Tensions rise in Assembly as extraordinary session nears end despite Pres. Lee's call for unity
2025/07/02 19:41
Despite a presidential urge for unity the South Korean parliament remains polarized even as it nears the end of its extraordinary session. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young starts us off. "National unity" is a key pledge that President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized since his candidacy. 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. "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." However, the rival parties remain poles apart as the June extraordinary session nears its end. Back in power after three years, the ruling Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the 22nd National Assembly, has accelerated its efforts to pass contentious bills previously vetoed by the former administration. 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. The rival parties also clashed over four-term lawmaker Kim Min-seok's qualifications to serve as Prime Minister. The main opposition People Power Party 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. There is also a bipartisan standoff over the new administration's supplementary budget. The DP is aiming to pass it by Thursday, while the PPP is raising concerns about fiscal soundness and fairness. 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. Having consistently emphasized national unity, all eyes are on how President Lee and the Assembly will navigate the ongoing standoff between the rival parties and work toward bipartisan cooperation. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.
World News: Court suspends Thailand's PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra to investigate leaked phone call
2025/07/02 19:40
This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Thailand's Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office following a petition from 36 senators amid controversy over a leaked phone call. On Tuesday, Thailand's Constitutional Court voted 7 to 2 to suspend Paetongtarn pending a 15-day investigation into allegations of dishonesty and ethical misconduct related to a leaked June 15 call with Cambodian politician Hun Sen. In the conversation, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle," and criticized a Thai military commander as "an opponent." The Bhumjaithai Party, Paetongtarn's key coalition partner, withdrew support after the leak, prompting renewed public protests demanding her resignation. The Deputy Prime Minister has been appointed as the acting Prime Minister. While Paetongtarn transfers to the culture ministry from July 3, she is barred from exercising executive power during the proceedings. The National Anti-Corruption Commission is conducting a parallel investigation that could escalate to a Supreme Court case, potentially leading to a political ban if she's found guilty. In India, the death toll from an explosion at a pharmaceutical factory has risen to at least 36. The blast on Monday at Sigachi Industries' factory in Telangana State occurred at the spray-dryer unit of the plant, causing the structure to collapse while over 140 workers were inside. Rescue teams have retrieved 34 bodies from the rubble, and two others died later in hospital. More than 30 people suffered injuries and are being treated for burns. Officials said additional casualties cannot be ruled out until debris from the collapsed building is fully cleared. The U.S. Agency for International Development, USA-I-D, officially ceased independent operations on Tuesday, July 1, after 64 years. Over 80% of its programs folded into the State Department under an "America First" reorganization plan. Meanwhile, a new study projects that these funding cuts could result in more than 14 million avoidable deaths globally by 2030, including children under five. Between 2001 and 2021, USAID-funded efforts prevented about 91 million deaths from diseases like HIV and malaria. While former Presidents Obama and Bush denounced the closure, Secretary of State Rubio said, "Inefficiency has officially come to an end." Dubai hosted the first piloted test flight of Joby Aviation's fully-electric air taxi on Monday, ahead of its official commercial launch in 2026. It's the first in-market series of flight tests following initial trials in California earlier this year and included vertical takeoff and precise landing sequences. The California-based company says its flagship aerial taxi can carry one pilot and four passengers, reach speeds up to 320 kilometers per hour, and fly approximately 160 kilometers per charge. This could reduce the trip from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah to 12 minutes, down from a 45-minute drive by car. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.
Trump says Israel agrees to conditions for 60-day ceasefire with Hamas
2025/07/02 19:36
U.S. President Donald Trump claims Israel has accepted the conditions for a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas. He's now calling on the Palestinian militant group to do the same. Park Kun-woo has the latest. 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.
