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Foreign Minister Cho Hyun arrives in Washington to conduct final review ahead of Korea-U.S. summit

2025/08/22 21:35

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun arrived in Washington, D.C.,.. departing early. Cho is likely to conduct a final review for the summit agenda with his U.S. counterpart, Marco Rubio. Cha Yun-kyung has more. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun arrived in Washington, D.C. on Friday, in preparation for the Korea-U.S. summit next week. Cho is set to conduct a final on-site review for the summit agenda with U.S. officials, which is likely to include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Cho is revisiting the U.S. about three weeks after having a summit with Rubio at the end of last month. Cho is skipping the planned Korea-Japan summit in Tokyo scheduled for Saturday. As it is unusual for a foreign minister to forgo a summit, especially one marking the president's first trip to Japan, Cho's early trip to the U.S. has fueled speculation of last-minute complications, such as emergency trade or security issues. But the Presidential Office said on Friday that there was "nothing sudden" about the foreign minister's early departure for the U.S., with spokesperson Kang Yu-jung explaining during a briefing on Friday that it is to ensure more thorough and meticulous preparations. President Lee Jae Myung is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C. for the first time since his inauguration on Monday local time. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

President Lee’s Tokyo visit signals new chapter in S. Korea–Japan relations ahead of U.S. summit

2025/08/22 21:35

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. Diplomacy in Northeast Asia is entering a critical moment. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is beginning a series of high-stakes summits with a visit to Japan — notably before heading to Washington. The unusual order of these meetings is seen as a deliberate signal to allies and rivals alike. At the same time, his administration has accelerated its diplomatic reset, naming new ambassadors to both Tokyo and Washington. On the Japanese side, Prime Minister Ishiba’s recent expression of “remorse” on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II has raised expectations for progress in relations. Now, with U.S. trade pressures mounting, and trilateral security cooperation on the table, tomorrow’s Seoul–Tokyo summit carries weight far beyond bilateral relations. To help us break this down, we're joined by Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific Security chair at the Hudson Institute. Welcome. Also joining us is Choi Eunmi, research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. Good to see you. 1. President Lee Jae-myung has named new ambassadors to the U.S. and Japan just ahead of a series of bilateral summits with Washington and Tokyo, signaling full-scale preparation. So what does this rapid reshuffling of his foreign policy team tell us? Is it about projecting stability and continuity to the world? Or more about showing swift and decisive governance at home? 2. Tomorrow, August 23, the Korea–Japan summit will take place. It’s unusual for a Korean president to visit Japan before the U.S. So how should we read this? What message does this send not only to Japan, but also to the U.S. and the broader international community? 3. Ahead of the summit, President Lee gave an interview to Japanese media, saying he would respect the 2015 comfort women agreement as a state-to-state promise. At the same time, he stressed that sincere consolation matters more than financial compensation, urging a genuine response from Tokyo. So what kind of diplomatic signal is he really sending here? 4. President Lee’s approach to Japan has been described as a “two-track” strategy — separating forward-looking cooperation from historical disputes. But in practice, can this strategy actually deliver meaningful diplomatic results? 5. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ishiba used his August 15 address — marking 80 years since the end of World War II — to speak of “remorse,” the first Japanese prime minister in 13 years to do so. So how might Japan’s current domestic political climate shape the prospects for improving ties with Korea? 6. This will be the first official Korea–Japan summit since the two leaders agreed to restart shuttle diplomacy. So what specific issues are likely to make it onto the agenda this time? 7. Against the backdrop of global supply chain shifts and ongoing U.S. tariff policies, economic cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo is also becoming more urgent. So what pathways should the two countries explore to strengthen economic ties? 8. Because this summit comes just before the Korea–U.S. summit, many see it as laying the groundwork for highlighting trilateral cooperation among Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo. So can this strategy of emphasizing trilateral ties really translate into tangible results at the Korea–U.S. summit? 9. Finally, taken together, these back-to-back Korea–Japan and Korea–U.S. summits could reshape the diplomatic landscape of Northeast Asia. So looking long-term, how do you see the future of Korea–Japan relations, and the evolution of trilateral security cooperation with the United States? Thank you for your time and for your insights tonight DR.CRONIN and DR.CHOI, we appreciate it. And that will be all from us on Within the Frame. Be sure to tune in next time as we continue to explore the stories that matter. Until then, stay informed and engaged!

