News

U.S. designation of S. Korea as 'sensitive country' goes into effect, despite Seoul's efforts to resolve issue

2025/04/15 17:00

Working-level negotiations between government officials here and their American counterparts are underway to remove South Korea from the U.S. Energy Department's list of "sensitive" countries that went into effect today. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji has details. The U.S. Energy Department's designation of South Korea as a "sensitive country" has taken effect, as of Tuesday midnight local time. The DOE reportedly put its Asian ally on the lowest tier of the "Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List" in January, shortly before then-President Joe Biden left office for it to take effect on April 15th. Korean researchers visiting laboratories in the U.S. will now be required to get approval by submitting relevant documents at least 45 days in advance. This led to fears that it could possibly hinder collaboration between Seoul and Washington in areas such as nuclear energy and artificial intelligence. In response, South Korea's Foreign Ministry reassured the public on Tuesday, saying that the government is actively in talks with the DOE to resolve the situation as soon as possible. But it added that it needs more time for South Korea to be removed from the list, as this matter is proceeding in accordance with the U.S. internal procedures. The ministry also clarified that Washington has said the designation will not significantly impact joint research projects. "During a recent working-level consultation between the two countries, the US Department of Energy reaffirmed that the designation of South Korea as a sensitive country will not affect on-going or future research and development cooperation between Seoul and Washington." The comments come after South Korea's Trade Minister Ahn Deok-geun met with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Washington last month, where the two sides agreed to continue cooperation to swiftly resolve this issue. The Foreign Ministry also noted that South Korea has been on the list in the past and was removed through similar diplomatic efforts. According to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office in 1996, South Korea was previously on the DOE's sensitive country list from January 1993 to June 1996. But the report added that South Korea was a country no longer considered sensitive as of July 28th, 1994. The Foreign Ministry has repeatedly explained that it was told South Korea's inclusion is due to security-related issues rather than foreign policy concerns. But some experts in Seoul have suggested that it has to do with growing discussions on the need for South Korea to acquire its own nuclear weapons capability. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

Xi Jinping begins state visit to Vietnam seeking joint response to U.S. tariffs

2025/04/15 17:00

Beyond borders. Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a SOUTHEAST Asia tour in a bid to rally the region against the Trump administration's tariff campaign. Lee Seung-jae covers his first agenda in Vietnam. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at Hanoi International Airport on Monday, to begin his two-day visit to Vietnam. The trip to the communist nation comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he's pausing reciprocal tariffs on most countries for 90 days while focusing his trade war on China. During his visit, Xi called on Vietnam to join China in upholding multilateral trade and countering Washington's tariff policies. Xi also signed dozens of cooperation agreements with Vietnam after holding talks with To Lam, the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee. While the contents of the agreement have not yet been released, Xi's visit also comes as Vietnam has been tightening controls on some trade with China, to make sure products exported to the U.S. with a "Made in Vietnam" label have sufficient added value, after pressure from Washington. In order to bypass U.S. tariffs against Chinese goods, Beijing would ship products to Vietnam before they are exported to the U.S. as "Made in Vietnam" products. The Chinese leader will also visit Malaysia and Cambodia from Tuesday to Friday. The two countries have seen increased trade and investment with China in recent years. However, it's also worth noting that Vietnam and Cambodia were among the highest hit by Trump's sweeping reciprocal tariffs, set at 46 percent and 49 percent, respectively. As the U.S and China exchange tariff after tariff, Southeast Asian nations are growing increasingly anxious about being caught in the mix. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Gov't proposes larger extra budget for disaster, trade response

2025/04/15 17:00

The Finance Ministry has proposed an extra budget of TWELVE TRILLION won or some EIGHT BILLION U.S. dollars. The proposal was made during a ministerial economic meeting earlier on this Tuesday during which Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said the government will submit what he called the "necessary" supplementary budget to the National Assembly next week. The budget up 1-point-4 billion U.S. dollars from the initial proposal includes 2 billion dollars for disaster response 3 billion dollars for trade and AI and 3 billion dollars for small businesses and vulnerable groups.

