News

President Trump says he has 'flexibility' on tariffs, rejects claims of inconsistency

2025/03/13 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threat continues, with the American leader now shedding light on reciprocal tariffs. Lee Seung-jae has more. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday stressed that April 2nd will be a "very big day" for the United States. as his reciprocal tariffs go into effect. Trump slammed the previous administration for America's losses in trade., but said the U.S. will "take back a lot of what was stolen from it by other countries." However, Trump also noted that he has shown "flexibility" on his tariff policy, rejecting claims that his policy implementation has been inconsistent, as seen through his on-and-off tariff impositions on Canada and Mexico. The U.S. leader also warned that once the tariffs go into effect, "there will be very little flexibility." Meanwhile,.. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Wednesday, that the European Union's new retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. came "too little too late." According to Greer, the EU's latest tariff on U.S. imports "completely disregards" the national security imperatives of the United States, adding that the bloc's trade and economic policies are "out of step with reality." The comments come as the EU announced it will respond to Trump's 25-percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, by imposing its own tariffs on U.S. goods worth over 28 billion U.S. dollars, set to take effect on April 13. Canada also announced its own retaliatory tariffs on nearly 30 billion dollars worth of U.S. imports,.. after the 25 percent steel and aluminum tariffs went into effect on Wednesday. Canada says it will follow a "dollar-by-dollar" approach, and impose 25-percent tariffs on U.S. imports, including steel, computers, and sports equipment. Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her country will wait until April 2nd to decide whether to respond to the steel and aluminum tariffs. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

U.S. imposes 25% steel and aluminum import tariff on Wednesday

2025/03/12 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. Starting today, the Trump administration's 25-percent levy on steel and aluminum products that America imports from countries around the world went into effect. With this, the yearly tariff-free quota applied on Korean steel products has been scrapped. The authorities and businesses here are closely watching the move. Our Choi Soo-hyung has the latest. Starting Wednesday, a 25-percent tariff has been imposed on steel and aluminum exported to the United States. The new tariffs have been applied worldwide without exceptions. For steel, the tariffs affect countries including South Korea, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, European Union member states, Japan and the UK. For aluminum, previous exemptions for certain countries and products have been removed, and the tariff has been raised from 10 percent to 25 percent. However, 166 derivative products,.. including bolts, nuts, and springs are subject to tariffs, whereas 87 derivative items, including automobile and aircraft parts, are exempt until further notice. As a result, Canada, which is the largest supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S., is expected to face the biggest impact. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2024, Canada accounted for 23 percent of total U.S. steel imports and about 60 percent of aluminum imports, while South Korea ranked 4th in both categories. South Korea's duty-free quota system for 2-point-63 million tons of steel products, which began in 2018, has now been ended, and the tariff on aluminum has been increased from 10 percent to 25 percent. The removal of the export volume limit under the "quota system" could provide an opportunity to expand exports to the U.S. However, there are concerns about the country's weakened competitiveness due to China's low-priced products and a decrease in international demand. The "reciprocal tariffs" that the Trump administration has announced to begin on April 2nd are expected to accelerate the ongoing trade crisis. In particular, the planned tariffs on key South Korean exports, such as semiconductors and automobiles, are increasing uncertainty for its market in the U.S. Moreover, the U.S. livestock industry has called South Korea's ban on beef from cattle over 30 months and its agricultural quarantine system unfair, urging the Trump administration to take action. Amid the growing crisis, the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will strengthen the public-private emergency system in response to U.S. tariff measures and prepare strategies to address reciprocal tariffs on items such as automobiles in early April. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Trump nominates former ambassador to Thailand as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia

2025/03/12 20:00

The Trump administration has nominated a former ambassador to Thailand as the next U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Michael George DeSombre on Tuesday, saying that he will "work incredibly hard" for the country. DeSombre served as Ambassador to Thailand during Trump's first term, and is currently a partner at Sullivan and Cromwell, a New York law firm, where he leads mergers and acquisitions in Asia, including South Korea. The Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific oversees diplomatic affairs related to South Korea and other East Asian countries and must be confirmed by the Senate before officially assuming the role.

