News

S. Korea to show 'K-Democracy is back' with APEC 2025 in 100 days

2025/07/24 19:43

We are now counting down 99 days to the launch of the APEC leaders' meeting in the Korean city of Gyeongju this autumn. That being said, my colleague Oh Soo-young recently sat down with a senior member of the organizing committee for his thoughts on the upcoming meeting and more. Do take a listen. South Korea is marking the revival of K-Democracy and setting the tone to inspire regional cooperation to "Connect, Innovate, and Prosper" amid mounting global complexity. Under the theme of Building a Sustainable Tomorrow, South Korea will host the annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum this October in the historic city of Gyeongju. Leaders from 21 member economies will tackle emerging challenges ranging from artificial intelligence and demographic shifts to sustainable and inclusive growth. "As this year's chair, the Republic of Korea has proposed cooperation on AI and addressing demographic changes as a key initiatives among many other global issues. We are working together with the member economists to adopt these initiatives as a standalone document alongside the Gyeongju Declaration at the leaders' meeting in late October." Q. South Korea is a far more prominent player than it was when it hosted APEC about 20 years ago. What's the significance of South Korea chairing this year's summit in 2025? "Over the years, Korea has filled trust and meaningful contributions in the international community. Building on that, at the APEC Economy Leaders' Meeting, which is returning to Korea after 20 years will serve as a great opportunity for us to show that we've restored our K-Democracy and that Korea is back on track after the political challenges we faced last year The emblem and the smile of Shilla not only reflect our warmth and hospitality and openness with Korea's commitment in fulfilling our role as a responsible member of the international community." Korea's chairship comes at a pivotal time, and showing the country is back on track in globl governance, after the martial law declaration last December compromised diplomacy at the highest level. Seoul is also positioning itself as a solutions partner --sharing lessons from its own policy tools and technological transformation to help address common regional concerns. "Through this opportunity, we hope to share the experience we've accumulated and offer innovative solutions to help address the challenges faced by the Asia APEC region." A key aspect of this year's approach is broader public engagement—particularly with younger generations. "APEC pursues inclusivity and sustainability, but these cannot be achieved without public participation We are also working to create platforms where young people can take the lead in discussing and sharing their visions for the Asia Pacific region. As part of this effort, MOFA recently held an open call for youth presenters for the public-private dialogue. We even welcomed 16 young people to join our property office as an intern." Last May, Korea's inclusive approach led to the launch of a Future Prosperity Fund—dedicated to youth entrepreneurship, digital skills training, and policy research. Korea committed one million U.S. dollars in seed funding. As the countdown to October 31st begins, Korea is stepping up outreach with a series of promotional initiatives—including youth-led video campaigns, exhibitions, cultural festivals, and regional media engagement. "With the active participation of the public at the K we will continue to highlight the unique charms of Korea and the host city of Gyeongju while also carrying out a variety of promotional activities that showcased APEC vision, the goals and values of the K APEC and the outcomes we hope to achieve. Through these efforts, we aim to create a more welcoming and participatory atmosphere leading up to a successful leaders' meeting." Sure, and all this buildup of anticipation is extremely important, especially in creating this kind of conducive atmosphere for cooperation. And well, we have great expectations for this K-APEC. Thank you so much for making time for us today, and see you in Gyeongju. Thank you.

Kim Jong-un calls for 'hostile perspective' in artillery drills

2025/07/24 19:41

Staying with North Korea. Kim Jong-un has doubled down on military readiness while overseeing an artillery drill this past Wednesday during which he called for a "hostile perspective" toward enemy forces. This phrase has often been used to refer to South Korea or the U.S. but on Wednesday he stopped short of naming a country. An official at the Unification Ministry here in Seoul on Thursday downplayed the statement claiming it appeared to be aimed at internal discipline rather than an external threat. Analysts here believe North Korea may be incorporating real-world combat tactics into its drills given the regime's dispatch of troops to Russia's war against Ukraine.

