News

S. Korea's exports of dried seaweed, or gim, hit record high in 2025 Q1

2025/04/21 10:00

South Korean dried seaweed, also known as 'gim' in Korean, has proven its global popularity, with its outbound shipments seeing a record high in the first quarter of the year. It was especially popular in the U.S. and China. Our Moon Hye-ryeon has more. The exports of Korean staple gim, or dried seaweed, hit a record high in the first quarter of this year, driven by strong demand from U.S. and China. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation on Monday, Korea's seaweed export value in the first quarter of this year reached 281-million U.S. dollars, or around 402-billion Korean won. That is more than 20-percent increase from the same period last year. Export volume for the first quarter also rose to 10-thousand-161 tons, up more than 7-percent from last year. Compared to the same period in 2015, this marks a massive 844-percent increase over the past decade. Monthly export growth rates compared to the same period last year stood at more than 7-percent for January, over 52-percent for February, and over ten-percent in March according to the Korea Maritime Institute's Fisheries Outlook Center. With the demand from major overseas markets remaining high, the center is expecting to see the exports for this month to also exceed those of both last year and historical average for the same month. By country, the United States was the largest importer of Korean seaweed in the first quarter, followed by China, Japan, and Thailand. The type of seaweed each country prefers is a bit different though. Most of Korea's seaweed exports to China were in the form of dried seaweed, with 2-thousand-258 tons shipped, a whopping 97-percent increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, the U.S. remains the top destination for seasoned seaweed, with exports reaching 1-thousand-367 tons in the first quarter, accounting for more than 30-percent of total seasoned seaweed exports. The Oceans and Fisheries Ministry attributed such growing demand in China, to the popularity of Korean dramas and films, which have sparked a gimbap trend and a surge in dried seaweed consumption. In the U.S., the popularity of seaweed snacks has pushed up demand. With both export volume and value on the rise, the government is expecting gim exports to hit its annual goal of one-billion U.S. dollars this year, two years before the original target date of 2027. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Trump hopes Russia, Ukraine will make a deal this week

2025/04/21 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump said he hopes Russia and Ukraine will make a peace deal this week and join the U.S to "do big business", while the Kremlin says Russia will not extend the 30-hour Easter truce, with both Moscow and Kyiv accusing each other of breaching the ceasefire deal. Lee Seung-jae reports. U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media on Sunday, to express hope that Russia and Ukraine will be able to secure a peace deal this week. According to the U.S. president, if both countries are able to strike a peace deal, they will be able to "do big business with the United States," which he says is "thriving, and make a fortune." Trump's comments come despite his threat to pull U.S. support from the peace process if either Moscow or Kyiv stalls negotiation talks. Meanwhile, on Saturday, the U.S. and Ukraine both called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend his 30-hour 'Easter truce,' and impose a 30-day ceasefire with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposing that Russia abandon drone and missile strikes on civilian infrastructure for at least 30 days. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin gave no such order, and the ceasefire came to an end at midnight Monday. Zelensky accused Russia of violating the Easter truce over two thousand times, while Russia's defense ministry alleged that Kyiv had broken the truce more than one thousand times. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

DP's Lee Jae-myung wins big in regional primaries; PPP candidates clash over Yoon's impeachment