What the South Korean president's 'Pragmatic Diplomacy' entails 1 month after taking office
2025/07/02 19:34
Now later this week we mark President Lee Jae Myung 's first full month at the top office. That being said our foreign affairs correspondent Oh Soo-young takes a look at the framework of his foreign policy thus far as he pledges "pragmatic diplomacy". Lee Jae Myung's pragmatic diplomacy blends continuity and change based on a deliberate calculation of national interest. His diplomatic debut came at the G7 Summit in June, where he held ten bilateral meetings with world leaders. After a six-month leadership vacuum caused by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law crisis, Lee's presence aimed to renew South Korea's standing as a vibrant democratic partner. Lee Jae Myung has also reaffirmed the Seoul-Washington alliance and future-oriented relations with Tokyo. His first phone calls were with Donald Trump and Shigeru Ishiba, followed by China's Xi Jinping, breaking the tradition of progressive leaders prioritizing Beijing over Tokyo. Lee's foreign policy also shows signs of recalibration. While maintaining key partnerships with democratic countries, the administration is diversifying cooperation and avoiding value-based alignment seeking to engage with China and Russia where possible. On North Korea, Lee's approach has been focused on reducing tensions. In his first month, he suspended loudspeaker broadcasts and cracked down on cross-border leaflet campaigns signaling a break from the tit-for-tat escalation seen in recent years. His Cabinet nominations reflect this push for peace, over alliance-based deterrence. Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun last week called for moving beyond the (quote) "stereotype that diplomacy begins and ends with the United States," while stressing U.S.–North Korea dialogue and building peace on the peninsula as core priorities. Unification Minister nominee Chung Dong-young could return to a role he held under the Roh Moo-hyun government. He helped organize the 2007 inter-Korean summit. Defense Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back set to become the first civilian to hold the post in more than 60 years has stressed the need to build peace along the border. North Korea, along with trade and security, will likely top the agenda when Lee meets Donald Trump later this month. Their meeting will mark the first test of Lee's ability to navigate the alliance while asserting South Korea's national interest. The U.S. will likely push for Seoul to cover more costs related to defence and possibly the deployment of U.S. strategic assets in South Korea. Lee and Trump were originally expected to meet during the G7, but the meeting fell through as Trump left early amid conflict between Israel and Iran. Officials from both sides say a summit is being arranged in Washington likely the week of July 21st. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
S. Korea, China resume senior-level diplomatic talks for 1st time in 6 months
2025/07/02 19:33
The Lee Jae Myung administration held its first senior-level talks with its Chinese counterpart earlier on Tuesday here in Seoul. According to the Foreign Ministry Director-General for Northeast and Central Asian Affairs Kang Young-shin sat down with China's head of Asian Affairs Liu Jinsong . On their agenda was an agreement to boost communication and cooperation as South Korea looks to host this year's APEC Summit in the autumn. The two officials also addressed prospects of practical partnerships to benefit their respective citizens while sharing concerns over tensions on the peninsula and in the West Sea. While not officially acknowledged these latest talks are believed to have touched upon the alignment between North Korea and Russia and Chinese-built structures in the West Sea.
What the South Korean President's 'Pragmatic Diplomacy' entails 1 month after taking office
2025/07/02 11:39
It's been one month since President Lee Jae Myung took office. It's still early days, but we zoom in on the course of his foreign affairs and security policies, which he has defined as "pragmatic diplomacy." Our foreign affairs correspondent Oh Soo-young explains. Lee Jae Myung's pragmatic diplomacy blends continuity and change --based on a deliberate calculation of national interest. His diplomatic debut came at the G7 Summit in June, where he held ten bilateral meetings with world leaders. After a six-month leadership vacuum caused by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law crisis, Lee's presence aimed to renew South Korea's standing as a vibrant democratic partner. Lee Jae Myung has also reaffirmed the Seoul-Washington alliance and future-oriented relations with Tokyo. His first phone calls were with Donald Trump and Shigeru Ishiba, followed by China's Xi Jinping, breaking the tradition of progressive leaders prioritizing Beijing over Tokyo. Lee's foreign policy also shows signs of recalibration. While maintaining key partnerships with democratic countries, the administration is diversifying cooperation and avoiding value-based alignment --seeking to engage with China and Russia where possible. On North Korea, Lee's approach has been focused on reducing tensions. In his first month, he suspended loudspeaker broadcasts and cracked down on cross-border leaflet campaigns --signaling a break from the tit-for-tat escalation seen in recent years. His Cabinet nominations reflect this push for peace, over alliance-based deterrence. Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun last week called for moving beyond the (quote) "stereotype that diplomacy begins and ends with the United States," while stressing U.S.–North Korea dialogue and building peace on the peninsula as core priorities. Unification Minister nominee Chung Dong-young could return to a role he held under the Roh Moo-hyun government. He helped organize the 2007 inter-Korean summit. Defense Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back --set to become the first civilian to hold the post in more than 60 years --has stressed the need to build peace along the border. North Korea, along with trade and security, will likely top the agenda when Lee meets Donald Trump later this month. Their meeting will mark the first test of Lee's ability to navigate the alliance while asserting South Korea's national interest. The U.S. will likely push for Seoul to cover more costs related to defence and possibly the deployment of U.S. strategic assets in South Korea. Lee and Trump were originally expected to meet during the G7, but the meeting fell through as Trump left early amid conflict between Israel and Iran. Officials from both sides say a summit is being arranged in Washington --likely the week of July 21st. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