Freedom Shield S. Korea-U.S. joint exercise underway with air assault drills, port defense exercises

2025/03/12 20:00

On the defense front. South Korean and U.S. forces are holding their annual training session which is also the first major joint exercise since the return of the Trump administration to the White House. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung has more. Troops aboard KUH-1 Surion utility helicopters, approach the landing zone. While the U.S. soldiers keep watch Korean soldiers conduct air assaults. About four-hundred troops from the ROK Army's 1st Infantry Division and the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division's Stryker Brigade, held joint exercises on Tuesday. The drill at a training facility in Paju-city, is part of the allies' computer-simulated Freedom Shield exercise, that began its 11-day run on Monday. It aimed to strengthen South Korean-led combined operations capabilities, with an ROK army battalion commander directing U.S. company operations. "Through thorough war games, from helicopter boarding to capturing the objective, South Korean and U.S. troops were able to move as one. In particular, by sharing combat expertise between the two countries' forces, we were able to further enhance our combat capabilities." "We are very fortunate that we can conduct this training, this combined training with the ROK army. It was a great learning opportunity for my soldiers and myself increase interoperability with ROK Army and to strengthen the alliance." In connection to Freedom Shield, the Navy's Second Fleet, also led an integrated port defense drill at the western port of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin. Responsible for guarding the west coast, the Korean Navy aimed to boost response procedures for aerial, chemical, biological and radiological threats against the port, and many other critical national infrastructure sites. along with the army, police and coast guard. "We will continue to protect key facilities in the West Sea with a strong and close-knit coordination system with relevant agencies." The on-field drills are to continue until March 20th. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Ukraine agrees to accept 30-day ceasefire proposal, as U.S. resumes military assistance

2025/03/12 20:00

Ukraine is prepared to accept a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia, recently having gone through a rough patch with Washington. The U.S. has resumed military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine. Now, it remains to be seen how the Kremlin will respond. Our correspondent Bae Eun-ji covers this prospect and more. Talks between senior officials from the U.S. and Ukraine that took place in Saudi Arabia appear to have been fruitful, as Kyiv agreed to a proposal for an initial 30-day ceasefire with Russia. In a joint statement on Tuesday, the U.S. agreed to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, immediately after Kyiv said it was ready to accept the peace deal proposed by Washington. The two sides also said they will conclude an agreement for developing Ukraine's critical mineral resources, as soon as possible. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio who led the U.S. delegation to the talks said Washington would present the ceasefire offer to the Kremlin, noting that it's now up to Russia to end the fighting. "Now hopefully we'll take this offer now to the Russians. And we hope that they'll say yes. That they'll say yes to peace. The ball's now in their court." But,.. how Moscow might respond is far from certain. U.S. President Donald Trump also said he hopes Russia agrees to the ceasefire proposal, hinting that he may talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin about it possibly this week. He added that he is willing to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy back to the White House. "Yeah, I'll talk to Vladimir Putin, yeah, I want to. Look, that's the other. It takes two to tango, as they say, right? So hopefully he'll also agree." Zelenskyy, who was in Saudi Arabia but did not participate in the talks, said the ceasefire was a "positive proposal," but stressed that Washington must convince Moscow to agree to it as well. "Ukraine accepts this proposal, we consider it positive. We are ready to take such a step, and the United States of America must convince Russia to do the same." European leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal,.. saying the EU is ready to play its full part in the upcoming peace negotiations

[Politics & Diplomacy] Live from Constitutional Court: Is ruling on Pres. Yoon's impeachment trial unlikely to come this week?

2025/03/12 20:00

We turn now to the Constitutional Court as speculation abounds over the date of the ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. For more, our political correspondent Shin Ha-young is standing by live at the court. Ha-young , when can we expect to hear the court's verdict on the president's political fate? Well, Jung-min, today was the expected day for the announcement of the ruling date, based on the initial expectation that the verdict would be delivered this Friday. This means that considering previous presidential impeachment trials, when the dates came out two to three days in advance, the chances of a ruling this week now seem less likely. I see. Well, the general consensus in the legal circle is that it won't have much impact. However, as a Seoul court ruling on Yoon's detention also highlighted procedural flaws in the investigative process, some say it could put some pressure on the Constitutional Court. Following the detention cancellation, there were calls from the ruling party for hearings in the impeachment trial to resume. And I hear protests for and against the president remain intense. Jung-min, I can definitely say that both the size and volume of rallies are growing in front of the court ahead of the verdict. The main opposition Democratic Party marched from the Assembly to Gwanghwamun this afternoon, calling for Yoon's impeachment. Meanwhile, police are considering issuing the highest emergency level on the day of the ruling, which would allow them to mobilize up to one hundred percent of available police officers. All right Ha-young thank you for that coverage.

