News

Wars without exits: Gaza, Ukraine, and the breakdown of mediation

2025/07/17 21:35

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. The war in Ukraine has reached a dangerous plateau — stalled on the ground, but escalating in tone. A reported phone call between U.S. President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy raised the possibility of a potential strike on Moscow, shifting attention from diplomacy to deterrence. Over in Gaza, Israel's operations inside Rafah intensify, even as ceasefire talks in Doha remain deadlocked over troop withdrawals and humanitarian control. With negotiations stuck and civilian tolls mounting, international pressure is building — but without clear leverage. So tonight, we ask: are these wars nearing resolution, or are we watching the normalization of endless conflict? For answers to this, we connect to Lim Eun-jung, Professor of International Studies at Kongju National University. Welcome Also joining us is Christophe Gaudin, Professor of Political Science at Kookmin University. Good to see you. 1. (LIM) With the Ukraine war in military stalemate and diplomatic channels barely functioning, we're seeing more bold rhetoric and riskier signaling from all sides. As a starting point — how would you characterize the current phase of this war? 2. (GAUDIN) Let's turn to that July 4th phone call — Trump asked Zelenskyy whether Ukraine could strike Moscow if given U.S. long-range missiles, and Zelenskyy reportedly said yes. What did that exchange reveal about how each side is framing this war now — and how might Moscow received this? 3. (LIM) Following a meeting with NATO, Trump backed a model where European allies would arm Ukraine first, with the U.S. resupplying them later. Is this Trump re-legitimizing NATO, or a way of limiting direct U.S. exposure while retaining control? 4. (LIM) Moving past individual diplomacy—Putin has shown no sign of backing down despite military losses and mounting tariffs. How much leverage does the West really have left, and is Russia's war economy more resilient than expected? 5. (GAUDIN) Israel's military strategy in Gaza and southern Lebanon continues to intensify despite growing international pressure. Do you see this as a calculated defiance of global norms — or a sign of Netanyahu losing strategic control? 6. (LIM) Meanwhile, ceasefire talks in Doha are stuck on two fronts: troop withdrawal and aid distribution. Prof.Lim, what's preventing even basic humanitarian compromise, and does the impasse reflect deeper failures in international mediation? 7. (GAUDIN) Despite months of mediation, neither side appears ready to concede core demands — Israel refuses full withdrawal, while Hamas won't release hostages without guarantees. At this point, do you see a realistic pathway toward ending the Gaza war? 8. (GAUDIN) Israel's proposed "humanitarian city" in Rafah — meant to relocate over 2 million Palestinians into a controlled zone near the Egyptian border — has drawn backlash as a violation of international law, with some calling it a de facto internment camp. How does this affect Israel's legitimacy, and what kind of precedent does it set for wartime displacement policies? 9. (LIM) Stepping back from both conflicts — has U.S. credibility as a peace broker diminished, strengthened, or simply shifted under Trump's second term? 10. (GAUDIN) And finally—with both wars locked in military deadlock and diplomacy fading, what meaningful role can the international community still play? Is there any realistic path — legal, economic, or humanitarian — that could help shift the momentum toward peace?

Israel strikes on Syrian capital hit defense ministry and military headquarters

2025/07/17 19:39

In the Middle East. Israel has launched strikes against Syria and the U.S. is scrambling to resolve this latest outbreak of violence in the region. Lee Seung-jae has more. The Israel Defense Forces announced Wednesday that it had conducted airstrikes on Syria's military headquarters in Damascus. The strikes damaged both the entrance of the defense ministry building, as well as a military headquarters located near the presidential palace. The moment of the attack was captured during a live news broadcast on local network Syria TV, as the anchor reported on Israel's threats to continue attacks. According to Syria's Ministry of Health, at least one person was killed and 18 others injured in the airstrikes. Wednesday's attacks come as Israel vowed to destroy Syrian government forces attacking Druze communities in southern Syria, demanding that they withdraw. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that while the situation in Syria is "complicated," it's a "misunderstanding" and efforts towards de-escalation will be made soon. "So we've been engaged with them all morning long and all night long with both sides, and we think we're on our way towards a real de-escalation " The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency session on Thursday following the Israeli airstrikes. The meeting was requested by the permanent mission of Syria at the UN, and was endorsed by Algeria. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Nat'l Assembly unveils monument symbolizing its identity on 77th Constitution Day

