News

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

2025/02/19 17:00

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 here 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.

S. Korean gov't to buy unsold apartments, start 4.3 tril. KRW underground railway project

2025/02/19 17:00

The government has announced a host of measures to bolster regional construction by expanding related development projects and raising the efficiency of land use. Accordingly at an economic policy meeting earlier today acting President Choi Sang-mok shared intentions of the state-owned Korea Land and Housing Corporation to buy some three thousand unsold regional apartments. He also announced a project worth 4-point-3 trillion Korean won to take underground railway tracks in Busan Daejeon and Ansan.

Divided opinions on supplementary budget at National Assembly

2025/02/19 17:00

And at the parliament today. Lawmakers across the aisle continue to stand 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 and 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.

Beijing-based travel agency offers tours to N. Korea for first time in five years

2025/02/19 17:00

A Chinese travel agency is promoting tours to North Korea for the first time in five years. On its website Beijing's Zixinghui travel agency is currently offering a 3-night 4-day trip to the Rason Special Economic Zone starting next Monday. According to the agency "special approval" has been secured from North Korea for the first Chinese private group tours in five years. Back in February last year a group of Russian tourists become the first foreign team of travelers to visit North Korea since the global pandemic.

Top Air Force commander oversees first test flight of S. Korea's KF-21 advanced supersonic fighter

2025/02/19 17:00

The Korean Air Force Chief of Staff took part in the first test flight of the country's homegrown advanced KF-21 supersonic fighter jet known as Boramae earlier today. General Lee Young-su assessed the aircraft's operational capabilities while flying at an altitude of 4-thousand-5-hundred meters over waters off the country's southern coast at a speed of more than one-thousand kilometers per hour. Following the flight he claimed Boramae would stand shoulder to shoulder with world-class fighter jets. South Korea began developing its own jet in 2015 and the first batch is scheduled to be deployed to front line air bases starting next year.

Is the end near for President Yoon's impeachment trial? Court rejects Yoon's request to adjust 10th hearing

2025/02/19 17:00

President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial appears to be coming to a close with the 10th hearing set to take place tomorrow that is Thursday despite an earlier request for a rescheduling by the president's defense team. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young has a recap of Tuesday's session and more. The Constitutional Court rejected President Yoon Suk Yeol's request to rearrange one impeachment hearing, which coincides with the start of his criminal trial proceedings this week. On Tuesday, during the President's ninth trial hearing, Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae said the tenth session on Thursday will go ahead as planned, dismissing a request by Yoon's team to hold the session next week, as the Seoul Central District Court will begin the President's pretrial hearings for his criminal case on Thursday morning. "While there are concerns the overlapping schedule weakens Yoon's right to legal self-defense, the Constitutional Court has decided to push ahead with the impeachment hearing at 3 PM, an hour later than initially planned, stating that the criminal trial is at 10 AM." During Tuesday's hearing, legal representatives of the National Assembly and President Yoon further made their case for and against impeachment. The Assembly's panel called for Yoon's swift removal from office, saying declaration of martial law and related decrees were illegal as they did not go through Cabinet procedures, and accused him of dictatorial actions. "This is a direct attack on the principles of the rule of law and the separation of powers. From the perspective of constitutional protection, it is an absolutely unacceptable act." Yoon's side continued to argue that declaring martial law was a Constitutional right of the President and that the opposition party-led parliament had forced his hand. "The opposition paralyzed the judiciary, legislature, and administration with its countless impeachments, interference with the Constitutional Court's composition, reckless budget cuts, legislative maneuvers to shield its leader Lee Jae-myung, and obstruction of government policy bills. In a short amount of time, the President initiated a martial law that was Constitutional, legal and peaceful as a plea to the people." They further raised suspicions of false ballot papers and potential Chinese interference causing electoral irregularities as a pretext for declaring martial law. Yoon's lawyers say they will review on Wednesday whether there's further evidence and witnesses to present. The tenth hearing on Thursday will feature three witness examinations including with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Former intelligence official Hong Jang-won will return to the Court for further questioning this time by Yoon's legal team. National Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho will be forced to attend, after two absences due to illness. Experts say the Court is likely to add one more hearing to hear the closing arguments and the President's final statement. Yoon on Tuesday decided to return to Seoul Detention Center and sit out the ninth hearing. If the trial concludes next week, a ruling will likely be made in the first half of March. In past Presidential impeachment trials, a verdict was reached within two weeks. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