2025/04/21 10:00

The Democratic Party held regional primaries in the country's southeast, where presidential hopeful Lee Jae-myung won by a wide margin in two regions. The People Power Party held its first debate over the weekend ahead of a public opinion poll that will determine four candidates advancing to the second round. Our Shin Ha-young reports. Both rival parties continued their primary races over the weekend. And there were no surprises as Democratic Party front-runner Lee Jae-myung won big again in the regional primary, this time in the nation's southeastern Gyeongsang-do provinces after his earlier victory in the Chungcheong-do provinces. In the latest round of voting, 70-point-8-8 percent of the 103-thousand eligible voters, including party members and delegates, took part. With the announcement made on Sunday evening, the former party leader strengthened his position as the DP's top contender, earning 90-point-8-1 percent of the vote, followed by Kim Kyung-soo with 5-point-9-3 percent, and Kim Dong-yeon with 3-point-2-6 percent. The latest result came a day after Lee's victory in the Chungcheong-do provinces, where he won with 88-point-1-5 percent. Kim Dong-yeon beat Kim Kyung-soo to take second place. The party will announce the results of its primaries in the Jeolla-do provinces on Saturday, and those for the Seoul Metropolitan Area, alongside Gangwon-do Province and Jeju on Sunday. Public polls, accounting for 50 percent of the total, will be held for two days between April 21st and 27th, with the final candidate confirmed on April 27th. Meanwhile, after two days of heated debates, the People Power Party wrapped up its first round of primary debates on Sunday. With eight contestants, they broke the first round debates into two groups and topics: 'Future for the young generations' and 'Social unity'. Lee Cheol-woo , Na Kyung-won , Han Dong-hoon , and Hong Joon-pyo clashed in the 'Social unity' debate over issues including former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and his martial law declaration. Han highlighted the illegality of Yoon's martial law declaration, siding with the pro-impeachment side, while the others criticized Han for leading the push to impeach Yoon. During the 'future for the young generations' debate on Saturday, Yoo Jeong-bok , Ahn Cheol-soo , Kim Moon-soo , and Yang Hyang-ja discussed foreign policy, AI, as well as Yoon's impeachment. During the debates, candidates also focused on promoting themselves, each claiming that they are the best option to defeat the DP front-runner Lee Jae-myung. The party will conduct a 100 percent open poll for two days, starting Monday, narrowing the field from the current eight to four candidates on Tuesday. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea "will not fight" but aim for deal with Washington, as top trade officials meet in D.C. this week

2025/04/21 10:00

South Korea's finance and trade officials are sitting down with their U.S. counterparts this week to hold the country's first tariff talks since Washington put its wide range of levies against its trading partners on hold. Acting President Han Duck-soo has made it clear South Korea will not be fighting but aiming for a 'win-win' arrangement. Oh Soo-young reports. South Korea will not fight but try to make a deal with the United States over Donald Trump's tariffs, as top trade officials meet in Washington this week. Seoul officials confirmed on Sunday that high-level consultations will take place., with Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun flying out to D.C. for a so-called "2+2" consultation. They will meet with their U.S. counterparts Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings. The bilateral was first proposed by the U.S., after the Trump Administration decided to delay its reciprocal tariffs, including a 25 percent duty on South Korean goods. The wide-ranging tariffs were paused for 90 days, after panic in U.S markets, wiped out five-point-four trillion dollars in just 48 hours. Shortly before implementing the pause, the U.S. President held a half-hour phone call with Acting President Han Duck-soo, and ordered officials to prioritize deals with allied countries like South Korea and Japan, projecting optimism that a "great deal" could be made. In an interview with the Financial Times published Sunday, Han said Seoul would not fight the U.S. over its tariffs, but hinted there could be concessions, for a win-win deal between the long-term allies. He suggested South Korea could increase purchases of U.S. liquefied natural gas and commercial aircraft, and that cooperation in naval shipbuilding could help America in strengthening alliances. Han further said Seoul could discuss non-tariff barriers, pointing to existing U.S. concerns about auto emissions regulations, pharma pricing, beef imports, and network fees imposed on platforms like Netflix. It's unclear whether the cost of keeping U.S. soldiers in South Korea will be raised during the session. While Trump has indicated he'd like a "one-stop shopping" deal combining trade and defense issues into a single package, Seoul officials are prioritizing trade talks to tackle tariffs,.. keeping security matters separate. The government has described the meeting as a "consultation," not a "negotiation," signaling a measured approach. The agenda and the schedule of this week's meeting are still being finalized. On whether the U.S. leader might appear at the meeting in person, as he did unexpectedly during talks with Japan last week, South Korea's trade minister said Sunday that Seoul is preparing for such a scenario. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Early summer warmth with fresh air under sunny skies

2025/04/21 10:00

Things have turned much greener outside and we are looking at a pleasant start to the new week. But it's another day with a big temperature swing. It's going to be even warmer this afternoon than it was yesterday! Many parts of the country, including Seoul, are set to experience their warmest day so far this year. Seoul and Chuncheon will reach a pleasant 26 degrees Celsius, and Gwangju and Daegu will be at 25 degrees. The air should be nice and fresh all day with good air quality nationwide. Now, looking ahead, we do have rain on the way. Rain clouds will start to gather over Jeju Island tonight and then spread across the entire country by tomorrow morning. Jeju could receive a summer-like downpour with over 120 millimeters possible there and up to 80 millimeters around the south coast. The rain is expected to clear for most of us from tomorrow evening into the early hours of Wednesday. The early taste of summer warmth will ease off with rain.

