News

Japan begins tariff talks with U.S. on Wednesday

2025/04/17 10:00

Ahead of South Korea's turn for tariff talks with the U.S. scheduled for next week, Japan began its own negotiations with Washington on Wednesday, with a surprise attendance by Trump. Lee Seung-jae has more. Top trade officials from Japan arrived in Washington on Wednesday for tariff negotiations with their U.S. counterparts. Tokyo hopes to lower the reciprocal tariff rate of 24 percent, and receive tariff exemptions on steel and automobiles. Japanese economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa, who's leading the talks for Tokyo,.. expressed optimism before, saying the two countries could have good negotiations that will lead to a win-win situation for both sides. U.S. President Donald Trump also joined in on the trade talks with Japanese officials. Trump took to his social media platform to announce that he would be joining Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in discussing tariffs and trade. After the talks, Trump wrote on his social media page that it was a "great honor" to have met with the Japanese delegation, adding that there was "big progress" made during the talks. Trump's decision to get directly involved in the negotiations also comes as he hinted at a desire to cover issues, including the amount Japan pays towards the cost of stationing U.S. soldiers in Japan. Despite Bessent stressing that there's a "first mover advantage" with more than 75 countries requesting trade talks, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said earlier this week, that Tokyo won't rush to reach a deal, nor does it plan to make major concessions. With South Korea set to hold talks with the U.S. soon, all eyes are on Wednesday's trade talks between Washington and Tokyo, as they could be a litmus test of what's to come for upcoming negotiations. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Putin meets in Kremlin with three hostages released by Hamas, thanks group's leadership

2025/04/17 10:00

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday met with three former hostages held by Hamas, who were released in late 2023 and February of this year. Speaking to Alexander Trufanov, who had been held by Hamas in Gaza for 498 days, Putin pledged to continue efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages. Putin also acknowledged "years of stable relations" with Palestinian representatives as pivotal in facilitating the release of the hostages, and extended gratitude to Hamas for what he termed a "humanitarian act." Trufanov, whose father was killed during the October 2023 Hamas attack, appealed to Putin to persist in efforts to free others still in captivity.

Eight in for PPP's presidential nomination amid impeachment fallout; Seoul mayor becomes popular

2025/04/16 20:00

Meanwhile, the People Power Party has a total of eight candidates hoping to win the partisan primary election to regain the reins of the top office. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon reports. After closing the registration for the presidential primary the People Power Party on Wednesday named eight contestants after cutting three of the registered but not well-known names for not being up to the public's expectations and standards. As expected the eight are Kim Moon-soo, the latest labor minister, five-term lawmaker Na Kyung-won, four-term lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, former lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja, Incheon mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo, former PPP chair Han Dong-hoon, the latest Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo. The Chair of PPP's election committee emphasized that it'll manage a fair election. "As election committee chair, I will work with my team to ensure each candidate can freely present their vision in an open, energetic atmosphere. Through honest debate, we aim to select a candidate the people can truly trust to lead the nation." Without a clear front-runner, a fierce competition awaits the contestants but some touch of fun awaits as well to garner support from the young generations. This includes heart monitoring during debates, speed round questions, and self-introductions based on MBTIs. All in all, however Hwang emphasized party unity amid what could be seen as an uphill battle an election after its former president was impeached. Harmony and unity are our core values. To win the public's trust, every candidate must unite, work together, and move forward as one team. Meanwhile, the eight contestants released their pledges and were doing media interviews on Wednesday. However, an unexpected key figure was in the spotlight. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon who pulled out from the primaries became a popular person to meet. Starting with dinner with Hong Joon-pyo on Tuesday night, the Seoul Mayor met with Kim Moon-soo on Wednesday for breakfast, Na Kyung-won in the morning, and Ahn Cheol-soo for lunch. The candidates emphasized their visions aligned with the Mayor's which was focused on growth and helping "the weak" initially when he launched his campaign. This is largely seen as a message to Oh's supporters as he's not in the race anymore. Meanwhile, Han Dong-hoon visited Daegu on Wednesday. Daegu is a conservative stronghold with many eligible electors that account for 50 percent of the final votes. Meanwhile after a media day for the candidates on Thursday series of debates will be held through the weekend. Based on the debates, four will survive the cut-off for the next round starting April 22nd. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