Trump puts pressure on countries to open their markets amid tariff negotiations

2025/07/24 19:38

And the U.S. president says U.S. trade partners will need to open up their markets to American imports IF they hope to see lower tariffs. Lee Seung-jae covers his remarks. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday pressed trading partners to open their markets, in order to avoid "much higher tariffs" from the U.S. The U.S. leader made the remarks in a social media post, stressing that Washington will "only lower tariffs if a country agrees to open its market," adding that those that fail to do so will be met with "much higher tariffs." Trump also said through such agreements, U.S. businesses "will boom." The latest remarks put pressure on South Korea and other countries to find ways to open their markets in exchange for the reduced tariff Trump unveiled in April. Seoul has been pushing to avoid the proposed 25 percent reciprocal tariffs, as well as sector-specific tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles that would be a major blow to its export-reliant economy. Meanwhile, in touting the recent trade deal made with Japan, which lowers its tariff rate to 15 percent, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the 500 billion U.S. dollar investment from Japan in exchange for the lowered rate will give the U.S. the ability to choose where it will be invested. In an example, Lutnick says if Trump decides to create more antibiotics in the U.S., Japan will fund the project, and give it to a U.S. business that will operate the project,.. while 90 percent of the profits will go to the American taxpayer, and 10 percent to Japan. The White House said Wednesday that the money could be used to invest in key industries. "And these funds will be spent at President Trump's discretion and direction into key industries such as energy, semiconductors, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and shipbuilding." The spokesperson said there are still many more countries that need to strike a deal with the U.S., adding that Washington has sent "25 letters to countries around the world." Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

President Lee calls for strong measures to protect migrant workers

2025/07/24 19:37

President Lee Jae Myung has called for strong measures to protect migrant workers from mistreatment. At a weekly meeting with top aides on this Thursday he made reference to an online video showing a Sri Lankan worker bound in plastic wrapping and dragged by a forklift at what appears to be a brick factory in Naju City Jeollanam-do Province. The president denounced the disturbing incident calling discrimination and related violence "a crime" and "unforgivable". Accordingly he urged relevant ministries to look into human rights violations against marginalized groups including migrants and the socially vulnerable and to frame out preventative measures.

Seoul signals openness to Kim Jong-un at APEC Gyeongju, no talks underway

2025/07/24 19:36

South Korea appears to be leaving open the possibility of inviting North Korea's Kim Jong-un to this year's APEC meeting. While officials at the foreign as well as unification ministries here stress that no formal discussion is underway they've also been quick to point out that APEC host nations in the past have extended invitations to non-APEC member leaders. Analysts for their part say the simple act of floating such an idea itself signals an openness to cross-border engagement despite the unlikely chance of North Korea attending the multilateral meeting.

World Court says failure to meet climate goals could lead to reparations

2025/07/24 12:39

The UN's top legal body, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that countries that fail to meet their climate commitments may be violating international law and could face paying reparations to countries suffering the consequences. In a unanimous advisory opinion delivered on Wednesday, the ICJ declared that wealthy and high-emitting nations are legally obliged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, curb fossil fuel production and subsidies, and establish ambitious climate plans linked to the Paris Agreement. Judge Yuji Iwasawa emphasized that a "clean, healthy, and sustainable environment" is a recognized human right and that failure to take adequate climate action may amount to internationally wrongful conduct, leading to reparations for states harmed by climate impacts. The advisory is non-binding, but small island nations and low-lying states, as well as environmental groups, celebrated the landmark ruling. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the decision, describing it as a "victory for our planet."

Russia, Ukraine agree to exchange 1,200 POWs each during Istanbul talks

2025/07/24 12:38

Let's begin with the third round of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine that concluded on Wednesday. Give us updates on the outcome. The talks in Istanbul ended swiftly, with no ceasefire reached, but progress was made on additional prisoner exchanges. The two delegations met for approximately 40 minutes at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace and discussed further prisoner swaps, but remained far apart on the terms of a ceasefire and a possible meeting of their leaders. Both sides agreed to advance a prisoner-of-war exchange, committing to release at least 1,200 more POWs each, including severely wounded soldiers and civilians. Russia's chief delegate, Vladimir Medinsky, said the bodies of 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers will also be returned. Discussions reportedly included cases of abducted children. Ukraine's delegation, led by Rustem Umerov, proposed a direct summit between Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin by the end of August; however, Russia suggested forming online working groups on military, political, and humanitarian issues instead.

