News
How Yoon's impeachment trial kicked off and what to look out for in ruling on April 4
2025/04/01 20:00
Now, let's take a minute to look back at what happened leading up to the verdict, and what the public should be on the lookout for. Our political correspondent Kim Do-yeon gets us up to speed. On December 3rd, 2024, at around 10:27 PM, President Yoon declared martial law. Lawmakers overcoming the initial stand off against the police and military rushed to the National Assembly and voted to overturn the declaration after six hours. 11 days later, with a dozen ruling People Power Party lawmakers changing their minds from the first vote, the second impeachment vote passes the threshold of 200. That kicked off the Constitutional Court case. April 4th marks 111 days since. The first hearing took place on January 1st, 2025 --11 of them in total. The impeachment motion lists five reasons why President Yoon's action was unconstitutional. One, the act of declaring martial law was not justified. Two, the details of how martial law will be operated. Three, the attempt to blockade the National Assembly including detaining politicians. Four, the raid of the National Election Commission and, lastly, efforts to detain judges. "On December 3rd, the Republic of Korea was neither in a state of war, armed conflict, nor facing a comparable national emergency. There was no reason for military involvement to maintain public peace and order through the use of armed forces." Meanwhile, President Yoon argues that declaring martial law is a president's constitutional authority in a national emergency. He claimed the Democratic Party of Korea has been abusing its majority to pass impeachment motions of key government officials and has cut budgets way too far. And, that there were anti-state forces already active in South Korea threatening the nation's security while saying the election system was mismanaged. While whether the nation was under grave threat could be seen as subjective, there is one objective fact the Constitutional Court justices paid close attention to: Did Yoon order the detainment of politicians? "The exact wording was to go inside the main hall and take out the lawmakers?" Among many witnesses second in command at National Intelligence Service Hong Jang-won took the spotlight when he testified that President Yoon indeed ordered him to detain key politicians and even had a specific list presenting a note he took while taking the orders. He claimed that he did not go forward with the order. "After hearing the plans to detain them at Counterintelligence Command's detention facilities and interrogate them, how could I take those orders?" His claims were challenged by other witnesses, including his former boss NIS Chief Cho Tae-yong. President Yoon also said the order was to keep a close watch on politicians likely to go against the decrees of marital law. There are eight justices on the bench currently. It takes six to uphold the impeachment. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.
Rival parties welcome Constitutional Court decision to set Yoon's impeachment verdict date for April 4
2025/04/01 20:00
Rival parties were quick to respond. The ruling party urged the Court not to be swayed by the opposition's pressure, while the opposition called for Yoon's removal. Our National Assembly correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The rival political parties welcomed the Constitutional Court's announcement on Tuesday of a date for its verdict on the president's political fate. Ruling People Power Party interim leader Kwon Young-se expressed relief that setting the verdict date will help resolve the "constitutional instability." He called for a fair decision while expressing hope that the impeachment motion would be dismissed. PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong said that it would accept the ruling but emphasized that the Court should not be swayed by the opposition's pressure. "We expect a fair ruling based on law and conscience. The Constitutional Court must not give in to the Democratic Party's pressure for a specific outcome." Main opposition Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae expressed regret that the acting president has not appointed Constitutional Court justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk before the verdict but still welcomed the decision to deliver it this Friday. Park said Yoon's swift removal from office is the best way to end what it describes as insurrection. "We are confident in a unanimous decision. Since this issue arose from a constitutional violation, removal is the best verdict to end this situation." The DP leadership held a closed-door meeting after the verdict date was announced, where it decided to be on standby at the National Assembly starting Tuesday to respond to any emergencies until the verdict is delivered. "With the Constitutional Court setting the date for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial verdict, concerns are growing that the country will face political turmoil regardless of the outcome. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News."