How will Trump's transactional diplomacy influence ties with allies like S. Korea?

2025/03/12 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus, I'm Kim Mok-yeon. As President Trump embarks on his second term, his administration is doubling down on its "America First" economic and trade policies, sparking concerns among key U.S. allies, including South Korea. Trump's most recent tariff policy, which slaps 25 percent tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from March 12th, eliminates previous exemptions, which is expected to deal a big blow to South Korea's exports. From semiconductor disputes to steel tariffs, South Korea faces mounting pressure to adjust its economic and diplomatic strategies. Meanwhile, the resurgence of North Korean provocations and escalating U.S.-China trade tensions add further uncertainty to the region's security dynamics. With this, how should Seoul navigate these challenges and protect its strategic interests? For this, we invite Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific Security Chair at the Hudson Institute via Zoom. Welcome, Dr. Cronin. Also joining us is Lim Eun-jung, Professor of International Studies, at Kongju National University. Great to have you. (LIM) 1. Let's start with Prof. Lim, Trump recently pinpointed South Korea and Taiwan for "taking away" America's semiconductor industry. This is the first time he explicitly mentioned Korea in this context. Could this signal a shift in Washington's broader trade policy toward Korea? How should Seoul navigate this uncertainty? (CRONIN) 2. With Trump's strong rhetoric against Korea and Taiwan regarding semiconductors, do you expect additional trade restrictions or tariffs targeting Korean tech firms? (CRONIN) 3. Staying with semiconductors, President Trump has repeatedly criticized the CHIPS Act and hinted at subsidy rollbacks. Dr. Cronin, what diplomatic strategies should South Korea pursue to protect its investments in the U.S.? (LIM) 4. But trade tensions aren't limited to semiconductors—Washington has already moved forward with 25 percent steep tariffs on steel and aluminum today. This is expected to cost Korean steel companies over roughly 690 million U.S. dollars. How can Seoul leverage its economic and strategic importance to counterbalance increasing U.S. pressure? (CRONIN) 5. Beyond trade, defense cooperation is another key issue in U.S.-Korea relations. With U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth set to visit Korea soon, what major topics will be on the agenda? And should Seoul brace for renewed pressure on defense cost-sharing, Dr. Cronin? (LIM) 6. While military cost-sharing could become a contentious issue, Hegseth's emphasis on naval expansion presents another angle. With the U.S. potentially allowing naval ships to be built abroad, could this open new doors for Korea's shipbuilding industry? Prof. Lim, what's your take? (LIM) 7. Let's also touch upon America's ties with North Korea. The regime launched multiple ballistic missiles on the first day of Freedom Shield exercises, the first time since Trump's reinauguration. Some see it as a diplomatic message toward Washington. Professor, how do you interpret this move? (CRONIN) 8. With tensions on the Korean Peninsula rising, the White House reaffirmed its commitment to North Korea's complete denuclearization following the missile test. Dr. Cronin, what are the chances that Trump's "personal diplomacy" with Kim Jong-un will return in his second term? (CRONIN) 9. While North Korea remains a major security concern, the broader geopolitical landscape is also shifting. The U.S. has recently imposed additional tariffs on Chinese goods, and China has responded with retaliatory tariffs. How do you assess the trajectory of the U.S.-China trade war under Trump's second term? (LIM-x) 10. China has historically played a key role in North Korea-related diplomacy. With growing U.S.-China tensions, could Beijing use Pyongyang as leverage in negotiations with Washington?

Ukraine agrees to accept 30-day ceasefire proposal, as U.S. resumes military assistance

