News

On-point: Will minerals deal be a foundation for lasting peace or just an unfair bargain?

2025/02/26 10:00

As Trump touted, it appears Ukraine WILL sign the deal over U.S. access to Ukraine's mineral deposits. Will the deal be a foundation for lasting peace or merely an unfair bargain? We are joined by Professor Andrew Millard. Good morning. 1. Is signing the deal the best that Ukraine can do at this stage? Trump says Ukraine has no card to play. 2. When do you think Ukraine will be invited to actual peace talks? When will Trump and Putin invite Zelenskyy to their talks? 3. Some countries, including Japan, appear to be not as proactive when it comes to aiding Ukraine now. Is it because of its relations with the U.S.? Is Japan walking on eggshells? 4. What do you think is the likelihood that Trump will urge other countries to chip in to end the Ukraine war? What will Trump demand? To which countries? 5. It can be good news for the Ukrainian people if the war does finally come to an end. Or will Ukrainians not be happy that Trump and Putin are leading the peacemaking? Would you say Zelenskyy's leadership is at risk now? Thanks so much for sharing your insight with us this morning. We appreciate it.

U.S. deputy defense secretary nominee vows to counter N. Korea, China

2025/02/26 10:00

The nominee for U.S. deputy secretary of defense, Stephen Feinberg, has stressed the need to prevent North Korea from advancing its nuclear and missile programs. In a written response to the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, he warned that North Korea's growing weapons program threatens stability in the Korean Peninsula, Korean Peninsula, Indo-Pacific and beyond. Feinberg underscored the importance of strengthening U.S. missile defense, particularly to protect the homeland. He also pointed to China's expanding military capabilities, aimed at increasing regional influence and countering U.S. power. The nominee stated that if confirmed, he would prioritize strengthening the U.S. force posture in the Indo-Pacific to deter China's aggression.

Trump to replace EB-5 immigrant visa program with 'gold card' system

2025/02/26 10:00

The U.S. is set to end the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program, replacing it with a new "gold card" system that offers a pathway to citizenship for 5 million U.S. dollars. Choi Min-jung has more. U.S. President Donald Trump plans to terminate the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced on Tuesday,. that the, quote, "low-priced" EB-5 program,. which grants permanent residency to foreign nationals promising to invest in American businesses, will be replaced by a "gold card" system. This new pathway to citizenship would allow individuals to purchase residency for 5 million U.S. dollars. "We're going to make sure they're wonderful world class, global citizens. They can come to America the president can give them a green card and they can invest in America, and we can use that money to reduce our deficit." Trump has also initiated a probe that could result in tariffs on copper imports. On Tuesday, Trump instructed the Department of Commerce to examine copper imports, and if the probe uncovers evidence of dumping, the administration could impose tariffs or quotas in response. Trump's decision is part of his broader effort to expand his protectionist trade policies. In 2018, he used a similar investigation to justify tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and plans to bring them back next month. Lutnick said Tuesday, that "it is time for copper to come home," arguing that foreign competition has severely weakened the American copper industry, just as it did with steel and aluminum. Copper is vital for numerous industries, including defense, with the U.S. importing 45 percent of its supply, mainly from Chile and Canada. Although the U.S. was once the world's top copper producer, it now ranks fifth. Choi Min-jung, Arirang News.