Police seal off 100-meter radius around Constitutional Court, restricting public access
2025/04/01 20:00
As the verdict date is set and tension builds up, the police are tightening measures to prevent any disorder near the court. Choi Soo-hyung has the details. Following the impeachment ruling for President Yoon set for Friday, April 4th, the police have sealed off a 100-meter radius around the Constitutional Court. As of 1 PM Tuesday, police banned all gatherings and traffic within a 100-meter radius of the Constitutional Court. Police vehicles formed barricades on nearby roads, including in front of the court and at the Jaedong Elementary School intersection. Pedestrian paths have been blocked, restricting public access. and vehicle traffic on Bukchon-ro outside the court has also been banned. For safety reasons, Anguk Station on line number 3 has closed all exits except for exits 5 and 6. Seoul Metro has announced the station would be fully closed on Friday, the day of the ruling. Police have tightened security, closely monitoring nearby gatherings to prevent potential clashes. On the day of the ruling the highest-level emergency response from the police, "Gabho Emergency," will be issued, allowing full deployment of police forces. Around 20-thousand police personnel from across the country will be mobilized, with 14-thousand deployed to Seoul. The level of personal protection for Constitutional Court judges will also be strengthened. Currently, the police are providing dedicated protection for all Constitutional Court judges including protecting their homes. Meanwhile, on Friday, the day of the ruling, nearby palaces and schools will be closed. The Korea Heritage Service announced that Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Deoksugung palaces will be closed. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education stated that at least 13 schools near the court and the presidential residence in Yongsan will also be temporarily closed as precaution. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.
President Yoon's impeachment verdict to be delivered live Friday 11 AM: Constitutional Court
2025/04/01 17:00
The Constitutional Court has finally announced a date for its much-awaited verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young covers this latest event. President Yoon Suk Yeol will face his fate on Friday, as the Constitutional Court's decision on his impeachment is revealed via a live broadcast. The Court notified the press on Tuesday that the eight-member bench will deliver its ruling at 11 AM on April 4th. The verdict will come 111 days after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon, following his declaration of martial law on December 3rd last year. His case has marked the Court's longest-ever deliberation on a presidential case, compared to Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye's, which took at most two weeks. The prolonged timeline has sparked speculation about what is happening behind closed doors, with legal analysts divided over what the verdict could be. Removing a president requires at least six justices to uphold the National Assembly's impeachment. If three or more dissent, President Yoon returns to power. Some believe the justices have been working towards a unanimous decision, with foolproof reasoning to minimize societal backlash. Others suggest the court has been struggling to reach a consensus, as justices may be split ideologically. A recent impeachment case involving Korea Communications Commission Chair Lee Jin-sook ended in a four-to-four deadlock, in line with the justices' political orientations. According to legal circles, the bench expected to reach their final decision either the evening before or on the morning of the ruling day, to maintain utmost confidentiality. If the decision is unanimous, the presiding justice typically reads a summary of the reasoning first, followed by their final written judgment. The ruling will inevitably have major political consequences, as an impeachment would trigger an early presidential election within 60 days. If Yoon is removed from office, the opposition's Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is seen as the frontrunner for a snap election, far ahead of the conservative candidates. Thus, conservatives and Yoon's supporters continue to push for his impeachment to be dismissed or for the case itself to be scrapped. In the meantime, a presidential official told reporters that Yoon's office is "calmly awaiting" the Court's decision. As the Constitutional Court prepares to deliver a historic ruling, it faces the formidable challenge of issuing a decision that can command legitimacy in a nation deeply divided along political lines. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
World News: European foreign ministers urge Russia to agree on Ukraine ceasefire
2025/04/01 17:00
This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Foreign ministers from six European countries convened in Madrid, where they urged Russia to agree to an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. The foreign ministers of Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom, along with the European Union's High Representative, met in Madrid on Monday local time to address the war in Ukraine. In a joint statement, they collectively urged Russia to abandon its "delaying tactics" and respond to Ukraine's commitment to peace by agreeing to an unconditional full ceasefire. The statement highlighted the importance of making progress within a specific timeframe, and they also considered possible new sanctions to increase pressure on Russia. The possibility of using frozen Russian sovereign assets to aid Ukraine was also discussed. The ministers said they will ensure Russia's full accountability for its war crimes. In France, leader of the right-wing National Rally party and presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement and barred from running in the 2027 presidential election. Le Pen has denounced the court's decision as politically motivated and says she will appeal the ruling. "What she is doing here is she's saying 'I am going to make you ineligible straight away and I'm doing it precisely to stop you from being able to be elected president'. If that's not a political decision, I don't know what it is." On Monday local time, a French court found Le Pen guilty of embezzling European Union funds. The court sentenced her to four years in prison, with two years suspended, imposed a 108,000 U.S. dollar fine, and prohibited her from holding public office for five years. This ruling effectively disqualifies her from the 2027 presidential race. Finally, in Japan, Tokyo's cherry blossom season has arrived earlier than usual this year, with full bloom observed over the weekend. The early arrival drew large crowds to popular "hanami" or "flower viewing" spots across the city on Monday. Parks and gardens throughout Tokyo are experiencing peak bloom, attracting locals and tourists to the seasonal festivities. While cherry blossoms usually reach their peak in late March to early April, the early blooming this year is attributed to warmer temperatures. The country's favorite flower reaching the peak usually signals the start of the new school and business year. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.
