News

First Lady Kim Hea Kyung makes first solo appearance in Canada

2025/06/18 10:00

Also in Canada, South Korea's new First Lady, Kim Hea Kyung, made her first solo appearance on Tuesday, meeting with members of the local Korean community at the Calgary Korean Association. According to the Presidential Office, Kim expressed heartfelt appreciation for their continued connection to Korea and promised better support for overseas Koreans. In the afternoon, the First Lady visited the National Access Arts Centre, an arts institution in Calgary led by a Korean director, where she met artists with disabilities. She expressed interest in Canada's disability support policies and emphasized the importance of expanding cultural exchanges between South Korea and Canada in the field of disability arts.

[On-point] S. Korea's Lee attends G7 summit, his first diplomatic trip since taking office

2025/06/18 10:00

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is on his first diplomatic trip since taking office and has engaged with leaders from countries including Australia and Japan. For more on the G7 summit and Lee's visit to Canada, we're joined by Professor Mason Richey,.. Professor of International Politics at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Professor Richey, thanks for joining us this morning. 1. President Lee held a bilateral meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister. What's your overall assessment of today's meeting, and how do you think President Lee should navigate relations with Japan throughout his term? 2. At the G7 summit, U.S. President Donald Trump said that kicking Russia out of the group was a "mistake" and even suggested that adding China is not a bad idea. Is Trump interested in turning the G7 back into the G8, or even expanding it to a G9 with China? 3. President Lee was not able to hold a meeting with Trump, as the U.S. leader left the G7 early because of the conflict between Israel and Iran. How do you think the situation in the Middle East will unfold? And how could this possibly affect South Korea? 4. The U.S. and the UK signed a trade deal in Canada, while Japan did not. What's your take on this? Do you think South Korea will be able to reach a trade agreement with the Trump administration before the July deadline? 5. President Lee said he'll focus on "pragmatic diplomacy," as he faces the challenge of balancing between Korea's biggest security ally, the U.S. and biggest trading partner, China. How do you think he should navigate this? Alright. I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Thank you for your insight. We appreciate it.

Pyongyang to send 6,000 personnel for reconstruction of war damage in Russia

2025/06/18 10:00

North Korea is sending thousands of military personnel to help rebuild a Russian city damaged by its war with Ukraine. The deployment marks a new phase in Pyongyang's deepening partnership with Moscow , one that now extends beyond the battlefield. Our North Korean affairs correspondent Kim Jung-sil has the story. North Korea is sending thousands of military construction workers to Russia's Kursk region: including 5,000 construction workers to rebuild damaged infrastructure and 1,000 sappers to clear the area of landmines. The decision was announced by Russia's top security official, Sergei Shoigu after he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on Tuesday afternoon , their second meeting in just two weeks. "It's a gesture of brotherly support from the North Korean people and their leader, Kim Jong-un." North Korea is believed to have already sent some 12,000 combat troops to Russia's Kursk region since October. South Korean intelligence says around 600 have been killed, with total casualties nearing 4,700. Analysts say Pyongyang's support isn't without strings , and it's likely expecting a payoff. "North Korea will likely get advanced systems like the Pantsir air defense weapon and reconnaissance satellite technology." Professor Kim added that Pyongyang will also likely receive oil and food supplies in return , crucial support as it struggles under sanctions and isolation. Other analysts say the visit also reflects shared concerns over Washington's recent signals regarding the situation in the Middle East. "With Trump doubling down on saying Iran must never get nuclear weapons, Russia may be reassuring North Korea , which has taken real risks for Moscow and still wants full recognition as a nuclear power." Pyongyang gave no details on the new deployment but said the two sides exchanged views on global and regional issues and reached full consensus. Meanwhile, South Korea criticized the move, saying employing North Korean workers abroad violates UN Security Council resolutions , and called on Pyongyang and Moscow to immediately stop their cooperation. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Trump holds 80-minute NSC meeting to discuss U.S. involvement in Iran-Israel conflict