2025/07/17 19:36

Today that is July 17th is Constitution Day here in South Korea and in light of this occasion the National Assembly shared a monument and prepared a time capsule to be opened precisely one hundred years from today. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. "The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea The Last Bastion of Democracy" are the words engraved on a monument unveiled on Thursday on the front lawn of the National Assembly, marking the 77th anniversary of the first proclamation of the Constitution. On the back, it commemorates the day the Assembly, with the people, blocked martial law troops, ending the decree's implementation, and reaffirming its commitment to protect the people and strengthen democracy. "Beneath the monument lies a National Assembly time capsule, buried to mark the 77th Constitution Day. It contains items that reflect the spirit of the times and will be opened 100 years from now, on July 17, 2125." The items include legislative and policy reports, notable bills, Dokdo-related publications, photos of the Assembly, a backup gavel, and messages from lawmakers and staff to future generations. South Korea's constitution was promulgated in 1948 based on open democracy. It was last revised in 1987 after decades of authoritarian rule. To celebrate the anniversary, the National Assembly held a special ceremony on Thursday, where Speaker Woo Won-shik highlighted the power of the Constitution. "This is the first Constitution Day since the December 3rd martial law declaration. In Korea, the people protect the Constitution, and the Constitution protects them. That's why the Constitution is powerful, and Korea is strong." Woo also called for constitutional reform, saying this was needed to meet today's needs and to build a stronger democracy and improve people's lives. He floated the idea of a constitutional referendum alongside the presidential election back in April in order to address calls for decentralization of power following the martial law declaration, but withdrew this after a backlash. "We need to act before it's too late. Rather than a full reform, we should begin with small, gradual amendments that the National Assembly, government and people can all agree on." Posting on Facebook, President Lee Jae Myung called for a discussion on constitutional reform and urged the National Assembly to lead the process, pledging to work alongside the legislature to reflect the will of the people. Meanwhile, following several recently proposed bills to reinstate Constitution Day as a public holiday, attention is on whether it will become a national holiday again for the first time since 2007. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea’s confirmation hearings: Key discussions on U.S. tariffs, economic challenges, and security

2025/07/17 19:35

Meanwhile at the parliament. Confirmation hearings for nominees of the foreign and economy minister posts took place today. Our Kim Jung-sil has the latest. Foreign minister nominee Cho Hyun expressed confidence that an agreement on U.S. tariffs could be reached before the August 1st deadline set by President Donald Trump. When asked at Thursday's confirmation hearing whether the negotiations could conclude in such a short time, Cho said this: "It seems possible, though it's hard to predict. We are putting in our utmost efforts, and from the U.S. perspective, South Korea is not only a very important ally but also a key trading partner, so I believe they will prioritize negotiations with us." Cho also highlighted the potential for both countries to turn the crisis into a win-win opportunity by leveraging South Korea's strengths. If appointed, he pledged to visit the U.S. as early as next week to help finalize the crucial negotiations. Moving to security, Cho was asked whether North Korea remains South Korea's "primary enemy." "North Korea is an urgent and existential threat, but it is also a necessary partner in dialogue for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula." Cho emphasized the importance of close cooperation with the U.S. to ease tensions with North Korea and create opportunities for dialogue. He also outlined plans to strengthen trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan, while encouraging constructive roles from China and Russia. Meanwhile, confirmation hearings for key economic positions also took place. The finance minister nominee, Koo Yun-cheol, highlighted rising inflation, declining household incomes, and worsening external factors, stressing the decline in growth potential. He vowed to lead economic reforms to boost South Korea's future growth. Industry minister nominee, Kim Jung-kwan, outlined plans to boost exports and investments, emphasizing trade policies to strengthen the national interest, especially in response to U.S. tariffs, and expanding global trade networks through agreements and APEC Summits. As hearings continue, focus remains on how nominees' policies will shape South Korea's security and economy. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

President Lee Jae Myung names special envoys to U.S.

2025/07/17 19:33

And President Lee Jae Myung has appointed Park Yong-maan former chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry to lead a diplomatic delegation to the U.S. The three-member delegation includes Park along with ruling Democratic Party lawmakers Han Jun-ho and Kim Woo-young . According to Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sang-ho the delegation is not being dispatched to address a specific subject but to convey changes within South Korea in light of the recent transition of political power. Their departure date has yet to be decided.

