News

[Weather] Cold wave alerts continue in most places with more snow in west coast regions

2025/02/10 10:00

This winter could be remembered as one of the warmest if last week's cold snap wasn't too bad. Hangang River was frozen on Saturday, the second latest that has happened since the record began back in 1906. It's another freezing morning for many of us with cold wave alerts in place. However, we could expect to see an improvement in conditions from this afternoon. West coast regions could see 1 to 5 centimeters of snowfall through this morning with a heavy snow advisory in place for parts of Jeollabuk-do Province. Drive with care. The rest of the country will be under mostly sunny skies, with a high of 2 degrees Celsius in the capital, 5 degrees in Daegu. Windy air could bring down the feels-like temperatures in most places. Stay bundled up. The cold air that had a firm hold on the country should finally ease this week, and we could see more seasonable temperatures return. However, another round of wintry precipitation is in the forecast for Wednesday in most parts of Korea.

Namibia mourns loss of 'founding father' Sam Nujoma

2025/02/10 10:00

Over in Africa, Namibia's first democratically elected president and revered founding father, Sam Nujoma, passed away on Saturday at the age of 95. He had been hospitalized for weeks due to illness in the country's capital Windhoek. Nujoma led Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990, and served as president for 15 years. Before becoming the country's leader, Nujoma had spent almost 30 years in exile. He was officially recognized as the founding father of the Namibian Nation in 2005. The current president of Namibia announced a period of national mourning for Nujoma, who was dubbed a "freedom fighter."

Baltic states unplug from Russia and join EU power grid

2025/02/10 10:00

In Europe, the Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, have officially disconnected from the Russian electricity grid and joined the European Union's energy system. The transition on Sunday, which had been planned for several years, marks the end of their dependence on the Soviet-era energy network and aims to improve regional energy security. The move was celebrated in a ceremony attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The merge involved disconnecting from Russia on Saturday and operating as an independent energy grid for 24 hours before linking to the EU grid through connections with Poland, Finland, and Sweden.

Macron uses deepfake videos of himself to promote Paris AI summit

2025/02/10 10:00

Over in France, President Emmanuel Macron has used AI-generated deepfake videos of himself, to promote the Paris AI summit. The French president released a series of deepfake videos on Sunday, featuring his likeness to promote the Paris AI Summit set to kick off on Monday local time. The videos, shared across his official social media platforms, depict Macron in various scenarios, crafted using advanced AI technology. The innovative approach aims to underscore the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and provoke discourse on its ethical implications. On the eve of the event, Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared their thoughts on the importance of leveraging the benefits of AI in an inclusive manner while minimizing risks. The third AI Summit will be held for two days and will gather leaders from over 80 states.

Israeli military withdraws from Netzarim Corridor, Trump reiterates idea of owning Gaza

2025/02/10 10:00

Starting in the Middle East, in a significant move under the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Israeli forces have withdrawn from a strategic area in Gaza. On Sunday local time, the Israeli military completed their withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor, a critical route that previously divided the Gaza Strip. The move, which will help facilitate the free movement of Palestinians between the northern and southern regions of Gaza, is part of the recent ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Following the withdrawal of Israeli troops, displaced Palestinians have begun returning to their homes. Meanwhile U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, has reiterated his idea of the U.S. taking ownership of the Gaza Strip, suggesting that sections of the territory could be allocated to other Middle East states to aid in reconstruction efforts.