Netanyahu says Israel to begin Gaza ceasefire negotiations to end war, release hostages

2025/08/22 19:43

This is The World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel will begin ceasefire negotiations aimed at releasing all hostages and ending the Gaza war on conditions acceptable to Israel. Addressing Israeli commanders and troops in Gaza on Thursday, Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed the authorization for an expansion of military operations aimed at seizing Gaza City. He also announced the initiation of new "immediate" ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. Netanyahu said these negotiations aim to achieve "an end to the war and the release of all our hostages," but he insisted that the terms must be acceptable to Israel. While Hamas has proposed a 60-day ceasefire along with a prisoner exchange, Israel's conditions remain the complete disarmament of Hamas and the end of its military control over Gaza. Netanyahu highlighted a dual-track strategy of both military pressure and diplomatic dialogue, evidenced by the mobilization of 60,000 reservists and the planned ground offensive to seize Gaza City. The Israeli military has warned medical officials and international organizations to prepare for evacuation of nearly one million residents of Gaza City ahead of the new ground operations. In Italy, a Ukrainian man has been arrested in connection with the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. Italian police arrested Serhii K., a 49-year-old Ukrainian, at a holiday bungalow near Rimini in central Italy in the early hours of Thursday. The arrest was executed under a warrant issued by German prosecutors. They accuse Serhii K. of being one of the masterminds of the sabotage in 2022 of the Nord Stream pipelines that carry energy under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. The operation to destroy the pipelines was carried out from a yacht, with a team that included divers and support operatives. This is the first arrest in a case that Swedish and Danish authorities had closed in 2024 without resolution. German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig commended the operation and reaffirmed Germany's commitment to the rule of law, distancing this case from its unwavering support for Ukraine. Egypt has successfully retrieved a collection of 2,000-year-old artifacts from the seabed of Abu Qir Bay, off the coast of Alexandria. The find includes a headless statue, a sphinx, Roman coins, and a carved priestly figure, which archaeological evidence suggests could be remains from an extension of the ancient city of Canopus. The site also revealed limestone building remains, including residential structures and places of worship. Egypt's Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathi emphasized that the lifting operation followed a 2001 UNESCO agreement, raising only select artifacts to preserve the broader underwater heritage. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

From Korea’s liberation to K-culture, 'A Journey of Light through 80 Years of History' opens Saturday

2025/08/22 19:41

As we've been reporting this month Korea marks its 80th anniversary of liberation from Japanese colonial rule and in light of this occasion the National Archives of Korea is opening a special showcase tomorrow that walks us through the years since then. Our Shin Ha-young has a glimpse. Eighty years ago, the light of independence broke through the darkness. Since then, Korea has risen from the ashes, achieving rapid growth, democracy, and a global cultural influence. To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, the National Archives of Korea is hosting a special exhibition, "A Journey of Light through 80 Years of History." "The special exhibition here at Gwanghwamun Square features a structure of 80 pillars symbolizing Korea's 80 years since liberation, with LED displays showing the nation’s resilience and achievements." At the start of the exhibition, in the prologue section, visitors can hear a Korean-language broadcast from Voice of America on the morning of August 15, 1945 ---before the Japanese Emperor's surrender ---delivering the sound of liberation. "Bringing to you in the various languages the message of President Truman to the effect that Japan has accepted the allied terms of unconditional surrender here now to our listeners in Korea." "Japan has fully accepted the Potsdam Declaration." Under the title "Now, Our Nation," the first part of the exhibition shows how the people founded the Korean government and features a replica of the Republic of Korea's first constitution. In the second part, "Divided Destiny, One Dream," visitors can, for the first time, hear 1950 interviews conducted by a member of the UN Commission on Korea with refugees at a camp in Gimhae following the outbreak of the Korean War. With three additional parts, the exhibition also highlights Korea's journey from industrialization and democratization to the global impact of its culture. "The exhibition lets people experience Korea's path of industrialization and democratization through records. We hope Koreans overseas and people worldwide will also join in sharing these achievements." The special exhibition runs from Saturday through the end of August, and since it is held outdoors, visiting hours are 8 AM to 10 PM so visitors can avoid the heat. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Court issues arrest warrant for shaman linked to ex-first lady Kim

2025/08/22 19:40

The Seoul Central District Court has issued an arrest warrant for Jeon Seong-bae, a shaman linked to bribery allegations against former First Lady Kim Keon Hee. The court cited potential evidence tampering as reason for the warrant. Separately, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was summoned for another round of questioning on this Friday regarding former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law. The counsel says it will decide whether or not to seek an arrest warrant after today's session.