President Lee orders all-out response to heavy rain

2025/07/17 19:33

In related news. President Lee Jae Myung has ordered an all-out response to the heavy rain. Meeting with his top aides earlier today he called for safety inspections of high-risk areas including underpasses underground parking lots and retaining walls. "We're already receiving reports of flood damage and casualties. There must be zero tolerance for even the smallest mistakes when it comes to protecting lives." Linking the government's primary purpose to public protection the president also urged for swift probes into recent workplace fatalities strict accountability for those responsible and stronger support for those falling through the cracks of the welfare system. Also marking Constitution Day today he proposed reinstating July 17th as a public holiday calling it a chance to reflect on the spirit of popular sovereignty.

S. KOREA DISPATCHES DIPLOMATIC DELEGATIONS

2025/07/17 18:34

Hello. It's Thursday July 17th here in Seoul and you're watching Press Perspective. I'm Min Sunhee. Today we touch upon South Korea's diplomatic endeavors as it seeks to ensure mutual gains on the trade and security fronts with its global partners. For more I have Ruy Valdes with Spanish news agency EFE Spain. Ruy welcome. I also have Malene Jensen with Danish weekly broadsheet Weekendavisen over in Denmark. Malene it's great to have you on. Malene, the Lee Jae Myung administration has begun dispatching diplomatic delegations overseas to bolster its bilateral interactions with its global partners and among the first four destinations are the EU headquarters in Belgium, France, the UK and India. What has been the response of the foreign media to such diplomatic endeavors by South Korea? Ruy, the first four nations do not include the U.S. nor China. What do you suppose is South Korea's broader intention? Malene, according to the New York Times, Mr. Trump's tariffs are encouraging America's Asian allies to "seek out better friends." What are pundits there saying about prospects of greater partnership between South Korea and Europe? Malene, defense looks to be another area of cooperation between South Korea and Europe. Again, what are the prospects of South Korea emerging as an arms supplier for Europe? Ruy, earlier this week, South Korea extended formal invitations to APEC leaders for this year's summit in Gyeongju. Is South Korea's diplomacy back on track? Malene, earlier this week, President Lee Jae Myung addressed the audience of the 2025 World Congress of Political Science, which was held here in Seoul. What do you believe are the broader implications of this hosting especially keeping in mind South Korea's short-lived martial law in December and the political turmoil it caused? Ruy, back here on the national front. After meeting with bereaved family members of victims of tragic accidents including the Sewol Ferry disaster and the Itaewon crowd crush, President Lee Jae Myung called for a disaster response mechanism that is centered on the victims. What were your takeaways? Ruy, Korea's medical school students are returning back to the academic arena, ending a walkout that has lasted about a year and a half. What are some of the pending tasks for the new administration with regard to this particular issue? All right.

Trump says 25% reciprocal tariff on Japan might go into effect on Aug. 1

2025/07/17 13:36

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington might push ahead with the proposed 25 percent reciprocal tariffs on Japan, hinting at difficulties in reaching a trade deal. Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said his administration may "live by the letter with Japan," referring to letters he sent to countries notifying them of reciprocal tariff rates that will go into effect on August 1st. Observers expected tough trade negotiations between Washington and Tokyo, with Japan showing little flexibility on the U.S.'s call for more access to Japan's agricultural market.

S. Korea's presidential envoys meet top EU officials

2025/07/17 13:36

Presidential envoys from South Korea visited Brussels this week, delivering a message that "Korea's democracy is back" after a months-long leadership vacuum triggered by last year's martial law crisis. Led by former Environment Minister Yoon Yeo-joon, the delegation met with top EU officials, including European Council President António Costa and European Parliament Vice President Christel Schaldemose. Costa welcomed Korea's democratic recovery and voiced support for President Lee's dual-track policy toward North Korea — combining deterrence with dialogue. Marking 15 years of the Korea-EU strategic partnership, both sides pledged deeper cooperation in advanced technologies, climate action, and global security.

