News

President Lee calls tariff talks with U.S. "not easy"

2025/07/03 22:41

President Lee Jae Myung held a press conference today, marking one month in office. Topics covered were a wide range of issues, including the economy, North Korea, and foreign policy. When it comes to trade talks with the U.S., the President said it's "not easy" though he says he's making utmost efforts. On foreign policy, our senior presidential office correspondent Yoon Jung-min takes a closer look. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was mindful of trade negotiations with the U.S. during Thursday's press conference marking 30 days in office. When asked, he said one thing that he could say for sure was that it's "not easy." "I'm not sure if I can say it could be done by July 8. I'm doing my best. We need to yield results that are mutually reciprocal that help both sides, but it is still not clear what exactly both sides want." This, as the deadline for talks to cut the 25-percent reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration is less than a week away. He went on to say that his government is looking for "topics in many different fields," as he revisited his principle of "pragmatic diplomacy for national interests." On North Korea, the Commander-in-Chief vowed to improve relations with Pyongyang based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance as well as the three-way cooperation with Japan, urging the importance of "dialogue and communication." "It's foolish to completely cut off dialogue. We should listen to them even if we hate them. We should negotiate and talk. When it comes to politics and diplomacy, emotions should be left out." He added that North Korea's response was quick and better than he had expected to South Korea halting loudspeaker broadcasts, one week after Lee took office in June. On South Korea's relationship with Japan, "There are conflicting factors, but I don't think there's a need to mix the two. Those are separate issues. As I said, diplomacy and dialogue continue even amid a war. We cooperate on what we can cooperate on." He was referring to long-standing controversies between the two neighbors stemming from Japan's colonization of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945 as well as territorial issues. Still, he says he sees a lot of areas to work together with Tokyo, including tackling North Korea's nuclear and missile programs on top of the economic cooperation. President Lee, who's just one month in office, did not forget to mention his recent visit to the G7 Summit, which he called an official announcement that signalled Korea's return to global summit diplomacy. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

Nat'l Assembly passes motion to confirm Kim Min-seok as new PM amid PPP boycott

2025/07/03 22:35

Also today, parliament approved Kim Min-seok as the new prime minister, with the ruling party unilaterally pushing through the motion amid a boycott by the main opposition. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. Four-term lawmaker Kim Min-seok has finally been given the green light to take the post of prime minister, 29 days after being nominated by President Lee Jae Myung. "I'll respect the will of the people, put the president's vision into action, and bring together the wisdom of lawmakers across party lines in managing state affairs. My top priority is overcoming the economic crisis caused by the forces of tyranny." This comes after the National Assembly approved his appointment, on Thursday, to the only Cabinet post in South Korea that requires parliamentary approval. Of the 179 votes cast, 173 lawmakers voted in favor, three voted against, and three ballots were invalid. The ruling Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the 22nd National Assembly, pushed the motion through unilaterally amid a boycott by the main opposition People Power Party. "Given the current crisis, it's a shame that the PPP continues to obstruct the process. If the confirmation of the prime minister, who is supposed to lead the Cabinet, is delayed any further, the public won't stand for it." Ahead of the plenary session, the PPP demanded Kim's withdrawal, calling him an unqualified nominee, citing his failure to submit key documents, particularly those related to his wealth. "There hasn't been a prime minister nominee with this many issues before. Once again, we urge President Lee Jae Myung it's not too late. Withdraw Kim Min-seok's nomination." The Presidential Office welcomed the approval, saying that it paves the way for Prime Minister Kim to work closely with President Lee and help him run state affairs smoothly. Meanwhile, despite the standoff over Kim's appointment, the parliament passed a revision of the Commercial Act during Thursday's plenary session, following an agreement reached the previous day. Among 272 lawmakers present, 220 voted in favor, 29 voted against, and 23 abstained. This was one of the contentious bills the two sides had been clashing over. The DP had pushed a revision to the act back in March, but it was vetoed by the previous administration. The revision aims to add the word "shareholders" to the director's duties from just "company." It also introduces the so-called "Three Percent Rule," which caps the voting rights of the largest shareholder and related parties at 3 percent when appointing audit committee members at listed companies. The rule is intended to prevent undue influence and abuse of control by majority shareholders. This marks the first passage of a bill related to the people's livelihoods and the first time the rival parties have reached a bipartisan agreement on legislation since President Lee took office. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea, NATO agree to bolster defense industry cooperation

