News

All-female crew on Blue Origin rocket successfully

2025/04/15 10:00

Let's begin with the historic spaceflight by Blue Origin, completing its first all-female crewed mission. Sure. Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket, carrying pop star Kate Perry and five other accomplished women, safely returned to Earth after reaching space. The Blue Origin New Shepard rocket, developed for space tourism, successfully returned to Earth on Monday with an all-women crew of six women after an approximately 10-minute flight to space. "TAKE IT UP SPACE" "And for me, like Gayle said, this wasn't a ride, it wasn't a destination, it was a journey and it was super-natural one." The crew took off from Blue Origin's launch site in West Texas at 9:31 AM on Monday. The six-person crew included pop star Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and pilot Lauren Sanchez. The flight lasted about 10 minutes and 21 seconds, reaching the Karman line, the recognized boundary of space, where the crew experienced moments of weightlessness before safely returning to Earth. The mission marked the first all-female spaceflight since Valentina Tereshkova's solo journey into space in 1963.

U.S. Commerce Department launches probe into semiconductors and pharmaceutical imports

2025/04/15 10:00

The Trump administration is launching probes that could lay the groundwork for tariffs on semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports. On Monday, the U.S. Commerce Department announced it had initiated national security probes into the import of semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical ingredients. While the timeline remains uncertain, the investigations are legally required to conclude within 270 days. The move marks the latest effort to bolster domestic manufacturing, as Trump continues to criticize America's reliance on foreign-made medicine and its dependence on chips from Asian countries.

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

2025/04/15 10:00

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

Trump to announce tariffs on imported chips "over next week"

2025/04/14 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. The cloud of uncertainty persists over the U.S.' erratic trade policy. The Trump administration earlier announced that smartphones, laptops and other electronics were exempt from its reciprocal tariffs. But now, the American leader says it's only temporary, and he will announce tariffs on imported semiconductors in the coming days. Lee Soo-jin has our top story. U.S. President Donald Trump signaled that he would unveil new tariffs on imported semiconductors over the next week. He announced this to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, local time, adding that certain companies in the sector may be granted some flexibility. "But the tariffs will be in place in the not distant future because as you know like we did with steel, like we did with the automobiles, like we did with aluminum, we'll be doing that with semiconductors, with chips, and numerous other things and that will take place in the very near future." He did not clarify whether products such as smartphones would be exempted, but emphasized again how a certain degree of flexibility will be shown. This comes as he and his key trade officials made it clear that his administration's newly announced exemptions for reciprocal tariffs on electronic products would be partially or completely reversed in the coming weeks. After a technical guidance issued late Friday, Washington issued an exemption on select electronics, such as smartphones, laptops, personal computers, servers, and semiconductor equipment, easing the burden on Samsung Electronics and Samsung Electronics and Apple, among others. Trump also took to his social media page on Sunday to clarify that tariffs would still be imposed on Chinese goods, specifically the existing 20 percent fentanyl tariffs. He also stressed that the U.S. administration is taking a look at semiconductors and the "WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN" in upcoming national security tariff reviews. "So what he's doing is he's saying they're exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, but they're included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two. So these are coming soon." Speaking to CNN on Sunday, White House National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said that items subject to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act have always been excluded from reciprocal tariffs, and a separate review will be conducted to determine necessary measures to protect the United States. He added that the tariff review of semiconductors has to do with broader concerns of U.S. dependence on Chinese-made imports and that there is a "very uncomfortable amount of Chinese input" in U.S. weapons systems. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

[Weather] Weather clears up on Tuesday with warmer highs under sunny skies

2025/04/14 20:00

We've been experiencing some pretty wild weather since the weekend, with rain and even snow sweeping across the country with gusty winds. There has been more rain nationwide, which could linger into tomorrow at dawn, 그리고 now for mountainous regions in Gangwon-do. Highs were 5 to 10 degrees Celsius lower than norms today, but as the weather clears up tomorrow, daytime highs will return to near average. But you will need a light winter jacket for the morning commute. Seoul starts off at 4 degrees Celsius, Chuncheon at zero degrees under brighter skies. Highs will jump to the mid-teens in most parts at 16 degrees in the capital and Daejeon, Daegu and Busan at 17 degrees with decent air quality. Then, things will get much warmer heading into the weekend. That's Korea for you. Here's a look at the international weather conditions.

