News

S. Korea vows to negotiate with U.S. over 25% reciprocal tariffs

2025/04/08 17:00

A Korean trade delegation led by Minister Cheong In-kyo has departed for the U.S. with intentions to address the 25 percent American tariff on Korean imports. Park Jun-han has details. Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo traveled to Washington on Tuesday to discuss tariffs imposed by the U.S. on South Korean products. Cheong will meet U.S. trade representatives in Washington, and emphasized that the 25% tariffs affecting steel and automobiles would be the subject of talks during his visit. "So we are trying to use multiple channels to solve the tariffs issue with the United States, and to come up with a trade policy outcome that will maximize South Korea's national interests." This is the first visit by a South Korean government official to the U.S. since Trump announced his detailed reciprocal tariffs plan on April 2nd. Regarding South Korea's stance on U.S. trade policy, Cheong said the Cabinet has been discussing the possibility of increasing imports from the United States, such as Alaskan liquefied natural gas. The move is aimed at addressing the trade imbalance that Trump has repeatedly raised. "I think as long as Korea is willing to provide some concessions to the United States, we could reduce the tariff rate from 25-percent to 15-percent or 10-percent." At a ministerial meeting on economic affairs, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok outlined a plan to create a supplementary budget to combat issues related to trade and AI. Choi said the government is planning to spend 3 to 4 trillion won, about 2.04 to 2.72 billion dollars, to respond to rapid changes in the trade environment and enhance AI competitiveness. Choi also called on the National Assembly to swiftly approve the budget, emphasizing the need to seize this critical window to save South Korea's industries and businesses. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

CONCERNS OVER PRIORITY OF U.S. SOLDIERS IN S. KOREA

2025/04/08 17:30

Welcome to Tuesday's edition of Press Perspective. It's April 8th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. As the U.S. places priority on confronting China pundits believe the Trump administration may scale back its direct involvement in Europe in the Middle East and here in East Asia. In other words the duty of deterring Russia may rest on NATO that of Iran on Israel and of North Korea on South Korea and perhaps Japan. So what do the foreign press and local pundits think? And to answer that question I have Kelly Kasulis Cho with The Washington Post. Kelly welcome back. I also have Professor Choi Hyun Jin at Kyung Hee University live on the line. Professor Choi it's a pleasure. 1) Kelly, the Washington Post recently published an exclusive report about a secret Pentagon memo that has raised grave concerns here in South Korea about the role of American soldiers stationed on the Korean peninsula. 2) And now Kelly, what are the implications of this apparent shift in U.S. defense policy for South Korea keeping in mind its tensions with North Korea? 3) Professor Choi, how should the next South Korean leadership respond to tensions over Taiwan especially keeping in mind the reality that American soldiers here may be deployed to directly deter China? 4) Professor Choi, the former South Korean administration opted for strategic clarity with regard to its foreign policy, making "a bold diplomatic realignment" towards the U.S. 5) Kelly, the consensus here is that South Korea's diplomatic initiatives will differ tremendously depending on which political party becomes the ruling party this summer. 6) Professor Choi, there has been much question about the reliability of the Trump administration as a security partner especially following the dramatic showdown at the White House between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 7) Kelly, another priority of Pentagon under the Trump administration is reportedly pressure on South Korea to shoulder a greater burden of the cost of hosting American soldiers here on the peninsula. 8) Professor Choi, last month again, U.S. media floated the idea of South Korea developing nuclear weapons. And that ends Tuesday's edition of Press Perspective.