S. Korea's auto exports to U.S. drop in first quarter, even before tariffs take effect

2025/04/15 17:00

Findings show Korea's overall auto exports rose on year during the first quarter of 2025 but shipments to the U.S. market declined over 11 percent despite the absence of U.S. tariffs prompting much concern about future trade performance in the presence of such import duties. Park Jun-han explains. South Korea's automobile exports in March were valued at 6.24 billion dollars — the second-highest figure for the month on record. Data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy on Tuesday showed that the earnings from automobile shipments posted year-on-year growth in both February and March, marking two consecutive months of gains. Year-on-year auto exports to Asia and the Middle East in the first quarter saw significant increases of 37% ( 1) and 22.7% ( 2), respectively. However, preliminary data shows that shipments to the United States fell by 11.2% ( 3) over the same period compared to last year. The auto industry is concerned that the decline in exports to the U.S. will lead to a fall in South Korea's overall exports, as the 25% auto tariff could further reduce demand. "We expect that exports to the U.S. will likely continue to decline this year, as prices rise due to tariffs and demand in the U.S. market drops significantly. With demand from the U.S. weakening, South Korean car companies need to look for alternative markets to help make up for the shortfall." As South Korea's automobile industry is directly under the influence of the United States' tariff policies, the trade ministry laid out a policy support framework for Korean companies last Wednesday, after the tariffs went into effect. The ministry said that it plans to swiftly implement necessary support measures and respond flexibly by closely monitoring both the extent of the damage and the progress of negotiations with the United States. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Washington says trade talks with S. Korea scheduled for next week

2025/04/15 17:00

A fresh round of tariff talks between Seoul and Washington is likely to take place next week as officials from the two governments seek common ground on trade. Our Shin Se-byuck has more. Trade negotiations between South Korea and the U.S. could take place next week. That's according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, on Monday during an interview with Bloomberg TV. Bessent said that the U.S. held talks with Vietnam last week, with Japan scheduled for Wednesday, and South Korea penciled in for "next week," and added negotiations will proceed quickly. The Wall Street Journal reported on 월요일 that the Trump administration is prioritizing negotiations with five countries, namely South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, India and Japan. Meanwhile, Seoul's trade minister, Ahn Duk-geun, could visit the U.S. as early as next week for negotiations with Washington. Acting President Han Duck-soo on Monday announced plans to dispatch a delegation to the U.S., led by the Trade Minister, to launch negotiations with Washington. Minister Ahn previously visited the U.S. in February and March following the launch of the Trump administration to convey Seoul's stance on Washington's tariff plans. One expert says South Korea should consider increasing imports from the U.S. to help narrow its trade surplus, a move that could serve as a bargaining chip in the talks. "Seoul needs to increase its imports from the U.S. — such as energy, agricultural, and livestock products — to help narrow its trade surplus with Washington, so that, in turn, it can secure tariff reductions on crucial items like automobiles." He also added that Seoul could ease non-tariff barriers on relatively low-volume goods, such as meat and produce, in exchange for concessions in sectors that account for a larger share of South Korean exports. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.

