News

Government targets illicit N. Korean cargo shipments with new sanctions

2025/04/10 20:00

The government has imposed new sanctions on one vessel, two foreign companies, and two Chinese nationals for violating UN Security Council resolutions. The "stateless ship" Sunrise 1, run by Hong Kong's Xiangrui Shipping, was caught in South Korean waters last June after loading some 5-thousand tons of North Korean iron ore, strictly banned under UN Resolution 2371. Russia's CONSUL DV owned the cargo, while two Chinese men operated the ship. Seoul says the move reaffirms its commitment to curbing Pyongyang's weapons development by cutting off illegal supply routes at sea.

Seoul mobilizes full diplomatic response to U.S. tariff policy shift

2025/04/10 20:00

And Korea is trying make the most of the 90-day pause, using diplomatic channels and seeking areas of cooperation with Washington. Moon Hye-ryeon has the latest. Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has ordered an all-out diplomatic push to respond to Washington's tariff moves, following the Trump administration's decision to temporarily suspend additional rates on reciprocal tariffs for key trade partners, including South Korea. During a virtual meeting on Wednesday with South Korea's ambassador to the United States, Cho Hyun-dong, and Minister for Trade, Cheong In-kyo, Han stressed the need for swift and unified coordination with U.S. counterparts — the National Security Council, U.S. Trade Representative, and the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce and Energy. He instructed the Korean Embassy in Washington to strengthen communication with U.S. officials and ensure timely reporting back to Seoul, where all government ministries are treating the situation with "the utmost seriousness." Ambassador Cho said U.S. officials reacted positively following Han's phone call with U.S. President Trump, expressing interest in deepening cooperation in trade, energy, and shipbuilding. Trade Minister Cheong, who is currently in Washington, echoed that the tariff delay gives Korea a chance to minimize the economic fallout. However, he warned of potential spillover effects from steep U.S. tariffs on China — such as an influx of discounted Chinese goods into Korean and regional markets. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok also addressed the issue, stating on Wednesday that the 90-day deferral has eased some immediate pressure. In a meeting with financial envoys abroad, he pledged full support for Korean companies during this adjustment period and emphasized the need for clear messaging that Korea's economic and foreign policy remains steady despite this period of political transition. Officials noted that while China is responding forcefully to the U.S. tariffs, countries like Japan and Vietnam are prioritizing dialogue — highlighting the importance of tailored, proactive diplomacy in the weeks ahead. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

China's tit-for-tat 84% tariffs on U.S. imports take effect, as trade tensions escalate

2025/04/10 20:00

Trade tensions between the world's two largest economies show little sign of dialing down any sooner. China's retaliatory tariffs of 84-percent on U.S. imports came into effect this afternoon, just hours after the U.S. decided to raise tariffs on China to 125-percent. Bae Eun-ji explains more. China's countermeasures against the U.S. took effect at noon, Beijing local time, after the Chinese government announced its decision to impose 84 percent additional tariffs on all American imports. The country had earlier vowed to "fight to the end," and said in a statement that the U.S. escalation of tariffs is a "mistake upon mistake." "We will continue to take resolute and strong measures to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests." In addition to the tariffs, China's commerce ministry announced that it had imposed export controls on 12 American companies, banning Chinese companies from supplying them with dual-use products with military and civilian applications. It also added six more U.S. firms to its "unreliable entity list," which bans them from trading or making new investments in China. But China did leave room for dialogue with Washington. When asked about whether the two sides have started tariff negotiations, the commerce ministry said in a regular briefing on Thursday that it's open to talks, but stressed that this must be based on "mutual respect and equality." The two countries have been going back and forth with tariffs, since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office earlier this year. In February, Trump imposed additional 10 percent tariffs on Chinese imports, and China hit back by imposing 15 percent tariffs on U.S. coal and LNG products. In March, Trump decided to double the levies on China to 20 percent, in which China retaliated by imposing 15 percent tariffs on key American farm products. Then last week, Trump unveiled an additional 34-percent tariff on all Chinese imports, and China hit back with reciprocal tariffs. Trump threatened to add another 50 percent, increasing the tariff rate to 104 percent. China immediately responded by increasing tariffs on American imports from 34 to 84 percent. And now, Trump has hit back China harder with tariffs of 125 percent, leading to retaliation from Beijing. As both countries refuse to back down, eyes are now on whether the two largest economies in the world will be able to reach a trade deal in the near future. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

Where is S. Korea's economy headed post-Yoon's impeachment ruling?