2025/03/12 17:00

Ukraine is prepared to accept a U.S.-proposed thirty-day truce with Russia. The question now is will the Kremlin be willing to do the same? Our correspondent Bae Eun-ji covers this prospect and more. Talks between senior officials from the U.S. and Ukraine that took place in Saudi Arabia appear to have been fruitful, as Kyiv agreed to a proposal for an initial 30-day ceasefire with Russia. In a joint statement on Tuesday, the U.S. agreed to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, immediately after Kyiv said it was ready to accept the peace deal proposed by Washington. The two sides also said they will conclude an agreement for developing Ukraine's critical mineral resources, as soon as possible. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio --who led the U.S. delegation to the talks --said Washington would present the ceasefire offer to the Kremlin, noting that it's now up to Russia to end the fighting. "Now hopefully we'll take this offer now to the Russians. And we hope that they'll say yes. That they'll say yes to peace. The ball's now in their court." But,.. how Moscow might respond is far from certain. U.S. President Donald Trump also said he hopes Russia agrees to the ceasefire proposal, hinting that he may talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin about it possibly this week. He added that he is willing to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy back to the White House. "Yeah, I'll talk to Vladimir Putin, yeah, I want to. Look, that's the other. It takes two to tango, as they say, right? So hopefully he'll also agree." Zelenskyy, who was in Saudi Arabia but did not participate in the talks, said the ceasefire was a "positive proposal," but stressed that Washington must convince Moscow to agree to it as well. "Ukraine accepts this proposal, we consider it positive. We are ready to take such a step, and the United States of America must convince Russia to do the same." European leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal,.. saying the EU is ready to play its full part in the upcoming peace negotiations

World News: Former Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte arrested at request of ICC

2025/03/12 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Starting off in the Philippines, where the country's former leader Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested at the request of the International Criminal Court for his controversial "war on drugs" campaign which was a defining aspect of his presidency. Serving from 2016 to 2022, Duterte has been accused of having thousands of suspected drug dealers killed. The ICC estimates that somewhere between 12,000 to 13,000 people could have been killed. Earlier in the week at a Hong Kong rally, Duterte declared he was ready to be arrested and said, "What is my sin? I did everything in my time for peace and a peaceful life for the Filipino people." In Pakistan, militants have attacked a train and killed at least 10 people, including the driver and security staff, in the country's southwestern province of Balochistan. The Balach Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack on Tuesday afternoon on the Jaffar Express Train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, with some 450 passengers on board. According to CNN police surrounded the train and were involved in an exchange of fire with militants. The report also said 104 passengers had been released on Tuesday night. The BLA said it is seeking the release of political prisoners, activists, and missing persons related to the group which it says have been abducted by the military Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the attack. In Argentina, a trial over the death of football legend Diego Maradona began on Tuesday in Buenos Aires. Seven medical professionals who were involved in caring for the World Cup winner faced the court in San Isidro charged with culpable homicide. Among those accused are Maradona's former psychiatrist and doctor who were treating him leading up to his death in November 2020. An eighth member of the medical team is set for trial in July. Prosecutors plan to present substantial evidence, including private messages between the doctor and patient, to support their case. In the United Kingdom, Chester Zoo is celebrating the birth of a rare Coquerel's sifaka, a species of lemur commonly known as a 'dancing lemur.' The lemur was born on January 20, with the zoo saying every new birth is a "huge cause for celebration." According to the zoo, the 'dancing lemurs' get their nickname as they can stand upright and spring from side to side as if they are dancing. Coquerel's sifakas are an endangered species and can only be found in the northwestern forests of Madagascar. Walter Lee, Arirang News

N. Korea slams ROK-U.S. joint drills while mentioning bombing accident

2025/03/12 17:00

In related news. North Korea continues to condemn.. the annual training session between South Korea and the U.S. The regime's state media on Wednesday called the joint exercise "the root" of worsening tensions on the Korean peninsula. It also made reference to the accidental bombing by South Korean fighter jets of a residential area near the border emphasizing that the situation could have had severe consequences if the bombs had been "dropped a little further north." Meanwhile back on Tuesday the White House denounced North Korea's launch of multiple missiles into the West Sea this past Monday while reaffirming the ironclad alliance between Seoul and Washington.

Freedom Shield S. Korea-U.S. joint exercise underway with air assault drills, port defense exercises

