News

S. Korea's consumer sentiment rises for second month, driven by expectations of political stability

2025/02/20 10:00

South Korea's consumer sentiment has risen for the second consecutive month, reflecting growing optimism over future political stability. According to the Bank of Korea on Thursday, the Consumer Sentiment Index for this month reached 95-point-2, marking a 4-point increase from the previous month. This is the largest jump since June 2021. Officials said that expectations of political stability and rising stock prices led to an improved outlook on living conditions. However, the index has not yet returned to pre-martial law levels.

Acting Pres., Nat'l Assembly Speaker, leaders of PPP, DP to discuss state affairs

2025/02/20 10:00

At the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon, Acting President Choi Sang-mok, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, ruling People Power Party leader Kwon Young-se and main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung will sit down for a four-way meeting to discuss state affairs. At this first meeting of the 'joint consultative body between the government and the National Assembly', they are expected to discuss details of the supplementary budget for this year, as well as measures to support the domestic semiconductor industry and improve the national pension system. The meeting is being held to "stabilize state affairs" following the aftermath of the martial law back in December.

On-point: Yoon's impeachment trial nears end; criminal trial kicks off

2025/02/20 10:00

It's going to be another long day for President Yoon today. His impeachment trial may be nearing an end, but he's now in the face of another trial this time a criminal trial on insurrection charges. We turn to Professor Pak Eun-seok for more. Thanks for joining us. 1. Yoon's criminal trial proceedings kicked off just minutes ago. What should we expect from today's session? 2. Another hearing over a request to cancel his arrest is also taking place. He obviously can't make it there since he's at his criminal hearing. How will this session go? 3. The 10th and final hearing of President Yoon's impeachment trial takes place later this afternoon. Will President Yoon speak up and deliver final arguments himself? Why do you think so? 4. Prime Minister Han and President Yoon will face each other for the first time since the martial law declaration in December. What kind of scenes do you expect to see? What kind of statements might Han make? 5. Some experts say there'll be one last hearing after the 10th one on Thursday. If so, why would the Constitutional Court feel the need to hold one more? Thanks so much for your time and your insight. We appreciate it.

Live: Will Prime Minister, police chief testify against Pres. Yoon at Thursday's impeachment trial?

2025/02/20 10:00

Despite Yoon's criminal trial proceedings beginning this morning, the Constitutional Court rejected a request by the President's lawyers to postpone today's impeachment hearing, which looks to be the last, or next-to-last hearing in the trial. For more, let's connect to our Oh Soo-young. Q1. While there are concerns the overlapping schedule weakens Yoon's right to legal self-defense, the Constitutional Court has decided to push ahead. That's right. The tenth impeachment hearing will start at 3 PM, an hour later than initially planned, with three witness examinations beginning with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Han previously said that the President didn't hold a proper cabinet meeting before declaring martial law on December 3rd. This has been a major ground for impeachment as the Constitution requires a Cabinet meeting and related procedures to implement martial law. However, Han's lawyer on Wednesday appeared to clarify his position to say that due to the urgent circumstances, the Cabinet did not follow normal procedures but whether it was legitimate or not is for the court to decide. Former intelligence official Hong Jang-won who was summoned as a key witness for the National Assembly's side will return to the Court for further questioning by Yoon's legal team. Hong claims there was a list of 14 to 16 figures President Yoon wanted to arrest under martial law. Hong believes he was ordered to aid the Counterintelligence Command in tracking down and detaining the individuals. National Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho will be forced to attend, after two absences due to illness. He's told prosecutors that Yoon ordered him to arrest lawmakers on the night martial law was declared,.. and heard from the Counterintelligence Commander 15 names of politicians and judicial figures to detain. However, we need to wait and see what he says today. Previous witnesses who testified unfavorably for Yoon have ended up altering their words in Court, leading to conflicting statements. Q2. For now, Thursday is the last hearing date scheduled for the trial. What comes next? Experts say the Court is likely to add one more session to wrap up the arguments made by each side and hear the President's final statement. A ruling will likely be made in the first half of March, as in past impeachment trials, the verdict normally took about two weeks to reach. Now, President Yoon's lawyers have said they might apply for more witnesses after a day of review, but it's unclear whether the Court would approve, given how they've rejected most of the over thirty candidates, and emphasized a swift trial process. Now as the Court continues to push through with the proceedings and shoots down requests by Yoon's team, his lawyers have said they might embark on a 'big decision' which they hinted could involve their collective resignation as a show of protest. I see. Tensions remain high as the impeachment draws to an end. Thanks for your coverage today.