2025/06/18 10:00

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump, cut short his participation in the G7 summit for urgent consultations at home. He's now warning that the U.S. knows where the Iranian leader is hiding, calling him an "easy target." Our Moon Hye-ryeon has more. As the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, U.S. President Donald Trump convened a National Security Council meeting in Washington. Taking to social media on Tuesday ahead of the talks, Trump warned that the U.S. knows where Iran's supreme leader is hiding, and called for "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER." He added that while the Iranian leader is an "easy target", they are not going to kill him – "at least for now." Following the 80-minute NSC meeting, CNN reported that Trump is "warming" to the idea of using U.S. military assets to strike Iran, and that he spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. American strategic bombers equipped with bunker-busting munitions are seen as a key component of any potential operation aimed at disabling Iran's Fordow nuclear facility. According to Reuters, fighter aircraft have been deployed to the Middle East already, although U.S. military officials have emphasized their defensive nature. So far, Washington's involvement in the conflict has remained defensive — supporting Israel by helping intercept Iranian missile attacks. The U.S. already has significant military presence in the region, including troops, warplanes and air defense systems equipped to neutralize aerial threats. While the White House has yet to issue an official statement regarding the outcome of the NSC talks, analysts suggest the administration may also be preparing a diplomatic proposal alongside its military options. "This would involve ending the Iranian nuclear program, Iran agreeing to not controlling any uranium enrichment capability, and then in return, the United States would lift economic sanctions." On Monday Israel issued evacuation orders affecting 300,000 people in central Tehran. President Trump took to his social media platform on the same day urging civilians to "immediately evacuate" the Iranian capital. The U.S. State Department has since launched a task force to assist American citizens and residents seeking to leave the region. As the situation unfolds, global attention is now on whether the United States will enter the Israel-Iran conflict with military support, or push for peaceful negotiations. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

World leaders address energy security at G7; Pres. Lee shares Korea's contributions

2025/06/18 10:00

Leaders from around the world, not just those from the G7 group, met in Canada to address key global issues, such as energy security. Among them was South Korea's new president Lee Jae Myung, who shared Korea's contributions for energy and AI. Our senior presidential office correspondent Yoon Jung-min starts us off. It was all smiles with a warm welcome in Kananaskis, Canada, as the Group of Seven began its expanded session with an official welcome and a group photo, with the notable absence of U.S. President Donald Trump. Invited were several guest countries, including South Korea, Australia and India for some crucial discussions. "For common problems in energy security, common opportunities in new technologies from information technology, AI, quantum computing. The need to have reliable supplies that this table can produce." The new South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung took the opportunity, on his debut on the global stage, for multilateral summit diplomacy. His focus was on Korea's vision for diversifying energy, aiming to expand renewable energy and upgrade the country's power supply system at a time when there's more power demand due to the use of AI. Also addressed were securing critical minerals within the international framework and forging a global AI ecosystem, stressing Korea's role and contribution along the way. As Korea resumes its full-fledged diplomacy, the new president took the first step at the G7, having unveiled Korea's visions for energy and AI. Now, many are watching whether more summit diplomacy would follow at the upcoming NATO summit next week. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News, Calgary.

President Lee’s G7 Debut: Diplomatic signals, missed meetings, and what comes next?

