News

[Weather] First heat wave warning in Seoul today, summer heat will continue

2025/06/30 22:40

Following the first tropical night in Seoul, the capital had its first heat wave warning of the year issued today. The heat wave warnings were also issued in some parts of Gyeonggi-do Province, southern parts of Gangwon-do Province, and southern regions. The rest of the country is under heat wave advisories. This summer heat of over 30 degrees Celsius will continue for the time being. Tomorrow, the daytime temperature in Seoul will rise up to 30 degrees. It will rain slightly in the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon-do Province on the way to work tomorrow morning. Also, showers are expected around the southern parts of Chungcheong-do Province. Tomorrow morning will start a bit hot at around 23 to 24 degrees across the country. Daily highs will move up to 32 degrees in Daejeon, 35 degrees in Gwangju and Daegu. Throughout the first week of July, heat wave will continue nationwide. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

[Sports Round-up] Potential Korean derby in last 8 of FIFA Club World Cup

2025/06/30 22:39

Time now to take a look at what's been happening in the world of sports. For that, we have our sports editor Paul Neat joining us in the studio. Welcome, Paul. Thank you. Let's start with golf. LPGA sophomores Im Jin-hee and Lee So-mi joined forces to earn their maiden U.S. titles. Yes, they won the Dow Championship in Midland, Michigan, on Sunday. They beat the American team of Megan Khang and Lexi Thompson in a playoff. In this team competition, both teams finished at 20-under 260. Im and Lee shot an eight-under 62 in their bogey-free final round with eight birdies to draw level. In the playoff, Im sank a birdie putt set up by Lee's tee shot. Khang had a shorter birdie attempt but missed to hand the South Koreans their first wins. The pair joined the LPGA Tour last year and will split the prize money of just over 799-thousand U.S. dollars. They became the fourth and fifth South Koreans to win on the LPGA Tour in 2025, but are the first to win the Dow Championship, which began in 2019. Moving on to football now. There could be a Korean derby in the FIFA Club World Cup. Yes, indeed. We could see Lee Kang-in versus Kim Min-jae. That's because Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich will meet in the quarter-finals on Saturday. PSG and Lee Kang-in beat Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 4-0 on Sunday. Lee came off the bench in the 70th minute to make his third appearance of the competition. Meanwhile, Kim Min-jae was an unused substitute as Bayern beat Flamengo 4-2. Kim is yet to feature in the Club World Cup, having only just returned from an Achilles injury and Bayern are not rushing him back. Lee won the French top division title, the French Cup, and the European Champions League with PSG last year. Kim won the Bundesliga title with Bayern. There could be even more silverware should either team advance. To K League now. Jeonbuk look like they're back to their best. Yes, indeed. At the weekend, they went 10 points clear at the top of K League 1. In Round 21 on Friday, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors beat Gimcheon Sangmu 2-1 thanks to a brace from Italian striker Andrea Compagno. This, along with Daejeon in second place drawing 1-1 at home to Jeju SK, meant Jeonbuk's lead was extended from eight points to 10. This is quite the turnaround from last year, when the Green Warriors finished 10th and had to go through the relegation playoffs. Led by Uruguayan manager Gus Poyet, Jeonbuk are on a run of 17 matches unbeaten and are seeking a first K League 1 title since 2021. Reigning champions Ulsan have slipped to seventh but have two games in hand, having been away in the U.S. for the Club World Cup. And finally, to baseball. It seems highly likely that we'll have another South Korean star in MLB next year. Yes, Kiwoom Heroes infielder Song Sung-mun. According to Yonhap News, scouts from four MLB clubs came to watch his most recent matches. The New York Yankees, the Chicago Cubs, the Seattle Mariners, and the San Diego Padres are all reported to be interested in his services and have sent scouts to watch him over the past week. Song has previously said he wasn't too keen on a move to MLB but said recently that he spoke to current MLB star Kim Ha-seong, who provided encouragement. He says he'll weigh up his options at the end of the year if he has a good season and if there are clubs interested. Alright, something to keep tabs on. Thanks, Paul. See you next week. Thank you.