2025/04/10 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 Korea is navigating a complex moment for its economy and markets. Following the impeachment ruling on former President Yoon Suk-yeol, the nation saw a brief dip in the dollar-won exchange rate and a slight easing of market volatility, reflecting hopes that domestic uncertainty might begin to fade. But that window of calm has been narrow. A fresh wave of global trade tensions — sparked by the Trump administration's announcement of 34% reciprocal tariffs on China — has reignited concerns across global markets. Beijing has responded with matching tariffs, and the Korean won has now climbed back above 1,460 against the dollar, with some analysts warning of further upside pressure. All of this comes just ahead of a snap presidential election scheduled within 60 days, adding another layer of potential volatility. To help us understand what these overlapping events mean for Korea's economy, markets, and policy direction, we're joined by Lee Yoon-soo, professor of Economics at Sogang University in the studio. Welcome. Also joining us online is Min Joo Kang, senior economist at ING. Thank you for joining us. (LEE) 1. Let's start with Prof.Lee. President Yoon's impeachment ruling was seen as the resolution of one of the biggest recent domestic political uncertainties. In your view, how has this affected the Korean economy so far? (KANG) 2. Now to Ms. Kang. Looking back at the impeachments of Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye, what financial market trends typically followed such political events? In what ways does the current situation differ — especially considering today's global economic environment? (LEE) 3. Following the ruling, the won-dollar exchange rate briefly dipped to 1,430, suggesting a moment of relief. But it quickly surged back above 1,470 due to rising global trade tensions. What does this sharp reversal tell us about the relative impact of domestic political stabilization versus external economic shocks? (KANG) 4. Now that the 1,470 level has been breached, with markets eyeing the psychological threshold of 1,500, how do you assess the risk of the won crossing that line? What short-term triggers should we be paying attention to? (LEE) 5. In response to recent volatility, Korea's top economic policymakers convened emergency F4 meetings. For those unfamiliar with the process, could you walk us through the key points of their action plan? (KANG) 6. As an economic expert, do you think these measures were adequate to restore market confidence — or is there a need for more proactive and sustained steps in the near term? (KANG) 7. One of the biggest external factors now is the return of a Trump administration and its aggressive tariff policy. With reciprocal 34% tariffs already imposed on China, with more being threatened, how might this new round of trade conflict affect Korea's export-dependent economy? (LEE) 8. Given this rising uncertainty, Prof.Lee, what advice would you offer to institutional investors or Korean exporters looking to hedge or manage exposure to tariff risks? (LEE) 9. Looking ahead, a snap presidential election will take place within the next 60 days. How much additional uncertainty could this introduce into the markets? What are investors most keen to see in terms of the next administration's economic policy direction? (KANG) 10. Considering all of these developments — domestic political shifts, global trade tensions, currency volatility — what's your overall outlook for Korea's economic trajectory in the second half of the year? Are we heading into a more stable phase, or should we be bracing for more turbulence?