2025/07/03 22:34

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has held his first phone call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, during which they agreed to bolster cooperation in the defense industry. That's according to his spokesperson Kang Yu-jung on Thursday, who said their discussion included deepening Seoul's partnership with NATO. Rutte congratulated Lee on his inauguration, and thanked him for showing South Korea's willingness to cooperate with NATO via the attendance of Lee's national security adviser at the NATO Summit last week, though he said he had hoped to have seen him in person. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac attended the summit in the Hague on behalf of the president. President Lee reportedly vowed to continue strengthening Korea's partnership with NATO amid "multilayered" global crises.

President Lee says reviving people's livelihoods is his "top priority"

2025/07/03 22:34

During today's press conference, President Lee Jae Myung also laid out his vision for major domestic issues, focusing on improving livelihoods and improving unity. Our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin reports. Helping people get back on their feet will continue to be South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's number one priority. Even on day one, President Lee issued his first executive order to establish an emergency economic task force. The supplementary budget proposal worth 30-point-5-trillion won, or roughly 22-point-4-billion U.S. dollars, is also part of those efforts. When asked about the impact of the universal cash handouts, President Lee said they'll act as a priming pump for the economy. "It will help boost consumption while also supporting incomes. Ordinary people are really struggling to make ends meet. For someone worried about putting food on the table, 150,000 or even 500,000 won is enormous. I believe the impact will be greater than many expect." Another area of focus was balanced development between the capital region and the rest of the country, which the President says is essential to Korea's long-term growth. "I gave instructions at the Cabinet meeting to create a kind of weighting table by region when the government makes policy decisions or allocates budgets, for example, factoring in the distance from the capital area or major cities." Other growth drivers highlighted by the President included investment in AI, semiconductors, and renewable energy. He also pledged to pave the way for the KOSPI to reach 5-thousand by making the capital market fairer and more reliable. On housing, following the recent tightening of housing loan regulations, he signaled that additional real estate measures are on the way, combining expanded supply with demand controls to stabilize prices. Communication and unity were also recurring themes, especially across political lines. President Lee described differing views as an "uncomfortable but necessary source of synergy." "As the president representing the entire nation, I must pursue policies that bring our people together. Only appointing those who share the same views or political colors is risky." That comment appears to address criticism surrounding his decision to retain Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung and appoint another prosecutor-turned Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, who'll lead the prosecution reform. Regarding cooperation with the opposition, the President said he's open to meeting frequently and as needed. Thursday's press conference itself, held under the themes of "closer, broader, anew," reflected Lee's commitment to engagement. It invited not only the presidential press corps and foreign correspondents, but also grassroots media outlets. Reporters sat close to the President without a podium. "President Lee didn't forget the public, promising they'll remain at the center of policy making. He said he'll listen to their voices through direct channels, including the recently launched 'People's Mailbox' and town hall-style gatherings, such as the one in Gwangju last week. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News."