From Tokyo to Seoul: How Japan's teens are dancing into the spotlight

2025/06/30 22:37

Time now for the final installment in our series of stories to mark the 60th year of the normalization of Seoul-Tokyo ties. After Korean dramas, literature and food, it is K-pop that's been at the heart of the two countries' relations and which continues to promise a brighter future for them. Ahn Sung-jin has more. 11-year-old Hanae has a big dream, to become a K-pop idol. From Twice to her favorite artist, Tomorrow by Together, the idol wannabe's dance practices continue day and night. Her journey began when she was an infant. "When I watch K-pop, the singing is amazing and the dancing is incredible too. It makes me think that it's something really special." Her love for K-pop came from her mother, though she was also inspired by someone else, her grandmother. The passion for K-pop runs through three generations of her family. "In the past, only some people knew about and liked Korean culture, but now it's become mainstream, even my friends enjoy it. I think it gives people a positive motivation for life. Korean culture is now really being embraced here in Japan." For Hanae's mother, it started with Korean fashion and then naturally merged into K-pop. Now she's glad to be supporting her daughter's dream that she had once hoped for. "I want to support her dream with all that I can. I hope she becomes a globally renowned K-pop idol, maybe even performing at Coachella one day." For Hanae, this means a lot of effort, whether it be learning Korean or enhancing her dance skills. "I'm working hard on my singing and dancing until I can be truly satisfied with it myself. I want to meet K-pop idols up close and not only debut in Korea, but also ultimately launch a global career." But it's not just Hanae who has this ambitious aspiration. Students at this dance studio are also a part of a rising wave of Japanese teens captivated by K-pop who practice for hours every day. The studio has more than 1-thousand registered students and offers classes for all different levels. "We've been seeing a steady increase in students over the past seven or eight years, but I think that number will only grow. Until recently, most students have been high schoolers, but now we're seeing a lot more kids from elementary school or those who are in their 20s as well." "It's the K-pop performance for me, and how K-pop idols really try hard and put in a lot of effort." Kurumi has already crossed that threshold. She debuted only around a month ago as a K-pop idol in Korea and said that her dream since elementary school had come true. "It still doesn't feel real, but as we've been appearing on music shows more often these days, it's starting to sink in more and more. I hope to perform in Japan, my home country, sometime in the future." But the phenomenon of K-pop is flowing in both directions. &TEAM is a successful example of K-culture localization and draws fans from all over the world. "We just made the plans full steam. We booked the flight, we booked the hotel and we were on our way. I think it's because the members are so diverse and a lot of them are multilingual." "I had been learning Korean but I stopped for a while. After I started liking &TEAM, I picked it up again." These journeys represent not only what many young hopefuls see as success, but it also signifies a cultural crossover as K-pop continues to transcend borders, languages and generations. This next wave of idols are gearing up for their dream, one step and one beat at a time. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Tokyo.

"An Exhibition Without Borders": 9 artists with development disabilities soar beyond limits