2025/06/17 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is stepping onto the global stage faster than any other Korean leader before him, making his diplomatic debut at the G7 Summit in Canada. On his first day there, he held bilateral talks with the South African president and Canadian officials, discussing economic cooperation and regional stability. He also met with Australia's prime minister to reaffirm ties and coordinate actions on North Korea. Many are now looking forward to a key summit with Japan's prime minister scheduled for tomorrow. But a planned meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump was cancelled following Trump's early departure amid urgent developments in the Middle East. So what do these early moves tell us about President Lee's diplomatic approach — and what might they signal about Korea's evolving role on the world stage? For answers to this, we invited Robert Kelly, professor of International Relations at Pusan National University. Welcome. We're also joined by Choi Hyun Jin, professor of Political Science at Kyung Hee University. Good to see you. 1. (KELLY) To start with the big picture, Prof. Kelly, President Lee Jae-myung is stepping onto the global diplomatic stage less than two weeks into his post. Do you view this as a strategic reboot of Korea's high-level diplomacy following the months-long pause after the martial law crisis? 2. (CHOI) From a domestic and regional standpoint, how significant is it that President Lee chose the G7 as his first overseas platform? Does this choice reflect a particular diplomatic signal? 3. (CHOI) So today we heard the most anticipated summit with the U.S. has been called off due to President Trump's early return to Washington. Prof.Choi, what kind of diplomatic impact does this have on President Lee's debut? Does the cancellation signal any challenges to the current state of the alliance? 4. (KELLY) Though the summit had been cancelled, Prof.Kelly, what key issues do you think Seoul was hoping to advance — and would you expect a potential face-to-face between the two sides in the near future? 5. (KELLY) Meanwhile, President Lee already held bilateral meetings with Australia and South Africa — two key players in the global south. How do you interpret this early outreach? Is it part of a broader strategy to diversify Korea's diplomatic portfolio beyond traditional alliances? 6. (CHOI) So tomorrow, we are expecting a summit with Japan. With the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 80th year since liberation, what substantive outcomes do you expect Prof. Choi? 7. (CHOI) As the G7 summit progresses, China is hosting a rival summit in Central Asia. Prof. Choi, what does this parallel diplomacy reveal about the current power competition in the region? And how might that influence the tone or priorities of G7 discussions? 8. (KELLY) So it looks like China is working to deepen ties in Central Asia and the U.S. is reaffirming alliances at the G7, where does this landscape leave middle powers such as South Korea? 9. (KELLY) Now, as for North Korea, Prof.Kelly, do you see any opportunity — formal or informal — during the G7 for movement on the North Korean nuclear issue? 10. (CHOI) Finally, looking ahead, what should we watch for in President Lee's next moves on the diplomatic front? Has this G7 debut provided any clues about how his foreign policy will take shape?

Lee resumes summit diplomacy at G7 in Canada; meeting with Trump falls through

2025/06/17 20:00

Also in Canada is President Lee Jae Myung. He spent the first full day mingling with the leaders of South Africa and Australia. Here's our top office correspondent Yoon Jung-min, traveling with the president. On his way to Canada to attend the G7 Summit, South Korea's new President Lee Jae Myung was asked about the timing of the G7 summit during a impromptu press conference on-board Korea's Air Force One. "It's true that it is not easy to attend an international meeting only a few days after taking office. There were opinions that we needed to show the international community that the Republic of Korea had quickly returned to normal." By that, he meant filling the leadership vacuum following the martial law incident. The President started off his resumption of summit diplomacy by holding bilateral meetings with invited non-G7 countries South Africa and Australia on his first day in Canada. President Lee met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese separately, and in those meetings, he addressed cooperation on the economy and energy, building upon friendships dating back to the Korean War over seven decades ago. Also addressed was regional security surrounding the Korean peninsula. Lee also invited Albanese to the APEC summit in Korea, while Ramaphosa invited Lee to the G20 summit in South Africa later this year. In the evening, President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung were hosted by Canada for dinner. Also in the South Korean President's mind for this trip was trade with the U.S., but his expected meeting with President Trump fell through as the American leader cut short his trip to the G7, citing the crisis in the Middle East. "The U.S. side contacted us, asking for our understanding for what has happened." President Lee's summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is slated for Tuesday, local time. Earlier on-board the Air Force One, President Lee did note that he seeks to yield results that are "mutually beneficial" when it comes to trade talks with the U.S. The Trump administration's deadline for tariff negotiations is set for early July. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News, Calgary.

[Weather] Temperatures will get higher with high humidity

2025/06/17 20:00

Today, the daytime temperature rose to 29 degrees Celsius in Seoul. It will get hotter tomorrow at 31 degrees and it'll reach 32 degrees the day after tomorrow. For the time being, daytime temperatures will stay at around 30 degrees around the inland areas. With high humidity, it feels even hotter than the actual readings. In addition, the ultraviolet index is also strong from the morning. It will start at high to very high levels in the morning, then soar to very high levels all over the country in the afternoon. Sun protection is necessary under the sunshine. Tomorrow morning will be very similar to today at around 20 to 21 degrees in most parts of the country. Highs will move up to 33 degrees in Daegu and Gyeongju, 29 degrees in Jeju. Rain is forecast from Thursday night for central parts of the country and western parts of Jeollabuk-do Province, then it will spread nationwide on Friday and Saturday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