Trump to hold talks on ending Ukraine war: White House

2025/02/10 10:00

According to the U.S. national security adviser, high-level administration officials will meet with European officials this week to discuss ending the Ukraine war. The announcement came with reports that Trump had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lee Seung-jae reports. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security advisor Mike Waltz said Sunday that Washington will hold talks with European officials this week on how to end the Ukraine war. Speaking to NBC's Meet the Press,.. Waltz said a delegation including the U.S. Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Vice President, and the U.S. Special Envoy to Europe will hold talks on ending the war. The national security advisor did not go into the details,.. but said that Trump is ready to bring the Ukraine issue to the table this week. This includes the issue of future American aid to Ukraine. However, Waltz stressed that the U.S. needs to recoup the costs, through a partnership with the Ukrainians over its rare earth, and natural resources, all of which are going to be discussed this week. While Waltz says Trump will end the war, the security guarantees will be up to the Europeans. The announcement of the high-level talks comes as the New York Post last Friday reported that President Trump has spoken to President Putin about ending the Ukraine war. In an interview aboard Air Force One, Trump said he spoke on the phone with Putin to try to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war, but would not say how many times the two leaders have spoken since his return to the Oval Office last month. While Trump did not go into specific details of their phone call, he said that Putin wants to "see people stop dying," adding that the three-year-old war "never would have happened" if he had been president in 2022. The Kremlin has neither confirmed nor denied that the two leaders have spoken on the phone to discuss ending the war. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Search and rescue continues overnight for missing crew members from capsized trawler

2025/02/10 10:00

Search and rescue efforts continued overnight for 5 missing crew members, after a fishing boat capsized off the south coast. The Korea Coast Guard has deployed more than 40 patrol ships, civilian fishing boats and aircraft to find the remaining people. In the early hours of Sunday, the hundred-39 ton Seogyeong trawler carrying 14 crew members sunk off the coast of Yeosu, in the south of the country. Two Vietnamese and two Indonesian nationals were found in a lifeboat nearby, while 5 other crew members have been reported dead. Though authorities are still determining the exact cause, rescued crew members stated that the vessel suddenly tilted over.

S. Korea adds four more gold medals in short track, speed skating

2025/02/10 10:00

South Korea added four more gold medals at the 2025 Winter Asian Games in Harbin on Sunday, reaching its target goal of 11 gold medals in just two days of competition. In short track speed skating, Choi Min-jeong won the women's 1-thousand meter event, to claim her third gold medal at this year's games. She becomes the first South Korean female athlete to win at least three gold medals at a single Winter Asian Games. Jang Sung-woo won the men's 1-thousand-meter event, his second gold medal in Harbin. Meanwhile, in speed skating, Kim Min-sun won the women's 500-meter title, and added a second gold on the day, when she teamed up with Lee Na-hyun and Kim Min-ji for the inaugural women's team sprint race.

Constitutional Court likely to extend Yoon's impeachment trial dates; hearing on justice appointment dispute on Mon.