Putin expresses satisfaction over recent U.S.-Russia talks

2025/02/20 10:00

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he was pleased with the results of the recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, while a rift between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is raising concerns of its potential impact on the negotiation talks. Lee Seung-jae reports. After Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefed on the outcome of the recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, the Russian leader expressed satisfaction, saying that he rates the talks "highly." "I rate them highly; there are results. They were open to the negotiating process without prejudice and condemnation of what has been done in the past." When asked about the exclusion of Ukraine from the recent talks in Saudi Arabia, Putin said Ukraine would not be excluded in future talks. "As for the negotiating process, President Trump told me during our phone call, I can confirm it, that, of course, the U.S. assumes that both Russia and Ukraine will take part in the negotiating process. Nobody is excluding Ukraine from this process. So, there are no reasons for such a reaction to the Russia-U.S. meeting." However, a war of words between the leaders of the U.S. and Ukraine is raising concerns of its potential impact on future negotiations. After the conclusion of the U.S.-Russia talks U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's public approval rating was "down to 4%." Zelenskyy responded that Trump was living in a "space of disinformation," and expressed hopes that the U.S. leader and his team get a "clearer understanding" of what's really going on in Ukraine. Ukraine was not the only country left out of the recent negotiation talks. European countries were also absent, forcing their leaders to hold their own emergency meeting. The major talking point has been whether or not the European allies of Ukraine should send troops for further assistance. Germany, Italy, Spain, and Poland expressed reluctance,.. however, the UK said it is prepared to send its forces to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit the U.S. next week, hopeful they too can take part in negotiations to end the Ukraine war. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. Korean trade ministry holds meeting with major companies to address U.S. tarrifs

2025/02/20 10:00

South Korea's efforts to survive through another round of Trump's tariff salvo continue This morning, officials from Korea's Ministry of Trade, along with representatives from major companies and think tanks, met to coordinate a response strategy. Our Kim Jung-sil reports. In response to the latest trade measures announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, South Korea is upping its efforts to protect key industries. On Thursday, the Ministry of Trade held a high-level meeting with senior officials from nine major companies, including Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, to discuss how to handle the looming tariffs targeting steel, aluminum, and key industries such as automobiles and semiconductors. Minister for Trade, Cheong In-kyo emphasized that the government is fully mobilizing its channels with the U.S. to help South Korean industries overcome the uncertainty they are facing. He added that the government will strengthen collaboration with private think tanks to refine its response strategies. At a separate meeting, the Trade Ministry held the second session of the Industry Policy Council in Seoul, chaired by Deputy Minister for Industrial Policy Lee Seung-ryeol. The meeting brought together officials from 10 major sectors, including semiconductors, automobiles, steel, and biotech to discuss the latest developments. Industry representatives called for bold tax incentives, including extended investment tax credits, expanded tax breaks for strategic tech facilities, and direct tax credit refunds to boost investment. Both the government and private sector are to work closely with counterparts in the EU and Japan, who face a similar situation. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Vehicle tariff rate will be around 25%: Trump

2025/02/19 20:00

We start over in the U.S. where President Trump has floated the idea of a 25-percent tariff, as expected, on cars and chips entering the American market. Lee Seung-jae has the latest. In his first month back in the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump has been focused on taxing imports coming into the United States, citing unfair trade. During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Tuesday, he was asked about the specifics of automobile tariffs that he had hinted at earlier. “Yeah, I probably will tell you that on April 2nd. But it'll be in the neighborhood of 25%.” Trump also said that it's likely that he will announce a 25-percent tariff on chips and pharmaceuticals coming into the United States. However, with pharmaceuticals, he hinted that while it will be initially 25 percent or higher, it will go up significantly over the course of a year. Due to the massive tariffs that Trump plans on imposing, the U.S. leader said that major car and chip companies have already approached his administration, hinting that new plants are now likely to be built in the United States. “I do want to say, while I'm up here, I've been contacted by some of the biggest companies in the world. And because of what we're doing economically and through tariffs and taxes and incentives, they want to come back into the United States. And we'll be announcing various very large companies, the biggest, actually, and they'll be coming back, having to do with chips and having to do also with cars and lots of other things." Meanwhile, President Trump has commented on the North Korean troops who have fought alongside the Russian military in the Kursk region for the first time since taking office. According to Trump, many North Koreans have been killed fighting in the war. The comments also come as his administration is holding talks with Russian officials to discuss a plan to end the war in Ukraine. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[Weather] Cold spells across the country throughout the week, dry conditions across the country