President Lee’s first press conference underscores fast-moving diplomacy

2025/07/03 21:34

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. Today marks President Lee Jae Myung's 30th day in office—and he didn't let it pass quietly. Breaking from the recent practice of waiting 100 days, he held a live, town hall-style press conference, signaling a shift toward direct, high-speed governance. He underscored Korea's military strength while laying out a North Korea strategy rooted in deterrence, diplomacy, and practical cooperation. In the past four weeks, he's also met global leaders, de-escalated tensions on the Peninsula, and tapped his first foreign policy team—anchored by career diplomats. In our third installment marking one month of the Lee Jae Myung presidency, we focus on his emerging foreign policy—where he's positioning Korea on the global stage, and how alliances and diplomacy may evolve. To help us break things down, we're joined by Dr. Youngshik Bong, Visiting Professor at Yonsei University. Welcome. Also joining us from Washington is Andrew Yeo, Senior Fellow and SK-Korea Foundation Chair at Brookings Institution's Center for East Asia Policy Studies. (BONG) 1. Let's start with Dr. Bong. President Lee held his first press conference just 30 days in, using a town hall format—much earlier and more casual than usual. What did you make of the timing and style? (YEO) 2. On that note, there were several questions on diplomacy and national security. What stood out most to you from those exchanges? (BONG) 3. Looking at his early moves, President Lee spoke with President Trump, Japan's PM, and China's President all within his first week. How do those early contacts shape Korea's diplomatic posture? (YEO) 4. And just two weeks in, he was at the G7, meeting leaders, including Japan's PM. What does this tell us about the reset in Korea-Japan ties and the return to shuttle diplomacy? (BONG) 5. And on the U.S. front, President Lee admitted today that the ongoing tariff negotiations with Washington are "not easy" and may not wrap up by August. How should we interpret his tone? How should President Lee approach this diplomatically? (YEO) 6. On the China front, Beijing's invited President Lee to the Victory Day parade this fall. How should Korea weigh that, given the current U.S.-China tension? (BONG) 7. On inter-Korean relations, President Lee emphasized today that dialogue should never be off the table, even calling a total shutdown "foolish." He also cited North Korea's quick response to South Korea halting loudspeaker broadcasts and leaflets as "beyond expectations." What do you make of this trust-building start—and how far can it go? (YEO) 8. On his appointments, President Lee placed diplomats like Wi Sung-lac and Cho Hyun in top security roles. What does that signal about his foreign policy approach? (BONG) 9. And this is historic— for the first time in 64 years, a civilian—Ahn Gyu-back—is tapped for Defense Minister. What's the significance of that, especially for military reform? (YEO) 10. Looking ahead— with pressure from the U.S., outreach from China, and uncertainty with the North, what should be the administration's top foreign policy focus right now?

PRES. LEE HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE TO MARK FIRST MONTH

2025/07/03 19:42

Welcome to Thursday's edition of Press Perspective. It's July 3rd here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. The Lee Jae Myung administration has marked its first full month at the top office and in our panel session today we touch upon this reality and more. For this I have Celio Fioretti with French daily La Croix. Celio welcome. I also have freelance journalist Yang Chien-Hao with us. Chien-Hao it's good to have you here. Celio, let's begin with a few words about President Lee Jae Myung's public address to mark his first month at the top office. What was the gist of his message? Chien-Hao, what was your takeaway from the president's Q&A session with members of the media? Chien-Hao, how is the president's leadership style being perceived by the public here, do you think? And Celio, how is the international media framing the president's handling of state affairs thus far? I mean, is there a general tone of optimism? Or caution? Or skepticism? Chien-Hao, what public pledge that he has put into action immediately after taking office do you care to highlight and why? Celio, what about you? What do you believe has been quite notable during his first 30 days at the top office? And Chien-Hao, what's the latest with regard to the formation of his Cabinet, and what do his nominations tell you about his policies for South Korea? Celio, on the diplomatic front, the key phrase with regard to the Lee Jae Myung administration is "strategic patience" as it seeks to put on track a pragmatic foreign policy. How feasible is such a strategy keeping in mind the Trump factor, if you will? And Chien-Hao, moving forward, what are some of the next decisions that may shape the trajectory of the Lee administration as we speak? All right.