2025/02/10 10:00

President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial is scheduled to wrap up this week but it seems highly likely that the case won't wrap up by then. Meanwhile, on Monday, justices will hold another key hearing on a dispute over whether Acting President Choi Sang-mok should have appointed one more judge to the Constitutional Court bench. Our Oh Soo-young reports. The Constitutional Court will hold a hearing on a dispute case regarding Acting President Choi Sang-mok's decision to withhold the appointment of Constitutional Court Justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk, while appointing two others recommended alongside him. The case was filed by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, who claims Choi neglected to follow a parliamentary resolution to appoint three justices in December last year. Choi, however, had pledged to appoint a third Justice after bipartisan agreement on the candidate. The court initially planned to deliver its ruling last Monday, but accepted Choi's request for additional hearings. During the session, the court will hear arguments from both sides regarding whether Speaker Woo had the authority to file the competence dispute case without a plenary session vote. The question of Ma's appointment has caused a strong political stand-off, as the left-leaning judge would become the ninth member of the judicial bench,.. as it rules on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment case. Time is running out on Yoon's impeachment trial, with just two hearings left at the Constitutional Court this week, making an extension likely. On Tuesday, the Court will hold Yoon's seventh trial hearing, with four witnesses summoned to testify: former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, National Security Advisor Shin Won-sik, former Third Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service Baek Jong-wook, 그리고 국가정보원 3차장 백종욱, 중앙선거관리위원회 사무총장 김용빈 등 네 명의 증인이 소환되어 증언할 예정입니다. Questions for the former interior minister are expected to focus on the meeting of Cabinet members held before the martial law declaration on December 3 last year. The National Assembly's impeachment panel says the President had bypassed Cabinet procedures before imposing the decree. The National Security Advisor who served as Defense Minister until September last year, is expected to be grilled over whether there was prior planning. As both the National Assembly and President Yoon's legal team have requested Lee and Shin as witnesses, the lawyers will directly question and cross-examine each witness twice. For the National Intelligence Service and Election Commission officials, the questions are expected to focus on election fraud allegations raised by President Yoon as a pretext for declaring martial law. Yoon previously said the intelligence service found significant issues while inspecting the election commission's electronic voting system. Thus, he ordered the military to be deployed to its headquarters to conduct a comprehensive review. The 8th and final hearing is currently scheduled for Thursday. However, given that four witness testimonies are planned throughout the day, it is unlikely that justices will conclude the hearings then. In order to officially end the hearings, the court must hear the closing arguments from both legal teams and President Yoon's final statement. While Press Officer Cheon Jaehyun said Friday that she has not yet heard if the trial will be extended, it has been reported that the Constitutional Court has not yet instructed either side to prepare their final arguments. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Heavy snow, cold wave continue to impact S. Korea; two accident fatalities reported

2025/02/07 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. We start with harsh weather conditions that have been affecting the nation since yesterday. Intense snowfall and freezing temperatures have caused much disruption on the roads and in the skies. Park Kun-woo reports. Heavy snow and a cold wave are continuing to affect South Korea. On Friday morning, snowfall even reached 3 to 8 centimeters per hour in many areas, leading to the accumulation of up to around 15 centimeters of snow in some regions of Jeolla-do Province. Snow from the previous night, combined with sub-zero temperatures dropping below minus ten degrees Celsius, led to multiple accidents on icy roads. A cargo truck driver in their 70s died in a crash after skidding and colliding with another truck on the Seohaean Expressway in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do Province. A passenger in the truck sustained minor injuries. Another fatality occurred in Hongcheon-gun County, Gangwon-do Province the night before when a person, also in their 70s, was hit by a tow truck dispatched earlier to clear another accident. Due to harsh weather conditions, over 100 flights from Jeju to other domestic airports were canceled as of Friday at 3 PM. Around 90 ferries were also canceled, while roads and mountain trails were closed. The Korea Meteorological Administration urged the public to remain careful about safety and personal health. It also forecast the cold wave to begin easing next week. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

[Weather] More snow for Chungcheong-do and Jeolla-do provinces until tomorrow with colder conditions

2025/02/07 20:00

In addition to the snow from yesterday, more snow has been falling in Chungcheong-do and Jeolla-do provinces today. Heavy snow advisories for Seoul have been lifted, but heavy snow warnings are still in place mainly in southern Gyeonggi-do Province, the Chungcheong-do and the Jeolla-do regions. Heavy snow of more than 15 centimeters is forecast in the Chungcheong-do provinces, up to 25 centimeters in the Jeolla-do provinces by tomorrow, and up to 30 centimeters of snow is expected in the mountainous areas of Jeju Island by Sunday. Morning temperatures will go down a bit tomorrow. Seoul will start off at minus 13 degrees Celsius, Chuncheon at minus 16. Daily highs will move up to minus 3 degrees in Seoul and Chuncheon, zero degrees in Gwangju and Gyeongju. This cold spell is expected to last until this weekend and the temperatures will return back to normal levels on Monday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

[Arts & Culture] Who are the guardians of Korea's cultural legacy?

