News

[Features reporter] [Earth day] Seoul's push to cut waste with reusable delivery containers

2025/04/23 14:00

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd every year. To remember the importance of protecting our planet, Eun-hee you have a story to share? Yes Soa. These kinds of special days are important, and at the very least, they deserve our attention throughout the week or month. Today, I want to share how the South Korean government is supporting sustainable everyday habits, which call for our awareness and participation. Let's all take a closer look. Having a picnic and enjoying food delivery-it's pure happiness, until we realize that our earth can't sustain this convenience forever. And as more people begin to enjoy the outdoors after a long winter, starting this month, Seoul City is working to reduce single-use waste by installing return stations for reusable food delivery containers at Hangang Parks, beginning with two at Ttukseom Hangang Park and three at Yeouido Hangang Park. To use the service, the reusable container option in the delivery app needs to be selected. And to return containers, simply scan the QR code on the delivery bag and drop them at the designated station. Next, these used containers are taken to the cleaning station. "Reusable containers -one concern that probably comes to mind is sterilization. Can we really trust that they’re clean? Well, that’s exactly what we're here to find out. Behind me, a full 7-step process ensures that each container is thoroughly washed, sanitized, and inspected before making its way back to customers." The steps include: pre-washing, soaking, high-temperature washing, rinsing, drying, sterilization, disinfection, and a comprehensive inspection. "We at Itgreen run the "Returnit" service, where the containers are collected, sanitized and returned to participating restaurants and vendors for reuse up to 300 times. To ensure the highest standards of hygiene, ATP tests are conducted to measure organic residue, and are ten times stricter than the standard guidelines. "Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, food delivery has become a regular part of life. To tackle the growing plastic waste issue, we partnered with major delivery companies in 2022 to launch a reusable container service. The service is now available in most areas of Seoul, and by next year, we plan to expand it to all of the city." For business owners, what are the advantages and challenges of using this system? "The reusable containers are not only clean, but they also retain heat well, helping to keep the food warm during delivery. However, it would be even more practical if the containers came in a wider range of shapes and materials to better suit the food." As more services take part in helping protect the planet, our role is just as important. By recognizing the impact of our daily choices and by participating, we can become part of the change we hope to see. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News. I always feel a little bad when I order food from delivery apps because of all the packaging that remains I wasn’t aware of the return stations, and it's something more people should really know about. Exactly. Most importantly, those kinds of services are about making sure people are aware of and actually use them. To help with that, a Seoul City official said they plan to add more informational banners throughout Hangang Parks and update bulletin boards at delivery zones with clear instructions on how to order and return reusable containers. They're also working to bring more restaurants on board. That information really helps I might actually go for a picnic at one of the Hangang Parks this weekend. This reusable container service isn’t just for parks though you can use it at home too, right? Oh yes. The return process is just as simple. You just leave the used containers outside your door. I'd also like to share the progress made so far. Seoul City reported that last year, over 1-point-2 million reusable containers were used during more than 1-hundred-30 baseball games, effectively reducing single-use container consumption by about 9,210 per game. The city is now expanding the service, beginning with high-waste areas such as funeral halls, sports venues, and festivals. Additionally, a small reward is offered for using the service through delivery apps, where customers earn carbon-neutral points for each order, which can be exchanged for cash. Remember the days we left jjajangmyeon containers outside our doors? We've become so used to using all that plastic and throw it away. Great to see this environment-friendly shift, and let's hope the impact will grow as more people get involved. Thank you Eun-hee for sharing. Yes thank you Eun-hee for the story.

[Weather] Warming up in inland regions, staying breezy on east coast

2025/04/23 10:00

We're looking at a tale of two regions today when it comes to temperatures. Many inland areas, including Seoul, will see daytime highs reaching around 25 degrees Celsius going 5 to 7 degrees higher than yesterday, so it could feel a little too warm. While the inland areas will be warming up nicely, the east coast will be feeling quite a bit cooler due to easterly winds. Daytime temperatures there will likely peak at around 15 degrees Celsius, making for another chilly day. For a closer look, Seoul gets up to 24 degrees, Daejeon to 25 degrees. Central regions can expect mostly clear skies, but down south will be cloudier with a few spotty showers. Air quality will be in the normal to good range nationwide. For the next few days, we're expecting mostly clear skies without any significant rain. However, we will see a bigger temperature contrast between lows and highs heading towards the weekend. Remember to dress accordingly, depending on your region today.