S. Korean president, senior Japanese diplomats call for bilateral relations to move "hand-in-hand towards future"

2025/06/17 20:00

This week, Seoul and Tokyo celebrate 60 years of normalizing diplomatic relations. The Japanese Embassy in Seoul held a reception to celebrate the milestone, with the theme being "hand-in-hand towards a better future", which was echoed by President Lee Jae Myung. Byeon Ye-young reports. From historic highs and lows, South Korea and Japan are pledging to move forward --"hand-in-hand towards a better future." That was the message from President Lee Jae-myung and senior diplomats as both nations marked 60 years since normalising bilateral relations. On Monday, the Japanese Embassy in Seoul hosted a reception to mark the milestone,.. reflecting on the 1965 Treaty on Basic Relations, signed twenty years after Korea's liberation from Japan's colonial rule at the end of World War Two. They also agreed on economic cooperation, and a claims settlement, under which Japan provided 300 million dollars in grants and 200 million in loans over 10 years. Over the past six decades annual trade between the two neighbours has surged from just 200 million U.S. dollars to around 70 billion dollars last year --a 350-fold increase. And people traveling between the two countries, numbering around 10-thousand in 1965, has now surpassed 12 million a year. But history remains a sensitive fault line. Japan's wartime forced labour, its sexual enslavement of so-called "comfort women," and territorial disputes have long fuelled friction which spiraled in 2019, into a full-blown diplomatic and trade standoff. The Yoon Suk Yeol government moved to mend ties, restoring reciprocal visits between leaders, and strengthening trilateral cooperation with the United States. President Lee Jae-myung has signaled continued engagement., speaking via video due to his trip to Canada to attend the G7 Summit. Japan's Ambassador Mizushima Koichi said the two nations should now build new momentum for the decades ahead, and emphasised the importance of trilateral ties with the U.S. Japan's Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, Nagashima Akihisa --who also heads the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union --called for broader cooperation. "Expanding bilateral communication and cooperation is no longer a choice, but a necessity. This applies across various sectors, including security, economy, energy, technology, and culture." The commemorations will continue on Thursday in Tokyo, where Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to attend a corresponding reception hosted by the Korean Embassy. But first, President Lee and Prime Minister Ishiba could well hold their first meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea's May auto exports down; eco cars lead domestic sales

2025/06/17 20:00

Korea's overseas shipments of automobiles lost ground in May, but sales of eco-friendly cars exceeded that of gasoline-powered cars for the first time ever. Moon Ji-young has more. South Korea's car exports shrank last month as outbound shipments to the U.S. sharply dropped on Washington's hefty tariffs on imported vehicles. That's according to the latest automotive trends report released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Tuesday, which showed the country's auto exports came at 6-point-2 billion U.S. dollars, down over 4 percent from a year earlier. The figure marks the second consecutive month of decreases, but is the second-highest export value for any May. In terms of volume, exports fell by more than three percent on-year. However, exports of eco-friendly vehicles went up more than 10 percent to record a new monthly high, thanks to strong demand for hybrid cars. The Trade Ministry attributed the overall decrease in auto exports to a base effect from a record monthly figure posted a year earlier and the impacts of the Trump administration's 25 percent tariffs on all imported cars and auto parts. Exports to the U.S. decreased by more than 27 percent on-year in May. The Ministry further explained that this decrease appears to have been influenced by the start of mass local production at Hyundai Motor Group's Metaplant America in the U.S. state of Georgia. "Meanwhile, here at home, sales of eco-friendly cars have increased by 39 percent from the previous year and now exceed sales of gasoline-powered cars for the first time ever." This is driven by strong demand for hybrid cars, with sales rising more than 31 percent year on year, as well as EVs and plug-in hybrids. In terms of domestic production, South Korean carmakers produced 3-point-1 percent fewer vehicles compared to the previous year, recording 359-thousand units due to decreased exports. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