Trump teases new talks with Kim Jong-un, calls him "very smart" amid ongoing communication
2025/04/01 17:00
Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions U.S. President Donald Trump claims there has been contact with North Korea's Kim Jong-un in recent times. Our correspondent Kim Jung-sil covers his most recent remarks. Could there be a part two in the Trump-Kim bromance? At the White House on Monday local time, President Trump said his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has come a long way since their rocky start. "I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong-un. Now, you people hate to hear that, but it's very important. It started off very rough, very nasty. Little Rocket Man. The whole thing was a nasty deal. And then one day we got a call that they'd like to meet. We met." Trump confirmed that the U.S. is communicating with the regime and hinted at future action, though he didn't specify what that might look like. "There is communication. Yeah. I think it's very important. You know, it is a big nuclear nation. And he's a very smart guy. But I have a very good relationship with him. Yeah, I will probably do something at some point." Experts question whether this renewed approach can lead to a breakthrough, especially as North Korea's nuclear capabilities have advanced since their 2019 summit. "President Trump is focusing on key issues where he can achieve tangible foreign policy successes during his short term, and North Korea is likely one of the areas he sees as crucial." While diplomatic efforts may continue, Dr. Hong points out that North Korea's nuclear advances remain a significant barrier to progressing talks. Analysts suggest the U.S. is adjusting its strategy accordingly. "Trump's second term signals a shift toward arms control with North Korea, moving away from the goal of complete denuclearization. With North Korea's continued development of ICBMs, the focus is now on negotiating to reduce the threat to the U.S." Experts added that North Korea's growing ties with Russia, China, and Iran could complicate future negotiations. With the stakes now higher, the attention will be on Trump's next move, as his unpredictable approach could lead to unexpected outcomes. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.
S. Korean government to provide additional US$ 15.37 mil. in special grants
2025/04/01 17:00
The government is setting aside an additional 22-point-6 billion won roughly 15-point-4 million U.S. dollars to aid relief efforts in Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do provinces that suffered extensive damage from last week's wildfires which were the worst on record. According to authorities on this Tuesday more funds may be allocated if needed as recovery plans take visible shape. The total government support now stands at almost 21 million U.S. dollars. These special grants will be used to clear debris to support temporary housing and to implement safety measures to prevent secondary damage.
U.S. names South Korea's trade barriers ahead of reciprocal tariff impositions
2025/04/01 17:00
In other news. A recent report by the U.S. office for foreign trade policy is raising concern here in Korea as the findings draw attention to what they claim are barriers. Our Ahn Sung-jin reports. The Trump administration is putting scrutiny on South Korea's trade barriers. The United States Trade Representative on Monday local time released a 7-page National Trade Estimate report, which stated that emissions-related regulations on imported vehicles and the pricing of pharmaceutical products remain a barrier to trade. The U.S.' concerns came from a lack of transparency despite South Korea's Clean Air Conservation Act layout, and added that market entry for U.S. automotive manufacturers into South Korea remains a top priority. Korea's prioritization of local technology over foreign technology in defense procurement has also been labeled a barrier. In the case of the pharmaceutical and medical industry, the report said Korea lacks transparency and opportunity for stakeholders to "input into proposed policy changes." It also noted Seoul's import ban on American beef from cattle aged 30 months or older, calling the restriction a transitional measure. Other trade barriers include digital trade barriers such as network usage fees that allegedly feed into a monopoly of internet service providers. The USTR releases an annual report to the President and Congress that documents obstacles for U.S. exporters and solutions including efforts to overcome these barriers. Though these trade barriers have already been brought up in the past, with Trump's hard-line tariff impositions, they seem more pertinent. South Korea's Trade Ministry pledged to closely analyze the trade barriers in the report and discuss these issues with relevant ministries and stakeholders to draft a response. The government also plans to consult with the U.S. through working-level channels to further explain Seoul's non-tariff measures. Trump's efforts to impose reciprocal tariffs will resume from the beginning of April. He has stated that further details will become clearer between the night of April 1st or 2nd Eastern Time. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.