DP preliminary candidates pledge fair competition as party primary kicks off in Chungcheong-do Provinces

2025/04/16 20:00

Turning to the presidential primaries. The Democratic Party has a total of three contenders competing for the liberal party ticket to the top office, with their focus on the economy. Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. As the Democratic Party kicks off its primary race for the 21st presidential election, its three preliminary candidates pledged to compete fairly and come together after the race. On Wednesday, former party leader Lee Jae-myung; Kim Kyung-soo, former Gyeongsangnam-do Province Governor; and Kim Dong-yeon, current Gyeonggi-do Province Governor, made their first joint appearance since registering for the primary. "For a better life for the people and a hopeful future, the DP and our candidate whoever that may be must win this election." "I hope this primary will be a chance to fully showcase the DP's experience and capabilities." "I will give my best through fierce competition and come together to bring real change, beyond just a change in government." Starting Wednesday, the party will run four primaries through April 27th: Chungcheong-do, Gyeongsang-do, Jeolla-do provinces, and the Seoul Metropolitan Area alongside Gangwon-do Province and Jeju. During the regional primaries, dues-paying party members and party delegates will cast their votes, which will account for 50 percent of the total in selecting the presidential candidate. On the last day in each region, the voting results will be announced. Public polls will be conducted for two days sometime between April 21st and 27th, and these will account for the remaining 50 percent. The final candidate will be confirmed on April 27th. All three candidates are focusing their policy visions on the economy. Lee Jae-myung's think tank officially launched on Wednesday, outlining a national vision that aims for 3 percent potential growth, becoming one of the world's top four exporters, and creating a gross national income per capita of 50-thousand U.S. dollars by 2030. Kim Kyung-soo announced his economic policy focused on boosting the AI industry and promoting balanced regional growth, promising 100 trillion Korean won, around 70 billion dollars, in public-private investment over the next five years to secure AI leadership and drive industrial change. Kim Dong-yeon, meanwhile, has been emphasizing the so-called "Five Big Deals" to differentiate his economic policies, which includes focusing on balanced regional growth, climate change, and tax reform. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Court halts Acting President’s justice nominations ahead of snap election

2025/04/16 20:00

South Korea's Constitutional Court has suspended Acting President Han Duck-soo's nominations for two Constitutional Court justices. On Tuesday, the court upheld an injunction filed by lawyer Kim Jung-hwan, temporarily blocking Han's picks: Government Legislation Minister Lee Wan-kyu and senior Seoul High Court judge Ham Sang-hoon. The nominations are now on hold until the court rules on whether an acting president has the authority to make such appointments. The case was filed after strong backlash from the Democratic Party and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, who accused Acting President Han of trying to stack the bench before a new president is elected. Two justices retire from the bench this week, leaving just seven out of nine. In a statement, Han's office said the government respects the court's ruling and will await the final judgment.

EU calls for further efforts from U.S. for fair trade deal

2025/04/16 20:00

Meanwhile, trade officials from the EU and their U.S. counterparts began their talks, which appear to have reaffirmed their differences, with a focus on removing tariffs on all industrial goods proposed by the EU. Park Kun-woo explains. EU trade officials met with their U.S. counterparts in Washington, D.C., on Monday to reach a deal on tariffs, but were unable to bridge gaps in their stances on trade. According to the European Commission on Tuesday, the EU's proposal of zero-for-zero reciprocal tariffs on industrial goods, including cars along with non-tariff barriers, were among the main items on the agenda. It added talks about overcapacity in steel and aluminum, and the resilience of supply chains in semiconductors and pharmaceutical sectors were also part of the talks. And the EU emphasized it would not budge on standards, standing firm on "red lines," including food, health, and safety, as well as regulations regarding technology and the digital market. European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill urged the U.S. to clarify its stance, saying the EU is doing its part, and more engagement from Washington is needed to keep the process moving. Following Monday's meeting, EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic posted on social media, saying a "significant joint effort" from both sides would be needed to reach a fair deal, adding that the EU is ready. Officials from the U.S. trade representative's office reportedly did not respond to requests for comments on the U.S. stance following the meeting. With the EU's 90-day pause on retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods set to last until July 14, EU officials say further measures are also being discussed internally in case no agreement is reached by then. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