Gov't to declare early presidential election for June 3 after Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment

2025/04/08 10:00

The government is likely to confirm the date of an early Presidential election in June. This, after now former President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office last Friday due to his December martial law declaration. We have our correspondent Oh Soo-young on the line. Q1. Sooyoung, so the highly anticipated early election date is more than likely to be fixed in the next half hour or so? Yes. Acting President Han Duck-soo is poised to declare June 3rd as the day of the early Presidential election. This comes four days after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from power on Friday. Under the Constitution, the date must be announced within 10 days of a presidential vacancy, and at least 50 days before the vote. That means Han actually has until next Monday to settle on a date, but there's pressure to quickly fill the leadership vacuum, as Yoon was suspended from his duties for almost four months throughout his impeachment trial. An election on Tuesday, the 3rd of June would mark the latest possible day within the 60-day window. This would be aimed at ensuring the people's right to vote. Normally, presidential elections in Korea are held on a Wednesday. However, in the case of early elections, if they're triggered by presidential vacancy, there are no separate regulations concerning the day of the week. In 2017, an early presidential election took place after the ousting of former President Park Geun-hye. The election date was announced five days after the Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment, and the vote took place exactly 60 days following the ruling. Q2. So we'll find out the exact date for the big day soon. Then what comes after the date is set? It'll be an incredibly compact campaign period. If the presidential election is held on June 3rd, candidate registration should take place on May 10th and 11th. Official campaigning starts the next day, for just over 3 weeks, until June 2nd the day before the vote. Televised interviews and debates hosted by electoral authorities will be held during this time. Overseas Koreans must register to vote 40 days before election day, according to the National Election Commission, and ballots for them will open from May 20th to 25th. Early voting will be held the weekend before on May 29th and 30th. In an early election, the winner must immediately assume presidential duties, without a transition committee. In 2017, former President Moon Jae-in began presidential duties the day the election commission confirmed his victory on May 10, the day after the vote. Once the election date is confirmed, the National Election Commission is expected to release the full election schedule. I see, and once confirmed, we will bring our viewers the latest of course. Thanks so much Sooyoung.

Palestinian teenager with U.S. citizenship killed by Israeli forces in West Bank

2025/04/08 10:00

In the Middle East, a Palestinian-American teenager was fatally shot by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. On Sunday evening local time, a 14-year-old U.S. citizen from New Jersey was shot and killed near the town of Turmus Ayya, northeast of Ramallah. According to the Israel Defense Forces, soldiers identified three individuals throwing rocks at civilian vehicles on a nearby highway. The IDF said its soldiers opened fire during a counterterrorism operation in the area after spotting three "terrorist" individuals who were throwing rocks at the highway. The mayor of Turmus Ayya said three teenagers were shot on this day, resulting in one death and injuries to two others. The Palestinian Ministry of Health called the shooting an "extrajudicial killing."

Trump and Netanyahu meet to discuss Gaza, Iran, and more

2025/04/08 10:00

Now, let's take a look at some stories from around the world with our Choi Chi Hee . Good morning, Chi Hee. Good morning Dami. Let's begin with the recent talks between the U.S. President and the Israeli Prime Minister at the White House. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened to address a wide range of issues, including the Gaza conflict and Iran's nuclear ambitions. During their meeting on Monday at the Oval Office, Trump announced the initiation of direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program, with high-level discussions scheduled to begin on Saturday. Netanyahu expressed conditional support for the diplomatic efforts, stating that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities through diplomatic means would be favorable. The leaders also discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Netanyahu highlighted Israel's commitment to securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and mentioned its ongoing military operations aimed at achieving this objective. The U.S. President once again expressed his desire for the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip, saying that it would be a "good thing."

EU offers to remove all industrial tariffs on U.S.

