News
Constitutional reform given green light, but will lawmakers slim presidential power with it up for grabs?
2025/04/07 17:00
The parliament is also looking to revise the country's Constitution. And within the reform proposals is one that grants presidents two four-year terms instead of the current single five-year term. Our Kim Do-yeon covers this plan and more. 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."
S. KOREA PREPARES FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
2025/04/07 17:30
Hope your workweek is off to a good start. It's Monday April 7th here in Seoul and you're watching Press Perspective. I'm Min Sunhee. Come early summer this year South Korea will have a new leadership at the top office after the strength of its democracy went on full display last week according to a number of foreign media outlets. For more I have Chloe Borgnon with French broadcaster France 24 Chloe it's great to have you here. I also have Thomas Maresca with American news agency UPI. Thomas welcome back. 1) Thomas, you also covered the Constitutional Court's verdict to uphold the presidential impeachment last Friday. Quite a number of foreign media outlets are linking this latest development to South Korea's democratic resilience. What more can you tell us about this perspective among the foreign press? 2) Chloe, the decision to uphold the presidential impeachment was unanimous. What are the broader implications of this reality according to the foreign press? 3) Thomas, Korea needs to hold an election within two months. What is the latest with regard to a potential date and related preparations by rival political parties? 4) Chloe, Reuters published a piece about the top contenders for the early presidential election with focus on six political figures. Let's go over the first three potential candidates: Lee Jae-myung, Han Dong-hoon, and Kim Moon-soo. For the sake of our viewers who may not be familiar with these figures, do tell us a bit about them as shared by Reuters. 5) And now Thomas, do tell us a bit about the final three contenders: Oh Se-hoon, Hong Joon-pyo, and Kim Dong-yeon . 6) Chloe, foreign press members say Yoon leaves behind a deeply divided country. Do you suppose the election will serve to start the healing process? 7) Thomas, what do you believe will be some of the urgent tasks for the next president of South Korea? 8) Chloe, in hindsight, what are the lessons to be learnt from the latest political developments here in Korea starting early last December? 9) And Thomas, what do you suppose may be the lessons to be learnt?
On-point: Rival parties gear up for early election & new administration
2025/04/07 10:00
Now that South Korea took the weekend to digest and cool off following Friday's final verdict, politicians are now gearing up to map out a new administration. Let us discuss more with Professor Mason Richey. Good morning. 1. I'd like to start with the National Assembly speaker's proposal on a referendum on the election to revise the Constitution. 2. The leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee Jae-myung, is one of the top contenders for the upcoming presidential election, but why has he kept a low profile since the final verdict came out? 3. When will he quit his position as the party's leader? 4. The People Power Party took the weekend to reflect on the ruling, but there's not much time to take things slowly now that we only have 60 days, right? 5. I asked you this on Friday when the final verdict came out. Professor Richey thank you for sharing your insight with us.
NA Speaker calls for Constitutional referendum during next presidential election
2025/04/07 10:00
And over the weekend, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik suggested a referendum on the election day to revise the Constitution. It will be aimed at reorganizing power structure he says. Kim Do-yeon reports. Calls for constitutional reform surface almost every election season in South Korea. But this time, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik says it must happen and soon. He is pushing for a nationwide referendum to take place within the next 60 days, alongside the upcoming presidential election triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Speaking on Sunday, Woo emphasized that although the declaration of martial law was ultimately blocked, it revealed serious vulnerabilities in the country's democracy. "To break this vicious cycle, we must pave the way before the new president's term begins. Now is the perfect time to achieve constitutional reform, as the public's call for decentralization of power, popular sovereignty, and national unity has never been clearer. I propose holding a national referendum on constitutional amendment on the same day as the upcoming presidential election." To move the process forward, Speaker Woo also proposed launching a special committee dedicated to constitutional amendments. He said the first round of reform, aimed at aligning with the presidential election timeline, would focus on the division of power. A second round of proposed changes could follow during next year's nationwide local elections. When asked whether he was referring to a four-year presidential term with the possibility of re-election -similar to the U.S. model -Woo said it's an idea both major parties appear open to. However, he emphasized that the specifics would be discussed within the newly proposed committee. On the other hand, the leadership and senior members of the Democratic Party of Korea also the party the Speaker is from said it's not the time for this reform yet. While the Chair of the DP, Lee Jae-myung, did not directly respond, those close to him said that now is the time to put effort into holding those who started the insurrection responsible. The People Power Party interim chair, however, said the Party is unchanged in its stance on Constitutional Reform and welcomed the idea. Kwon Young-se said that the floor leader will come up with those joining the special committee proposed by the Speaker, and all details will be discussed there. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.