USAID program closes doors after six decades study finds 14 million people could die
2025/07/02 11:38
The U.S. Agency for International Development, USA-I-D, officially ceased independent operations on Tuesday, July 1, after 64 years. Over 80% of its programs folded into the State Department under an "America First" reorganization plan. Meanwhile, a new study projects that these funding cuts could result in more than 14 million avoidable deaths globally by 2030, including children under five. Between 2001 and 2021, USAID-funded efforts prevented about 91 million deaths from diseases like HIV and malaria. While former Presidents Obama and Bush denounced the closure, Secretary of State Rubio said, "Inefficiency has officially come to an end."
Court suspends Thailand's PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra to investigate leaked phone call
2025/07/02 11:37
Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. Thailand's Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office following a petition from 36 senators amid controversy over a leaked phone call. On Tuesday, Thailand's Constitutional Court voted 7 to 2 to suspend Paetongtarn pending a 15-day investigation into allegations of dishonesty and ethical misconduct related to a leaked June 15 call with Cambodian politician Hun Sen. In the conversation, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle," and criticized a Thai military commander as "an opponent." The Bhum-jai-thai Party, Paetongtarn's key coalition partner, withdrew support after the leak, prompting renewed public protests demanding her resignation. The Deputy Prime Minister has been appointed as the acting Prime Minister. While Paetongtarn transfers to the culture ministry from July 3, she is barred from exercising executive power during the proceedings. The National Anti-Corruption Commission is conducting a parallel investigation that could escalate to a Supreme Court case, potentially leading to a political ban if she's found guilty.
[On-point] A week into Israel-Iran peace agreement --will ceasefire hold?
2025/07/02 11:36
It's been a week since the conflict between Israel and Iran ended with a ceasefire brokered by the United States. For more, we're joined by Paik Seunghoon, Researcher at the Institute of Middle East Studies. Thanks for joining us this morning. 1. Will the peace agreement between Israel and Iran continue to hold and forever end the conflict between the two countries? 2. Trump says U.S. strikes obliterated Iran's nuclear sites, but it's still unclear how effective they were. What's your assessment on this? How far has Iran's nuclear program been set back? 3. U.S. government agencies are warning of increased Iranian cyber threats. Could Iran carry out further retaliation in response to the latest U.S. strikes? 4. Trump is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next Monday. What is likely to be discussed, and will the U.S. pressure Israel to reach a deal on Gaza? 5. Has the ceasefire between Israel and Iran opened the door to ending the war in Gaza? Alright, thank you so much for your insight. We appreciate it.
President Lee urges Cabinet members to respect National Assembly
2025/07/02 11:36
President Lee Jae Myung presided over a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. He urged officials to respect members of the National Assembly who've been elected by citizens, while also addressing issues related to people's livelihoods. Top Office Correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports. "The National Assembly is an institution directly entrusted with power by the people, so I ask our Cabinet members to have a sense of respect for them when you go there. It's about the basic order of the state." President Lee Jae Myung began Tuesday's Cabinet meeting by noting that all power comes from the people, and officials elected by the people come before those who were appointed. He pointed out that there seems to be a "misunderstanding" with parliament, and urged the Cabinet to respect the Assembly. Present at the meeting were some of the Cabinet members from the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration. He went on to pay attention to the livelihoods of the people, particularly the vulnerable, with the nation in the middle of the summer rainy season. "During extreme heat, people living in small rooms, the elderly, and the vulnerable suffer crises. Please pay extra attention and take good care of them." Lee also turned to another matter affecting the lives of Koreans: real estate. He said the stock and financial markets have been recently "normalized," and began to serve as investment options other than the property market, pointing to a tendency in Korea where speculation in real estate often leads to housing market instability. Last week, the nation's financial watchdog announced strict measures to tighten household lending to curb soaring home prices in the capital. Discussions on Tuesday included how to use some of the land left fallow in the border area of Gyeonggi-do Province following the relocation of the U.S. military sites to Pyeongtaek. "President Lee instructed the Defense Ministry to proactively review and report measures to deal with the issues regarding the land returned by the U.S. Forces Korea in northern Gyeonggi-do Province." Among the items endorsed at the Cabinet meeting was an agreement to establish a free trade zone between South Korea and Ecuador, aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.