2025/04/08 10:00

And countries around the world are moving quickly to talk Trump out of the upcoming reciprocal tariffs that are about to be effective in the coming day. Lee Seung-jae has this report. After the announcement of sweeping reciprocal tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump last week, countries are looking to negotiate a deal before April 9th, when the tariffs go into effect. The European Union,.. in the hopes of striking a deal with the U.S.,.. said Monday that it has offered "zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods." The announcement was made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who stressed that such deals were done successfully with other countries in the past. The U.S. and the EU were close to removing tariffs on all industrial goods a decade ago during the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership talks, but this was ultimately scrapped by Trump in his first term. In response to Trump's automobile tariffs, the UK government said Monday, it would relax electric vehicle sales targets, in order to help its domestic auto industry. The ban on selling new gas and diesel cars will still come into effect in 2030,.. but automakers will now have more flexibility on annual targets. Currently,.. 28 percent of new cars sold in the UK in 2025 must be electric, as the target will rise annually until 2030. However, automakers will be given more freedom on how they meet their annual targets. This means that if they don't sell enough EVs in one year,.. they can make it up by selling more next year. Also, a penalty of 15-thousand pounds or 19-thousand U.S. dollars per vehicle sold that does not meet the latest emissions standards will be cut to just over 15-thousand U.S. dollars. Meanwhile,.. U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held phone talks on Monday, where the Japanese leader voiced his disappointment over the tariffs. Ishiba told Trump that Japan has been the biggest investor in the U.S for five straight years, and that his tariff policies could hurt Japanese companies and their investments. During the 25-minute call, the two leaders also agreed on constructive dialogue on the matter, with Ishiba sending a team to negotiate with the U.S. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Trump threatens additional 50% tariffs on China while opening door for negotiations with other trading partners

2025/04/08 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear that there's no change of plan for his reciprocal tariffs. He further warned of an extra 50% tariff on China while opening the door for negotiations with other trading partners. Our Moon Hye-ryeon reports. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that the sweeping tariffs announced last week will be rolled out without delay, and threatened further import taxes on China. Taking to social media on Monday, he said that Washington could impose an additional 50 percent tariff on Beijing – unless it withdraws its retaliatory 34 percent tariffs on U.S. goods. The escalation of the trade war between the two countries brings the total rate levied on Chinese imports to 104 percent. This is expected to have a staggering impact, as China was the second-largest trading partner with the U.S. last year. Trump also warned that unless Beijing accepts his demands, its negotiations with the U.S. will come to a standstill. Meanwhile, negotiations with other countries are due to begin immediately. South Korea is among the countries that may engage in negotiations with the U.S., as its Minister for Trade is scheduled to meet with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of the United States Trade Representative in the coming days. Talking with reporters at the airport ahead of his flight to Washington, Minister Cheong In-kyo discussed Seoul's strategy for the upcoming talks --including increasing LNG imports from the U.S. "In order to reduce U.S. tariffs, we need to reduce the U.S. trade deficit—which, from our perspective, is a trade surplus. Since it is difficult to reduce our exports, we must increase our imports. In that regard, we have been reviewing various packages to help resolve the trade balance issue." Starting from Wednesday, the U.S. will levy rates exceeding the 10 percent baseline for reciprocal tariffs. For South Korea, a total tariff rate of 25 percent will apply. During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said that these levies will be implemented as planned, but he was open to "fair deals". "We have many, many countries that are coming to negotiate deals with us, and they're going to be fair deals. And in certain cases, they're going to be paying substantial tariffs. They'll be fair deals." This marks a shift from earlier statements, which said that there would be no negotiations for the time being. During interviews with various media outlets, White House officials said that such deals would need to be "really great" for American manufacturing and farmers – and countries would need to do more than just lowering their tariffs for relief. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Trump dismisses stock market turmoil caused by tariffs

2025/04/07 20:00

Against this backdrop, a baseline U.S. tariff of 10-percent on all imports entering the American market went into effect this past weekend and the country-specific duties are poised to take effect on Wednesday, with no prospect of a postponement. Moon Ji-young has more. US President Donald Trump has refused to back down on tariffs on imports from most countries despite the market turmoil they have caused. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday evening, Trump characterized the tariff duties as “medicine,” while panicked investors continued a massive sell-off of global stocks. He warned foreign governments that they would have to pay "a lot of money" to lift sweeping tariffs. “I spoke to a lot of leaders, European, Asian, from all over the world. They’re dying to make a deal. And I said, we’re not going to have deficits with your country. We’re not going to do that, because to me a deficit is a loss. We’re going to have surpluses or, at worst, going to be breaking even.” When asked about a potential trade deal with China, Trump underscored that no agreement would be reached unless the U.S. trade deficit with Beijing, currently at one trillion dollars, is addressed. He also claimed that tariffs caused China to pull back from a deal regarding TikTok, which was nearly finalized, highlighting this as evidence of "the power of tariffs." In response to tariffs on Europe, Trump stated that the U.S. cannot afford to spend heavily on NATO to protect Europe while losing money on trade. Meanwhile, speaking to NBC on Sunday morning, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said more than 50 countries have begun negotiating with the U.S. since the announcement of the reciprocal tariffs. The comments go in line with Trump's remarks last week that "every" country has called the U.S. for talks. On the same day, Trump shared a post on social media that massive financial deficits can be cured only with tariffs, calling them a “beautiful thing to behold.” Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

