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Presidential candidates scale back their campaigns ahead of second televised debate

2025/05/23 17:00

As mentioned in that report presidential hopefuls are gearing up for tonight's second live debate that starts at EIGHT in the evening local time having spent the day with minimal campaign activities. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The rival parties' presidential candidates scaled back their campaigns on Friday ahead of their second televised debate this evening. Instead, Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung wrapped up his trip to Gyeongsangnam-do Province after paying tribute to the late liberal President Roh Moo-hyun on the 16th anniversary of his passing away. "While paying tribute to former President Roh Moo-hyun, I reaffirmed my commitment to building a country where the people are respected as the rightful owners and can live happily." Lee met former President Moon Jae-in for lunch, during which Moon said now was a crucial time for South Korea and urged Lee to take responsibility in creating a country that respects the people. "With just 11 days to go to the 21st presidential election, key political figures from across the political spectrum gathered in Bongha Village, located in the city of Gimhae." Attendees of a memorial service included former President Moon Jae-in and his wife, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, and People Power Party interim leader Kim Yong-tae. In a social media post, Kim said former President Roh Moo-hyun put the country and its people first, beyond political affiliation, and said he would remember Roh's hope for a world without injustice or privilege. Meanwhile, the PPP's Kim Moon-soo attended a prayer breakfast for the nation and its people, where he emphasized unity, saying that economic struggles and social division have worsened conflict. The PPP said Kim's support is growing and expressed hope that he could lead in the polls before early voting starts if the trend continues. "In the end, Kim Moon-soo's distinct character, proven skills, and clear vision will bring him victory. As the election passes the halfway point, support is starting to pick up across the country." With the candidates set to fully resume their rallies after the debate, they are expected to put their utmost efforts into the final week of the official presidential campaign. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News, Gimhae.

U.S. considers withdrawing of 4,500 troops from S. Korea to Guam or other locations

2025/05/23 10:00

The Trump administration could be pulling thousands of U.S. soldiers out of South Korea to have them stationed in other locations in the Indo-Pacific an idea that's reportedly yet to be greenlit by Trump. Bae Eun-ji has our top story. The U.S. is considering withdrawing around 4-thousand-500 American troops from South Korea to Guam or other locations in the Indo Pacific region. That's about 16-percent of the total number of U.S. forces in South Korea, where there are roughly 28-thousand-500 troops. Citing defense officials familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the idea is being developed by the Pentagon for consideration by Trump as part of an informal policy review on dealing with North Korea. It added the proposal has yet to reach Trump's desk and is one of several ideas under discussion by senior officials conducting the review. When asked about a possible troop withdrawal, the Pentagon reportedly said there were no policy announcements to make. Since his first term, Trump has considered changing the U.S. footprint in South Korea which relies on close coordination with U.S. forces to deter threats from North Korea. "It depends. We pay for military over in Europe. We don't get reimbursed by much. South Korea too." But the head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has presented negative views about the idea of a troop drawdown in a Senate hearing last month, saying the loss of the force on the Korean Peninsula, would mean a higher probability that North Korea would invade. "As General Brunson said, North Korea's development of advanced nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles pose a direct threat to our homeland and our allies, and are executing a deepening cooperation with Russia." Trump has been hinting at an attempt to renegotiate a deal on sharing the costs for American troops stationed in Korea, saying Washington cannot be taken advantage of any longer in military and trade. He's described South Korea as a "money machine," insisting that Seoul should be paying 10 billion dollars a year. Pulling troops out of Korea could mean that the Trump administration is looking to redeploy them to areas that better align with priority goals such as countering China. The Washington Post reported in March that a secret internal guidance memo signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth showed that the country considers China as its sole pacing threat,.. pressuring allies in East Asia, Europe and the Middle East to spend more on defense to deal with threats from North Korea, 러시아 and Iran. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

On-point: Will S. Korea-U.S. summit be any help to solve tariff issues?