The Guardian investigation finds majority of Gaza deaths are civilians

2025/08/22 19:40

British daily The Guardian says five out of every six Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza have been civilians. The unsettling statistic was published on Thursday following an investigation with Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and Hebrew-language outlet Local Call. Also according to this report by May 53-thousand Palestinians had been killed in the conflict with civilians accounting for 83 percent of the fatalities.

Russia says Putin ready for talks, but Zelenskyy’s legitimacy must be settled first

2025/08/22 19:40

Russia's Vladimir Putin is prepared to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy but under certain conditions. This is according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaking to members of the media on Thursday during which he questioned the Ukrainian leader's political legitimacy. President Zelenskyy had postponed Ukraine's presidential election after his term expired last May citing martial law. Accordingly Lavrov claimed Ukraine must first address the issue of who has the authority to seal any future deal between the two countries BEFORE a summit between their leaders.

Bill to amend Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act passed on Friday

2025/08/22 19:40

The parliament has passed all three bills related to media reform ushering in a new era of governance of public broadcasters. Ahn Sung-jin has the latest. A bill to amend the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act was passed during the National Assembly plenary session on Friday. The reform, that's aimed at increasing the number of directors for EBS from nine to 13, also includes diversifying the personnel who can recommend director candidates. The filibuster on this revision, which was brought by the main opposition People Power Party to block the bill's passage, ended on Friday morning, and was followed by a vote immediately. The People Power Party boycotted the vote. With one hundred-79 votes in favor and one against among one hundred-80 members present, the National Assembly voted to pass the amendment. The PPP had argued that the revision would mean control over the role of public broadcasting, while the Democratic Party had claimed that it would ensure the fairness of EBS's governance. This means that all three media reform bills, including revisions to the Broadcasting Act and Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act, to amend the legislation on public broadcasters, key to the current Lee Jae Myung administration's media reform agenda, have been passed. All three bills were previously vetoed by former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

President Lee Jae Myung names special envoys to China

2025/08/22 19:39

Former National Assembly speaker Park Byeong-seug has been tapped to head a special delegation to China. According to Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung on this Friday the four-member team will be made up of Park and ruling Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Tae-nyeon Park Jeong as well as Roh Jae-heon director of the East Asian Culture Center. During their four-day visit starting this Sunday the envoys will meet with senior Chinese officials including Zhao Leji chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee as well as Foreign Minister Wang Yi. They will deliver a presidential message on advancing ties under the two countries' Strategic Cooperative Partnership. This marks the twelfth and final group of special envoys dispatched by the Lee administration since taking office.

S. Korea unveils record R&D budget; Lee calls technology key to future

2025/08/22 19:38

President Lee Jae Myung has called science and technology the key to the future of the nation, as the government today unveiled a greater R&D investment plan for next year. He presided over the first Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology on Friday. "Historically, a country that respected and developed science and technology flourished, and a country that despised science and technology collapsed. How much investment and interest you have in the field of science and technology seems to determine the future of a country." A record 35-point-3 trillion won, or over 25-billion U.S. dollars, has been allocated for research and development, with investment for AI, in particular, doubled from the previous year. The president added he hopes this will serve as a touchstone for a new stage of development.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun arrives in Washington in preparation of ROK-U.S. summit

2025/08/22 19:36

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is in Washington, D.C. to finalize preparations for Monday's summit between South Korea and the U.S. As part of such efforts there is talk about a potential meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to fine-tune the summit agenda. The Presidential Office here has also said Cho's trip to the U.S. is aimed at closer coordination ahead of the much anticipated meeting at the White House on August 25th.