Rival parties begin preparations for two-month race as gov't tentatively set election date for June 3

2025/04/07 20:00

And preparations are underway for an early election most likely on the third of June. Shin Ha-young has the latest. The date for South Korea's 21st presidential election has been tentatively set for June 3rd. That's according to Yonhap News Agency, with the date expected to be confirmed at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. South Korea's presidential race is heating up as rival parties roll up their sleeves to prepare for a two-month race following the Constitutional Court's decision to remove former President Yoon Suk Yeol from office. The People Power Party formed an election committee on Monday for the upcoming presidential primary. The party chose Hwang Woo-yea , a former party interim leader and former five-term lawmaker, as its election committee chair. "Since Hwang recently served as our party's interim emergency committee leader after the general election, he knows the party well. We believe he's the right person to run the primary fairly and objectively." The party on Sunday decided to continue with its current leadership, with interim leader Kwon Young-se and floor leader Kweon Seong-dong set to stay to carry out the remainder of the presidential election process. The party does not have a clear frontrunner, with some local media outlets expecting as many as 10 contenders to enter the race. Among them is Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who hinted at another run after he finished second to Yoon Suk Yeol in the party's 2022 presidential primary. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is also frequently mentioned as a potential candidate. The most high-profile name, however, is former party chair Han Dong-hoon, once a close confidant of Yoon, who later distanced himself from the former president and publicly supported impeachment following the martial law declaration. Meanwhile, Democratic Party chair Lee Jae-myung -widely seen as the likely DP candidate -is expected to step down from his leadership role and make an official declaration to enter the race as early as Wednesday. Running as party chair could raise concerns about bias in the primary process. Local media anticipate that his formal announcement will come when the presidential election date is officially confirmed. Once Lee steps down, the DP plans to hold a meeting to set up an election committee for the primary. "We only have about 30 days for the primary, so we need to sort out any party rules, make changes if needed, and set up the election committee to get ready for the presidential race." Politicians outside Lee's faction within the DP are also preparing to enter the race. Among them, former DP lawmaker Kim Du-kwan was the first to make an official declaration to join the race. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Constitutional reform given green light, but will lawmakers slim presidential power with it up for grabs?

2025/04/07 20:00

With the country slated to hold an early presidential election in the weeks to come, politicians start responding to the idea of revising the Constitution. Kim Do-yeon covers responses from rival parties. The leaders of South Korea's two major parties on Monday gave the green light to National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik's proposal for Constitutional reform, in light of the upcoming presidential election. But it came with a caveat as the Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee Jae-myung, is cautious as there are more important tasks at hand. "But right now, what's far more urgent and important is preventing the destruction of democracy. The immediate focus should be on ending the insurrection. I hope the People Power Party isn’t thinking of using constitutional reform as a way to simply move past this. But yes, reform is necessary." However, he confirmed that he agrees that certain aspects of the Constitution need to be changed, such as adding the spirit of the Gwangju May 18th pro-democratization movement to the Constitution, among other things. Laws need to be revised for this nationwide referendum to happen and Lee has agreed to get work done to make it possible alongside the presidential election in less than 60 days. In terms of the presidential term, Lee agreed on two four-year terms like the U.S. model. Meanwhile, the People Power Party welcomed the Constitution reform proposal, while saying that they're already working on the details from their side. "It's not just about dispersing power. The system must be restructured so checks and balances function properly. Just as presidential powers are being reviewed, the authority of the National Assembly must also be adjusted in a balanced way. Kwon said that as much as the presidential authority needs to be adjusted, the parliament's authority needs to be adjusted as well. At the moment, the parliament has impeachment motion power over four different branches of government, and Kwon says it has been imperialistic with its power recently, as the opposition holds the majority of the floor. He said no one expected this in 1987 when the current Constitution was passed, saying it needs to reflect the world we live in now. Speaker Woo, after the two leaders' comments, welcomed that the two main parties are on board with the Constitutional reform. But, as the DP leader was cautious, the referendum targeted for the next presidential election in less than 60 days can just be on what's agreed upon until then. "With presidential powers at the heart of the constitutional reform debate, voters heading to the polls in less than 60 days won't just be choosing the next president — they'll also be weighing each party’s vision for the presidency and its power. Especially in the wake of a push for martial law rule by a former president. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News."

