News

Second attempt to question former President Yoon by team conducting Kim Keon Hee probe

2025/08/07 12:33

We start with the special counsel team investigating the former first lady which made a second attempt to bring former President Yoon Suk Yeol in for questioning. However, due to Yoon's firm refusal and the risk of injury, the attempt was halted at around 9:40 AM. The attempt began at around 8 AM on Thursday at Seoul Detention Center, where Yoon is being held on insurrection charges. The special counsel team is probing former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who faces in 16 charges including stock manipulation and election meddling. Its warrant to detain Yoon for questioning is separate from Yoon's detention for insurrection. On August 1st, the counsel team failed to detain Yoon after the former President reportedly resisted by lying on the floor in his prison cell wearing only underwear.

Trump says U.S. will put tariff of approximately 100 percent on semiconductors

2025/08/07 11:35

U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington will charge a 100 percent tariff on foreign-made semiconductors, a move that could impact South Korea's chip industry. Meanwhile, the U.S. president also announced an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, in response to New Delhi's continued importing of Russian oil. Lee Seung-jae has more. U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington will impose a tariff of about 100 percent on semiconductors. Trump made the remarks at a White House event, stressing that while a tariff of approximately 100 percent will be placed on imported chips and semiconductors, "there's no charge" if manufactured in the United States. In order to impose the tariffs, Trump invoked Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which gives the president the authority to adjust imports, if it's determined that they could impair national security. The latest move is expected to negatively impact South Korea's chip industry, which relies heavily on exports. Meanwhile, Trump on Wednesday announced an additional 25 percent tariff on goods from India, citing New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil. The announcement also marks a sharp escalation in trade tensions between the U.S. and India, following the collapse of recent trade talks. The new tariffs, set to take effect in 21 days, will raise the levy on certain Indian goods into the U.S. as high as 50 percent, one of the steepest rates imposed on any U.S. trading partner. The announcement comes as Trump warned of impending penalties, accusing India of aiding Russia's war in Ukraine through energy imports. Following the U.S. leader's announcement of the additional 25 percent tariffs, the Indian government vowed to move to "protect national interest." According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, the additional tariffs are "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," adding that its imports of Russian oil are only with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of one-point-four billion people in India. It further added that India is being targeted for something that "several other countries" are also doing for their own national interest. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Trump says S. Korea has opened its market, touting trade deal

2025/08/06 23:37

U.S. President Donald Trump is bragging about his country's recent trade deal with South Korea, saying that the deal would open South Korea's market. Trump also announced that the U.S. will raise pharmaceutical tariffs significantly. Lee Seung-jae reports. U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday touted the recent trade deal made between Washington and Seoul,.. saying that the agreement will significantly boost American automobile exports. In a CNBC interview,.. Trump said South Korea was a "closed country".. but the trade deal opened the market, referring to it as "tremendous business." The U.S. leader said the U.S. will be able to sell cars, trucks and SUVs to South Korea. While South Korea has long imported American cars, the U.S. has repeatedly criticized Korea's automobile safety and environmental regulations, viewing them as non-tariff barriers. Meanwhile, during the same interview, Trump also said that his administration will raise levies on imported pharmaceuticals to 150 percent in a year. He added that the tariffs will then be raised to 250 percent later, as he unveiled a plan to announce more sector-specific tariffs "within the next week or so." And Trump's push to reduce America's trade deficit through tariffs seems to be working according to latest data. According to the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. trade deficit narrowed significantly in June, while the trade gap with China fell to its lowest level in over 21 years. The overall trade deficit fell by 16 percent in June to 60-point-2 billion U.S. dollars,.. while the goods trade deficit dropped 10-point-8 percent,.. reaching its lowest point since September 2023. However, beyond the trade figures, the U.S. economy is showing signs of strain, as a key measure of activity in the U.S. service sector stalled in July, with businesses citing rising costs and growing uncertainty due to the influx of new import taxes. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[Politics & Diplomacy] Filibuster showdowns set tone as National Assembly kicks off contentious August session