U.S., Ukraine set to agree minerals deal this week

2025/02/26 10:00

The U.S. and Ukraine may be on the brink of signing a minerals deal worth 500 billion U.S. dollars. The announcement comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly set to visit the U.S. to meet with President Donald Trump. Lee Seung-jae reports. The United States and Ukraine are reportedly closing in on signing a critical minerals deal, which is considered key to ending the three-year-long war in Ukraine. According to AFP, citing a Ukrainian government official, the agreement could be signed as early as Friday. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the official said that the two countries agreed on the terms of the minerals deal, with government officials from both sides working on the details. The official also explained that the draft agreement mentions Ukraine's security guarantees, but does not explicitly include the U.S.'s role in it. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on Tuesday told reporters that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to come to Washington later this week to sign the minerals deal. According to multiple sources, Zelenskyy's visit is scheduled for Friday, which coincides with reports of when the minerals deal may be signed. Trump also stressed the need for peacekeeping troops in Ukraine if a ceasefire agreement is struck, however, Russia has refused to accept any deployment of NATO troops. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers under the former Bill Clinton administration slammed the minerals deal, pointing out that it's a clear departure from U.S. action in the past. In an interview with Bloomberg TV on Monday,.. Summers compared the Trump administration's minerals deal to that of the Treaty of Versailles, only it imposes a large sum of payment to the victims of aggression and not the aggressor. The Treaty of Versailles is a World War I peace treaty signed in 1919. The Allied powers, including Britain, France, and the United States, who won the war, imposed a huge war reparation on Germany. The minerals deal, if signed this week, will allow the U.S. to take 50 percent of Ukraine's mineral and natural resources revenues worth 500 billion dollars. But the deal would include not only revenue from rare earth, but also uranium, lithium, oil, gas, and even some port revenues. The deal also specifies that U.S. companies must hold 50 percent ownership of Ukraine's rare earth elements deposits. This would allow the U.S. to receive more than three times what was given to Kyiv for its military and humanitarian support in the past three years. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Germany's next leader looks to boost defence spending

2025/02/26 10:00

Germany's new chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, is facing significant fiscal challenges in his bid to boost the nation's defense spending. Following his party's recent election win, Merz has prioritized bolstering Germany's defense infrastructure, especially in light of recent global tensions and shifting alliances. Merz had about 90 minutes of talks with outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday local time and discussed ways to circumvent strict restrictions on debt so he could spend more on the military. There is increased urgency to raise military spending, due to concerns over the United States' potential isolationist stance under President Donald Trump, and the need for Europe to assume greater independence for its security. However, efforts are impeded by the constitutional "debt brake" which restricts federal borrowing to 0.35% of the nation's GDP. To navigate the debt brake constraints,.. Merz is exploring the establishment of a special defense fund, potentially amounting to 200 billion euros.

Mexico holding talks with U.S. ahead of tariff pause deadline

2025/02/26 10:00

Starting with the tariff talks between the U.S. and Mexico As the deadline for the exemption of U.S. tariffs on Mexican goods approaches, negotiations are taking place to reach a mutually beneficial trade agreement. On Tuesday local time, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said discussions with the U.S. are underway, aiming to prevent the imposition of tariffs on Mexican exports. This follows a previous agreement in early February, where both nations consented to a one-month suspension of tariffs, set to expire on March 4. The proposed U.S. tariffs include a 25% duty on all imports from Mexico. Mexico currently sends approximately 80% of its exports to the United States. President Donald Trump has stated that these tariffs are "on time" and "on schedule" to commence as planned. In response, President Sheinbaum expressed optimism about reaching a resolution but has also indicated that Mexico is prepared to implement retaliatory tariffs if necessary.

S. Korea to release some Green Belt areas for first time since 2008

2025/02/26 10:00

The South Korean authorities are easing their green belt for the first time in nearly 2 decades as part of efforts to spur business investment. Choi Soo-hyung has the details. Green Belt restrictions will be lifted for some areas of the country for the first time since 2008. "For the first time in 17 years, since 2008, more Green Belt land can be released. This will actively support national and regional industrial, logistics, and urban projects." In the five-grade Green Belt system, the government will allow the release of Grade 1 and 2 areas, holding high conservation value. These areas were not originally eligible for deregulation, but will be permitted only if alternative Green Belt areas are designated. With this deregulation, the government plans to attract more business investments in the regions. The goal is to develop 15 key regional projects in major cities across the country, excluding the Seoul metropolitan area. The cities of Changwon and Ulsan, which had the high proportion of Grade 1 and 2 Green Belt areas, were selected for four and three sites, respectively. Gwangju and Busan each received three sites, while Daejeon and Daegu were allocated one site each. More than 10 out of the 15 selected locations will be used for industrial and logistics complexes. The total area set to be released is 42 square kilometers, equivalent to about 5-thousand 9-hundred football fields. 35 percent of that are Grades 1 and 2, and the government plans to consider publicly owned land as alternative sites. The total project will cost 27-point-8 trillion Korean won, approximately 19.4 billion U.S. dollars. After the development procedures are completed, the deregulation will proceed gradually starting next year. To prevent real estate speculation, these areas will be designated as land transaction permit zones, meaning any land transactions would require prior approval. Moreover, the government will launch a 1 trillion won fund for 12 national strategic technologies, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and advanced biotechnology. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

President Yoon's impeachment trial ends Tuesday; two weeks to verdict?