People magazine names Demi Moore the World's Most Beautiful for 2025

2025/04/23 10:00

Finally, 62-year-old American actress Demi Moore is gracing the cover of People magazine after being named the publication's 2025 World's Most Beautiful Person. In an exclusive interview with People, Moore reflected on her personal growth that embraces the relationship between beauty and aging. Her recent performance in The Substance, a film that explores themes of youth and self-worth, garnered much attention, earning Moore Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards. People magazine's editor-in-chief noted that the selection celebrates individuals who redefine beauty standards and inspire through personal transformation.

Putin meets Sultan of Oman in Moscow

2025/04/23 10:00

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said on Tuesday at the Kremlin to discuss the ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations. Oman has been mediating indirect talks between Tehran and Washington, aiming to revive a nuclear agreement that limits Iran's nuclear activities. Kremlin's foreign policy aide said Russia maintains close contact with Iranian officials and offers assistance where possible. Meanwhile, Iran announced that expert-level talks between Iran and the United States, originally scheduled for Wednesday, have been postponed to Saturday.

Russia says Ukraine must remove legal hurdles for talks on halting strikes on civilian facilities

2025/04/23 10:00

Russia has indicated a willingness to engage in direct negotiations with Ukraine but says certain legal hurdles must be addressed before formal talks can begin. On Tuesday, local time, Russia's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that President Vladimir Putin is open to discussing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal to halt attacks on civilian infrastructure. However, he said Kyiv must take steps to clear the way for talks. Peskov mentioned a 2022 decree by Zelenskyy that prohibits negotiations with Putin, saying that this was a significant legal impediment. No specific plans for direct talks have been put forward amid mounting international pressure for renewed negotiations to resolve the conflict, including threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw from mediation efforts unless progress is made.

More than 20 killed after gunmen open fire on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir

2025/04/23 10:00

In Indian-administered Kashmir, gunmen opened fire on tourists at a popular resort, killing more than 20 people and leaving many others injured. On Tuesday, local time, a group of at least four militants launched an attack on tourists near Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Kashmir. According to Indian police, at least 26 tourists have been killed and three dozen people wounded. Though no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, police attribute it to armed groups opposing Indian rule. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia at the time, called the attack a "heinous act" and said those responsible would be brought to justice. World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the attack. India and Pakistan administer parts of the disputed region of Kashmir but both claim the territory in its entirety.

U.S. confirms vacancy of N. Korean human rights envoy position

2025/04/23 10:00

The U.S. State Department has confirmed that the position of Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues is once again vacant following Julie Turner's departure in January. Turner, who was appointed in 2023, held the position until early this year after a six-year vacancy. Her exit comes as part of a broader reshuffling by the Trump administration, which has eliminated several special envoy positions, including the position dedicated to North Korea. And with the administration proposing a major State Department overhaul, it's unclear if or when the role will be refilled.

Trump says he has "no intention of firing" U.S. Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell

2025/04/23 10:00

Trump has "no intention of firing" U.S. Fed Chair Jerome Powell, the U.S. leader says. The comments come as Trump was asked by reporters at the Oval Office on Tuesday if he has plans to fire Powell, to which the U.S leader said he "never did." He added that the "press runs away with things." Trump, however, called on Powell to cut interest rates, calling it the "perfect time" to do so. Just last week, Trump took to social media to say that Powell is "always TOO LATE and WRONG" and that his "termination cannot come fast enough," raising speculation that he could be looking to oust the U.S. Fed chair before his term ends next year.

