News

Israel approves plan to occupy Gaza City while detailing 'principles for ending the war'

2025/08/08 19:38

In the Middle East. A major escalation in the conflict there is expected as Israeli forces prepare to take over Gaza city. Kim Do-yeon explains. Israel's political-security cabinet has approved a plan to occupy Gaza City the largest city in the enclave early Friday, signaling a significant escalation in the near two-year conflict, despite intensifying international and domestic criticism. A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on social media read, quote, "The IDF will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones," detailing the following "principles for ending the war": Disarmament of Hamas Return of all hostages -both living and dead Demilitarization of the Gaza Strip Israeli security control over the Gaza Strip The existence of an alternative civilian government that is not Hamas or the Palestinian Authority Netanyahu's office also noted most political-security cabinet members believed an alternative plan would not achieve the defeat of Hamas or the return of hostages. However, government sources indicate that the security cabinet's decision still requires final approval from the full cabinet, a session not expected until Sunday. The cabinet's approval came just hours after Netanyahu said Israel intended to assume full military control of the entire strip. "In order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza, and to pass it to civilian governance that is not Hamas and not anyone advocating the destruction of Israel. That's what we want to do. We want to liberate ourselves and liberate the people of Gaza from the awful terror of Hamas." As the cabinet votes, mass protests erupted across Israel. According to Israel, it already controls around 75 percent of Gaza. Most of Gaza's population of about 2 million has been displaced multiple times over the past 22 months and aid groups are warning that the enclave's residents are on the verge of famine. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Pres. Lee faces key diplomatic events upon returning from summer break

2025/08/08 19:37

President Lee Jae Myung is poised to return to state affairs this weekend as today marks the last of his five-day summer break. Our correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports. The President will have a lot on his plate when he returns to work from his week-long vacation. First off, he is set to host Vietnam's political leader To Lam on Monday, the first foreign leader to be hosted by President Lee Jae Myung. Their focus is on partnership in key areas at a time when global trade uncertainty grows. "On top of politics, security, trade and investment, the leaders will discuss strategically important areas in-depth, including nuclear energy, high-speed railways, and smart cities, as well as science technology and human resources." Then will come the first Lee-Trump summit in Washington, likely slated for August 25th, according to diplomatic sources. A framework trade deal has been reached between Seoul and Washington with the U.S. tough on tariffs, but it's not a done deal. The two sides still need to work on the details, such as the quarantine process for fruit and vegetables imported from the U.S. Security issues could be also on the table, such as upping South Korea's defense spending and a possible change to the role and scale of U.S. troops stationed in Korea as Washington focuses on countering China's influence. Here at home, Lee's official schedule includes the "People's Appointment Ceremony" --as named by the top office --on August 15th at Gwanghwanmun Square, when the nation celebrates the 80th anniversary of its liberation from Japan's colonial rule. It will act as the official inauguration ceremony for the president who took office in June right after the election and without a formal inauguration ceremony, given that it was a snap election. "At this event, the people will be declared as the owner of the country and a pledge will be made to develop the Republic of Korea as a leading nation by upholding the sovereign will of the people." Invited are former presidents and first ladies --both conservatives and liberals alike --and people from all walks of life. Also, appointments of key posts will likely pick up speed to fill the remainder of the Cabinet seats as well as ambassadorial posts to the U.S., Japan, China and Russia that are currently vacant. On top of the nominations, speculation is rife that Lee will confirm the first round of presidential pardons during next week's Cabinet meeting for the Liberation Day, that could spark some political repercussions. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