2025/02/25 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. As we begin, President Yoon Suk Yeol's final impeachment trial hearing continues with the leader delivering his closing statements. To bring us the latest, we have our correspondent Oh Soo-young at the Constitutional Court. Q1. Sooyoung, there's been anticipation surrounding what the president will say, but first, walk us through what's happened so far. President Yoon's 11th and final impeachment hearing began at 2 PM today some 73 days after the National Assembly passed a vote to remove him from power, after his December third martial law order. Justices began with a review of evidence they hadn't examined yet, then gave both the National Assembly and President Yoon's legal teams two hours to present their closing arguments. The National Assembly has argued that Yoon's declaration of martial law was illegal and his orders on December third unconstitutional. The impeachment panel said Yoon's actions subvert the country's democracy and brought disruption to the constitutional order. "President Yoon lost the people's trust and declared martial law while ranting about anti-state forces. Now, it is time for him to face the consequences of his delusions." Meanwhile, Yoon's legal team has continued to insist martial law is an executive right of the president, and was declared as a "warning" against the dominant opposition party's tyranny in parliament that paralyzed government functions, through 29 impeachment attempts. His lawyers also reiterated that the National Assembly had not been shut down, supporting Yoon's claim that "nothing actually happened," and continued to raise concerns over election fraud. After wrapping up the arguments, it's now time for the closing statements by: the Assembly's impeachment panel chair Jung Chung-rae and President Yoon. Yoon has reportedly prepared a 40-minute-long handwritten speech. He's expected to reiterate that the purpose of his martial law was peaceful and that he is trying to bring national unity. All eyes are on whether he would offer some kind of political gesture or compromise to draw public appeal. Q2. And after today, the deliberation period begins, with a verdict likely to be delivered around March 11th. That's right. Presiding Justice Jeong Hyung-sik will present his review before all eight justices vote for or against impeachment. The ruling will be drafted based on the majority opinion. If the presiding justice holds a minority view, another justice from the majority will be assigned to draft the decision. The Court will then decide the date to announce the verdict, which is expected within two weeks after the last hearing, likely around mid-March. If six or more of the eight justices vote in favor of impeachment, President Yoon will be removed from office, triggering a snap presidential election within 60 days. However, if at least three justices oppose impeachment, the motion will be dismissed, and Yoon will immediately resume his duties. Q3. In the meantime, public rallies for and against impeachment are likely to continue. What has it been like today? With today marking the last hearing, large gatherings were expected so the area around the Constitutional Court has been closed off for public order and safety since 1 PM. Some 38-hundred police officers are patrolling the area in Jongno-gu District, the largest mobilization since President Yoon first started attending his hearings. Also, 190 buses are blocking paths to the Court. Around 15-hundred gathered in the next street to oppose Yoon's impeachment, shortly before the hearing began, and their chanting could be heard blaring throughout the area. It's been a day full of tension indeed. Thanks for keeping us updated.

S. Korea criticizes N. Korea's nuclear ambitions, urges return to dialogue

2025/02/25 20:00

Over in Geneva. South Korea has urged North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions and return to denuclearization talks. Speaking at the Conference on Disarmament on Monday, Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun condemned Pyongyang for violating multiple UN Security Council resolutions. She also criticized the regime for supplying weapons and ballistic missiles to Russia while deploying over 11-thousand troops to help its war in Ukraine. Kang also expressed concern over the weakening of global disarmament norms amid Russia's prolonged war in Ukraine, calling on nuclear powers to strengthen trust and transparency through dialogue.