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

2025/02/19 17:00

In Saudi Arabia back on Tuesday. Talks between the top diplomats of the U.S. and Russia on ending the latter's invasion of Ukraine lasted well over four hours. 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. Korean gov't to provide wide ranging support for companies hit by tariff threats

2025/02/19 17:00

Meanwhile given the looming threat of TOUGHER Trump tariffs the government here has vowed a support framework to better assist Korean exporters. Our correspondent Lee Soo-jin has more. The South Korean government on Tuesday announced plans to offer a broad range of support services to companies affected by U.S. President Trump's recent tariff threats and is also working to diversify its export markets. This comes amid growing concerns about the potential impact of tariffs on exports, especially given their critical role in driving Korea's economic growth. "Last year, exports supported our struggling economy. They grew by 8-point-1 percent annually to a record high, leading Korea to become the world’s sixth-largest exporter. However, policy shifts from the new U.S. administration have made this year’s outlook more uncertain than ever." The remarks were made during an export strategy meeting, where the Acting President announced that the government would provide "export vouchers" for small and medium-sized enterprises. With these vouchers, companies can receive consultations in various fields, including legal, taxation, marketing, and certifications. And 90 percent of the 240 billion won, or around 166 million U.S. dollar budget for the vouchers will be allocated in the first half of the year. The government also announced that it will offer tax benefits to companies relocating to Korea due to shifts in the global trade environment, even before they have fully scaled down their overseas operations. As part of further efforts to provide financial relief,.. the government will provide short-term liquidity for companies hit by tariff threats, by supplying around 254 billion dollars in trade financing this year, a record-high amount. The country's export market is also expected to become more diversified in the future, as the government is aiming to expand into countries such as Mexico, Mexico, South Africa, Vietnam, and India by setting up five new export centers overseas. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

TRUMP SUGGESTS 25% TARIFF ON CAR AND CHIP IMPORTS

2025/02/19 17:30

Welcome to yet another edition of Press Perspective. It's Wednesday February 19th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. Addressing members of the media in Florida on Tuesday U.S. President Donald Trump floated the idea of a 25-percent tariff on all foreign-made cars and chips entering the American market. For more on his remarks and their ripple effects I have Lee Ji-hoon with Reuters here in the studio. Ji-hoon welcome back. I also have Professor Lee Jaemin of International Trade LAW at Seoul National University live on the line. Professor Lee it's a pleasure. 1) Ji-hoon, let's delve into Trump's latest remarks on trade in chronological order. Now late last week, he put up on his social media platform a lengthy post in support of his reciprocal tariff proposal and in defiance of the so-called value-added taxes. Let's start with that. 2) And Professor Lee, before we dig deeper, what exactly are value-added taxes, and how do you respond to Trump's intentions to consider them tariffs? 3) Simply speaking, Ji-hoon, which countries look to be greatly affected by Trump's reciprocal tariffs? And do tell us a bit about import tariff gaps between U.S. and its Asian trading partners including South Korea. 4) Professor Lee, does South Korea's Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. shield it from Trump tariffs? 5) Ji-hoon, aside from the 25% tariff on steel and aluminium imports into the American market, Trump has pledged tariffs on cars and chips that are the main drivers of South Korea's exports. First then, with regard to cars, what impact does Trump tariffs look to have on South Korea's auto exports? 6) And Professor Lee, what fate does South Korea's semiconductor exports look to face in the wake of Trump tariffs? 7) Ji-hoon, following news of the Trump administration's reciprocal tariff plan, acting President Choi Sang-mok called for a review of non-tariff barriers. Now you covered this call. Do share your coverage with us including the relevance of this move by Choi. 8) Professor Lee, pundits believe one-on-one negotiations with the Trump administration will allow for some exemption from tariffs. Do you share this belief, and if so, how can Korea better navigate such talks? 9) Meanwhile Ji-hoon, based on your coverage of market analysts, what appears to be the overall outlook for the Korean economy this year?

PM Han Duck-soo attends 1st impeachment trial hearing, defends actions as 'constitutional'

2025/02/19 20:00

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo attended the first hearing of his impeachment trial today. The hearing comes nearly two months after the opposition-led parliament voted to impeach him from his post as acting president following his reluctance to approve new Constitutional Court justices. Han for his part has claimed his decision is consistent with the country's constitutional tradition that calls for bipartisan accord on judicial nominations. Han has also rejected allegations of having played a part in President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law. Meanwhile the parliament's impeachment panel co-chair Jung Chung-rae insists Han disrupted the nation by failing to approve the National Assembly's judicial nominations.