2025/02/19 20:00

Currently, cold wave warnings are in effect in Gangwon-do Province and cold wave advisories have also been issued in Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, and northern parts of Gyeongsangbuk-do Provinces. Tomorrow and Friday morning, the temperature will plummet to minus 7 degrees Celsius and it'll hit minus 8 degrees on Saturday in Seoul. In addition to dry weather warnings in place for the east coast, dry weather advisories have also been issued in Seoul and other inland areas. With strong winds blowing, please take extra precautions not to cause any wildfires. Tomorrow morning will start cold nationwide. Seoul and Gyeongju will start off at minus 7 degrees and Chuncheon at minus 11 degrees. Daytime temperatures will move up to 1 degree in Seoul and 5 degrees in Daegu, Gyeongju and Jeju. Colder than usual conditions will continue for the time being. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

From 24-hour self-service ramyeon shops to unique stores: S. Korea’s evolving ramyeon scene for foreign tourists

2025/02/19 20:00

Korea's ramyeon has been garnering quite a big following on the global stage with a growing number of travelers to the country starting their travel agenda with a trip to popular ramyeon hotspots. Our Lee Eun-hee takes a look. Visitors from around the world have flocked to this unique spot: a 24-hour, self-service ramyeon, or South Korean instant noodles shop located in the heart of Seoul, Jongno-gu district. This ramyeon shop offers foreign visitors over 60 varieties of instant noodles to enjoy anytime, with options for all tastes, including mild, spicy, vegan, and Halal. "Cooking instructions and safety guidelines are available in multiple languages, ensuring easy access for everyone. The preparation methods vary for different types of ramyeon, with special Halal-only options also provided." "We often see tourists coming straight from the airport. Since unmanned stores are not common in many countries, people are usually surprised by our setup. Many also ask if the payment system works properly." Another unique ramyeon spot is 'Neoguri's Ramyeon Shop,' which opened in January and serves ramyeon made by Nongshim, one of South Korea's leading food companies. A second store opened at the Hyundai Outlet Dongdaemun, located in central Seoul, following the success of the first store, which sold an average of 12-thousand bowls per month between September and November last year. "I came here because I had this ramyeon in Japan before. The soup was smooth and very delicious." "It was attractive that I could choose and eat ramyeon freely, and the ramyeon I ate was also very delicious." The ramyeon store's owner says that some milder-flavored products, which don't sell well in S. Korea, are popular among Japanese and American customers. "We've tailored our selection to include the most popular products. Additionally, we have Muslim customers who often seek vegan options, so we've made sure to include those as well." According to the Korean food ministry, ramyeon exports, reached a record of over 1 billion U.S. dollars, or around 1-point-5 trillion Korean won, by October 2024, marking a 30-percent increase from 2023. "Before heading back to Japan today, I stopped by because it looked interesting. Seeing this ramyeon, which isn't available in Japan, made me wish I could have it there too." As Korean ramyeon gains popularity, visiting self-service ramyeon shops to cook and enjoy instant noodles on the spot has become a must-do activity for foreign visitors to Korea. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

SEVENTEEN ranks third in Global Artist Chart 2024 by IFPI

2025/02/19 20:00

K-pop boy bands remain popular all around the world. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry on Wednesday, SEVENTEEN was ranked third in its Global Artist Chart 2024, following Taylor Swift and Drake. Stray Kids and ENHYPEN were fifth and 14th respectively. The Industry publishes its Global Artist ranking based on sales across streaming, downloads, and physical albums and shows each year's recorded music industry trend.

Does Korea want to impeach President Yoon?