China counters Trump's 104% tariffs with 84% levies on U.S. products

2025/04/10 17:00

As mentioned ahead.. among the trade partners that are opting for retaliation over negotiation is China whose tit-for-tat strategy also includes tough rhetoric. Lee Seung-jae covers Beijing's earlier response and more. The two largest economies in the world are now going back and forth with tariffs, each hoping one side with succumb first. A day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 104 percent tariff on Chinese goods coming into the U.S., China retaliated, announcing an 84 percent tariff on U.S. goods. China's State Council Tariff Commission said in a statement that the U.S. escalation of tariffs against Beijing is a "mistake upon mistake," adding that it "severely" infringes upon China's legitimate rights and interests. It added that the U.S. tariffs seriously damage the rules-based multilateral trading system. China had warned that it would "fight to the end" if Washington continued to impose additional tariffs against the country. On top of the 84 percent tariffs, China's Ministry of Commerce announced that it had imposed export controls on 12 American companies, banning Chinese companies from supplying them with dual-use products with military and civilian applications. Beijing also added 6 more U.S. firms to its "unreliable entity list," which bans them from trading or making new investments in China. Meanwhile the European Union will impose its first countermeasures against the U.S. reciprocal tariffs starting next week. EU members agreed on Wednesday to join Canada and China in retaliating against U.S. tariff policies. Members agreed to impose retaliatory tariffs on 23 billion U.S. dollars worth of American products, from farm produce to products from Republican states. The EU says it will impose 25 percent tariffs on a number of goods from almonds to yachts,.. with the first levies being collected starting next Tuesday. Most of the retaliatory tariffs will be applied from May 15th,.. and the remainder starting on December 1st. However,.. the European Commission said in a statement that "these countermeasures can be suspended at any time, should the U.S. agree to a fair and balance negotiated outcome. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. KOREA'S DEMOCRACY MAKES INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES

2025/04/10 17:00

Welcome. It's Thursday April 10th here in Seoul and you're watching Press Perspective. Today we touch upon the praise that the Korean public has been garnering for its relatively peaceful rallies over the past months in demonstration of its democratic values. For more I have Kelly Kasulis Cho with The Washington Post. Kelly welcome back. I also have Steven Borowiec with Nikkei Asia with us. Steven it's good to have you here. 1) Kelly, let's begin with your thoughts on the current public atmosphere following the Constitutional Court's ruling against the former president. 2) Steven, foreign media reports after the Constitutional Court's ruling highlighted South Korea's democratic displays throughout its political paralysis. What appears to be the general assessment? 3) Kelly, you covered the events here starting from the martial law declaration on December 3rd to the Constitutional Court's ruling against the former president on April 4th. What remains the most in your mind? 4) Steven, one French media claims the presidential impeachment here is a reflection of the Korean public's tangible commitment to its political values. Now, prior to the events over the past few months, some pundits had claimed Korea's young appeared uninterested in politics. What do you suppose motivated them to take to the streets? 5) Kelly, over in the U.S., this past weekend, thousands took to the streets to protest Trump tariffs. What comparisons can be made between the rallies there and those that unfolded here over the past weeks? 6) Steven, back in Europe, both French and German media say Korea's latest democratic triumph serves as proof of the positive prospects against democratic backsliding elsewhere. What's your take? I mean, what lessons can be learnt from Korea's experience? 7) Kelly, along with the general applause for South Korea's democracy, concerns have also been shared about its political polarization. Do delve into these concerns for us as shared by the foreign media. 8) Steven, moving forward, there has been talk about the need for constitutional reform here in South Korea, and this reality has also been covered by the German media. What's the latest on this front? All right.

Trump announces 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, hikes levies on China

2025/04/10 17:00

We start with news of a three-month pause in reciprocal tariffs by the Trump administration. on American trade partners who chose negotiation over retaliation. Kim Bo-kyoung has our top story. In just 13 hours since the reciprocal tariffs for so-called "worst offender" countries took effect on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly backed down on this set of tariffs for 90 days for all countries apart from China, which instead saw its tariffs raised to one-hundred-25-percent. Trump's stunning reversal came through his social media just before 1:30 PM Wednesday where he said Washington would pause higher targeted tariffs to more than 75 trading partners who reached out to negotiate with the U.S., rather than retaliated. He repeated his thoughts during an event with race car champions on the White House South Lawn. "I did a 90-day pause for the people that didn't retaliate, because I told them, if you retaliate we're going to double it. And that's what I did with China, because they did retaliate." The decision means countries that would have faced reciprocal tariff rates on Wednesday including South Korea, see rates go back down to the universal ten-percent rate. But for Beijing, which had retaliated to Trump's 104% tariffs by upping its tariff rate on U.S. goods to 84%, Trump raised tariffs on China yet again, to now 125%. Products that aren't exempt under the trade deal steel, aluminum and autos, will still have a 25-percent tariff. When asked whether volatile bond markets persuaded him to pull back on his plan, Trump said he saw people were getting afraid. "The bond market right now is beautiful. But yeah, I saw last night where people were getting a little queasy. . They were getting yippy, you know, they were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid." On this, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly told the press at the White House,. that what people saw the reciprocal tariffs that went effect on Wednesday was a "ceiling", and now that they have a temporary "floor." He added it would take some time for each country's tailor-made solutions. Meanwhile for South Korea, the 90-day pause will likely serve as time to negotiate with the U.S. after the new administration launches in June. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