2025/08/06 23:36

South Korea's August extraordinary session of the National Assembly opened today with political tensions at boiling point. The ruling and opposition parties remain locked in a standoff over key bills, marking the first time in a year that the legislature has entered a formal filibuster standoff. Joining us in the studio is our political correspondent, Moon Hye-ryeon. So Hye-ryeon, could you give us the rundown on the current situation at parliament? The latest political showdown is centered around five contentious bills — so far, we've seen two of these bills being introduced before being followed up by filibusters launched by the opposition People Power Party. On Monday, the PPP launched a 24-hour filibuster to block a controversial broadcasting reform bill. But on Tuesday, the DP and liberal bloc ended it with a supermajority vote, as allowed under Assembly rules. With the threshold met, the DP swiftly passed the bill — 178 in favor, two against. A second reform bill was then introduced, triggering another PPP filibuster. That, too, was cut short at midnight as the July extraordinary session ended after just seven hours. The media reform bill that was passed through parliament yesterday afternoon is an amendment of the Broadcasting Act, and is one of three contentious media reform bills backed by the DP. The bills aim to change how the heads of public broadcasters are appointed. Rather than being selected solely by a broadcaster's board of directors, a new recommendation committee composed of experts from various sectors will now nominate candidates. Currently, board members are selected largely based on political appointments, often resulting in accusations of government bias. Under the new law, a broader, more diverse recommendation committee — including members from civil society and academia — would nominate board members. The number of board members, too, will increase. The ruling party argues this will reduce political interference and promote independence in public broadcasting. But the opposition strongly disagrees, saying the change could instead shift control toward liberal-leaning civic groups, and further politicize media under the guise of reform. A spokesperson from the presidential office today commented on the passage of the bill, saying that it aligns closely with the Lee Jae Myung administration's push to return public broadcasting to the people, and represents an important first step in reforming how public broadcasters are run. "It represents a crucial first step in institutionalizing reforms to the governance structure of public broadcasters — an issue that has long been considered an urgent task." You mentioned that there are five contentious bills on the table — what are the others? Beyond the media reform bills, there are two others that lawmakers are divided on. One of them is the so-called "Yellow Envelope Bill," which is essentially an amendment of labour union laws that limits employer action on striking union members. Another is a proposed revision to the Commercial Act that aims to strengthen corporate governance transparency and protect minority shareholders' rights, particularly within large corporations. Both are being championed by the Democratic Party, while the People Power Party remains staunchly opposed. Here's what they had to say on the "Yellow Envelope Bill." "By adjusting the balance in labor-management relations, this will be the first step toward enabling dialogue at sites where subcontractors couldn't even speak to their main contractors — paving the way for voluntary, horizontal cooperation." "The Yellow Envelope Bill could encourage unlimited illegal strikes and has high potential to devastate industrial sites." So, can we expect these bills to be passed in this August session? Looking ahead, the August session is expected to remain highly combative. Another plenary session is scheduled for August 21st, and the People Power Party has already warned that it will launch filibusters against all of the bills remaining on the agenda if they're pushed forward without bipartisan agreement. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party appears to be taking an approach that's being described as "salami-slicing" — so they're passing bills one by one to wear down resistance. All eyes are now on whether the opposition will stick to its filibuster threats. Thank you for the breakdown. Thank you for having me.

Pentagon policy chief calls S. Korea 'role model' for N. Korea deterrence, defense spending

2025/08/06 23:34

South Korea serves as a "role model" given its proactive stance in defense against North Korea and its increased military spending. This is according to U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby. In a recent post on his social media platform he also stressed the importance of modernizing the ROK-U.S. alliance in response to emerging regional security concerns.

S. Korea completes removing anti-N. Korea loudspeakers; no signs from the North yet

2025/08/06 23:33

South Korea has completed the dismantling of loudspeakers directed toward North Korea. Some twenty speakers along the front-line areas have been removed and will be stored at nearby military units. This latest move follows the suspension of loudspeaker broadcasts by the Lee Jae Myung administration as it entered office in June. North Korea has yet to acknowledge this latest extension of an olive branch.

President Lee designates 36 more rain-hit areas as special disaster zones

2025/08/06 23:33

President Lee Jae Myung has designated 36 more areas as "special disaster zones" heavily impacted by last month's heavy rainfall. According to a written briefing by Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung on Wednesday, there are 16 cities, districts, and counties, such as Asan City in Chungcheongnam-do Province and Buk-gu District in Gwangju City, along with 20 towns and villages. This comes two weeks after the President first declared six cities and counties as special disaster zones. Under that status, local governments can receive state funding for recovery efforts, while residents can qualify for tax deferrals and discounts on utility bills.