S. Korea, U.S. express "interest" in reviving Trump-Kim dialogue

2025/08/08 19:35

South Korea has reaffirmed its strong support for the resumption of dialogue with North Korea including that between the U.S. and the regime. Oh Soo-young has the latest. Seoul and Washington have again expressed their wish to revive top-level dialogue between the United States and North Korea. On Friday, South Korea's Ministry of Unification said Seoul has on a number of occasions "revealed its active support" for resuming summitry between Washington and Pyongyang. (Korean_AI) "South Korea and the US share the position that they are open to dialogue with North Korea to seek peace on the Korean Peninsula and resolve the North Korean nuclear issue." The official added that peace on the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean relations are being discussed in preparation for the meeting of Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump this month. Various related agencies are closely coordinating on the matter, she said, saying further details cannot be revealed at this time. This comes after a U.S. official on Thursday said Washington is "noting with interest" a recent remark by North Korea hinting it may be open to dialogue. The U.S. State Department's Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian Affairs, Seth Bailey, referenced last week's statement made by Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Kim Yo-jong had said the relationship between the U.S. and North Korean leaders is "not bad," and called for a "new" approach by Washington, saying Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities and the geopolitical reality had changed since Donald Trump's first term. But she flatly rejected the idea of denuclearization --included in the 2018 statement following then-President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un's first summit in Singapore. The two leaders had agreed to work towards denuclearization and to build new bilateral relations. Bailey said that the second Trump administration is still committed to the statement's principles, and that the U.S. leader has clearly shown his willingness to engage in negotiations. Washington, however, remains committed to North Korea's denuclearization, through its alliance with South Korea to counter security challenges in Northeast Asia. President Trump in his first term, met with Kim Jong-un on three occasions. While the first Singapore Summit offered hope for a breakthrough deal on North Korea's denuclearization and economic development, disagreements over the scope of dismantling nukes led to the breakdown of their summit in Hanoi. A meeting at the inter-Korean border in 2019 was brief and saw no outcome. South Korea's new Lee Jae Myung administration has expressed its support for the resumption of Trump-Kim talks, as well as inter-Korean diplomacy. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Features reporter] Calligraphy and resistance: Lee Sang-ryong's legacy on display

2025/08/08 15:38

Ye-young, I heard you're introducing someone very special to our audience today. That's right, Soa. This year is the 80th year since Korea was finally liberated from Japanese occupation. And around that time, there were countless heroes who dedicated their lives to our country's independence. In Korea, we usually associate names like An Jung-geun with independence fighters, but I recently visited an exhibition that highlighted someone who might be a bit unknown to us, but nonetheless played an integral part in Korea's fight for independence. Now I'm really curious. Who was this unsung hero? He was a leader, an educator, and a patriot who gave up everything for the independence movement. Let's take a closer look at his life and the legacy he left behind. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule. To commemorate, a special exhibition is underway to spotlight the life and legacy of Lee Sang-ryong, one of the leaders of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. Titled "Prime Minister Lee Sang-ryong and Imcheonggak", the exhibit also celebrates 100 years since his inauguration. After Japan's annexation of Korea in 1910, Lee gave up his fortune and relocated to Manchuria, China with his entire family to escape colonial oppression and lay the foundations for armed resistance. "He focused on unifying the fragmented independence movement groups and also established the Shinheung Military Academy, where he aimed to provide proper historical education to the cadets by writing the Daedong History and teaching them accurate accounts of Korea's past." But Lee's story cannot be told without Imcheonggak, his ancestral home in Andong city. Imcheonggak is a 500-year-old hanok, or traditional Korean house, and one of the largest preserved residences from the Joseon Dynasty. The home also produced no fewer than ten recognized independence activists, including Lee's brothers, son, grandchildren, nephews, and even his uncle. "Imcheonggak is a historic site that shows how the sacrifices made for the nation will ultimately be honored and protected by the nation itself. Though it was damaged due to its role in the independence movement, the government is now fully committed to restoring it." "Lee Sang-ryong was not only an independence fighter, but also a literary figure. Through letters, essays, and manifestos, he chronicled Korea's suffering and yearning for independence. These handwritten records in the exhibition are being featured as works of calligraphy." A gifted poet and writer, Lee's literary contributions have been brought to light by the brushwork of master calligrapher Lee Dong-ik. "This exhibition was created to give visitors a chance to engage with the Seokju Yugo, a collection of Lee Sang-ryong's writings. It's especially meaningful because it also features calligraphy works that reflect his passion and sacrifice for Korea's independence." The exhibition can be enjoyed for free at the Seoul Museum of History until August 31st.