Easter egg throwing competition -a long standing Easter tradition in German town

2025/04/21 10:00

In Germany, the 37th annual Easter egg-throwing competition took place on Sunday in the western town of Horhausen. Participants were given a single brightly colored hard-boiled egg to throw as far as possible without it breaking. The longest recorded egg throw to date is 78 meters, set in 2002. Eggs that remain intact are collected and distributed to the crowd, while broken eggs become bird feed. The tradition of Easter egg throwing continues to be a part of Horhausen's Easter celebrations, dating back to the post-Second World War era.

Pope Francis meets U.S. VP Vance on Easter morning

2025/04/21 10:00

Pope Francis met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance for a brief meeting at the Vatican on Easter Sunday morning. During the informal encounter, the two exchanged Easter greetings and briefly discussed themes such as international tensions and migration issues. They had previously clashed over a few Trump administration policies, including the deportation of migrants, which the Pope called a "disgrace." Vance held more formal talks over the weekend with senior Vatican officials, but the Pope did not participate. Later in the day, the pontiff briefly appeared at St. Peter's Square, marking his return after recovery from pneumonia, and delivered his Easter message, read aloud by an aide.

U.S. airstrikes hit Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen

2025/04/21 10:00

The United States launched more airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and the coastal city of Hodeida over the weekend. This comes less than two days after a strike on the Ras Isa oil terminal on the Red Sea coast. On Saturday, local time, U.S. forces conducted 13 airstrikes targeting sites controlled by the Houthis Sanaa and Hodeida, including an airport and a port facility. The airstrikes resulted in at least 3 deaths and 4 injuries. This follows an attack on April 17 on the Ras Isa oil terminal, which reportedly killed at least 80 people and injured more than 150 others. The U.S. military says these strikes aim to degrade the Houthis' offensive capabilities and protect international shipping routes in the Red Sea. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed on Saturday grave concern over the attack on Ras Isa and escalating violence in the region.

Iran and U.S. conclude second round of negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program

2025/04/21 10:00

Let's begin with the second round of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran over the weekend. Fill us in. Sure. The U.S. and Iran have concluded a second round of nuclear talks in Rome on Saturday, and agreed to hold another round this week. On April 19, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi engaged again in indirect talks mediated by Oman at the Omani embassy in Rome. The talks lasted for about four hours, focusing on reviving an agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons while allowing for peaceful nuclear energy use. Both sides reported progress and agreed to begin "expert-level" discussions in Muscat, Oman, starting Wednesday, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for Saturday. Key negotiation points include how to handle Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium and how to ensure that the U.S. does not withdraw from any agreement. The U.S. suggests transferring the uranium to a third country, possibly Russia, while Iran insists on keeping it within its borders.

[WEEKLY FOCUS] BOK holds interest rate steady at 2.75% despite U.S. tariff shock amid "high uncertainty"