KOSPI hovers around the 2,900 mark as uncertainties cause market volatility

2025/06/17 20:00

The benchmark KOSPI hovered around the 29-hundred mark yet again on Tuesday after being so close to breaking the 3-thousand mark. Park Jun-han has the details. South Korea's benchmark KOSPI ended trading on Tuesday at 2-thousand-950-point-3 points. This marks a point-12 percent increase from Monday's market close. The stocks that drove market momentum were South Korea's tech giants, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. As of 2:15 PM, Samsung Electronics — which makes up about 12.4% of the benchmark index — climbed 2.7% to 58-thousand-900 won, while SK hynix, accounting for around 6.5% of the market, briefly hit an all-time high of 260-thousand won before slipping to 250-thousand won. "The index recently had already moved up while semiconductor stocks lagged. But as AI demand continues to grow, a positive outlook for chip stocks is being rebuilt — particularly around SK hynix, which remains competitive in AI-related memory products, especially high-bandwidth memory." With the KOSPI now at a critical turning point — shifting from the current 2,000 level toward the 3,000 mark — both domestic and global investors are closely monitoring the situation to see whether it can break through and sustain a position above 3,000. Although South Korean stocks have gained momentum to bounce back from early April's yearly low, there are global uncertainties that could bring volatility to the market. The Middle Eastern conflicts between Israel and Iran could significantly impact global stocks and oil prices if the situation escalates. Moreover, on Wednesday, local time, the U.S. Federal Reserve will make a decision on the country's interest rate. Although the market is expecting interest rates to remain unchanged, Fed Chair Jerome Powell's forecast about the country's economy could affect not only the U.S. stock markets but also South Korean stocks. On the domestic front, as the Lee Jae-myung administration prepares a supplementary budget worth around 20 trillion won, or about 14.6 billion dollars, the stock market could experience volatility depending on the scope, funding sources, and market expectations surrounding the plan. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

G7 leaders urge Middle East de-escalation from Iran, call for Trump to ease trade war

2025/06/17 20:00

And the Middle East tensions topped the talks at this year's G7 summit in Canada. The Group of Seven leaders issued a collective statement on easing the regional instability and also called on Trump to go easy with his trade war. Our Kim Bo-kyoung has more. The Group of Seven leaders have urged Iran for a de-escalation in the Middle East, showing unified support for Israel. Through the joint statement issued on Monday local time, and while saying that Israel has a right to defend itself, the leaders condemned Iran for being the "principal source of regional instability and terror, " and highlighted that Iran can never have nuclear weapons. De-escalation was not the only topic for the G7 leaders. Citing risk to global economic stability, the leaders pushed for U.S. President Donald Trump to ease off the trade war. As the U.S. plans to impose even steeper tariffs on countries across the world, they argue that such a dispute would only weaken G7 economies, and rather strengthen China. The countries did use the summit as a chance to reach a trade agreement with the U.S. Before his abrupt departure, U.S. President Donald Trump held talks with G7 leaders and the United Kingdom was able to sign a trade deal. The agreement sets the tax on British autos at ten-percent from the end of the month, down from the current 27-point-5-percent, up to a quota of 100-thousand vehicles a year and removes U.S. tariffs on UK aerospace products. "This now implements on car tariffs and aerospace, a really important agreement. And so this is a very good day for both of our countries, a real sign of strength." A final agreement to cut the tax on British steel to zero has not yet been reached. Meanwhile, other countries could not see breakthroughs. But following talks between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump, the Canadian government indicated that there could be a trade agreement within 30 days. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, reportedly discussed a solution that aligns with Japan's national interests during a 30-minute conversation with President Trump but said there still are existing differences that needed to be worked out. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