Trump signals cooling trade tensions with Beijing with possible tariff reductions

2025/04/23 10:00

In the meantime, U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled easing trade tensions with China, as countries around the world push to negotiate lower tariffs. Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, he said tariffs on Chinese goods could be "substantially" reduced, though not eliminated, under any forthcoming agreements. His remarks came after the U.S. Treasury Secretary expressed optimism about a potential de-escalation, but described negotiations with Beijing as a "slog" that has yet to officially begin. According to the White House, 34 countries are set to meet with Trump's trade team this week, with 18 having already submitted proposals.

On-point: How to make 2+2 tariff talks with U.S. fruitful?

2025/04/23 10:00

The South Korea-U.S. 2+2 trade talks on Thursday will be momentous, especially for South Korea, as what Seoul is calling 'consultations' will be the first of their kind since the Trump administration's 90-day tariff pause. We discuss more with Professor Park Minjung this morning. Good morning. 1. Can we expect some sort of a concrete outcome from the 2+2 meeting? Or will it be more of a pre-game where the two sides let each other know what they want and what they can offer? Because it's the first round of such talks? What makes you think so? 2. An expert I spoke to said that it would be a good sign if Trump shows up at discussions on Thursday because Trump is favoring countries like South Korea and Japan. What's your take on this? Do you also think so? 3. Trump is waging this tariff war on the U.S. trade deficit. Will South Korea's shipbuilding and LNG be enough as leverage to resolve tariff issues? Or are they enough for now? 4. Would you say it's a relief that a new administration will be launched in South Korea in June? Because we can buy time in the meantime? Or are we still running out of time? 5. The Trump administration is busier than ever carrying out tariff talks with countries around the world. Does the 90-day tariff pause give enough time to conduct talks with more than 70 countries realistically? Will the pause be extended? Or no? Thanks so much for sharing your insight with us. We appreciate it.

IMF slashes S. Korea's growth projection by half for 2025 amid a "new high" in uncertainties

2025/04/23 10:00

And the world economy is already being swayed by Trump's tariff policies. According to the IMF, the South Korean economy will see just 1% growth this year due to trade uncertainties sparked by the tariff push. Our Moon Hye-ryeon has more. The International Monetary Fund has sharply lowered its forecast for South Korea’s economic growth amid rising trade tensions and heightened policy uncertainty. In its latest economic outlook, the IMF now expects the economy to grow by just one percent in 2025 a full percentage point lower than its January projection. The estimate was presented in the report's appendix without further commentary, with the IMF’s forecast the lowest among projections for South Korea from major institutions. The Korea Development Institute forecast a growth of 1-point-6 percent for the year, while the OECD and the Bank of Korea’s projections came in at 1-point-5 percent. However, the BOK said last week, following its Monetary Policy Committee meeting, that it was likely to cut its economic growth projection as it expects growth in the first quarter of the year to be lower than previously estimated. The IMF also revised down its global forecast by point-five percentage points. The revised outlook with the expectation that the world economy will grow by 2-point-8 percent reflects what the agency described as a “new high” in uncertainties spurred by escalating trade tensions. In response to these volatile conditions, the IMF introduced a new forecasting method. Alongside baseline projection based on data available as of early April, the outlook includes two alternative scenarios that account for key tariff-related developments. Prior to the new tariff announcement by the United States on April 2nd, global growth was projected at 3-point-2 percent, factoring in high oil prices and U.S. trade policy. After tariff suspensions and retaliatory measures on April 9th, the forecast dropped to 2-point-8 percent, suggesting that gains from delayed tariffs are outweighed by slower growth in the U.S. and China. The U.S. saw one of the biggest downward revisions, with 2025 growth now forecast at 1-point-8 percent, down point-nine percentage points — while China’s growth forecast was also lowered to 4 percent. To mitigate the growing risks, the IMF recommended working toward a more predictable trade environment through regional and multilateral agreements and stressed the importance of balanced monetary policy to maintain financial stability and anchor inflation expectations. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