Israel strikes on Syrian capital hit defense ministry and military headquarters

2025/07/17 13:36

Over in the Middle East. Israel attacked the Syrian capital, partially destroying military buildings, including the entrance of the defense ministry. This comes as Israel vowed to destroy Syrian government forces attacking Druze communities in southern Syria, demanding that they withdraw. Lee Seung-jae has this report. The Israel Defense Forces announced Wednesday that it had conducted airstrikes on Syria's military headquarters in Damascus. The strikes damaged both the entrance of the defense ministry building, as well as a military headquarters located near the presidential palace. The moment of the attack was captured during a live news broadcast on local network Syria TV, as the anchor reported on Israel's threats to continue attacks. According to Syria's Ministry of Health, at least one person was killed and 18 others injured in the airstrikes. Wednesday's attacks come as Israel vowed to destroy Syrian government forces attacking Druze communities in southern Syria, demanding that they withdraw. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that while the situation in Syria is "complicated," it's a "misunderstanding" and efforts towards de-escalation will be made soon. "So we've been engaged with them all morning long and all night long with both sides, and we think we're on our way towards a real de-escalation " The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency session on Thursday following the Israeli airstrikes. The meeting was requested by the permanent mission of Syria at the UN, and was endorsed by Algeria. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Education minister nominee apologizes for alleged plagiarism, illegally sending daughter abroad to study

2025/07/17 13:35

At the National Assembly. Rival parties clashed, again,.. as confirmation hearings of Cabinet nominees continued for the third day. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. On the third day of National Assembly hearings for the president's first Cabinet, lawmakers on Wednesday questioned the nominees for education, justice, and labor ministers on their policy agendas and qualifications. Nominee for education minister Lee Jin-sook , whose role doubles as deputy prime minister, emphasized her commitment to nurturing future talent in step with the development of AI. "I will focus on enhancing digital literacy and AI fundamentals from elementary through high school, building a strong foundation to develop AI talent that will help South Korea become a global leader in AI." During the hearing, the focus was on allegations of Lee sending her daughter abroad for overseas study at an age deemed illegal under the law, and committing academic plagiarism. Lee apologized, saying she understood the allegations disappointed public expectations, but she denied all claims related to her academic papers. She also said she was unaware that sending a child, who had not graduated from middle school, abroad without a parent was illegal. The ruling and opposition parties clashed over the nominee's qualifications. "If the candidate had any conscience, I would have expected her to step down before the hearing, to avoid becoming a burden to the Lee Jae Myung administration." "Calling this candidate unqualified? Why are we holding this confirmation hearing? And why are the lawmakers sitting here as committee members?" Meanwhile, justice minister nominee Jung Sung-ho said it was time to resolve the issue of separating the prosecution's investigation and indictment powers, emphasizing his commitment to prosecutorial reform, one of the Lee Jae Myung administration's key campaign pledges. "Separating the prosecution's powers to investigate and indict is an inevitable policy direction to ensure its political neutrality, reduce the concentration of power, and to establish checks and balances among investigative agencies." Kim Young-hoon , the nominee for employment and labor minister, pledged to resolve discrimination against temporary workers and ensure equal pay for equal work as his top priorities. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Lee offers apology to bereaved families of major disasters

2025/07/17 13:34

President Lee Jae Myung met with families of the victims of national tragedies that have occurred in recent years, including the Itaewon Halloween crowd crush and the Sewol ferry sinking. The president offered an apology on behalf of the government. Our top office correspondent, Yoon Jung-min reports. The day after the nation remembered the second anniversary of the disastrous underpass flooding in the city of Osong, a large-scale dialogue took place with people who had lost loved ones in major social disasters in recent years, many of whom's suffering is far from over. To these people, President Lee Jae Myung offered an official apology. "As the chief who's in charge of state affairs, I officially apologize on behalf of the government for not fulfilling its responsibility to protect the lives and safety of the people, which led to the loss of many lives." Invited to the Yeongbingwan Hall at the Blue House on Wednesday were some 200 of them for "consolation and healing." Among them were bereaved families of the Sewol ferry sinking that killed more than 300 people in 2014, many of whom were young people aboard for a school trip, the Itaewon crowd crush in 2022, and the Muan airport crash late last year. Some still called for getting to the bottom of what happened and holding those responsible to account, "We call for an investigation into the cause of the disaster, and for the interior ministry to immediately open an investigation to find out the cause of the flooding." others suffer from secondary victimization. "Since the disaster, we have never been apologized to for the state violence whereby victims have been subject to inspections, and efforts to uncover the truth have been hindered." As the message was clear about what should be done at a national level, the focus was on how the state should function to prevent such disasters from happening again. "The state's No. 1 responsibility is to protect the lives and safety of the people. The state was not there when the people were threatened, when they needed protection. There was a wrong tendency in this society where money comes before life and costs come before safety." Wednesday's meeting was part of President Lee's attempts to bolster direct communication with the people. Another town hall meeting is scheduled on Friday in the southeastern city of Busan. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