[Sports Round-up] Giants' Lee Jung-hoo hits two homers against Yankees

2025/04/14 20:00

Time now to take a look at what's been happening in the world of sports. Joining us is our sports editor, Paul Neat. Hello Paul. Hello. Let's start with baseball. In MLB over the weekend, Lee Jung-hoo had what was probably his best game yet. Yes, not one but two home runs against the New York Yankees. Lee Jung-hoo, an outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, on Sunday hit two home runs and recorded four runs in a 5-4 win over the Yankees in New York. This was the first time he'd hit more than one home run in a single game, and four RBIs is also a career best. The highlight was his second home run, a three-run homer with the Giants down 3-1 in the fourth inning,.. helping to begin the fightback. In total, in what were his first trips to Yankee Stadium, Lee Jung-hoo batted four-for-nine with three home runs in three matches, with seven RBIs and five runs scored. A total of three home runs and 11 RBIs for the season are already career highs. He managed just two home runs in 37 matches last year, but seems to have put his injury problems behind him and is having a successful season. Moving on to golf now. A very respectable finish for Im Sung-jae at the Masters. Yes, he finished tied for fifth and only four strokes behind the winner, Rory McIlroy. Im recorded a three-under 69 in the final round on Sunday at Augusta for an overall score of seven-under 281. He went into the final day in tenth, but rose up the rankings thanks to four birdies, an eagle, and three bogeys. It was Masters number six for him; his best finish is second in 2020. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy was able to complete a career Grand Slam by overcoming Justin Rose in a playoff to win the Masters. McIlroy called it "14 years in the making," having come close in 2011 but blew a four-shot lead in the final round. And finally, to short track speed skating. A rising star is heading to the Winter Olympics. Yes, a high schooler 17-year-old Rim Jong-un. On Sunday, he won the Korean Olympic short track speedskating trials, clinching a spot at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. The high school senior dominated across two rounds, edging out 2022 Olympic champion Hwang Dae-heon, who also qualifies. Also making the men's team—Shin Dong-min, who will make his senior debut after finishing third. On the women's side, World Cup champion Kim Gil-li finished first, with Noh Do-hee close behind. Choi Min-jeong, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, had already secured her spot with a world title. All eyes now turn to Italy, where Korea's newest and brightest stars will take the ice. Indeed, lots to look forward to. Thanks for that wrap-up, Paul. See you again next week. Thank you.

More than 200 civilians killed as Sudan’s RSF attacks Darfur refugee camps

2025/04/14 20:00

Elsewhere. Paramilitaries in Sudan killed more than 200 civilians over two days of attacks last week on refugee camps and around the city of El Fasher in the Darfur region. The UN said the Rapid Support Forces continued killing at two large camps in Zamzam and Abu Shouk which protected as many as 700-thousand displaced civilians. All nine medical staff members of Relief International who were operating the clinic inside Zamzam camp were murdered. The civil war between the army and the paramilitary forces began almost two years ago, and has seen tens-of-thousands killed and 12-million people displaced.