2025/04/19 12:00

South Korea's central bank on Thursday decided to leave its benchmark interest rate as it is at 2.75% — a decision that comes amid growing economic headwinds both at home and abroad, including volatile exchange rates for the Korean won against the greenback due to trade uncertainties. For more, we're joined in the studio by our economic correspondent, Moon Hye-ryeon. Welcome, Hye-ryeon. Thank you for having me. Hye-ryeon, let's begin with the decision itself. Yes, the Bank of Korea held its base rate steady at 2-point-7-5 percent during its third Monetary Policy Committee meeting of the year. This follows a quarter-point cut in February, and while the BOK has signaled a general easing stance, it opted to take a wait-and-see approach this time. "Considering the overall uncertain conditions, we decided to maintain our policy stance toward rate cuts, but judged that it would be appropriate to keep the base rate at its current level this time and observe further how domestic and external policy conditions evolve." So rather than moving forward with another rate cut right away, the bank is choosing to pause and reassess, especially in light of volatility in the global economy and capital markets. Why has the BOK decided to hold off on another rate cut, despite its earlier signals? There are several reasons, and a key one is the Korean won. The exchange rate against the U.S. dollar has been on a rollercoaster — surging to a 16-year high earlier this month, then plummeting to its lowest for the year. Right now, the interest rate gap between the U.S. and South Korea is 1-point-7-5 percentage points. A further widening could spark more capital outflows, putting even more pressure on the won. At the same time, global factors are weighing heavily. Trade conflicts, especially involving the U.S., have increased market volatility. The BOK is watching how U.S. tariff policy unfolds, since changes there could ripple across financial markets, impacting Korea's exports and investor sentiment. Domestically, household loans are ticking up again due to a rebound in housing transactions. That also gives the BOK a reason to hold, at least for now, to avoid overheating financial risk. Let's turn to the economy. What's the BOK's assessment of South Korea's current economic conditions? Frankly, the outlook is cloudy. The BOK acknowledged that economic growth was slower than expected in the first quarter. Both domestic demand and exports have taken a hit due to ongoing political uncertainty and deteriorating trade conditions. As a result, the central bank now expects full-year growth to come in below its earlier forecast of 1-point-5 percent. And they stress that the trajectory is "highly uncertain" — especially with trade negotiations still in flux. On inflation, things are more stable. March's consumer price index rose 2-point-1 percent on-year, while core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, climbed 1-point-9 percent. Those figures are more or less aligned with projections, which gives the BOK a bit more leeway to focus on growth rather than tightening to rein in prices. Still, a high exchange rate could push some prices up, so it's a balancing act. So, where does this leave the BOK's policy path moving forward? What are analysts expecting? That's where it gets interesting. Until the end of last year, many predicted two rate cuts this year — one in February and another in May. But now, after this hold, the most widely discussed scenario is three or more cuts before the end of the year. The BOK is signaling openness to further easing, but with caution. Any future cuts will depend heavily on data, and that data includes what the U.S. Federal Reserve decides to do. Let's hear what one expert had to say about that. "Tariffs are a major issue, but they are not the only one. One key factor is the U.S. Federal Reserve. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has made it clear that the Fed is in no rush to cut rates. If the Fed keeps rates high, that means the BOK has less room to maneuver without triggering capital outflows." Finally, what about the longer-term direction? Is the BOK shifting its focus? Yes, some experts believe we're seeing a subtle pivot. While the BOK has historically paid close attention to the exchange rate, especially in times of heightened dollar strength, there are signs it's beginning to prioritize the domestic economy more actively. Another expert told us this. "Korea's exchange rate against the dollar is also affected by the dollar index, the Japanese yen, and the Chinese yuan. So, rather than making decisions based solely on the exchange rate, the outlook is that the Bank of Korea will start focusing more on the domestic economy." And that's in line with the BOK's latest statement. They said they'll continue to monitor growth, inflation, household debt, and external conditions, and adjust policy accordingly to strike a balance between stability and support. So, while the easing bias remains intact, the pace and timing of future rate cuts will be highly dependent on how things evolve, both in Seoul and globally. We'll be keeping a close eye on how that plays out. Hye-ryeon, thank you for your report. Thank you for having me.