EU calls for further efforts from U.S. for fair trade deal

2025/04/16 17:00

Meanwhile trade officials from the EU and their U.S. counterparts sat down in Washington D.C. for tariff talks that simply appear to have reaffirmed their differences with the European delegation stressing the need for "significant effort" from both sides to ensure "a fair deal." Our Park Kun-woo reports. EU trade officials met with their U.S. counterparts in Washington, D.C., on Monday to reach a deal on tariffs, but were unable to bridge gaps in their stances on trade. According to the European Commission on Tuesday, the EU's proposal of zero-for-zero reciprocal tariffs on industrial goods, including cars along with non-tariff barriers, were among the main items on the agenda. It added talks about overcapacity in steel and aluminum, and the resilience of supply chains in semiconductors and pharmaceutical sectors were also part of the talks. And the EU emphasized it would not budge on standards, standing firm on "red lines," including food, health, and safety, as well as regulations regarding technology and the digital market. European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill urged the U.S. to clarify its stance, saying the EU is doing its part, and more engagement from Washington is needed to keep the process moving. Following Monday's meeting, EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic posted on social media, saying a "significant joint effort" from both sides would be needed to reach a fair deal, adding that the EU is ready. Officials from the U.S. trade representative's office reportedly did not respond to requests for comments on the U.S. stance following the meeting. With the EU's 90-day pause on retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods set to last until July 14, EU officials say further measures are also being discussed internally in case no agreement is reached by then. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

U.S. limits selling of Nvidia's H20 chips, weighs up delisting stocks of Chinese firms

2025/04/16 17:00

The Trump administration is ratcheting up its pressure on Beijing by restricting the export of Nvidia's H20 chips to China and MAY also explore prospects of removing Chinese stocks from U.S. exchanges. Moon Ji-young has our top story. The Trump administration is seemingly enhancing its curbs on China amid escalating trade tensions. One significant action taken is restricting Nvidia from selling its H20 chips, which have been among its most popular products, to China. Nvidia stated on Tuesday that the Trump administration privately informed them last week that selling the H20 to China would require a license "for the indefinite future." According to Nvidia, the new regulation addresses Washington's concerns that "the covered products may be used in, or diverted to, a supercomputer in China." The AI chip giant warned that it expects to report about five and a half billion dollars in writedowns due to inventory issues, and the new rule will also hinder a product line specifically designed for China to comply with previous U.S. restrictions. Following this announcement, Nvidia's stock fell by 6-point-3 percent in after-hours trading, despite having gained 1-point-3 percent during regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange. Meanwhile, the announcement follows Nvidia's commitment made on Monday to invest 5-hundred billion dollars in AI infrastructure in the U.S. over the next four years. "I believe the U.S. intends to convey that if we allow China's manufacturing capabilities to grow without significant obstacles, we risk losing our own manufacturing base. This situation seems to evoke a sense of crisis among us." Additionally, the trade showdown is spilling over to Chinese stocks listed in the U.S. According to Politico, U.S. administration officials are considering actions to delist nearly 300 Chinese firms trading on U.S. exchanges. When asked about this potential during an interview with Fox Business last week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, "Everything is on the table." Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