DP primaries in stronghold Honam region while PPP's 4-way race starts

2025/04/23 10:00

The People Power Party on Tuesday shortlisted four contenders in the first round of its presidential primary. The Democratic Party begins voting in its stronghold, Honam region, on Wednesday, with its second debate set to take place on the same day. Our Kim Do-yeon has more. The Democratic Party of Korea kicks off the second half of its regional presidential primaries on Wednesday in its traditional stronghold of the Honam region consisting of the Jeolla-do provinces and Gwangju City in the country's southwest. This region accounts for 27 percent of the Democratic Party's total electors, more than the 18 percent combined from the previous two voting regions, the Chungcheong-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces. While the primary is largely dominated by Lee Jae-myung, who leads with 90 percent of the votes so far other candidates are looking to boost their chances and turn things around. Second-place Kim Dong-yeon released his pledges for the region's development while Kim Kyung-soo, who is in third place, was the first to arrive on Tuesday to meet with DP members. Lee Jae-myung on the other hand had no public appearances due to a court appearance for one of his ongoing criminal trials. However, he's set to visit the region on Thursday as the voting will continue for a few days. And as the voting starts the three candidates are also set to have a second debate on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the People Power Party primary also turned a corner as the first round cut-off was announced on Tuesday evening. Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo survived after the eight initial contestants were cut to four. Except for Ahn Cheol-soo, all candidates were expected to make it through. Ahn's survival comes as the first round cut-off rule is new in this election. Having no weighted votes for PPP electors, the aim of the rule was to provide a boost to candidates who appeal to undecided voters. And Ahn was in favor of impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol as opposed to Na Kyung-won, who was seen as Ahn's rival for the fourth spot. Now the race is two against impeachment Kim Moon-soo and Hong Joon-pyo and two for impeachment Han Dong-hoon and Ahn Cheol-soo. Starting with the second round cut-off, 50 percent of the votes will be from eligible PPP electors, while the other 50 percent will come from an open survey giving more weight to PPP members than the open survey. This means, those who protected President Yoon during the impeachment process could have an advantage. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Pope Francis to lie in state until funeral on Saturday

2025/04/23 10:00

Over in Vatican now. The body of the late Pope Francis will be moved to Saint Peter's Basilica on Wednesday to lie in state until his funeral on Saturday morning. Lee Seung-jae has the details. The coffin containing the body of the late Pope Francis will be transferred from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday. According to the Holy See press office on Tuesday,.. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of translation on Wednesday. St. Peter's Basilica will be open for those who wish to pay their respects before the funeral mass takes place on Saturday. Large numbers were already seen at St. Peter's Square, mourning the death of Pope Francis. "He was a Pope who truly remembered the fringes of society." After the viewing, the funeral mass will begin on Saturday, and will be presided over by the Dean of the College of Cardinals. After communion, the ceremonial final praise and a farewell will be given to the late pope, before he's taken to the St. Mary Major Basilica for burial. Pope Francis will be the first pontiff in more than a hundred years to be buried outside the Vatican. Once the funeral concludes, the long process of choosing the next pope begins. According to Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, the first Korean to become a Vatican secretary, has been named as a strong candidate for the next pope. Ahead of the conclave to elect the next pope, the Italian daily selected 12 candidates, with Cardinal You the 11th mentioned. You previously served as Bishop of Daejeon from 2005 to 2021, before he was named a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. Korea-U.S. to begin high-level trade talks in Washington

2025/04/23 10:00

High-level trade talks between South Korea and the U.S. are set to begin in Washington this week. South Korea's finance minister Choi Sang-mok is now there, and joining him is trade minister Ahn Duk-geun who says he's being mindful of all possibilities at the talks, considering how President Trump abruptly showed up at Japan's tariff talks with the U.S. Our Kim Jung-sil reports. South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Choi Sang-mok, has arrived in Washington, D.C. for trade talks with the U.S. The discussions are set to begin at 8 a.m. local time on Thursday. This marks the highest-level visit by a South Korean official since the start of the Trump administration's second term. "We are here to initiate discussions that will further strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance. I will share the results of our talks on Thursday." Choi's visit comes amid rising trade tensions, with the U.S. imposing a 25% tariff on South Korean imports. Minister Choi is joined by Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, who will arrive on Wednesday to join the discussions with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. While the specifics of the meeting remain unclear, the talks are expected to address a broad range of issues, including the ongoing trade imbalance, potential non-tariff barriers like U.S. beef import restrictions, and even defense cost-sharing. The Trump administration has been accelerating its trade efforts, with the White House announcing that the entire trade team is meeting with officials from 34 countries this week alone. "We are moving at Trump speed to ensure these deals are made on behalf of the American worker and the American people." Experts in Seoul advise South Korea to take a measured approach for a better long-term deal. "We don't know if what Trump wants today it will be the same tomorrow—he may ask additional things in the near future. We want to make sure that if there is a deal, then it's a complete deal." The expert also cautioned that the U.S. may be seeking a quick win for President Trump, which could lead to rushed decisions. With so much on the line in these negotiations, the outcome of Thursday's talks is being closely watched. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