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

2025/08/06 22:49

Former first lady Kim Kun Hee has been summoned by a special counsel over a series of allegations made against her. Kim is now 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.

S. Korea to temporarily allow visa-free entry for Chinese group tours

2025/08/06 22:33

South Korea will temporarily allow visa-free entry for group tours from China starting September 29th just ahead of China's week-long National Day holiday through June next year. The decision was made on this Wednesday during a government task force meeting on boosting tourism chaired by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. The exemption will apply to groups of three or more Chinese nationals traveling with tour agencies designated by South Korea's Culture Ministry. Since last November China has permitted South Korean nationals to enter without a visa for up to 30 days a policy that is set to end this December.

S.Korea-U.S. Summit Countdown: Can Seoul’s Pragmatic Diplomacy hold under Trump’s alliance pressure?

2025/08/06 21:35

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. With the S. Korea-U.S. summit now expected in late August, President Lee Jae Myung is stepping into one of the most complex diplomatic moments of his term. Just weeks after sealing a trade deal that avoided major concessions on sensitive sectors, such as rice and beef, attention now turns to unfinished details and potential security demands from Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump, in his second term, is pushing allies to modernize their roles, not just their budgets. From joint military exercises to Seoul's stance in the Indo-Pacific, this upcoming summit will test how far South Korea can stretch its "pragmatic diplomacy" while preserving strategic autonomy. To break down the stakes and explore where the alliance may be headed, we're joined now by Dr. Kim Hyun-wook, president of the Sejong Institute and a leading expert on diplomacy and U.S. foreign policy — a big welcome. Let's begin with the trade agreement just signed. The Korea-U.S. trade deal has now been formally concluded avoiding further market openings on rice and beef sector. What's your assessment of the outcome? Still, several of provisions remain in flux. Although a broad agreement has been reached, several detailed provisions are still pending further talks with Washington. Which specific aspects should we monitor during these follow-up negotiations? With major events like Liberation Day, joint military drills, and a packed presidential schedule, August will be a busy month for Seoul. From your perspective, how might this timing shape the Lee administration's approach to summit strategy — and does it offer any advantages in framing South Korea's message to Washington? Looking ahead, a Korea-U.S. summit is now likely for late August. While tariffs led the last round of talks, this summit is expected to shift toward security and alliance issues. What do you see as the top items on the agenda? And from Seoul's standpoint, what specific objectives will the Lee administration likely pursue at this summit, especially with domestic and regional sensitivities in play? On that note, Trump's call for "alliance modernization" includes raising Seoul's defense burden and expanding its role in Indo-Pacific security. What boundaries should South Korea consider drawing in this new phase of alliance expectations? This leads to a deeper question: In this evolving environment, what does it now mean to be a U.S. ally? And how is that redefining the Korea-U.S. relationship in practical terms? Since you've been following the footsteps of bilateral diplomacy over the years, how would you characterize the overall state of the Korea-U.S. alliance right now — diplomatically, militarily, and economically? Widening the lens, with Trump, Xi, and Putin all asserting hardline postures, how much room does South Korea realistically have to maneuver diplomatically in this era of strongman politics? And finally, what single factor do you believe will most decisively shape the Korea-U.S. alliance in the year ahead?

S. Korea to temporarily allow visa-free entry for Chinese group tours

2025/08/06 20:38

South Korea will temporarily allow visa-free entry for group tours from China starting September 29th just ahead of China's week-long National Day holiday through June next year. The decision was made on this Wednesday during a government task force meeting on boosting tourism chaired by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. The exemption will apply to groups of three or more Chinese nationals traveling with tour agencies designated by South Korea's Culture Ministry. Since last November China has permitted South Korean nationals to enter without a visa for up to 30 days a policy that is set to end this December.

S. Korea completes removing anti-N. Korea loudspeakers; no signs from the North yet

2025/08/06 20:36

South Korea says it has completed the dismantling of loudspeakers directed toward North Korea. Some twenty speakers along the front-line areas have been removed and will be stored at nearby military units. This latest move follows the suspension of loudspeaker broadcasts by the Lee Jae Myung administration as it entered office in June. North Korea has yet to acknowledge this latest extension of an olive branch.