2025/05/23 10:00

In about 10 days, South Korea will have a new leader, which also raises hopes of a possible South Korea-U.S. summit and a solution to the lingering U.S. tariff issues. Let's discuss more with Professor Kim Hwagyun. Welcome back. 1. I'd like to begin with the latest trade figures. According to the Korea Customs Service on Wednesday, exports in the first three weeks in May were down 2.4% on year. Would you say we are already being hit by tariff-related repercussions? 2. And the second round of trade negotiations between South Korea and the U.S. were more timely than ever. Do you think the U.S. proposed what it really wants at the talks this time? Or do we know what they are already, without the U.S. telling South Korea? 3. Do you think there's no reason for the U.S. or South Korea to rush the trade negotiations since there'll be a new South Korean government soon after the June 3rd election? Or is the U.S. more desperate here? Or not? 4. South Korea will have a new leader in about 11 days. Will a summit between a new South Korean leader and U.S. President Donald Trump be of any help in solving the trade issues? Or no? 5. But neither South Korea nor the U.S. wants to pass July 31st when the 90-day tariff pause is expired, right? Or is that deadline just a temporary deadline to put pressure on trading partners including South Korea? Thanks for joining us this morning. We appreciate it.

Lee Jun-seok rejects PPP's push for merger in press conference

2025/05/23 10:00

Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok is still firmly rejecting a merger with the main conservative party candidate Kim Moon-soo, saying it will be his own name and party on the voting ballots. On Thursday, Lee held an emergency press conference with regard to the People Power Party's so-called "love calls" to the young candidate, urging him to join hands with Kim Moon-soo, to form a stronger conservative ticket. Lee said that his support in national polls hit 10 percent for the first time, and dismissed the idea of a merger as "meaningless." On his campaign trail, Lee continued to target young voters and centrists in the greater Seoul area. He also continued his campus cafeteria outreach, meeting with students at Inha University.

PPP's Kim apologizes to doctors amid prolonged medical crisis, calls for political reform

2025/05/23 10:00

And the main conservative party's candidate took the time to meet with different organizations here in the capital area, including doctors' associations, amid the prolonged conflict over medical reform. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. Yet another apology from the People Power Party for the actions of the former administration. On Thursday, presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo met with leaders of the medical community issuing a public apology for the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's handling of the medical reform, despite collective pushback from doctors. "As a responsible cabinet member of the government myself, I sincerely offer an apology. The fact that it's not just one or two doctors but nearly all of them raising this issue clearly indicates there is a problem." Kim clarified that he wasn't taking sides but emphasized the need for the government to listen to professionals in the field. According to the Doctors' Association, Kim pledged to resolve the ongoing medical crisis within the first six months of his term. He spent the day meeting with various civil society groups. At a roundtable with the heads of Korea's five major business organizations, Kim highlighted his pro-industry record as former Gyeonggi-do Province Governor. "This was also his fourth day in the capital region meeting organizations and rallying for support. And one of his rallies here was Bucheon City's Sosa-gu District his old congressional district where he served three terms until around 20 years ago." This also comes as the capital region is always a key battleground where he needs to expand his support to turn things around before the election day. Meanwhile, Kim also made a surprise morning announcement calling for sweeping political reform. "Will we achieve a second wave of democratization? Or head toward an authoritarian presidential system? I'm deeply concerned." His remarks were seen as a warning against a potential power monopoly, should Democratic Party front-runner Lee Jae-myung win adding to the DP's existing parliamentary majority. Kim's reform pledges include cutting the number of lawmakers from 300 to 270, granting the opposition power to appoint an independent inspector general, raising the threshold for impeachment motions, and shielding the judiciary and investigative bodies from political pressure. His message lands as the DP filed around 30 impeachment motions during Yoon's term only one of which, against former President Yoon, passed. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

DP's Lee again visits Gyeongsangnam-do Province; expectations grow over possible meeting with fmr. Pres. Moon

2025/05/23 10:00

And ahead of Friday's TV debate, the main runners are keeping themselves busy wooing voters across the country. Democratic Party's Lee Jae-young toured Jeju and Gyeongsangnam-do Province on Thursday, where he stressed balanced regional growth. Shin Ha-young reports. Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung wrapped up his Thursday campaign in the city of Yangsan in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, which the DP describes as a city with strong potential to become a global logistics hub, thanks to its location and ability to adapt to changing international conditions. During his speech, Lee emphasized balanced regional growth. "Now this is Lee Jae-myung's second visit to Gyeongsangnam-do Province during the official campaign period. It's being seen as an effort to secure more votes in the region compared to the last presidential election, when he lost to former President Yoon Suk Yeol with about 37 percent of the vote." Before coming to Yangsan, Lee held a rally on Jeju Island, where he highlighted the importance of wind power and said Jeju should take the lead in renewable energy. "Before long, Jeju Island will become a truly eco-friendly place, powered entirely by clean energy with no reliance on fossil fuels. It's on track to become a leading region and model city for renewable energy in Korea --and we must make that happen." Lee also addressed the April 3rd Incident, where around 30-thousand civilian protesters were killed in what the authorities at the time characterized as an anti-communist crackdown. He said that he visits Jeju every year for the April 3rd memorial and hopes to come back next year as president. With Lee's visit to Gyeongsangnam-do Province, attention is now on whether he will meet former President Moon Jae-in during the trip. This comes as Lee is scheduled to visit Bongha Village in the city of Gimhae on Friday, where a memorial service will be held to mark the 16th anniversary of former President Roh Moo-hyun's death. The visit is seen as a way to emphasize the party's legacy and rally core supporters. There's a chance Lee and Moon could meet, as they did last year when Lee joined Moon and former first lady Kwon Yang-sook for lunch after the ceremony. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News, Yangsan.