S. Korea votes in favor of U.S.-drafted resolution on Ukraine war, without holding Russia accountable

2025/02/25 20:00

Marking three years of the Ukraine war, the United Nations Security Council has adopted a U.S.-led resolution that called for an end to the war but contained no criticism of Russia. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji explains. The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on the Ukraine war proposed by the United States, that did not name Russia as the aggressor. This reflects a dramatic shift in American policy towards Ukraine, under the Trump administration. It's also the first time that the 15-member council has adopted a resolution on the Ukraine war, since Russia's invasion three years ago, as it had been unable to take any action because Russia holds veto power. "This resolution puts us on the path to peace. It is a first step, but a crucial one, one of which we should all be proud." Ten members voted in favor and no nations opposed while five European countries abstained from the vote. Those countries including Britain, France, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia attempted to amend the wording ahead of the vote to hold Russia accountable, but failed after Russia vetoed. South Korea, a non-permanent member of the Security Council, voted in favor of both the U.S.-led resolution and the European-led amendments. But it expressed disappointment, saying efforts to change the wording were not reflected in the document drafted by Washington. "In this light, the Republic of Korea voted in favor of the amendments proposed by five European countries, and we voted in favor of the resolution proposed by the United States. Although it is regrettable that the amendments we supported were not reflected." An official from Seoul's foreign ministry told reporters on Tuesday that South Korea made the decision as the resolution pushes for a swift end to the Ukraine war and added that it also considered the importance of the relationship between Seoul and Washington. Separately, at the UN General Assembly on the same day, Ukraine and the European Union drafted a resolution that reaffirms Kyiv's territorial integrity while explicitly naming Russia as the aggressor. The 193-member world body backed this resolution with 93 votes while 18 nations voted against it. Surprisingly, the United States was among the countries that voted against, along with Russia, Israel, North Korea, and Sudan. once again highlighting its change of stance on the war. Unlike the Security Council resolutions, those adopted by the UN General Assembly are not considered legally binding but are seen as a barometer of world opinion. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

Trump, Macron agree on sending European peacekeeping troops to Ukraine

2025/02/25 20:00

U.S. President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron met at the White House for talks on ending the war in Ukraine, amid a shift in America's stance towards the war-torn nation. Lee Soo-jin has more. U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on the deployment of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine as part of efforts to end the three-year conflict. The two heads of state met at the White House on Monday to discuss strategies for a ceasefire as European leaders seek to persuade the Trump administration to maintain its support for Ukraine and the transatlantic alliance. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also scheduled to meet with Trump on Thursday to discuss the deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine. But the meeting came after the U.S. earlier in the day voted against a United Nations resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This shift in stance from the previous U.S. administration has raised concerns in Europe. At the joint press conference, Macron said Europe was prepared to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. "So we have prepared, particularly with our British partners, 'We are ready to provide security guarantees. It could go as far as, as the president said, sending troops who would observe that peace was properly respected, who would position themselves, not on the frontline, not to enter into the conflict, but to mark their presence as a guarantee." Macron also stressed that peace must not mean Ukraine's surrender. When asked directly about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was ready to accept European peacekeepers, Trump remained confident. "Yeah, he will accept that. I've asked him that question. It's time to end this bloodletting and restore peace. And I think we're going to do it. We've had some great conversations, including with Russia." He also said that he believed that the war in Ukraine could end "within weeks", adding that that Zelenskyy could visit him at the White House in the next two weeks to sign a minerals deal. At a summit of European leaders held in Kyiv to mark the third anniversary of the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed this, saying that he hopes that the war will be concluded this year , while also stressing the importance of having security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

S. Korea to release some Green Belt areas for first time since 2008

2025/02/25 20:00

The authorities are easing their green belt for the first time in almost 20 years as part of efforts to spur business investment. Choi Soo-hyung reports. Green Belt restrictions will be lifted for some areas of the country for the first time since 2008. "For the first time in 17 years, since 2008, more Green Belt land can be released. This will actively support national and regional industrial, logistics, and urban projects." In the five-grade Green Belt system, the government will allow the release of Grade 1 and 2 areas, holding high conservation value. These areas were not originally eligible for deregulation, but will be permitted only if alternative Green Belt areas are designated. With this deregulation, the government plans to attract more business investments in the regions. The goal is to develop 15 key regional projects in major cities across the country, excluding the Seoul metropolitan area. The cities of Changwon and Ulsan, which had the high proportion of Grade 1 and 2 Green Belt areas, were selected for four and three sites, respectively. Gwangju and Busan each received three sites, while Daejeon and Daegu were allocated one site each. More than 10 out of the 15 selected locations will be used for industrial and logistics complexes. The total area set to be released is 42 square kilometers, equivalent to about 5-thousand 9-hundred football fields. 35 percent of that are Grades 1 and 2, and the government plans to consider publicly owned land as alternative sites. The total project will cost 27-point-8 trillion Korean won, approximately 19.4 billion U.S. dollars. After the development procedures are completed, the deregulation will proceed gradually starting next year. To prevent real estate speculation, these areas will be designated as land transaction permit zones, meaning any land transactions would require prior approval. Moreover, the government will launch a 1 trillion won fund for 12 national strategic technologies, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and advanced biotechnology. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Constitutional Court to rule on whether Acting Pres. Choi's deferral of justice nominee violated Constitution