Acting President vetoes Commercial Act revision adding "shareholders" to directors' duties
2025/04/01 17:00
Acting President Han Duck-soo has vetoed an opposition-led revision to the Commercial Act that sought to broaden board duties to shareholders. At a Cabinet meeting earlier on this Tuesday Han added the expansion of corporate board members' duty to all shareholders could create chaos by disrupting decision-making procedures. He instead called for more in-depth discussions on the matter before seeking reform. The opposition for its part has claimed the revision would force directors to act within the company's best interests while the ruling party insists the revision would hinder corporate innovation.
Rival parties welcome Constitutional Court decision to set Yoon's impeachment verdict date for April 4
2025/04/01 17:00
In related news. Rival political parties have welcomed the court's announcement of a date for its verdict on the president's political fate. The ruling People Power Party has pledged to accept the court's ruling while calling on the justices NOT to be swayed by pressure from the opposition party. Meanwhile the opposition Democratic Party has asserted that the president's removal from office is the best way to end what is described as an insurrection.
U.S. names South Korea's trade barriers ahead of reciprocal tariff impositions
2025/04/01 10:00
With the Trump administration to announce further tariffs in the upcoming days, a recent U.S. report on foreign trade barriers is getting more attention. The report states that South Korea's regulations on imported vehicles and pricing of medical products remain as obstacles. Ahn Sung-jin reports. The Trump administration is putting scrutiny on South Korea's trade barriers. The United States Trade Representative on Monday local time released a 7-page National Trade Estimate report, which stated that emissions-related regulations on imported vehicles and the pricing of pharmaceutical products remain a barrier to trade. The U.S.' concerns came from a lack of transparency despite South Korea's Clean Air Conservation Act layout, and added that market entry for U.S. automotive manufacturers into South Korea remains a top priority. Korea's prioritization of local technology over foreign technology in defense procurement has also been labeled a barrier. In the case of the pharmaceutical and medical industry, the report said Korea lacks transparency and opportunity for stakeholders to "input into proposed policy changes." It also noted Seoul's import ban on American beef from cattle aged 30 months or older, calling the restriction a transitional measure. Other trade barriers include digital trade barriers such as network usage fees that allegedly feed into a monopoly of internet service providers. The USTR releases an annual report to the President and Congress that documents obstacles for U.S. exporters and solutions including efforts to overcome these barriers. Though these trade barriers have already been brought up in the past, with Trump's hard-line tariff impositions, they seem more pertinent. Trump's efforts to impose reciprocal tariffs will resume from the beginning of April. He has stated that further details will become clearer between the night of April 1st or 2nd Eastern Time. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.
Three of four missing U.S. Army soldiers found dead in Lithuania
2025/04/01 10:00
In Lithuania, three of the four U.S. soldiers missing since last week have been found dead. According to a U.S. Army announcement on Monday, the bodies of three soldiers and an armored vehicle were recovered from a peat bog after days of intense searching using heavy equipment. The soldiers, assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, had been taking part in a training mission near the border with Belarus when their vehicle was reported missing. Efforts continue to locate the fourth missing soldier while the cause of the incident remains under investigation.
Le Pen calls ban on running for public office 'political decision'
2025/04/01 10:00
Meanwhile, in France, leader of the right-wing National Rally party and presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen has been convicted of embezzlement and barred from running in the 2027 presidential election. Le Pen has denounced the court's decision as politically motivated and says she will appeal the ruling. "What she is doing here is she’s saying ‘I am going to make you ineligible straight away and I’m doing it precisely to stop you from being able to be elected president'. If that’s not a political decision, I don’t know what it is." On Monday local time, a French court found Le Pen guilty of embezzling European Union funds. The court sentenced her to four years in prison, with two years suspended, imposed a 108,000 U.S. dollar fine, and prohibited her from holding public office for five years. This ruling effectively disqualifies her from the 2027 presidential race.
European foreign ministers urge Russia to agree on Ukraine ceasefire
2025/04/01 10:00
Beginning in Europe, foreign ministers from six European countries convened in Madrid, where they urged Russia to agree to an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. The foreign ministers of Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom, along with the European Union's High Representative, met in Madrid on Monday local time to address the war in Ukraine. In a joint statement, they collectively urged Russia to abandon its "delaying tactics" and respond to Ukraine's commitment to peace by agreeing to an unconditional full ceasefire. The statement highlighted the importance of making progress within a specific timeframe, and they also considered possible new sanctions to increase pressure on Russia. The possibility of using frozen Russian sovereign assets to aid Ukraine was also discussed. The ministers said they will ensure Russia's full accountability for its war crimes.