Education minister nominee apologizes for alleged plagiarism, illegally sending daughter abroad to study

2025/07/16 22:44

Confirmation hearings of Cabinet nominees continued for a third day today, with the education, justice, and labor minister candidates appearing before their respective National Assembly standing committees. And again, the rival parties clashed over the nominees' qualifications. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. On the third day of National Assembly hearings for the president's first Cabinet, lawmakers on Wednesday questioned the nominees for education, justice, and labor ministers on their policy agendas and qualifications. Nominee for education minister Lee Jin-sook , whose role doubles as deputy prime minister, emphasized her commitment to nurturing future talent in step with the development of AI. "I will focus on enhancing digital literacy and AI fundamentals from elementary through high school, building a strong foundation to develop AI talent that will help South Korea become a global leader in AI." During the hearing, the focus was on allegations of Lee sending her daughter abroad for overseas study at an age deemed illegal under the law, and committing academic plagiarism. Lee apologized, saying she understood the allegations disappointed public expectations, but she denied all claims related to her academic papers. She also said she was unaware that sending a child, who had not graduated from middle school, abroad without a parent was illegal. The ruling and opposition parties clashed over the nominee's qualifications. "If the candidate had any conscience, I would have expected her to step down before the hearing, to avoid becoming a burden to the Lee Jae Myung administration." "Calling this candidate unqualified? Why are we holding this confirmation hearing? And why are the lawmakers sitting here as committee members?" Meanwhile, justice minister nominee Jung Sung-ho said it was time to resolve the issue of separating the prosecution's investigation and indictment powers, emphasizing his commitment to prosecutorial reform, one of the Lee Jae Myung administration's key campaign pledges. "Separating the prosecution's powers to investigate and indict is an inevitable policy direction to ensure its political neutrality, reduce the concentration of power, and to establish checks and balances among investigative agencies." Kim Young-hoon , the nominee for employment and labor minister, pledged to resolve discrimination against temporary workers and ensure equal pay for equal work as his top priorities. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

DP urges action on 'heatflation' and worker safety amid soaring temperatures

2025/07/16 22:41

Amid the height of summer here, the Democratic Party on Wednesday inspected food wholesale and logistics sites to determine heatwave and inflation countermeasures. Acting party leader Kim Byung-kee warned that soaring food prices caused by extreme temperatures — so-called "heatflation" — are becoming a reality, vowing to stabilize costs and reform distribution. Officials highlighted online wholesale markets as a way to cut supply chain layers and reduce consumer prices. Kim also called for better protection for delivery workers and urged companies to join a "No Delivery Day" in August to help prevent deaths from overwork.

[Politics & Diplomacy] Seoul's pending foreign policy issues as FM nominee awaits confirmation, Lee-Trump Summit still not set