2025/02/25 20:00

Staying at the Constitutional Court. The verdict on whether or not acting President Choi Sang-mok violated the Constitution in deferring the appointment of court justice nominee Ma Eun-hyeok will be shared at 10 in the morning this coming Thursday. This legal dispute follows the filing of a lawsuit by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik earlier this month after acting President Choi appointed just two of the three justice nominees recommended by the opposition-led parliament, citing the lack of bipartisan support for Ma Eun-hyeok. Assembly Speaker Woo claims Choi's decision violated the right of the parliament to nominate a Constitutional Court justice. If the court rules in favor of Woo and Choi proceeds to appoint Ma to the Court, all seats of its nine-member bench will be filled. But it's unclear whether Ma will participate in passing judgement on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.

President Yoon's impeachment trial ends Tuesday; two weeks to verdict?

2025/02/25 17:00

We start here on the local front where the Constitutional Court is holding its final hearing of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial. For details on the day's events thus far I have our correspondent Oh Soo-young standing by. Soo-young welcome back. So what has been happening at the court? President Yoon's 11th and final impeachment hearing began at 2 PM today some 73 days after the National Assembly passed a vote to remove him from power, after his December third martial law order. Justices began with a review of evidence they haven't examined yet. The Assembly's impeachment panel presented news reports and CCTV footage continuing to accuse Yoon of trying to storm the National Assembly and remove lawmakers from the building through military force, in an attempt to stop them from voting to lift martial law. Before giving both the National Assembly and President Yoon's legal teams two hours to present their closing arguments. So we're in the middle of that at the moment. The National Assembly has argued that Yoon's declaration of martial law was illegal and his orders on December third unconstitutional. "President Yoon lost the people's trust and declared martial law while ranting about anti-state forces. Now, it is time for him to face the consequences of his delusions." Meanwhile, Yoon's legal team has continued to insist martial law is an executive right of the president, and was declared as a "warning" against the dominant opposition party's tyranny in parliament that paralyzed government functions, and concerns over election fraud. After wrapping up the arguments, Assembly's impeachment panel chair Jung Chung-rae and President Yoon will deliver their final statements with no time restrictions. Yoon has reportedly prepared a 40-minute-long handwritten speech. He's expected to reiterate that the purpose of his martial law was peaceful and that he is trying to bring national unity. All eyes are on whether he would offer some kind of political gesture or compromise to draw public appeal. President Yoon didn't join his lawyers in the Courtroom at the start of the hearing as he was presumably preparing for his speech. He was seen departing Seoul Detention Center about forty minutes ago. In 2017, during Park Geun-hye's impeachment trial, the National Assembly's team spoke for 1 hour and 14 minutes, while Park's defense stretched their argument to 5 hours and 10 minutes, with 15 different speakers. wait, Right then what happens once today's hearing ends? Presiding Justice Jeong Hyung-sik will present his review before all eight justices vote for or against impeachment. The ruling will be drafted based on the majority opinion. If the presiding justice holds a minority view, another justice from the majority will be assigned to draft the decision. The Court will then decide the date to announce the verdict, which is expected within two weeks after the last hearing, likely around mid-March. If six or more of the eight justices vote in favor of impeachment, President Yoon will be removed from office, triggering a snap presidential election within 60 days. However, if at least three justices oppose impeachment, the motion will be dismissed, and Yoon will immediately resume his duties. So while the court decides on whether to reinstate or to remove the president public rallies continue I hear? Yes. With today marking the last hearing, large gatherings have been expected so the area around the Constitutional Court has been closed off for public order and safety since 1 PM. Some 38-hundred police officers are patrolling the area in Jongno-gu District, the largest mobilization since President Yoon first started attending his hearings. Also, 190 buses are blocking paths to the Court. Around 1-thousand have gathered in the next street to oppose Yoon's impeachment, shortly before the hearing began. All right Soo-young thank you for the latest on the final hearing of the impeachment trial against the president.