2025/06/30 22:36

Over in Türkiye. A special exhibition is taking place by a group of South Korean artists whose works of art prove that developmental disabilities do not hinder creative ability. Our Choi Soo-hyung has their story. A hot air balloon floats gently on a small canvas, showing the beauty of Cappadocia, Türkiye. Flowers, recreated with Korean colors and lines, also catch the eye. All of these works are made using tape. Artist Park Tae-hyun visited Türkiye in 2017, and ever since, he has dreamed of going back to hold an exhibition there. "He rode a hot air balloon and sailed on a cruise ship in Türkiye, which left a strong impression. After returning to Korea, he made many related artworks and has always dreamed of exhibiting them." Since June 16, a special exhibition has been held at the Korean Cultural Center in Ankara, Türkiye, featuring work from Art Brut Korea by nine artists with developmental disabilities, including Park and Jeong Do-woon. More than 40 pieces of art grab the attention of visitors with their bold colors and unique perspectives. "I thought many Korean residents would come, but many locals visited instead. They listened carefully to the stories behind each artwork, asked questions, and showed their respect. Our artists felt very happy, and I was truly proud." "We thought it would be meaningful to share Korean culture through pure and unique perspectives. By introducing artworks about Türkiye seen through Korean eyes, we also hoped to highlight the strong friendship between Korea and Türkiye." Over the past 10 years of their artistic journey, the artists' disabilities have become a driving force for their art, not a limitation. "People with developmental disabilities often have sensitive hearing or vision, giving them a unique view of the world. With strong intuition and focus, it feels like the picture is already complete in their mind, and they simply transfer it onto the canvas." There were many doubts and stereotypes about how people with developmental disabilities could create such artwork. "One tough prejudice is people doubting that artists with developmental disabilities truly created the artwork themselves. It's a hurtful misunderstanding." From planning the exhibition to setting up the artwork, the parents do everything except create the pieces themselves. But the parents of Art Brut Korea say they want the world to recognize these works as those of true artists. "An Exhibition Without Borders" in Türkiye runs until July 25. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Monsoon floods sweep India and Pakistan, leaving at least 79 dead

2025/06/30 22:35

Heavy monsoon rains, triggering widespread flooding and landslides, have killed about 80 people across South Asia. Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority reported Sunday that at least 45 people have died and 68 others have been injured so far. Meanwhile, according to the Xinhua News Agency, at least 34 people have been killed and four remain missing over the past 10 days in northern India. Both countries have issued flood alerts, urging residents to take precautions as heavy rains are expected to continue.

Hyundai Rotem delivers 2nd generation KTX-Eum to Korail

2025/06/30 22:34

South Korea's high-speed rail network is getting an upgrade. Hyundai Rotem announced Monday that it has delivered the second-generation KTX Eum to Korail, more than four months ahead of schedule. The new fleet will soon be put into service on the Gangneung Line. With improved suspension, a reinforced frame, and advanced soundproofing, the trains promise a smoother, quieter ride. They're also equipped with better air quality control inside, and they meet the highest safety standards even at top speed. Hyundai Rotem says the second-generation Eum is also set to make a push overseas, targeting markets in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Last year, the company signed its first export deal for the model — a contract with Uzbekistan worth 270 billion won, or roughly 200 million U.S. dollars.

S. Korea's industrial output, facility investment drop in May; retail sales remain flat

2025/06/30 22:34

South Korea's industrial production and facility investment fell for the second straight month in May. The government believes the figures will pick up once the supplementary budget takes effect on the local economy in the second half of the year. Moon Ji-young explains. Industrial output and facility investment here both declined in May from the previous month, while retail sales remained flat. According to Statistics Korea on Monday, industrial production declined by 1-point-1 percent on-month in May, continuing its downward trend for a second month. This was largely driven by contraction in the mining and manufacturing sectors, which are the backbone of the economy. "Mining and manufacturing production fell 2.9 percent month-on-month, with gains in primary metals and petroleum refining offset by drops in pharmaceuticals and metal processing." May's facility investment dropped by more than 4 percent from the previous month, marking three months of decline. Retail sales, a gauge of private spending, remained unchanged from a month earlier. In April, all three major economic indicators -industrial output, retail sales, and investment -had recorded declines, showing the fragility of the country's recent economic momentum. Against this backdrop, the National Assembly passed a first supplementary budget bill in early May. "We anticipate the effects of the supplementary budget to be felt in the economy in the latter half of this year, following a time lag." He also explained that the direct impact of U.S. tariff policies on this overall production decline was not significant, and added that their effects might gradually appear after the July tariff negotiations. Meanwhile, business sentiment among export companies is projected to continue to deteriorate for the third quarter. This comes as the Korea International Trade Association announced on the same day that the third-quarter Export Business Survey Index was recorded below 100. The association attributed this sustained sluggishness to ongoing trade uncertainties, including U.S. tariff measures, coupled with slowing global growth and increased exchange rate volatility. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