[On-point] How South Korea is making efforts to strike trade deal with U.S. before August 1

2025/07/24 12:37

As we just heard, South Korea is making last-minute efforts to strike a trade agreement with the United States, before the August 1st deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. For more on this, we're joined by Professor Min Jeong-hun, Professor at Korea National Diplomatic Academy. Professor Min, thanks for joining us this morning. Although the meeting set for Friday between top economic and trade officials from South Korea and the United States has been canceled, but it appears that the industry minister and the top trade negotiator will hold talks with U.S. officials, right? And South Korea's foreign minister is also expected to meet with his American counterpart in Washington. If that happens, what might be discussed there? Japan reached a trade agreement with the Trump administration yesterday. Based on what Japan gained and conceded to secure the deal, what do you think an agreement will look like for South Korea? Another key issue in relations between South Korea and the U.S. is the cost-sharing for American troops stationed in South Korea. How do you think the Korean government should approach this matter, especially as President Trump continues to pressure Seoul to increase its contribution amid concerns about a potential troop withdrawal? President Trump has been making it clear to U.S. allies that he's putting American interests first. How do you think the Lee administration should manage the alliance with the United States throughout his term? Alright Professor Min, thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

S. Korea to show 'K-Democracy is back' with APEC 2025 in 100 days

2025/07/24 12:36

With less than a hundred days left until South Korea hosts the annual economic meeting of leaders in the Asia Pacific, Arirang News sat down with a senior organizer to highlight the core focus agendas, and how preparations have continued throughout the months. Our foreign affairs correspondent Oh Soo-young has this report. South Korea is marking the revival of K-Democracy and setting the tone to inspire regional cooperation to "Connect, Innovate, and Prosper" amid mounting global complexity. Under the theme of Building a Sustainable Tomorrow, South Korea will host the annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum this October in the historic city of Gyeongju. Leaders from 21 member economies will tackle emerging challenges ranging from artificial intelligence and demographic shifts to sustainable and inclusive growth. "As this year's chair, the Republic of Korea has proposed cooperation on AI and addressing demographic changes as a key initiatives among many other global issues. We are working together with the member economists to adopt these initiatives as a standalone document alongside the Gyeongju Declaration at the leaders' meeting in late October." Q. South Korea is a far more prominent player than it was when it hosted APEC about 20 years ago. What's the significance of South Korea chairing this year's summit in 2025? "Over the years, Korea has filled trust and meaningful contributions in the international community. Building on that, at the APEC Economy Leaders' Meeting, which is returning to Korea after 20 years will serve as a great opportunity for us to show that we've restored our K-Democracy and that Korea is back on track after the political challenges we faced last year The emblem and the smile of Shilla not only reflect our warmth and hospitality and openness with Korea's commitment in fulfilling our role as a responsible member of the international community." Korea's chairship comes at a pivotal time, and showing the country is back on track in globl governance, after the martial law declaration last December compromised diplomacy at the highest level. Seoul is also positioning itself as a solutions partner --sharing lessons from its own policy tools and technological transformation to help address common regional concerns. "Through this opportunity, we hope to share the experience we've accumulated and offer innovative solutions to help address the challenges faced by the Asia APEC region." A key aspect of this year's approach is broader public engagement—particularly with younger generations. "APEC pursues inclusivity and sustainability, but these cannot be achieved without public participation We are also working to create platforms where young people can take the lead in discussing and sharing their visions for the Asia Pacific region. As part of this effort, MOFA recently held an open call for youth presenters for the public-private dialogue. We even welcomed 16 young people to join our property office as an intern." Last May, Korea's inclusive approach led to the launch of a Future Prosperity Fund—dedicated to youth entrepreneurship, digital skills training, and policy research. Korea committed one million U.S. dollars in seed funding. As the countdown to October 31st begins, Korea is stepping up outreach with a series of promotional initiatives—including youth-led video campaigns, exhibitions, cultural festivals, and regional media engagement. "With the active participation of the public at the K we will continue to highlight the unique charms of Korea and the host city of Gyeongju while also carrying out a variety of promotional activities that showcased APEC vision, the goals and values of the K APEC and the outcomes we hope to achieve. Through these efforts, we aim to create a more welcoming and participatory atmosphere leading up to a successful leaders' meeting." Sure, and all this buildup of anticipation is extremely important, especially in creating this kind of conducive atmosphere for cooperation. And well, we have great expectations for this K-APEC. Thank you so much for making time for us today, and see you in Gyeongju. Thank you.

