News

U.S. State Dept. says Trump is willing to talk with "everyone," after N. Korea rejects denuclearization talks

2025/07/30 19:39

The Trump administration remains open to dialogue with quote "everyone" for peace and prosperity. This is according to U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce in response to questions by reporters on Tuesday regarding recent remarks by North Korea's Kim Yo-jong. This sister of the regime's leader Kim Jong-un suggested that talks between her brother and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump may take place if Washington discards its demand for denuclearization.

President Lee unveils blueprint for long-term economic growth

2025/07/30 19:36

President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to set up a strategic fund to support investments in areas such as artificial intelligence and renewable energy. Our Yoon Jung-min reports from the Presidential Office. The emergency meeting on economic affairs will shift to one seeking growth engines in the long term, as the fully-fledged new government takes shape. That was according to President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday, as he presided over the third emergency economic meeting at his office, hinting at where the economy is headed for the next five years. "Our government of people's sovereignty will be a pragmatic, market-oriented government. It will be the government that supports and encourages business activities to create opportunities and engines for growth." Lee promised to create a fund of over 100-trillion won, worth some 72-billion U.S. dollars, which the people and corporations take part in, to make investments in areas deemed strategically important, such as AI and renewable energy. The liberal-leaning leader also vowed to cut red tape to encourage businesses in Korea and launch another task force to revamp penalties too heavy on firms. "To ensure that corporate activities are not intimidated by excessive economic punishments, the government will immediately launch a task force to rationalize economic punishments. It will be discussed at the upcoming National Assembly regular session to set up specific targets, like revamping 30% within a year." He was pointing to a case where "breach of trust" is abused to place penalties too heavy on corporations, raising questions about whether it fits into a "global standard." Another pillar for growth was on achieving balanced regional growth, for a country where too much concentration on its capital area has often been cited as a factor that threatens the sustainability of the nation. Lee vowed to draw up rules and policies to make sure resources are used in an "efficient way," noting as an example his consumption voucher policy that favors people living in rural areas over those in the capital. Also hinted at was aggressive belt-tightening in fiscal policy so that more funds can be used for "key" policies. "With regard to next year's budget, President Lee ordered a bold restructuring of budgets that yield very little or are used routinely." Details of the new government's growth strategy will be unveiled in August, based on what was discussed on Wednesday, apparently taking into account not-so-favorable conditions, such as low growth and higher prices. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

Foreign minister visits Japan as first official overseas trip, meets PM Ishiba

2025/07/30 19:34

In his first overseas trip as Foreign Minister Cho Hyun paid a courtesy call on Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Tuesday morning reaffirming Seoul's commitment to expanding bilateral interactions. The Japanese Prime Minister welcomed Cho's call urging for continued progress in bilateral ties and trilateral partnership with the U.S. Addressing members of the media Cho for his part shared intentions to discuss the three-way cooperation upon his arrival in Washington D.C. on Wednesday local time to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He also spoke of proposing partnership in AI as the third pillar of Korea–U.S. collaboration alongside their security alliance and Free Trade Agreement.

UK will recognize Palestinian state in Sept, unless Israel agrees to conditions

2025/07/30 11:38

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is The World Now. Starting in the UK, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the UK will recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, unless Israel meets key conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza. On Tuesday, following an emergency cabinet meeting, Starmer outlined the UK's conditional recognition of Palestine's statehood. He said recognition will be formalized in September unless Israel agrees to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, pledges no annexation of the West Bank, allows full humanitarian access, and recommits to a viable two-state solution. Starmer reiterated that there is "no equivalence between Israel and Hamas" and reaffirmed demands on Hamas to release all hostages and disarm. However, Israel's government strongly rejected the announcement, calling it a "reward for Hamas." Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, after meeting with Starmer in Scotland, stated that the recognition was not discussed during their talks. The UK's warning follows reports of a severe famine in Gaza and plans to airdrop aid into the enclave.