President Lee Jae Myung holds 1st press conference marking 30 days in office

2025/07/03 19:41

We start here on the national front with a press conference held by the president to mark his first full month at the top office earlier on this Thursday. On the agenda were issues of much interest ranging from the economy to security to diplomacy. Our top office correspondent Yoon Jung-min is standing by live with details. Jung-min it's good to have you on. Do start us off. Sunny. A host of issues were covered during the 2-hour long press conference at the Yeongbingwan Hall at the Blue House, under the title of "asked by the press, answers to the public." First, take a listen to what President Lee had to say marking his 30th day in office: "The past 30 days were a time when I was dashing every day, bearing in mind the desperate desires of our people who have been crossing the waves of a national crisis. Above all, I'm making every effort to recover the people's livelihoods that have been devastated." For the remaining four years and 11 months, the new South Korean President vowed to make full efforts to stabilize the people's livelihoods and the cost of living. He promised to spare no effort in investing in AI, chips, renewable energy, and the culture industry for future growth. And Jung-min what did he have to say with regard to his foreign policy? The President was mindful of trade negotiations with the U.S., as the Trump administration's deadline for tariff talks is less than a week away. He said one thing that he could say for sure was that it's "not easy." "I'm not sure if I can say it could be done by July 8. I'm doing my best. We need to yield results that are mutually reciprocal that help both sides, but it is still not clear what exactly both sides want." He went on to say that his government is looking for "topics in many different fields." On North Korea, the Commander-in-Chief vowed to improve relations with Pyongyang based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance as well as the three-way cooperation with Japan, urging the importance of "dialogue and communication." "It's foolish to completely cut off dialogue. We should listen to them even if we hate them. We should negotiate and talk. When it comes to politics and diplomacy, emotions should be left out." The town hall-style presser took place under the theme of "closer, broader and anew," bringing the seats of the reporters closer to the president's desk, without a podium. I should also note that the press conference took place unusually fast, just 30 days since President Lee Jae Myung took office, breaking a long tradition of South Korean presidents holding their pressers around the 100-day milestone. Back to you, Sunny. All right Jung-min thank you for the latest from the president's first press conference held earlier this morning to mark one month at the top office.

Seoul completes talks over additional K2 tank exports to Poland on Wednesday

2025/07/03 19:37

South Korea and Poland have completed negotiations for the potential sale of a SECOND set of K2 tanks from Hyundai Rotem to Warsaw paving the path for a more permanent foothold for the South Korean arms maker over in Europe. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung has details. South Korea's Hyundai Rotem has completed negotiations over a deal to export additional K2 tanks to Poland, according to the state arms procurement agency on Wednesday. Though the specific size of the contract is yet to be disclosed, it is widely expected to be a deal worth around 6-point-5-billion U.S. dollars --a little less than nine trillion Korean won. This, marks the first "large-scale" arms export deal completed under the new Lee Jae Myung administration, and also, it would be Seoul's largest single arms export contract if the figure above is confirmed. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said Seoul and Warsaw are currently coordinating to arrange the signing ceremony. With Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there has been a defense spending push in Poland. After signing a framework contract in July 2022, Warsaw signed a series of deals with South Korean defense companies later that year to acquire K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and the K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system. Following the first-phase contract, second-phase deals were made for the K9 howitzers in 2023, and Chunmoo MLRS in 2024. Though the second-phase contract for the K2 tanks was expected to be signed around the same time as other weapon systems, negotiations took longer, only to be settled this year. Industry sources say, with production facilities to be established in Poland, 117 units out of 180 K2 tanks will be produced by Hyundai Rotem, while the rest will be locally made by Warsaw's state-owned Polish Armaments Group --PGZ. An expert says this deal could further build momentum for Korea's defense industry, especially as NATO members are now committed to raising defense spending to 5 percent of GDP. "They (European nation) had no defense industry over the seven decades so ground military and K-defense industry supported them to have their own self defense capability in the long term in the end, rather than US weapons system who push countries to buy only a weapon but not a copyright system or supporting system." While leveraging strong defense capabilities and cost-effective production, Korea aims to boost defense export momentum in Europe. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Pentagon reaffirms 'ironclad' S. Korea alliance amid troop reduction questions

2025/07/03 19:36

The U.S. Defense Department has reaffirmed its "ironclad" alliance with South Korea. When asked on Wednesday whether Washington may shrink the size of its soldiers stationed in South Korea Spokesperson Sean Parnell simply cited the Pentagon's policy against public discussion about U.S. military posture reviews. He did nonetheless emphasize Washington's security commitments to Seoul. Recent speculation about the fate of U.S. troops here follows an earlier Wall Street Journal report about a possible withdrawal of some 4-thousand-500 American service members from South Korea.

President Lee meets with leadership of five minor political parties

2025/07/03 19:34

President Lee Jae Myung has called for close cooperation between his administration and the country's five minor parties at the parliament. The comments were made over lunch at the presidential residence where the president sat down with the leaderships of the Rebuilding Korea Party Jinbo Party Reform Party Basic Income Party and the Social Democratic Party. The talks also covered the minor parties' thoughts regarding the tasks that they believe the new administration should seek to actively address such as improving working conditions reforming the prosecution as well as party systems and pardoning politicians and labor activists deemed unfairly targeted by the former administration. Speaking to reporters Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sang-ho added that the president intended to review the thoughts shared.