World News: Hamas rejects Israeli ceasefire disarmament proposal

2025/04/16 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. In the Middle East, a senior Palestinian official said Hamas rejected a new Israeli ceasefire offer that demanded the group's disarmament. The ceasefire, presented by Israel to Hamas through mediators Egypt and Qatar on Monday, reportedly included the disarmament of Hamas as a condition for the first time. However, on Tuesday, Hamas is said to have rejected the offer, labeling the disarmament clause a "red line" for the group and asserting that it will not surrender its weapons under any circumstances. The offer also included a six-week truce and a phased release of more hostages. Hamas insists that any agreement must include a permanent end to hostilities and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The rejection of the ceasefire proposal comes amid ongoing negotiations in Cairo, which have yet to yield a breakthrough. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unannounced visit to northern Gaza to encourage troops, marking a rare appearance in the conflict zone. On Tuesday local time, Netanyahu met with Israeli troops, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and top military officials. He received briefings on ongoing operations aimed at dismantling Hamas and securing the release of hostages. Netanyahu reiterated Israel's commitment to achieving its war objectives, stating, "We are fighting for our existence. We are fighting for our future." During his visit, he also addressed a recent statement by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying that Iran's calls for Israel's destruction show the existential nature of the conflict. In the United States, President Donald Trump threatened to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status on Tuesday, accusing the university of promoting political agendas contrary to public interest. The Trump administration has frozen over 2.2 billion U.S. dollars in federal grants and contracts to Harvard after the university rejected demands to overhaul its academic programs, including eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and increasing cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Harvard's president hit back saying, "The university will not surrender its independence or its constitutional rights." Former President Barack Obama praised Harvard's stance and urged other institutions to defend academic independence. Finally, in France, President Emmanuel Macron honored a hundred-and-one individuals who played significant roles in the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris on Tuesday local time. The ceremony at the Elysee presidential palace coincided with the sixth anniversary of the devastating fire at the cathedral in 2019. Among the honorees were carpenters, ironworkers, scaffolders, organ restorers, and dozens of other craftspeople recognized for their contributions. Prestigious awards presented by Macron included the Legion of Honour and the National Order of Merit. Commander of the Legion of Honour, France's highest public distinction, was bestowed upon Philippe Jost, who supervised the reconstruction. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Eight in for PPP's presidential nomination amid impeachment fallout; Seoul mayor becomes popular

2025/04/16 17:00

Meanwhile, the People Power Party has a total of eight candidates hoping to win the partisan primary election to regain the reins of the top office. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon has details. After closing the registration for the presidential primary, the People Power Party on Wednesday named eight contestants after cutting three of the registered but not well-known names for not being up to the public's expectations and standards. As expected, the eight are Kim Moon-soo, the latest labor minister, five-term lawmaker Na Kyung-won, four-term lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, former lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja, Incheon mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo, former PPP chair Han Dong-hoon, the latest Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo. The Chair of PPP's election committee emphasized that it'll manage a fair election. "As election committee chair, I will work with my team to ensure each candidate can freely present their vision in an open, energetic atmosphere. Through honest debate, we aim to select a candidate the people can truly trust to lead the nation." Without a clear front-runner, a fierce competition awaits the contestants but some touch of fun awaits as well to garner support from the young generations. This includes heart monitoring during debates, speed round questions, and self-introductions based on MBTIs. All in all, however Hwang emphasized party unity amid what could be seen as an uphill battle an election after its former president was impeached. Harmony and unity are our core values. To win the public's trust, every candidate must unite, work together, and move forward as one team. Meanwhile, the eight contestants released their pledges and were doing media interviews on Wednesday. However, an unexpected key figure was in the spotlight. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon who pulled out from the primaries became a popular person to meet. Starting with dinner with Hong Joon-pyo on Tuesday night, the Seoul Mayor met with Kim Moon-soo on Wednesday for breakfast, Na Kyung-won in the morning, and Ahn Cheol-soo for lunch. The candidates emphasized their visions aligned with the Mayor's which was focused on growth and helping "the weak" initially when he launched his campaign. This is largely seen as a message to Oh's supporters as he's not in the race anymore. Meanwhile, Han Dong-hoon visited Daegu on Wednesday. Daegu is a conservative stronghold with many eligible electors that account for 50 percent of the final votes. Meanwhile, after a media day for the candidates on Thursday, a series of debates will be held through the weekend. Based on the debates, four will survive the cut-off for the next round starting April 22nd. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

DP preliminary candidates pledge fair competition as party primary kicks off in Chungcheong-do Provinces