Iran says it will hold U.S. responsible for any Israeli attack on nuclear sites

2025/05/23 10:00

Iran's Foreign Minister has issued a warning to Israel and the United States, saying that any attack on its nuclear facilities would be met with a decisive response. This comes amid reports that suggest Israel is preparing for potential strikes if ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations fail. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday, that Iran would hold the United States legally responsible for any Israeli attack on its nuclear sites. These words were delivered through a letter addressed to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He added Tehran would view Washington as a "participant" if any Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities were to occur and that Iran's actions will "correspond and be proportionate to preventive measures" taken by international bodies. Earlier reports indicate that Israel is preparing for rapid strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, should the current negotiations, a fifth round of which are slated for Friday in Rome, were to fail. Israeli officials have not confirmed such plans, but have previously stated that Iran's nuclear program poses an existential threat.

Trump administration blocks Harvard University from enrolling foreign students

2025/05/23 10:00

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it will ban Harvard University from enrolling international students. According to the U.S. officials, Harvard may be just the beginning. Lee Seung-jae has more. The Trump administration has barred Harvard University from enrolling international students moving forward. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Thursday, it has revoked the school's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification saying that Harvard "has created an unsafe campus environment by permitting anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators to harass and physically assault individuals, including many Jewish students, and otherwise obstruct its once-venerable learning environment." The DHS added that many of the "agitators are foreign students." The latest ban also means that currently enrolled students at the Ivy League school must transfer or lose their legal status. The move comes as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the DHS to terminate the school's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, due to the university's refusal to hand over the conduct records of international students, as requested last month. In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Noem said that her department is "absolutely" considering similar measures for other universities, including Columbia University. She stressed that what has happened to Harvard should be a warning to all other universities to get their "act together." The Trump administration's revoking of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification means 68-hundred international students enrolled in the school must transfer to keep hold of their legal status in the U.S. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Final opinion polls for S. Korea's Presidential Election indicates surprisingly tighter race

2025/05/23 10:00

National polls are releasing their final public opinion surveys ahead of the June 3rd Presidential Election. The race is getting tighter as voters become more sure of who they'll back on Election Day. Oh Soo-youg breaks down the figures. With just eleven days until the June 3rd Presidential Election, the stakes are higher in the final public opinion polls,.. and the candidates' televised debates. A Gallup survey conducted between May 20th and 21st, shows Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung is still ahead with 46 percent support. But compared to a week earlier, his approval has dropped, while his main rival Kim Moo-soo of the People Power Party, has gained 5 points --narrowing the gap between them from 22 points to 12. Meanwhile, the Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok saw his support jump to 11 percent --marking two-digit figures for the first time in this race, as the young right-leaning candidate --and former PPP leader --appeals to a growing number of 20s and 30s, and centrist voters. The final National Barometer Survey on Thursday showed a similar trend. Lee Jae-myung lost three points while Kim Moon-soo and Lee Jun-seok scored higher ratings at 32 percent, and 10 percent. It seems conservatives and moderates have been solidifying their votes as Election Day draws near. The gap between the main liberal and conservative candidates shrunk to about one-third of last week's level, in the Seoul capital region. Young Koreans,.. regarded swing voters, also made decisive moves. Among voters aged 29 and under, support for Lee Jun-seok jumped to 26 percent, ranking a close second behind the DP's Lee Jae-myung's 30 percent. The PPP's Kim Moon-soo fell behind at 19 percent. As all candidates aim to solidify their support base, the number of respondents who said they could switch the candidate they vote for, fell one percentage point to 16 percent. More than 8 in 10 people say they'll vote in this election. According to the NBS survey,.. voters believe the biggest tasks for the new president will be reviving the local economy, reforming the structure of politics, and reducing social conflict. The leading presidential hopefuls will go head to head on Friday night, in their second televised debate focusing on social issues. Regardless of their preferred candidate, Korean adults under 40 believed the Harvard-educated Lee Jun-seok performed the best at the candidates' first televised debate last Sunday. Those in their 40s and 50s, who are left leaning, overwhelmingly backed the DP candidate, and those over 70 believed PPP's Kim Moon-soo had outshined others in the TV debate. Oh Soo-youg, Arirang News.