[THE INTERVIEW] S. Korea to show 'K-Democracy is back' with APEC 2025 in 100 days

2025/07/23 23:35

With just 100 days left until South Korea hosts the annual economic meeting of leaders in the Asia Pacific, Arirang News sat down with a senior organizer to highlight the core focus agendas, and how preparations have continued throughout the months. Our Oh Soo-young brings us this report. South Korea is marking the revival of K-Democracy and setting the tone to inspire regional cooperation to "Connect, Innovate, and Prosper" amid mounting global complexity. Under the theme of Building a Sustainable Tomorrow, South Korea will host the annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum this October in the historic city of Gyeongju. Leaders from 21 member economies will tackle emerging challenges ranging from artificial intelligence and demographic shifts to sustainable and inclusive growth. "As this year's chair, the Republic of Korea has proposed cooperation on AI and addressing demographic changes as a key initiatives among many other global issues. We are working together with the member economists to adopt these initiatives as a standalone document alongside the Gyeongju Declaration at the leaders' meeting in late October." Q. South Korea is a far more prominent player than it was when it hosted APEC about 20 years ago. What's the significance of South Korea chairing this year's summit in 2025? "Over the years, Korea has filled trust and meaningful contributions in the international community. Building on that, at the APEC Economy Leaders' Meeting, which is returning to Korea after 20 years will serve as a great opportunity for us to show that we've restored our K-Democracy and that Korea is back on track after the political challenges we faced last year The emblem and the smile of Shilla not only reflect our warmth and hospitality and openness with Korea's commitment in fulfilling our role as a responsible member of the international community." Korea's chairship comes at a pivotal time, and showing the country is back on track in globl governance, after the martial law declaration last December compromised diplomacy at the highest level. Seoul is also positioning itself as a solutions partner --sharing lessons from its own policy tools and technological transformation to help address common regional concerns. "Through this opportunity, we hope to share the experience we've accumulated and offer innovative solutions to help address the challenges faced by the Asia APEC region." A key aspect of this year's approach is broader public engagement—particularly with younger generations. "APEC pursues inclusivity and sustainability, but these cannot be achieved without public participation We are also working to create platforms where young people can take the lead in discussing and sharing their visions for the Asia Pacific region. As part of this effort, MOFA recently held an open call for youth presenters for the public-private dialogue. We even welcomed 16 young people to join our property office as an intern." Last May, Korea's inclusive approach led to the launch of a Future Prosperity Fund—dedicated to youth entrepreneurship, digital skills training, and policy research. Korea committed one million U.S. dollars in seed funding. As the countdown to October 31st begins, Korea is stepping up outreach with a series of promotional initiatives—including youth-led video campaigns, exhibitions, cultural festivals, and regional media engagement. "With the active participation of the public at the K we will continue to highlight the unique charms of Korea and the host city of Gyeongju while also carrying out a variety of promotional activities that showcased APEC vision, the goals and values of the K APEC and the outcomes we hope to achieve. Through these efforts, we aim to create a more welcoming and participatory atmosphere leading up to a successful leaders' meeting." Sure, and all this buildup of anticipation is extremely important, especially in creating this kind of conducive atmosphere for cooperation. And well, we have great expectations for this K-APEC. Thank you so much for making time for us today, and see you in Gyeongju. Thank you.

[APEC LEADERS' MEETING D-100] How far have S. Korea's preparations come?