U.S. Embassy in Israel closed from Tuesday due to ongoing Israel-Iran conflict

2025/06/17 20:00

We begin in the Middle East where Israel and Iran continue to test each other with waves of attacks. While the two sides appear to be far from meeting halfway, the U.S. is now closing down its embassy in Israel. Our Choi Soo-hyung starts us off. The U.S. Embassy in Israel shuttered its doors on Tuesday, local time. On Monday, the embassy announced on its website that it was closing its offices in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, due to the current security situation amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Consular services, including passport services, will be suspended. All employees and their family members have been ordered to shelter in place and nearby residences until further notice. Tensions continued to rise in the Middle East as the Israel-Iran conflict entered its fifth day. Some reports suggest that Israel may even attempt to assassinate Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, as part of a plan to overthrow Iran's religious government. "We're reshaping the Middle East, which could even lead to major changes in Iran itself." So far, in Israel at least 24 people have been killed and nearly 600 injured since the fighting started. In Iran, more than 224 people have been killed and around 14-hundred have been injured. On Monday evening, the Israeli military conducted airstrikes on Iran's capital, Tehran, including the state-run IRIB broadcaster and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps headquarters killing Ali Shadmani, who it identified as Iran's wartime chief of staff. The Israel Defense Forces also announced that they have disabled about 120 of Iran's missile launch sites. In response, Iran continues to launch missiles and drones nightly. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, who was attending the G7 Summit in Canada, left the meeting early due to the escalating tensions. President Trump plans to call an emergency National Security Council meeting after returning to Washington. The New York Times reported he may discuss supplying Israel with bunker-busting bombs capable of striking Iran's underground nuclear sites. It said that approving the request could mean direct U.S. involvement in the conflict, despite Trump's stance against American involvement in other countries' wars. But he also remains firmly opposed to a nuclear-armed Iran. The sixth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks was canceled after the Israeli attacks began. Iran says it remains open to talks with the U.S., but has demanded that Israel stop its strikes first. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Stock

2025/06/17 20:00

2025. 6. 17. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 2,950.30 ▲3.64 +0.12% KOSDAQ : 775.65 ▼-1.61 -0.21% KOSPI200 : 395.18 ▲1.02 +0.26% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 38,536.74 ▲225.41 +0.59% HANG SENG : 23,980.30 ▼80.69 -0.34% SHANGHAI : 3,387.41 ▼1.32 -0.04% WALL STREET (June 16) DOW JONES : 42,515.09 ▲317.30 +0.75% NASDAQ : 19,701.21 ▲294.38 +1.52% S&P500 : 6,033.11 ▲56.14 +0.94% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,362.70 (-1.10) JPY : 941.55 (-4.35) CNY : 189.76 (-0.08) EUR : 1,576.03 (+1.93)

Lee resumes summit diplomacy at G7 in Canada; meeting with Trump falls through

2025/06/17 17:00

Also in Canada. Upon arrival there on Monday President Lee Jae-myung sat down separately with his counterparts from South Africa and Australia ahead of the extended G7 session on Tuesday local time. Our top office correspondent Yoon Jung-min is part of the traveling press corps and files this report from Calgary. On his way to Canada to attend the G7 Summit, South Korea's new President Lee Jae Myung was asked about the timing of the G7 summit during a impromptu press conference on-board Korea's Air Force One. "It's true that it is not easy to attend an international meeting only a few days after taking office. There were opinions that we needed to show the international community that the Republic of Korea had quickly returned to normal." By that, he meant filling the leadership vacuum following the martial law incident. The President started off his resumption of summit diplomacy by holding bilateral meetings with invited non-G7 countries South Africa and Australia on his first day in Canada. President Lee met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese separately, and in those meetings, he addressed cooperation on the economy and energy, building upon friendships dating back to the Korean War over seven decades ago. Also addressed was regional security surrounding the Korean peninsula. Lee also invited Albanese to the APEC summit in Korea, while Ramaphosa invited Lee to the G20 summit in South Africa later this year. In the evening, President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung were hosted by Canada for dinner. Also in the South Korean President's mind for this trip was trade with the U.S., but his expected meeting with President Trump fell through as the American leader cut short his trip to the G7, citing the crisis in the Middle East. "The U.S. side contacted us, asking for our understanding for what has happened." President Lee's summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is slated for Tuesday, local time. Earlier on-board the Air Force One, President Lee did note that he seeks to yield results that are "mutually beneficial" when it comes to trade talks with the U.S. The Trump administration's deadline for tariff negotiations is set for early July. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News, Calgary.

