News

U.S. State Dept. reaffirms denuclearization goal for N. Korea after strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities

2025/06/25 11:33

Washington on Tuesday reaffirmed the Trump administration's commitment to the "complete denuclearization" of North Korea, after the United States launched strikes at key nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend. When asked whether there was a "lesson" for Pyongyang to learn from the U.S. strikes on the Iranian nuclear facilities, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stressed that the administration remained committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea. However, she added that if the North Korean nuclear issue can't be resolved through dialogue, the State Department was open to "speculation on hypotheticals at this point."

Stock

2025/06/24 23:41

2025. 6. 24. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,103.64 ▲89.17 +2.96% KOSDAQ : 800.93 ▲16.14 +2.06% KOSPI200 : 417.76 ▲13.44 +3.32% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 38,790.56 ▲436.47 +1.14% HANG SENG : 24,177.07 ▲487.94 +2.06% SHANGHAI : 3,420.57 ▲38.98 +1.15% WALL STREET (June 23) DOW JONES : 42,581.78 ▲374.96 +0.89% NASDAQ : 19,630.98 ▲183.57 +0.94% S&P500 : 6,025.17 ▲57.33 +0.96% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,360.20 (-24.10) JPY : 937.26 (-2.17) CNY : 189.57 (-3.07) EUR : 1,580.14 (-13.05)

Israel and Iran tensions escalate after claims of ceasefire violations

2025/06/24 23:40

Just hours after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran took effect, tensions have once again escalated. Israel accuses Iran of violating the ceasefire with missile launches, while Iran denies the claims. Our Kim Jung-sil has the latest. In a dramatic escalation, Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has ordered the Israel Defense Forces to "respond forcefully" to what he called a violation of the ceasefire by Iran. Israel claims it detected missile launches from Iran, just hours after both countries agreed to halt hostilities earlier Tuesday. Air defense systems were activated, and citizens were urged to seek shelter as the missiles were reportedly intercepted. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a close ally of Prime Minister Netanyahu, also took to social media, posting: "Tehran will shake." However, Iran has denied the accusations. Iranian state media quoted General Abdolrahim Mousavi, the military's chief of staff, who stated that no missiles have been fired towards Israel in the past few hours. A senior Iranian security official also told CNN that "No missiles have been fired at the enemy" since the ceasefire took effect at 7:30 AM local time. Iran's Supreme National Security Council also issued a warning, stating that any further Israeli aggression would be met with a "decisive and firm" response. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire earlier on social media, urging both sides to adhere to the agreement. In a Truth Social post, Trump said: THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT! The coming hours will be pivotal in determining whether peace holds, or if the situation escalates further. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

[Weather] Heavy rain across the country until tomorrow

2025/06/24 23:39

Monsoon rains have been falling around the country today, and will continue until tomorrow. As for the amount of rainfall, about 20 to 70 millimeters will fall in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, 20 to 60 in central regions and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, and up to 40 millimeters in the Jeolla-do provinces. In some areas, winds will be gusty, and thunder and lighting are also expected. Most of the heat wave has died down today, and the daytime temperature in Seoul tomorrow will be around 25 degrees Celsius, about 5 degrees lower than today. However, it will move back up to nearly 29 degrees once the rain has stopped. Tomorrow morning will start warm at around 19 to 21 degrees Celsius with rain in most parts of the country. Daily highs will move up to 25 degrees in Seoul and Chuncheon, and 26 degrees in Gwangju and Busan. Rain will return to central regions over the weekend. That's all for Korea. Here are weather conditions around the world.

Restoration underway for Korean War historical records designated as cultural heritage

2025/06/24 23:39

Historical records can give us some of the greatest insights into the war, and the South Korean Army has been working on a restoration project for the past 5 years. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung tells us more. A paulownia wood box, known for its excellent preservation qualities, is taken out from a mobile rack. Inside is a heavily damaged operations log from ROK Army headquarters, written in February 1952. This, is just one of 81-thousand military pieces from the Korean War that were designated as National Registered Cultural Heritage in 2020. Marking the very first modern war records to be designated as national heritage, Army Archives Management Group has been restoring Korean War records, already having successfully restored about 40-thousand pieces since 2020. "I am currently in the military policy archives. This map records the changes in the location of the 6th Division's command post during the war. The green lines show advances, while the black lines indicate retreats." Aside from 1-point-6 meter long map of the Korean 6th Division's CP location routes, are records showing details such as information on the enemy, and operational plans from major battles of the Korean War. These important documents of the past, however, had to go through a long and painstaking restoration process. "After over 70 years, the records show severe discoloration, contamination, creases, damage, and acidification. We are working to eliminate such damage and repair the missing parts." Restoring is one thing, preserving is another. To make sure the records are safely preserved, the digitized records are put on microfilm, known for its outstanding longevity and durability. It is indeed a demanding process requiring a great deal of patience, but junior soldiers say this allows them to feel the patriotic spirit of those whose steps they are following in. "As a person in charge of the Korean War records restoration project and a junior soldier, I take great pride in honoring the sacrifices of senior comrades and continuing the legacy of their patriotic spirit." Through the restoration and preservation process, the 75-year history of the Korean War gets passed down to future generations. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News, Gyeryong.