[Weather] Nicer and milder on Friday then spring storm this weekend

2025/04/10 17:00

It was lovely to see that beautiful sunshine making a comeback today, and it felt just like proper springtime weather out there. Tomorrow, we can look forward to an even nicer afternoon. Then, we are expecting a dynamic weather shift over the weekend with a spring storm expected with a big chill on Sunday. Meanwhile, Seoul and the surrounding regions will remain dusty all day. The Chungcheong-do provinces will be dusty at times. The morning starts off similar to today at 8 degrees in the capital, Gwangju, and Daegu. But afternoon highs will rise rapidly feeling more like early Summer, hovering 25 degrees in many parts under sunny skies nationwide. Then, weekend rain looks like it could be quite significant for a spring shower. So, if you're hoping to catch the peak cherry blossom tomorrow would definitely be the time to do it! That's Korea for you, here's a look at the international weather conditions.

Kansong Art Museum opens rare fan art exhibition

2025/04/10 17:00

On the cultural front. An art museum here in Seoul is showcasing a beautiful collection of ancient paper fans that all have a unique story to share. Our Han Da-eun has a glimpse. A fan painting gifted by a Qing dynasty scholar to a celebrated Joseon literati painter Hong Hyeon-ju. The delicate bamboo leaves invite viewers into the refined artistic exchanges of the era. "Jiranbyeongbun" by Chusa Kim Jeong-hui, a towering figure of Joseon-era calligraphy and literati art, brings to life a graceful composition of orchid blossoms and mushrooms. Jo Hui-ryong's orchids whisper of changing times, casting light on the evolution of his artistic style. "Jo Hui-ryong's early orchid paintings were largely shaped by Chusa Kim Jeong-hui, but later gave way to a more unrestrained style—reflecting the emotional weight of his exile." A grand fan painting by Danwon Kim Hong-do, Joseon's prominent painter renowned for his depictions of common people, with heartfelt praise from Kim's close mentor inscribed in the right corner adds to the charm and warmth of this masterful work. "Rather than giving a plain fan, our ancestors made it special by adding their own paintings or calligraphy—turning it into a personalized gift." The fan artworks of modern-era artists are filled with calligraphy and paintings, each brimming with stories and warm wishes for the recipient's good fortune. Titled "Seonwoo Pungwol," which translates to "sharing a moonlit breeze with good friends," the exhibition features 55 fan artworks carefully curated from the Kansong Art Museum's collection. Among them, over 20 pieces will be unveiled to the public for the first time. The museum's first fan-themed exhibition in 50 years runs through May 25, inviting visitors to discover the untold stories woven through every fold and brushstroke. Han Da-eun, Arirang News.

Constitutional Court dismisses impeachment of Justice Minister Park Sung-jae over alleged martial law participation

2025/04/10 17:00

The Constitutional Court has dismissed the National Assembly's motion to impeach Justice Minister Park Sung-jae. The Court on Thursday unanimously declared its decision NOT to uphold the dismissal of Park on allegations of collusion to impose martial law citing the lack of tangible evidence. This ruling immediately reinstated Park into his post after almost four months of absence.