DP's Lee again visits Gyeongsangnam-do Province; expectations grow over possible meeting with fmr. Pres. Moon

2025/05/22 20:00

We are now counting down from 12 days to the presidential election. The main liberal party contender today toured Jeju and Gyeongsangnam-do Province. There, he addressed policies tailored for the regions. Our Shin Ha-young reports. Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung wrapped up his Thursday campaign in the city of Yangsan in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, which the DP describes as a city with strong potential to become a global logistics hub, thanks to its location and ability to adapt to changing international conditions. During his speech, Lee emphasized balanced regional growth. "Now this is Lee Jae-myung’s second visit to Gyeongsangnam-do Province during the official campaign period. It’s being seen as an effort to secure more votes in the region compared to the last presidential election, when he lost to former President Yoon Suk Yeol with about 37 percent of the vote." Before coming to Yangsan, Lee held a rally on Jeju Island, where he highlighted the importance of wind power and said Jeju should take the lead in renewable energy. "Before long, Jeju Island will become a truly eco-friendly place, powered entirely by clean energy with no reliance on fossil fuels. It's on track to become a leading region and model city for renewable energy in Korea and we must make that happen." Lee also addressed the April 3rd Incident, where around 30-thousand civilian protesters were killed in what the authorities at the time characterized as an anti-communist crackdown. He said that he visits Jeju every year for the April 3rd memorial and hopes to come back next year as president. With Lee’s visit to Gyeongsangnam-do Province, attention is now on whether he will meet former President Moon Jae-in during the trip. This comes as Lee is scheduled to visit Bongha Village in the city of Gimhae on Friday, where a memorial service will be held to mark the 16th anniversary of former President Roh Moo-hyun’s death. The visit is seen as a way to emphasize the party’s legacy and rally core supporters. There’s a chance Lee and Moon could meet, as they did last year when Lee joined Moon and former first lady Kwon Yang-sook for lunch after the ceremony. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News, Yangsan.

Two Israeli embassy staff killed by a 30-year-old Palestinian supporter

2025/05/22 20:00

Over in the U.S. Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., were shot and killed. The shooting happened on Wednesday night, local time, near the Capital Jewish Museum. It was carried out by a 30-year-old man named Elias Rodrigues from Chicago. The victims, a young couple about to be engaged, were attending a Jewish event at the museum. The gunman yelled "Free Palestine" after he was arrested. U.S. President Donald Trump said horrible killings based on antisemitism must end, and offered his condolences to the bereaved families on his social media platform.

[ECON & BIZ] Economic pledges in S. Korea’s 2025 presidential race: what candidates propose on labor and housing