PRES. LEE TO EMBARK ON JAPAN, U.S. TRIPS

2025/08/22 19:34

The Presidential Office here has shared details of the president's upcoming agenda in neighboring Japan and over in the U.S. as we count down less than 24 hours to the start of his diplomatic engagements. Title: PRES. LEE TO EMBARK ON JAPAN, U.S. TRIPS Hello and welcome. You're watching Press Perspective for this Friday August 22nd here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. President Lee Jae Myung is scheduled to depart for Tokyo Saturday morning for his first BILATERAL diplomatic engagements starting in Tokyo and ending in Washington, D.C. For more I have Kelly Kasulis Cho with American daily The Washington Post. Kelly it's great to have you here. I also have Walter Sim with Singaporean daily The Straits Times over in Tokyo. Walter as always it's a pleasure. Kelly, President Lee Jae Myung is heading to Tokyo tomorrow for talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Now ahead of this summit, he shared his thoughts regarding bilateral ties with Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun. What did he say, and what are your takeaways? And Walter, what has been the response in Japan to these remarks by the South Korean president? Do you believe they've served to set a positive tone for productive ties amid geopolitical uncertainty over U.S. trade and security policies? Staying in Japan, Walter. Recent remarks shared by Prime Minister Ishiba regarding World War II also made headlines. Do tell us more. And back here in South Korea, Kelly, what has been the response to those remarks by Mr. Ishiba? Walter, South Korea and the U.S. are slated to hold a summit next Monday, and on the agenda are tariffs and trade among other issues of bilateral interest. This being said, what is the latest with regard to Japan's trade talks with the U.S.? Kelly, President Lee Jae Myung sat down with corporate heavyweights earlier this week to hammer out a strategy for his trade talks with Mr. Trump. What can you tell us about this gathering and its implications? Walter, beyond trade, President Lee Jae Myung and his U.S. host Donald Trump are also expected to engage in security talks, which of course, are relevant to Japan as well as we share a backyard, if you will. Speaking as a foreign correspondent based here in this part of the world, what might the South Korean leader be aiming to achieve and hoping to avoid during his security talks with his American counterpart? Kelly, staying with security. South Korea's peace overtures toward North Korea continued to be condemned by Kim Yo-jong. Do you suppose this is a strategic attempt to secure leverage before any tangible cross-border engagement? I mean, what are your takeaways? All right. And that ends this week's editions of Press Perspective. Thank you for watching. Have a great weekend and see you same time next Monday.

Senior S. Korean officials in U.S. to discuss trade, industry deals ahead of Trump-Lee summit

2025/08/22 13:42

As Seoul and Washington gear up for a summit between their leaders, South Korea's trade minister held talks with a senior U.S. trade official. This comes as more top officials from Seoul are on their way to Washington.. to finalize key discussions. Our Park Jun-han starts us off. Ahead of the summit between South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. on Monday, Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo reportedly met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday. The two sides are expected to have discussed the trade agenda for the presidential summit. The meeting comes less than a month after South Korea and the U.S. agreed on a trade and investment package deal on July 30. It also follows last month's framework agreement, with both sides now focusing on specifics. Meanwhile, South Korea's Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan is also set to arrive in Washington on Friday to meet U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The talks, expected to occur on the same day due to a tight schedule, will likely cover industrial cooperation, which includes shipbuilding, semiconductors, batteries, and nuclear energy. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is set to arrive in Washington on Thursday evening. Cho, who was initially scheduled to travel to Tokyo for President Lee's summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, reportedly canceled his trip at the last minute and headed to the U.S. instead. Addressing concerns that there may be changes to the agenda or even the summit schedule, foreign ministry official told reporters on Thursday that Cho's trip to Washington is to make final arrangements, given the significance of the summit. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Ukrainian arrested in Italy over Nord Stream pipeline blasts

2025/08/22 13:39

In Italy, a Ukrainian man has been arrested in connection with the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. Italian police arrested Serhii K., a 49-year-old Ukrainian, at a holiday bungalow near Rimini in central Italy in the early hours of Thursday. The arrest was executed under a warrant issued by German prosecutors. They accuse Serhii K. of being one of the masterminds of the sabotage in 2022 of the Nord Stream pipelines that carry energy under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. The operation to destroy the pipelines was carried out from a yacht, with a team that included divers and support operatives. This is the first arrest in a case that Swedish and Danish authorities had closed in 2024 without resolution. German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig commended the operation and reaffirmed Germany's commitment to the rule of law, distancing this case from its unwavering support for Ukraine.