94-year-old U.S. Korean War vet returns to a country that never forgot

2025/07/30 11:37

Over the past week, South Korea welcomed six Korean War veterans and their families from 19 countries. Among them: 94-year-old U.S. Navy veteran Dr. Malcolm Williamson. Our Kim Jung-sil sat down with him. More than seventy years ago, he served aboard a U.S. Navy minesweeper during the Korean War. This week, he returned to the country he once helped protect. Dr. Malcolm Lynn Williamson is one of six UN veterans invited to Korea as part of a government-led program marking UN Forces Participation Day on July 27th. "Dr. Williamson, welcome back to Korea. Thank you so much for being here. What do you think when you think of the word Korea?" "I served in the Korean War in 1951 through 1953 on a minesweeper and had some close calls. But I appreciate the fact that we have a chance to come and revisit Korea through the program." One of those close calls came during a mission near Incheon when his ship took a direct hit. "The water just churned, and the smoke drifted by. The ship shuddered, and I knew we'd been hit. And if I had run down the starboard side, I would have been right where a shell hit." He never forgot that moment, and returning decades later, he found a country transformed. "I've been very impressed with the advancements that have been made in your country because I know it was devastated during the war. But you know the thing that I'm impressed most by is the people." By his side this week is someone who didn't live through the war but now calls Korea home. Emily, his granddaughter, has spent the past five years teaching kindergarten in Seoul. "I've lived here for five years and I've always been very proud of my grandfather and the sacrifices he made." For Emily, it wasn't just stories this time, it was seeing that gratitude, in person. "I'm really touched, and it's been a very special experience seeing my grandparents here in Korea and having them be taken care of by so many loving people." After the war, Dr. Williamson earned a Ph.D. in statistics from USC and spent decades consulting on medical research. Now, at 94, he leaves Korea with one final message: "I hope that people will recognize that their inalienable rights come from God." A sailor. A grandfather. A man of science, and of faith. Honored by the nation he once helped protect. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

U.S. State Dept. says Trump is willing to talk with "everyone," after N. Korea rejects denuclearization talks

2025/07/30 11:36

Washington has once again signaled that it's open to talks with North Korea, after the regime said talks with the U.S. are possible only if Washington drops its demand for denuclearization. When asked about the North's recent statements in a press briefing on Tuesday local time, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Trump is willing to speak with "everyone" in order to achieve peace and prosperity, just as in the president's first term. Her comments come a day after Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of the North Korean leader, said the United States must accept North Korea as a nuclear power, while noting that the personal relationship between Trump and Kim "isn't bad."

A Return Like Home: UN veterans honored in South Korea

2025/07/29 22:39

South Korea recently hosted a group of Korean War veterans to commemorate their selflessness and sacrifice in defending democracy here on the peninsula. Kim Jung-sil has this report. They were in their early twenties when they first arrived in Korea: young men in uniform, sent to fight in a country they had never seen. Seven decades later, some of them have returned. 55 guests from 19 countries are taking part in South Korea's "Re-Visit Korea, Re-View Korea" program. Among them: six veterans of the Korean War, their families, and delegates from veterans' associations. As part of the six-day program, participants visited the War Memorial of Korea ahead of the official commemoration ceremony on Sunday. "I came here in 1952, actually my experience in the war was as a tank driver. We had to defend that place because otherwise the Chinese communists would overrun and come back to Seoul. That was our job." Now 91, Yamashiroya was joined by his grandson, who reflected on his grandfather's influence on their family. "He's a really strong and tough person mentally and he's really ingrained that in our family and everything he has done. It's definitely an honor learning more about the culture of Korea the history behind the war hearing about their impact it means a lot." "I'm so happy for the Korean people because they persevered and built success for themselves." While some veterans were able to return, others could not. Sunday's ceremony was held for UN Forces Participation Day: South Korea's official day to honor foreign veterans of the Korean War. U.S. Army Corporal Fred B. McGee was recognized with the country's highest military honor. His daughter accepted the medal on his behalf. "What you've done here this past week has been highly commendable. It's above and beyond anything that I expected. I just celebrate the Korean government and the Korean people for all they've done for the Korean war veterans." The medal was presented by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who also addressed the ceremony. "To protect the freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea, 1.98 million UN troops stood alongside the Korean people. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten." For the veterans and families who visited this time, the trip offered not only commemoration, but connection. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Seoul urges N. Korea to retrieve body found off western coast