PPP presidential hopefuls present vision; DP to hold first televised debate

2025/04/18 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Bae Eun-ji. Partisan primaries are in full gear ahead of the election set for June 3rd. The People Power Party held a round table today with its presidential hopefuls, each speaking on the country's future. And later this evening, the Democratic Party's presidential contenders will face off in their first televised debate. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young starts us off. As the presidential election gets closer, both rival parties are stepping up the pace in their primaries. The People Power Party held a party vision presentation on Friday, where each primary presidential candidate had nine minutes to speak freely on the theme of South Korea's future, following a pre-drawn speaking order. One name that came up among all the contestants, including Kim Moon-soo , Han Dong-hoon and Hong Joon-pyo , was Democratic Party front-runner Lee Jae-myung, as each candidate claimed they were the one best positioned to defeat him. Ahead of the candidates' speech, the PPP floor leader also called for ways to stop wrongdoing by Lee's political faction. "Candidates should explain how they plan to stop the wrongdoing of Lee Jae-myung's political faction if elected president. Please show that the PPP offers a more hopeful and better vision for South Korea than his." The candidates also emphasized that they had no legal risks, while targeting Lee's legal troubles. Friday's presentation was held ahead of the party's first round of debates set for this weekend, with the candidates divided into two groups of four. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has framed the presidential election as a way to end the insurrection scandal and restore the country to normal. "This presidential election is about ending the insurrection and getting the country back on track. What drives change in government and leads to winning the election is the interest and participation of the people." The DP primary candidates will face off in their first televised debate on Friday evening. The 80-minute debate will begin at 8:30 PM, covering politics, the economy, foreign affairs, and social issues. All three candidates have shared a common pledge to fully establish Sejong City, located within Chungcheong-do Provinces, located within Chungcheong-do Provinces, as South Korea's administrative capital, proposing to relocate the presidential office there. Investing in AI has also been a key focus for the candidates. With these issues on the table, the debate is expected to heat up, especially over these policies. Tensions are also expected over tax policy, with preliminary candidates Kim Kyung-soo and Kim Dong-yeon supporting tax hikes, in contrast to Lee Jae-myung. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

(20[Weather] Rain across the country tomorrow, early-summer-like temperatures continue

2025/04/18 20:00

From yesterday, high temperatures continue throughout the country. Around the Gyeongsang-do provinces, which is shown as red on the map, daytime temperatures rose to nearly 30 degrees Celsius today, feeling like early summer already. The temperatures will drop a bit with rain across the country tomorrow. From northern parts of Gyeonggi-do Province and northern parts of Gangwon-do Province tomorrow morning, rain clouds will spread across the country from the afternoon into the night. Loud rain is expected in the central parts of the country with gusty winds and thunder and lightning. Tomorrow morning, Seoul and Gyeongju will start off at 14 degrees, Daejeon, Gwangju, and Daegu at 16 degrees. Highs will move up to 19 degrees in Seoul and Busan, 25 degrees in Daejeon, Gwangju and Gyeongju. For the time being, warm temperatures of around 20 degrees will continue. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Hyundai awarded most best brands on 2025 Best Hybrid & Electric Cars list by U.S. News & World Report

2025/04/18 20:00

Hyundai Motor was awarded the most best brands on the U.S. News and World Report's 2025 Best Hybrid and Electric Cars list for the second year in a row. According to Hyundai on Thursday, the company clinched three prestigious titles, with its IONIQ5, IONIQ6 and Tucson Hybrid models securing top spots in their respective categories. The awards recognize the top electric vehicles in their categories, with over 100 vehicles evaluated across ten categories.