Presidential race heats up as rival parties begin preparations for two-month race
2025/04/07 10:00
A snap presidential election following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's dismissal last week has reportedly been set for June 3rd. And presidential race is heating up as there are now less than two months to elect a new leader. Shin Ha-young reports. 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 on Sunday decided to continue with its current leadership, with interim leader Kwon Young-se and floor leader Kweon Seong-dong set to stay. Some argued they should step down over the president's impeachment, but most felt it was better to keep them to help stabilize the party and prepare for the upcoming election. "The party lawmakers reaffirmed their confidence in the current leadership to carry out the remaining presidential election process." The PPP also decided to form an election committee on Monday for the upcoming presidential primary. 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, with official announcements expected as early as Monday. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.
UK MPs denied entry, deported from Israel
2025/04/07 10:00
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."
U.S. to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese over deportation dispute
2025/04/07 10:00
Let's start in the United States, where the country has announced the revocation of visas held by South Sudanese citizens. Tell us more. 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.
G7 foreign ministers raise concerns over China's recent military drills around Taiwan
2025/04/07 10:00
G7 foreign ministers have raised concerns over China's recent military drills around Taiwan. In a joint statement released by the top envoys, they described Beijing's recent military drills as provocative and destabilizing and called for dialogue for a "peaceful resolution of issues." The foreign ministers said the "increasingly frequent" activities are raising cross-Strait tensions," adding that they are also putting "global security and prosperity" at risk. Last week, the Chinese military concluded two days of war games around Taiwan, involving long-range, live-fire drills.
NA Speaker calls for Constitutional referendum during next presidential election
2025/04/06 18:00
As the country enters the race for an early presidential election, Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik today proposed a referendum on the election day to revise the Constitution. It will be aimed at reorganizing power structure. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. Calls for constitutional reform surface almost every election season in South Korea. But this time, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik says it must happen and soon. He is pushing for a nationwide referendum to take place within the next 60 days, alongside the upcoming presidential election triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Speaking on Sunday, Woo emphasized that although the declaration of martial law was ultimately blocked, it revealed serious vulnerabilities in the country's democracy. "To break this vicious cycle, we must pave the way before the new president's term begins. Now is the perfect time to achieve constitutional reform, as the public's call for decentralization of power, popular sovereignty, and national unity has never been clearer. I propose holding a national referendum on constitutional amendment on the same day as the upcoming presidential election." To move the process forward, Speaker Woo also proposed launching a special committee dedicated to constitutional amendments. He said the first round of reform, aimed at aligning with the presidential election timeline, would focus on the division of power. A second round of proposed changes could follow during next year's nationwide local elections. When asked whether he was referring to a four-year presidential term with the possibility of re-election -similar to the U.S. model -Woo said it's an idea both major parties appear open to. However, he emphasized that the specifics would be discussed within the newly proposed committee. In the meantime, the Democratic Party of Korea held a press conference, announcing that preparations for the upcoming presidential election are now underway. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, DP Secretary General Kim Yun-duck said that while there are no specific updates yet, the party is taking care of the practical aspects needed to ensure a smooth campaign launch once the election date is set. He also urged Acting President Han Duck-soo to announce the date without delay. The People Power Party also held a closed-door full-floor meeting on Sunday. Key agenda items likely included setting the rules for the party's presidential primary and addressing the fallout from the impeachment of its former leader. Unlike the Democratic Party, the PPP has no clear frontrunner for the upcoming presidential race. Meanwhile, following the Constitutional Court's decision to uphold the impeachment on Friday, Acting President Han Duck-soo is expected to announce the presidential election date during Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. Most expect the vote to be held on June 3rd the final day within the 60-day limit set by law. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.
“Hands off!”: Mass protests erupt across U.S. against Trump’s leadership
2025/04/06 18:00
Protesters gathered in more than a thousand locations across the United States in what has become the largest show of opposition since President Trump's inauguration. More than 150 civil groups united on Saturday for rallies under the banner of the "Hands Off" movement, voicing strong objections to his administration's agenda. Key points of contention included federal downsizing, immigrant deportations, and proposed cuts to healthcare programs. Solidarity demonstrations also broke out in cities around the world, including London, Paris, and Berlin, just days after Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs targeting nearly every nation.