2025/07/29 22:38

South Korea has called on North Korea to retrieve a body found last month near Ganghwa-do Island. An ID identified the man as Ko Song-chol a North Korean farm worker with an address in Hwanghaebuk-do Province. With inter-Korean hotlines severed Seoul is resorting to the media to return the body via Panmunjom on August 5th. The Unification Ministry says it's acting on humanitarian grounds. Pyongyang has yet to respond.

U.S. committed to protecting Korean Peninsula based on policy of peace through strength: Trump

2025/07/29 22:38

U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed Washington's commitment to protecting the Korean Peninsula in accordance with the policy of "peace through strength." The message was shared on Monday a day after the 72nd anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement. He added that American and South Korean armies stand united today under a strong alliance though the evil of communism still exists in Asia. While acknowledging the two Koreas remain divided, he spoke of pride in being the first to cross the 38th parallel during his first term.

Relationship between Trump and Kim Jong-un shouldn't be used for denuclearization push: Kim Yo-jong

2025/07/29 22:38

Yet another message from the North Korean leader's sister, Kim Yo-jong, on Tuesday this time directed at the U.S. She says the regime is up for talks, but not on the North's nuclear program. Our Choi Soo-hyung reports. On Tuesday, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the regime's leader Kim Jong-un, said through the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency that the U.S. must accept the new reality. She added that if Washington continues to cling to the past, any meeting with the North will remain only America's hope. Kim noted that the personal relationship between the U.S. President Donald Trump and the North's leader Kim Jong-un is not bad. But she stressed that if the U.S. intended to use this relationship as a step toward denuclearization, it would only be regarded as "mockery" to the North. She said that since Trump's first term, both North Korea's nuclear capabilities and the geopolitical environment have changed dramatically. Kim warned that, "Any attempt to deny the position of the North as a nuclear weapons state will be thoroughly rejected." She also said it would not be wise for two nuclear-armed states to move toward confrontation, suggesting that other forms of contact should be explored. Following Kim's statement, the White House has again said that President Trump remains open to talks with Kim Jong-un about denuclearization. Washington and Pyongyang held summits in Singapore in June 2018 and in Hanoi in February 2019, and later met at Panmunjom in June 2019. Following Kim's statement, South Korea's presidential office said Seoul and Washington remain open to dialogue with Pyongyang and will work closely to restore inter-Korean trust and resume U.S.-North Korea talks. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Culture minister nominee pledges to open 300 tril. KRW 'K-culture market'

2025/07/29 22:37

At the parliament. Lawmakers at the National Assembly today questioned the nominees for culture and land ministers on their policy agendas and qualifications. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young has the details. The National Assembly held confirmation hearings on Tuesday, continuing its review of nominees for Lee Jae Myung's first Cabinet this time focusing on his picks for land and culture ministers. During the hearing of the nominee for culture, sports and tourism minister, Chae Hwi-young , the current CEO of travel platform Nol Universe, emphasized his commitment to materializing President Lee's vision of a K-culture market worth 300-trillion won, around 215 billion U.S. dollars, and attracting 30 million inbound tourists. "Culture is a part of the economy that is a key to international competitiveness. I will help industries such as movies and games overcome challenges, and support local content creators and streaming services to help them succeed worldwide." Chae also said he would develop a new K-tourism strategy to turn the global popularity of Korean culture into visits to regions across the country. To prepare for the growing use of AI, he pledged to support content innovation and help build AI training data that reflects Korea's history and culture. On the same day, Kim Yun-duk, the nominee for land, infrastructure and transport minister, and a three-term lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party, pledged to quickly roll out a plan to boost housing supply. "I will increase housing supply in prime locations, such as near subway stations, by using available land and old public facilities. Redevelopment and reconstruction projects will also be promoted with a focus on balancing public and private interests." Kim also emphasized his commitment to achieving balanced regional growth, saying it is not a choice but a matter of survival. He noted that while local areas are struggling with an economic slowdown and rising unsold homes, housing prices in Seoul and the capital region are soaring, adding that the problem can only be solved through balanced regional growth. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