2025/07/16 22:39

South Korea's foreign policy is in the early stages of formation, a little over a month after the Lee Jae Myung administration took office. A new foreign minister awaits confirmation, top-level talks with the U.S. are in the works, and there are growing efforts to diversify Korea's diplomacy. To touch upon the latest developments, we're joined in the studio by our foreign affairs correspondent Oh Soo-young. Q1. Let's start with the confirmation hearing for Cho Hyun, the nominee for foreign minister, taking place on Thursday. What do we know about him and what will his priorities be? Cho Hyun is a seasoned career diplomat, having served as Vice Foreign Minister, and South Korea's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Cho also happens to be a trade negotiation expert, who was behind economic cooperation and trade initiatives with the likes of Japan, India and Mexico. So it's likely he will play an instrumental role in handling tariff negotiations alongside the trade minister, and further strengthening the S. Korea-U.S. alliance, at a time when it is hard to engage with the Trump administration. Amid pressure from Washington officials to offer more financially, outside the existing agreement on sharing the cost of stationing U.S. troops on the Korean Peninsula, Seoul's foreign ministry has simply said it's communicating with the U.S. on ways to further develop the alliance. So once Cho is inaugurated, setting the course of negotiations with the U.S. will be a priority. In his comments over the past month, Cho has indicated he will aim to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance, but at the same time, broaden Seoul's realm of foreign policy beyond its traditional partners. His time at the UN would prove valuable in expanding Korea's multilateral diplomacy. Cho is also expected to support the Lee administration's more dovish position towards engaging North Korea, supporting renewed dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang. He first has to have his nomination confirmed of course, so let's see how that goes tomorrow. Q2. It's clear leadership is needed to steer Korea's foreign policy -- not just by the minister but at the top level. Presidents Lee and Trump still have yet to meet. Is there any chance we'll see a bilateral meeting this month? At this point, a July summit is looking increasingly unlikely. After initially hinting that a summit could happen next week, the South Korean President's office now simply says it's closely communicating with Washington. This comes after plans for a high-level visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio were canceled earlier this month, reportedly due to other priorities in the Middle East. Rubio's visit was expected to lay the groundwork for a summit in the coming weeks, and now we're not hearing anything more concrete from either side. With President Trump's new deadline for tariff negotiations set for August 1st, there's growing pressure for Seoul to procure a meeting as soon as possible. However, with Trump's attention divided between Russia and the Middle East, observers say more realistic windows for the first Lee-Trump meeting would be September, around the time of the UN General Assembly or the APEC Summit in South Korea's Gyeongju in October. For now, the two presidents have only spoken on the phone in the days after Lee Jae Myung took office. Q3. Right. In the meantime though, it looks like there's been some progress on regional diplomacy. Yes, the Lee Administration has set out to strengthen regional partnerships in diverse areas beyond South Korea's traditional security-focused interests. This includes holding a stronger presence at multilateral forums, as we saw at the ASEAN regional forum last Thursday and Friday in Malaysia. South Korea and ASEAN adopted a new five-year Plan of Action, laying the groundwork for deeper political, security, economic and socio-cultural relations. "We expect Korea to be that standard setter and to help us in terms of building our frameworks regional frameworks, regional frameworks on digital economy, on cybersecurity on say renewable energy in the future and energy resiliency. Second is of course how Korea is a leader in technology for infrastructure and funding. That's something that's complimentary ASEAN. And last but not least, of course, Korea is also being seen as a reliable and dressing option that is politically safe early there is no chance that Korea will be seen as troublesome or geopolitically difficult to work with in like other countries at this moment" As Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun awaits parliamentary approval, first vice minister Park Yoon-joo led the delegation to Malaysia. But despite his deputy status, we saw him hold a high-level trilateral meeting with the U.S. and Japan's top diplomats, expressing their will to deter North Korea's nuclear threat, and he also raised the agenda in various discussions throughout ASEAN related forums. So it's been seen as a successful first start to Seoul's push for diplomatic diversification under the new government. Alright. It's still early days but hopefully there'll be continued progress on multilateral diplomacy, as South Korea chairs the APEC Summit in Gyeongju later this year. Thanks for coming in today Sooyoung.

U.S. House Committee passes fiscal year 2026 defense bill barring reduction of U.S. Forces Korea

2025/07/16 22:36

The U.S. House Committee passed a defense budget bill for the fiscal year 2026. It included maintaining the current level of U.S. Forces Korea, amid ongoing concerns that the Trump administration could reduce the number of troops. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung tells us more. The U.S. defense spending bill for the 2026 fiscal year calls for maintaining the current size of the U.S. Forces Korea passed the first hurdle of the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The U.S. Defense Authorization Act's passing by the House Armed Services Committee comes amid concerns over the possibility of the Trump administration cutting the number of U.S. Forces Korea troops. The bill passed by a verbal vote, was Republican congressman Joe Wilson's amendment to the NDAA, where he stated that the defense secretary should continue efforts to strengthen alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. Such efforts, would include maintaining the current size of U.S. forces in South Korea, enhancing mutual defense cooperation, and reaffirming the U.S. commitment to providing extended deterrence using all available defense capabilities. This text is the same, as the current 2025 NDAA which passed Congress in December last year. The previous draft of the 2026 NDAA, which the committee chairman, Republican Mike Rogers shared with the committee, did not include a part stipulating maintaining the status quo with regard to the size of U.S. troops in South Korea, until Wilson's amendment. The phrase in the NDAA is not legally binding, however, it has often been accepted as Congress' recommendation. The passage of the NDAA at the lower house committee comes after the Senate committee passed its own version of the fiscal year 2026 NDAA on Friday. The Senate's version contained a new part that prohibits any decrease in USFK personnel or transfer of wartime operational control to Korean forces unless the defense secretary certifies to Congress that such moves are in the national interest. It also called for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Indo-Pacific Command commander and the USFK commander to conduct independent assessments on the risks associated with troop reductions or transfer of wartime operational control. With the U.S. administration expected to announce a plan for the global repositioning of U.S. troops and defense strategy as early as the end of August, eyes are on how the NDAA will eventually turn out. The defense spending bills are expected to undergo a consultation process between the House and Senate, be adjusted into a single proposal, and finalized with President Donald Trump's signature. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Trump plans pharma tariffs by end of July, chips on horizon