Myanmar earthquake death toll tops 3,500 as bad weather hampers rescue efforts

2025/04/07 20:00

The death toll from the strong earthquake that struck Myanmar has risen to over 3-thousand-5-hundred. According to the Associated Press, more than 5-thousand people were injured and at least 200 remain missing. Heavy rain and strong winds over the weekend disrupted rescue efforts, temporarily halting the use of electrical equipment. Despite the severe weather, recovery efforts continue, with Mandalay Airport reopening and rail services to Yangon restored.

Ukraine faces mounting pressure as Russian strikes escalate as mineral deal talks loom in Washington

2025/04/07 20:00

Elsewhere. Russia continues its air attacks on Ukraine despite U.S. efforts to hammer out a ceasefire. Byeon Ye-young reports. Twisted steel beams, shattered windows, and other mangled remains of residential blocks now scar the skyline of Kryvyi Rih after a Russian missile strike on April 4th killed at least 20 people, including children playing in a park. Dozens were injured. As Ukraine observed a day of mourning, Russia launched more missiles and drones at Kyiv on Sunday, killing one and wounding several others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks and criticized the U.S.'s tepid response to the attack on Kryvyi Rih, his hometown. "Staying silent about the fact that it is Russia killing children with ballistic missiles is wrong and dangerous. It only emboldens Moscow to continue the war and keep ignoring diplomacy." While Washington has yet to respond officially, Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted at a possible shift in policy. Speaking in Brussels on Friday following a two-day NATO meeting, Rubio suggested that Washington's patience with Moscow is wearing thin and warned that Russia could soon face additional U.S. sanctions. Amid the military crisis, Ukraine is preparing for talks in Washington next week on a new draft for a mineral deal. According to The Associated Press, Ukraine's Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko confirmed that a Ukrainian delegation, including officials from the Ministries of Economy, Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Finance, will head to the U.S. next week. The proposed agreement would give the U.S. access to critical resources such as rare earths, oil and gas. European leaders are also pushing for tougher measures. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an immediate ceasefire and "strong action" if Russia continues to stall. Finnish President Alexander Stubb proposed April 20th, which marks both Easter and the three-month anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration, which marks both Easter and the three-month anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration, as a deadline for Russia to comply with ceasefire terms. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea's industry minister, Philippine delegation agree to strengthen econ. cooperation

2025/04/07 20:00

South Korea's industry minister met with high-ranking government officials from the Philippines on Monday to discuss ways to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. Minister Ahn Duk-geun held talks in Seoul with a 23-member Philippine delegation, during which both sides pledged to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and supply chain resilience. They also agreed on the importance of deepening collaboration in critical minerals and clean energy. The meeting comes as South Korea is seeking to diversify its export markets in response to growing global trade uncertainties caused by U.S. President Trump's tariff campaign.