Former DP chairman Lee Jae-myung announces presidential candidacy in video message

2025/04/10 17:00

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung who stepped down on Wednesday has announced his third run for the nation's top office. In a video message on this Thursday morning Lee pledged dedication to the people in a new vision dubbed "K-Initiative" that highlights Korea's ability to turn crisis into opportunity. He is expected to elaborate on this vision at the parliament on Friday. Other DP candidates are former lawmaker Kim Du-kwan and Governor of Gyeonggi-do Province Kim Dong-yeon who earlier declared their intentions to run.. in the race. Meanwhile the opposition party has tapped Park Beom-kye a four-term lawmaker as its election committee chair and yet has to announce its partisan primary election plan.

PPP presidential primary rules set: Garnering attention, support amid impeachment fallout

2025/04/10 17:00

On the political front. The ruling Power People Party has disclosed its partisan primary election plan which looks to include both open and closed votes. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon has details. The rules for the People Power Party's presidential primary are set. With over 10 contenders expected to vie for the nomination, there will be a series of cut-offs. But their biggest challenge: winning public support amid the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. That's why the first round of cut-offs, to leave four contenders, will be an open survey to all citizens, not just their registered members. "The decision to base the first round entirely on the general public was made in response to widespread calls for an open primary and greater weight on public sentiment. This ensures that candidates who align with the public's expectations can advance to the four-way race." As for the specific timeline, the first round of candidates will be finalized by April 16th. After three days of debates, the general public poll will leave four contenders. For the next few days, the four candidates will face the media and debate each other. The next cut-off survey starts on the 27th and by the 29th the remaining two will be decided through an open poll for 50 percent and eligible PPP electors for 50 percent, or registered PPP members who've paid for party membership at least once in the past year. If one of the four contenders receives more than 50 percent of the final votes here, he or she will be the final candidate. If not, on April 30th, a debate will be held between the two contenders. On May 3rd, the PPP will hold a convention and announce its candidate. Meanwhile, to prevent tactical voting in open polls—where opposition supporters might boost a weaker PPP candidate—those who've previously backed another are excluded from the survey sample. As for the race, the latest to enter is former PPP chair Han Dong-hoon. Speaking at the National Assembly, Han vowed to block what he called Lee Jae-myung's "monstrous" administration and says he wants a generational shift in politics. "I'm going to create a nation where the citizens come first, the middle class grows, and practicality beats ideology. With that in mind, I will make a change in politics, the era, and the generation." Once the closest to President Yoon, Han broke ranks in early 2024 and even backed Yoon's impeachment. Because of this, he's expected to score high on the all-open voting tallies. Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo is also likely a beneficiary, and his declaration is set to come next Monday. On the other hand, Yoon's close political ally, Na Kyung-won, also announced that she will declare her candidacy on Friday. Kim Moon-soo and Ahn Cheol-soo are among those that's declared candidacy already. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Zelenskyy says 155 Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia in Ukraine

2025/04/10 17:00

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says at least 1-hundred-55 Chinese nationals as identified by Kyiv's intelligence are fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine. Addressing members of the media on Wednesday he added that Beijing is aware Moscow is recruiting Chinese mercenaries through social media platforms. Also earlier on Tuesday the Ukrainian leader revealed that two Chinese men had been captured during combat on Ukrainian soil. China's Foreign Ministry in response has said Beijing is looking into the situation but rejected as groundless reports of broader Chinese involvement in Russia's military campaign.

S. Korea and U.S. inked new joint wartime operations plan last year to counter N. Korea WMD, missile threats: USFK Commander

2025/04/10 17:00

Seoul and Washington reportedly signed a fresh wartime operations plan last year. This is according to General Xavier Brunson the commander of the U.S. Forces Korea in a written statement to the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services on Wednesday. He added the new deal was sealed in response to Pyongyang's increasingly sophisticated weapons of mass destruction and missile capabilities. Moreover with regard to the stationing of American soldiers on the Korean peninsula Brunson highlighted the "positional advantage" of this troop presence.