Netanyahu says Israel to begin Gaza ceasefire negotiations, authorizes ground offensive

2025/08/22 13:39

Starting in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel will begin ceasefire negotiations aimed at releasing all hostages and ending the Gaza war on conditions acceptable to Israel. Addressing Israeli commanders and troops in Gaza on Thursday, Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed the authorization for an expansion of military operations aimed at seizing Gaza City. He also announced the initiation of new "immediate" ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. Netanyahu said these negotiations aim to achieve "an end to the war and the release of all our hostages," but he insisted that the terms must be acceptable to Israel. While Hamas has proposed a 60-day ceasefire along with a prisoner exchange, Israel's conditions remain the complete disarmament of Hamas and the end of its military control over Gaza. Netanyahu highlighted a dual-track strategy of both military pressure and diplomatic dialogue, evidenced by the mobilization of 60,000 reservists and the planned ground offensive to seize Gaza City. The Israeli military has warned medical officials and international organizations to prepare for evacuation of nearly one million residents of Gaza City ahead of the new ground operations.

[On-point] What's expected at S. Korea-Japan summit?

2025/08/22 13:35

A busy week ahead for President Lee, as he is set to visit Japan and the United States, for the first time since taking office. Before heading to Washington, Lee is set to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo on Saturday. For more on what to expect at the meeting between the leaders of South Korea and Japan, we're joined by Dr. Kim Mi-kyoung, Senior Researcher at Gyeongsang National University. Dr. Kim, thanks for joining us this morning. 1. President Lee will be traveling to Tokyo tomorrow to meet with the Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba. And this week's meeting comes as this year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's colonial rule, and the 60th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral ties between Seoul and Tokyo. What might be on the agenda when the two leaders meet? 2. It's the first time in two years that a South Korean president is visiting Japan, and it's unusual for a new Korean leader to meet the Japanese prime minister before meeting the U.S. president. Could you tell us more about the significance of this trip and what it says about the Lee administration's policy towards Japan? 3. Historical issues remain as thorns in bilateral relations. Last week, Prime Minister Ishiba used the term "regret" in a World War Two memorial speech for the first time in more than a decade. And President Lee said yesterday that it would be "undesirable" to scrap past deals with Japan on wartime sex slaves and forced labor, and he previously said he'll take a "two-track" approach, separating historical disputes from areas of cooperation. What's your take on this? How does this differ from the previous administration's policy? 4. President Lee also talked about how the three-way cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan is important to achieve denuclearization on the Korean peninsula. How do you see this three-way security partnership? Alright. Dr. Kim, thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

Court issues arrest warrant for shaman linked to ex-first lady Kim

2025/08/22 13:35

Shifting gears. The Seoul Central District Court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for Jeon Seong-bae, a shaman linked to bribery allegations against former first lady Kim Keon Hee. The court cited a high risk that he could destroy evidence. The decision also comes just two days after a special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki filed for his arrest on charges of bribery and violation of political funding laws. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been summoned by a special counsel team led by Cho Eun-suk,.. for another round of questioning on Friday. That's part of the investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to declare martial law. The counsel team says it will determine whether to seek an arrest warrant for Han following the session.