President Lee to host luncheon on Friday marking National Patriots and Veterans Month

2025/06/24 23:38

President Lee Jae Myung will host a luncheon this Friday at Cheong Wa Dae's Yeongbingwan reception hall to mark National Patriots and Veterans Month. The Presidential Office says around 1-hundred-60 guests, including national merit recipients, their families, and heads of veterans' organizations, have been invited. The event aims to honor those who sacrificed their lives for the nation and reaffirm the government's commitment to repaying them for their services.

First-ever PM nominee hearing without single witness takes place on Tuesday

2025/06/24 23:38

The National Assembly has held a confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok. From the start, rival parties clashed over his failure to submit key documents, mainly related to his wealth and family. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. Democratic Party four-term lawmaker Kim Min-seok stood before the National Assembly on Tuesday, stating that if given the chance to serve as Prime Minister, he would do his best to fulfill his responsibilities by always listening and communicating. "I'll work to be a forward-looking and innovative prime minister practical and unbound by protocol, hands-on rather than desk-bound, and communicative instead of giving one-sided directives." Kim said that once in office, he would focus on quickly advancing policies over the next 100 days to address the previous government's shortcomings. He also vowed to make reviving the economy his top priority, starting with improving people's livelihoods affected by high prices. During the hearing, questions centered on Kim's previous conviction for illegal political funding, the sharp rise in his assets over the last five years, and concerns about his son's college admissions. "Apart from my official salary, my other income came from congratulatory and condolence money, two book launch events, and occasional help with living expenses from my wife's mother. These made up my total additional income." Tuesday's confirmation hearing began with arguments and harsh remarks. The ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party clashed from the start over the failure to select any witnesses and Kim's failure to submit key documents, mainly about his wealth and family. With no agreement on witnesses between the parties, the hearing proceeded without any a first for a prime minister nominee. "For the first time, the confirmation hearing is being held without witnesses. It's a blind hearing due to the nominee's failure to submit requested data, having not given consent to share personal information." "There have been many unfair and unreasonable demands for documents. Is this really a proper confirmation hearing, or just an attempt to embarrass and criticize?" The prime minister is the only Cabinet post needing parliamentary consent. Confirmation needs majority approval, with a majority of lawmakers present. The two-day hearing continues through Wednesday. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Ruling DP launches task force to tackle rising prices, ease cost of living

2025/06/24 23:37

The ruling Democratic Party launched a task force on Tuesday to tackle rising prices and ease the cost of living. Floor Leader Kim Byung-kee said stabilizing prices is key to supporting people's livelihoods and restoring the economy. Kim noted that as inflation rises, so does the public's hardship, emphasizing the need for special measures. He urged the task force to come up with practical, tangible solutions amid crises at home and abroad, including the conflict in the Middle East. Kim also stressed that since President Lee Jae Myung's first executive order was to launch an Emergency Economic Response Task Force, the National Assembly must do its part as well.