2025/02/07 20:00

It's Friday and that means it's time for our Arts and Culture segment. We have our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin in the studio. Welcome, Yoo-jin! Happy Friday! Indeed. What do you have for us today? Lately, I've been thinking a lot about how not all great and important work is given the spotlight. Take this very newscast, for example. While we're in front of the camera, there's a team of incredibly talented people working tirelessly behind it to bring this News Center to life every night. The same goes for art. While some dedicate their lives to creating it, others work tirelessly behind the scenes to restore and preserve it. This week, I have a story about a group of skilled technicians who ensure that our cultural treasures stand the test of time. Let's take a look. At a glance, these two paintings may seem identical. But look closer, and you'll start to spot differences. The one on the left has stains, areas where paint has peeled or faded; imperfections that are absent in the one on the right. This transformation is the work of future 'national heritage maintenance technicians.' National heritage maintenance technicians are certified professionals responsible for preserving Korea's cultural treasures, from paintings to historic buildings, as close to their original state as possible. "Every year, the Heritage Education Institute offers a training program to nurture experts in the conservation, repair, and restoration of national heritage. Here at the Insa Art Center in Seoul, the works by graduates of last year's program are on display." Since these students are not yet licensed, they have recreated existing pieces to showcase their craftsmanship. One such piece is this Joseon Dynasty-style checkerboard, crafted with a turtle shell top and a tiger design made from ox horn. And this is the original housed at the National Folk Museum of Korea. "I first crafted the wooden base, then applied hemp cloth, layered lacquer, and added decorative elements. What I loved most about this program was collaborating across different fields. This piece, for example, includes mineral pigments used in the dancheong traditional paintwork." The exhibition features 1-hundred-1 student works. Students can choose from 15 courses in the program, including lacquering, woodworking, paintwork and imitation. "We started with 40 students in 2012, and now have over 1-hundred-20 graduates each year. I can feel the growing public interest, which I think is due to more people recognizing the importance of cultural heritage." The steady rise in technicians reflects this growing awareness, with over 13-thousand now working in the field. Although they're called technicians they are, in fact, artists in their own right. "Restoring heritage requires highly specialized skills, using the same techniques as in the past. In this sense, these experts play a central role in preserving and protecting our cultural heritage." Though these technicians often work behind the spotlight, their hands keep history alive, preserving its timeless beauty. A craft rarely acknowledged, but absolutely essential. "I think preserving traditional crafts is key to protecting our national identity and history. That's why we need experts who safeguard not just the artistic value of artifacts, but also their cultural and historical significance. I really hope to be part of that work." They're the guardians of Korea's national heritage, ensuring that its beauty endures for generations to come. What a truly rewarding and noble profession. And it's so exciting that you had the chance to meet these future technicians and see their work, Yoo-jin. For those interested, can you tell us a bit more about the exhibition? I'd love to. The 1-hundred-1 pieces on display range from traditional decorative paintings, imitation works, lacquering, woodwork, metal fittings, and gold plating. With so many on display, it can be tough to know where to start. The Korea Heritage Service recommends four pieces: the checkerboard featured in my report, a replica of the Changdeokgung Palace Sangnyangjeong Pavilion ceiling, an imitation of a Buddhist painting from Daeheungsa Temple in Jeollanam-do Province, and a peony flower latticework door from Bulgapsa Temple, also in Jeollanam-do. You mentioned that these graduates don't yet have their licenses. What does it take to become a certified national heritage maintenance technician? To become certified, you need to sign up for the annual national certification exam. The registration period for this year is coming up, from February 17th to 21st. The exam has 24 categories, each involving an interview and a practical test, scheduled for early April. Once you pass, you become a certified technician and are qualified to work directly on national heritage sites. Best of luck to all those taking the exam this year. Thank you Yoo-jin, for sharing this with us today. Always a pleasure.