Martial law incident shows resilience of S. Korean democracy: NYT
2025/04/06 18:00
The New York Times has assessed that the past four months have demonstrated the resilience of South Korean democracy. The paper noted that the rise and fall of now-former President Yoon Suk Yeol revealed a "vulnerability, but also a resilience" in South Korean democracy, adding that the public was "ready to fight for it." It highlighted the events of December 3rd, when troops sent to the National Assembly hesitated as citizens stood in their way. It also cited scholars who warned that if martial law can occur in a country seen as "an exemplary case of democratization in Asia," then it could happen elsewhere, too. It went on to emphasize that South Korea's democracy was "fought for" through decades of resistance against authoritarian rule.
Pro-and anti-impeachment rallies continue throughout weekend
2025/04/06 18:00
On the first weekend after the leader was removed from office, public rallies stayed divided. Shin Ha-young takes a look. Protests both in support and against the impeachment continued throughout the weekend even after Friday's final verdict. Despite the rainy weather on Saturday, people gathered near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Those who had called for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment looked cheerful, holding signs that said, "Democracy has won." Another rally celebrating the impeachment was held near City Hall Station. Participants cheered, saying the people had won, and called for the removal of what they described as insurrectionist forces. "Turning weapons on the people is unforgivable. Shouldn't those behind the rebellion, and everyone involved, be investigated and punished?" People who opposed the president's impeachment also took to the streets. They held signs reading "Invoking the rights to resist" and chanted, "The impeachment is a fraud and invalid". Some said they couldn't accept the Court's decision and called for Yoon to return to office. "We'll keep standing up for President Yoon Suk Yeol and the rule of law in the Republic of Korea." Police set up barricades around the Gwanghwamun area to prevent clashes between people for and against the impeachment. As of Saturday evening the Korean National Police Agency lowered Seoul's emergency response from the second highest level, which allows for 50 percent mobilization of police forces, to a level where officers are allowed to take leave, but must remain on standby and ready to respond if needed. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.
Presidential Office quietly dismantling as Yoon Suk Yeol Administration ends
2025/04/06 18:00
As the Constitutional Court has removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from power, the now-former leader has to vacate his office and residence. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young tells us more. Silence takes over the Presidential Office in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District Following the Constitutional Court's ruling on Friday removing President Yoon Suk Yeol, over his martial law declaration last December, the nation's top office is no longer the center of power and governance. A regular Sunday meeting of senior presidential secretaries did not take place this weekend, despite the meetings having continued throughout Yoon's impeachment trial. The secretaries had in fact submitted their mass resignation to Acting President Han Duck-soo, who turned them down and requested they remain in their positions. Still, the air of resignation is pervasive. After Friday's ruling, the phoenix flag the symbol of the head of state was taken down from the main flagpole. The large digital display showing images of Yoon has also faded to black. The Presidential Office's website was taken offline on Saturday, and Yoon's social media pages have been updated to reflect his change of status. Meanwhile, state authorities will begin transferring official documents to the Presidential Archives, which is required by law at the end of every administration. The Interior Ministry said Sunday, on-site inspections will begin next week on 28 venues including the Presidential Office, the National Security Council, the Presidential Security Service, and relevant advisory bodies. Also, packing up,. the former leader is preparing to soon move out of the official residence. It was initially expected Yoon and his wife would return to their high-rise apartment across the river, as early as Saturday, given that former President Park Geun-hye left the presidential quarters 56 hours after her impeachment was upheld in 2017. However, a source told Arirang News the arrangements will take some time and ruled out a move the same weekend. Yoon's believed to be considering other venues further away from the city center, due to his his security arrangements as well as his thirteen pets. The Presidential Security Service also said it has not received any detailed plans so far, but will follow legal protocols once the relocation is confirmed. By law, the PSS provides basic personal protection for all even ousted presidents once they return to civilian life. "The Presidential Office has not issued any official statements following Friday's fateful ruling, retreating from the public eye. As such, the dismantling of the Yoon Administration quietly ensues. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News."