President Lee calls for better compensation for war veterans

2025/06/24 23:36

Tomorrow, June 25th, we mark a solemn anniversary the start of the Korean War 75 years ago. In light of this occasion, President Lee Jae Myung called for better compensation for the country's war veterans at a Cabinet meeting earlier today. Our top office correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports. "When we talk about security, it's so important and so routine that we often don't feel it. However, the security issue of protecting our community cannot be overemphasized." This was how President Lee Jae Myung began the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, a day before the nation remembers the 75th anniversary of the Korean War. Once again noting the importance of "peace without conflict," he called for efforts to better compensate those who made "extraordinary" sacrifices to defend the nation, adding that security is key to the economy. And the focus of the meeting was on the economy, trying to hammer out how to tamp down higher prices and help the lives of the people. "Right now, the world, including the Republic of Korea, is suffering greatly. I hope you take extra care for the vulnerable so that they do not suffer from greater pain." Among over two-dozen items approved was a revision to a related law to extend fuel tax cuts as well as individual consumption tax breaks, following the crisis in the Middle East. Lee also reportedly instructed the Oceans and Fisheries Ministry to review whether it's possible to relocate to Busan by the end of this year. What was also notable was President Lee revisiting the importance of the responsibility of public servants regardless of a political situation, saying how they handle their jobs makes a great difference. "I think that's what power is. What you do, every little signature, the small things that have your attention. All these just might seem barely meaningful to you, but the impact of those may mean a matter of life-or-death to someone else." The President has emphasized the importance of public servant responsibility during nearly every meeting. This might be no coincidence as the importance of "details" and "competency" has been often highlighted by the new government. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

Consumer sentiment highest in 4 years after political stabilization and supplementary budget

2025/06/24 23:36

Consumer confidence in South Korea is on the rebound, hitting its highest level in four years driven by eased political tensions, fresh budget plans, and expectations for new economic policies. Kim Do-yeon has the details. Consumer sentiment in South Korea continued to improve in June, marking a third straight month of gains and hitting the highest level in four years since June 2021. According to the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the Composite Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 108-point-7, up 6-point-9 points from May. After plunging 12-point-5 points in December during the martial law crisis, sentiment has swung back and forth but it's now been on the rise for three consecutive months. This survey was done on 25-hundred households between June 10th to 17th. The index reflects six key factors including current living conditions, future income, and economic outlook. A reading above 100 signals optimism, while anything below indicates pessimism. All six components improved compared to May. Notably, assessments of current economic conditions and future outlook saw the biggest gains. The central bank attributed the rise to reduced political uncertainty, the second extra budget, and expectations for new government policies. In addition, with some time before the second supplementary budget of the year passes the National Assembly, the BOK said this trend is likely to continue for some time. Meanwhile, the house price outlook index jumped nine points to 120 the highest since October 2021 and the sharpest increase in more than two years. It suggests more households now expect home prices, especially in Seoul, to rise. In contrast, expectations for interest rates dropped six points, hitting the lowest level since June 2020. Inflation expectations for the next year also edged down by 0.2 percentage points. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Seoul emphasizes full tariff exemptions in talks with Washington

2025/06/24 23:35

South Korea's top trade negotiator has met with his U.S. counterpart for high-level talks for the first time under the new Lee Jae Myung administration. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Tuesday, Yeo Han-koo, the new chief trade negotiator, met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington on Monday local time. Yeo reiterated to the U.S. side the importance of exempting both reciprocal tariffs and tariffs on specific items, including automobiles and steel.

South Korean stocks show strong increase following easing of tensions in Middle East

2025/06/24 23:35

Local stocks here in South Korea responded favorably to Trump's claim of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The benchmark KOSPI topped the 3-thousand-100 mark. Our correspondent Park Jun-han has more. South Korea's stock market rallied with strong momentum on Tuesday, with potential reports indicating a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Iran. South Korea's benchmark KOSPI, for the first time in three years and nine months, surpassed 31-hundred points and closed with over 3-thousand-1-hundred-3 points, up 2-point-96 percent from Monday's close. Also, South Korea's tech-heavy KOSDAQ closed beyond 800 points for the first time in 11 months. "With oil prices falling and the U.S. dollar weakening again, foreign demand for South Korean stocks picked up, leading to strong buying. This helped the KOSPI break through the 31-hundred mark during intraday trading." Among stocks that showed a strong increase on Tuesday were some of the country's tech giants, SK hynix and Samsung Electronics. SK hynix once again broke its all-time high, surpassing the 280-thousand won mark, while Samsung Electronics rebounded to the 60-thousand won level during the day. The won's exchange rate against the U.S. dollar fell as tensions deescalated. The rate opened at 1-thousand-3-hundred-69 won on the Seoul Foreign Exchange Market, 15-point-3 won lower than Monday's market close. Later in the day, the gap widened to end at around 1-thousand-3-hundred-60 won—down 24-point-1 won from Monday's close at 3:30 PM. Global oil prices sharply fell to pre-war levels following reports of a temporary ceasefire. Brent Crude oil, which once traded above 81 U.S. dollars on Monday, is trading below 70 dollars as of Tuesday, which is an over 12-percent decrease in just a day. As South Korea is heavily dependent on oil imports, the changes in oil prices could affect the country's economy in various ways. "Korea imports almost 100 percent of its crude oil. When oil prices rise, it directly impacts the petrochemical industry, which uses oil as a raw material. But many other sectors are also tied to oil prices. Higher oil costs increase import prices and make exports more difficult." South Korean officials on Monday held an inter-agency meeting to crack down on unfair oil price surges and monitor financial markets to swiftly address any difficulties that may arise. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Ceasefire reached between Israel and Iran, will it hold?