Winter Asian Games in Harbin kick off with opening ceremony on Friday night

2025/02/07 20:00

This year's Winter Asian Games opens tonight in the Chinese city of Harbin. The opening ceremony will take place at the Harbin International Convention Exhibition and Sports Center at 9 PM Korea Standard Time. The regional sporting event that takes place every four years marks its ninth edition this year and the first in eight years since the last games in 2017, as the 2021 event was canceled due to the pandemic. South Korea will have one-hundred-48 athletes competing in six sport categories.

2025 F/W Seoul Fashion Week: Where innovation meets sustainability

2025/02/07 20:00

Up next, we share with you the fashion trends that will shape the fall and winter of this year as seen at the Seoul Fashion Week. Our Lee Eun-hee was there. Want an exclusive first look at the hottest fall and winter fashion trends? Whether you're a trendsetter or just curious about what's next in the world of fashion, this week, Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul is the place to be. The 2025 Fall-Winter Seoul Fashion Week kicked off on Wednesday, bringing together top designers, industry professionals, and fashion enthusiasts to showcase the boldest, most innovative styles of the season with the aim of elevating global interest in K-fashion. The opening show features HANNAH SHIN, a brand that says it constantly strives to balance glamor with sustainability. Technology is helping it do that. "One technology our brand has particularly embraced is 3D printing. The first dress you saw in the show, embellished with jewels, was created using the Fused Deposition Modeling method. Another dress, featuring stars, was created using PolyJet printing. By exploring how to integrate 3D printing into fashion, we've been able to create innovative and creative designs." These 3D printing technologies allow vivid prints to be attached directly to textures in a sustainable manner, such as precise material usage and reducing waste. Designer Shin also hinted that one of this year's fashion trends highlights the use of new technologies to create cruelty-free alternatives to traditional fur, with many brands leading the way. Also to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Seoul Fashion Week, the opening day featured the first-ever "Seoul Fashion Forum," bringing together global industry leaders. James Fallon, Chief Content Officer of Fairchild Media Group, a leading source of fashion news and analysis, shared insights on the global competitiveness of Korean designer brands. This year's Fall-Winter Seoul Fashion Week also hosts a trade show with over one hundred thirty fashion brands, offering a platform for interaction between brands and more than 300 domestic and international buyers, with the goal of securing contracts worth around 8-billion Korean Won or approximately over 6-million U.S. dollars. "The event highlights the latest trends with innovative presentations that mix fashion and the work of people from all around the world. Don't miss this exciting look at the future of fashion before it ends on February 9th. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News."

Trump reiterates plans for U.S. takeover of Gaza

2025/02/07 20:00

In other news. International criticism seems to have done little to deter U.S. President Donald Trump's intentions to lay claim to Gaza. Lee Seung-jae covers his latest remarks. During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a U.S. takeover of Gaza, and the relocation of two million Palestinians. The plan was heavily criticized by the international community,.. with some calling it a form of "ethnic cleansing." However, the U.S. president revisited the proposal on Thursday. Taking to his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the "Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting." Under his proposal, Trump continued to explain that the Palestinians "would have already been resettled in far safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes in the region." He added that the U.S. would be part of efforts to redevelop the enclave. However, he did not mention whether the Gazans would be allowed to return to their homes. Under international law, attempts at forced transfer of populations from occupied territory are strictly prohibited. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday explained that the proposal for Palestinians to leave Gaza would be for an "interim" period while reconstruction took place. Amid concerns that the U.S. may also send troops to Gaza, which would lead to further tensions in the Middle East, Trump said that his proposal would not require any U.S. soldiers. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