U.S.-Iran nuclear talks set to resume amid pitfalls after "constructive" first round

2025/04/14 20:00

Over in Oman this past Saturday. Officials from the U.S. and Iran addressed the latter's nuclear weapons ambitions with more talks scheduled for this coming weekend. Our Park Kun-woo reports. Nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran are set to resume this weekend, but with potential pitfalls ahead, including the agenda and format. The first round that took place Saturday in Oman was participated in by U.S. and Iranian diplomats and conducted "indirectly" through Oman's mediation, marking the highest-level meeting between the two nations since 2018. After the talks ended, the two sides spoke for a few minutes face-to-face. On Sunday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the talks "constructive," but also said the U.S. continues to seek a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear program. And he added that the U.S. military stands ready "to go deep and big" if talks fail. U.S. President Donald Trump also commented. "We'll be making a decision on Iran very quickly." That came after Trump said the day before that things were "going okay." Iran on Sunday also described the first round of talks with the U.S. as "productive," but maintained its stance of keeping the agenda and format the same amid remaining tensions. "What is clear at this stage is that the negotiations are indirect and, from our perspective, are solely about the nuclear issue and with the necessary will to reach an agreement based on equality." That comes as the U.S. is reportedly looking to broaden the agenda to include Iran's ballistic missile program and its support for the "axis of resistance" -a network of militant groups opposed to Israel. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian city of Sumy kill 34 people

2025/04/14 20:00

Despite peace talks, Russia has renewed its air assault against Ukraine, this time, attacking its northeastern city, killing dozens of people. This has sparked international criticism, including the U.S. Byeon Ye-young covers this latest attack. Rubble and bodies were left among the ashes and smoke after two Russian ballistic missiles struck the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday. The attack killed 34 people, including two children, and left 117 injured in one of the deadliest attacks in the conflict of the year. Sumy, located just over 25 kilometers from the Russian border, has endured a wave of missile strikes in recent weeks. The missiles hit the city center just after 10 a.m. local time on Palm Sunday, as residents were attending church services --one of the busiest religious days of the year, according to Ukraine's economy minister. "There is no military base. No military people. Center of the city. What could there be possibly? There is no air defense here, there is nothing here. They're just erasing the nation. This is genocide. How can you call it any different?" The attack came despite a U.S.-brokered agreement between Russia and Ukraine last month to halt strikes on each other's energy infrastructure. On Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly condemned the latest attack, stating that only "filthy scum" were capable of such actions, and urged the international community to respond with action. "Only pressure, only decisive action, can change this. Every Russian ballistic missile, every cruise missile, every Russian Shahed, every guided bomb, strike not only our people, not only our communities, but also diplomacy, and the political efforts of everyone who is truly trying to bring this to an end." Reactions quickly poured in from global leaders. Keith Kellogg, Donald Trump's envoy for Ukraine, wrote on X that the missile strike "crosses any line of decency," and reiterated that the U.S. president was working hard to end the war. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, took to social media to express support for Ukraine, condemn Russia's actions, and call for a full ceasefire. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang news.

Winter makes unexpected return as Seoul sees snow in April for first time in 81 years

2025/04/14 20:00

In other news. For the first time in over 80 years Capital Seoul recorded snowfall in mid-April as winter made an unexpected call. Bae Eun-ji has more. Snow piled up on flowers and trees, as South Korea experienced unseasonably cold mid-April weather. Over 10 centimeters of snow accumulated in parts of Gangwon-do Province on Sunday. Light snow and hail also fell in the capital area, as it went through an unusual spring chill. Snow of up to 0-point-6 centimeters was recorded in central Seoul, between Saturday night and Sunday morning, making it the first time in 81 years that the city saw snow in April. This is mainly because of cold arctic air passing through the Korean peninsula. The weather turned turbulent as the lingering cold air from above clashed with a mild spring breeze on the ground, causing gusty winds and hail. Strong winds battered the country over the weekend, leading to widespread damage. In Jeju, the winds damaged roofs and toppled trees. In Busan, winds of up to 30 meters per second brought down signboards and caused power outages. Also in the capital area, at Incheon airport, a tug vehicle crashed into an aircraft on the ground, leading to flight delays. The national weather service says strong winds and falling temperatures are forecast for the coming days. "Damage from strong winds is expected until Monday, and temperatures will start to go up from Wednesday. We're expecting to see temperatures return to normal starting late this week." Rain or snow is expected across the country until Tuesday before spring warmth returns later this week. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

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

2025/04/14 20:00

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

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

2025/04/14 20:00

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

Rebounds in chip, display shipments lead to ICT exports growth in March, reaching US$ 20.6 bil.