2025/05/22 20:00

Last week, we covered economic visions the candidates have for the next five years when it comes to future growth and trade policies. In this week's focus, we shed light on those related to labor reform and housing shared by the major three contenders. Our economics correspondent Lee Soo-jin has the details. South Korea's presidential election is just around the corner, and each candidate’s economic pledges are drawing increased attention from voters. This week, we look closer at candidates’ labor reform and housing pledges. The candidates are aiming to improve labor conditions to win the votes of the many who wish for a better work-life balance. To do so, the two frontrunners have proposed a 4-point-5-day workweek. The current standard workweek is five days, with most full-time workers logging 40 hours from Monday to Friday, and a legal maximum of 52 hours per week. The 5-day workweek was introduced with a 2003 revision to the Labor Standards Act and fully implemented nationwide by 2011, and now attention is on whether a 4-point-5 workweek will become a reality this year. So what does each candidate's 4-point-5 workweek look like? Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung has proposed reducing the standard workweek from 40 to 36 hours by cutting Friday afternoons, without reducing wages. The proposal also includes providing incentives for companies to adopt the new schedule, and has the long-term goal of eventually transitioning to a 4-day workweek. "South Korea’s total working hours are too long, about 200 hours more than the OECD average. Longer hours no longer mean higher productivity; efficiency and creativity are now key." People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo has proposed a 4-point-5 workweek that maintains the current 40-hour workweek by redistributing working hours across the week. Under this plan, employees work one extra hour from Monday to Thursday, and finish earlier on Friday, creating a shorter workday without cutting total weekly hours. He has also said that he supports granting exemptions to the 52-hour workweek limit for the semiconductor sector. "I will replace the rigid working hours system with a more flexible one, cut corporate and inheritance taxes significantly, and drastically reform regulations to help businesses thrive." Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok has strongly criticized the 4-point-5-day workweek proposal that reduces working hours without cutting wages, calling it unrealistic. He has instead pledged labor reforms that include giving local governments the authority to adjust the minimum wage to revitalize regional economies. Housing is a key issue for all three candidates, as the country's residence crisis has fueled voter concern and also contributed to the country’s low birth rate. While they all aim to increase supply, their approaches differ, here’s how. The key theme of Lee Jae-myung's housing proposal is "New Town." South Korea’s first New Town project from the late 1980s, which includes Bundang and Ilsan, now faces aging infrastructure that he plans to rebuild. Lee also pledges to cut red tape for Seoul’s downtown redevelopment, and to develop a 4th-generation New Town with more quality public housing. The key theme of Kim's proposal is "youth." Kim’s “3•3•3” Youth housing supply plan offers support for up to 9 years, 3 years after marriage, and 3 years each after the first and second child. His proposal also includes supplying 200-thousand homes for young adults, newlyweds and families, and more housing for single-person households. The key theme of Lee Jun-seok's proposal is "life stages." He plans to increase the supply of 59㎡ homes by promoting the redevelopment and building of small-unit housing. Lee pledged to promote high-density urban development, citing strong housing demand, and proposed housing tax cuts tailored to newlyweds seeking smaller homes, growing families needing more space, and seniors looking to downsize. Though each candidate’s vision differs, the emphasis on their economic pledges highlights the critical role the economy plays in this election.

Lee Jun-seok rejects PPP's push for merger in press conference

2025/05/22 20:00

Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok has firmly rejected a merger with the main conservative party candidate, saying it will be his own name and party on the voting ballots. On Thursday, Lee held an emergency press conference with regard to the People Power Party's so-called "love calls" to the young candidate, urging him to join hands with Kim Moon-soo, to form a stronger conservative ticket. Lee said that his support in national polls hit 10 percent for the first time, and dismissed the idea of a merger as "meaningless." He'd announced earlier in the day that he had blocked incoming phone calls for the time being. On his campaign trail, Lee continued to target young voters and centrists in the greater Seoul area. He held a discussion with Choi Won-il, former captain of the Cheonan warship, which was torpedoed by North Korea in 2010. He also continued his campus cafeteria outreach, meeting with students at Inha University.

PPP's Kim apologizes to doctors amid prolonged medical crisis, calls for political reform

2025/05/22 20:00

The main conservative party contender stayed in the capital area where he met with different organizations, including doctors' associations amid the prolonged conflict over medical reform. Earlier in the day, he called for political reform, aiming to reduce the number of lawmakers among others. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. Yet another apology from the People Power Party for the actions of the former administration. On Thursday, presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo met with leaders of the medical community—issuing a public apology for the Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s handling of the medical reform, despite collective pushback from doctors. "As a responsible cabinet member of the government myself, I sincerely offer an apology. The fact that it's not just one or two doctors but nearly all of them raising this issue clearly indicates there is a problem." Kim clarified that he wasn't taking sides—but emphasized the need for the government to listen to professionals in the field. According to the Doctors’ Association, Kim pledged to resolve the ongoing medical crisis within the first six months of his term. He spent the day meeting with various civil society groups. At a roundtable with the heads of Korea’s five major business organizations, Kim highlighted his pro-industry record as former Gyeonggi-do Province Governor. "This was also his fourth day in the capital region meeting organizations and rallying for support. And one of his rallies here was Bucheon City's Sosa-gu District his old congressional district where he served three terms until around 20 years ago." This also comes as the capital region is always a key battleground where he needs to expand his support to turn things around before the election day. Meanwhile, Kim also made a surprise morning announcement—calling for sweeping political reform. "Will we achieve a second wave of democratization? Or head toward an authoritarian presidential system? I'm deeply concerned." His remarks were seen as a warning against a potential power monopoly, should Democratic Party front-runner Lee Jae-myung win—adding to the DP’s existing parliamentary majority. Kim’s reform pledges include cutting the number of lawmakers from 300 to 270, granting the opposition power to appoint an independent inspector general, raising the threshold for impeachment motions, and shielding the judiciary and investigative bodies from political pressure. His message lands as the DP filed around 30 impeachment motions during Yoon's term only one of which, against former President Yoon, passed. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