[Weather] Temperatures will get higher from now on, high UV rays

2025/06/17 17:00

Unlike yesterday, it will get hotter and hotter from today. Today's daytime temperature in Seoul rose up to 29 degrees Celsius, which is about 4 degrees higher than yesterday. As heat with humid air comes in, it will rise to 31 degrees tomorrow. And it feels even hotter than the actual readings across the country. With summer heat, the ultraviolet index is also strong from the morning. It will start at high to very high levels in the morning, then soar to very high levels all over the country in the afternoon. Please stay out of the sunshine when it gets to its peak. Tomorrow morning will start warm at around 20 to 21 degrees in most parts of the country. Highs will move up to 32 degrees in Gwangju, 26 degrees in Busan. Rain is expected from Thursday night for central parts of the country and western parts of Jeollabuk-do Province, then it will spread nationwide on Friday and Saturday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Heavy rains in dry season kill at least 29 in DR Congo's capital

2025/06/17 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, heavy weekend rains in the capital Kinshasa have triggered floods and landslides that have claimed at least 29 lives. Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba said on Sunday local time that sudden downpours, unusually heavy for the dry season, dumped nearly 90 millimeters of rain across the city on Saturday. Drone footage on Monday showed the devastation as the storm overwhelmed drainage systems and walls. Roads and bridges have been swept away, and many neighborhoods saw power outages. Rescues are underway, with affected residents relocated to temporary shelters. Kinshasa lies on the Congo River, and many residents live in areas vulnerable to flooding. More than 30 people died in Kinshasa in April, also due to flash floods. Denmark has launched a trial of uncrewed robotic saildrones, nicknamed "Voyagers," to enhance maritime surveillance across the Baltic and North Seas. Two of the Voyagers, built by California-based company Saildrone, were deployed by Denmark's armed forces on Monday from the port of Koge, south of the capital Copenhagen. The 10-meter-long unmanned surface drones, which resemble ordinary sailboats, are powered by wind and solar energy and are equipped with radar, optical, and infrared cameras, as well as sonar and acoustic sensors for monitoring purposes. They are set to patrol Danish and NATO waters autonomously for three months. Their operation follows testing in early June, when two Voyagers joined NATO's maritime patrols. Saildrone's founder and CEO said the vessels provide a "full picture of what's above and below the surface" to about 30 to 50 kilometers in the open ocean. The Trump Organization, led by U.S. President Donald Trump's two sons, unveiled a new mobile network named "Trump Mobile" on Monday. The service launches on the 10th anniversary of Trump's presidential campaign announcement. It is priced at 47 U.S. dollars 45 cents per month, symbolically referencing Trump's positions as the 45th and 47th president. The offering includes the T1 Phone, a gold-hued Android smartphone priced at 499 dollars, made in the U.S., targeting conservative consumers seeking an American-made alternative. The phone is set for release in August or September. The 2025 Paris Air Show kicked off at the Le Bourget airport on Monday local time, displaying various civilian and military aerial vehicles. However, France has ordered the closure of four major Israeli defense companies' stands after exhibitors refused to stop displaying attack weapons, citing the escalation in the Gaza conflict. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned it as "outrageous and unprecedented," accusing Paris of politically motivated discrimination. He went on to compare the blacked-out booths to a "Jewish ghetto." The Paris Air Show will be open to the public until June 20. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

LED sensors enahanced in wearable devices to improve personal health monitoring

2025/06/17 17:00

Korean researchers have advanced the accuracy of wearable healthcare gadgets aimed at monitoring blood pressure. Lee Eun-jin explains. Monitoring blood pressure as a part of personal healthcare has become even more important as cardiovascular diseases, like stroke or heart failure, are the leading cause of global death. However, existing healthcare devices for blood pressure monitoring are cumbersome or inconvenient to use. Some smartwatches that aid in health monitoring can measure heart rate by detecting changes in blood volume, but the use of optical sensors limits their accuracy for it to meet the standards of a healthcare device. LED-based photoplethysmography, or PPG, technology only uses between one and four LEDs in its sensors. Now, a research team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has developed a highly sensitive, wearable piezoelectric blood pressure sensor that utilizes up to 50 LEDs, making it much more sensitive, therefore, significantly improving its accuracy. "By maintaining a higher spectral resolution, more signals can be emitted in a tighter and smaller wavelength range. With extensively more wavelengths measured at the same time, even when there is distortion, high accuracy can be guaranteed." Ultrathin piezoelectric sensors with a thickness of several micrometers, which is thinner than human hair, remain in conformal contact with the skin allowing for the successful collection of accurate blood pressure from the subtle pulsation of the blood vessels. "Blood pressure levels can be measured not only during workouts but in daily life, and even while sleeping. Because the spectroscope was made very small, it can easily be applied to wearable devices." Continuous monitoring of blood pressure changes can help prevent cardiovascular-related diseases. The research team plans to develop a wireless blood pressure measuring device through follow-up research and to commercialize it before too long. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