Trump rules out tariff suspension period extension
2025/07/02 11:34
As the clock ticks down on a critical U.S. trade deadline, U.S. President Donald Trump is taking a hard stance, refusing to grant more time for countries under temporary tariff relief. Our Moon Hye-ryeon has the details. With the suspension period on tariffs set to expire soon, U.S. President Donald Trump signaled that he has no plans to extend the deadline, and that new trade penalties for some countries may soon take effect. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, he singled out Japan after taking to social media the day before to criticize Tokyo for refusing to import American rice despite facing a domestic shortage. "So what I'm going to do is I'll write them a letter and say, 'we thank you very much and we know you can't do the kind of things that we need and therefore you pay a 30%, 35% or whatever the numbers that we determine,' because we also have a very big trade deficit with Japan " On the other hand, he said a deal to reduce the 26 percent tariff rate for India to "much less" is on the table, after Indian officials extended a visit to the White House last week. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News prior to this statement that the two countries are close to making a deal that lowers levies for both parties. India is one of 57 named countries targeted by country-specific mutual tariffs announced back in April, before they were pushed back for a 90-day negotiation period. During that period, Washington has pushed for talks focused on tariff rates, trade imbalances, and non-tariff barriers. Only the UK has been able to negotiate a limited trade deal with the Trump administration so far, accepting a 10 percent U.S. tariff on certain items in exchange for special access to aircraft engines and British beef. Going forward, the Trump administration is reportedly planning meetings with its trade team to set tariff rates for individual countries as the July 9th deadline approaches. The U.S. Director of the National Economic Council revealed on Monday that the U.S. President will review tariff plans for each country, while Bessent warned that tariffs could remain high for countries that do not cooperate. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.
At least 74 killed in Gaza after Israeli forces strike, Netanyahu to visit White House
2025/07/01 22:38
After mediating the Israel-Iran ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump is now looking to put pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the Gaza war by inviting him to the White House next week. Byeon Ye-young has the details. U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next Monday, as Washington ramps up efforts to end the war in Gaza. Unnamed U.S. officials confirmed the visit, which comes amid a renewed push to broker a ceasefire. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, during a briefing on Monday, reaffirmed the administration's commitment to ending the conflict. "I also know that this administration is in constant communication with Israeli leadership, and the president himself speaks frequently, as you know, to Prime Minister Netanyahu. But this has been a priority for the president since he took office, to end this brutal war in Gaza." Netanyahu's upcoming visit comes as the U.S., after striking Iranian nuclear sites and brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, shifts focus to ending the Israel-Hamas conflict. On the same day, according to AP News, Israeli forces left at least 74 people dead in Gaza. The deadliest attack targeted a beachfront café crowded with women and children. It was one of the few remaining places during the war where civilians could charge their phones and access the Internet. "An F-16 missile, a war missile, military aircraft, not a drone or a bomb or a shell from a boat. The F-16 shook the place, it struck this place as you can see, pools of blood, piles of martyrs. I mean, if you had seen the scene from the beginning, there were piles of martyrs." Fares Awad, a Gaza health ministry official, said at least 30 were killed and dozens injured in the café strike. Local medical officials reported 15 more deaths on a Gaza City street, six in a separate building strike, 11 civilians shot while searching for food, and 10 killed at a UN aid warehouse. While Israel maintains it only targets militants, Gaza's Health Ministry reports that more than 56-thousand Palestinians, many of them civilians, have been killed since the war began. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.