[Arts & Culture] Exploring Korea's centuries-old temple food culture

2025/04/18 20:00

Time now for our weekly Arts and Culture segment. That means we have our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin in the studio. Welcome! Happy Friday! What do you have for us today? Here in Korea, there's a saying: Food is medicine. Temple food is one example, a cuisine steeped in mindfulness, simplicity, and centuries of care. Now, it's on track to being recognized as part of the nation's cultural legacy. Here's the full story. Grinding. Chopping. Boiling. Here, cooking is more than just technique. It's meditation in motion. These colorful ingredients are being transformed into Korean temple cuisine: Soybean soup, 된장국, cucumber kimchi, 오이 김치, and wild greens over noodles. 나물 비빔밥. Each dish reflects core Buddhist values: respect for life and a ban on "five pungent vegetables" believed to disturb inner peace. "I've learned so much, not just about recipes, but about food itself. I used to think vegetarian dishes lacked flavor, but temple food is delicious. It feels light, comforting, and good for your health." "I never really knew how to cook with wild greens. But now, I finally understand how to use ingredients I've always seen at the market." "Korean temple food has finally received the recognition it deserves. Last month, the Korea Heritage Service announced plans to designate it as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. That's food for thought." The agency cited the cuisine's historical continuity, cultural uniqueness, and its ability to evolve with the times. Since the introduction of Buddhism to ancient Korea during the Three Kingdoms period, temple food has been passed down through generations. "In Northeast Asia, especially Korea, monks have traditionally farmed, foraged, and cooked their meals, creating a distinct culinary tradition. Korean temple food centers not only on vegetables and grains, but also on fermented foods like jang and kimchi. That's why it's increasingly seen as both nourishing and in harmony with nature." Because temple cuisine has long been practiced across Korea, the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism spent years systematizing its philosophy, core ingredients, and preparation methods. The upcoming heritage designation is the result of that effort. And next, the Buddhist community is setting its sights on a larger goal: becoming a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. A tradition that treats food as medicine and the body as a temple, now preparing to take its place on the global stage. Let's start with the big question: When will the Korea Heritage Service announce its final decision? The KHS must announce its final decision within 30 days of the initial designation notice. During this period, the agency gathers feedback, both from the public via its official website and from industry insiders in related fields. The final evaluation is made by the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee. Since the announcement was made on March 21st, we can expect the official result sometime next week. And now, let's dig a bit deeper into Korea's temple food culture. You visited some cooking classes for your report. What was that like? The first class I visited was more of a hobby-level course, open to a wide range of participants, from people in their 20s to those in their 50s and 60s. The second class, though, was much more specialized. It was for students preparing for the Korean temple food specialist certification, a nationally recognized exam held twice a year. Over 5-hundred people have passed it since it was first introduced in 2015. It includes both written and practical exams, and many of the students there were motivated by health reasons, or had plans to turn their training into a business, especially as demand for temple food continues to grow. I didn't even know there was an official certificate for temple food chefs. Fascinating. And it seems like interest is spreading globally, too. For our viewers overseas, any way they can experience Korean temple food for themselves? Yes, I asked the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism the same question. They've been working with Korean Cultural Centers abroad to hold lectures and cooking classes internationally. And if you're planning to visit Korea, I highly recommend stopping by the Korean Temple Food Center and the Institute of Korean Temple Cuisine 'Hyangjeoksegye,' both near Anguk Station on Line 3. There, you can explore the history of temple food and even try making some dishes yourself. Both institutions also offer English-language websites. Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin, thank you for that report. My pleasure.

U.S. strikes Yemen fuel port; Houthis report at least 38 killed

2025/04/18 20:00

U.S. military airstrikes on Yemen's Ras Isa fuel port on Thursday killed at least thirty-eight people and injured over one-hundred. That's according to media affiliated with the Iran-backed Houthi militants. While U.S. Central Command did not comment on the casualty figures, it stated that the strikes were aimed at cutting off the funding and resources to the Houthis. If confirmed, this would mark one of the deadliest attacks, under the Trump administration, since the U.S. launched its biggest military operation in the Middle East last month. The United States has pledged to continue its strikes until the Houthis halt their attacks on Red Sea shipping routes.

Trump says Ukraine close to signing minerals deal with U.S. as peace talks start in France

2025/04/18 20:00

A critical minerals deal may finally be sealed between the U.S. and Ukraine amid efforts to ensure a ceasefire to halt Russia's aggression against Kyiv. Byeon Ye-young reports. U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that Washington and Kyiv could sign a minerals and economic cooperation deal as early as next week. "Well, we have a minerals deal, which I guess is going to be signed on Thursday, Scott (Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent), next Thursday, soon. And I assume they're going to live up to the deal, so we'll see. But we have a deal." While Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later clarified the likely signing date as April 26th, the agreement appears close to finalization. Later the same day, Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced on X that Ukraine and the U.S. had signed a memorandum of intent. Although she did not mention a minerals deal directly, she wrote that the memorandum would pave the way for economic cooperation and Ukraine's reconstruction, adding that the final agreement would benefit both nations. When asked about Russia's response to a ceasefire proposal, Trump said he expected a reply soon and reaffirmed his desire to end the war. "We'll see what that will be. We're gonna be hearing from them this week, very shortly, actually. And we'll see, but we want it (the war) to stop. We want the death and the killing to stop." Meanwhile, Ukraine and the U.S. joined Germany, France and the U.K. for high-level talks in France to discuss ending the war. The participants expressed support for Trump's peace efforts and discussed steps toward a lasting peace — including a full ceasefire, deployment of multinational troops, and stronger security guarantees for Ukraine. The five nations are set to reconvene in London the following week to move toward a comprehensive end to the Russia-Ukraine war. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang news.