2025/06/24 23:34

So questions still linger over such a fragile ceasefire. Will it hold or not? Byeon Ye-young talked to some experts. U.S. President Donald Trump announced a surprise ceasefire between Israel and Iran, but its durability and the next steps remain uncertain. Experts weighed in on the situation in the Middle East. "The broader region is still, of course unstable and in principle this pause in hostilities could go in two different directions. It could go towards something more solidified over time or this could unravel again and lead back into conflict depending on whether or not both sides hold to the ceasefire." Experts say there is no telling how long this ceasefire will last, but point to Iran's compromised position as an indicator that the ceasefire will hold for the time being. "Iran's military capabilities have been enormously degraded not just during this most recent air campaign from Israel and the United States, but also really over the last several years and also many of Iran's proxies in the region have also been degraded notably, and obviously Hamas and Hezbollah, and so it may take quite some time for Iran to reconstitute a capability that can really credibly threaten Israel." Though Israel appeared to be successful in the past two weeks, a drawn-out conflict may have brought accumulating damage to Israel as well, and pressure from the Trump administration influenced Israel's decision to agree to the ceasefire. As for the U.S., although President Trump had initially opposed direct involvement in the conflict, he ultimately seized what he saw as a strategic opportunity, led by Israel, to severely undermine Iran's nuclear capabilities. "That's why the U.S. joined the airstrikes, while consistently and explicitly reiterating that the objective was not regime change, but solely targeting Iran's nuclear program." Israel now must turn its tactical military gains into long-term diplomatic success, while Iran faces tough choices on rebuilding its nuclear program and regional influence amid growing isolation. "The challenge for Israel is to turn these tactical military victories into a strategic victory which involves politics and diplomacy. And in Iran's case, they have some very difficult choices with respect to whether or not they will try to reconstitute their nuclear program whether or not they will be able to and will be interested in reconstituting their proxies in neighboring countries." The ceasefire between Israel and Iran may mark a pause in hostilities, but the long-term outcome remains uncertain as both sides weigh their next steps. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

Pres. Lee skips NATO, eyes August summit with Trump; Can Seoul regain diplomatic traction?

2025/06/24 21:34

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. President Lee Jae Myung has officially pulled out of the NATO summit set for this week in The Hague, citing domestic priorities and growing instability in the Middle East. But the fallout is immediate. Critics at home accuse the administration of missing a rare diplomatic window — a chance to meet President Trump and join key Indo-Pacific allies at the table. Now, with back-to-back summit opportunities lost — first at the G7, now NATO — attention shifts to whether an August Korea–U.S. summit can fill the gap. The stakes are high. Tariff deadlines are looming. Defense cost pressures are mounting. And allies are watching closely. At a time when strategic alignments are hardening, Seoul faces urgent choices. Is August too late to course-correct — or just in time to reset Korea's global footing? For answers to this, we are joined in the studio by Min Jeong-hun, Professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. Welcome. Also joining us online is Christophe Gaudin, Professor of Political Science at Kookmin University. Good to see you. Let's begin with your broader assessment — Prof.Min, do you think President Lee's NATO absence reflect a shift toward pragmatic diplomacy, or is it being perceived as diplomatic backpedaling? Lee's camp cites Middle East instability and urgent domestic affairs — yet opposition leaders label it a foreign-policy blunder. How should the public weigh these competing narratives? Expanding to that, Prof.Min, politically speaking, is there a risk that Seoul's absence will embolden narratives of pro-Beijing or pro-Moscow leanings, especially with NATO signaling its Indo-Pacific tilt? So, with the G7 and NATO summits missed, the presidential office is now eyeing an August summit with President Trump. Prof. Gaudin, how feasible is this timeline — and can it realistically restore Korea's standing and momentum? But even with that plan in motion, some worry that repeated summit delays risk leaving Seoul out of key decisions. Do you think August might be too late to regain diplomatic traction? And as the alliance watches closely, given President Trump's emphasis on personal rapport and Korea's visible absence from recent summits, how can Seoul reaffirm its alliance commitment before a potential August meeting? Zooming in on hard policy pressures, Professor Gaudin, as Washington trade deadlines and security cost demands converge, how must the Lee administration balance national interests with alliance obligations in the months ahead? With economic pressure rising and time ticking on U.S. trade deadlines, what leverage — if any — does Seoul have left heading into possible August talks? And finally, stepping back to Korea's global posture, with global conflict zones escalating, how might Korea position itself as a relevant and proactive middle power — especially ahead of the UN General Assembly and APEC later this year?