KOREA SEEKS TO REDEFINE OLD AGE

2025/02/07 17:00

Welcome to Friday's edition of Press Perspective for February 7th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. So how old is old? That is the question UP for debate here in Korea and apparently beyond borders as well. For more I have writer Colin Marshall here in the studio. Colin welcome. I also have Thomas Maresca with news agency UPI with us. Thomas it's good to have you here. 1) Colin, what are your thoughts regarding efforts here to redefine old age? 2) Thomas, I believe debate over redefining old age has been taking place beyond borders as well as it affects our approach to work, retirement and so forth. What more can you add? 3) Colin, Generally speaking, what factors should be considered when seeking to redefine old age? 4) Thomas, keeping in mind South Korea's demographic reality, what factors should it seek to place priority on ? 5) Thomas, let's now move onto some other stories here that have made international headlines. Earlier this week, you covered the partnership sealed between Open AI and South Korea's Kakao. Do tell us about this deal and its broader significance. 6) And Colin, what look to be the social implications of such technological advances? 7) Thomas, a rather entertaining article by the Wall Street Journal has linked the secret to longer marriages here in Korea to the soaring numbers of TV shows about divorce. Do tell us more. 8) Colin, the same article also points out that despite the higher number of divorces here in Korea as compared to the past, the stigma surrounding this marital status remains strong here. What are your observations? All right.

Heavy snow, cold wave continue to impact S. Korea; two accident fatalities reported

2025/02/07 17:00

Those here in Korea witnessed intense snowfall yesterday that disrupted the trip back home and the freezing temperatures overnight made the commute to work this morning equally as treacherous with some regions recording more snow today. Park Kun-woo reports. Heavy snow and a cold wave are continuing to affect South Korea. On Friday morning, snowfall even reached 3 to 8 centimeters per hour in many areas, leading to the accumulation of up to around 15 centimeters of snow in some regions of Jeolla-do Province. Snow from the previous night, combined with sub-zero temperatures dropping below minus ten degrees Celsius, led to multiple accidents on icy roads. A cargo truck driver in their 70s died in a crash after skidding and colliding with another truck on the Seohaean Expressway in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do Province. A passenger in the truck sustained minor injuries. Another fatality occurred in Hongcheon-gun County, Gangwon-do Province the night before when a person, also in their 70s, was hit by a tow truck dispatched earlier to clear another accident. Due to harsh weather conditions, over 100 flights from Jeju to other domestic airports were canceled as of Friday at 3 PM. Around 90 ferries were also canceled, while roads and mountain trails were closed. The Korea Meteorological Administration urged the public to remain careful about safety and personal health. It also forecast the cold wave to begin easing next week. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

[Weather] It will get colder tomorrow, snow in some areas

2025/02/07 17:00

Most of the snow that fell in the Seoul metropolitan area this morning has stopped, but the Chungcheong-do and Jeolla-do provinces are seeing heavy snow again. Heavy snow advisories for Seoul have been lifted, but heavy snow warnings are still in place, mainly in southern Gyeonggi-do Province, and the Chungcheong-do and Jeolla-do provinces. By tomorrow, heavy snow is expected to be more than 15 centimeters in the Chungcheong-do provinces, up to 25 centimeters in the Jeolla-do provinces, and up to 30 centimeters of snow is forecast in the mountainous areas of Jeju island by Sunday. With strong cold wind coming down from the north, the weather will get colder tomorrow. Seoul will start off at minus 13 degrees Celsius, Chuncheon at minus 16. Daily highs will move up to minus 3 degrees in Seoul and Chuncheon, minus 1 degree in Daejeon. The cold wave is expected to continue throughout the weekend and gradually turn warmer from next Monday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Panama's president denies making deal regarding free transit of US ships