2025/03/12 17:00

Moving on to the defense front. South Korean and U.S. forces are holding their annual training session which is also the first major joint exercise since the return of the Trump administration to the White House. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung has more. Troops aboard KUH-1 Surion utility helicopters, approach the landing zone. While the U.S. soldiers keep watch Korean soldiers conduct air assaults. About four-hundred troops from the ROK Army's 1st Infantry Division and the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division's Stryker Brigade, held joint exercises on Tuesday. The drill at a training facility in Paju-city, is part of the allies' computer-simulated Freedom Shield exercise, that began its 11-day run on Monday. It aimed to strengthen South Korean-led combined operations capabilities, with an ROK army battalion commander directing U.S. company operations. "Through thorough war games, from helicopter boarding to capturing the objective, South Korean and U.S. troops were able to move as one. In particular, by sharing combat expertise between the two countries' forces, we were able to further enhance our combat capabilities." "We are very fortunate that we can conduct this training, this combined training with the ROK army. It was a great learning opportunity for my soldiers and myself increase interoperability with ROK Army and to strengthen the alliance." In connection to Freedom Shield, the Navy's Second Fleet, also led an integrated port defense drill at the western port of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin. Responsible for guarding the west coast, the Korean Navy aimed to boost response procedures for aerial, chemical, biological and radiological threats against the port, and many other critical national infrastructure sites. along with the army, police and coast guard. "We will continue to protect key facilities in the West Sea with a strong and close-knit coordination system with relevant agencies." The on-field drills are to continue until March 20th. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Live from Constitutional Court: Is ruling on Pres. Yoon's impeachment trial unlikely to come this week?

2025/03/12 17:00

We turn now to the Constitutional Court as speculation abounds over the date of the ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. For more I have our political correspondent Shin Ha-young standing by live at the court. Ha-young, it's good to have you on. So when can we expect to hear the court's verdict on the president's political fate? Well, Sunny, today was the expected day for the announcement of the ruling date, based on the initial expectation that the verdict would be delivered this Friday. However, we are still waiting for the Constitutional Court to announce this. This means that considering previous presidential impeachment trials, when the dates came out two to three days in advance, the chances of a ruling this week now seem less likely. Since the final hearing last month, the court has been holding deliberations almost every day for the past two weeks, excluding holidays and weekends. Despite this, it has already been the longest deliberation period of presidential impeachment trials. If the ruling comes next week, it will also set the record for the longest time from the impeachment of a president to the final verdict. It is reportedly known that Yoon's case is taking longer because there are many contested issues. Also, with the impeachment verdicts on the chief state auditor and three top prosecutors scheduled for tomorrow, it's expected that Yoon's case will likely be pushed back to next week, as it's rare for the court to issue major rulings on consecutive days. If the ruling happens early next week, there may be a notice by the end of this week, so we'll need to keep an eye on this. I see. Moving on then Ha-young, does the president's recent release from detainment look to affect the Constitutional Court's ruling on his impeachment? Well, the general consensus in the legal circle is that it won't have much impact. This is because the issue with the detention cancellation mainly concerns how the period is calculated, which is different from the impeachment trial that focused on the declaration of martial law. However, as a Seoul court ruling on Yoon's detention also highlighted procedural flaws in the investigative process, some say it could put some pressure on the Constitutional Court. An official from the court said the judges will assess whether there's any impact, but noted that the investigation records from the CIO were not used in the impeachment trial, so it's unlikely to have a significant effect. Following the detention cancellation, there were calls from the ruling party for hearings in the impeachment trial to resume. However, so far there's been no move from President Yoon's side asking for a resumption. If more hearings are held, there are concerns that a delay in the ruling could lead to more pressure from the opposition party over the appointment of Constitutional Court justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk, a left-leaning judge recommended by the opposition Democratic Party. And in the meantime I hear protests for and against the president remain intense. Do tell us more. Sunny, I can definitely say that both the size and volume of rallies are growing in front of the court ahead of the verdict. The political battle between the rival parties is also escalating outside the National Assembly. The main opposition Democratic Party began a march from the Assembly to Gwanghwamun this afternoon, calling for Yoon's impeachment. The ruling People Power Party said it wouldn't hold protests or pressure the Constitutional Court, but some of its members are staging relay protests in front of the court. Also, today, PPP lawmakers visited the court and submitted their second petition to appeal for the court to dismiss Yoon's impeachment. Meanwhile, police are considering issuing the highest emergency level on the day of the ruling, which would allow them to mobilize up to one hundred percent of available police officers. Additionally, they have requested the land ministry to temporarily impose a no-fly zone over the Constitutional Court. That's all I have for this hour. Back to you Sunny. All right Ha-young, thank you for that coverage. That was our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reporting live from the Constitutional Court.

U.S. cattle industry urges Trump to lift S. Korea's age restrictions on U.S. beef

2025/03/12 17:00

The U.S. cattle industry has called on the Trump administration to push South Korea to lift its ban on American beef from cattle over 30 months old. A formal request to this end was submitted by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Tuesday. South Korea put in place the age restriction on U.S. beef back in 2008 amid concerns over mad cow disease. The U.S. beef association is now urging for an end to this restriction pointing out that countries like China, Japan, and Taiwan have since removed similar barriers.

Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs go into effect on Wednesday

2025/03/12 17:00

The first set of blanket U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the American market is in place as of this Wednesday. Our LEE GA-EUN has the latest. The 25-percent steel and aluminum tariff announced by U.S. President Donald Trump went into effect on Wednesday. According to an executive order signed by Trump last month, the 25 percent tariff is imposed on all steel, aluminum, and derivative products imported by the U.S. at 12:01 AM. 166 derivative products,.. including bolts, nuts, and springs are subject to tariffs starting on Wednesday, while 87 derivative items, including bumpers, suspensions, automobile parts, home appliance parts, and aircraft parts are exempt from tariffs until further notice by the U.S. Commerce Department. This also means that South Korea's existing free-trade quota on steel and aluminum of two-point-6-3 million tons per year, which it has with the U.S., will be scrapped, as well. However, as the duty is applied to all countries, South Korea will not be at a disadvantage in competition with major exporters, while economists believe that Korean steel companies will be able to enter the U.S. market more actively as the export volume cap is removed. Meanwhile,.. amid concerns of a full-out tariff war between the U.S. and Canada, the Trump administration announced Tuesday that it has decided to withdraw the additional 25-percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports. Trump had threatened to impose an additional 25-percent, for a total 50-percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, after Ontario threatened to impose a 25-percent surcharge for electricity imported by the U.S. Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that he had agreed to suspend the 25-percent surcharge on electricity, after holding talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik. The two will hold talks again on Thursday, along with the U.S. Trade Representative to discuss renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade act, ahead of the April 2nd reciprocal tariff deadline set by Trump. Lee Ga-eun, Arirang News.

Pakistani militants kill 10, worried families await news

2025/03/12 10:00

Next to Pakistan where militants attacked a train and killed at least 10 people, including the driver and security staff, in the country's southwestern province of Balochistan. The Balach Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack on Tuesday afternoon on the Jaffar Express Train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, with some 450 passengers on board. According to CNN police surrounded the train and were involved in an exchange of fire with militants. The report also said 104 passengers had been released on Tuesday night. The BLA said it is seeking the release of political prisoners, activists, and missing persons related to the group which it says have been abducted by the military. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the attack.

Former Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte arrested at request of ICC

2025/03/12 10:00

Good Morning, I'm Walter Lee, filling in for Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. Starting off in the Philippines where the country's former leader Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested at the request of the International Criminal Court for his controversial "war on drugs" campaign which was a defining aspect of his presidency. Serving from 2016 to 2022, Duterte has been accused of having thousands of suspected drug dealers killed. The ICC estimates that somewhere between 12,000 to 13,000 people could have been killed. Earlier in the week at a Hong Kong rally, Duterte declared he was ready to be arrested and said, "What is my sin? I did everything in my time for peace and a peaceful life for the Filipino people."

N. Korea slams ROK-U.S. joint drills while mentioning bombing accident

2025/03/12 10:00

And North Korea has once again slammed the annual joint exercise, and also highlighted the accidental bombing of a civilian area by South Korea's Air Force. The regime's state-run news agency said Wednesday, that the joint drills must be taken "seriously," adding that they are "the root" of the worsening situation on the Korean Peninsula. It also said the accidental bombing by South Korean fighter jets last week was in a civilian area located near the border, adding that the situation could have escalated significantly if bombs had "dropped a little further north." Also on Tuesday, the White House condemned the North's recent launch of multiple ballistic missiles earlier this week. While condemning Pyongyang's actions, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also reaffirmed the ironclad alliance between Seoul and Washington.