N. Korea fires cruise missiles after reporting destroyer launch failure

2025/05/22 20:00

North Korea fired several cruise missiles into the East Sea this morning. This follows the regime failing to launch a new warship the previous day, sparking a rebuke from its leader Kim Jong-un. Our correspondent Kim Jung-sil explains. South Korea's military confirmed the launch of several unidentified cruise missiles from North Korea on Thursday. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were detected at around 9 AM from the Sondok area in Hamgyongnam-do Province, on North Korea's east coast. The missile launches came a day after North Korea failed to launch a new 5,000-ton destroyer at the Chongjin shipyard. State media reported that Kim Jong-un was present during the incident, calling it "unforgivable" and a blow to the regime's dignity. According to the Rodong Sinmun, the rear sled carrying the destroyer detached prematurely, causing the ship to tilt and preventing the front from releasing, disrupting the launch balance. While North Korea did not specify the extent of the damage, the South Korean military said this: "Given the size and scale, it is expected to be similar to the Choe Hyon vessel, and the ship is currently lying on its side in the sea." Some analysts believe the missile tests could be a response to the negative fallout from the failed naval launch. However, others argue that the launches were likely part of North Korea's routine military exercises, as South Korea had already been tracking signs of missile activity. "While the missile launch may help counter the negative image from the ship failure, it could be part of a broader strategy, focused on military training, international negotiations, and military cooperation with Russia." Analysts believe North Korea's ongoing military demonstrations, including the missile tests and destroyer construction, may be part of the regime's broader strategy to showcase its military power. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Humanitarian aid trucks still stuck near Gaza checkpoint

2025/05/22 20:00

In the Middle East. Trucks containing basic humanitarian aid has yet to reach Palestinians while Israel ramps up its ground operations in Gaza. Lee Seung-jae covers growing humanitarian crisis in that region. Work is in full swing to transport relief supplies to Gaza, but aid has still not been distributed to those in need. Around 100 relief trucks have passed through to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom checkpoint, with the first of the trucks to arrive there for a third day. The delay comes amid concerns of looting, as authorities look to secure a safe route for the trucks. "So far, and this is as of a few minutes ago, but the situation obviously is fluid -none of the supplies have been able to leave the Kerem Shalom loading area. This is because by yesterday evening, Israeli authorities had only allowed our teams to go through one area that was highly congested that we felt was insecure and where we felt looting was highly likely to take place given the prolonged deprivation in Gaza since the blockade by the Israeli authorities for over 11 weeks." UN officials are consulting with Israeli authorities to determine if another route can be used to deliver the aid. According to UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, humanitarian items include baby food, flour, medicine, and nutrition supplies. However,.. he said that Israel has not allowed hygiene products or fuel into Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has continued its ground operations in Gaza. According to Al Jazeera, around 80 people were killed in airstrikes in various locations in Gaza on Wednesday. In a press conference on the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli military had "apparently" killed Hamas' leader Mohammed Sinwar. He is the younger brother of Hamas' former top leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in October last year. Netanyahu said that there are currently 20 Israeli hostages alive in Gaza, and promised to bring them all back. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Overseas Voting begins: How S. Korean voters abroad could tip the 2025 presidential race