DP and PPP race to top begins with impeachment leaving vacancy at presidency
2025/04/06 12:00
With the top office in the country left vacant, the clock is ticking for an early election. Rival parties look to be moving quickly. Our political correspondent Kim Do-yeon takes a closer look. The upcoming presidential election could mark the final chapter in the political turmoil triggered by the martial law declaration and the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. With the vote set to take place in less than 60 days, rival parties are moving quickly to prepare. On Sunday, the Democratic Party of Korea is expected to announce the rules for its presidential primary, with a press briefing scheduled around lunchtime. Meanwhile, party chair Lee Jae-myung -widely seen as the likely candidate -is expected to step down from his leadership role to enter the race. Running as party chair could raise concerns about bias in the primary process. While he has yet to make an official declaration, Lee has consistently led recent polls as the most favored candidate for the presidency. Local media anticipate his formal announcement will follow once the presidential election date is officially confirmed. In addition, politicians outside Lee's faction are also preparing to enter the race, with official announcements expected as early as Monday. Meanwhile, the People Power Party is scheduled to hold a full-floor meeting on Sunday afternoon to discuss its approach to the upcoming presidential election. Key agenda items include setting the rules for the party's primary and addressing the fallout from the impeachment of its former president. Unlike its rival, the PPP 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 finished second to Yoon Suk Yeol in the party's 2022 presidential primary and has hinted at another run. 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. As for the election, Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is expected to set the date during the upcoming Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. With the legal deadline set at 60 days, June 3rd is widely seen as the most likely date, as it would mark exactly 60 days since Yoon's impeachment on April 4th. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.
Martial law incident shows resilience of S. Korean democracy: NYT
2025/04/06 12:00
The New York Times has assessed that the past four months have demonstrated the resilience of South Korean democracy. The paper noted that the rise and fall of now-former President Yoon Suk Yeol revealed a "vulnerability, but also a resilience" in South Korean democracy, adding that the public was "ready to fight for it." It highlighted the events of December 3rd, when troops sent to the National Assembly hesitated as citizens stood in their way. It also cited scholars who warned that if martial law can occur in a country seen as "an exemplary case of democratization in Asia," then it could happen elsewhere, too. It went on to emphasize that South Korea's democracy was "fought for" through decades of resistance against authoritarian rule.
Pro-and anti-impeachment rallies continue throughout weekend
2025/04/06 12:00
On the first weekend after the leader was removed from office, public rallies largely stayed divided. Shin Ha-young takes a look. Protests both in support and against the impeachment continued throughout the weekend even after Friday's final verdict. Despite the rainy weather on Saturday, people gathered near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Those who had called for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment looked cheerful, holding signs that said, "Democracy has won." Another rally celebrating the impeachment was held near City Hall Station. Participants cheered, saying the people had won, and called for the removal of what they described as insurrectionist forces. "Turning weapons on the people is unforgivable. Shouldn't those behind the rebellion, and everyone involved, be investigated and punished?" People who opposed the president's impeachment also took to the streets. They held signs reading "Invoking the rights to resist" and chanted, "The impeachment is a fraud and invalid". Some said they couldn't accept the Court's decision and called for Yoon to return to office. "We'll keep standing up for President Yoon Suk Yeol and the rule of law in the Republic of Korea." Police set up barricades around the Gwanghwamun area to prevent clashes between people for and against the impeachment. As of Saturday evening the Korean National Police Agency lowered Seoul's emergency response from the second highest level, which allows for 50 percent mobilization of police forces, to a level where officers are allowed to take leave, but must remain on standby and ready to respond if needed. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.