Vehicle tariff rate will be around 25%: Trump

2025/02/19 17:00

Addressing members of the media in Florida on Tuesday U.S. President Donald Trump floated the idea of a 25-percent tariff on all foreign-made 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 트럼프 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.

K-wave AI News

2025/02/19 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. A newly renovated space dedicated to the history of Goguryeo has opened at the National Museum of Korea. Once a dominant power in ancient East Asia, Goguryeo thrived with a distinct and vibrant culture. The museum has revamped its Prehistoric and Ancient History Hall, doubling the size of the Goguryeo Room and its collection of artifacts, also incorporating the latest research findings. The permanent exhibition also features updated sections on various ancient eras, along with a newly created learning space for children. Why not embark on a journey through the world of Goguryeo, surrounded by over 1,800 artifacts? Inspire Arena, Korea's first multipurpose indoor performance venue, marked its first anniversary. The arena attracted 500,000 visitors in its debut year and aims to surpass 700,000 this year through enhanced accessibility. Since hosting the Melon Music Awards in 2023, the venue has staged 36 events, featuring K-pop artists and global superstars like Maroon 5 and Linkin Park. Thanks to its prime location near Incheon International Airport, foreign visitors accounted for 60% of total attendance. Last year's ticket sales revenue is estimated at 40 billion won, or roughly 28 million U.S. dollars. The number of Netflix app users in Korea reached a record high last month. According to market tracker WiseApp Retail, Netflix logged over 14.1 million monthly users in January, shattering its own previous record. Coupang Play, TVING, Wavve, and Disney+ followed in that order. The surge in users comes as Netflix's latest Korean originals, "Squid Game" Season 2 and "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call," fueled renewed interest. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-enter] BTS' J-Hope donates 200 mil. KRW to Asan Medical Center in Seoul

2025/02/19 14:00

Time for our daily dose of K-enter news with Walter Lee. Walter, we are starting off with a donation from a BTS member. On Tuesday, Seoul Asan Medical Center announced that BTS member J-Hope has donated 200 million Korean won, roughly 138,000 U.S. dollars, to support the development of the children's hospital at the medical center. This donation was made in celebration of his birthday on February 18. This is not the first time that J-Hope has contributed to the medical center as he also donated 100 million won, just over 69,000 dollars, to the center in 2022. But overall with this latest donation, J-Hope’s officially known total personal donations have now surpassed 1.2 billion won, just over 832,000 dollars. Meanwhile fans can look forward to his return to music coming in March. Soa, why do you think many stars like to make donations on their birthdays? Moving onto some girl group news now, who are we talking about? Girl group ILLIT's debut song "Magnetic" has reached 200 million views on YouTube as of Monday according to their agency, BELIFT LAB. "Magnetic" comes from their debut album "Super Real Me" and was released in March 2024. It is a dance song that blends R&B and house genres, using the word "magnet" as a metaphor for the feeling of rushing toward someone you love. "Magnetic" topped domestic music charts and gained significant popularity overseas, including in the U.S. and the U.K. Yes and since their debut song was in March 2024, their 1 year anniversary must be coming up as well, so what a way to celebrate early. Now staying on the topic of girl groups and debuts lets talk about one group that have made their music video debut recently. Starship Entertainment, the agency of popular girl group IVE, has introduced a new five-member girl group by the name of "KiiiKiii" . On Sunday, Starship Entertainment released the music video for KiiiKiii’s pre-debut track "I DO ME". The girl group is set to make their official debut on March 24 with the release of their first album. "I DO ME" is a pop dance song that expresses the determination to trust one’s instincts and live confidently. This marks Starship Entertainment's first girl group debut since IVE in 2021. With IVE's popularity, I’m sure KiiiKiii will do just as well. Lastly, some K-film news. The movie "Streaming", starring Kang Ha-neul has posted a release date of March 21. "Streaming" is a thriller film about Woo-sang , a popular true crime online streamer, who discovers a clue to an unsolved serial murder case and broadcasts his pursuit of the culprit in real time. Actor Kang has gained popularity through films such as "Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet," "Midnight Runners," and "Love Reset" as well as dramas like "The Heirs" and "Misaeng: Incomplete Life." Recently, he also appeared in "Squid Game" season 2 on Netflix. And we cannot leave out the drama "When the Camellia Blooms". Looking forward to his new role. Thanks for the K-enter news Walter. Don't go anywhere. And now we go to our AI anchor Ari for other culture-related news.