Thailand, Cambodia reach consensus on ceasefire details

2025/08/08 12:38

Thailand and Cambodia have reached a consensus on implementing a ceasefire, agreeing to deploy ASEAN observer teams and pledging to freeze troop movements along their shared border. At a General Border Committee session in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, officials from both countries finalized ceasefire terms, following armed clashes that erupted on their disputed border last month. They agreed to a ceasefire covering all types of weapons, a pledge to refrain from unprovoked fire, and a commitment not to increase troop deployments along the contested border area. Both parties also agreed to establish interim observer teams comprised of ASEAN defense attachés and coordinated by Malaysia, with limited oversight from observers from China and the U.S. The teams will operate within their respective borders, without crossing into neighboring territory. The Cambodian Minister of National Defense said that Cambodia will fully implement the agreement, and Thailand's Acting Defense Minister stated that this meeting was crucial to regional peace.

Trump to nominate economic advisor Stephen Miran to be new Fed governor

2025/08/08 12:35

Meanwhile, Trump on Thursday announced the nomination of Stephen Miran, the chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, to fill a key vacancy on the U.S. Federal Reserve Board of Governors. If confirmed, Miran is set to replace Adriana Kugler, who resigned last week. Miran will serve out the remainder of her term, which runs through January 31st, 2026. Trump noted on his social media that the search for a permanent appointee continues, suggesting Miran may only serve temporarily. The appointment comes as Trump ups pressure on the Fed to cut interest rates. Miran is expected to align more closely with Trump's push for looser monetary policy.

[On-point] U.S. shows interest in re-engaging in talks with N. Korea --Will Trump, Kim meet again?

2025/08/08 12:35

As we just heard, the United States has reaffirmed that it's willing to engage in talks with North Korea. And this comes as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is set to hold his first summit with Trump since taking office soon. For more on North Korea issues and bilateral relations between Seoul and Washington, we're joined by Professor Kim Dong-soo, Professor of international and area studies at Pukyong National University. 1. Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump are set to meet this month, possibly on the 25th. Security issues are widely expected to top the agenda, right? How do you think the negotiations will unfold? 2. Trump has repeatedly said he's interested in re-engaging with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. What's your take on a possible meeting between Kim and Trump? Do you think they will be able to meet again during Trump's second term? 3. Looking at the broader region, Trump previously set an August 8 deadline for a peace agreement on the Ukraine war, and warned Russia of sanctions if it fails. And the White House is now saying a meeting between Trump and Putin could happen as early as next week. Could this meeting lead to a rapid end to the war? 4. Trump also hit India with 50% tariffs for buying Russian oil, and the Indian prime minister is set to visit China for the first time in 7 years. Could these tariffs backfire and potentially open a door for China to build stronger ties with both India and Russia? Alright, Professor Kim. Thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

Netanyahu says Israel intends to take full control of all of Gaza

2025/08/08 12:34

Let's begin in the Middle East where the Israeli Prime Minister expressed intentions to take complete control over Gaza. Tell us more. Right. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed the intention to take control of the entire Gaza Strip in a recent interview. In a Fox News interview on Thursday, Netanyahu said the move aims to dismantle Hamas and establish a security perimeter. "Well, we don't want to keep it. We want to have a security perimeter. We don't want to govern it. We don't want to be there as a governing body. We want to hand it over to Arab forces that will govern it properly without threatening us and giving Gazans a good life." Hamas responded by warning that Netanyahu's plan suggested he was willing to "sacrifice" the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza for his own personal interests. The United Nations has cautioned that this decision could lead to "catastrophic consequences" for both civilians and the Israeli hostages. Additionally, Israeli media reports indicate that Netanyahu views the takeover of Gaza as the only viable solution to destroy Hamas and secure the release of hostages still held by the group. The proposed operation, which could last four to five months, is expected to involve expanding control over Gaza City and may displace up to one million civilians.