2025/04/16 17:00

Partisan primaries are now well underway and the Democratic Party has a total of three contenders competing for the liberal party ticket to the top office. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. As the Democratic Party kicks off its primary race for the 21st presidential election, its three preliminary candidates pledged to compete fairly and come together after the race. On Wednesday, former party leader Lee Jae-myung; Kim Kyung-soo, former Gyeongsangnam-do Province Governor; and Kim Dong-yeon, current Gyeonggi-do Province Governor, made their first joint appearance since registering for the primary. "For a better life for the people and a hopeful future, the DP and our candidate whoever that may be must win this election." "I hope this primary will be a chance to fully showcase the DP's experience and capabilities." "I will give my best through fierce competition and come together to bring real change, beyond just a change in government." Starting Wednesday, the party will run four primaries through April 27th: Chungcheong-do, Gyeongsang-do, Jeolla-do provinces, and the Seoul Metropolitan Area alongside Gangwon-do Province and Jeju. During the regional primaries, dues-paying party members and party delegates will cast their votes, which will account for 50 percent of the total in selecting the presidential candidate. On the last day in each region, the voting results will be announced. Public polls will be conducted for two days sometime between April 21st and 27th, and these will account for the remaining 50 percent. The final candidate will be confirmed on April 27th. All three candidates are focusing their policy visions on the economy. Lee Jae-myung's think tank officially launched on Wednesday, outlining a national vision that aims for 3 percent potential growth, becoming one of the world's top four exporters, and creating a gross national income per capita of 50-thousand U.S. dollars by 2030. Kim Kyung-soo announced his economic policy focused on boosting the AI industry and promoting balanced regional growth, promising 100 trillion Korean won, around 70 billion dollars, in public-private investment over the next five years to secure AI leadership and drive industrial change. Kim Dong-yeon, meanwhile, has been emphasizing the so-called "Five Big Deals" to differentiate his economic policies, which includes focusing on balanced regional growth, climate change, and tax reform. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

N. Korea transferred millions of munitions to Russia in support of war in Ukraine: Reuters

2025/04/16 17:00

In other news. North Korea may have provided millions of munitions to Russia in support of the war in Ukraine. According to Reuters FOUR Russian-flagged container ships have made 64 trips from the North Korean port of Rajin to the Russian ports of Vostochny and Dunai delivering nearly 16-thousand containers of munitions since September 2023. Citing Ukrainian officials the outlet claims Pyongyang is supplying half the munitions Russia needs on the front lines and that at times Russian artillery units were almost entirely reliant on North Korean munitions.

TALKS THAN TENSIONS FOR TARIFFS

2025/04/16 17:00

Welcome to yet another edition of Press Perspective. It's Wednesday April 16th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sun-hee. South Korea's strategy in tackling U.S. tariffs is dialogue over dispute to draft a deal that will drive productive partnership. For more I have Lee Ji-hoon a correspondent for Reuters. Ji-hoon welcome back. I also have Christian Datoc White House Correspondent for Washington Examiner. Christian it's a pleasure. 1) Christian, for the sake of clarity, what import items currently face U.S. tariffs and what are the three broad tariff levels facing America's trade partners? 2) And Christian, what's the latest regarding talk about tariff exemptions on electronic devices and on cars and their parts? 3) Ji-hoon, what have been some of the support measures pledged by the Korean government in preparation of the fallout from U.S. tariffs? 4) Ji-hoon, beyond borders, South Korea is also seeking greater economic cooperation with partners like Vietnam amid Mr. Trump's protectionist trade policy. Do tell us more about the latest agreement between Seoul and Hanoi. 5) Christian, there is talk about Mr. Trump's tariff policy serving to push U.S. partners towards its rival China. Is this a concern shared by pundits there? 6) Ji-hoon, Trade and Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun is expected to fly to the U.S. for tariff talks next week. Now, he's spoken about South Korea holding the "shipbuilding card" in its negotiations with the U.S. Do tell us more. 7) Christian, how big of a leverage does South Korea's "shipbuilding card" look to be? I mean, you wrote a piece about Trump asserting that the tariffs will be back on track after 90 days if he doesn't get the deals he likes. What deals with South Korea does he desire, do you think? 8) Meanwhile, Christian, there have been reports about American consumers stockpiling on certain goods amid U.S. tariffs. What has been the impact of tariffs on people there thus far? 9) Ji-hoon, back here in Korea, pundits here EARLIER believed the Bank of Korea may "cut rates faster and deeper" amid growing tensions over global trade in light of U.S. tariffs. I understand there has been a change in these thoughts? 10) And Christian, what are market experts there saying about the risks of a U.S. recession under the current Trump administration's tariff campaign? All right.