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

2025/02/19 14:00

Eun-hee, South Korean instant noodles, or ramyeon, continue to grow in popularity around the world, and local markets are evolving in unique ways. Can you tell us what you've seen? Yes Soa. I've noticed that special ramyeon shops are becoming more popular and are even considered must-visit spots for foreign tourists. I visited a few places to check them out, so let's take a look and see what attracts these global customers. Visitors from around the world have flocked to this unique spot: a 24-hour, self-service ramyeon, or S. 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. This is something new to me. I have only tried ramyeon with these ramyeon making machines at a park along the Hangang River before. Same here. What would you say is the driving source behind this growing popularity of Korean instant noodles? So, I talked to Professor Lee Eun-hee, an expert in consumer science about the uniqueness of Korean instant noodles. She said Korean ramyeon has a distinct flavor -spicy, and savory and full of flavor. But also one driving force is social media, where images of famous K-pop idols like BTS eating ramyeon go viral, or foreign tourists watching scenes from Korean dramas and movies where ramyeon is enjoyed, sparking a desire to try it themselves. Not only is it delicious, but the reasonable price also makes it accessible. I love ramyeon too. Are there any other ways to enjoy ramyeon in Korea? Yes of course. As you guys mentioned, there is something called 'Hangang ramyeon' which is already viral among foreign visitors. Let me expand on that a bit. It is when you buy those instant noodles from a convenience store at one of the Hangang River parks and cook them there, which is a truly unique experience in South Korea. I've heard enjoying the beautiful river view while eating a hot bowl of ramyeon is an unforgettable experience and it tastes even better. It's a perfect way to relax and enjoy nature, especially in a busy city like Seoul, so I highly recommend that anyone visiting South Korea give it a try. Yeouido Hangang Park is the biggest and one of the most popular picnic spots, alongside Banpo Hangang Park and Ttukseom Hangang Park. However, there are many other riverside parks in Seoul where people can enjoy a pleasant outing with friends and family. A bowl of 'Hangang Ramyeon' won't cost you more than 5 U.S. dollars. It's been a while since I've had a picnic by the Hangang River. Maybe I should sometime soon. Yes, for sure. Maybe we could all go together. Yes, make sure to invite me too. Of course Walter. Thank you Eun-hee for sharing.

On-point: How can S. Korea survive Trump's tariff salvo this time?

2025/02/19 10:00

Steel and aluminum tariffs on all countries by March 12th, no exception. And now at least 25% automobile tariff starting in April. How can South Korea survive through Trump's tariff salvo this time? Let's turn to professor Shim Myung-kyu. Good morning. 1. At least a 25% tariff rate for automobiles Isn't this another big concern as the U.S. is a big automobile export market to South Korea? 2. Seoul's Deputy Minister for Trade Park Jong-won is in Washington to sort things out with U.S. trade officials. Is it too late to try to make deals with the U.S. on tariffs and trade-related matters? Better late than never? 3. According to Park, he'll be aiming to engage in what he calls "mutually beneficial" discussions with U.S. trade officials. What kind of strategies do you think Park has ready to use? And what is it that Seoul needs to work on the most, and right now? 4. A business delegation is also heading to the U.S. with investment cooperation plans, including increasing imports of American energy and collaboration in the shipbuilding sector. Offering the U.S. what we have and hope for the best Isn't this a lesson we learned from the first Trump administration? 5. Are you saying we need a plan that increases imports from the U.S. while reducing actual damage? What could that plan be? Importing more American cars? What else? Thanks so much for sharing your insight with us this morning. We appreciate it.

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

2025/02/19 10:00

Both U.S. and Russian officials walked out of their first peace talks on Ukraine with confidence and satisfaction on Tuesday. U.S. President Donald Trump even hinted that he'd meet Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of February. Bae Eun-ji has more. 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 decided to hold more talks on ending the war and also agreed to work towards improving ties. 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 this month. 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.