S. Korea looks to find response measures to respond to China's export curb on rare-earth elements

2025/04/07 20:00

South Korea has pledged to ramp up efforts in response to China's recent export restrictions on rare-earth elements. Following a meeting on Monday with relevant stakeholders, including the trade and foreign ministries, the government aims to secure a public and private inventory of these minerals while preventing any lack of supply. As it is not an entire export ban, countries can still import elements such as graphite and gallium after obtaining an export permit from China's Ministry of Commerce. This comes amid Beijing's export controls as part of non-tariff retaliatory measures against the U.S. China provides around 90-percent of the world's rare earth supply, which is used to make weapons, electronics, and other consumer goods.

How S. Korea could recover from its leadership vacancy caused by Presidential impeachment

2025/04/07 20:30

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. Just days ago, the Constitutional Court delivered a unanimous verdict — 8 to 0 — removing President Yoon Suk-yeol from power. The ruling has not only triggered an early presidential election but also left a gaping void in Seoul's diplomatic leadership at a time of global uncertainty and geopolitical rivalry. For months, summit diplomacy has been paralyzed under emergency rule. Key alliances with the United States and Japan are now under scrutiny, while relations with China and Russia remain deeply fractured. The international community is closely monitoring how Seoul navigates this leadership vacuum — and what comes next for its role on the world stage. Tonight, we speak with two experts to unpack the implications of this unprecedented moment: Joining us from Cambridge is Dr. John Nilsson-Wright, Head of the Japan and Koreas Programme at the Centre for Geopolitics. Welcome. Also joining us is Hannah Kim, Assistant Professor at Sogang University GSIS. Great to see you. 1. (Nilsson-Wright) Let's start with Dr. Nilsson-Wright. With the removal of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, South Korea has entered an early presidential election phase. As an international expert, how do you view Yoon's impeachment and the resulting diplomatic vacuum? 2. (Kim) Prof Kim, Since the declaration of martial law in December last year, South Korea has been unable to engage in summit diplomacy at the government level. What do you see as the most urgent diplomatic and security issues that need to be addressed? 3. (Kim) The impeachment of President Yoon has put U.S.-South Korea diplomacy in a similar situation to eight years ago during the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. Dr.Nilsson-Wright, how has the situation changed compared to back then? Also, the U.S. State Department has stated its willingness to work with Acting President Han Duck-soo and the Korean government — what kind of response do you believe is necessary? 4. (Nilsson-Wright) Former President Yoon emphasized "values-based diplomacy" and pursued a foreign policy centered on the U.S. and Japan. The U.S. media is now highlighting the possibility of a shift in South Korea's diplomatic direction under the next administration. What is your take on this? 5. (Kim) Given that former President Yoon pushed for improved Korea-Japan relations through trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan, Tokyo is also closely monitoring the impact of the impeachment on bilateral ties. After the ruling, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized the importance of cooperation with Korea regardless of which administration takes office. Do you foresee any changes in South Korea's diplomatic approach toward Japan? 6. (Nilsson-Wright) On the other hand, some suggest that since the U.S. values trilateral cooperation with South Korea and Japan to check China, it would not welcome any instability in Korea-Japan relations. Dr.Nilsson-Wright, how much of an influence would you expect? And how do you see ties moving forward? 7. (Kim) On April 3, during the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the foreign ministers of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan reaffirmed the goal of complete denuclearization of North Korea. However, given ongoing concerns that the role of trilateral cooperation may diminish, should South Korea expand its leading role in responding to the North Korea nuclear issue? 8. (Nilsson-Wright) Since taking office, former President Yoon has had confrontational relations with China and Russia, both of which have had a major influence on the Korean Peninsula. There are views that his so-called "biased diplomacy" contributed to the strengthening of North Korea-Russia ties. Dr.Nilsson-Wright, how do you think South Korea's relations with China and Russia should proceed going forward? 9. (Kim) The current international community appears to be shifting away from values-based diplomacy toward a survival-of-the-fittest approach. In this global climate, how can the South Korean government under Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo restore its diplomatic credibility?