Powell's termination cannot come fast enough: Trump

2025/04/18 20:00

In related news. Trump snapped back at Fed Chair Jerome Powell, a day after the central banker warned of potential economic consequences such as inflation, in the face of sweeping tariffs. However, national banks around the world appear to be on the same page as Powell. Lee Seung-jae reports. U.S. President Donald Trump continued to increase the pressure on U.S. Fed chairman Jerome Powell on Thursday, stressing that he should lower interest rates. He also said Powell's "termination cannot come fast enough." Trump's comments on Powell came a day after the U.S. Fed chair warned of potential economic consequences from U.S. tariff policies, saying they would likely generate "higher inflation and slower growth." Trump also responded to a reporter's comment at the Oval Office on the same day, that Powell said he wouldn't leave his post even if told to by the U.S. leader. "Oh, he'll leave, if I ask him to he'll be out of there. I don't think he's doing the job. He's too late. Always too late. A little slow, and I'm not happy with him. I let him know it. And if I want him out, he'll be out of there real fast, believe me." However,.. Powell's concerns appear to have been echoed by other central banks around the world. This includes the European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, who said the sharp increase in tensions in international trade and the resulting uncertainty are likely to reduce exports in the euro zone and lower growth. World Bank President Ajay Banga also expressed his concerns over Trump's tariff policies earlier this week, stressing that tariff hikes create conflicts that result in lower transparency and growth. International organization are also warning of an economic slowdown. The World Trade Organization said international trade volumes will decrease this year, while the International Monetary Fund said that there will be a notable downward revision in the new economic outlook report to be released next week. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Trump says U.S. will make deal with China over the next 3-4 weeks

2025/04/18 20:00

Over in the U.S., President Donald Trump has shown confidence on reaching a trade deal with China, saying it's just weeks away as other countries line up to negotiate tariffs. Meanwhile, Washington also rolled out new port fees targeting Chinese ships, potentially a win for Korean shipbuilders. Our Shin Se-byuck has the latest. U.S. President Donald Trump says he believes trade negotiations with China will be done over the next 3 to 4 weeks. "We'll have a deal. I think we're going to make a very good deal with China. I think that you will see we'll make a good deal with China." During an executive order signing ceremony on Thursday, Trump said the U.S. is in talks with China, adding that Beijing had reached out several times. Earlier the same day, during his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Trump also brushed off concerns about China allying with Southeast Asian nations to counter U.S. tariffs, adding that "nobody can compete with" Washington. Meanwhile, in a move to curb China's influence in the global shipbuilding and shipping sectors and promote U.S.-built vessels, Washington announced new port fees targeting Chinese ships. The U.S. Trade Representative's office said Thursday that port entry fees will be imposed on Chinese shipping companies, firms operating Chinese-built ships, and foreign-made car carriers. The fees will be introduced gradually starting October 14, 180 days after the announcement. The rate will begin at 50 U.S. dollars per net tonnage and rise annually to reach 140 dollars per ton by 2028. Industry watchers say the move is expected to benefit South Korean shipbuilders, which compete directly with China. Until now, many shipping companies have opted for more affordable Chinese-built vessels, but with the added cost burden, orders may shift toward Korean shipyards. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.