2025/02/19 20:00

Tomorrow will be the final day of impeachment trial hearings at the Constitutional Court before the verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol. Our political correspondent Kim Do-yeon is here in the studio on what the public thinks and what this could mean. Do-yeon, first, walk us through polling done on this issue. Jung-min, as you said the impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court is wrapping up soon, and the decision will be coming out within the next couple of weeks. Now, the Constitutional Court does not, by any means, have an obligation to listen to public opinion, but the public does have their own opinions. Let's look at the latest data. Gallup Korea's poll of 1-thousand-and-4 people from February 11th to 13th showed that while 57-percent of the respondents were in favor of Yoon's impeachment, 38 percent weren't. This is an increase, if you look at the numbers before this, although it is moving slowly. Meanwhile, the far right number shows the polls just a week after the declaration of martial law, when 75-percent wanted impeachment while 21 percent were against it. So, there has been an apparent rise in the number of those against Yoon's impeachment as the trial progressed. 2. Would you break down the numbers? What has changed since the declaration that people seem to have changed their minds? There could be a number of factors. But first and foremost, this is what we need to consider. The impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court is solely based on the Constitution and the legality of the declaration of martial law. However, that's not something the average citizen can make their own opinion about, and so other factors will influence their answer. In fact, looking at just the latest data, when those against impeachment were asked the reason for their response, the number one was because they didn't like what the opposition was doing. So when the polling was done on the 11th through the 13th Yoon had already made 6 appearances at the Constitutional Court possibly using this as a stage as a means to communicate with the public. And, of course, he made a series of accusations against the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, stating it was making it hard for him and his government to function. This includes the series of impeachment motions passed by opposition parties' lawmakers in their attempts to put the brakes on the administration's governance. On the other hand, the number one reason for those in favor of impeachment was that the declaration of martial law was unacceptable. But all in all is 38 percent a significant number in this case? An expert says not really. "The more important thing is that still well over 50 percent agree on impeaching the president. To clarify, if there are nearly 60 percent of people in favor of impeachment, it's okay to certainly think the majority of the nation want the impeachment." 3. But does this mean anything to the judges at the Constitutional Court? To put it simply it shouldn't. The Constitutional Court justices will only look at what's written in the books. However, there is something to consider, if there are different opinions on a case the public will watch closely and there will be some who are not happy. As this will be the case, then the Constitutional Court will have the burden to be extremely thorough and fair so that when the decision comes out, the public accepts it. And right now, the nation has been ideologically split in half. For example, when former impeached President Park Geun-hye was being tried at the Constitutional Court back in 2017, the last poll before the ruling was made had only around 20 percent against impeachment. And the bench unilaterally approved it. Now, there could be a split decision at the court, and whatever the result is, either side's supporters could show discontent with the trial process. Especially for those in support of President Yoon, as the numbers slowly rise, the Court wants to be extra mindful. Take a listen to an expert on this. "They know that the public is keenly interested in this case, and they are watching every move of the Constitutional Court very closely. So I think that, as I said, they'll be bending over backward either in allowing more deliberations or selecting the witnesses even though they might not think it is necessary." All in all, while there are polarized political views it will be important for the nation to accept the decision of the Constitutional Court to avoid further chaos. Thank you, Do-yeon.

Court wraps up PM Han Duck-soo's impeachment trial hearing in 90 mins

2025/02/19 20:00

The Constitutional Court will deliberate on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment case, after deciding to conclude the trial in 90 minutes at the first hearing on Wednesday. The hearing was held 54 days after the opposition-led National Assembly voted to remove him from office, as Han, who was also Acting President at the time, held back on approving new Constitutional Court justices until a bipartisan agreement was reached. Addressing the 8-member bench, Han said the decision was consistent with the country's constitutional tradition, in which judicial nominations are always decided through bipartisan agreement. Han also denied allegations that he had enabled martial law, and said he vetoed contentious bills railroaded through by the opposition-led parliament as they included unconstitutional clauses. To this, the National Assembly's impeachment panel co-chair Jung Chung-rae insisted Han had disrupted the nation by not appointing three justices as the opposition wanted. Separately, the Court also held a hearing for a dispute case filed by the ruling People Power Party, as it clashed with the opposition over the required number of votes to impeach Han.