2025/07/23 22:44

Today, July 23rd, marks exactly 100 days until the 2025 APEC Leaders' Meeting gets underway in South Korea's Gyeongju City. How far have the country's preparations come to make it a successful one? Song Yoo-jin has our top story. Tens of thousands of people -delegates, including world leaders, CEOs, and journalists -will gather in the South Korean city of Gyeongju this fall for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC Leaders' Meeting. With 100 days to go, new Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, the head of the event's preparation committee, chaired a meeting on Wednesday to review preparations and progress. "Just as the 1988 Seoul Olympics changed Korea's global standing, this year's APEC carries even greater historic weight. It's a chance to reestablish Korea's place in the world after last year's political turmoil. We must aim for an unprecedented 'K-APEC' that exceeds expectations across diplomacy, venues, accommodations, programming, and service." Member states will discuss digital innovation and regional connectivity at the two-day Leaders' Meeting from October 31st to November 1st. Eyes are on who will attend in person, especially U.S. President Donald Trump, China's Xi Jinping, and Russia's Vladimir Putin. "From transport and logistics to medical services, all government agencies will work as one so that there are no gaps in the preparation. Specific programs will be finalized by August, infrastructure completed by September, and rehearsals conducted in October, so that we're fully ready by October 31st." And the APEC CEO Summit will bring together world leaders and prominent business figures for meaningful dialogue. "We're focusing on next-generation AI chips, digital transformation, and e-commerce. We plan to host 77 speakers, 17 heads of state, and 60 top-tier figures, over 19 hours of programming. It will be the longest CEO Summit in APEC history." Wednesday's meeting was broadcast live, part of the government's effort to ignite public interest. "We encourage you to visit Gyeongju, learn more about our history, and follow our APEC preparations. We'll open new dialogue and feedback channels with the public." This will be the first summit-level multilateral event held in South Korea under President Lee Jae Myung, which means it could serve as a test of his administration's diplomatic strategy. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

[Politics & Diplomacy] Rival parties set aside political strife to tackle flood recovery, trade talks

2025/07/23 22:42

After days of bipartisan clashes during confirmation hearings for the Lee Jae Myung administration's first Cabinet, the National Assembly shifted its focus this week to bipartisan cooperation, tackling both domestic and international issues. For more on the key legislation and what lies ahead throughout the July extraordinary session, we turn to our political correspondent Shin Ha-young. Welcome Ha-young. Good evening. Ha-young, the rival parties have put political strife on hold to focus on responding to the recent deadly downpours in South Korea. Could you tell us more about that? Well, following the recent heavy rain that caused serious damage nationwide, both parties canceled or postponed their schedules to visit affected areas and assist with recovery efforts. The government has declared six regions as special disaster zones, and both the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party have spoken with one voice, saying more areas may need to be added. Take a listen. "We'll speed up recovery efforts to help people get back to their daily lives. A fast recovery is our top priority. The Democratic Party will work closely with the government to make sure the needed equipment and support reach affected areas on time." "Lawmakers are visiting flood-affected areas, and we'll do our best as a party to help displaced residents return to their daily lives. We also urge the government to quickly designate other hard-hit areas as special disaster zones." Also during today's plenary session, unlike the last one when parties clashed over approving Kim Min-seok's appointment as prime minister, the rival parties came to an agreement and passed a set of non-controversial bills. Among them, two notable ones relate to agriculture and fisheries. One is an amendment to the Prevention and Countermeasures against Agricultural and Fishery Disasters Act, aimed at strengthening support so that farmers and fishermen can recover more quickly and return to their daily lives after the disasters. The other is a revision to the Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Insurance Act, which expands coverage and reduces insurance premiums. Under the current laws, support for affected farmers and fishers is limited to basic relief, and this doesn't fully cover their losses or help stabilize their livelihoods after such disasters. The amendments come amid increasingly frequent and severe disasters such as floods and heavy rain linked to climate change ---most recently seen in the deadly downpours that swept across the country. Similar revisions were vetoed by the former government, but this time the rival parties agreed that conditions for farmers and fishermen need to improve, and had in-depth discussions. Like you said, while the parties do clash at times, we also see them come together when it matters. On that note, I hear the rival parties are also working together to support the South Korea-U.S. trade talks. You're right. As we saw in other coverage, Trump's reciprocal tariffs on trading partners are a key issue for South Korea. A group of lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties is currently in the U.S. to support trade talks between the two countries, aiming to encourage American state governors and local politicians to voice their support at the White House. According to the Korea-U.S. parliamentary union, they met with U.S. Congressman Bruce Westerman on Tuesday and expressed the view that the trade negotiations should be concluded swiftly through a "package deal." They suggested that instead of addressing U.S. demands separately, the two countries should bundle them into one comprehensive agreement --what they called a "good deal." The union said that they also told members of the U.S. Congress that minimizing tariffs on key items like cars and steel is crucial for the South Korean economy. They also emphasized the need to speed up the trade talks and begin preparing for a Korea-U.S. summit. Then can we expect such kind of cooperation at the Assembly throughout the rest of the July extraordinary session? Well, first of all, the extraordinary session concludes on August 4, with continued cooperation expected until that date. This is because the DP plans to address issues related to people's livelihoods, where there is a bipartisan consensus. Recently, it suggested 11 bills to the PPP for discussion and is currently awaiting a response. However, it's still hard to say the outlook is optimistic for the entire extraordinary session; instead, a political standoff between the rival parties is expected. This is because the DP plans to push for the passage of contentious bills during this period. These include a revision to the Grain Management Act that would prompt the government to take active measures to stabilize the prices of grain, mainly rice, to help farmers. A similar amendment was vetoed by the previous government last year. Another plenary session is expected on the last day of the extraordinary session, so these are key developments to watch until then. Alright, thank you for the wrap-up, Ha-young. My pleasure.