"Freedom Flag," S. Korea and U.S. large-scale joint air exercise kicks off its two-week run

2025/04/18 20:00

South Korea and the U.S.' joint large-scale air drill the "Freedom Flag", began its two-week journey this week. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyung had a chance to get a closer look. Fighter jets fly through the air, making thunderous sounds. This, as part of South Korea and the U.S.' large-scale joint air power exercise the "Freedom Flag" at Gwangju Air Base. Held two times in a year, combining "Korea Flying Training"과 "Vigilant Defense, " this over two-week journey began on Thursday. Aiming to advance combined air power capabilities, while improving interoperability between pilots from both countries, the 24-hour operating Mission Planning Cell organizes the exercise, for pilots to embark on their missions. Approximately 11-hundred personnel join the drill, and more than 90 aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles such as U.S. MQ-9, take part in the event. "This drill will serve as a chance to further strengthen the combined defense posture and enhance our joint response capabilities against various threats on future battlefields." Another notable part is that the drill will also be based on complex scenarios against a high-level simulated threat, involving an advanced stealth jet. "This is a U.S. Marine Corps' F-35B, one of the U.S. stealth fighter jets that came from Japan. Along with ROK F-35As,. these fifth-generation jets will play the role of "red air" enemy aircraft for the first time during the exercise." "By putting a stealth fighter, our most capable, on the red side, it gives our pilots, our airbound managers, everyone involved, a more difficult problem to try and solve. So, by going against a capable threat, we're just enhancing our own capability through these missions." By carrying out high-level air-to-air combat missions, and working side by side, South Korea and the U.S. expect bolstered trust, building upon the alliance. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News, Gwangju.

Korean Democracy from 4.19 to Impeachment: Growth and challenges through the eyes of international experts

2025/04/18 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. South Korea's democratic evolution has been fast and hard-fought — from the April 19 Revolution in 1960 to the impeachment of two presidents in a little over a decade. These events reflect not only political turbulence, but also the strength of a civic culture that continues to push for accountability and reform. Recent developments — most notably the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol — have sparked new debate about the state of Korean democracy: its resilience, its institutions, and the public's role in shaping it. At the same time, concerns are rising about political polarization, generational divides, and democratic backsliding, as noted in recent international reports. Today, we ask: How far has Korean democracy come? What challenges lie ahead? And what lessons can be drawn from its unique path? For answers to this, we connect to Mark Peterson, Professor of Korean Studies at Brigham Young University, Welcome. Also joining us is Alexis Dudden, Professor of History at the University of Connecticut. Great to have you. 1. (Peterson) Professor Peterson, democracy in South Korea has undergone numerous experiences in a short period, from the April 19 Revolution to the recent impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. As someone who has long studied Korean history and democracy that you even wrote a paper on the May 18 Democratization Movement, how developed would you say Korean democracy is today? 2. (Dudden) Now to Prof.Dudden, in particular, what significance do you think the recent impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol holds for Korean democracy? And what implications does it have for other countries? 3. (Peterson) So, Prof. Peterson, South Korea has gone through the democratic process of impeaching a president twice. How do you assess the impact of these experiences on the institutional maturity of Korean democracy? 4. (Peterson) Compared to the West, Korea has a shorter history of democracy. Yet it has relatively steadily and consistently achieved democratic consolidation. What do you think is behind this? 5. (Dudden) Korea's democracy is often seen to have advanced through large-scale protests such as the May 18 Democratic Uprising and the candlelight rallies during former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment. Prof.Dudden, in this latest impeachment of former President Yoon, protests were largely driven by younger generations. How do you see this culture of protest influencing Korean democracy? 6. (Peterson) On the other hand, the V-Dem Institute under the University of Gothenburg in Sweden recently published its Democracy Report 2025, which stated that Korea's level of democracy declined compared to last year, and that autocratization was underway. What is your opinion on this Prof. Peterson? 7. (Peterson) Then, what do you see as the current threats and challenges facing Korean democracy? 8. (Dudden) Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the impeachment crisis, citizens' political fatigue has intensified. There are concerns that this could lead to decreased trust in political parties or political apathy. Prof. Dudden, what measures do you think are necessary to sustain civic engagement for the long-term development of Korean democracy? 9-10. (Both) Amid challenges such as political polarization and the crisis of trust in the media, in what direction do you think Korean democracy should head?