First live Cabinet discussion tackles workplace safety

2025/07/29 22:35

President Lee Jae Myung ordered an unprecedented live broadcast of the entire Cabinet discussion on eliminating industrial accidents. The 80-minute broadcast could signal the start of more open policy discussions. Our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin reports. Safety should be a basic duty, not a financial burden. Just days after visiting a bread factory where multiple workers were killed on the job, President Lee Jae Myung, at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, doubled down on his pledge to eliminate what he calls "regressive" industrial accidents. "When the same accident happens in the same place, failing to prevent something that's foreseeable is the same as tolerating death. In legal terms, it could even be considered murder by willful negligence." In a first for any South Korean administration, the President ordered the entire Cabinet discussion on the matter to be broadcast live. "The President said measures to prevent industrial accidents must be shared openly. The frequency and scope of such disclosures could be expanded." A range of ideas were proposed to make this year the turning point in ending workplace deaths. "We'll pursue measures like punitive damages, restrictions on who can bid for government-led projects, and suspending operations. We must hold those with real decision-making power accountable." "When major accidents happen, listed companies face lower ESG ratings, investor pullback, or restricted lending. We'll review how these penalties are applied and look to strengthen them." The focus was on breaking the perception among some employers that skipping safety measures is cost-saving. "Under the current law, companies violating safety rules face fines ranging from 50,000 won to 50 million won (US$ 35.90 to US$ 35,910). At those levels, there's little incentive to comply. We need to review and revise this." Wrapping up, the President asked each ministry to take swift action, whether drafting new laws, adjusting budgets, or visiting worksites. With most of his Cabinet positions now filled, President Lee stressed the need for cross-ministerial coordination to tackle pending issues, and hinted that Cabinet meetings may be held more than once a week to speed up progress. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