Seoul deems N. Korea's UNC contact 'meaningful'

2025/06/30 22:33

Seoul says North Korea's recent communication with the United Nations Command is a meaningful sign, marking the first direct contact in eight months. According to the South Korean military, North Korea last week notified the UNC of its plans to resume construction near the Demilitarized Zone, using the inter-Korean military hotline known as the "pink phone." The UNC plays a central role in maintaining security and stability around the inter-Korean border. Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff says over one-thousand North Korean troops have been mobilised daily since late last week, and South Korea is watching will respond firmly to any violations of the Military Demarcation Line. While it's unclear what Pyongyang's intentions are, Seoul says the communication itself is significant as the North has previously rejected dialogue and moved unilaterally. The UNC did not confirm the message's details but said prior notification helps reduce misjudgment and the risk of conflict.

S. Korea's industrial output, facility investment drop in May; retail sales remain flat

2025/06/30 20:34

Findings for May show a second straight month of decline in industrial production on month amid the doldrums in the mining and manufacturing sectors. Moon Ji-young covers the latest findings. South Korea's industrial output and facility investment both declined in May from the previous month, while retail sales remained flat. According to Statistics Korea on Monday, industrial production declined by 1-point-1 percent on-month in May, continuing its downward trend for a second month. This was largely driven by contraction in the mining and manufacturing sectors, which are the backbone of the economy. "Mining and manufacturing production fell 2.9 percent month-on-month, with gains in primary metals and petroleum refining offset by drops in pharmaceuticals and metal processing." May's facility investment dropped by more than 4 percent from the previous month, marking three months of decline. Retail sales, a gauge of private spending, remained unchanged from a month earlier. In April, all three major economic indicators -industrial output, retail sales, and investment -had recorded declines, showing the fragility of the country's recent economic momentum. Against this backdrop, the National Assembly passed a first supplementary budget bill in early May. "We anticipate the effects of the supplementary budget to be felt in the economy in the latter half of this year, following a time lag." He also explained that the direct impact of U.S. tariff policies on this overall production decline was not significant, and added that their effects might gradually appear after the July tariff negotiations. Meanwhile, business sentiment among export companies is projected to continue to deteriorate for the third quarter. This comes as the Korea International Trade Association announced on the same day that the third-quarter Export Business Survey Index was recorded below 100. The association attributed this sustained sluggishness to ongoing trade uncertainties, including U.S. tariff measures, coupled with slowing global growth and increased exchange rate volatility. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea may face 0.4% decline in real GDP if tariff effects are fully felt

2025/06/30 20:34

In related news. The Trade Ministry hosted a public hearing earlier on this Monday during which industry insiders and economic experts shared concerns over U.S. tariffs and their ripple effects. Our correspondent Park Jun-han was there. South Korea may face a 0.3 to 0.4 percent decline in real GDP if tariff effects are fully felt. This was mentioned during a public hearing held by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Monday, based on a feasibility review conducted by the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy. "If all the tariffs imposed or planned by the Trump administration were to materialize, our projections estimated that real GDP growth could decline by approximately 0.3% to 0.4%." The hearing was held a day after Trade Ministry officials from the new Lee Jae Myung administration returned from high-level tariff negotiations in the United States last week. The talks involved six areas of trade between South Korea and the U.S., namely, balanced trade, non-tariff measures, economic security, digital trade, country of origin, and commercial considerations. People from various sectors, including agriculture, steel, automobiles and oil, gathered to express complaints and called for transparent disclosure of progress in the negotiations. While the trade ministry expressed sympathy to industries affected by the tariffs, it explained that only limited information could be shared, as the potential harm of disclosing the details of the negotiations outweighs the benefits. "If you look at global or domestic media, there's very little information on which countries specifically received what demands and how they responded to certain tariff-related issues. I believe this is due to concerns over transparency, as making the negotiations public could be detrimental to the national interest." The trade ministry will soon report to the National Assembly on the treaty signing plan following the public hearing, in accordance with Article 6 of the Commerce Treaty Act, which mandates the formulation and reporting of plans for concluding commerce treaties. Although the pace of negotiations is likely to pick up, it's still unclear when a deal will be reached — or what kind of tariffs might follow. With less than 10 days left before the July 9 deadline, the tug of war between South Korea and the U.S. is expected to continue. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