2025/05/22 20:30

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most up-to-date issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. With less than two weeks until South Korea’s June 3rd presidential election, overseas voters are poised to play a critical role. Ballots are being cast in 223 locations across 118 countries worldwide, with over 258,000 Koreans registering to cast their ballots. This is a significant jump compared to the last election, despite the fact that this year’s overseas voting process had the shortest preparation window since its inception. And with compressed timelines, logistical challenges, and major policy stakes in play, the overseas vote is proving to be far more than symbolic. Today, we examine what’s truly at stake—not just for Koreans at home, but for a global electorate that's ready to be heard. For this, we are joined in the studio by Hans Schattle, Professor of Political Science at Yonsei University. Welcome. Also with us is Daniel Han, councillor for the City of Ryde in Sydney, and an active leader in Australia’s Korean community. Great to see you. 1. (SCHATTLE) Professor Schattle, with overseas voter registration reaching 258,200 this year—a 14.2% increase from the last presidential election—how significant is this figure in terms of electoral impact, especially given that the last presidential race was decided by just 240,000 votes? 2. (HAN) Now let's bring in Councilor Han to the discussion, since you're in Sydney, could you tell us, what does the current voting atmosphere look like in Australia, and what’s your prediction for voter turnout among Koreans in Australia this election? 3. (HAN) Councilor, you’ve lived in Australia since middle school, and you’ve served the community as a pharmacist, a teacher, and now an elected official. Given that experience, do you think there’s something specific about the local culture or context in Australia that encourages such consistently high voter turnout among Korean residents? 4. (SCHATTLE) Professor Schattle, how has overseas voting historically influenced the outcome of Korean presidential elections? Are there specific instances where the overseas vote played a decisive or symbolic role? 5. (HAN) This election had the shortest preparation period for overseas voting since the system’s introduction. Have logistical preparations for this short-notice overseas election presented any specific challenges for Korean voters in Australia broadly? 6. (SCHATTLE) In general, Prof. Schattle, what challenges or vulnerabilities might this present in terms of transparency, 투표 접근성, or security? 7. (HAN) Beyond turnout, what kind of policy expectations do overseas Koreans typically have, and how well are today’s presidential candidates addressing those diaspora-specific issues? 8. (SCHATTLE) Across the campaign, what leadership qualities or policy narratives have stood out most, particularly to overseas Koreans who may be weighing stability, diplomacy, or economic direction differently than domestic voters? 9. (HAN) From your perspective, what lessons can be drawn from the Australian federal election held on May 3rd, especially regarding global political currents or potential parallels to Korea’s political climate? 10. (SCHATTLE) Looking ahead to June 3rd, what do you believe is ultimately at stake in this presidential election—not just for Koreans at home, but for the millions of overseas Koreans watching and voting from abroad?

World News: Trump ambushes S. African leader with claim of Afrikaners being 'persecuted'

2025/05/22 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. In an Oval Office meeting on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with allegations of a "white genocide" targeting white South African farmers. The encounter was initially intended to discuss trade and diplomatic relations, but escalated into heated exchanges as President Trump presented a video featuring clips of South African politicians inciting violence against white farmers. Trump argued that these clips were evidence that there was a systematic campaign against the white minority in South Africa. Ramaphosa stayed calm, but disputed Trump's allegations, saying that black people were more likely to be victims of violence in the country than white people. He also said that his government does not endorse any form of racial violence or related policies. A former Ukrainian politician who had been a senior aide to a pro-Russian president was shot dead outside a school in Madrid, Spain. Andriy Portnov had been deputy head of the presidential administration under former president Viktor Yanukovych. On Wednesday, at approximately 9:15 AM local time, Portnov was ambushed by several attackers as he returned to his car after leaving his children at the American School of Madrid. Witnesses report he was shot multiple times, including at least once in the head. The attackers fled the scene, heading toward a nearby wooded area. Portnov had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2021 for undermining judicial reforms. After fleeing Ukraine in 2014, he lived in Russia and Austria before settling in Spain. Investigations into his killing are ongoing, but no arrests have been reported yet. Finally, the Enhanced Games, a new controversial sporting event allowing the use of performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision, has announced that its inaugural competition will kick off next year, from May 21 to 24, in Las Vegas. Founded by an Australian entrepreneur, the Games aim to challenge traditional anti-doping norms, under the principle that banning such substances hinders athletes' performance rather than protecting them. The event will feature competitions in swimming, track and field, and weightlifting, and athletes will be categorized based on chromosomes, XX or XY, rather than gender. There will be up to 500 thousand U.S. dollars in prize money per event and a one-million-dollar bonus for breaking world records in the 100-meter sprint or 50-meter freestyle. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Humanitarian aid trucks still stuck near Gaza checkpoint