On-point: Constitutional Court to notify Yoon's impeachment ruling date in April
2025/04/01 10:00
The last day of March has passed, meaning the final call will be made in April. Let's turn to Professor Lee Hee-eun for more this morning. Welcome back. 1. There are calls that the Constitutional Court should issue a statement and explain the reasons for the delay. How likely is it that the court will do so? Should the court make clear its stance and plan? Has the court done so in the past? 2. Some experts say Yoon's case is not as complicated as that of former President Park Geun-hye, expressing frustration over the delay. Is that so? 3. As an expert's point of view, when do you think the court will or must announce a ruling date to prevent any more confusion and instability? 4. The opposition Democratic Party has designated today, April 1st, as the deadline for Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to appoint justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk and warned it would make a major decision if Han doesn't. Does that mean another impeachment motion for Han? Will the DP do that? Would that be the first time ever for a PM to be impeached twice? How might that unfold? 5. Let's say Han does appoint Ma. Can Ma play an active role in the ruling? To what extent? Does that mean the ruling will get delayed even more? Thanks so much for taking your time to be with us this morning. We appreciate it.
Court still conducting review of President Yoon's impeachment amid speculation over ruling date
2025/04/01 10:00
While the record delay in announcing an impeachment ruling for President Yoon Suk Yeol is leading to various speculations, the Constitutional Court is reportedly handling the case with a great deal of caution and prudence. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young reports. The Constitutional Court is working "cautiously" and "thoroughly" on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment case, as speculation continues over when the justices will deliver their ruling. Appearing before the National Assembly on Monday, the Constitutional Court's Secretary-General Kim Jung-won said the eight-member bench is deliberating with "caution" in their frequent "in-depth" reviews and discussions. Kim added even he wasn't informed of how many times the justices convened or what stage they were in in their deliberation, due to the high level of confidentiality. The justices have been deliberating for more than a month after Yoon's final trial hearing in February, the longest period yet for a presidential case. Once each justice concludes their review, and expresses their opinion, the bench is expected to draw up their collective decision, before announcing the ruling date two to three days in advance. While some believe the ruling could be as early as this Thursday, if the bench schedules a Friday ruling in line with past presidential impeachments, April 4th and 11th are key dates to watch. But given the record deliberation period, other observers say the verdict could take longer to be issued, as the justices may be sharply split in their opinions on whether or not President Yoon's martial law declaration warrants an impeachment. The Court needs at least six votes to remove a President. If three or more justices are against impeachment Yoon would be restored to office. At this point, April 18th is broadly considered the deadline for the bench —the date Justices Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-son retire. In 2017, the Court dismissed President Park Geun-hye on a Friday, before Acting Chief Justice Lee Jung-mi stepped down the next Monday. But this time around, the two vacancies would leave only six justices on the bench, below the seven-member threshold required to deliver a ruling. The opposition Democratic Party has been calling for the urgent appointment of a left-leaning judge, Ma Eun-hyeok, to secure a six-vote majority to impeach the President, as an early election would favour their party leader Lee Jae-myung. The DP has also been pushing to amend the Constitutional Court Act to extend the retiring justices' terms. The Court's Secretary General said while the suggestion is "under internal review," "there is no official position yet.” When asked if President Yoon's ruling would be made by the 18th, the Court's secretary general said the aim is still to issue a verdict as swiftly as possible, but declined to specify a date. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
Trump confirms communication with North Korea, hints at taking action "at some point"
2025/04/01 10:00
U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at further engagement with North Korea, confirming ongoing communication with leader Kim Jong-un. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump said he has a "very good relationship" with Kim, despite a rocky start during his first term. He said, "there is communication," although he didn't clarify whether this was through direct talks with Kim or via aides. Trump described North Korea as "a big nuclear nation" and called Kim "a very smart guy". He also said his administration will likely take some action at "some point", but offered no specifics.