PRES. LEE SEES 64% APPROVAL RATING ON STATE AFFAIRS

2025/06/30 19:41

Hope your workweek is off to a good start. You're watching Press Perspective for this Monday June 30th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. A new administration has entered the top office and a sense of relative stability appears to have taken shape here in the nation. For more I have Steven Borowiec with Japanese weekly news magazine Nikkei Asia. Steven welcome back. I also have Chloe Borgnon with French broadcaster France 24 with us. Chloe it's good to have you here. 1) Steven, as I mentioned earlier, 64% of the people here approve of President Lee Ja Myung's handling of state affairs. What factors do you believe are fueling this favorable finding? 2) Chloe, the Economist recently published an article about the prospects of the new Lee Jae Myung administration putting South Korea back on track. Do tell us a bit about this coverage, and what are your own observations here? 3) Steven, President Lee's Cabinet nominations have been making quite a bit of headlines. This being said, do tell us a bit about his Labor Minister nominee, and what are the broader implications of this nomination, do you think? 4) Chloe, the South Korean leader did not attend this year's NATO summit that took place in the Netherlands last week, and a number of foreign media outlets have been siding with his decision to sit out the summit. First, do explain their stance for us, and again, what are your thoughts? 5) Steven, at this annual security forum, NATO leaders agreed to raise their defense spending to 5% of their GDP over the next decade. And speaking of defense, the National Interest recently covered Poland's "love" for South Korea's advanced K2 tanks. Can you tell us more? Also, what makes this important for South Korea? 6) Chloe, beyond diplomacy and defense, K-entertainment has been making headlines as well. Squid Game Season Three hit the screens last week. I hear the response has been mixed? Have you seen it? 7) Steven, a U.S. animation titled K-POP Demon Hunters has also been receiving rave reviews. Do explain the hype behind this K-pop-inspired screen production. 8) Chloe, amid the global attention on this animation, some Chinese netizens have reportedly been claiming that K-POP Demon Hunters includes aspects of their culture. Do you believe raising global awareness about Korean culture and history will serve to address such fallacies? All right.

Trump does not expect to extend tariffs deadline beyond July 9th

2025/06/30 19:39

U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out prospects of an extension in country-specific tariffs beyond the current July deadline adding that American trade partners will soon receive letters informing them of their respective tariff rates which will range from 10 to 50 percent. Kim Bo-kyoung starts us off. With just over a week to go before the 90-day extension on tariffs ends, President Donald Trump said he does not expect a further extension. and said his administration will soon send notifications to countries. "But we're going to be sending letters out (to countries) starting pretty soon. Listen, what we're gonna do is we're going to send and we will say, congratulations, we're allowing you to shop in the United States of America. You're going pay a 25% tariff or a 35% or a 50% or 10%." The U.S. president was speaking in an interview with Fox News, which was taped Friday and broadcast Sunday. His words suggest that a reciprocal tariff of up to 50 percent could be unilaterally imposed, while certain countries will have a basic tariff of 10 percent imposed on them. He mentioned Japan as well, saying a letter could be sent to Tokyo. Trump emphasized that it is "unfair" that Japan does not import many U.S. cars while the U.S. imports millions of Japanese cars. When it was put to him that American car manufacturers do not want Japanese and Korean car companies to face lower tariffs than they do, he said that would not happen, adding that U.S. carmakers are too busy selling cars in America to even worry about it. Meanwhile, South Korea's top trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo, who returned on Sunday from a week-long trip to Washington for the first trade talks under the new Lee administration, said a certain level of trust has been built to accelerate negotiations. According to Yeo, after he met U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Washington again showed interest in Korea's participation in the Alaska LNG project. "Under the new administration, a channel for conducting negotiations with the U.S. has now been established. As for the Alaska project, the U.S. has continued to show strong interest and hopes that Korea will participate." He added that Seoul will seek the most suitable approach for the country's national interest, while closely monitoring the political and economic developments in the U.S. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