U.S.-South Korea Trade Talks: What’s next for the semiconductor industry?

2025/04/22 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. Tonight, we turn our attention to U.S.-South Korea trade relations, with a specific focus on the semiconductor sector. As both nations prepare for the upcoming '2+2' trade talks, key industries such as the automotive, steel, and semiconductor sectors are set to take center stage. With rising tariffs, trade imbalances, and increasing geopolitical tensions, South Korea's semiconductor industry faces critical challenges. With the U.S. looking to expand local production, how should South Korea respond to ensure its semiconductor sector remains competitive in the global market? And what steps should companies take to navigate these uncertain times? To explore more on this, we connect to Sung Soo Eric Kim, founder & CEO of Datacrunch Global and adjunct professor at Yonsei Graduate School of Business. Welcome. Also joining us is William Brown, a former member of the board of directors at the Korea Economic Institute of America, and the principal of NAEIA.com. Great to have you. (KIM) 1. Let's begin with Prof. Kim. So the upcoming '2+2' trade talks are expected to address issues such as tariffs on automotive and steel products, and semiconductors. How likely do you think it is that South Korea will be able to negotiate a reduction or removal of these tariffs, specifically in the semiconductor sector? (BROWN) 2. With the U.S. seeking to expand its local production in key sectors such as semiconductors, what incentives or proposals should South Korea present during these talks to ensure its own semiconductor industry remains competitive and benefits from the negotiations? (KIM) 3. Given that South Korea is about to experience a political transition, Prof.Kim, how should the current government approach these trade talks to secure the best possible outcome for its semiconductor industry, especially considering the next administration may have different priorities? (BROWN) 4. On the topic of tariffs, the U.S. has indicated it will impose tariffs on South Korean semiconductors. Bill, what potential effects do you foresee this having on the South Korean economy, and what steps should South Korean companies take to adjust to these changes? (KIM) 5. Considering the growing uncertainty around global trade Prof. Kim, how should South Korean semiconductor companies adapt their production strategies to avoid the impact of these tariffs and maintain their competitive edge in the global market? (BROWN) 6. The semiconductor industry plays a crucial role in both the U.S. and South Korean economies. In your opinion, how important is it for South Korea to maintain strong ties with major American tech companies like Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm, particularly given the rising geopolitical tensions? (KIM) 7. President Trump has expressed interest in tying U.S. military cost-sharing arrangements to the trade negotiations. What risks do you see in linking these national security concerns directly to trade talks, particularly in terms of the semiconductor sector? (BROWN) 8. The U.S. has been focusing heavily on addressing trade imbalances and has pressured countries like South Korea to adjust their trade structures. What actions should South Korea take to address U.S. concerns while protecting its semiconductor industry and other economic interests? (BROWN) 9. Given the ongoing political and economic pressures surrounding U.S.-China trade tensions, how should South Korea strategically navigate these negotiations to avoid being caught in the middle of the two superpowers, especially when it comes to its semiconductor exports to both countries? (KIM) 10. In light of the recent reduction in semiconductor exports to China due to U.S. trade restrictions, what specific steps should South Korea take to ensure its semiconductor industry remains resilient and continues to thrive, both through market diversification and by strengthening its trade agreements with the U.S.?