SEOUL'S STRATEGY ON N. KOREA AMID ELECTION

2025/04/15 17:00

Welcome to Press Perspective. It's Tuesday April 15th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sun-hee. As South Korea prepares for an early presidential election it also faces as some media outlets point out "critical choices" about its future policy on North Korea. For more on this reality and on the current efforts to ease tensions on the peninsula I have Ruy Valdes a correspondent for Spanish news agency EFE Spain. Ruy welcome back. I also have Professor Ban Kil Joo at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. Professor Ban it's a pleasure. 1) Ruy, before we explore the options to defuse tensions on the peninsula, let's start with North Korea's celebration of the birthday of its late founder today, that is April 15th. What are some of the related events to mark this day? 2) Professor Ban, Unification Minister Kim Young-ho was in Japan last week to reaffirm commitment to North Korea's denuclearization. What are your thoughts on the timing of this latest diplomatic call especially ahead of South Korea's early presidential election? 3) Professor Ban, also last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo-jong dismissed what she referred to as the "daydream" of denuclearization, declaring that Pyongyang's nuclear status is permanent. How do you interpret her words? 4) Ruy, against this backdrop, the fate of American soldiers stationed here has been rendered uncertain as Mr. Trump demands South Korea shoulder a heavier burden of related expenses. But U.S. military authorities have been quick to point out any change in the status quo of American troop presence in Korea will be "problematic". Do elaborate on this stance for us. 5) Professor Ban, the Trump administration is seeking to tie its tariff policy and defense cost-sharing with South Korea into one negotiation package. How do you respond to this reality? 6) Meanwhile Ruy, recent reports also claim South Korea and the U.S. under the Biden administration signed a new war plan to better respond to North Korea's nuclear advancements. Do tell us more about this plan. 7) Ruy, there is speculation about a trilateral meeting among the leaders of Russia, North Korea and China in Moscow next month amid the Kremlin's celebration of its Victory Day. What are the prospects of such a meeting? 8) Professor Ban, amid efforts to ensure a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, some pundits have been questioning the impact of such a deal on Russia's ties with North Korea. What do you foresee happening to Moscow's ties with Pyongyang post war in Ukraine? 9) Ruy, South Korea recently established diplomatic relations with North Korea's long-time ally, Syria. What is the significance of this event, and what has been the international response? 10) Professor Ban, starting on this Tuesday, the U.S. Energy Department's inclusion of South Korea on its list of "sensitive" nations takes effect. How does this look to affect bilateral cooperation? All right.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/15 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The opening ceremony for the "2025–2026 Korea-China-Japan Year of Cultural Exchange" has taken place in Tokyo, marking the start of an initiative aimed at deepening cultural cooperation between the three neighboring countries. Korea's First Vice Culture Minister Yong Ho-seong pledged to expand trilateral cultural exchanges and work toward establishing East Asia as a global cultural hub. His Japanese counterpart, Atsushi Nonaka, highlighted that the initiative is important not only for cultural collaboration but also for strengthening broader Korea-China-Japan relations. Korea will lead several key exchange programs, including joint musical performances, a friendly Go tournament, and a youth artist exchange exhibition. The Ulsan 'Taehwagang Maduhee Festival,' known as Korea's first major summer festival, has been rescheduled to June 13 to 15. That's to avoid overlapping with early voting for the snap presidential election, set for May 29 and 30. Held under the tagline "Escape the Ordinary, Dive into Taehwagang," the festival will take place in Ulsan's downtown and along the Taehwagang River. More than 40 programs are planned, including a large-scale tug-of-war, diverse river activities, a marketplace, and a reenactment of a traditional parade. This year's festival will offer expanded river-centered attractions, including hydro-flying water shows and other aerial aquatic performances. Jeju Island has unveiled its cruise industry promotion plan for this year. The plan aims to boost the island's cruise tourism sector by capitalizing on the increased number of cruise calls and a new semi-homeport operation set to be launched in May. Gangjeong Port in Jeju is set to become Korea's first semi-home port for cruise ships starting next month. The plan outlines detailed measures to induce longer stays and greater spending by cruise passengers as part of efforts to revamp the domestic economy. A total of 6.8 billion won, or around 4.8 million US dollars, will be invested across five key projects to support the initiative. Jeju Island's cruise market has shown steady growth, with more than 300 cruise calls and up to 800,000 visitors expected this year. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Short-form] Korean rice cakes making waves in Japan

2025/04/15 14:00

“K-tteok” is the new hit in Japan with competitive pricing, diverse varieties, and everyday convenience. Now, it’s setting its sights on the global stage!