2025/07/16 22:35

The Trump administration's pharmaceutical tariffs might come as early as the end of the month, the U.S. President says, with similar timelines also set for semiconductors. Our Moon Ji-young has more. U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that tariffs on pharmaceutical imports could be imposed as soon as the end of this month, with duties on semiconductors also on the horizon. "Pharmaceuticals will be tariffed, probably at the end of the month, and we're going to start off with a low tariff, and give the pharmaceutical companies a year or so to build, and then we're going to make it a very high tariff." Returning from a public event in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Trump noted that the timeline for semiconductor levies was "similar" and "less complicated" to that for pharmaceuticals, though he offered no further details. These remarks suggest that these import taxes might coincide with broad "reciprocal" rates set for implementation on August 1st. The August 1st deadline gives targeted countries time to negotiate for lower tariff rates. Trump, in recent days, has sent letters to a number of trading partners unilaterally dictating the rates for tariffs on many imports, while maintaining he would continue to carry out negotiations. Trump predicted that he could strike "two or three" trade deals, stating: "We're working on probably five or six. Of the five or six, I'm not sure I really want to do them. You know, you want somebody that knows how to negotiate. But we'll probably have two or three." Meanwhile, the Trump administration also announced plans to impose tariffs on goods from smaller countries, including those in the Caribbean and Africa, which have not received tailored rates. "The Caribbean countries, African countries. You have a huge amount of countries that are small, and the president is just going to deal with them sort of the way he thinks is the right way to deal with them." Trump also mentioned that while some countries, such as South Korea, had shown a willingness to "open" trade following his threats, others, like Japan, had not. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

Busan to host S. Korea’s first UNESCO World Heritage Committee session

2025/07/16 22:34

South Korea has been selected to serve as the host country for next year's UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Thousands of representatives from around the world will put their heads together down in Busan City to review global cultural and natural heritage sites and their value. Park Hyo-been reports. UNESCO's World Heritage Committee meeting will take place in Busan, South Korea's second-largest city next summer. In a meeting in Paris on Tuesday, officials announced that South Korea will host the 48th session, scheduled for July 2026. While the event has previously been held in other Asian countries, this is the first time South Korea will serve as chair. In response to the announcement, the government welcomed the decision and called it a historic moment. "We're honored that South Korea has been chosen to host the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session next July. This will mark the first time the meeting is held in our country, and it will be a historic moment to showcase South Korea's cultural leadership to the world." More than three thousand participants, including representatives from 196 signatories to the World Heritage Convention are expected to attend, to review global cultural and natural heritage from multiple angles. The Korea Heritage Service noted that the announcement is especially meaningful as it comes in the 30th anniversary year of Korea's first World Heritage listings, which include Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto in the city of Gyeongju. "Since joining the World Heritage Convention in 1988, South Korea is now serving its fourth term as a committee member. We aim to promote dialogue among cultures and strengthen international cooperation, in line with UNESCO's founding principles." Officials in Busan say the city was chosen for its proven ability to host large-scale events, with strong infrastructure, security, and accommodation. The city previously hosted major gatherings like the APEC summit, and officials expect the World Heritage session to further cement its reputation as a global conference hub. And with thousands of visitors expected, the event is also projected to boost the local economy through tourism and related spending. At the 47th session in Paris which opened on July 6, a set of prehistoric rock carvings in Ulsan City was added to UNESCO's World Heritage list. This marks South Korea's 17th inscription on the list and the 2026 session in Busan is expected to further elevate South Korea's standing in global heritage diplomacy. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Deepening N.Korea–Russia ties raise stakes for Seoul, Beijing, and the west