[Weather] Summer heat continues and first heat wave warnings in place

2025/06/30 19:39

Seoul's first heat wave advisories of the year were issued today. Under the heat wave warnings and advisories, Seoul rose up to 31 degrees Celsius, Gimcheon and Miryang 36 degrees. With high humidity, it felt even hotter than the actual readings. It seems like this summer, heat of over 30 degrees will continue for the time being. The daytime temperature in Seoul will move up to 30 degrees tomorrow. It will rain slightly in the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon-do Province on the way to work tomorrow morning. Also, showers are forecast around the southern parts of Chungcheong-do Province. Tomorrow morning will start a bit hot at around 23 to 24 degrees all over the country. Daily highs will move up to 35 degrees in Gwangju and Daegu, 36 degrees in Gyeongju. The heat will continue day and night in the first week of July. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Iran says 71 killed in Israeli strike on Evin Prison on June 23

2025/06/30 19:38

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. An official from Iran's judiciary said on Sunday that 71 people were killed in the Evin Prison strike on June 23, which included administrative staff, political detainees, and nearby residents. The strike targeted the prison's entrance and administrative areas, leaving visible damage to buildings and surrounding areas. Evin Prison is known for housing political prisoners, journalists, academics, and foreign nationals. Some detainees were relocated after the attack. France, whose citizens are also held there, said the strike endangered foreign nationals and demanded proof of their safety. The June 23 attack came a day before the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Israel's defense ministry had said it was attacking "regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran." Tensions in Serbia escalated over the weekend as anti-government protesters clashed violently with riot police in Belgrade, as they called for snap elections and an end to President Aleksandar Vucic's 12-year rule. Tens of thousands of people gathered after months of nationwide anti-corruption and student-led demonstrations, with protesters hurling flares and rocks at riot police stationed around government buildings and elsewhere. Police responded with pepper spray and forcefully broke up groups in multiple locations. Several dozen protesters were detained, while at least six officers sustained injuries during the confrontations. Opposition activists and students have intensified their campaign, demanding early parliamentary elections and accountability following the deadly Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse last November that killed 16 people. Protesters blame corruption for the disaster. Serbian President Vucic denounced the clashes, saying protesters were attempting to "topple Serbia" but "failed." Beijing showcased the world's first 3-on-3 soccer match on Saturday, played by four teams of fully autonomous humanoid robots, driven by AI. The robot players were equipped with optical cameras and sensors that detect the ball from up to 20 meters away with over 90 percent accuracy. The game was structured into two 10-minute halves, featuring a deep reinforcement-learning AI that made real-time decisions on passing, shooting, running, and strategy without any human control. Robots were able to recover from falls and displayed dynamic movement. Organizers said the event showcased a real-world test of robot endurance, agility, and AI-driven technology. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