Pres. Lee to head to U.S. and Japan: Tariffs, CHIPS Act, and uneasy alliances

2025/08/21 22:35

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. With President Lee Jae Myung set to hold back-to-back summits with the U.S. and Japan, this week is shaping up to be a critical turning point in Korea’s economic diplomacy. At the center of it all—tariff negotiations, a multibillion-dollar investment fund, and growing pressure from Washington for Seoul to take on more strategic burdens. On the Japan front, optimism over renewed shuttle diplomacy is being tempered by unresolved historical disputes and political instability in Tokyo. All of this unfolds as business leaders join the president abroad, with Korea’s trade, tech, and investment agenda under close watch. To explore more on this, we invite Sung Soo Eric Kim, Founder & CEO of Datacrunch Global, and Adjunct Professor at Yonsei Graduate School of Business. Welcome. Also joining us is Sunhyung Lee, Assistant Professor of Economics at Montclair State University. Good to see you. 1. Let's start with Prof. kim, so with the Korea–U.S. summit approaching, the presidential office is still working to finalize the detailed agenda. What are your expectations for the core economic topics to be addressed? 2. And President Lee Jae Myung is traveling to the U.S. with a high-profile business delegation, as the tariff deal enters its final stage. He called for a “one-team” mindset during his meeting with Korean corporate leaders. How crucial is the role of these companies in this visit? 3. During the meeting, several top CEOs—from Samsung to Celltrion—emphasized job creation, startup investment, and high-value industries. What are the chances for these corporate promises to turn into tangible outcomes in the U.S. market? 4. Following the tariff deal with Washington, we are looking ahead to the 350 billion-dollar investment fund, which is still under discussion. What should Korean companies be demanding in return to ensure this initiative doesn't become a one-sided political trophy? 5. So now that the U.S. has implemented steep new tariffs on 407 steel and aluminum derivative products, what are the main challenges Korean exporters face? And, what kinds of short-term and long-term strategies are needed? 6. Korea was notably excluded from tariff exemptions that the U.S. granted to Japan and the EU. What exemptions are we talking about, and why is Korea falling behind in these negotiations? 7. Just yesterday, reports say that the U.S. is considering taking equity stakes in chipmakers—including Samsung—in return for CHIPS Act subsidies. What kind of precedent does this set in government–corporate relations, and how might Korean firms respond to that kind of condition? 8. Beyond tariffs, Washington is pushing Seoul to contribute more toward alliance modernization—from higher defense costs to expanded military roles. What kind of spillover effect could this have on Korea’s economic priorities and trade leverage? 9. Japan’s internal political turmoil is growing, with pressure on Prime Minister Ishiba to step down. Could that instability derail any real progress on economic cooperation during the upcoming Korea–Japan summit? 10. The so-called "Shuttle diplomacy" with Japan is back in motion, but major historical disputes remain unresolved. Can Seoul and Tokyo realistically build deeper economic cooperation without progress on past issues? Thank you for your time and for your insights tonight Prof.Lee and Prof.Kim, we appreciate it. And that will be all from us on Within the Frame. Be sure to tune in next time as we continue to explore the stories that matter. Until then, stay informed and engaged!

LEE-TRUMP SUMMIT: WHAT'S AT STAKE

2025/08/21 22:33

LEE-TRUMP SUMMIT: WHAT'S AT STAKE

What to expect from President Lee's trips to Japan and the U.S.

2025/08/21 21:43

President Lee Jae Myung is just two days away from embarking on his trips to Japan and the United States. Today, the Presidential Office outlined his schedule. Our correspondent Song Yoo-jin begins our coverage tonight. Ahead of his upcoming visits to Japan and the United States, this is what President Lee Jae Myung told his top aides on Thursday. "With shifts in the international order and global trade, there are too many pressing issues that need to be resolved. However, I will do my utmost to pursue mutually beneficial diplomacy and security policies, always placing the national interest first." The president's remarks came after the Presidential Office released more details of his trips. President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung will first depart for Tokyo on Saturday morning. Upon arrival, the first appointment is a luncheon with members of the Korean community in Japan, followed by a summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in the afternoon and an official dinner. "Through the summit, the leaders of South Korea and Japan will strengthen the foundations for future-oriented cooperation, enhance trilateral coordination with the U.S., and hold candid discussions on regional and global issues, including peace and stability in the region." Then on Sunday, President Lee will meet with members of Japan's parliament before heading to Washington, D.C. He is expected to arrive in the American capital that afternoon and begin a three-day stay by having dinner with Korean residents in the U.S. The big day will be Monday, when he will have his first face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. "The two leaders will discuss ways to advance peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. They are also expected to deepen economic cooperation based on the recent trade agreement, particularly in semiconductors, batteries, and shipbuilding." The President is also scheduled to meet figures from business and academic circles. Finally, on Tuesday, President Lee will travel to Philadelphia to tour a shipyard recently acquired by Korea's Hanwha Group. The yard is seen as a symbolic venue for Seoul and Washington's shipbuilding cooperation. The Air Force One jet will take off from the U.S. on Tuesday evening and return to Korea early Thursday. "The Presidential Office says National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac will provide more specifics of these back-to-back trips and the agenda for each summit on Friday. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.