts, which have yet to face tariffs, declined by 1.7%. What's driving this decline in export performance? And what economic impact could the now full-fledged Korea-U.S. trade talks have?

S. Korea, U.S. seek to reach deal on removing tariffs, before tariff pause ends in July

2025/04/25 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. During their first "two-plus-two" trading meeting, South Korea and the U.S. have explored what would be available when it comes to removing new U.S. tariffs. They have agreed upon a "July package" deal, with no mention of the allies' defense-cost sharing, when in fact U.S. President Trump signaled that the issue will be separated from tariff negotiations. Bae Eun-ji starts us off. South Korea and the United States have agreed to produce a package of deals to remove new U.S. tariffs before the July 8 deadline, when the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is lifted. This was discussed by South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok and trade minister Ahn Duk-geun, alongside U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during a high-level meeting in Washington on Thursday local time. Seoul's trade ministry said in a statement that it requested exemptions from reciprocal tariffs and offered cooperation on shipbuilding and energy. Following the meeting, finance minister Choi said the two sides agreed to aim for a deal by early July, and explained they will hold further discussions on four key areas of mutual interest: tariffs and non-tariff measures, economic security, investment cooperation, and currency policy. "We focused particularly on the automobile sector, which faces the greatest negative impact." Choi also said they asked for understanding from the U.S., as the negotiation process could be affected by Korea's political schedule and the upcoming presidential election. He added that the two sides agreed to discuss this in detail when Greer visits South Korea to take part in the APEC trade ministers' meeting, scheduled to take place for two days starting May 15th. Unlike trade talks between the U.S. and Japan, Thursday's meeting between Seoul and Washington did not include a discussion on the issue of sharing the cost of American troops in Korea. In fact, Trump said in a White House press briefing on Thursday that the military will not be subject to any deals, signaling that the issue of U.S. troop costs will be discussed separately, apart from tariff negotiations --in what pundits in Seoul believe the U.S. could be taking a "two-track approach." Meanwhile, Bessent also told reporters that the two countries had a "very successful" meeting, without disclosing further details on the talks. "We may be moving faster than I thought, and we will be talking technical terms as early as next week, as we reach an agreement on understanding as soon as next weekend. So South Koreans came early, they came with their A-game, and we will see if they follow through on that." South Korea, which faces 25% U.S. reciprocal tariffs, plans to leverage its shipbuilding capabilities in upcoming tariff negotiations. Trade minister Ahn told parliament earlier that the Trump administration has expressed great interest in cooperation in shipbuilding, and said this will become an important negotiating card for Korea. "U.S. is in urgent need of support in the shipbuilding sector as you mentioned, while Korea possesses world-most advanced shipbuilding capacity. Moving forward, if Korea and U.S. expand cooperation in shipbuilding and other technology sectors, it could serve as a channel to broaden discussion into other areas, leading to favorable negotiations." Eyes are now on whether the two countries will be able to reach a fruitful deal that will exempt South Korea from higher levies. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

[Weather] Mild conditions as temperatures drop, dry weather advisory in place

2025/04/25 20:00

The summer-like heat has turned back to spring-like conditions. The cold air came down last night, and the temperature in Seoul dropped to the single digits this morning to 7 degrees Celsius. Even during the day, most areas were 1 to 7 degrees lower than yesterday. The weather will continue to be not too hot until early next week. Meanwhile, the atmosphere is very dry as the clear weather continues for days. Currently, a dry weather advisory is in place in most of the eastern areas and Gyeongsang-do provinces. The atmosphere is expected to get drier as there is no rain forecast for the time being. Tomorrow, Chuncheon will start off at 3 degrees, Daejeon at 6 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 20 degrees in Seoul, 19 degrees in Busan. This weekend will be perfect to enjoy outdoor activities with clear skies. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Fluttering wings, blooming spring in S. Korea: Hampyeong Butterfly Festival begins

2025/04/25 20:00

For those of you here in Korea who have yet to make weekend plans, how about a trip to a stunning butterfly festival in the southern part of country? Our Park Kun-wo was there. Busy and colorful wings flutter through the air, signaling the full arrival of spring. And there's no better place to experience it than at South Korea's biggest butterfly festival in Hampyeong-gun County, Jeollanam-do Province. Celebrating its 27th edition, Hampyeong Butterfly Festival showcases around 200 thousand butterflies of nearly 20 different species. Among them, the Korean tiger swallowtail has been named the Butterfly of the Year. Caterpillars, larvae, and other fascinating insects also add to the festival's charm, making it a rare opportunity to enjoy nature up close. After the festival kicked off on Friday, people from all over the country visited to enjoy not just the winged insects, but the vibrant scenes of spring. "My friends and I are all over 70, but we've been here since early this morning, feeling as excited as if we were 18 again. There are so many flowers, butterflies, and even people! It's such a joy to be here." "It's really fun to see butterflies I've only seen in books. There are so many kinds, like the cabbage white butterfly that I know, and I actually got to see them today! I hope more people can come and enjoy them too." The festival isn't just for observing, as it's filled with intriguing activities to encounter butterflies, including feeding them using floral bouquets. "Butterfly, Butterfly" "One of the most exciting things you can try here is releasing a butterfly, so I'm going to try it myself. As I do it, I'll be sending off my greatest wishes on their wings, hoping they'll spark a beautiful butterfly effect. Now go, fly away!" While butterfly populations are in decline globally, especially down by 22 percent in the U.S. over the past two decades, Hampyeong has worked hard to keep its ecosystem thriving. "Instead of collecting butterflies from the wild, we raise them using selected breeding stock. To thrive, butterflies need host plants for caterpillars and nectar plants for adults. And this clean and natural area of Hampyeong offers both in abundance." He stressed that the combination of natural resources, expertise, and sustainable practices is making Hampyeong an ideal place for both the butterflies and the festival. Offering visitors a colorful spring escape with butterflies galore, the festival runs through May 6th. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Hampyeong.