[Politics & Diplomacy] Lee Jae Myung's 1st month of 'Pragmatic Diplomacy': Progress & challenges ahead
2025/07/01 22:36
It's been one month since President Lee Jae Myung took office. It's still early days, but we zoom in on the course of his foreign affairs and security policies, which he has defined as "pragmatic diplomacy." For this, we have our Oh Soo-young in the studio. 1. First, how would you summarise the first month of Lee's pragmatic diplomacy? From my perspective, there has been an interesting mix of both continuity and change from the previous administration. In being pragmatic, the Lee government has clearly kept Seoul's global diplomacy intact at its first multilateral summit at the G7. Holding at least ten individual summits with world leaders,.. his focus there was reinforcing South Korea's position in the international community as a vibrant democratic partner, after six months of a leadership vacuum following President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law crisis last year. There's continuity in South Korea's strategic relationships, too. His first phone calls with world leaders were made in order of: the U.S., Japan, and then China. That mirrors the previous Yoon administration's priorities, emphasising the South Korea–U.S. alliance and a future-oriented partnership with Tokyo. That's been surprising given how past progressive leaders have shown more affinity towards China than Japan, emphasising historical disputes with the latter. Now, where there's been some recalibration is when it comes to values. The former Yoon administration endorsed liberal democratic values as the basis for cooperation but the new Lee administration has indicated it will focus on what serves Korean interests, not necessarily values. That includes diversifying its cooperation and working with China and Russia, avoiding bloc-based alignment. On North Korea, Lee's strategy is clearly geared towards lowering tensions. Even in the first month of his presidency, he decided to withhold psychological warfare tactics like loudspeaker broadcasts, and crack down on South Korean groups sending anti-North Korea flyers over the border. It's a sharp contrast to the tit-for-tat escalation under the previous administration. Q2. And his top policymakers will initiate his pragmatic diplomacy. Let's turn to his ministerial nominees for key diplomatic and security positions. What does his selection of ministers indicate? The President's selections for the ministers of foreign affairs, unification, and defense represent a decisive pivot toward institutional experience and peace, rather than deterrence, towards North Korea. Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun is a career diplomat with decades of experience in multilateral diplomacy. He emphasized the importance of diversifying Korea's diplomatic interests. Speaking during an interview, Cho said it was time to move beyond what he called "the stereotype that diplomacy begins and ends with the United States." At the same time, he acknowledged America's centrality in building peace with North Korea, saying achieving U.S.–North Korea dialogue and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula is one of the Administration's top priorities. The nominee for Unification Minister, Chung Dong-young, is also no stranger to the inter-Korean agenda. He held the same position under President Roh Moo-hyun and played a central role in organizing the 2007 inter-Korean summit. He said he supports U.S.–North Korea talks, noting that "they help ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and contribute to peace and stability." He's made headlines by suggesting that the very name "Ministry of Unification" may be outdated and the ministry should shift its emphasis away from symbolic unification rhetoric and instead focus on concrete goals like humanitarian cooperation and sustainable coexistence. Now, a particularly significant appointment is Ahn Gyu-back as Defense Ministerthe first civilian to hold the post in more than six decades. His nomination represents democratic oversight of the military, particularly after the martial law crisis last year, as well as reform to better support armed forces amid sharp technological and geopolitical changes. He's also emphasised the need for a peaceful overture between the South and North to create the mood for military tensions to be eased. Q3. Is the Korea–U.S. summit still expected in late July — and what are the stakes? Yes, officials from both governments confirm that a summit in Washington is being arranged most likely for the week of July 21st. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is widely expected to stop by earlier in July to finalise the grounds. These three issues are likely to dominate their talks: America's tariffs on South Korea's foremost industrial goods especially with Washington ending its grace period next Wednesday. Also, defence spending, as the U.S. calls on allies to pay more towards their security, and even cover areas outside their cost-sharing agreement, such as the deployment of U.S. tactical assets. Another issue could possibly be North Korea, as Lee moves to lower tensions and Trump signals interest in resuming engagement with the North. Lee and Trump were originally expected to meet during the G7 Summit in Canada last month, but that meeting did not take place as Trump left early amid the Israel-Iran conflict. The upcoming summit will be a major test of how the Lee administration balances alliance management with national interest. So the first high-stakes meeting for Lee's pragmatic diplomacy. Let's see what happens later this month. Thanks Soo-young for coming in today.