Gender Equality Minister nominee Kang Sun-woo steps down amid workplace abuse allegations

2025/07/23 22:36

Ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, nominated to serve as South Korea's Minister of Gender Equality and Family, has stepped down, following allegations of workplace abuse against her aides. According to Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, the nominee expressed her intention to resign to Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik on Wednesday afternoon, who then reported it to President Lee Jae Myung. In a Facebook post, Kang apologized to the public, President Lee, and her party, saying she would "live a life of self-reflection." The Presidential Office says it will swiftly search for a new nominee who meets "the public's expectations."

President Lee speaks with leaders of Kazakhstan, Sweden for cooperation

2025/07/23 22:35

The leaders of South Korea and Kazakhstan have agreed to expand the two countries' cooperation on infrastructure and critical minerals, based upon their "strategic partnership." That was discussed during the first phone call between President Lee Jae Myung and his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday. Lee also asked for support from Tokayev for Korean companies making inroads into Kazakhstan. President Lee also spoke with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and agreed to advance cooperation on defense, supply chains, and culture. Noting Sweden's role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula as a member of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, the two leaders agreed to work closely together on related issues.

APEC D-100: Peru ambassador on Korea’s readiness, bilateral impact, and shared goals

2025/07/23 21:36

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. With just 100 days to go until the 2025 APEC Leader's meeting in Gyeongju, Korea is stepping up its final preparations for what's expected to be a pivotal gathering of Asia-Pacific leaders. This year's summit comes at a critical time—with global supply chains shifting, protectionism on the rise, and new technologies like AI reshaping economies. Korea is pushing key themes like demographic change and innovation to the forefront. Peru, which successfully hosted last year's APEC as chair, has been working closely with Korea to share insights and lessons learned. For today's exclusive, we're joined by Paul Duclos, Peru's Ambassador to Korea, to get his take on Korea's readiness, the summit's expected impact, and the future of bilateral cooperation. Welcome Ambassador. 1. First off, earlier this month, on July 9th, you attended Korea's APEC briefing hosted by the 2025 APEC Preparation Committee. From your perspective, how would you assess Korea's current level of readiness for the summit? 2. Building on that visit, we know you personally traveled to Gyeongju last year for a preliminary inspection. In your view, what are Gyeongju's key strengths as the host city for APEC? 3. On the subject of knowledge-sharing, you've expressed Peru's intent to offer its experience and know-how to Gyeongju. As last year's host country, what lessons or insights have you been able to share with Korea so far? 4. Zooming out to a bigger picture, economic integration remains a core APEC value. Amid the global surge in protectionism, what role do you believe this year's APEC in Gyeongju should play in countering that trend? 5. Looking back at last year's momentum, the South Korea-Peru summit held during APEC led to MOUs in defense and critical minerals cooperation. Through this year's summit, in which new areas do you foresee deeper bilateral cooperation between Korea and Peru? 6. Turning to this year's agenda, the Korean government has put forward demographic change and artificial intelligence as its core themes. What's your take on these priorities, and why do you believe APEC-wide coordination is especially important on these topics? 7. Reflecting on your own country's hosting success, Peru's 2024 APEC is now being recognized as one of the standout summits. What do you think made it so successful—and what were the key ingredients behind that success? 8. With just around 100 days left before the opening, as the ambassador of a recently successful host country, what would be your one piece of advice to ensure a successful APEC summit in Gyeongju? 9. On a broader bilateral note, Peru and Korea mark 62 years of diplomatic ties this year. In your view, what have been the most meaningful achievements in our relationship, and how would you characterize the current state of South Korea-Peru relations? 10. And finally, looking ahead, you've mentioned Peru's hope to expand cooperation with Korea in digital tech and defense. What specific projects or discussions can we expect in the near future?