2025/02/07 17:00

This is The World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Beginning with the diplomatic dispute, between the U.S. and Panama, over usage fees for the Panama Canal. Washington on Thursday, reversed claims made the day before, that an agreement had been reached, to allow passage through the Canal, free of charge. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Panama is "expected" to waive transit fees for U.S. government vessels, acknowledging a "process of laws and procedures" that Panama would need to navigate first. The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday that a deal had been made that would save the U.S. millions of dollars annually. However, Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino refuted the claim, stating that no such agreement exists and emphasized that neither he nor the constitution have the authority to alter canal fees. He said the U.S. assertion was "intolerable" and instructed Panama's ambassador in Washington to confront the statement. The Panama Canal Authority, responsible for setting the transit tolls, also denied any changes to fee structures. Ukraine has bolstered its air defense capabilities, by receiving the first round of advanced fighter jets from its European allies, France and the Netherlands. Ukraine announced on Thursday, the arrival of its first batch of French Mirage 2000 fighter jets, alongside U.S.-made F-16 fighters from the Netherlands. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed, that the aircraft will commence combat missions soon. The exact number of jets delivered has not been disclosed for security reasons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to France and the Netherlands for their support in strengthening Kyiv's air force. The Netherlands has committed to providing F-16 fighters and training for Ukrainian pilots, and France has adapted the Mirage 2000 for air-to-ground strikes. In Greece, the government declared a state of emergency on Thursday for the island of Santorini, following more than seven-thousand undersea earthquakes that began on January 31. The most significant was a 5.2-magnitude quake on Wednesday. This has prompted the evacuation of more than ten-thousand residents and workers on the island. Authorities have closed schools, restricted access to coastal areas due to landslide risks, and deployed emergency services, including the army and police. While damage has been minimal, the state of emergency is to stay in effect until March 3. Also in Europe, Italy began its one-year countdown to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Thursday, with an official ceremony and series of events taking place in Milan. Celebrations included the unveiling of the Omega Countdown Clock, and the opening of the Sport Village, featuring free ice hockey and curling rinks for public use. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach officiated the event, expressing confidence in preparations, despite a century-old track in Cortina being incomplete. The event will run from February 6 to 22 in 2026. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Meet the guardians of Korea's cultural legacy

2025/02/07 17:00

Preserving works of art may be considered equally as important as the task of creating them and here in Korea there is a special team of skilled technicians who seek to ensure that our cultural treasures big and small stand the test of time. Our correspondent Song Yoo-jin reports. At a glance, these two paintings may seem identical. But look closer, and you'll start to spot differences. The one on the left has stains, areas where paint has peeled or faded; imperfections that are absent in the one on the right. This transformation is the work of future 'national heritage maintenance technicians.' National heritage maintenance technicians are certified professionals responsible for preserving Korea's cultural treasures, from paintings to historic buildings, as close to their original state as possible. "Every year, the Heritage Education Institute offers a training program to nurture experts in the conservation, repair, and restoration of national heritage. Here at the Insa Art Center in Seoul, the works by graduates of last year's program are on display." Since these students are not yet licensed, they have recreated existing pieces to showcase their craftsmanship. One such piece is this Joseon Dynasty-style checkerboard, crafted with a turtle shell top and a tiger design made from ox horn. And this is the original housed at the National Folk Museum of Korea. "I first crafted the wooden base, then applied hemp cloth, layered lacquer, and added decorative elements. What I loved most about this program was collaborating across different fields. This piece, for example, includes mineral pigments used in the dancheong traditional paintwork." The exhibition features 1-hundred-1 student works. Students can choose from 15 courses in the program, including lacquering, woodworking, paintwork and imitation. "We started with 40 students in 2012, and now have over 1-hundred-20 graduates each year. I can feel the growing public interest, which I think is due to more people recognizing the importance of cultural heritage." The steady rise in technicians reflects this growing awareness, with over 13-thousand now working in the field. Although they're called technicians they are, in fact, artists in their own right. "Restoring heritage requires highly specialized skills, using the same techniques as in the past. In this sense, these experts play a central role in preserving and protecting our cultural heritage." Though these technicians often work behind the spotlight, their hands keep history alive, preserving its timeless beauty. A craft rarely acknowledged, but absolutely essential. "I think preserving traditional crafts is key to protecting our national identity and history. That's why we need experts who safeguard not just the artistic value of artifacts, but also their cultural and historical significance. I really hope to be part of that work." They're the guardians of Korea's national heritage, ensuring that its beauty endures for generations to come. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.