Pentagon policy chief calls S. Korea 'role model' for N. Korea deterrence, defense spending

2025/08/06 20:36

South Korea serves as a "role model" given its proactive stance in defense against North Korea and its increased military spending. This is according to U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby. In a recent post on his social media platform he also stressed the importance of modernizing the ROK-U.S. alliance in response to emerging regional security concerns.

Ruling DP to expel four-term lawmaker over allegations of stock trading using aide's name

2025/08/06 20:34

The ruling Democratic Party will expel four-term lawmaker Lee Choon-suak over allegations of illegal stock trading. Lee withdrew from the party earlier on Tuesday one day after he was caught on camera engaging in stock transactions on his mobile phone using an aide's account. His action drew strong condemnation amid the government's push for stock market transparency. The party for its part on this Wednesday pointed out that members who leave the party to avoid disciplinary action can still face expulsion. The DP also tapped six-term lawmaker and former Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae to lead the judiciary committee a post that Lee previously held. Also according to the top office the president has called for a swift and thorough investigation into the matter.

President Lee orders investigation into POSCO E&C industrial accidents

2025/08/06 20:33

President Lee Jae Myung has called for a thorough probe into POSCO E&C following a series of industrial accidents involving its workers. According to Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung on this Wednesday the president has ordered a detailed review into whether safety protocols were followed and whether the incidents were preventable. He also instructed officials to look into all possible legal actions including revoking the company's construction license and banning it from public tenders. Back on Monday a worker was seriously injured at a highway construction site overseen by POSCO E&C. There have been four losses of lives at the company's construction sites this year.

PONDERING OVER PRICE OF PEACE ON PENINSULA

2025/08/06 19:42

Welcome to Wednesday's edition of Press Perspective. It's August 6th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. The Lee Jae Myung administration is seeking a peaceful approach to stability on the Korean peninsula. That being said in our panel session today we address the prospects of this policy. I have Thomas Maresca with American news agency UPI. Thomas welcome back. I also have Cheon Soram a former reporter with Radio Free Asia. Soram it's good to have you here. Thomas, let's begin with South Korea's dismantling of loudspeakers directed toward North Korea. You covered this development for UPI. Do tell us about your coverage and your takeaways? Soram, this olive branch from South Korea to North Korea follows the National Intelligence Service's suspension of decades-long radio and television broadcasts aimed at North Korea. For the sake of our viewers who may not be aware, could you tell us a bit about the history of these broadcasts, their recent suspension and the response to it. Thomas, your news agency recently published a piece including pundits' take on what was called a "one-sided courtship of North Korea" by South Korea. Could you walk us through the concerns? Soram, North Korea, for its part, has been adamant about its animosity toward the alliance between South Korea and the U.S. Do remind us about the recent remarks shared by North Korea's Kim Yo-Jung, which some claim is a twin warning to Seoul and Washington, while others say she is playing nice with the U.S. and scorning South Korea. Thomas, staying with security. Amid speculation about the fate of American soldiers stationed on the Korean peninsula, UPI carried an opinion piece that highlighted the importance of maintaining the status quo. Do tell us more about the thoughts shared and your takeaways as a correspondent covering this region. Soram, in an interview with the Washington Post, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun brushed aside concerns about a potential reduction in U.S. troop presence on the peninsula. What exactly did he say, and what have you been hearing from pundits here? And Thomas, what are pundits saying about the price of peace on the Korean peninsula? I mean, how likely are we to witness North Korea engaging with the broader international community in the near future? Moving forward, Soram, do tell us a bit about the rampant infiltration of North Korean IT workers in the companies across the globe. All right.

Former first lady apologizes before special counsel questioning

2025/08/06 19:40

We start on the local front. Former First Lady Kim Kun-hee has been summoned by a special counsel over a series of allegations against her. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. Shortly after 10 AM on Wednesday, former first lady Kim Keon Hee arrived at the office of special counsel Min Joong-ki, in Jongno-gu District, for questioning over multiple allegations. This comes after Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol , was summoned two weeks ago to appear at the office. Before questioning, she bowed and apologized to the public for causing concern. "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. According to the special counsel team, Kim's questioning began at 10:23 AM, and she did not exercise her right to remain silent. The special counsel team focused on five of the 16 allegations made against Kim on Wednesday, 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. Ahead of the questioning, Kim's representatives said she would answer questions as fully as possible without refusing, but wants to avoid questioning after 9 PM due to her poor health. Earlier, they requested to separate the questioning by each allegation, or to finish before 6 PM, but the special counsel team refused, saying she would be treated like any other suspect. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

World News: Official condemns hostage-taking, warns against IDF expansion in Gaza at UNSC on Tues.