Nat'l Assembly passes motion to confirm Kim Min-seok as new PM amid PPP boycott

2025/07/03 19:34

The parliament has approved the president's nomination of Kim Min-seok for the post of Prime Minister. The approval was unilaterally pushed ahead by the ruling party amid a boycott by the main opposition party. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. Four-term lawmaker Kim Min-seok has finally been given the green light to take the post of prime minister, 29 days after being nominated by President Lee Jae Myung. This comes after the National Assembly approved his appointment, on Thursday, to the only Cabinet post in South Korea that requires parliamentary approval. Of the 179 votes cast, 173 lawmakers voted in favor, three voted against, and three ballots were invalid. The ruling Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the 22nd National Assembly, pushed the motion through unilaterally amid a boycott by the main opposition People Power Party. "Given the current crisis, it's a shame that the PPP continues to obstruct the process. If the confirmation of the Prime Minister, who is supposed to lead the Cabinet, is delayed any further, the public won't stand for it." Ahead of the plenary session, the PPP demanded Kim's withdrawal, calling him an unqualified nominee, citing his failure to submit key documents, particularly those related to his wealth. "There hasn't been a prime minister nominee with this many issues before. Once again, we urge President Lee Jae Myung it's not too late. Withdraw Kim Min-seok's nomination." The Presidential Office welcomed the approval, saying that it paves the way for Prime Minister Kim to work closely with President Lee and help him run state affairs smoothly. Meanwhile, despite the standoff over Kim's appointment, the parliament passed a revision of the Commercial Act during Thursday's plenary session, following an agreement reached the previous day. Among 272 lawmakers present, 220 voted in favor, 29 voted against, and 23 abstained. This was one of the contentious bills the two sides had been clashing over. The DP had pushed a revision to the Act back in March, but it was vetoed by the previous administration. The revision aims to add the word "shareholders" to the director's duties from just "company." It also introduces the so-called "Three Percent Rule," which caps the voting rights of the largest shareholder and related parties at 3 percent when appointing audit committee members at listed companies. The rule is intended to prevent undue influence and abuse of control by majority shareholders. This marks the first passage of a bill related to the people's livelihoods and the first time the rival parties have reached a bipartisan agreement on legislation since President Lee took office. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

30 DAYS IN OFFICE: PRESIDENT LEE'S FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE

2025/07/03 17:33

Hello and welcome to our special live coverage of President Lee Jae Myung's first formal press conference marking his first 30 days in office. In just a few moments, President Lee will give his speech and take questions from reporters on a wide range of issues --including the economy, politics, diplomacy, security, and culture. Today's press conference comes a month after President Lee's inauguration, after he won a snap election in early June. While former presidents typically held their first press conferences around the one-hundred-day mark, President Lee is meeting the press much earlier. Today's event will be held in the form of a 'town hall meeting,' with the presidential office hoping this will serve as an opportunity for the president to engage more effectively with journalists. Unlike the traditional format where the President stands at a podium, the event will be held as a town hall meeting, where members of the press corps will sit close to the president, ask questions directly, with no restrictions on topics. Since taking office, President Lee has been focusing on getting the country back on track, especially after the country was left without a leader for several months --following the declaration of martial law in December. We see President Lee Jae Myung entering the press conference room. It appears the press conference is about to start, we'll come back right afterwards.

Lawmakers to vote on appointment of prime minister nominee and revision to Commercial Act

2025/07/03 16:41

The National Assembly is scheduled to open a plenary session on Thursday afternoon to vote on appointing the new prime minister, alongside a revision to the Commercial Act. The ruling and opposition parties have been at odds over the confirmation vote for Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok, with the ruling Democratic Party pushing for the vote, while the opposition People Power Party has demanded the withdrawal of the nominee and refused to convene at the plenary session. As for the amendment to the Commercial Act, the two parties reached an agreement the previous day. Final negotiations are still ongoing for the new administration's first supplementary budget proposal, with the DP aiming to bring the bill to a vote by Friday at the latest.