Rival parties begin preparations for two-month race as gov't tentatively set election date for June 3

2025/04/07 17:00

Come summer South Korea will usher in a new president into its top office as preparations are now underway for an early election most likely on the THIRD of June. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young has the latest. The date for South Korea's 21st presidential election has been tentatively set for June 3rd. That's according to Yonhap News Agency, with the date expected to be confirmed at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. South Korea's presidential race is heating up as rival parties roll up their sleeves to prepare for a two-month race following the Constitutional Court's decision to remove former President Yoon Suk Yeol from office. The People Power Party formed an election committee on Monday for the upcoming presidential primary. The party chose Hwang Woo-yea, a former party interim leader and former five-term lawmaker, as its election committee chair. "Since Hwang recently served as our party's interim emergency committee leader after the general election, he knows the party well. We believe he's the right person to run the primary fairly and objectively." The party on Sunday decided to continue with its current leadership, with interim leader Kwon Young-se and floor leader Kweon Seong-dong set to stay to carry out the remainder of the presidential election process. The party does not have a clear frontrunner, with some local media outlets expecting as many as 10 contenders to enter the race. Among them is Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who hinted at another run after he finished second to Yoon Suk Yeol in the party's 2022 presidential primary. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is also frequently mentioned as a potential candidate. The most high-profile name, however, is former party chair Han Dong-hoon, once a close confidant of Yoon, who later distanced himself from the former president and publicly supported impeachment following the martial law declaration. Meanwhile, Democratic Party chair Lee Jae-myung -widely seen as the likely DP candidate -is expected to step down from his leadership role and make an official declaration to enter the race as early as Wednesday. Running as party chair could raise concerns about bias in the primary process. Local media anticipate that his formal announcement will come when the presidential election date is officially confirmed. Once Lee steps down, the DP plans to hold a meeting to set up an election committee for the primary. "We only have about 30 days for the primary, so we need to sort out any party rules, make changes if needed, and set up the election committee to get ready for the presidential race." Politicians outside Lee's faction within the DP are also preparing to enter the race. Among them, former DP lawmaker Kim Du-kwan was the first to make an official declaration to join the race. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

World News: U.S. to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese over deportation dispute

2025/04/07 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. The U.S. has announced it will immediately revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, citing the African nation's failure to accept the return of its repatriated citizens. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on Saturday that South Sudan's transitional government has not complied with international norms by refusing to accept its nationals deported from the United States. As a result, the U.S. Department of State is revoking all existing visas held by South Sudanese citizens and halting the issuance of new visas to these individuals. The unprecedented decision, the first of its kind aimed at a specific country since the Trump administration took office, comes amid concerns about a potential return to civil war in the African nation. Rubio accused South Sudan's government of "taking advantage of the United States" and added that the U.S. is prepared to review the recent actions once South Sudan demonstrates full cooperation in accepting its repatriated citizens. In the Middle East, two British Members of Parliament have been denied entry into Israel during a planned visit to the occupied West Bank. Israel accused the two lawmakers of plans to spread "anti-Israel hatred." Labour MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang, were detained upon arrival at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport on Saturday local time. The Israeli immigration authority stated they intended to "document the security forces and spread hate speech against Israel," leading to their deportation. The MPs asserted that they were part of a parliamentary delegation, alongside charities, visiting humanitarian aid projects in the West Bank. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy called Israel's actions "unacceptable, counterproductive and deeply concerning." In the African country of the Democratic Republic of Congo, torrential rain led to severe flooding in the capital, Kinshasa, over the weekend, resulting in at least 22 deaths. 46 people were hospitalized, and 75 families also had to be temporarily relocated due to the conditions. The flooding disrupted access to more than half of the city and its main airport. While Kinshasa, home to over 12 million residents, experiences frequent flooding during the rainy season, the weekend's rain marks the city's first major deluge of the year. Similar flooding in the capital city in 2022 killed over 100 people. Finally, in the U.S. state of Los Angeles, a minke whale that had been swimming in Long Beach Harbor last week was found dead on Sunday morning local time. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is collaborating with local officials to determine the cause of death. Earlier efforts to guide the whale out of the harbor were unsuccessful as it repeatedly returned despite attempts by experts to encourage its departure. The whale's appearance in the harbor last week had attracted crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the marine mammal. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Ukraine faces mounting pressure as Russian strikes escalate as mineral deal talks loom in Washington