First Lady Kim attends opening of 4th Women Entrepreneurs Week
2025/07/01 22:35
First Lady Kim Hea Kyung on Tuesday attended the opening ceremony of the fourth edition of Women Entrepreneurs Week. There, she expressed hope that women in business, who've played a key role in supporting the domestic economy, will help lead the country through challenges. According to the Presidential Office, the First Lady met with female entrepreneurs to offer encouragement and presented government awards to exemplary businesswomen. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups hosts the event each year during the first week of July to recognize outstanding contributions by women-led businesses. This year's program runs through Friday.
President Lee speaks with UAE, New Zealand leaders on economic cooperation
2025/07/01 22:35
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung spoke over the phone with his UAE counterpart, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday, for the first time since taking office last month. President Lee expressed hopes to bolster the "special strategic partnership" between Korea and the UAE. The leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation on AI, cutting-edge technology, the defense industry, and nuclear power. He also held a phone call with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to discuss elevating their "comprehensive strategic partnership." Noting New Zealand's contribution during the Korean War, Lee hoped to bolster cooperation with that country in the economic, defense, and science sectors. Lee also discussed with the foreign leaders further cooperation in time for the upcoming APEC summit in Korea later this year.
President Lee urges Cabinet members to respect National Assembly
2025/07/01 22:34
President Lee Jae Myung presided over the weekly Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. There, he urged the Cabinet members to respect members of the National Assembly who've been elected by the people. Also addressed were a host of issues related to people's livelihoods. Top Office Correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports. "The National Assembly is an institution directly entrusted with power by the people, so I ask our Cabinet members to have a sense of respect for them when you go there. It's about the basic order of the state." President Lee Jae Myung began Tuesday's Cabinet meeting by noting that all power comes from the people, and officials elected by the people come before those who were appointed. He pointed out that there seems to be a "misunderstanding" with parliament, and urged the Cabinet to respect the Assembly. Present at the meeting were some of the Cabinet members from the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration. He went on to pay attention to the livelihoods of the people, particularly the vulnerable, with the nation in the middle of the summer rainy season. "During extreme heat, people living in small rooms, the elderly, and the vulnerable suffer crises. Please pay extra attention and take good care of them." Lee also turned to another matter affecting the lives of Koreans: real estate. He said the stock and financial markets have been recently "normalized," and began to serve as investment options other than the property market, pointing to a tendency in Korea where speculation in real estate often leads to housing market instability. Last week, the nation's financial watchdog announced strict measures to tighten household lending to curb soaring home prices in the capital. Discussions on Tuesday included how to use some of the land left fallow in the border area of Gyeonggi-do Province following the relocation of the U.S. military sites to Pyeongtaek. "President Lee instructed the Defense Ministry to proactively review and report measures to deal with the issues regarding the land returned by the U.S. Forces Korea in northern Gyeonggi-do Province." Among the items endorsed at the Cabinet meeting was an agreement to establish a free trade zone between South Korea and Ecuador, aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.