World News: Germany, Merz's CDU/CSU strives to build coalition

2025/02/25 17:00

This is The World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Following Germany's recent federal election, with conservative leader Friedrich Merz poised to become the next chancellor, his Christian Democratic Union party and its sister party the Christian Social Union are pushing for coalition talks with center-left Social Democratic Party. In the recent election held on Sunday, the CDU/CSU alliance secured the highest vote, emerging as the leading political force, while the far-right Alternative for Germany achieved a historic second-place. Given the fragmented parliament, Merz has expressed intentions to form a "grand coalition" with the SPD. While Germany saw its highest voter turnout in decades, the CDU/CSU alliance secured over 28% of the vote, and the AfD achieved a strong second-place finish with 20.8%. The SPD, led by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, recorded its worst postwar result, at 16.4%. Merz aims to establish a functional government by April. Key negotiation topics include, foreign and security policy, addressing immigration, and revitalizing Germany's struggling economy. In the United States, unions representing federal workers have sued Elon Musk, challenging his instruction that employees submit weekly work summaries or face dismissal. On Monday, a lawsuit was filed against Elon Musk and the Office of Personnel Management, contesting Musk's recent email, demanding that all federal workers list their accomplishments from the previous week. The email also said non-compliance to the order would be considered "resignation." President Donald Trump supported Musk's initiative saying the email aimed to verify active employment, suggesting that non-responsive employees might not be fulfilling their duties. In Rome, the Vatican reported that Pope Francis, who was in critical condition with double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis, is showing slight improvement since being hospitalized on February 14. According to the Vatican, while his condition remains critical, the 88-year-old pontiff has resumed some work activities, including reading, signing documents, and making phone calls. As part of his work, he contacted a parish in Gaza City, expressing his support amid ongoing conflict. Medical updates as of Monday indicate no further respiratory crises and stable kidney function. Renowned American singer Roberta Flack, celebrated for classics like "Killing Me Softly with His Song," passed away on Monday at the age of 88. Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, she began her career as a classically trained pianist before transitioning to vocal performance. She earned multiple Grammy Awards recognized for her soulful performances, including consecutive Record of the Year honors in 1973 and 1974. Flack was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2022, eventually making it impossible for her to sing or speak. Nevertheless, her music continued to inspire and influence artists worldwide. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

DAPA, Hanwha Ocean, HD Hyundai Heavy sign MOU to cooperate in warship exports

2025/02/25 17:00

Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration has signed an MOU with the country's two major shipbuilders to boost partnership on warship exports. The trilateral deal outlines collaboration in securing overseas orders with Hanwha Ocean focusing on submarine projects and HD Heavy Industries on surface ships. The two shipbuilders have been engaged in fierce competition for overseas warship projects. This latest agreement comes amid growing interest in maritime security and South Korea's advances in the global defense market.

UN, U.S. clash over resolution on Ukraine war

2025/02/25 17:00

And as mentioned earlier. In a shocking turn of events the U.S. joined Russia to vote against a UN resolution denouncing Moscow's three-year invasion of Ukraine. Lee Seung-jae explains. Monday marked exactly three years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to the ongoing war. Marking the grim anniversary, Ukraine and the European Union drafted a resolution condemning Russia's full-scale invasion, with 93 UN member nations voting in favor and 18 voting against. One of the notable countries voting against the Kyiv-led resolution was the United States. The resolution reaffirms Ukraine's territorial integrity while explicitly naming Russia as the aggressor. It also calls for Moscow to "immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders." While voting against the Ukraine-led resolution, the U.S. proposed its own resolution on the same day which did not name Russia as the aggressor. It also noted the "tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict" and called for a "swift end to the conflict" and "a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia." The UN General Assembly did not approve the resolution, while it passed the European-backed Ukrainian resolution. The contrasting proposals show the tensions that have emerged between Washington and Kyiv with the start of the Trump administration. The passing of the resolution was a win for Ukraine but with 65 abstentions, the vote shows support for the country in its war against Russia is diminishing. Previous votes in the assembly saw more than 140 nations show support for Kyiv. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Putin ready to work with U.S. to develop mineral mining in Ukraine’s Russian-controlled areas