[Hallyu People] Hailey Brooke Weiss on KBO, Korea and her husband

2025/04/15 14:00

Thirty foreign players are active in Korea’s baseball league this season, which kicked off on March 22. Since the introduction of the foreign player system in the KBO in 1998, Korea has seen a growing number of global players and their families move to the country and get lots of love and attention from baseball fans. For today's Hallyu People we are happy to connect live with Hailey Brooke Weiss, CEO of Power Move Marketing. and wife of Hanwha Eagles’ pitcher Ryan Weiss to talk more about her husband, baseball, social media and life in Korea. Hello Hailey Brooke! 1-1) First off, could you briefly introduce yourself to our viewers? 1-2) So, you’re back in Korea with Hanwha’s pitcher Ryan Weiss, your husband, for a second year. How do you feel about it? 2) We could feel your sincere gratitude after Mr. Weiss signed with the Hanwha Eagles, when you posted about it on your social media account back in November. What does this contract mean to both of you? 3) Let’s talk more about Mr. Weiss and his fandom here in Korea. Hanwha Eagles fans call him the “Daejeon Jesus”. What do you think about this nickname and his growing popularity in Korea? 4) Haley Brooke, you must be at the ballpark all the time these days, do you have any memorable stories to share from any of your husband’s games, maybe episodes you had with fans? 5) Let’s compare the baseball cultures in the U.S. and Korea. What’s different, what do you like about Korea and what do you like about baseball back home? 6) Besides baseball and baseball culture, you mention other cultural aspects of Korea on your social media. Please share some of that. Maybe something you were surprised about? 7) I’m sure you've experienced K-pop, K-dramas or even Korean food back in the U.S. But, has your perception of Korea changed to any extent now that you live here? 8) Do you have some final words for Ryan/Mr. Weiss and his team or fans? Thank you very much Hailey Brooke Mrs. Weiss for connecting with us today, Thank you Walter as always. We'll see you back tomorrow.

[K-wave] Korea steps up push to list 'hanbok' culture as UNESCO heritage

2025/04/15 14:00

Korea is stepping up efforts to have 'hanbok' culture recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. From government initiatives to private sector campaigns, a wide range of efforts are underway to protect, preserve, and promote its cultural significance. Our Han Da-eun takes a closer look. With its graceful lines, vivid colors, and exquisite design, 'hanbok' is more than just a traditional attire—it's a reflection of Korean history, value, and identity. But hanbok has become quite distant from everyday life in Korea, and at times, has been the subject of groundless debates over its origins. To safeguard hanbok from cultural misappropriation and to further promote its beauty and significance worldwide, Korea's leading hanbok experts have come together to launch the 'Hanbok Globalization Foundation.' Its primary goal is to have hanbok culture recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Around 180 prominent figures from hanbok-related industries have joined the group. "Hanbok is unarguably Korea's unique traditional costume and an essential part of the country's cultural heritage. Hanbok culture should've been recognized by UNESCO long ago." The government has recently been accelerating efforts to preserve and promote hanbok. In 2022, it designated hanbok as a national intangible cultural heritage, and last year, it unveiled the "Basic Plan for Promoting Traditional Cultural Industries" to integrate traditional culture into modern industries. "We frequently see foreigners wearing hanbok and taking photos at Korea's traditional palaces. Hanbok has transcended time, evolving into a "hip" and trendy cultural expression." A hanbok fashion show was held at the Paris Olympics, and specially designed hanboks will be crafted for world leaders attending the upcoming APEC Summit in Gyeongju this fall. Hanbok is not just a symbol of Korea's cultural identity but a living tradition that plays a vital role in cultural industry. As the government and private sector continue their efforts, it's time for citizens to embrace hanbok more closely to ensure it thrives as a vibrant part of modern life, both at home and abroad. Han Da-eun, Arirang News.