Koreans splash the heat away at Gimpo Aramarine Festival

2025/06/17 17:00

Today that is June 17th is the final day of a relatively early summer festival in the city of Gimpo just ahead of the heavy rain forecast for this coming weekend here in the greater Seoul area. Our Byeon Ye-young was there. This summer is forecast to be hotter than usual. Heavy rainfall is expected to start in June. And what better way to make most of the sweltering heat and rain than water sports? "Here at the Gimpo Aramarine festival, visitors can kayak, kayak, slide down water slides, and splash the heat away." Following its roaring success over the past years, the Gimpo Aramarine festival came back this year, this time running for four days. The festival centers on the theme of connecting water and the environment with culture. "This year marks the 9th edition of the Gimpo Aramarine Festival. Our main programs include the Pori Race, various water leisure activities, and a yacht competition. We're doing our best to offer fun and exciting experiences not only for Gimpo residents but for visitors from all over." Running from June 14th to 17th, the event offers more than just water sports. A dance competition and live performances by popular artists add to the energy and excitement. Visitors can also explore community partnership booths offering hands-on experiences linked to water and sustainability. "Oh, we heard there are lots of fun activities for kids to enjoy here, so we decided to come." At the Carbon-Neutral Wooden Play Experience booth, children play with eco-friendly wooden toys while learning about carbon neutrality. And one charming star stole the show: the festival's duck mascot, Pory. Gimpo has a unique tradition of using ducks in rice farming to control pests an eco-friendly practice that inspired the city's lovable duck mascot. On Sunday, the ducks made a splashy return in the annual rubber duck race, now with a brand-new name: Pori Race. The name "Pory" is a playful blend of "Gimpo" and ori , the Korean word for duck, and was selected through a public naming contest. With rubber ducks raining from the sky, the Pori Race once again filled the city with smiles and laughter. According to officials, an estimated 80,000 visitors attended the festival over the weekend. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

S. Korean president, senior Japanese diplomats call for bilateral relations to move "hand-in-hand towards future"

2025/06/17 17:00

The Japanese Embassy here in Seoul hosted a reception Monday evening to celebrate six decades of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan this year. AND a similar event is scheduled to be hosted by the Korean Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday. Our foreign affairs correspondent Oh Soo-young reports. From historic highs and lows, South Korea and Japan are pledging to move forward "hand-in-hand towards a better future." That was the message from President Lee Jae-myung and senior diplomats as both nations marked 60 years since normalising bilateral relations. On Monday, the Japanese Embassy in Seoul hosted a reception to mark the milestone,.. reflecting on the 1965 Treaty on Basic Relations, signed twenty years after Korea's liberation from Japan's colonial rule at the end of World War Two. They also agreed on economic cooperation, and a claims settlement, under which Japan provided 300 million dollars in grants and 200 million in loans over 10 years. Over the past six decades annual trade between the two neighbours has surged from just 200 million U.S. dollars to around 70 billion dollars last year a 350-fold increase. And people traveling between the two countries, numbering around 10-thousand in 1965, has now surpassed 12 million a year. But history remains a sensitive fault line. Japan's wartime forced labour, its sexual enslavement of so-called "comfort women," and territorial disputes have long fuelled friction which spiraled in 2019, into a full-blown diplomatic and trade standoff. The Yoon Suk Yeol government moved to mend ties, restoring reciprocal visits between leaders, and strengthening trilateral cooperation with the United States. President Lee Jae-myung has signaled continued engagement., speaking via video due to his trip to Canada to attend the G7 Summit. Japan's Ambassador Mizushima Koichi said the two nations should now build new momentum for the decades ahead, and emphasised the importance of trilateral ties with the U.S. Japan's Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, Nagashima Akihisa who also heads the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union called for broader cooperation. "Expanding bilateral communication and cooperation is no longer a choice, but a necessity. This applies across various sectors, including security, economy, energy, technology, and culture." The commemorations will continue on Thursday in Tokyo, where Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to attend a corresponding reception hosted by the Korean Embassy. But first, President Lee and Prime Minister Ishiba could well hold their first meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.