[APEC LEADERS' MEETING D-100] How far have S. Korea's preparations come?

2025/07/23 19:42

South Korea is hosting this year's APEC forum and with one hundred days left to the start of the summit meeting Prime Minister Kim Min-seok chaired a related meeting to check on the preparations thus far. Song Yoo-jin reports. Tens of thousands of people -delegates, including world leaders, CEOs, and journalists -will gather in the South Korean city of Gyeongju this fall for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC Leaders' Meeting. With 100 days to go, new Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, the head of the event's preparation committee, chaired a meeting on Wednesday to review preparations and progress. "Just as the 1988 Seoul Olympics changed Korea's global standing, this year's APEC carries even greater historic weight. It's a chance to reestablish Korea's place in the world after last year's political turmoil. We must aim for an unprecedented 'K-APEC' that exceeds expectations across diplomacy, venues, accommodations, programming, and service." Member states will discuss digital innovation and regional connectivity at the two-day Leaders' Meeting from October 31st to November 1st. Eyes are on who will attend in person, especially U.S. President Donald Trump, China's Xi Jinping, and Russia's Vladimir Putin. "From transport and logistics to medical services, all government agencies will work as one so that there are no gaps in the preparation. Specific programs will be finalized by August, infrastructure completed by September, and rehearsals conducted in October, so that we're fully ready by October 31st." And the APEC CEO Summit will bring together world leaders and prominent business figures for meaningful dialogue. "We're focusing on next-generation AI chips, digital transformation, and e-commerce. We plan to host 77 speakers, 17 heads of state, and 60 top-tier figures, over 19 hours of programming. It will be the longest CEO Summit in APEC history." Wednesday's meeting was broadcast live, part of the government's effort to ignite public interest. "We encourage you to visit Gyeongju, learn more about our history, and follow our APEC preparations. We'll open new dialogue and feedback channels with the public." This will be the first summit-level multilateral event held in South Korea under President Lee Jae Myung, which means it could serve as a test of his administration's diplomatic strategy. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

World News: U.S. to leave UN cultural agency UNESCO again

2025/07/23 19:41

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. The United States has announced that it will pull out of the United Nations' cultural and educational agency, UNESCO, once again, as part of President Donald Trump's efforts to withdraw from international institutions. A White House spokesperson announced on Tuesday that the withdrawal will take effect in December 2026, adding that the country's continued participation in the agency is not in its "national interest." U.S. officials criticized UNESCO's agenda, highlighting its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and its 2011 acceptance of Palestine, as misaligned with U.S. values. This marks the third U.S. departure, following exits in 1984 under the Reagan administration and 2017 under Trump, with the U.S. then rejoining in 2003 and 2023, respectively. U.S. financial contributions currently represent approximately 8 percent of UNESCO's budget, down from over 20 percent previously. UNESCO's Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, expressed deep regret but emphasized that the agency is prepared, both financially and operationally. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned on Tuesday that Türkiye will directly intervene to stop any attempt to fragment Syria or allow militants to gain autonomy. Fidan addressed reporters in Ankara at a joint news conference after recent clashes between the Druze and Bedouin groups in the city of Sweida He also accused Israel of seeking to destabilize Syria and push for separatism in the south. The minister specifically warned Kurdish groups that any moves toward autonomy or independence would be seen as a "big strategic catastrophe" and a direct threat to Türkiye's national security. Following a push by U.S. President Donald Trump, Coca-Cola announced on Tuesday that it will introduce a new version of its flagship product in the U.S. this fall, sweetened with domestic sugar cane. CEO James Quincey confirmed that to align with consumer demand, Coca-Cola will launch a U.S. cane sugar variant this fall, following Trump's appeal for "REAL Cane Sugar" instead of corn syrup. The new product will complement the core recipe, rather than replacing the classic formulation. Coca-Cola also reported robust second-quarter profits, beating estimates for quarterly results. The company's comparable revenue beat estimates by increasing 2.5 percent in the 3 months up to June 27. In the United Kingdom, Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath known as the "Prince of Darkness," died on Tuesday at the age of 76. No immediate cause was given, though he had been battling Parkinson's disease since 2020. His final performance took place only recently, on July 5, at Villa Park stadium in his hometown of Birmingham, with the proceeds donated to organizations such as Parkinson's UK. Over his five-decade career with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, Ozzy Osbourne sold more than 100 million records and earned a revered place in rock history. Tributes poured in worldwide, with Elton John calling him "a true legend." Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