2025/02/25 17:00

Russia is ready to work with the U.S. on mineral mining in regions of Ukraine that it currently controls. Now this is according to Vladimir Putin on Monday as he spoke of willingness to work with foreign partners including the U.S. to develop reserves of rare and critical minerals in parts of Ukraine that Russia now occupies. This remark comes amid the Trump administration's push for a critical minerals deal with Ukraine in return for security guarantees and economic aid. Separately Putin is also said to have spoken with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during which he claimed Russia is working towards "sustainable peace."

Trump, Macron agree on sending European peacekeeping troops to Ukraine

2025/02/25 17:00

Speaking to members of the media following talks with his American host and counterpart Donald Trump French President Emmanuel Macron announced a European peacekeeping force may be stationed in Ukraine. Our Lee Soo-jin has more. U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on the deployment of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine as part of efforts to end the three-year conflict. The two heads of state met at the White House on Monday to discuss strategies for a ceasefire as European leaders seek to persuade the Trump administration to maintain its support for Ukraine and the transatlantic alliance. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also scheduled to meet with Trump on Thursday to discuss the deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine. But the meeting came after the U.S. earlier in the day voted against a United Nations resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This shift in stance from the previous U.S. administration has raised concerns in Europe. At the joint press conference, Macron said Europe was prepared to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. "So we have prepared, particularly with our British partners, 'We are ready to provide security guarantees. It could go as far as, as the president said, sending troops who would observe that peace was properly respected, who would position themselves, not on the frontline, not to enter into the conflict, but to mark their presence as a guarantee." Macron also stressed that peace must not mean Ukraine's surrender. When asked directly about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was ready to accept European peacekeepers, Trump remained confident. "Yeah, he will accept that. I've asked him that question. It's time to end this bloodletting and restore peace. And I think we're going to do it. We've had some great conversations, including with Russia." He also said that he believed that the war in Ukraine could end "within weeks", adding that that Zelenskyy could visit him at the White House in the next two weeks to sign a minerals deal. At a summit of European leaders held in Kyiv to mark the third anniversary of the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed this, saying that he hopes that the war will be concluded this year , while also stressing the importance of having security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

S. Korea to release some Green Belt areas for first time since 2008

2025/02/25 17:00

The government is easing its green belt for the first time in almost 20 years as part of efforts to spur business investment to ultimately bolster economic development. Our Choi Soo-hyung reports. Green Belt restrictions will be lifted for some areas of the country for the first time since 2008. "For the first time in 17 years, since 2008, more Green Belt land can be released. This will actively support national and regional industrial, logistics, and urban projects." In the five-grade Green Belt system, the government will allow the release of Grade 1 and 2 areas, holding high conservation value. These areas were not originally eligible for deregulation, but will be permitted only if alternative Green Belt areas are designated. With this deregulation, the government plans to attract more business investments in the regions. The goal is to develop 15 key regional projects in major cities across the country, excluding the Seoul metropolitan area. The cities of Changwon and Ulsan, which had the high proportion of Grade 1 and 2 Green Belt areas, were selected for four and three sites, respectively. Gwangju and Busan each received three sites, while Daejeon and Daegu were allocated one site each. More than 10 out of the 15 selected locations will be used for industrial and logistics complexes. The total area set to be released is 42 square kilometers, equivalent to about 5-thousand 9-hundred football fields. 35 percent of that are Grades 1 and 2, and the government plans to consider publicly owned land as alternative sites. The total project will cost 27-point-8 trillion Korean won, approximately 19.4 billion U.S. dollars. After the development procedures are completed, the deregulation will proceed gradually starting next year. To prevent real estate speculation, these areas will be designated as land transaction permit zones, meaning any land transactions would require prior approval. Moreover, the government will launch a 1 trillion won fund for 12 national strategic technologies, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and advanced biotechnology. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.