[On-point] Where South Korea's Pres. Lee stands on key issues

2025/07/03 15:36

That was President Lee Jae Myung taking questions at his first press conference, marking his first 30 days in office. For more on today's comments from the president and where President Lee stands on key issues, we're joined by Professor Choi Hyunsun, Professor at the Department of Public Administration at Myongji University. Professor Choi, thanks for joining us this morning. 1. We just heard the president speak at his first press conference since taking office. What are some of the key takeaways, and what's your overall assessment? 2. President Lee has been focusing on getting South Korea back on track, especially after the country was left without a leader following the martial law declaration. How would you assess his first term in office so far? 3. A key part of his economic policy during his first month in office was the supplementary budget. Will this help revive the country's economy? 4. The president also addressed other economic issues related to people's livelihoods, such as stabilizing the housing market, balanced regional growth, and the 4.5-day workweek. What are your thoughts on these policies? 5. President Lee also addressed diplomatic and security policies, and he does seem to be particularly focused on achieving peace on the Korean peninsula, right? 6. What would you say is the most important goal the Lee administration must achieve over the course of its five-year term? Alright. Thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

Dalai Lama confirms he will have successor after his death

2025/07/03 15:34

Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has announced during his 90th birthday week that there will indeed be a successor after his death, directly challenging Beijing's claim that only it can control the process. Speaking in Dha-ram-shala, India, on Wednesday, the Dalai Lama affirmed that "the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue" and that the Caden Phodrang Trust, alongside senior Tibetan Buddhist leaders, will hold sole authority to identify his reincarnation. He emphasized that his successor will likely be born outside China, underscoring his rejection of any candidate chosen under Beijing's system. The decision resolves long-standing uncertainty and safeguards against China's claims of authority over Tibetan spiritual succession. He outlined that the Trust, founded in 2011 and governed by Tibetan exiles, will consult senior monks and follow traditional procedures, possibly even nominating a "living" successor during his lifetime. However, China asserts its own legal right to oversee the Dalai Lama's reincarnation and asserts that it would need to be approved by Beijing.

Preview of President Lee's first press conference

2025/07/02 22:41

Tomorrow marks exactly 30 days since South Korea's new president, Lee Jae Myung, took office. After weeks of traveling across the country and engaging with world leaders, President Lee is expected to lay out his administration's policy direction by taking questions directly from reporters. Our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin has this preview. Communication has been one of the top priorities for South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, and that will be the focus of his first official press conference on Thursday. Unlike the traditional format where the President stands at a podium, the event will be held as a town hall meeting, where members of the press corps will sit close to the president, ask questions directly, with no restrictions on topics, from the economy and diplomacy to politics and social issues. The top office says this is to enable closer communication with more reporters. What also stands out is the timing. While former presidents typically held their first press conferences around the one-hundred-day mark, President Lee is meeting the press much earlier. "This press conference is intended to demonstrate the early stabilization of the Lee Jae Myung administration, which began without a transition committee, and to communicate actively about the direction of state affairs and major policies going forward." President Lee did not schedule any official events on Wednesday, suggesting he may be devoting his full attention to preparing for the occasion. In a social media post, the President said he arranged the press conference to reflect on the past 30 days and to renew his commitment for the remaining four years and eleven months of his term by humbly responding to questions from the public, whom he described as "the sovereigns of the nation." "Eyes are on what messages the President will deliver on pressing issues expected to come up, including trade talks with the United States, the supplementary budget proposal, real estate measures, and his administration's North Korea policy. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