No announcement yet from Constitutional Court on date for Yoon's impeachment ruling

2025/03/12 10:00

All eyes are on when the Constitutional Court will announce a date for the ruling of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial over his martial law declaration. Many initially believed the ruling could come as early as this Friday, but some are now expecting it to happen next week. Shin Ha-young reports. It's been two weeks since the final hearing in President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial, but the Constitutional Court has not yet announced a date for its ruling. Given that previous presidential impeachment rulings were made about two weeks after the final hearing, many expected the ruling to be this Friday. However, since the court decided to deliver impeachment verdicts on the chief state auditor and three top prosecutors on Thursday, expectations are rising that the ruling on Yoon could be delayed until next week. There is no precedent for the court delivering major rulings on consecutive days. Ahead of Yoon's verdict, police are considering banning the release of stored firearms to prevent potential attacks. The National Police Agency said it's reviewing refusing to release firearms stored at police stations used to kill dangerous wild animals. Under the current law, licensed gun owners must store their firearms at police stations and only take them out to hunt down wild boars or birds. On the day of the ruling, police will designate parts of Seoul's Jongno-gu and Jung-gu districts near the Constitutional Court as special crime prevention zones to maintain safety and manage crowds. Vehicle barriers will be set up within 100 meters of the Court. During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Acting President Choi Sang-mok expressed concern about possible national division and conflict over the presidential impeachment ruling. "The government will respond firmly according to the law with zero tolerance for any illegal or violent protests as well as any acts that challenge public authority." Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party began a sit-in protest at Gwanghwamun Square on Tuesday, calling for Yoon's removal, while the ruling People Power Party decided not to stage any demonstrations to pressure the Court. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Freedom Shield S. Korea-U.S. joint exercise underway with air assault drills, port defense exercises

2025/03/12 10:00

Key springtime military exercises between South Korea and the U.S., marking the very first major drills between the two allies since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office, are in full swing. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung shares some scenes from drills. Troops aboard KUH-1 Surion utility helicopters, approach the landing zone. While the U.S. soldiers keep watch Korean soldiers conduct air assaults. About four-hundred troops from the ROK Army's 1st Infantry Division and the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division's Stryker Brigade, held joint exercises on Tuesday. The drill at a training facility in Paju-city, is part of the allies' computer-simulated Freedom Shield exercise, that began its 11-day run on Monday. It aimed to strengthen South Korean-led combined operations capabilities, with an ROK army battalion commander directing U.S. company operations. "Through thorough war games, from helicopter boarding to capturing the objective, South Korean and U.S. troops were able to move as one. In particular, by sharing combat expertise between the two countries' forces, we were able to further enhance our combat capabilities." "We are very fortunate that we can conduct this training, this combined training with the ROK army. It was a great learning opportunity for my soldiers and myself increase interoperability with ROK Army and to strengthen the alliance." In connection to Freedom Shield, the Navy's Second Fleet, also led an integrated port defense drill at the western port of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin. Responsible for guarding the west coast, the Korean Navy aimed to boost response procedures for aerial, chemical, biological and radiological threats against the port, and many other critical national infrastructure sites. along with the army, police and coast guard. "We will continue to protect key facilities in the West Sea with a strong and close-knit coordination system with relevant agencies." The on-field drills are to continue until March 20th. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs to go into effect on Wednesday

2025/03/12 10:00

The U.S. is set to apply 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports as planned on Wednesday. And ahead of the big day, there was a squabble between the U.S. and Canada over reciprocal tariffs. Lee Seung-jae reports. The 25-percent steel and aluminum tariff announced by U.S. President Donald Trump will go into effect on Wednesday. According to an executive order signed by Trump last month, the 25 percent tariff will be imposed on all steel, aluminum, and derivative products imported by the U.S. at 12:01 AM. 166 derivative products,.. including bolts, nuts, and springs will be subject to tariffs starting on Wednesday, while 87 derivative items, including bumpers, suspensions, automobile parts, home appliance parts, and aircraft parts will be exempt from tariffs until further notice by the U.S. Commerce Department. This also means that South Korea's existing free-trade quota on steel and aluminum of two-point-6-3 million tons per year, which it has with the U.S., will be scrapped, as well. However, as the duty is applied to all countries, South Korea will not be at a disadvantage in competition with major exporters, while economists believe that Korean steel companies will be able to enter the U.S. market more actively as the export volume cap is removed. Meanwhile,.. amid concerns of a full-out tariff war between the U.S. and Canada, the Trump administration announced Tuesday that it has decided to withdraw the additional 25-percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports. Trump had threatened to impose an additional 25-percent, for a total 50-percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, after Ontario threatened to impose a 25-percent surcharge for electricity imported by the U.S. Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that he had agreed to suspend the 25-percent surcharge on electricity, after holding talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik. The two will hold talks again on Thursday, along with the U.S. Trade Representative to discuss renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade act, ahead of the April 2nd reciprocal tariff deadline set by Trump. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.