Hamas rejects Israeli ceasefire disarmament proposal

2025/04/16 10:00

Let's begin with the ongoing Gaza conflict, as Hamas has reportedly rejected Israel's latest ceasefire proposal. Fill us in. Right. A senior Palestinian official said Hamas rejected a new Israeli ceasefire offer that demanded the group's disarmament. The ceasefire, presented by Israel to Hamas through mediators Egypt and Qatar on Monday, reportedly included the disarmament of Hamas as a condition for the first time. However, on Tuesday, Hamas is said to have rejected the offer, labeling the disarmament clause a "red line" for the group and asserting that it will not surrender its weapons under any circumstances. The offer also included a six-week truce and a phased release of more hostages. Hamas insists that any agreement must include a permanent end to hostilities and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The rejection of the ceasefire proposal comes amid ongoing negotiations in Cairo, which have yet to yield a breakthrough.

'Ball is in China's court' on tariffs: White House

2025/04/16 10:00

In the meantime, Trump continues to press China that it's up to Beijing to come to the negotiating table over tariffs, leaving the ball in China's court. Lee Seung-jae has more. The two biggest economies in the world have been going blow-for-blow on tariffs, with China imposing 125 percent tariffs on U.S. goods, while the U.S. has imposed tariffs of up to 145 percent on Chinese imports. With neither side backing down, U.S. President Donald Trump believes it's up to China to come to the negotiating table. "The president has made his position on China quite clear, although I do have an additional statement that he just shared with me in the Oval office. The ball is in China's court: China needs to make a deal with us, we don't have to make a deal with them." The White House Press Secretary added that "there's no difference between China and any other country except they are much larger," noting that other countries have initiated trade talks first. Leavitt also pointed to the strength of the U.S. consumer market as leverage against China. While trade tensions between Washington and Beijing have been brewing for years, the situation has worsened since Trump took office in January. While it started off with the U.S. leader imposing tariffs on Chinese goods over its alleged role in the fentanyl trade, it's gone beyond that, with Trump imposing additional tariffs, on top of duties from previous administrations. Not only has China imposed its own massive tariffs against U.S. goods, but it's also using its rare earth supplies as leverage. Consumers fear the tariff war between the two countries will only escalate further, with no sign of talks from either country. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

EU calls for further efforts from U.S. for fair trade deal

2025/04/16 10:00

The U.S. and EU held their long-due tariff talks on Tuesday, only to make minimal progress in bridging their differences. Our Park Kun-woo starts us off EU trade officials met with their U.S. counterparts in Washington, D.C., on Monday to reach a deal on tariffs, but were unable to bridge gaps in their stances on trade. According to the European Commission on Tuesday, the EU's proposal of zero-for-zero reciprocal tariffs on industrial goods, including cars along with non-tariff barriers, were among the main items on the agenda. It added talks about overcapacity in steel and aluminum, and the resilience of supply chains in semiconductors and pharmaceutical sectors were also part of the talks. And the EU emphasized it would not budge on standards, standing firm on "red lines," including food, health, and safety, as well as regulations regarding technology and the digital market. European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill urged the U.S. to clarify its stance, saying the EU is doing its part, and more engagement from Washington is needed to keep the process moving. Following Monday's meeting, EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic posted on social media, saying a "significant joint effort" from both sides would be needed to reach a fair deal, adding that the EU is ready. Officials from the U.S. trade representative's office reportedly did not respond to requests for comments on the U.S. stance following the meeting. With the EU's 90-day pause on retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods set to last until July 14, EU officials say further measures are also being discussed internally in case no agreement is reached by then. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Macron decorates those who restored Notre-Dame on 6th anniversary of fire