[K-Enter] BLACKPINK's Jennie: "It's like a dream"

2025/04/15 14:00

So Walter, we've got more Coachella news today! Who would've thought years ago that we would have this much of a K-pop presence on the Coachella stage. Yesterday, we talked about BLACKPINK'S Lisa and ENHYPEN's performance there, now it's time to talk about BLACKPINK's Jennie. How did she go? Yes, Jennie took the stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California. On Sunday evening, local time, Jennie appeared at Coachella’s Outdoor Theatre wearing a stylish Western-style hat and sunglasses, and began her performance with her solo song “Filter.” She went on to perform her pre-release track “Mantra” from her first solo album, along with songs like "Handlebars,” “ZEN,” “F.T.S.,” and “Like JENNIE.” Of course, she put on an amazing performance filled with great choreography, showing how she's a not just a member of a girl group but a fantastic solo performer. Jennie shared her thoughts, saying, "I didn't expect this many people to show up. It really looks like a huge crowd. Thank you for coming to my Coachella stage." Jennie is scheduled to perform once more at Coachella on April 20. We didn't expect anything less than amazing from Jennie, I am sure her second crowd will be just as big. Moving on to news about NCT WISH. On Monday, NCT sub-unit boy group NCT WISH released their second mini album “poppop”. NCT WISH is a multinational boy group based in Japan that debuted in February 2024. Among the six members, four are Japanese, and two are Korean. They are also the “youngest” unit among SM’s various NCT sub-groups, following predecessors like NCT U and NCT 127. Their second mini album includes a total of six tracks: the title song “poppop”, “Melt Inside My Pocket”, “Design”, “1000”, “Silly Dance”, and “Still 3PM”. The title track “poppop” is a dance-pop song that blends a bouncy melody with NCT WISH’s bright and refreshing vibe. The new album surpassed 1.21 million pre-orders, significantly exceeding the 800,000 pre-orders of their first mini-album. Great to see their popularity grow with each new release. Finally we move onto a new film set to be released next month, who is it from? I believe this might be a good year for Korean director Hong Sang-soo. First, with the recent news of his child with actress Kim Min-hee and now a film to follow. It was confirmed on Monday that director Hong Sang-soo’s new film “What Does That Nature Say to You” is set to be released on May 14, making it Hong’s 33rd feature-length film. Partner Kim Min-hee also took part as the production manager. The film follows the story of Dong-hwa , a poet in his 30s, who makes an unexpected visit to the home of his lover Jun-hee . The film was selected for the competition section at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival held in February 2025, but did not win any awards.

Trump signals tariff relief for auto industry following exemptions on electronics

2025/04/15 10:00

The Trump administration could be easing its trade pressures some more, as automakers and tech giants push back on looming tariffs. Our Moon Hye-ryeon leads us this morning. U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled another wave of temporary tariff suspensions — this time, for the auto industry. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said that he was looking to help car companies with potential pushbacks on his 25 percent tariffs on complete vehicle and parts imports. “"I'm looking at something to help some of the car companies where they're switching to parts that were made in Canada, Mexico, and other places, and they need a little bit of time because they're going to make them here, but they need a little bit of time.” He did not specify when this pause would be implemented nor how long automakers would be granted relief. Levies on fully built vehicles took effect on April 3rd, and those on parts are due to be implemented in stages no later than May 3rd — prompting automakers to lobby for exclusions over the past few weeks. Shares of U.S. car companies, including General Motors and Ford Motor Company, peaked following his comments — reflecting investor optimism that the administration may be softening its stance, at least temporarily, to cushion the impact of trade tensions on vehicle manufacturers. Trump also mentioned that he had spoken to Tim Cook, the head of Apple, and “helped” him and “that whole business”. On Friday, the Trump administration granted exemptions for popular consumer electronics from weighty tariffs on Chinese products and the baseline tariff on imports from other countries, stating that these products would instead be levied based on its national security investigation on semiconductors. Amid these shifts in trade policy, the U.S. stock market has seen fluctuations — and following these exemptions, Wall Street showed gains on Monday. The Dow Jones and S&P 500 both ended around point-eight percent higher than the previous session, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq rose more than point-six percent. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