2025/04/07 17:00

Meanwhile a recent Russian air strike on a residential area in the Ukrainian leader's hometown is prompting much outrage as it comes amid U.S. efforts to hammer out a ceasefire. Byeon Ye-young reports. Twisted steel beams, shattered windows, and other mangled remains of residential blocks now scar the skyline of Kryvyi Rih after a Russian missile strike on April 4th killed at least 20 people, including children playing in a park. Dozens were injured. As Ukraine observed a day of mourning, Russia launched more missiles and drones at Kyiv on Sunday, killing one and wounding several others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks and criticized the U.S.'s tepid response to the attack on Kryvyi Rih, his hometown. "Staying silent about the fact that it is Russia killing children with ballistic missiles is wrong and dangerous. It only emboldens Moscow to continue the war and keep ignoring diplomacy." While Washington has yet to respond officially, Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted at a possible shift in policy. Speaking in Brussels on Friday following a two-day NATO meeting, Rubio suggested that Washington's patience with Moscow is wearing thin and warned that Russia could soon face additional U.S. sanctions. Amid the military crisis, Ukraine is preparing for talks in Washington next week on a new draft for a mineral deal. According to The Associated Press, Ukraine's Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko confirmed that a Ukrainian delegation, including officials from the Ministries of Economy, Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Finance, will head to the U.S. next week. The proposed agreement would give the U.S. access to critical resources such as rare earths, oil and gas. European leaders are also pushing for tougher measures. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an immediate ceasefire and "strong action" if Russia continues to stall. Finnish President Alexander Stubb proposed April 20th, which marks both Easter and the three-month anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration, which marks both Easter and the three-month anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration, as a deadline for Russia to comply with ceasefire terms. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

G7 foreign ministers raise concerns over China's recent military drills around Taiwan

2025/04/07 17:00

Top diplomats of the G7 have shared concerns over China's recent war games around Taiwan. In a joint statement they described Beijing's activities as "destabilizing" and urged for dialogue to address differences. The foreign ministers also asserted these regional tensions endanger international stability and prosperity. Last week the Chinese military held two days of military drills around Taiwan involving long-range live fire drills.

Trump dismisses stock market turmoil caused by tariffs

2025/04/07 17:00

In other news. A baseline U.S. tariff of 10 percent on imports of all foreign-origin goods into the American market went into effect this past weekend and the heavier country-specific duties are poised to take effect this coming Wednesday U.S. time with no prospect of a postponement. Moon Ji-young has details. US President Donald Trump has refused to back down on tariffs on imports from most countries despite the market turmoil they have caused. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday evening, Trump characterized the tariff duties as “medicine,” while panicked investors continued a massive sell-off of global stocks. He warned foreign governments that they would have to pay "a lot of money" to lift sweeping tariffs. “I spoke to a lot of leaders, European, Asian, from all over the world. They’re dying to make a deal. And I said, we’re not going to have deficits with your country. We’re not going to do that, because to me a deficit is a loss. We’re going to have surpluses or, at worst, going to be breaking even.” When asked about a potential trade deal with China, Trump underscored that no agreement would be reached unless the U.S. trade deficit with Beijing, currently at one trillion dollars, is addressed. He also claimed that tariffs caused China to pull back from a deal regarding TikTok, which was nearly finalized, highlighting this as evidence of "the power of tariffs." In response to tariffs on Europe, Trump stated that the U.S. cannot afford to spend heavily on NATO to protect Europe while losing money on trade. Meanwhile, speaking to NBC on Sunday morning, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said more than 50 countries have begun negotiating with the U.S. since the announcement of the reciprocal tariffs. The comments go in line with Trump's remarks last week that "every" country has called the U.S. for talks. On the same day, Trump shared a post on social media that massive financial deficits can be cured only with tariffs, calling them a “beautiful thing to behold.” Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.