North Korea declares nuclear status ‘irreversible,’ shuts door on Seoul

2025/07/29 21:35

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. North Korea is recalibrating its posture on all fronts. Kim Yo-jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong-un, has flatly rejected dialogue with the Lee Jae Myung government and declared Pyongyang's nuclear status irreversible — drawing a clear line against both Seoul and denuclearization talks. But the message doesn't stop there. As direct flights to Moscow begin and millions of artillery shells flow to Russia, North Korea's alignment with the Kremlin is no longer symbolic — it's operational. Still, China remains its primary trade partner, signaling a careful balancing act. In response, Seoul is hinting at flexibility on U.S. joint exercises while investing in missile defense, and President Trump says he's still open to talks. With the peninsula in flux, the bigger question is: what kind of long-term game is Pyongyang playing now? For a deeper discussion on this, we're connecting to Bruce Klingner, non-resident senior fellow at The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation in Washington. Welcome. Also joining us is Chung Ku-youn, associate professor of political science at Kangwon National University. Good to see you. Let's start with Pyongyang's most direct message: Kim Yo-jong has now doubled down, saying there is "nothing to discuss" with the Lee Jae-myung government. She also reaffirmed North Korea's nuclear status as irreversible and dismissed personal diplomacy as irrelevant to denuclearization. What does this sharper tone tell us about how Pyongyang plans to frame inter-Korean relations? Following this, Seoul's Presidential Office said it "takes note" of Pyongyang's message but will continue pushing for peace. In your view, is Seoul showing strategic patience, or leaving itself vulnerable by staying conciliatory? And amid this, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has now said the government is open to proposing adjustments to ROK–U.S. joint exercises. What do you think of the feasibility of these, and if they materialize, do you think it could help thaw relations with Pyongyang, or will it be seen as weakness? President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has said he's still open to dialogue with Kim Jong Un and remains committed to the goals outlined in the 2018 Singapore Summit. Given the current climate and Kim Yo-jong's comments, is there a realistic pathway back to U.S.–North Korea talks — or is Washington misreading the moment? Now shifting to ties with Russia, Moscow has launched its first direct commercial flight to Pyongyang, but beyond symbolism, Ukrainian intelligence now says North Korea has provided over 6.5 million artillery shells and hundreds of missile systems to Russia. How does this change the nature of the Moscow–Pyongyang relationship, and what risks does this pose regionally? On that point, despite growing ties with Russia, North Korea still leans heavily on China for trade. Is this a vulnerability the U.S. and its allies can exploit, or has Pyongyang successfully weaponized that dependency? Let's widen the lens to economics. North Korea's trade volume in 2023 was its highest in five years, with China accounting for 98% of it. How does this economic rebound affect Pyongyang's leverage? Is it giving the regime breathing room, or deepening dependency? Meanwhile, Seoul is facing its own military challenge. A defense study says South Korea needs 500,000 troops to deter a northern first strike, but demographics could drop that to under 300,000 by 2040. Is this a looming security crisis? But Seoul isn't standing still, South Korea has just deployed its upgraded Cheongung-II missile defense system. What significance does this carry? From your perspective, how much does this shift the deterrence equation? And finally, with Pyongyang tightening its axis with Russia, hedging on China, and closing the door on Seoul — do you see North Korea building a new long-term strategic alignment?

WORKER SAFETY, DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION, CRISIS MANAGEMENT

2025/07/29 20:05

Welcome to Tuesday's edition of Press Perspective. It's July 29th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. Earlier on this Tuesday President Lee Jae Myung presided over a Cabinet meeting that sought ways to prevent workplace fatalities. For more I have Thomas Maresca with American news agency UPI. Thomas it's good to have you here. I also have Sebastien Falletti with French daily Le Figaro. Sebastien it's been such a long time. Welcome. Thomas, let's begin with President Lee Jae Myung's call for action against the abuse of migrant workers in the country. Do start off with some context behind his comments, and what are your takeaways? Sebastien, efforts to ensure the protection of migrant workers extend beyond national borders. I hear a French court recently ruled in favor of migrant workers in the champagne industry? Thomas, back here within national borders, the South Korean government recently mandated breaks for outdoor workers. Do tell us more. Sebastien, the president, in general, has pledged to promote workplace safety. Now, he was speaking last Friday at a bread factory where a female worker lost her life earlier this year. Again, do give us some context, and what do you believe is the significance of this pledge? Thomas, let's move from labor to livelihood now. The government's consumption coupons have been available since last week. What has been the take-up rate thus far, and what has been the public response? Meanwhile, Sebastien, the president's approach to crisis management has also been on full display amid the deadly downpours this month. How has he worked to communicate with the public and to collaborate with his administration in response to the repercussions of this latest torrential rain? Thomas, in the political arena. Two of the president's nominees will not be joining his Cabinet. Do touch upon this controversy for us, and its broader implications. And Sebastien, speaking about controversy. What's the latest on efforts to end the prolonged protest by Korea's medical students against the previous administration's healthcare reform policy? All right.