Lee Jae-myung shares vision for medical system and environment; PPP's 1st round cut-off announced

2025/04/22 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. Presidential primaries heat up in the nation as the June 3rd election approaches. For the latest, our political correspondent Kim Do-yeon is live on the line. Do-yeon, let's begin with the Democratic Party that appears to have a clear front-runner. Jung-min, the front-runner, Lee Jae-myung, was forced into a quiet day on the campaign trail as he appeared in court for one of his ongoing criminal trials. Still, he took to social media earlier in the day to highlight his pledges—ranging from cutting carbon emissions and reducing plastic use, to pushing forward with changes in the medical system. Tomorrow marks the start of the second half of the regional primaries—starting with the southwest, covering the Jeolla-do Provinces and Gwangju City. A liberal stronghold, this region accounts for 27 percent of the Democratic Party's total electors—more than the 18 percent combined from the previous two voting regions, the Chungcheong-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces. Lee Jae-myung, who has so far secured 90 percent of the vote, is expected to travel to the region on Thursday. The candidate in second place, Kim Dong-yeon, laid out his development plans for the region today, while third-place Kim Kyung-soo—looking to turn things around—was the first to arrive there. Let's now turn to the People Power Party. The first round cut-off results are out. Who are advancing to the next round? Right, Jung-min. PPP's presidential primary is now a four-way race with Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo. A 100-percent open survey among PPP supporters and undecided voters took place from yesterday to 3 PM today and those four were the top-scoring candidates among eight. The Party says that due to election laws, exact numbers and rankings cannot be disclosed. Except for Ahn Cheol-soo, the rest were expected to make the cut. Ahn's survival comes amid the first round cut-off rule being new in this election. Having no weighted votes for PPP electors, it was aimed at providing a boost to candidates who appeal to undecided voters. And Ahn was in favor of impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol as opposed to Na Kyung-won, who was seen as Ahn's rival for the fourth spot. Starting with the second round cut-off, the voting will be comprised of 50-percent eligible PPP electors and 50-percent an open survey giving more weight to PPP members than the open survey. All right Do-yeon. Thank you for the latest.

[Weather] Rain until late tonight, back to spring weather tomorrow

2025/04/22 20:00

Strong rain has been falling across the country all day today. In inland areas, heavy rain of 5 to 15 millimeters per hour has been pouring. On the south coast, there are also strong winds along with thunder and lightning. In most areas, 5 to 30 millimeters of rain is expected through the day. This rain is accompanied by gusty winds. With a strong wind advisory in place on the south coast, winds of up to 20 to 25 meters per second will blow in the mountainous areas and coastal areas, 15 meters per second in the rest of the country. Most of it will stop late tonight, but on the east coast, rain will continue until tomorrow morning. Morning will start mild with Seoul and Jeju at 13 degrees Celsius, Gwangju at 16 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 24 degrees in Seoul and Chuncheon, 19 degrees in Busan and Jeju. The temperatures will drop a bit from Friday morning with the temperature in Seoul falling to 7 degrees. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Korean animation "The King of Kings" debuts at #2 in U.S. box office

2025/04/22 20:00

A Korean animation based on the Bible debuted at number two at the U.S. box office and globally raked in millions of dollars on its opening weekend. Lee Eun-jin explains what's special about it. The animated film "The King of Kings," created and produced by Korean studios and filmmakers, debuted at number 2 in the North American box office. With its Korean title translating to "The Life of Jesus," this marks a milestone for a Korean animation on the global stage. According to the U.S. tracking site Box Office Mojo, "The King of Kings" raked in 7-point-0-1 million U.S. dollars across 3,200 theaters in North America on its opening day on April 12th. The film's opening weekend earnings surpassed 19-point-4 million dollars globally, making it the largest debut for an animated biblical movie since 1998's "The Prince of Egypt" and continued its success over the Easter weekend, bringing in 17-point-2 million dollars. "From the outset, we targeted the North American market as our main target audience. The United States is a country founded by Puritans, and although it is not the same as it used to be, it is still a country with a strong Christian cultural tradition, so we were confident that this theme would resonate with audiences. That said, the success has been far greater than we anticipated, leaving us feeling a bit overwhelmed." The story of the life of Jesus is well known, but it had never been made into a feature-length animated film for the theater. Written and directed by Mofac Studio's CEO Jang Seong-ho, who was inspired by Charles Dickens' book, The Life of Our Lord, and tells the story of a father taking his youngest son on a journey through time, to restore their relationship. To this fresh approach, Jang added extraordinary computer graphics and visual effects. Director Jang endured a decade of rejections for investments to bring this film to theaters. But it is now set to make its way around the world with anticipation high for its release in South American theaters before it comes to Korea at the end of July. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