U.S. "notes with interest" North Korea's hint at possible diplomacy

2025/08/08 11:35

Washington has expressed interest after a senior North Korean official last week appeared to hint at the possibility of resuming diplomacy between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. Our Oh Soo-young starts us off. The United States is "noting with interest" a recent remark by North Korea hinting it may be open to dialogue, saying Washington's still committed to their Singapore statement on developing bilateral ties. Speaking at a public event on Thursday, U.S. State Department's Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian Affairs Seth Bailey acknowledged last week's statement made by Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Kim Yo-jong had said the relationship between the U.S. and North Korean leaders is "not bad," and called for a "new" approach by Washington, saying Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities and the geopolitical reality had changed since Donald Trump's first term. But she flatly rejected the idea of denuclearization included in the 2018 statement following then-President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un's first summit in Singapore. The two leaders had agreed to work towards denuclearization and to build new bilateral relations. Bailey said that the second Trump administration is still committed to the statement's principles, and that the U.S. leader has clearly shown his willingness to engage in negotiations. Washington, however, remains committed to North Korea's denuclearization, through its alliance with South Korea to counter security challenges in Northeast Asia. Bailey said Seoul and Washington are committed to enhancing regional security, "using all instruments of power to deter aggression and counter provocations, including the destabilizing actions of North Korea." President Trump in his first term, met with Kim Jong-un on three occasions. While the first Singapore Summit offered hope for a breakthrough deal on North Korea's denuclearization and economic development, disagreements over the scope of dismantling nukes led to the breakdown of their summit in Hanoi. A meeting at the inter-Korean border in 2019 was brief and saw no outcome. South Korea's new Lee Jae Myung administration has expressed its support for the resumption of Trump-Kim talks, as well as inter-Korean diplomacy. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Special counsel requests arrest warrant with detention for former first lady

2025/08/07 22:35

The special counsel team looking into the actions of former first lady Kim Keon Hee requested an arrest warrant with detention for her on Thursday, a day after questioning Kim over a series of allegations made against her. The team announced that it filed the request to the Seoul Central District Court at 1:21 PM. Reportedly the request was made on the grounds that Kim had denied all the accusations and posed a risk of evidence tampering. The special counsel is investigating Kim on 16 charges, including stock manipulation and election interference. Also, earlier in the day, the team made a second attempt to bring in her husband former President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning. However, the effort was halted due to his firm refusal and concerns over possible injury.

S. Korea, U.S. to hold annual defense exercise from August 18 to 28

2025/08/07 21:42

South Korea and the United States will hold their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise this month. In a joint press conference earlier on this Thursday the two sides announced the joint military exercise will begin on August 18th and end on the 28th. While this year's exercise will be similar in scale to that of last year 20 out of the 40 field drills will be pushed back to September amid the intense heat. Officials also said the drills will include missile threat scenarios and aim to reinforce deterrence against North Korea. The annual exercise involves some 18-thousand South Korean troops and roughly the same number of American soldiers.

U.S. 'reciprocal tariffs' take effect as of Thursday

2025/08/07 21:35

The Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs have taken effect, as of Thursday midnight Eastern Time in the U.S., and 1 PM here in Seoul. The duties range from ten to 41 percent depending on the country. South Korea, Japan and the European Union all face 15 percent tariffs on goods exported to the U.S. Seoul sealed a deal with Washington last week in return for the country's commitment to a 350 billion U.S. dollar investment package.