Government announces measures to bolster regional construction

2025/02/19 20:00

A host of measures has been unveiled to bolster regional construction by expanding related development projects, as struggles in the sector have become a cause of concern. Our Park Kun-woo has more. At an economic policy meeting held in Seoul on Wednesday, the government unveiled plans to boost the local economy, especially in the struggling construction field. "We're facing downward pressure due to a delayed recovery in domestic demand, and rising external uncertainties. The construction sector, hit by fewer orders, is seeing sluggish investment and employment, delaying any regional recovery. The government will boost support for the sector in its first quarter spending plan." This comes after the Bank of Korea predicted another decrease in construction investment this year, following a decline last year. Among the plans the government put forward are underground railway projects, worth around 3 billion U.S. dollars, in the cities of Busan, Daejeon and Ansan. These cities were chosen as their local governments have already completed discussions, regarding the project areas and cost-sharing with the central government. The projects involve either putting elevated railways running through the city center underground, or covering them with deck structures while developing the surrounding land for residential and commercial facilities. The government also plans for the state-owned Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) to buy around three thousand unsold apartments in areas outside the capital region. This follows an increase in the number of unsold houses in regional areas at the end of last year that nearly doubled compared to 2023. On Wednesday, the government hinted at the possibility of even increasing the number of purchases, depending on market conditions. Additionally, new strategic projects exempt from greenbelt zone restrictions will be announced next week to enable more flexible land development. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Divided opinions on supplementary budget at National Assembly

2025/02/19 20:00

Lawmakers across the aisle are poles apart over details of a supplementary budget ahead of a crucial meeting tomorrow. Our correspondent Lee Shi-hoo covers the contention. On Wednesday, the day before the much-anticipated first meeting of the joint consultative body between the government and bipartisan leaders at the National Assembly, the main opposition Democratic Party continued to urge prompt processing of the supplementary budget. Party Chairman Lee Jae-myung, who has insisted on a nationwide spending voucher for all citizens to revive the economy, even hinted that he was willing to forgo such an objective, if it leads to the approval of the budget. "If the 'consumption voucher' is absolutely impossible and they just really can't do it, why not spend money on job creation and support for business start-ups? I hope we can discuss this together at the joint talks on state affairs." The DP has proposed an additional budget of 35 trillion Korean won, or roughly 24.3 billion U.S. dollars. While the ruling People Power Party agrees with the need for additional financing to boost the economy, it argues the DP must first restore the money it cut in the first place. The PPP insists on what it calls a "tweezers" budget that would selectively support the most crucial areas in need. This way, the party says, they can assure fiscal soundness. "The PPP's rule for the supplementary budget is to "spend on the most urgent areas" somewhat like picking them out with a pair of tweezers. Our first priorities are measures for the self-employed and small business owners who are directly affected by the stagnant economy." Kweon said the ruling party is open to negotiations as long as the main opposition apologizes first on cutting "key budgets for the next generation." Meanwhile, the joint talks between the government and the Assembly, slated for Thursday, were originally scheduled for earlier this month but were postponed due to disagreements on the specifics of the agenda. At the upcoming meeting, Acting President Choi Sang-mok, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, 그리고 the leaders from the rival parties are expected to discuss not only the budget, but other key pending issues, such as measures to support the domestic semiconductor industry and improve the national pension system. Lee Shi-hoo, Arirang News.

S. Korea commits to welcoming N. Korean POWs from Ukraine

2025/02/19 20:00

South Korea is committed to providing the necessary protection and support for North Korean soldiers captured as prisoners of war in Ukraine who decide to come to this country. That's according to the foreign ministry on Wednesday, following a local media interview with a North Korean soldier captured in Ukraine who recently stated that he wished to go to South Korea instead of returning to the North. The ministry noted that North Korean military personnel are considered, quote, "our citizens" under the Constitution, and that no individual should be repatriated to a place where they may face persecution against their will. It said it has already conveyed such intention to Ukraine and will continue necessary consultations.

U.S., Russia agree to work toward ending Ukraine war, after holding first peace talks without Ukraine