Trump announces Israel-Iran ceasefire agreement; Will it hold?

2025/06/24 19:41

We start with a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump shared on his social media platform about a ceasefire between Israel and Iran to halt their military confrontation. Our Park Kun-woo has the latest. "The ceasefire is now in effect. Please do not violate it!" Donald Trump's remarks on Tuesday, once again reiterating that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran has been made. That comes after his initial announcement on Monday, stating that the ceasefire would begin after Israel and Iran wind down their final missions, bringing an end to the war. Trump said both sides would remain peaceful and respectful throughout the process, and congratulated them for having the "stamina, courage, and intelligence" to bring the conflict to a close. He also expressed hope that the ceasefire will be a lasting one. On Tuesday, Israeli news outlets also reported that the ceasefire had begun. That's the same with Iranian state media reporting the start of the ceasefire after Iran launched missiles on Israel that killed at least four people even after 4 AM local time, the deadline it had set to stop attacks. While these developments point to progress, the situation continues to raise questions about whether the ceasefire will hold. One expert says that although Trump's announcement may appear one-sided, it likely came after prior coordination with both sides. "Trump may appear to have unilaterally declared a ceasefire, but he likely urged both Iran and Israel to end the war swiftly. So far, the ceasefire seems to be holding, but whether it lasts depends on how well both countries observe it." The fate of the ceasefire and the conflict between Israel and Iran is now expected to depend on further official responses from the parties involved. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

[Weather] Heavy rain across the country until tomorrow

2025/06/24 19:40

Clear skies are clouding over again, as the entire country comes under the influence of monsoon rains, which will continue until tomorrow. About 20 to 70 millimeters of rain will fall in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, 20 to 60 millimeters in central regions and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, and up to 40 millimeters in the Jeolla-do provinces. The rain will be accompanied by gusting winds with possible thunder and lighting, so please be careful. Most of the heat wave will have died down today, and the daytime temperature in Seoul tomorrow will be about 5 degrees Celsius lower than today at around 25 degrees. However, it will climb back up to nearly 29 degrees after the rain stops. Tomorrow morning will start warm at around 19 to 21 degrees with rain in most parts of the country. Daily highs will move up to 24 degrees in Daejeon, and 26 degrees in Gwangju and Busan. More rain is forecast for central areas of the country this weekend. That's all for Korea. Here are weather conditions around the world.

World News: EU and Canada deepen ties, announce new security and defense pact

2025/06/24 19:40

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Canada and the European Union have signed a new security and defense pact, amid growing geopolitical threats and regional instability. On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa formalized the EU-Canada Security and Defense Partnership. The agreement, which is the first of its kind for the EU with a country from the Americas, aims to deepen collaboration in areas such as crisis management, cybersecurity, arms control, and support for Ukraine. A key component of the pact is Canada's potential participation in the EU's 172-billion-U.S.-dollar joint procurement program, SAFE, facilitating joint defense acquisitions and industrial cooperation. The Canadian Prime Minister emphasized that the partnership would enable Canada to deliver on "new capabilities more rapidly and more effectively." This reflects a strategic shift to diversify defense partnerships beyond traditional reliance on the United States. The summit also led to negotiations for a digital agreement to align standards on issues, including consumer protection, to make online platforms safer and more inclusive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have announced a new defense co-production agreement aimed at bolstering Ukraine's military capabilities amid ongoing Russian aggression. Zelenskyy met with Starmer in London on Monday after he visited King Charles III at Windsor Castle, and unveiled a new industrial military co-production initiative, aimed at enhancing Ukraine's defense infrastructure. The UK Prime Minister emphasized the significance of the collaboration, which he said builds on their 100-year partnership and represents a substantial advancement in the UK's support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy said it was "a historic moment," highlighting that the partnership would strengthen both nations, and expressed gratitude for the UK's continued assistance. The announcement follows a recent escalation in hostilities, with Russia launching a massive aerial attack on Kyiv involving drones and missiles, and comes a day before a NATO summit in The Hague. Ahead of Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos' wedding festivities in Venice, activists are protesting to highlight concerns over overtourism and wealth inequality. Activists from groups like "No Space for Bezos" and Greenpeace staged demonstrations across Venice on Monday, displaying banners with messages such as "No Space for Bezos" and "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax." Concerns have been raised about the strain on Venice's infrastructure, and activists argue that the lavish event exacerbates issues of overtourism and neglects the needs of residents. Local civic groups have been staging protests against the wedding since last week. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, the largest digital camera ever built, unveiled its first cosmic images on Monday. One of the images showcases detailed views of the lagoon nebulae, composed of gas and the stars within. In just over 10 hours, the observatory identified over 2,000 previously undiscovered asteroids, including seven near-Earth objects. Equipped with a 3,200-megapixel camera, it is set to conduct the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, capturing a high-resolution time-lapse of the night sky every three nights for the next ten years. The project aims to catalog approximately 20 billion galaxies, providing insights into mysteries of the cosmic world, such as dark matter. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Seoul City plans to complete building more waterfront attractions by next year