First live Cabinet discussion tackles workplace safety

2025/07/29 20:02

The Lee Jae Myung administration has pledged to prevent the loss of life at workplaces in an unprecedented LIVE broadcast of the entire Cabinet discussion on the matter. Our Presidential Office Correspondent Song Yoo-jin reports. Safety should be a basic duty, not a financial burden. Just days after visiting a bread factory where multiple workers were killed on the job, President Lee Jae Myung, at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, doubled down on his pledge to eliminate what he calls "regressive" industrial accidents. "When the same accident happens in the same place, failing to prevent something that's foreseeable is the same as tolerating death. In legal terms, it could even be considered murder by willful negligence." In a first for any South Korean administration, the President ordered the entire Cabinet discussion on the matter to be broadcast live. "The President said measures to prevent industrial accidents must be shared openly. The frequency and scope of such disclosures could be expanded." A range of ideas were proposed to make this year the turning point in ending workplace deaths. "We'll pursue measures like punitive damages, restrictions on who can bid for government-led projects, and suspending operations. We must hold those with real decision-making power accountable." "When major accidents happen, listed companies face lower ESG ratings, investor pullback, or restricted lending. We'll review how these penalties are applied and look to strengthen them." The focus was on breaking the perception among some employers that skipping safety measures is cost-saving. "Under the current law, companies violating safety rules face fines ranging from 50,000 won to 50 million won (US$ 35.90 to US$ 35,910). At those levels, there's little incentive to comply. We need to review and revise this." Wrapping up, the President asked each ministry to take swift action, whether drafting new laws, adjusting budgets, or visiting worksites. With most of his Cabinet positions now filled, President Lee stressed the need for cross-ministerial coordination to tackle pending issues, and hinted that Cabinet meetings may be held more than once a week to speed up progress. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

World News: Trump says starvation crisis in Gaza is real

2025/07/29 19:58

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged that the crisis in Gaza has reached a point of "real starvation" and vowed to build "food centers" in the enclave. Speaking during a visit to Scotland on Monday, Trump said visual evidence convinced him that starvation in Gaza is real and pledged the creation of U.S.-backed "food centers" in coordination with European partners. Trump emphasized that the current aid infrastructure is deeply flawed, adding the U.S. would work with other countries to establish food centers without entry barriers, allowing civilians to access aid freely. According to the White House, additional details on the plan are "forthcoming." Trump's remarks are in stark contrast with those of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has denied that Gaza is facing starvation, saying Israel continues to allow "significant amounts of humanitarian aid" into the enclave. Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, starting Monday midnight local time, following five days of border clashes that killed nearly 40 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. This follows negotiations in Malaysia headed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. At a joint press conference with acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Anwar outlined the step-by-step de-escalation process of the conflict. He also stated that a broader border committee session is scheduled for August 4 in Cambodia to address long-standing territorial issues. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had phoned the leaders of both countries and celebrated the outcome, calling himself the "President of peace." In Africa, the UN reported on Monday that the attack on a Catholic church in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday was done by a group linked to the Islamic State. At least 43 churchgoers were killed when armed fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces, a group affiliated with IS, entered the church in the town of Komanda in the Ituri province. The attackers also set fire to nearby homes and shops. Over 20 victims were buried in a mass grave on Monday. MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in the region, condemned the attack as "revolting." Pope Leo XIV also denounced the deadly attack, expressing sorrow and describing the victims as martyrs. Disney has released the first official trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in James Cameron's epic sci-fi saga, on Monday. The trailer debuted exclusively in theaters alongside Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and is now available online. It encompasses the visionary land, sea, and air worlds of Pandora at their most dramatic, and also unveils the Ash clan, a tribe that inhabits volcanic regions. Reviews praise the trailer as a "huge level up" in action, world-building, and emotional depth. The movie is set to open in theaters in December. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