Trump says Israel agrees to conditions for 60-day ceasefire with Hamas

2025/07/02 22:38

U.S. President Donald Trump claims Israel has agreed to the "necessary conditions" to finalize a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. He's now calling on the Palestinian militant group to do the same. Park Kun-woo reports. A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas may be about to take effect. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media Tuesday that Israel has agreed to the "necessary conditions" to establish a 60-day ceasefire. He also said efforts from all parties will be made to end the war during that period. Related hours-long talks between Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer took place at the White House earlier the same day. Trump also urged Hamas to accept the proposal that's said to be delivered by mediating countries Qatar and Egypt. He warned that the conditions will only get "WORSE" if Hamas does not accept the offer. No clear response from Hamas has yet been made. Pundits say Hamas' long-standing desire for a permanent ceasefire and staying in power could act as a potential variable. Alongside these remarks, Israel has continued to ramp up its military pressure. Israeli officials warned of more intense attacks to come if the deal does not proceed soon, ordering civilians in Gaza City to move to the South. Israeli forces have reportedly killed scores of people in Gaza on Tuesday alone. Amid persistent tensions in the region, Trump is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week for further discussions. Trump said he plans to take a "very firm" stance during the meeting, raising questions on whether the proposed ceasefire will actually proceed as he claims. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

S. Korea's Hyundai Rotem successfully completes deal with Poland to export K2 tanks

2025/07/02 22:36

South Korea's Hyundai Rotem successfully completed negotiations on a deal to export additional K2 tanks to Poland, according to the state arm procurement agency on Wednesday. The exact size of the deal is yet to be disclosed, though many assume it to be worth a little less than seven-billion U.S. dollars. This marks the very first major defense export deal since the start of the Lee Jae Myung administration. While Hyundai Rotem signed a contract worth about three-point-three billion U.S. dollars in 2022 to supply the first batch of 180 K2s to Poland, the follow-up deal had not been made until now. A significant number of tanks are to be locally produced in Poland, with production facilities to be established in the country.

[Politics & Diplomacy] Tensions rise in Assembly as extraordinary session nears end despite Pres. Lee's emphasis on unity

2025/07/02 22:35

At the same time, unity has long been President Lee Jae Myung's core message to parliament. But tensions in the Assembly are yet to be tamed as an extraordinary session nears its end. We turn to our political correspondent Shin Ha-young for more. Hello, Ha-young. Good evening. The country is now marking one month since Lee Jae Myung took office after the snap presidential election that put him in charge. What has been President Lee's approach toward the National Assembly so far? I followed Lee Jae Myung's campaign trail during his candidacy, where he emphasized national unity as one of his key pledges. After becoming president, he extended that message to the rival parties in the National Assembly. During his inauguration, President Lee caught attention by wearing a red, white and blue tie, symbolizing his message of unity across political affiliations. Lee also had lunch with Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, demonstrating his commitment to national unity from the very first day of his term. Take a listen. "I hope we can make compromises and reach agreements on policies that improve people's lives. I want politics to move away from hostility and toward respectful dialogue and healthy competition." Last week, Lee hosted a luncheon with leaders of the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party at the presidential residence. All sides described the gathering as a meaningful step toward candid dialogue and agreed to meet regularly. What was the first significant move from the ruling party after Lee took office? Back in power after three years, the ruling DP, which holds a majority in the 22nd National Assembly, has accelerated its efforts to pass contentious bills previously vetoed by the former administration. In the first plenary session, a day after Lee took office, the DP unilaterally passed three special investigation bills, including one into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law and related insurrection charges. And all this happened while most PPP lawmakers boycotted the vote. Meanwhile, the rival parties reached a compromise today on a revision to the Commercial Act one of the contentious bills they've been clashing over with plans to pass it in a plenary session tomorrow. As you mentioned earlier, Lee has made efforts to get the rival parties to work together. Then, can we say there has been progress? Well, it may be too early to say President Lee's message of unity has taken root in parliament. This is because, as the June extraordinary session nears its end, the rival parties remain deeply divided over four-term lawmaker Kim Min-seok's qualifications to serve as Prime Minister. President Lee nominated Kim for the post, but last week's confirmation hearing for Kim quickly devolved into arguments and harsh exchanges. With no agreement on witnesses between the parties, the hearing proceeded without any a first for a prime minister nominee. The PPP has refused to adopt the confirmation hearing report, citing Kim's failure to submit key documents, mainly about his wealth and family, while the DP plans to push for an Assembly vote to approve him by July 4. "For the first time, the confirmation hearing is being held without witnesses. It's a blind hearing due to the nominee's failure to submit requested data, having not given consent to share personal information." "There have been many unfair and unreasonable demands for documents. Is this really a proper confirmation hearing, or just an attempt to embarrass and criticize?" Well, I hear there's also a standoff over the new administration's extra budget bill. You're right. The bipartisan standoff over the supplementary budget follows President Lee, a former DP leader, returning to the National Assembly to deliver his first budget speech, which drew mixed reactions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The DP pledged full support for the swift passage of the supplementary budget, calling it necessary to revive the economy and protect livelihoods. In sharp contrast, the PPP found fault with the proposal, in particular, the cash handouts, calling them "ineffective" and warning of the growing national debt. Despite the ongoing tensions, the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee approved a 13-point-2 trillion Korean won, or about 9-point-7 billion U.S. dollars, supplementary budget on Tuesday to fund consumption vouchers, with both parties agreeing to the plan. Now, tomorrow marks a month since President Lee took office. All eyes remain on how Lee and the National Assembly will handle the ongoing standoff between the rival parties and work toward bipartisan cooperation and that's something to watch closely throughout his presidency. Alright, thank you for the wrap-up, Ha-young. My pleasure.