2025/02/19 20:00

In Saudi Arabia back on Tuesday. Talks between the top diplomats of the U.S. and Russia yielded consensus for setting up a separate team to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji reports. Top diplomats of the United States and Russia held talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, marking their first formal meeting aimed at ending the Ukraine war, since it began three years ago. Following the meeting that lasted around 4 and a half hours, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that he's convinced Russia is willing to engage in a "serious process" of ending the conflict and said this was the first step of a long and difficult journey. "In order to bring an end to any conflict, there has to be concessions made by all sides." Rubio's Russian counterpart described the conversation as "useful," but said his country will not accept NATO troops in Ukraine as part of any peace deal. "We explained today that the presence of troops from NATO countries under a foreign flag, under the flag of the European Union, or under national flags, it does not change anything. This is, of course, unacceptable to us." The two countries said they agreed to hold more talks , and added they will appoint 'high-level teams' to begin working on a path to ending the war as soon as possible. Following the talks, Rubio held phone calls with his counterparts from the UK, France, Germany, and Italy in an apparent move to reassure the European countries over concerns that they may have no place in the peace negotiations. Meanwhile, as Ukraine was not invited to Tuesday's peace talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said negotiations to end the war in Ukraine should not take place "behind the backs of" the parties involved. "You can talk about anything, but no decision can be made without Ukraine on how to end the war in Ukraine. We were not invited to this meeting – the U.S.-Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia -it was a surprise for us, as well as for many." In response, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed Kyiv's concern about being left out, and almost suggested that Ukraine was to blame for a war that began only after Russia's invasion. "But today I heard, well, 'we weren't invited.' Well, you've been there for three years. You should have ended it three years. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal." Trump also hinted that he may meet Russian President Vladimir Putin very soon. As he walked out of the press conference in Mar-a-Lago, he answered "probably," when asked if he's still expected to meet Putin before the end of this month. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

S. Korea, U.S., Japan diplomats reaffirm goal of N. Korea denuclearization

2025/02/19 20:30

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus, I'm Kim Mok-yeon. The chief diplomats of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan reaffirmed their resolve to rid the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons, easing concerns over a potential shift in U.S. policy. The three countries also made it clear in a joint statement that they reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea. This gave reassurance to Seoul, particularly after Trump's comments referring to the North as a "nuclear power" raised concerns in South Korea, as they led to speculation that Washington could be shifting away from its focus on denuclearizing North Korea. Despite this unity, challenges remain in aligning diplomatic strategies. With North Korea rejecting talks, expanding its military capabilities, and deepening ties with Russia, questions arise about the effectiveness of sanctions and the future of diplomatic engagement. For a deeper discussion on this, we're joined in the studio by Go Myong-hyun, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy. Welcome back. Dr. John Nilsson-Wright, Head of the Japan and Koreas Programme at the Centre for Geopolitics, the University of Cambridge (GO) 1. So at the trilateral meeting in Munich, diplomats from Seoul, Washington and Tokyo signed a trilateral statement emphasizing strong deterrence against North Korea's military activities. How do you assess the current state of extended deterrence provided by the U.S. to its allies, especially with the second Trump administration, and what additional measures might be necessary? (NILSSON-WRIGHT) 2. How about you Dr. John Nilsson-Wright? The Biden administration, and now the second Trump administration, have both maintained a strong stance on North Korea's denuclearization. Given the apparent lack of progress, do you see a need for a shift in diplomatic strategy, or is maintaining pressure the best course of action? (GO) 3. Despite keeping its official stance of the complete denuclearization of North Korea, the U.S. State Department separately emphasized its "openness to dialogue" with North Korea following the foreign ministers' meeting. Dr.Go, What does this discrepancy suggest about the alignment between Seoul and Washington on North Korea policy? (NILSSON-WRIGHT) 4. North Korea has flatly dismissed denuclearization as a "failed dream of the past" adding that it rejects Washington's action in the most resolute tone. But some experts are putting meaning to whom these words came from, which was the regime's foreign ministry and not Kim Jong-un himself, leaving room for negotiations. Dr. John Nilsson-Wright, how do you read into this? (NILSSON-WRIGHT) 5. So if Washington continues to do this, what are the chances of a direct Washington-Pyongyang summit soon? (GO) 6. North Korea reportedly deployed tactical surface-to-surface guided missiles to North Korea's long-range artillery positions and command facilities. How significant is this development and what is it capable of Dr.Go? (NILSSON-WRIGHT) 7. Meanwhile, Pyongyang's military cooperation with Moscow continues to deepen. Daily NK says North Korea has recently dispatched a defense technology delegation to Russia to upgrade the regime's missile and radar technologies. North Korea aims to establish a fully operational aircraft assembly line by the end of this year. It seems like the cooperation is further helping North Korea's weapons development, how much should we be concerned Dr. John Nilsson-Wright? (GO) 8. Alongside military cooperation, reports suggest North Korea is planning to export pharmaceuticals to Russia, which is against UN resolutions. What does this imply about the evolving economic ties between Pyongyang and Moscow? (NILSSON-WRIGHT) 9. The UN has strict sanctions on North Korea's trade, yet Pyongyang continues to find ways to circumvent them. Dr. John Nilsson-Wright, How effective are these sanctions in their current form, and should the international community consider alternative approaches? What options are available?