2025/06/24 19:38

Seoul's campaign to transform its empty urban spaces into green venues for leisure continues. Our Cha Yun-kyung has a glimpse. In Seodaemun-gu District, Seoul, lots of people came out to enjoy the warm sunshine in front of the Hongjecheon Riverbank, which is an artificial waterfall. A rose garden and a cafe have recently been built near the riverfront in Jungnang-gu District, Seoul, which is famous for rose festivals. A performing arts center will also be opened nearby. Around Segokcheon Stream, in Gangnam-gu District, there's a riverside park for families. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is planning to complete building 27 more waterfront cultural spaces by next year. "People like to spend their spare time at riverside attractions. It will become more competitive among autonomous districts to build such places, so there are plans to make more." Seoul Metropolitan Government is also restructuring plazas and empty lots as spaces for activities that blend nature, culture, and art. The government has planted some trees around Seoul Plaza and organized more cultural festivals, encouraging greater civic participation. More than 100 gardens have been built at Boramae Park so far, which is about 400 square meters. As the "Garden City, Seoul" project, which entered its third year in 2025, has produced things like the Seoullo Skygarden and the outdoor forest museum in Namsan, the capital is transforming into a green city. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

Stray Kids clinch Favorite Music Group award at 2025 Kids’ Choice Awards

2025/06/24 19:38

K-pop boy band Stray Kids is bringing home the top honor of Favorite Music Group from this year's Kids' Choice Awards. The awards ceremony took place this past Saturday in LA and Stray Kids is now the second K-pop act to win this category following BTS. Hosted by Nickelodeon this awards ceremony celebrates leading figures in music television and film with winners selected through fan votes. Back in March Stray Kids also won Music Video of the Year and Best 3 Albums at Japan's 39th Gold Disc Awards.

Restoration underway for Korean War historical records designated as cultural heritage

2025/06/24 19:38

Five years ago the South Korean Army launched a project to restore and preserve tangible records of the Korean War. Well in recent days our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung went to see the progress the project has been making. A paulownia wood box, known for its excellent preservation qualities, is taken out from a mobile rack. Inside is a heavily damaged operations log from ROK Army headquarters, written in February 1952. This, is just one of 81-thousand military pieces from the Korean War that were designated as National Registered Cultural Heritage in 2020. Marking the very first modern war records to be designated as national heritage, Army Archives Management Group has been restoring Korean War records, already having successfully restored about 40-thousand pieces since 2020. "I am currently in the military policy archives. This map records the changes in the location of the 6th Division's command post during the war. The green lines show advances, while the black lines indicate retreats." Aside from 1-point-6 meter long map of the Korean 6th Division's CP location routes, are records showing details such as information on the enemy, and operational plans from major battles of the Korean War. These important documents of the past, however, had to go through a long and painstaking restoration process. "After over 70 years, the records show severe discoloration, contamination, creases, damage, and acidification. We are working to eliminate such damage and repair the missing parts." Restoring is one thing, preserving is another. To make sure the records are safely preserved, the digitized records are put on microfilm, known for its outstanding longevity and durability. It is indeed a demanding process requiring a great deal of patience, but junior soldiers say this allows them to feel the patriotic spirit of those whose steps they are following in. "As a person in charge of the Korean War records restoration project and a junior soldier, I take great pride in honoring the sacrifices of senior comrades and continuing the legacy of their patriotic spirit." Through the restoration and preservation process, the 75-year history of the Korean War gets passed down to future generations. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News, Gyeryong.