[Weather] Cooler than norms but pleasant spring day overall

2025/04/15 10:00

It's hard to believe we are in mid-April. It was another chilly start here in Seoul with the wind chill. We will see temperatures start to climb as the day goes on, but it's still going to feel cooler than usual for this time of year. Meanwhile, some of the upper inland regions, including Paju and Chuncheon, saw subzero morning temperatures, but readings will climb fast, along with plenty of sunshine. So as you could tell, the last few days of the wet spring cold snap helped to ease the dryness in the air and cleared the dust the only concern today, in terms of weather, is somewhat chilly spring conditions. Seoul gets up to 14 degrees, Daegu and Gyeongju rise to 17 degrees under mostly clear skies and decent air quality. The good news is that temperatures will generally be on the rise for the next few days, but we will have those significant temperature swings between day and night. So, definitely keep that outer layer handy to stay comfortable during the cooler mornings and evenings.

Meta faces historic antitrust trial that could force it to break off Instagram, WhatsApp

2025/04/15 10:00

A landmark antitrust trial against U.S. tech giant Meta Platforms kicked off on Monday in Washington, D.C. The Federal Trade Commission is seeking to force the tech giant to break Instagram and WhatsApp off from Meta. It alleges that the tech giant bought the platforms in a strategic move to eliminate competition and establish a monopoly in the social networking market. CEO Mark Zuckerberg defended the company's actions, saying the acquisitions enhanced consumer experience, citing competition from platforms like TikTok and YouTube. The trial is expected to span approximately eight weeks and could result in potential structural changes for Meta.

Italy says Rome to host U.S.-Iran nuclear talks

2025/04/15 10:00

The United States and Iran are set to hold a second round of nuclear negotiations in Rome on Saturday to follow discussions in Oman, which both sides described as "positive" and "constructive." Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, confirmed on Monday that Rome will host the upcoming negotiations, after requests from both parties and mediator Oman. The first round of talks in Muscat, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi, marked the first direct discussions after years of indirect communication between the two states.

Trump meets El Salvador's president amid questions over deportations

2025/04/15 10:00

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, reinforcing their alliance on immigration enforcement amid controversy over deportations. In a meeting at the Oval Office on Monday local time, President Trump and President Bukele discussed their ongoing cooperation on immigration policies. The discussions came in the wake of a Maryland resident mistakenly being deported to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center despite a U.S. court order preventing his removal. Both leaders have declined to facilitate his return, with Bukele stating he lacks the authority to "smuggle a terrorist" back into the United States, and Trump officials asserting that the responsibility lies with El Salvador. Also during the meeting, President Trump praised President Bukele's efforts in combating gang violence and suggested the possibility of expanding deportations to include U.S. citizens with criminal backgrounds.

Fmr. President Yoon denies insurrection charges at first criminal trial hearing

2025/04/15 10:00

The first hearing in the criminal trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol took place on Monday. There, he defended himself and reiterated his long claim that the December martial law order was non-violent. Shin Ha-young reports. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol denied charges of insurrection at the first hearing of his criminal trial on Monday. During the hearing, prosecutors pointed to Yoon's actions leading up to his martial law declaration, claiming he aimed to "undermine the constitutional order" to foment a coup. Yoon pushed back, claiming the martial law declaration was intended as a peaceful message to the public, and "not a coup d'état." His legal team asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that the indictment was unlawful. It brought up the issue of the detention period, stating the indictment was filed after it had expired. Two key witnesses, including Cho Sung-hyun from the army's capital defense command, testified at the hearing. Cho said he was ordered to send troops to remove lawmakers from the National Assembly on the night of the martial law order, repeating his earlier testimony given at the Constitutional Court in February. Yoon arrived at the Seoul Central District Court on Monday morning, as he is required to attend the trial in person. This comes 10 days after he was removed from office. The court did not allow media filming in the courtroom, explaining that the request came in too late for the appropriate judicial procedures to be followed. However, it added that if the request is submitted again for the next hearing, the court would review it. To convict Yoon of insurrection, prosecutors must prove that he intentionally tried to undermine the constitutional order by using the military. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty. The next hearing is scheduled for next Monday. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Presidential election D-50: candidates from both sides drop out due to primary rules