D-100 TO APEC 2025 IN S. KOREA

2025/07/23 18:34

Welcome to Wednesday's edition of Press Perspective. It's July 23rd here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. We are counting down one hundred days to the start of this year's APEC summit here in South Korea on October 31st and already the upcoming multilateral gathering is making headlines. For more I have Thomas Maresca with American news agency UPI. Thomas welcome. I also have Professor Kim Jae-chun at Sogang University joining our session virtually. Professor Kim it's a pleasure. Thomas, let's begin with details of the exclusive coverage by the South China Morning Post about a possible summit between the leaders of the U.S. and China on the sidelines of the APEC summit here in South Korea. Professor Kim, what would be the significance of this upcoming summit between Mr. Trump and President Xi, and what might be on their agenda? Thomas, staying with possible summits, the Chinese leader's planned visit to South Korea to partake in the APEC meeting will mark his first in 11 years. During talks over the phone with China's Xi Jinping following his election victory, President Lee Jae Myung underscored the importance of cooperation on economy and security. What are the prospects of productive bilateral ties between Seoul and Beijing under the Lee and Xi administrations, and in what areas might the two sides see tangible progress? Professor Kim, also speaking of summits, officials here are actively working to arrange a one-on-one between President Lee Jae Myung and his American counterpart Donald Trump. What are your thoughts regarding these efforts to ensure a meeting in the near future? Are you concerned about a potential Oval Office ambush, if you will, by Mr. Trump against his South Korean counterpart, AND IF SO, what might be the issue of contention, and how should President Lee Jae Myung seek to navigate such a scenario? Thomas, back on the upcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju this autumn. Do tell us a bit about the agenda this year including of course, South Korea's intentions to address falling birthrates and aging societies, topics that are not traditionally tackled at the APEC. Professor Kim, SK Group leader Chey Tae-won will be hosting the APEC CEO Summit this year. Speaking to members of the media, he recently proposed an EU-style economic bloc including South Korea and Japan. What are your thoughts regarding such a regional bloc? Thomas, speaking as a foreign journalist based here in Seoul, are there any underreported aspects of South Korea's APEC hosting that you think deserve more international attention? Professor Kim, generally speaking, how does the hosting of APEC this year look to affect South Korea's international clout? All right.

Türkiye says it will intervene to stop any attempt to divide Syria

2025/07/23 11:38

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned on Tuesday that Türkiye will directly intervene to stop any attempt to fragment Syria or allow militants to gain autonomy. Fidan addressed reporters in Ankara at a joint news conference after recent clashes between the Druze and Bedouin groups in the city of Sweida. He also accused Israel of seeking to destabilize Syria and push for separatism in the south. The minister specifically warned Kurdish groups that any moves toward autonomy or independence would be seen as a "big strategic catastrophe" and a direct threat to Türkiye's national security.

U.S. to leave UN cultural agency UNESCO again

2025/07/23 11:38

Now, let's take a look at some stories from around the world with our Choi Chi Hee. Good morning, Chi Hee. Good morning, Eunji. Let's begin in the United States, which has once again decided to withdraw from UNESCO. Tell us more. Right. The U.S. has announced that it will pull out of the United Nations' cultural and educational agency, UNESCO, as part of President Donald Trump's efforts to withdraw from international institutions. A White House spokesperson announced on Tuesday, July 22, that the withdrawal will take effect in December 2026, adding that the country's continued participation in the agency is not in its "national interest." U.S. officials criticized UNESCO's agenda, highlighting its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and its 2011 acceptance of Palestine, as misaligned with U.S. values. This marks the third U.S. departure, following exits in 1984 under the Reagan administration and 2017 under Trump, with the U.S. then rejoining in 2003 and 2023, respectively. U.S. financial contributions currently represent approximately 8 percent of UNESCO's budget, down from over 20 percent previously. UNESCO's Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, expressed deep regret but emphasized that the agency is prepared, both financially and operationally.