Gov’t holds disaster safety policy session for diplomatic missions to Korea

2025/04/22 20:00

Disasters are something we must always be prepared for, as safety matters to all. And with a growing number of foreign people in Korea, the authorities turn their eyes to ensuring them better access to information in times of emergency who may struggle due to language barrier. Shin Ha-young tells us more. South Korea is no exception to the growing disaster risks caused by various factors such as climate change and urbanization. Already this year, the country experienced one of the worst wildfires in its history in the southeastern region, and an earthquake struck the central city of Chungju. But not everyone can equally respond to disasters. According to the Justice Ministry, the number of foreigners living in South Korea has been growing annually, with over 2-point-6 million living in Korea as of last year. However, they are especially vulnerable to disaster-related risks due to language barriers and cultural differences. To address this issue, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety held on Tuesday the 8th Annual Policy Session on Disaster and Safety Management for Diplomatic Missions to Korea, bringing around 100 participants from 63 embassies. "Apart from disaster management for the Korean people, you're also thinking about foreigners living in Korea. That's a very good gesture from the Korean government. And we have had a lot of cooperation between the Korean government and Laos, including with ASEAN member states." The session addressed a range of topics, including Korea's comprehensive disaster and safety management system and the effectiveness of disaster alerts and emergency text messaging. One way for foreigners to receive emergency alerts is through the Emergency Ready App, operated by the ministry. "Foreign residents can't receive the emergency messages in their native languages because of the technical limitation of cell phone technology. So we developed an app which is called Emergency Ready App." The app offers a multitude of emergency services, including alerts, safety guides, and information on the locations of civil defense shelters, in five languages. The ministry plans to expand the service to 19 languages by August. During the session, improvements in the country's disaster management were also discussed. "As I said in Belgium, we don't have anything like this, so this is already much appreciated. But of course, there's always room for improvement. First of all is to limit the emergency alerts. It's repeated a lot of times every day." Regarding such an issue, the ministry said it is testing a system to cut down on repetitive or similar emergency alerts, aiming to implement it as early as the second half of this year. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Wall Street stumbles as Trump bashes Fed chair Powell again

2025/04/22 20:00

Wall Street ended sharply lower on Monday in response to crude comments by President Donald Trump directed at the head of the U.S. Federal Reserve Jerome Powell, pressuring him to lower interest rates. Lee Seung-jae reports. Wall Street stumbled to a close on the week's first trading session on Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 971-point-8-2 points, or 2-point-4-8 percent, to close at 38-thousand-170-point-4-1. The S&P 500 shed 2-point-3-6 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 2-point-5-5 percent to settle at 15-thousand-870-point-9-0. The so-called 'Magnificent Seven' tech giants all dragged the major indexes lower, with Tesla losing 5-point-8 percent, while Nvidia shed more than 4 percent. Wall Street saw U.S. stocks tumble and bonds sold off as U.S. President Donald Trump threw fresh criticism towards U.S. Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Monday,.. pressuring him to cut interest rates. Taking to social media, Trump said the economy would slow unless Powell, who he called "Mr. Too Late, a major loser," lowers interest rates immediately. Trump had previously called for the U.S. Fed to lower rates, even hinting at Powell's possible "termination." The lack of progress on global trade after Trump announced his reciprocal tariffs earlier this month has also dented investor confidence. Since Trump's announcement on April 2nd, the S&P 500 is down 9 percent, and both the Nasdaq and Dow Jones fell nearly 10 percent. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.