Live: Presidential Office quietly dismantling as Yoon Suk Yeol Administration ends
2025/04/06 12:00
As the Constitutional Court removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from power on Friday, the now former leader has to vacate his office and residence. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young is at the former President's office. Q1. Soo-young, what's the atmosphere like there today on this second day since the Court's ruling? Hi Jungmin, the Presidential Office remains enveloped in silence. Usually, Sundays were also buzzing with activity but today, it looks like only a handful of working-level staff are present. Notably, the regular Sunday meeting of senior secretaries, which had continued even during Yoon's suspension, will not be held today. This follows a mass resignation submitted by senior aides including Chief-of-Staff Chung Jin-suk and National Security Advisor Shin Won-sik. Acting President Han Duck-soo turned them down, requesting that they remain in their positions during this transitional period to play supportive roles. Still, the air of resignation is pervasive. Soon after Friday's ruling, the phoenix flag the symbol of the head of state was taken down from the main flagpole. The large digital display in the basement hallway of the building, that showed images of Yoon at major events, now just shows a black screen. The Presidential Office's official website has been unavailable since Saturday, while Yoon's personal social media profiles have been updated to reflect his change of status from the President of the Republic of Korea, to the 20th President of the Republic of Korea. Meanwhile, state authorities will begin transferring official documents to the Presidential Archives, which is required under law at the end of every administration. The Interior Ministry said Sunday, on-site inspections will begin next week on 28 venues including the Presidential Office, the National Security Council, the Presidential Security Service, and relevant advisory bodies. The Presidential Office has not issued any official statements following Friday's fateful ruling, as it retreats quietly without ceremony. Q2. Sooyoung, there's a lot of attention now on what comes next, especially regarding former President Yoon's departure from the official residence. What do we know about those plans? There's no timeline yet for former President Yoon's relocation from the official residence, where he stayed throughout the weekend. It was initially expected the Yoon and his wife would move out as early as Saturday to return to their high-rise apartment across the river. However, there's been no sign of such movement nor indication it will happen soon. According to an official I spoke with, there's still much to sort through and organize, making a move unlikely this weekend. The Presidential Security Service also told media on Sunday that there are no detailed plans just yet. By law, the PSS provides basic personal protection for former presidents, even those ousted by impeachment. Yoon is said to be considering other venues further away from the city center, considering his security arrangements and to minimise disturbances for neighbours. His thirteen pets are reportedly also being factored into the decision. Thus, it seems Yoon will move out later compared to former President Park Geun-hye, who left the presidential quarters two days after her impeachment was upheld in 2017. I see. Well, do keep us updated on any developments.
Trump's 10% tariff takes effect; worst week for U.S. stocks, global markets in panic
2025/04/05 18:00
U.S. President Donald Trump's 10% baseline tariff on imports from many countries took effect this afternoon, intensifying the ongoing trade war. China has already retaliated with its own tariffs, sending global markets into turmoil. Our Kim Jung-sil reports. U.S. President Donald Trump's initial 10% "baseline" tariff on imports took effect at 12:01 AM Eastern Time on Saturday. Only a few nations, including Canada and Mexico, are exempt. The 10% baseline tariff can be seen as the 'first phase' of the tariffs President Trump announced on April 2nd, which he called 'Liberation Day' for America. From April 9th, the second phase of tariffs will come into effect, targeting countries President Trump has labeled as 'the worst offenders,' including South Korea, which will face a 25% tariff. For China, the tariff rate will rise to 54%. In response, China announced on Friday that it would impose a reciprocal 34% tariff on all U.S. imports, set to take effect on April 10th. The latest tariff announcements have shaken global markets. In the U.S., all three major stock indexes plummeted, with the Dow Jones falling by 5.5% and the S&P 500 dropping nearly 6%, capping the worst week since 2020. "It's an economic Armageddon that was unleashed by Trump. And the tariff war has begun, and we believe this could set tech stocks and the tech industry in the U.S. back potentially a decade." Analysts warn that the economic consequences of the trade war could be severe, particularly for U.S. tech companies reliant on Asian supply chains. Professor Yang Jun-sok, an economics expert at The Catholic University of Korea, says China is directly challenging President Trump, arguing that once tariffs exceed a certain level, China faces little risk, but this has rattled American investors. "It'll be a big question whether the European Union and Canada will join China in retaliation. If they do, then President Trump may have no choice but to back down from his high tariff policy." As stock markets continue to tumble, all eyes are on whether China's latest move will prompt President Trump to reconsider his aggressive tariff policies. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.
Acting chief justice thanks police, journalists for ensuring safety after ruling
2025/04/05 18:00
Acting chief justice of the Constitutional Court, Moon Hyung-bae, thanked South Korean police for ensuring the court's safety. According to the court on Saturday, Moon also thanked journalists for diligently covering the ruling and ensuring the impeachment trial proceeded smoothly. He further recognized constitutional researchers and court staff for their role in the trial's successful conclusion. The eight justices who delivered the final verdict on Friday will be on leave until the 6th.
N. Korea reports Yoon's dismissal without comment
2025/04/05 18:00
And a day after Friday's ruling, North Korea reported on the ouster of former President Yoon, noting that the dismissal was the result of a unanimous vote over his brief martial law order. The North's state media made no commentary on Saturday, instead citing headlines from major foreign news outlets. By contrast, in 2017, it took just about two hours for the North to report on former President Park Geun-hye's dismissal. Experts say the regime appears to be keeping its distance from the South, as leader Kim Jong-un has described inter-Korean relations as "hostile."