2025/05/22 17:00

In the Middle East. A large convoy of trucks containing basic humanitarian aid has yet to reach Palestinians as authorities seek safe passage amid fears of looting. Lee Seung-jae covers this reality as well as Israel's military offensive. Work is in full swing to transport relief supplies to Gaza, but aid has still not been distributed to those in need. Around 100 relief trucks have passed through to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom checkpoint, with the first of the trucks to arrive there for a third day. The delay comes amid concerns of looting, as authorities look to secure a safe route for the trucks. "So far, and this is as of a few minutes ago, but the situation obviously is fluid -none of the supplies have been able to leave the Kerem Shalom loading area. This is because by yesterday evening, Israeli authorities had only allowed our teams to go through one area that was highly congested that we felt was insecure and where we felt looting was highly likely to take place given the prolonged deprivation in Gaza since the blockade by the Israeli authorities for over 11 weeks." UN officials are consulting with Israeli authorities to determine if another route can be used to deliver the aid. According to UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, humanitarian items include baby food, flour, medicine, and nutrition supplies. However,.. he said that Israel has not allowed hygiene products or fuel into Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has continued its ground operations in Gaza. According to Al Jazeera, around 80 people were killed in airstrikes in various locations in Gaza on Wednesday. In a press conference on the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli military had "apparently" killed Hamas' leader Mohammed Sinwar. He is the younger brother of Hamas' former top leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in October last year. Netanyahu said that there are currently 20 Israeli hostages alive in Gaza, and promised to bring them all back. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[ECON & BIZ] Economic pledges in S. Korea’s 2025 presidential race: what candidates propose on labor and housing

2025/05/22 17:00

In this week's focus on presidential pledges we shed light on those related to labor reform and affordable housing as shared by the top three contenders. Our Lee Soo-jin has details. South Korea's presidential election is just around the corner, and each candidate’s economic pledges are drawing increased attention from voters. This week, we look closer at candidates’ labor reform and housing pledges. The candidates are aiming to improve labor conditions to win the votes of the many who wish for a better work-life balance. To do so, the two frontrunners have proposed a 4-point-5-day workweek. The current standard workweek is five days, with most full-time workers logging 40 hours from Monday to Friday, and a legal maximum of 52 hours per week. The 5-day workweek was introduced with a 2003 revision to the Labor Standards Act and fully implemented nationwide by 2011, and now attention is on whether a 4-point-5 workweek will become a reality this year. So what does each candidate's 4-point-5 workweek look like? Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung has proposed reducing the standard workweek from 40 to 36 hours by cutting Friday afternoons, without reducing wages. The proposal also includes providing incentives for companies to adopt the new schedule, and has the long-term goal of eventually transitioning to a 4-day workweek. "South Korea’s total working hours are too long, about 200 hours more than the OECD average. Longer hours no longer mean higher productivity; efficiency and creativity are now key." People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo has proposed a 4-point-5 workweek that maintains the current 40-hour workweek by redistributing working hours across the week. Under this plan, employees work one extra hour from Monday to Thursday, and finish earlier on Friday, creating a shorter workday without cutting total weekly hours. He has also said that he supports granting exemptions to the 52-hour workweek limit for the semiconductor sector. "I will replace the rigid working hours system with a more flexible one, cut corporate and inheritance taxes significantly, and drastically reform regulations to help businesses thrive." Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok has strongly criticized the 4-point-5-day workweek proposal that reduces working hours without cutting wages, calling it unrealistic. He has instead pledged labor reforms that include giving local governments the authority to adjust the minimum wage to revitalize regional economies. Housing is a key issue for all three candidates, as the country's residence crisis has fueled voter concern and also contributed to the country’s low birth rate. While they all aim to increase supply, their approaches differ, here’s how. The key theme of Lee Jae-myung's housing proposal is "New Town." South Korea’s first New Town project from the late 1980s, which includes Bundang and Ilsan, now faces aging infrastructure that he plans to rebuild. Lee also pledges to cut red tape for Seoul’s downtown redevelopment, and to develop a 4th-generation New Town with more quality public housing. The key theme of Kim's proposal is "youth." Kim’s “3•3•3” Youth housing supply plan offers support for up to 9 years, 3 years after marriage, and 3 years each after the first and second child. His proposal also includes supplying 200-thousand homes for young adults, newlyweds and families, and more housing for single-person households. The key theme of Lee Jun-seok's proposal is "life stages." He plans to increase the supply of 59㎡ homes by promoting the redevelopment and building of small-unit housing. Lee pledged to promote high-density urban development, citing strong housing demand, and proposed housing tax cuts tailored to newlyweds seeking smaller homes, growing families needing more space, and seniors looking to downsize. Though each candidate’s vision differs, the emphasis on their economic pledges highlights the critical role the economy plays in this election.