From Tokyo to Seoul: How Japan's teens are dancing into the spotlight

2025/06/30 19:37

And it's time now for the final installment in our series of stories to celebrate six decades of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan this year. K-pop continues to connect the two countries as promising talents from the neighboring country also seek the stage. My colleague Ahn Sung-jin has more. 11-year-old Hanae has a big dream, to become a K-pop idol. From Twice to her favorite artist, Tomorrow by Together, the idol wannabe's dance practices continue day and night. Her journey began when she was an infant. "When I watch K-pop, the singing is amazing and the dancing is incredible too. It makes me think that it's something really special." Her love for K-pop came from her mother, though she was also inspired by someone else, her grandmother. The passion for K-pop runs through three generations of her family. "In the past, only some people knew about and liked Korean culture, but now it's become mainstream, even my friends enjoy it. I think it gives people a positive motivation for life. Korean culture is now really being embraced here in Japan." For Hanae's mother, it started with Korean fashion and then naturally merged into K-pop. Now she's glad to be supporting her daughter's dream that she had once hoped for. "I want to support her dream with all that I can. I hope she becomes a globally renowned K-pop idol, maybe even performing at Coachella one day." For Hanae, this means a lot of effort, whether it be learning Korean or enhancing her dance skills. "I'm working hard on my singing and dancing until I can be truly satisfied with it myself. I want to meet K-pop idols up close and not only debut in Korea, but also ultimately launch a global career." But it's not just Hanae who has this ambitious aspiration. Students at this dance studio are also a part of a rising wave of Japanese teens captivated by K-pop who practice for hours every day. The studio has more than 1-thousand registered students and offers classes for all different levels. "We've been seeing a steady increase in students over the past seven or eight years, but I think that number will only grow. Until recently, most students have been high schoolers, but now we're seeing a lot more kids from elementary school or those who are in their 20s as well." "It's the K-pop performance for me, and how K-pop idols really try hard and put in a lot of effort." Kurumi has already crossed that threshold. She debuted only around a month ago as a K-pop idol in Korea and said that her dream since elementary school had come true. "It still doesn't feel real, but as we've been appearing on music shows more often these days, it's starting to sink in more and more. I hope to perform in Japan, my home country, sometime in the future." But the phenomenon of K-pop is flowing in both directions. &TEAM is a successful example of K-culture localization and draws fans from all over the world. "We just made the plans full steam. We booked the flight, we booked the hotel and we were on our way. I think it's because the members are so diverse and a lot of them are multilingual." "I had been learning Korean but I stopped for a while. After I started liking &TEAM, I picked it up again." These journeys represent not only what many young hopefuls see as success, but it also signifies a cultural crossover as K-pop continues to transcend borders, languages and generations. This next wave of idols are gearing up for their dream, one step and one beat at a time. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Tokyo.

"An Exhibition Without Borders": 9 artists with development disabilities soar beyond limits

2025/06/30 19:36

Over in Türkiye. An exhibition currently underway in that country by a group of South Korean artists is proving physical disability does NOT hinder creative ability and instead deepens the power of perspective. Our Choi Soo-hyung reports. A hot air balloon floats gently on a small canvas, showing the beauty of Cappadocia, Türkiye. Flowers, recreated with Korean colors and lines, also catch the eye. All of these works are made using tape. Artist Park Tae-hyun visited Türkiye in 2017, and ever since, he has dreamed of going back to hold an exhibition there. "He rode a hot air balloon and sailed on a cruise ship in Türkiye, which left a strong impression. After returning to Korea, he made many related artworks and has always dreamed of exhibiting them." Since June 16, a special exhibition has been held at the Korean Cultural Center in Ankara, Türkiye, featuring work from Art Brut Korea by nine artists with developmental disabilities, including Park and Jeong Do-woon. More than 40 pieces of art grab the attention of visitors with their bold colors and unique perspectives. "I thought many Korean residents would come, but many locals visited instead. They listened carefully to the stories behind each artwork, asked questions, and showed their respect. Our artists felt very happy, and I was truly proud." "We thought it would be meaningful to share Korean culture through pure and unique perspectives. By introducing artworks about Türkiye seen through Korean eyes, we also hoped to highlight the strong friendship between Korea and Türkiye." Over the past 10 years of their artistic journey, the artists' disabilities have become a driving force for their art, not a limitation. "People with developmental disabilities often have sensitive hearing or vision, giving them a unique view of the world. With strong intuition and focus, it feels like the picture is already complete in their mind, and they simply transfer it onto the canvas." There were many doubts and stereotypes about how people with developmental disabilities could create such artwork. "One tough prejudice is people doubting that artists with developmental disabilities truly created the artwork themselves. It's a hurtful misunderstanding." From planning the exhibition to setting up the artwork, the parents do everything except create the pieces themselves. But the parents of Art Brut Korea say they want the world to recognize these works as those of true artists. "An Exhibition Without Borders" in Türkiye runs until July 25. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

'Squid Game' season 3 tops Netflix charts in 93 countries

2025/06/30 19:35

The third season of the Netflix series "Squid Game" topped the charts in 93 countries within a day of its release. According to FlixPatrol a global OTT ranking site on Saturday the series which was released on Friday ranked number one in the Netflix TV show category in 93 countries. With 10 points awarded for every country in which a show ranks first this South Korean drama series garnered 9-hundred-30 points. It was first released in 2021 and stands as the most popular series in Netflix's history.