2025/04/15 10:00

We are now counting down less than 50 days to the early presidential election. Rival parties have now set their own primary rules but with little consensus. Our Kim Do-yeon has the details. South Korea's major political parties are gearing up for their presidential primaries, but controversy is brewing for both sides, with candidates dropping out. The Democratic Party of Korea's previously announced rules for the competition -50-percent eligible DP members and the other 50 by an open survey -were the issue. In the past two presidential primaries, anyone who signed up in advance could participate in the voting regardless of party membership history. This is why Kim Du-kwan said it's against tradition and the party's spirit and dropped out of the race on Monday. Kim Dong-yeon also said the rules aren't fair but accepted the changes. DP's election committee on Monday brushed off the claims and started its first meeting. "The early election needs to be an answer to the call of those who filled the streets. The committee will be fairer, transparent, and more stable than ever for this primary." Despite the controversy, a new high-profile participant entered the race on Sunday -former Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Kim Kyung-soo. As for the rules, he accepted them. But the DP's front-runner Lee Jae-myung didn't comment on them. He continued to promote his candidacy by visiting an AI chips company on Monday, pledging 100 trillion won or around 73 billion U.S. dollars of investment into AI industries. Meanwhile, the People Power Party's official registration started on Monday, with the deadline set for Tuesday. "I know it's tough times, but I ask good candidates to come forward. Our Party's primary principle is clear. All candidates will be at the same starting point and under same standards." However, the issues seen with its rival party were seen in the PPP as well. Its tactical voting prevention measures asking respondents for the party they support during open survey and excluding those who support opposition were the problem. With some saying that to expand support, this measure has to be scrapped. However, the rule stuck, and former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min said he will not be joining the PPP primary in protest. In addition, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also declared that he is not joining the PPP primary, but didn't specifically mention that the decision came in protest of the rules. On Monday, however, Hong Joon-pyo, the latest Daegu Mayor, joined the race as he'd previously announced. He focused on the need to beat DP's Lee Jae-myung, and that he's the only candidate who's able to compete with Lee. Now the public waits to see if the candidates who dropped out will still run as independents. With such a short election season, this could have impacts on both parties. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

On-point: Where is Trump's tariff flexibility on autos coming from?

2025/04/15 10:00

Trump's hint at tariff relief is indeed good news for many but it's also important to read behind Trump's tariff formula. For that, we turn to Professor Greg Buchak this morning. Welcome. 1. U.S President Donald Trump is now considering pausing his auto tariffs. Where is this flexibility coming from? 2. The Trump administration says it'll prioritize its allies including South Korea, Australia, the UK, and Japan when it comes to tariff negotiations. Will that be helpful? Great news for South Korea? Or not really? 3. Trump also signaled flexibility on iPhones. Is this generosity to help Apple? Where is THIS flexibility coming from? 4. China is looking to survive through Trump's tariff pressure. Isn't President Xi Jinping on a trip to Vietnam? 5. The U.S. has also begun national security probes into semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports. How much information and what kind of data does the government collect for the president to adjust imports to the U.S. and make a final call? Thanks so much for connecting with us today. We appreciate it.

Washington says trade talks with S. Korea scheduled for next week

2025/04/15 10:00

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that trade negotiations with South Korea could take place next week. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Bessent said that the U.S. held talks with Vietnam last week, with Japan scheduled for Wednesday, and South Korea penciled in for "next week." He added that negotiations will proceed quickly. The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the Trump administration is prioritizing negotiations with South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, India and Japan. Meanwhile, Seoul's industry minister, Ahn Duk-geun, could visit the U.S. as early as next week for negotiations with Washington. He's expected to seek an exemption from the sweeping U.S. reciprocal tariffs.