President Lee’s first month: Direction of inter-Korean relations under the Lee admin.

2025/07/02 21:34

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. In the past month, South Korea has signaled a strategic shift in its North Korea policy — suspending loudspeaker broadcasts along the DMZ and tightening controls on anti-North leaflet launches, moves aimed at reducing cross-border tensions. North Korea responded by halting its own propaganda broadcasts, sparking cautious optimism for a thaw in inter-Korean relations. This softer tone is echoed in President Lee Jae Myung's foreign policy team — stacked with key figures from previous eras of engagement. But so far, Pyongyang has stayed silent, keeping all communication channels closed and refraining from comment, even at major political events. Tonight, in part two of our special on President Lee's first month in office, we turn our lens to his evolving North Korea strategy — what message he's sending, and whether it can reshape the long-frozen dynamics on the peninsula. For this we are joined by Go Myong-hyun, senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy. Also joining us online is Dr. Mark Barry, associate editor emeritus at the International Journal on World Peace. (GO) Since taking office, the Lee Jae Myung administration has introduced a series of steps to reduce tensions with the North, including halting loudspeaker broadcasts and tightening controls on anti-North leaflets. North Korea, in response, also suspended its propaganda loudspeakers. Could this be interpreted as a positive signal from Pyongyang toward easing tensions? (BARRY) Despite these developments, North Korea continues to cut off all communication channels with the South. In this context, what should be the first practical step toward restoring inter-Korean relations? Where does trust-building begin? (GO) The Lee administration's recent appointments to its North Korea diplomacy team include figures such as Rep. Chung Dong-young and NIS chief Lee Jong-seok — key players during the early 2000s era of inter-Korean engagement. What does this lineup suggest about the government's North Korea policy? (BARRY) Despite Seoul's conciliatory gestures, Pyongyang has remained silent — offering no foreign policy messages even during the recent Workers' Party plenary session. Why is North Korea maintaining this silence, and when might we expect a message directed to the South? (GO) President Trump recently stated that he's "getting along very well" with Kim Jong-un and expressed a willingness to restart dialogue. Yet North Korea responded by reiterating its principle of "self-reliance." What's behind this messaging? Is it a rejection of dialogue unless there's a shift in U.S. policy? (BARRY) Interestingly, while North Korea continues its routine criticism of the U.S., it has noticeably refrained from directly attacking President Trump. Could this be a calculated move signaling Pyongyang's openness to dialogue with the U.S.? (BARRY) Meanwhile, after the recent U.S. airstrike on Iran's nuclear facilities, some analysts now believe that achieving "complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization" (CVID) of North Korea is no longer realistic. What message did this military action send to Pyongyang? (GO) Looking ahead, if President Trump visits Korea during the APEC summit in October, there's speculation he might seek another meeting with Kim Jong-un at Panmunjom. How likely is such a scenario? And what conditions need to be in place to resume dialogue? Should the focus shift from denuclearization to negotiating a nuclear freeze? (GO) As Pyongyang ignores Seoul and Washington's overtures, it is strengthening ties with Moscow, including cultural and artistic exchanges alongside military cooperation. In light of this, what strategic steps should South Korea take to safeguard regional security on the Korean Peninsula?