President Lee’s first month: Lee governs through citizen-centered reforms
2025/07/01 21:34
Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. This Thursday marks President Lee Jae Myung's 30th day in office. One month in, he's setting a notably open tone for the presidency. From declaring himself the "president for all" to rolling out the People's Nomination System and launching the People's Mailbox, President Lee has placed citizen engagement at the heart of his early governance. With emergency economic measures also underway, his administration is signaling speed, visibility, and direct response. But as these symbolic moves begin to meet institutional reality, the question now is whether this participatory model can truly take root—and what it means for the future of Korean democracy. In our first installment marking one month of the Lee Jae Myung presidency, we take a closer look at Lee's style of governance—how it's unfolding, what it promises, and where it may be headed. For this, we're joined in the studio by Kim Jun-mo, Professor at the Department of Public Administration at Konkuk University. Welcome. Also joining us is Lee Hee-eun, Dean and Professor of Law at Handong International Law School. Welcome. (KIM) First, let's go back to President Lee's inaugural promise – he declared himself the "president for all" and vowed to break with divisive politics. Prof. Kim, how would you evaluate the administrative and symbolic weight of that statement? (KIM) Then came the "People's Nomination System" where citizens could recommend top officials, such as ministers. From a public administration view, how feasible and effective is this in real personnel vetting and selection? (LEE) From a legal standpoint, the system promised transparency and fairness. But under current laws governing presidential appointments, how binding are these public-sourced recommendations, and where do legal constraints begin? (KIM) Soon after, the President launched the "People's Mailbox," where citizens can directly submit questions online. The presidential office says all submissions are reported to President Lee, and he'll personally respond to significant ones. As a public participation tool, how would you assess its real potential to shape governance, beyond symbolism? (LEE) That platform replaced the previous public petition board. From a constitutional rights perspective, does this more filtered model still respect citizens' right to petition and the need for transparent dialogue? (KIM) Just days later, President Lee held a town hall meeting in Gwangju, personally listening to local concerns like the stalled military airport relocation. Could this be a model for localized, citizen-driven governance moving forward? (LEE) Staying with the Gwangju initiative – President Lee ordered a six-party government-local task force to mediate the airport dispute. Legally speaking, how clear is the framework for such ad-hoc coordination bodies, and could there be risks of jurisdictional overreach? (LEE) President Lee says this is a move toward "citizen-sovereignty" and away from ideology-based politics. Constitutionally speaking, is this kind of pragmatic presidency compatible with Korea's legal-political system? (KIM) Finally, looking back on this first month – President Lee has repeatedly framed his presidency as a turning point for "real democracy" and "citizen-centered governance." In practical terms, what does that look like? And what signs should we watch for in the months ahead?
President Trump lifts most U.S. sanctions on Syria for first time in 21 years
2025/07/01 19:37
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order lifting sanctions against Syria that were imposed over time starting back in 2004. They included export controls on certain goods and restrictions on foreign assistance to Syria. However sanctions against former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and his associates remain in place. The order takes effect from today that is July first.
At least 74 killed in Gaza after Israeli forces strike
2025/07/01 19:37
In the Middle East. Dozens of lives were lost in Gaza following Israeli air assaults this past Monday. Byeon Ye-young reports. On Monday, as reported by AP News, Israeli forces left at least 74 people dead in Gaza. The deadliest attack was carried out by airstrikes on a beachfront café that was filled with women and children. It was one of the few places during the war where civilians could charge their phones and get Internet access. "An F-16 missile, a war missile, military aircraft, not a drone or a bomb or a shell from a boat. The F-16 shook the place, it struck this place as you can see, pools of blood, piles of martyrs. I mean, if you had seen the scene from the beginning, there were piles of martyrs." Fares Awad, a Gaza health ministry official, said at least 30 were killed and dozens injured in the café strike. Local medical officials reported 15 more deaths on a Gaza City street, six in a separate building strike, 11 civilians shot while searching for food, and 10 killed at a UN aid warehouse. While Israel maintains it only targets militants, Gaza's Health Ministry reports that more than 56-thousand Palestinians, many of them civilians, have been killed since the war began. Meanwhile, unnamed U.S. officials confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next Monday. The meeting comes as Trump intensifies efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, during a briefing on Monday, reaffirmed the administration's commitment to ending the conflict. "I also know that this administration is in constant communication with Israeli leadership, and the president himself speaks frequently, as you know, to Prime Minister Netanyahu. But this has been a priority for the president since he took office, to end this brutal war in Gaza." Netanyahu's upcoming visit comes as the U.S., after striking Iranian nuclear sites and brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, shifts focus to ending the Israel-Hamas conflict. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.
Trump may meet Kim Jong-un during October APEC visit to S. Korea: Victor Cha
2025/07/01 19:36
President Donald Trump may meet with North Korea's Kim Jong-un at Panmunjom this autumn. This is according to Victor Cha the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies during an online seminar back in June on the impact of U.S. attacks against Iran's nuclear sites on North Korea. Cha a former member of the U.S. National Security Council suggested that Mr. Trump's travel to South Korea to attend the APEC summit scheduled from October 31st to November 1st might lead to a fourth meeting with the North Korean leader following their last encounter at the Korean border in 2019. Cha also warned that the recent U.S. strikes against Iran may have bolstered North Korea's belief that its nuclear weapons are the only deterrent against such assaults.