PRES. LEE TO MEET WITH TRUMP AT WHITE HOUSE IN AUGUST

2025/08/07 19:34

Welcome to Press Perspective. It's Thursday August 7th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. President Lee Jae Myung and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump are expected to meet at the White House within this month. That being said today we touch upon the potential issues on their agenda. For this I have Andrew Salmon with The Washington Times. Andrew it's great to have you here. I also have Ruy Valdes with EFE Spain. Ruy welcome back. Andrew, let's begin with the view that South Korea and the U.S. are preparing for their summit with "details of their tariff deal unresolved." To what extent, do you agree, and to what extent, do you not? Ruy, before we delve any deeper into the planned meeting at the White House, what can you tell us about the political significance of this upcoming summit for President Lee Jae Myung? And Andrew, what about for Mr. Trump? How important is this upcoming interaction for the U.S. leader keeping in mind his hopes of containing China and of coming across as a peacemaker, if you will, with regard to tensions on the peninsula? Ruy, some believe the summit between these two leaders may turn into a showdown over defense-cost sharing. How likely is this scenario? Andrew, you recently wrote a piece for The Washington Times about President Lee and his handling of affairs. How is he likely to handle a potential showdown over contentious bilateral matters? Ruy, do you believe the two leaders see eye-to-eye with regard to North Korea-related concerns? Andrew, President Lee is scheduled to play host to his APEC counterparts for the bloc's annual economic meeting later this autumn. What are the broader diplomatic implications of a successful hosting of this multilateral meeting for South Korea? And Ruy, what is the latest with regard to the current ongoing APEC gatherings here in the country ahead of the leaders' meeting starting October first? All right.

Special counsel requests arrest warrant with detention for former first lady

2025/08/07 18:38

The special counsel investigating allegations against former First Lady Kim Keon Hee has requested an arrest warrant with detention against her. The counsel has cited the risk of evidence tampering as reason for the request. Also the request comes one day after an hours-long questioning session of Kim back on Wednesday. Separately a second attempt by the counsel to bring in former President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning was halted earlier today amid his firm refusal.

Pres. Lee to host Vietnamese leader for key cooperation talks

2025/08/07 18:37

President Lee Jae Myung is poised to host his first foreign counterpart next Monday. According to Presidential Office Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung To Lam the General Secretary of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party will arrive in South Korea for a four-day visit that will address a wide array of bilateral interests including nuclear energy high speed railways and smart cites. Kang added the planned summit will offer South Korea the opportunity to bolster its "comprehensive strategic" partnership with Vietnam in a future-oriented and reciprocal manner.

S. Korea, U.S. to hold annual defense exercise from August 18 to 28

2025/08/07 18:37

South Korea and the United States will hold their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise this month. In a joint press conference earlier on this Thursday the two sides announced the joint military exercise will begin on August 18th and end on the 28th. While this year's exercise will be similar in scale to that of last year 20 out of the 40 field drills will be pushed back to September amid the intense heat. Officials also said the drills will include missile threat scenarios and aim to reinforce deterrence against North Korea. The annual exercise involves some 18-thousand South Korean troops and roughly the same number of American soldiers.

Potential meeting between Putin, Trump as early as next week

2025/08/07 18:37

The leaders of the U.S. and Russia may meet in person as early as next week to address the Kremlin's aggression against Ukraine. Ahn Sung-jin has the latest. U.S. President Donald Trump could hold in-person talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week. Trump told European leaders during a call on Wednesday that he intends to meet with Putin and then follow up with a three-way talk also involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "But we had some very good talks with President Putin today. And there's a very good chance that we could be ending the round, ending the end to that road. That road was long and continues to be long but there's a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon." This follows Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff's trip to Moscow for talks with Putin. Though no readouts of the 3-hour-long meeting have been released, the White House said that the meeting had gone well, and Trump added that it was "highly productive" resulting in "major progress." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that Putin outlined "concrete examples of the kinds of things that Russia would ask for", further stating that it may be the first time doing so since this administration began. The Kremlin later said that Putin had "sent a signal" to the U.S. regarding Ukraine to which the U.S. allegedly "responded." Through a post on Truth Social, Trump also confirmed that he spoke with Zelenskyy as well, adding that "everyone agrees this war must end." Zelenskyy later addressed the call through a social-media message, saying that they talked about what was discussed in Moscow and acknowledged that Russia does seem more inclined to agree to a ceasefire. He also thanked his European allies for their support. This comes just days before a deadline set by Trump for Russia to agree to peace in Ukraine or face tougher sanctions measures including secondary sanctions on countries that do business with Russia. When and where the meeting would take place is unclear, but if this meeting does take place, it would be the first face-to-face meeting between a sitting U.S. and Russian president since 2021 when former President Biden met with Putin in Geneva. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Helicopter crash in Ghana kills eight people including two gov't ministers