Pres. Lee meets leading cultural figures

2025/06/30 19:35

President Lee Jae Myung met with leading figures in the cultural sector on Monday to discuss ways to promote Korea as a "global cultural powerhouse." Invited to the presidential office in Yongsan were five prominent artists,... including musical writer Park Chun-hue who wrote Tony award-winning "Maybe Happy Ending,"... soprano Jo Sumi,... and ballerino Park Youn-jae. The President listened to their voices... on ways to support artists and their activities... as well as ways to promote overseas "K-art."

Leaders of S. Korea, Singapore agree to establish strategic partnership

2025/06/30 19:34

On the diplomatic front. President Lee Jae Myung held his first phone call with Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on this Monday. According to the Presidential Office the two leaders agreed to upgrade their ties to a strategic partnership as they celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations this year. They also voiced commitment to cooperation on diverse fronts ranging from artificial intelligence to peace and stability here on the peninsula. President Lee also shared hopes to host his Singaporean counterpart during the APEC Summit here in Korea this autumn. Prime Minister Wong in response spoke of looking forward to the occasion and proposed their two countries continue senior-level exchanges.

President Lee announces second round of Cabinet picks

2025/06/30 19:34

President Lee Jae Myung 's Cabinet is taking visible shape with a new round of names shared this past Sunday. Our top office correspondent Song Yoo-jin walks us through the latest nominations. The second round of President Lee Jae Myung's Cabinet picks was based on, as the Presidential Office puts it, "expertise and innovation." On Sunday, veteran bureaucrat Koo Yun-cheol was named Finance Minister. He previously served as the ministry's 2nd Vice Minister, budget director, and head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. "Koo is considered the right person to chart a path for Korea's growth, with deep expertise in public finances and overall policymaking." Ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Sung-ho has been selected as Justice Minister, a position central to delivering on President Lee's campaign pledge to reform the Prosecutor's Office. Jung is known for his broad understanding of judicial reform, built over five terms in the National Assembly. Fellow DP lawmaker Yun Ho-jung, has been chosen to lead the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, another key post in the administration's efforts to reshape the prosecution system. The plan is to review the separation of the prosecution's investigative and indictment powers by creating a new agency within the ministry to oversee investigations. Other nominees include Lee Jin-sook, former president of Chungnam National University, as Education Minister; Kim Jung-kwan, president of Doosan Enerbility, as Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; and Jeong Eun-kyeong, former commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as Health Minister. This leaves only the Land and Culture Minister posts yet to be named. For the two vacant senior secretary posts at the top office, Jeon Seong-hwan will serve as Senior Secretary for Public Engagement and Social Cohesion. The position has been renamed from Senior Secretary for Civil and Social agenda to highlight the President's focus on building national unity. "Jeon has played many roles, from civic activism to serving as the head of public institutions and as a local government official, working to bring the quiet, often overlooked voices in our society into policymaking." Prosecutor-turned-lawyer Bong Wook has been appointed Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, a role expected to serve as the control tower for the prosecution reform initiative. Lee's initial pick, Oh Kwang-soo, withdrew over allegations of receiving loans under other people's names. Also announced were several vice-ministerial appointments, including Lee Dong-soo and Kim Ho-hong as deputy directors of the National Intelligence Service, as well as Lee Jin-soo as Vice Justice Minister. "Among Sunday's announcements, minister nominees must undergo confirmation hearings at the National Assembly, though their appointments will be decided by the president. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News."