2025/07/16 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 and Russia are tightening their strategic partnership. Over the weekend, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov touched down in the North Korean port city of Wonsan for high-level talks with his counterpart, Choe Son-hui. At the heart of the meeting: a public show of unity following North Korea's military deployment to support Russian forces in Ukraine's Kursk region. Lavrov hailed the North's "heroic soldiers," while Choe called it a defining moment in their alliance. Beyond the battlefield, Moscow also pledged to boost Russian tourism to Wonsan, including the expansion of air routes. With ties deepening, pressure is mounting — and eyes are now on China, and South Korea's next steps, and what message this axis sends to the West. For a deeper discussion on this, we're joined in the studio by Go Myong-hyun, senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy. Welcome. And Ambassador Joseph DeTrani, former special envoy of the U.S. for the Six-Party Talks Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited North Korea for three days and two nights, but in a rare move, the meetings were held in Wonsan rather than the capital, Pyongyang. What do you make of this location? Could the invitation have been aimed at attracting Russian tourists? Something noteworthy is Lavrov's statement where he said there's "no reason to reject North Korea's sincere acts of solidarity." Would you interpret this as an indirect request for North Korea to send additional troops? How likely is it that Pyongyang will dispatch more forces? As for ties with the regime, Lavrov also reaffirmed that Russia would be a steadfast ally of North Korea. What could this signal? do you think Russia could become a major variable in President Lee Jae-myung's push for inter-Korean engagement? During the visit, Lavrov conveyed a personal message and letter from President Putin saying he hopes to "soon meet directly with Chairman Kim." However, North Korean media made no mention of any upcoming summit between Kim and Putin. Is there a subtle rift in tone between the two countries? Why might North Korea be staying silent on the matter? Following the visit, there's speculation that Lavrov's trip might have laid the groundwork for a Russia-North Korea summit. Lavrov himself said there's a chance the two leaders could meet. When do you think such a summit could realistically take place? Shifting gears, North Korea and China have reportedly agreed to resume passenger train service between their capitals after nearly five years. Both countries also held back-to-back banquets commemorating the signing of their friendship treaty. Do these gestures signal a thaw in relations following last year's tensions? Lavrov's next stop after North Korea was China, signaling an effort to close ranks among the North Korea-China-Russia triangle. Until now, Beijing has managed its ties with Pyongyang and Moscow carefully while avoiding a formal trilateral alignment. Could this indicate a strategic shift in China's approach? That brings us to South Korea's position, there's speculation that China might leverage the Lee Jae-myung administration's desire to improve South Korea–China relations. Could Beijing demand that Seoul not join U.S.-led containment efforts against China as a condition for better ties? What's your assessment? Finally, what message does this tightening of trilateral North Korea–China–Russia cooperation send to the Korean Peninsula and the West?

Education minister nominee apologizes for alleged plagiarism, illegally sending daughter abroad to study

2025/07/16 19:43

We begin at the parliament yet again as confirmation hearings enter a third day with the nominee for education among those who faced rebuke for a personal decision regarding her daughter's academic pursuits. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. On the third day of hearings for the president's first Cabinet, lawmakers on Wednesday questioned the nominees for education, justice, and labor ministers on their policy agendas and qualifications. Nominee for education minister Lee Jin-sook , whose role doubles as deputy prime minister, emphasized her commitment to nurturing future talent in step with the development of AI. "I will focus on enhancing digital literacy and AI fundamentals from elementary through high school, building a strong foundation to develop AI talent that will help South Korea become a global leader in AI." During the hearing, the focus was on allegations of Lee sending her daughter abroad for overseas study at an age deemed illegal under the law, and committing academic plagiarism. Lee apologized, saying she understood the allegations disappointed public expectations, but she denied all claims related to her academic papers. She also said she was unaware that sending a child, who had not graduated from middle school, abroad without a parent was illegal. The ruling and opposition parties clashed over the nominee's qualifications. "If the candidate had any conscience, I would have expected her to step down before the hearing, to avoid becoming a burden to the Lee Jae Myung administration." "Calling this candidate unqualified? Why are we holding this confirmation hearing? And why are the lawmakers sitting here as committee members?" Meanwhile, justice minister nominee Jung Sung-ho said it was time to resolve the issue of separating the prosecution's investigation and indictment powers, emphasizing his commitment to prosecutorial reform, one of the Lee Jae Myung administration's key campaign pledges. "Separating the prosecution's powers to investigate and indict is an inevitable policy direction to ensure its political neutrality, reduce the concentration of power, and to establish checks and balances among investigative agencies." Kim Young-hoon , the nominee for employment and labor minister, pledged to resolve discrimination against temporary workers and ensure equal pay for equal work as his top priorities. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.