Students at 38 of 40 medical schools apply to return before reinstatement deadline
2025/04/01 10:00
Medical students who boycotted classes over the government's medical school admissions increase say they'll be back in school just right before the government-imposed deadline for reinstatement on Monday. Lee Seung-jae has more. Out of 40 medical schools nationwide, students from 38 of the schools have decided to return to class before the Monday deadline imposed by the government. According to sources familiar with the matter, 38 of the medical schools saw almost all of their students, who had been on leave of absence, complete their registration to return to school. Among the schools that saw their students register for classes before the deadline were Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Pusan National University. The two medical schools where students hadn't registered before the deadline were Inje University and Hallym University. The government last month set a March 31st deadline after it announced a conditional decision to set the medical school admissions quota at 3-thousand-58 for the 2026 academic year. That is similar to the figure before the current administration decided to increase admissions by 2-thousand a year ago. In order to transition into the delayed school semester, most medical schools will begin with a few weeks of online classes. Seoul National University announced last week that online classes will be held for the first one to two weeks starting Monday. Ulsan University and Korea University have started online classes as well. Yonsei University, which was among the first medical schools to announce a "full return" of students, will conduct both online and offline classes. Based on data on the number of medical school students returning, the Ministry of Education will finalize the enrollment quota for next year's admissions by the end of the month. While the government expects the medical admissions quota to return to 3-thousand-58, it warned that the quota could return to 5-thousand-58 if students take a leave of absence or boycott classes after returning. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
S. Korea, China and Japan reaffirm trade cooperation ahead of U.S. reciprocal tariffs
2025/03/31 20:00
Here in Seoul. Trade ministers of South Korea, China and Japan met for their agenda ahead of new U.S. tariffs in the days to come. Moon Hye-ryeon has more. The trade ministers of South Korea, China, and Japan met in Seoul for the first time in nearly six years and underscored the need for stronger economic ties and pledged to expand trade partnerships amid growing global uncertainties. At the Trilateral Economic and Trade Ministers' Meeting on Sunday, South Korea's Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, and Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Muto Yoji emphasized the importance of a stable global trade system and vowed to strengthen cooperation in key economic sectors. Their discussions came just days before the U.S. government's scheduled announcement of new reciprocal tariffs as the three nations navigate rising protectionist pressures. The meeting was seen as a strategic move to coordinate a response with all three nations facing similar concerns as major U.S. trade deficit partners and potential targets of tariffs. And, as a result, the ministers aligned on the broader goal of preserving a stable international trade system. During the talks, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral trade frameworks, supporting reforms at the World Trade Organization and expanding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to include new members. They also pledged to accelerate negotiations for a high-level trilateral Free Trade Agreement. "It is necessary to strengthen the implementation of RCEP, in which all three countries have participated, and to create a framework for expanding trade cooperation among the three countries through Korea-China-Japan FTA negotiations." While South Korea and China currently have an FTA in place, discussions on a three-way agreement have stalled due to differing economic conditions and national priorities. Beyond trade agreements, the ministers addressed broader economic concerns, committing to stabilizing supply chains and expanding cooperation in green and digital industries. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.
Trump warns of secondary tariffs on Russian oil if ceasefire agreement fails
2025/03/31 20:00
U.S. President Donald Trump is ramping up his rhetoric on both Russia and Ukraine with regard to sealing a ceasefire deal. He's threatening heavier tariffs on Russian oil and vowing "big problems" for Kyiv if it backs away from its mineral deal with Washington. Park Hyo-been has more. Amid the stalled progress on the Ukraine-Russia ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed strong dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In an NBC interview on Sunday, Trump revealed that he was "very angry" after Putin criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's credibility. Trump also said that if Russia is found responsible for prolonging the conflict, he would impose "secondary tariffs" on Russian oil, ranging from 25 to 50 percent. He warned that countries purchasing Russian crude oil could face tariffs, signaling economic pressure as potential leverage in the ongoing conflict. Trump also had a message for Zelenskyy. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump criticized the Ukrainian leader for trying to back out of a rare earth metals agreement. "And I think Zelenskyy, by the way, I see he's trying to back out of the rare earth deal, and if he does that, he's got some problems. Big, big problems. We made a deal on rare earth, and now he's saying, 'Well, you know, I want to renegotiate the deal'." With U.S.-Ukraine negotiations now stalling, Russia has begun rare metals talks with Washington. On Monday, Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev confirmed that discussions were underway, with several companies already expressing an interest. Last month, Putin underscored Russia's vast reserves, looking to position Moscow as a more stable supplier than Ukraine. As diplomatic efforts stall, the potential economic pressure from tariffs may become a crucial turning point in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.