2025/08/07 12:37

Good morning, I'm Walter Lee filling in for Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. Starting off in Ghana, where the country's defence and environment ministers were among the eight people killed in a helicopter crash. Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed died in the crash in the Ashanti region on Wednesday. Three other officials and three crew members also died in the crash. The helicopter had departed from the capital, Accra, just after 9 AM local time and was heading to the town of Obuasi for an event addressing illegal mining. Later, Ghana's armed forces reported losing radar contact with the helicopter. The cause of the crash is still unknown.

Special counsel wraps up over seven hours of questioning former first lady

2025/08/07 12:36

Today's attempt to arrest Yoon comes a day after the special counsel team called in former first lady Kim Keon Hee, over a series of allegations made against her. Kim became the first wife of a former president to face a public summons by prosecutors as a suspect. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The special counsel's first questioning of former first lady Kim Keon Hee lasted over seven hours. The face-to-face session, held on Wednesday at the office of special counsel Min Joong-ki, in Jongno-gu District, ended at around 5:46 PM, about seven hours and 23 minutes after it began at 10:23 AM. Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol , then went through the written record of her questioning. The questioning comes after the special counsel mailed a summons to Kim's residence about two weeks ago to request her appearance as a suspect. Shortly after 10 AM on Wednesday, Kim arrived at the office, bowed and apologized to the public for causing concern, before being questioned. "I am truly sorry that a nobody like myself has caused concern for the people. I will faithfully undergo the questioning." However, she did not respond to questions from reporters about the allegations. This marks the first time in South Korea's constitutional history that a first lady has been publicly named as a suspect in an investigation. The special counsel team focused on five of the 16 allegations made against Kim, starting with her purported role in manipulating stock prices. Other allegations include interference in the candidate nomination process during past elections, and receiving luxury gifts from the Unification Church through a "broker." Since Kim did not agree to be video recorded, the face-to-face questioning took place without it. According to the special counsel team, Kim did not exercise her right to remain silent. Ahead of the questioning, Kim's representatives said she would answer questions as fully as possible without refusing, but wanted to avoid questioning after 9 PM due to her poor health. The special counsel is expected to summon Kim again for further questioning over other allegations. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Potential meeting between Putin, Trump as early as next week

2025/08/07 12:34

In other news. Following a meeting between Russian President Putin and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, U.S. President Trump hinted at a potential meeting between the two leaders.. as soon as next week. Ahn Sung-jin has the details. U.S. President Donald Trump could hold in-person talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week. Trump told European leaders during a call on Wednesday that he intends to meet with Putin and then follow up with a three-way talk also involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "But we had some very good talks with President Putin today. And there's a very good chance that we could be ending the round, ending the end to that road. That road was long and continues to be long but there's a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon." This follows Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff's trip to Moscow for talks with Putin. Though no readouts of the 3-hour-long meeting have been released, the White House said that the meeting had gone well, and Trump added that it was "highly productive" resulting in "major progress." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that Putin outlined "concrete examples of the kinds of things that Russia would ask for", further stating that it may be the first time doing so since this administration began. The Kremlin later said that Putin had "sent a signal" to the U.S. regarding Ukraine to which the U.S. allegedly "responded." Through a post on Truth Social, Trump also confirmed that he spoke with Zelenskyy as well, adding that "everyone agrees this war must end." Zelenskyy later addressed the call through a social-media message, saying that they talked about what was discussed in Moscow and acknowledged that Russia does seem more inclined to agree to a ceasefire. He also thanked his European allies for their support. This comes just days before a deadline set by Trump for Russia to agree to peace in Ukraine or face tougher sanctions measures including secondary sanctions on countries that do business with Russia. When and where the meeting would take place is unclear, but if this meeting does take place, it would be the first face-to-face meeting between a sitting U.S. and Russian president since 2021 when former President Biden met with Putin in Geneva. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.