2025/04/14 20:00

Exports of Korean ICT products expanded almost 10-percent on-year in March, ahead of the U.S. tariff campaign, led by chips and display panels. Moon Ji-young has the latest numbers. Rebounds in chip and display sales led to an increase in South Korea's tech exports last month, according to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Monday. ICT exports in March reached almost 20-point-6 billion dollars, up 9-point 4 percent compared to the same month the previous year. Month-on-month data shows that tech exports surged by 24 percent, while the trade balance saw an increase of a whopping 48 percent during the same period. Exports of major tech items, such as chips, displays, cell phones and computers, have all risen together for the first time in eight months. Semiconductor exports increased by nearly 12 percent year-on-year, driven by rising demand for high-value memory chips, such as High Bandwidth Memory and Double Data Rate 5. This growth is attributed to expanded investments in AI servers and a reduction in companies' memory inventories. The display sector rebounded by one-point-three percent after eight months, thanks to the launch of new mobile phones. Experts and officials from the Trade Ministry attribute these rebounds to preemptive measures taken by leading companies to secure their inventories in anticipation of reciprocal tariffs imposed by the U.S. "Certainly, after the announcement of the tariffs imposition, there was a trend where companies tried to pull forward their shipments for the following month, and the month after that, before tariffs were increased." Exports of mobile phones soared by nearly 15 percent while computers jumped over 28 percent, both showing double-digit growth. By country, shipments to the U.S., Vietnam, and Japan performed strongly last month, driven by robust demand for chips. In contrast, exports to China, South Korea's top export destination, fell by over 12 percent due to decreased demand for chips and computers. There was also a drop in exports to Europe. Meanwhile, ICT imports totaled over 12-point-2 billion dollars, resulting in a positive ICT trade balance. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

Acting President Han signals trade talks with U.S. to come, including Alaska LNG project

2025/04/14 20:00

Against this backdrop, Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced that the United States is moving swiftly toward trade negotiations with Seoul following a temporary suspension of additional rates on reciprocal tariffs. On Monday, Han said at a meeting on economic security that Mr. Trump has reportedly instructed his team to 'immediately begin negotiations' with three countries: South Korea, Japan and India. He also revealed that a virtual meeting between Seoul and Washington regarding Alaska's liquefied natural gas project is expected to develop concrete terms within the next couple of days.

Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian city of Sumy kill at least 34 people

2025/04/14 17:00

A Russian air assault against a northeastern Ukrainian city this past weekend has taken dozens of lives and injured over a hundred others. Byeon Ye-young covers this latest attack. Rubble and bodies were left among the ashes and smoke after two Russian ballistic missiles struck the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday. The attack killed 34 people, including two children, and left 117 injured in one of the deadliest attacks in the conflict of the year. Sumy, located just over 25 kilometers from the Russian border, has endured a wave of missile strikes in recent weeks. The missiles hit the city center just after 10 a.m. local time on Palm Sunday, as residents were attending church services --one of the busiest religious days of the year, according to Ukraine's economy minister. "There is no military base. No military people. Center of the city. What could there be possibly? There is no air defense here, there is nothing here. They're just erasing the nation. This is genocide. How can you call it any different?" The attack came despite a U.S.-brokered agreement between Russia and Ukraine last month to halt strikes on each other's energy infrastructure. On Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly condemned the latest attack, stating that only "filthy scum" were capable of such actions, and urged the international community to respond with action. "Only pressure, only decisive action, can change this. Every Russian ballistic missile, every cruise missile, every Russian Shahed, every guided bomb, strike not only our people, not only our communities, but also diplomacy, and the political efforts of everyone who is truly trying to bring this to an end." Reactions quickly poured in from global leaders. Keith Kellogg, Donald Trump's envoy for Ukraine, wrote on X that the missile strike "crosses any line of decency," and reiterated that the U.S. president was working hard to end the war. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, took to social media to express support for Ukraine, condemn Russia's actions, and call for a full ceasefire. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang news.