2025/08/06 19:38

This is the World Now, bringing you the stories from around the globe. The UN Security Council assembled on Tuesday for a meeting called by Israel, to address the situation of hostages still held in Gaza, following Hamas' release of videos of emaciated Israeli hostages. At the meeting United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, Miroslav Jenča, condemned footage of the visibly malnourished hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavsky who were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023. He also emphasized that hostage taking is a violation of international law and constitutes a war crime. Jenča addressed reports that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to expand military operations in Gaza, calling the plan "deeply alarming" and a risk to the lives of remaining hostages. Ilay David, the brother of hostage Evyatar David, also spoke at the meeting via video link up and described the deteriorating condition of his sibling. A U.S. Coast Guard investigative board has found that the Titan submersible that imploded in 2023 had an "inadequate design." OceanGate's Titan submersible was on a tourist expedition to the wreckage of the Titanic when it imploded, killing the five people on board including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. According to a 300-page report released on Tuesday after a two-year investigation, the implosion was deemed preventable. The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation emphasised the need for stronger oversight and clearer regulatory pathways for operators pursuing innovative designs outside current standards. Wildfires swept through parts of Spain on Tuesday as the country endured its second heatwave of the summer, with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius in several regions. In Spain's Galicia region, firefighters battled a wildfire near residential areas in the town of Ponteceso, and the nearby village of Corme Aldea was evacuated. In southern Spain, a blaze in the town of Tarifa spread rapidly through nearby mountains, forcing the evacuation of hotels and campsites in the area. Efforts to contain both wildfires were hindered by strong winds. Heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne died of a heart attack, coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease. That's according to the his death certificate which was obtained by The New York Times on Tuesday. The former Black Sabbath frontman died on July 22 at the age of 76 and was best known for his unique heavy metal voice, outrageous acts and his absurd MTV series "The Osbournes." Osbourne's funeral was held in the city of Birmingham, England on July 30. Walter Lee, Arirang News.

Official condemns hostage-taking, warns against IDF expansion in Gaza at UNSC on Tues.

2025/08/06 11:38

Good morning, I'm Walter Lee filling in for Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. The UN Security Council assembled on Tuesday for a meeting called by Israel, to address the situation of hostages still held in Gaza, following Hamas' release of videos of emaciated Israeli hostages. At the meeting United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, Miroslav Jenča , condemned footage of the visibly malnourished hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavsky who were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023. He also emphasized that hostage taking is a violation of international law and constitutes a war crime. Jenča addressed reports that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to expand military operations in Gaza, calling the plan "deeply alarming" and a risk to the lives of remaining hostages. Ilay David, the brother of hostage Evyatar David, also spoke at the meeting via video link up and described the deteriorating condition of his sibling.

[On-point] What's on the agenda when S. Korea's Lee meets Trump this month?

2025/08/06 11:35

With a summit between the leaders of South Korea and the United States expected to take place in Washington this month, it is set to be a major test for President Lee's foreign policy. For more on this, we're joined by Professor Andrew Millard, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Changwon National University. Professor Millard, thanks for joining us this morning. Security issues are expected to top the agenda when Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump meet, right? The two countries' defense chiefs recently talked about a "modernized alliance" in a phone call. What does this mean for the two countries' security cooperation? Another major security issue is burden-sharing for U.S. Forces Korea, as Trump has repeatedly said South Korea needs to pay more for defense costs. What do you think South Korea must secure at a minimum in the negotiations, given Trump's unpredictability? There's also been a report that the two sides may discuss South Korea's role in case of a Chinese attack on Taiwan. Could the Taiwan issue also be on the agenda when the two leaders meet? North Korea has said the personal relationship between Kim Jong-un and Trump are 'not bad' but it's not giving up its nuclear weapons. What's your take on a possible meeting between Kim and Trump? Do you think they'll be able to meet again? Alright Professor Millard. Thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.