A Return Like Home: UN veterans honored in South Korea

2025/07/29 19:50

South Korea recently hosted a group of Korean War veterans to commemorate their selflessness and sacrifice in defending democracy here on the peninsula. Kim Jung-sil reports. They were in their early twenties when they first arrived in Korea: young men in uniform, sent to fight in a country they had never seen. Seven decades later, some of them have returned. 55 guests from 19 countries are taking part in South Korea's "Re-Visit Korea, Re-View Korea" program. Among them: six veterans of the Korean War, their families, and delegates from veterans' associations. As part of the six-day program, participants visited the War Memorial of Korea ahead of the official commemoration ceremony on Sunday. "I came here in 1952, actually my experience in the war was as a tank driver. We had to defend that place because otherwise the Chinese communists would overrun and come back to Seoul. That was our job." Now 91, Yamashiroya was joined by his grandson, who reflected on his grandfather's influence on their family. "He's a really strong and tough person mentally and he's really ingrained that in our family and everything he has done. It's definitely an honor learning more about the culture of Korea the history behind the war hearing about their impact it means a lot." "I'm so happy for the Korean people because they persevered and built success for themselves." While some veterans were able to return, others could not. Sunday's ceremony was held for UN Forces Participation Day: South Korea's official day to honor foreign veterans of the Korean War. U.S. Army Corporal Fred B. McGee was recognized with the country's highest military honor. His daughter accepted the medal on his behalf. "What you've done here this past week has been highly commendable. It's above and beyond anything that I expected. I just celebrate the Korean government and the Korean people for all they've done for the Korean war veterans." The medal was presented by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who also addressed the ceremony. "To protect the freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea, 1.98 million UN troops stood alongside the Korean people. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten." For the veterans and families who visited this time, the trip offered not only commemoration, but connection. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

U.S. committed to protecting Korean Peninsula based on policy of peace through strength: Trump

2025/07/29 19:48

U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed Washington's commitment to protecting the Korean Peninsula in accordance with the policy of "peace through strength." The message was shared on Monday a day after the 72nd anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement. He added that American and South Korean armies stand united today under a strong alliance though the evil of communism still exists in Asia. While acknowledging the two Koreas remain divided he spoke of pride in being the first to cross the 38th parallel during his first term.

Seoul urges N. Korea to retrieve body found off western coast

2025/07/29 19:46

South Korea has called on North Korea to retrieve a body found last month near Ganghwa-do Island. An ID identified the man as Ko Song-chol, a North Korean farm worker with an address in Hwanghaebuk-do Province. With inter-Korean hotlines severed, Seoul is resorting to the media to return the body via Panmunjom on August 5th. The Unification Ministry says it's acting on humanitarian grounds. Pyongyang has yet to respond.

Relationship between Trump and Kim Jong-un shouldn't be used for denuclearization push: Kim Yo-jong

2025/07/29 19:45

North Korea's Kim Yo-jong SUGGESTS that dialogue between her brother Kim Jong-un and his American counterpart Donald Trump can take place IF the U.S. discards its demand for denuclearization. Our Choi Soo-hyung covers her remarks. On Tuesday, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the regime's leader Kim Jong-un, said through the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency that the U.S. must accept the new reality. She added that if Washington continues to cling to the past, any meeting with the North will remain only America's hope. Kim noted that the personal relationship between the U.S. President Donald Trump and the North's leader Kim Jong-un is not bad. But she stressed that if the U.S. intended to use this relationship as a step toward denuclearization, it would only be regarded as "mockery" to the North. She said that since Trump's first term, both North Korea's nuclear capabilities and the geopolitical environment have changed dramatically. Kim warned that, "Any attempt to deny the position of the North as a nuclear weapons state will be thoroughly rejected." She also said it would not be wise for two nuclear-armed states to move toward confrontation, suggesting that other forms of contact should be explored. Following Kim's statement, the White House has again said that President Trump remains open to talks with Kim Jong-un about denuclearization. Washington and Pyongyang held summits in Singapore in June 2018 and in Hanoi in February 2019, and later met at Panmunjom in June 2019. Following Kim's statement, South Korea's presidential office said Seoul and Washington remain open to dialogue with Pyongyang and will work closely to restore inter-Korean trust and resume U.S.-North Korea talks. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.