Is the end near for President Yoon's impeachment trial? Court rejects Yoon's request to adjust 10th hearing

2025/02/19 10:00

At the Constitutional Court, the ninth hearing of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial took place Tuesday, with justices dismissing Yoon's request to adjust his tenth hearing date, as his criminal trial proceedings begin the same day. Oh Soo-young has more. The Constitutional Court rejected President Yoon Suk Yeol's request to rearrange one impeachment hearing, which coincides with the start of his criminal trial proceedings this week. On Tuesday, during the President's ninth trial hearing, Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae said the tenth session on Thursday will go ahead as planned, dismissing a request by Yoon's team to hold the session next week, as the Seoul Central District Court will begin the President's pretrial hearings for his criminal case on Thursday morning. "While there are concerns the overlapping schedule weakens Yoon's right to legal self-defense, the Constitutional Court has decided to push ahead with the impeachment hearing at 3 PM, an hour later than initially planned, stating that the criminal trial is at 10 AM." During Tuesday's hearing, legal representatives of the National Assembly and President Yoon further made their case for and against impeachment. The Assembly's panel called for Yoon's swift removal from office, saying declaration of martial law and related decrees were illegal as they did not go through Cabinet procedures, and accused him of dictatorial actions. "This is a direct attack on the principles of the rule of law and the separation of powers. From the perspective of constitutional protection, it is an absolutely unacceptable act." Yoon's side continued to argue that declaring martial law was a Constitutional right of the President and that the opposition party-led parliament had forced his hand. "The opposition paralyzed the judiciary, legislature, and administration with its countless impeachments, interference with the Constitutional Court's composition, reckless budget cuts, legislative maneuvers to shield its leader Lee Jae-myung, and obstruction of government policy bills. In a short amount of time, the President initiated a martial law that was Constitutional, legal and peaceful as a plea to the people." They further raised suspicions of false ballot papers and potential Chinese interference causing electoral irregularities as a pretext for declaring martial law. Yoon's lawyers say they will review on Wednesday whether there's further evidence and witnesses to present. The tenth hearing on Thursday will feature three witness examinations including with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Former intelligence official Hong Jang-won will return to the Court for further questioning this time by Yoon's legal team. National Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho will be forced to attend, after two absences due to illness. Experts say the Court is likely to add one more hearing to hear the closing arguments and the President's final statement. Yoon on Tuesday decided to return to Seoul Detention Center and sit out the ninth hearing. If the trial concludes next week, a ruling will likely be made in the first half of March. In past Presidential impeachment trials, a verdict was reached within two weeks. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Impeachment trial on PM, Acting President Han Duck-soo to begin Wednesday

2025/02/19 10:00

The Constitutional Court will hold the first impeachment trial hearing for Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and a separate hearing on the dispute over whether voting standards to impeach him were valid. The opposition-led parliament voted to remove him from office in December, after Han, as Acting President, refused to approve Constitutional Court justices until a bipartisan agreement was reached on the candidates. Han has also shown resistance to various opposition-led bills railroaded through parliament. The dispute case was filed by the ruling People Power Party, as it clashed with the opposition over the required number of votes to impeach Han Duck-soo. The opposition argues that the standard for impeaching a cabinet minister should apply, requiring a simple majority. The ruling party says as Han was Acting President, the same threshold as a presidential impeachment should have applied, which requires a two-thirds majority. The first trial hearing will begin at 2 PM. The authority dispute hearing is at 4 PM.

Vehicle tariff rate will be around 25%: Trump

2025/02/19 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump announced he'll likely impose a 25-percent tariff on cars coming into the United States. The tariff also targets chips and pharmaceuticals, with the announcement coming as soon as April 2nd. Lee Seung-jae reports. In his first month back in the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald 트럼프 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 and dry pattern continues under sunny skies

2025/02/19 10:00

Winter is still holding on tight, and even though we're all hoping for spring to make an entrance, the bitter cold and dry weather continues across Korea. Feels like temperatures in the capital were minus 10 degrees Celsius earlier this morning. It's chilly and very dry out there. More regions are under dry weather alerts and even east of Seoul is under dry weather advisory. Meanwhile, the west coast and parts of Jeju are under a strong wind advisory. AND these are ways to boost indoor humidity naturally. But if you're heading out, keep your moisturizer handy and drink plenty of water! A little extra hydration goes a long way. Afternoon highs will be 1 to 2 degrees lower than yesterday, topping out at 1 degree in Seoul, Daegu at 5 degrees under mostly sunny skies with decent air quality. Looking ahead, this cold, dry pattern will stick around for the rest of the week and into the weekend. Temperatures will start trending milder early next week. Until then stay warm and hydrated!