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

2025/04/14 17:00

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

Acting President Han pledges to stick to "final mission" of resolving tariff troubles amid presidency run speculation

2025/04/14 17:00

Acting President Han Duck-soo has called his commitment to navigating the nation through tough tariff talks with the Trump administration his "final mission" Chairing a Cabinet meeting earlier on this Monday Han emphasized turning the crisis into an opportunity by leveraging his extensive trade experience to protect national interests and enhance Korea's global competitiveness. These remarks come amid much speculation about a potential bid by Han for the presidential election on June third. He has neither confirmed nor denied his intention to run. He has instead called on the parliament for prompt action on pending bills aimed at stabilizing livelihoods and spurring economic growth. In this regard he stressed the need to swiftly pass the Semiconductor Special Act as well as measures to help protect small businesses affected by delayed payments.

Employment for late 20s in S. Korea sees biggest drop in 12 years

2025/04/14 17:00

The number of employed Koreans in their late 20s has retreated to its lowest level in 12 years. Data shared by Statistics Korea on this Monday show some 2-point-4 million Koreans between the ages of 25 and 29 were employed in the first quarter of this year DOWN 98-thousand on year. The agency is linking the drop to declines in manufacturing and construction jobs. Moreover this latest drop is not only the deepest since 2013 but also continues a nine-quarter run of on-year employment slumps for people.. in this age group.

Rebounds in chip, display shipments lead to ICT exports growth in March, reaching US$ 20.6 bil.

2025/04/14 17:00

Exports of Korean ICT products expanded almost 10 percent on year in March led by chips and display panels. Moon Ji-young has the latest numbers. Rebounds in chip and display sales led to an increase in South Korea's tech exports last month, according to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Monday. ICT exports in March reached almost 20-point-6 billion dollars, up 9-point 4 percent compared to the same month the previous year. Month-on-month data shows that tech exports surged by 24 percent, while the trade balance saw an increase of a whopping 48 percent during the same period. Exports of major tech items, such as chips, displays, cell phones and computers, have all risen together for the first time in eight months. Semiconductor exports increased by nearly 12 percent year-on-year, driven by rising demand for high-value memory chips, such as High Bandwidth Memory and Double Data Rate 5. This growth is attributed to expanded investments in AI servers and a reduction in companies' memory inventories. The display sector rebounded by one-point-three percent after eight months, thanks to the launch of new mobile phones. Experts and officials from the Trade Ministry attribute these rebounds to preemptive measures taken by leading companies to secure their inventories in anticipation of reciprocal tariffs imposed by the U.S. "Certainly, after the announcement of the tariffs imposition, there was a trend where companies tried to pull forward their shipments for the following month, and the month after that, before tariffs were increased." Exports of mobile phones soared by nearly 15 percent while computers jumped over 28 percent, both showing double-digit growth. By country, shipments to the U.S., Vietnam, and Japan performed strongly last month, driven by robust demand for chips. In contrast, exports to China, South Korea's top export destination, fell by over 12 percent due to decreased demand for chips and computers. There was also a drop in exports to Europe. Meanwhile, ICT imports totaled over 12-point-2 billion dollars, resulting in a positive ICT trade balance. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

Seoul says copper import restrictions will disrupt S. Korean investment in U.S.

2025/04/14 17:00

The government here is requesting that the Trump administration re-consider its restrictions on copper imports from South Korea. The request follows the launch of an investigation by the U.S. Commerce Department to assess the national security implications of U.S. imports of copper and copper derivative products. In response the Trade Ministry here has pointed out that South Korean copper products have contributed favorably to the American economy. The ministry also stressed that U.S. tariffs on copper imports would simply serve to raise prices and disrupt the current stability of the supply chain.