Seoul mobilizes full diplomatic response to U.S. tariff policy shift

2025/04/10 17:00

Acting President Han Duck-soo has called for a closely coordinated approach to addressing U.S. tariffs on South Korea with all agencies including the country's embassy in the U.S. reaching out to relevant American authorities for talks. Our correspondent Moon Hye-ryeon has the latest. Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has ordered an all-out diplomatic push to respond to Washington's tariff moves, following the Trump administration's decision to temporarily suspend additional rates on reciprocal tariffs for key trade partners, including South Korea. During a virtual meeting on Wednesday with South Korea's ambassador to the United States, Cho Hyun-dong, and Minister for Trade, Cheong In-kyo, Han stressed the need for swift and unified coordination with U.S. counterparts — the National Security Council, U.S. Trade Representative, and the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce and Energy. He instructed the Korean Embassy in Washington to strengthen communication with U.S. officials and ensure timely reporting back to Seoul, where all government ministries are treating the situation with "the utmost seriousness." Ambassador Cho said U.S. officials reacted positively following Han's phone call with U.S. President Trump, expressing interest in deepening cooperation in trade, energy, and shipbuilding. Trade Minister Cheong, who is currently in Washington, echoed that the tariff delay gives Korea a chance to minimize the economic fallout. However, he warned of potential spillover effects from steep U.S. tariffs on China — such as an influx of discounted Chinese goods into Korean and regional markets. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok also addressed the issue, stating on Wednesday that the 90-day deferral has eased some immediate pressure. In a meeting with financial envoys abroad, he pledged full support for Korean companies during this adjustment period and emphasized the need for clear messaging that Korea's economic and foreign policy remains steady despite this period of political transition. Officials noted that while China is responding forcefully to the U.S. tariffs, countries like Japan and Vietnam are prioritizing dialogue — highlighting the importance of tailored, proactive diplomacy in the weeks ahead. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

90-Day Tariff Freeze: How Korea should weigh its trade approach

2025/04/10 17:00

The country-specific U.S. tariffs are on hold for now but the baseline 10-percent tariff on all foreign-origin goods as well as the 25-percent tariff on cars and steel imports into the American market remain in place. So what have been the ripple effects of these tariffs on South Korea thus far? Our correspondent Lee Soo-jin takes a look. This is just one of over 100 tariff-related inquiries the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency now receives daily, a sharp jump from just 20 before U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. But while the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs offers Korea temporary relief, existing duties remain a challenge. The 10-percent baseline tariff that went into effect on April 5th remains in place, and the 25-percent duties on items like automobiles and steel are not covered by the 90-day grace period. And starting May 3rd, a 25-percent tariff on auto parts will also go into effect. "Auto parts suppliers are facing significant disruption. Some sub-parts required for manufacturing are still being imported from Korea. So even if vehicle assembly happens locally, the impact of increased tariffs on imported car parts is still unavoidable." But as of now, markets are seeing a recovery. A buy-side sidecar was triggered Thursday morning for the first time in over eight months, as the KOSPI 200 futures jumped more than 5 percent from the previous session, just days after a sell-side sidecar was activated on Monday, also for the first time in eight months. A buy-side sidecar was also activated for the KOSDAQ during morning trade for the first time since August last year when the futures and the stock index each rose more than the 6 percent and 3 percent thresholds. The market rebound extended through the day, with the KOSPI and the KOSDAQ indexes both closing up at around 6 percent. And the 90-day pause provides Korea a chance to strengthen its trade strategy. "With the United States not only trade and tariff but also shipbuilding, energy investment in Alaska gas pipe and defense cost-sharing is expected to be discussed comprehensively." As one of the Trump administration's key energy priorities is fossil fuels, it has repeatedly urged Korea to join the Alaska LNG project. In response, South Korea's Foreign Ministry issued a research tender on Thursday to explore ways to expand U.S. oil and LNG imports. Shipbuilding, where Korea is a global leader, is also emerging as a key area of cooperation, following Trump's executive order to rebuild the U.S. shipbuilding industry, citing national security and competition with China. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