[Weather] Cold wave warnings expanded, dry conditions across the country

2025/02/19 17:00

The last cold wave of this winter is getting more severe day by day. The air feels colder than yesterday across the country. In Pyeongchang in Gangwon-do Province, the temperature dropped to nearly minus 20 degrees Celsius today. The cold wave warnings and advisories have been further expanded around the inland areas of central parts of the country. In addition, there are dry weather warnings in place for east coast areas, and dry weather advisories have also been issued in Seoul and other inland areas. With strong winds blowing, please take care not to cause fires in these areas. Tomorrow morning will start cold nationwide. Seoul and Gyeongju will start off at minus 7 degrees and Gwangju at minus 4 degrees. Daytime temperatures will move up to 1 degree in Seoul and 6 degrees in Busan. This cold spell is expected to finally end early next week. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Leaders of India and Qatar hold talks to boost bilateral ties

2025/02/19 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatar's Emir have elevated bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. During Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's two-day official visit to New Delhi, both leaders signed an agreement establishing the partnership, reflecting their commitment to deepening cooperation across various sectors. While the current trade volume between the two nations stands at approximately 14 billion U.S. dollars, the new partnership aims to increase the figure to 28 billion dollars by 2030. Discussions also included the potential signing of a free trade agreement, to facilitate more active economic exchanges. Also, both countries signed a revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, aimed at fostering a more conducive environment for business and investment. Poland's President Andrzej Duda announced Tuesday that the United States had assured Poland that there would be no reduction in American troop presence in Eastern Europe. Duda said U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg, confirmed the U.S. commitment to maintaining its current military presence in Eastern Europe. Currently, approximately 10,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Poland, which is an increase following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The U.S. established its first permanent military base in Poland in 2023. The assurance aligns with Poland's ongoing efforts to bolster its defense capabilities, and underscores the strategic partnership between the two countries. It comes against the backdrop of heightened security concerns in Eastern Europe, regarding potential threats from Russia. Chinese tech giant Huawei unveiled on Tuesday its tri-fold smartphone outside China. The Mate XT Ultimate Design is the first phone in the world to feature a dual-hinge system, where the flexible OLED display can expand from a compact 6.4 inches to a tablet-like 10.2 inches when fully unfolded. It operates on Huawei's proprietary software instead of Google services. The Mate XT's starting price point is approximately 3,660 U.S. dollars, and is currently listed for sale in several countries, including Malaysia and Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. Pre-orders have reportedly surpassed 6.5 million units. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

S. Korea's 'Stephen Hawking' students pursue their studies despite rare muscular disease

2025/02/19 17:00

Up next we share with you an uplifting tale of triumph over genetic disorders thanks to tailored medical attention to allow for a relatively normal life like going to college. Kim Jung-sil reports. A ceremony honored young individuals with muscular dystrophy who continue to pursue education. This rare type of disease can affect movement, speech, and even breathing. However, with personalized care at Yonsei Gangnam Severance Hospital’s pulmonary rehab center, they’ve overcome numerous challenges. 20-year-old Ji-seong has been a patient at this hospital since he was a child. Still undergoing treatment, Ji-seong will start university as a freshman next month. "In the past, my breathing difficulties made daily life very uncomfortable. But now, I'm able to deliver a speech like this and take part in events and school activities, which is truly wonderful." The perseverance of these students has been made possible by the medical support of experts like Professor Kang Seong-woong, a leader in this field. "Watching these students overcome their struggles makes me realize what I’m going through is not a big deal. While I help my patients, I’ve received a lot of help myself." Professor Kang also shared his approach to treating his patients. "Just like how a weak leg requires a cane for support, these patients need specialized breathing support. My goal is to help them choose the right breathing method so they can continue their social activities and lead fulfilling lives." These students' achievements prove that with the right care and determination, anything is possible. "He has grown up healthily and has worked harder on his studies than we ever expected. We are proud and very grateful." The resilience of these students paves the way for a bright future and serves as an inspiration to never give up. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.