2025/04/16 10:00

Finally, in France, President Emmanuel Macron honored a hundred-and-one individuals who played significant roles in the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris on Tuesday local time. The ceremony at the Elysee presidential palace coincided with the sixth anniversary of the devastating fire at the cathedral in 2019. Among the honorees were carpenters, carpenters, ironworkers, scaffolders, organ restorers, and dozens of other craftspeople recognized for their contributions. Prestigious awards presented by Macron included the Legion of Honour and the National Order of Merit. Commander of the Legion of Honour, France's highest public distinction, was bestowed upon Philippe Jost, who supervised the reconstruction.

Trump threatens Harvard's tax-exempt status after freezing US$ 2 bil. funding

2025/04/16 10:00

In the United States, President Donald Trump threatened to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status on Tuesday, accusing the university of promoting political agendas contrary to public interest. The Trump administration has frozen over 2.2 billion U.S. dollars in federal grants and contracts to Harvard after the university rejected demands to overhaul its academic programs, including eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and increasing cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Harvard's president hit back saying, "The university will not surrender its independence or its constitutional rights." Former President Barack Obama praised Harvard's stance and urged other institutions to defend academic independence.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu visits northern Gaza

2025/04/16 10:00

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unannounced visit to northern Gaza to encourage troops, marking a rare appearance in the conflict zone. On Tuesday local time, Netanyahu met with Israeli troops, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and top military officials. He received briefings on ongoing operations aimed at dismantling Hamas and securing the release of hostages. Netanyahu reiterated Israel's commitment to achieving its war objectives, stating, "We are fighting for our existence. We are fighting for our future." During his visit, he also addressed a recent statement by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying that Iran's calls for Israel's destruction show the existential nature of the conflict.

Registration closes for presidential candidacy for major parties

2025/04/16 10:00

The candidate list for the presidential primaries is now complete. Three from the Democratic Party and 11 from the People Power Party. Those from the PPP who will advance to the first round of the primary will be announced on Wednesday. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. The official registration for candidacy for the upcoming presidential election closed for both parties on Tuesday. The Democratic Party of Korea has three contestants, while the People Power Party has eleven. The DP's race is largely seen as predictable, with its former chair Lee Jae-myung set to take the party's ticket. However, Kim Kyung-soo, former Gyeongsangnam-do Province Governor and Kim Dong-yeon, current Gyeonggi-do Province Governor are, in their own right, heavyweight politicians. With just one day to go until the first regional voting opens for electors of the Chungcheong-do provinces, candidates continued to promote their bids. Lee released an interview with Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's YouTube channel. Kim Kyung-soo, after handing in the registration paper himself met with small business owners in Gyeonggi-do Province. Kim Dong-yeon held a meeting to follow up on his visit to the U.S. to deal with U.S. tariffs, focusing on the auto industry. Both of them are non-Lee Jae-myung faction politicians in the DP, with backers of their own. Meanwhile, with many more contestants for People Power Party, in a week, the list will be cut down to 4 in the first round cut-off. Among the registered, 8 notable contestants are Kim Moon-soo, the latest labor minister, four-term lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, former PPP chair Han Dong-hoon, the latest Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo, five-term lawmaker Na Kyung-won, Incheon mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, Gyeongsanbuk-do Province governor Lee Cheol-woo, and former lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja. With the media day for the runners coming up on Wednesday candidates promoted their bids. Han Dong-hoon, Hong Joon-pyo, and Na Kyung-won shared detailed pledges and visions. Kim Moon-soo and Lee Cheol-woo went to visit former president Park Jung-hee's memorial. What they all had in common, however, was their messages against the DP's Lee Jae-myung as he leads the polls to become the next president. They unilaterally criticized Lee's ongoing legal battles and said that his pledges are too liberal. All in all, the final candidate will be chosen within a couple of weeks. For DP, the final candidate is likely to be decided by April 27th, with Lee expected to take more than 50-percent of the final vote. For the PPP, if a candidate takes more than 50-percent of votes in the second round, then it'll end on April 29th if not, there's a run-off on May 3rd. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.