Wall Street climbs on news of Trump's 90-day tariff pause

2025/04/10 17:00

As expected Wall Street rallied following news of a 90-day pause in U.S. tariffs on its trade partners. The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Wednesday surged 7-point-8 percent to close at 40-thousand-6-hundred-8-point-4. The tech-heavy Nasdaq soared over 12 percent to end its session at 17-thousand-1-hundred-24-point-9. Global crude prices also rose. On the New York Mercantile Exchange futures for May delivery for West Texas Intermediate gained over 4 percent while the June delivery for Brent Crude also jumped over 4 percent on the ICE Futures Exchange.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/10 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The National Heritage Service has downgraded the national heritage disaster warning level from "Serious" to "Alert." The decision comes two weeks after the highest alert level was issued on March 25 in response to massive wildfires in the Gyeongsang region. The agency explained that the immediate threat has been resolved as the fires have been fully contained in Ulsan and across the Gyeongsang provinces. A total of 35 national heritage sites were damaged in the wildfires, including the thousand-year-old Gounsa Temple in Uiseong. The National Museum of Korea ranked 8th in visitor numbers last year among museums and art galleries worldwide. According to international art publication, 'The Art Newspaper,' the museum attracted nearly 3.8 million visitors in 2024. This places the National Museum of Korea as the eighth most visited in the world among the institutions surveyed. The Louvre in Paris topped the list with over 8.7 million visitors, followed by the Vatican Museums, the British Museum in London, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The '46th Seonnong Daeje,' a traditional royal ritual to pray for a bountiful harvest, will take place next week in Seoul's Dongdaemun District. Joseon kings symbolically plowed a field to underscore the importance of agriculture and shared beef soup with the people afterward — a custom believed to be the origin of 'seolleongtang,' a beloved Korean dish. Festivities will kick off next Friday with a Korean traditional music concert at the 'Flower Garden of Knowledge' in Jeonnong-dong. The main event will be held the following day, featuring ceremonial rites and a reenactment of a royal procession. Around 300 participants, including international students, are expected to join the procession to Seonnongdan, a historic altar where kings once carried out the agricultural rituals. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Short-form] Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty

2025/04/10 14:00

Embark on a journey through the charms of the Joseon royal tombs, where history and nature come together.

[Hallyu People] Meet the director of King Sejong Institute Surabaya, selected as "Best KSI of 2024"

2025/04/10 14:00

Indonesia is one of the largest consumers of Korean culture in Southeast Asia showing one of the highest favorabilities towards Korean cultural content according to surveys in recent years. No wonder then, that interest in learning the Korean language is also high. For today’s “Hallyu People” we connect live to Herwindy Maria Tejaatmaja, the director of the Sejong Institute Surabaya, to listen to the current status of Korean language learning in Indonesia. Hello Herwindy! Q1) First of all, congratulations to your King Sejong Institute having been chosen as one of the five best King Sejong institutes in 2024. How do you feel about this achievement? Q2) KSI Surabaya celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and has so far around 6,000 graduates. Any memorable moments or stories of students you would like to share? Q3) Indonesia has the fourth largest number of King Sejong Institutes in Asia, after Vietnam, China and Japan. What are the reasons behind people in Indonesia enrolling in Korean culture or language classes? (Majoring in Korean at universities is also popular we heard?) Q4) In addition to teaching Korean, we heard KSI Surabaya also works with the local community to organize Korean culture lectures. What kind of events have been held recently and how was the response? Q5) At the beginning, I mentioned that Indonesia has been found to be a country with one of the highest interests in K-culture in the world. Do you see that happening around you? Tell us about your own experience. 6) Lastly, for Indonesian fans of the Korean wave, what role can the King Sejong Institute Surabaya play in the future? What are your plans and goals? Is there any upcoming K-culture event (drama, movie, concert) you (Indonesians) are looking forward to this year? Thank you for connecting with us today Herwindy we wish you and the Sejong Institute Surabaya the best and keep in touch. Thank you Bella as always, we'll see you back tomorrow.