News

Trump arrives at The Hague to attend NATO Summit

2025/06/25 19:34

Meanwhile in the Netherlands. Leaders of NATO including U.S. President Donald Trump are gathered for their annual security talks there this week amid concerns raised by a recent comment by Trump regarding his commitment to the alliance's mutual defense clause. Lee Seung-jae explains. U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at The Hague on Tuesday, and began his official activities for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit. Leaders and officials from 32 countries, including President Trump, are scheduled to hold a plenary session of the North Atlantic Council on Wednesday, local time, with a press conference scheduled for later that afternoon. The joint statement of this year's summit is expected to include an agreement that all member countries will eventually spend five percent of their GDP on defense, something the U.S. leader has been pushing for. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that he has "no doubt" that the U.S. is committed to NATO's Article 5 mutual defense clause. The comment came as Trump raised renewed doubts about his willingness to protect U.S. allies. When asked by a reporter on his way to The Hague, whether he's still committed to Article 5, which states that an armed attack against one or more of its members would be considered an attack against all NATO member states, he gave a rather ambiguous answer. "Depends on your definition. There are numerous definitions of Article Five. You know that, right? But I'm committed to being their friend. I've become friends with many of those leaders, and I'm committed to helping them." Trump has, however, decided not to attend a special meeting with the Indo-Pacific 4, or IP4 countries, including South Korea. According to NATO officials, the U.S.-NATO-IP4 meeting scheduled for Wednesday, has been changed to a NATO-IP4 format. One official said Trump's non-participation was due to scheduling issues. Meanwhile, with a major focus on NATO's defense spending this year, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to meet the target of 5 percent of the UK's GDP by 2035. All NATO member countries are also expected to agree to spending 3-point-5 percent on core defense issues, and the remaining 1-point-5 percent on other defense-related areas, such as resilience and security. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

U.S. State Dept. reaffirms denuclearization goal for N. Korea after strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities

2025/06/25 19:33

The Trump administration remains committed to "complete denuclearization" of North Korea. The remark was made by U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Tuesday during a press briefing when asked about the "lesson" for North Korea to be learnt from the Pentagon's strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities this past weekend. She also claimed that if dialogue fails with North Korea her Department was open to speculating different scenarios.

[K-Correspondent] Korean War 75th Anniversary Ceremony hosted in North Carolina

2025/06/25 15:34

75 years ago today, June 25, 1950: the outbreak of the Korean War, a conflict that has left a deep wound in our history. To mark the occasion, events are being held across Korea, but also overseas. For today's K-Correspondent segment, we connect with Gregory Joseph Ehr, Member of the Board of the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas, who was part of an event that was held in honor of U.S. Korean War veterans and to reflect on the conflict. Hello Greg! Q1. Greg, please tell us about the "75th Korean War Anniversary Ceremony" you, or the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas hosted. What was it about? How did the event come about? Q2. Who was there and how many people participated? Q3. In what way were the Korean War veterans honored at the event? Q4. What was the response like? Q5. Was there any particular moment you remember from the event, especially involving the veterans and their families? Q6. 75 years have passed since the outbreak of the Korean War. Greg, please tell us why it is important to remember this war and commemorate it. How do Americans today remember the Korean War? Thank you very much Greg for connecting with us and for hosting such meaningful event. Thank you Walter as always, we'll see you back soon.

Russian missile strikes kill at least 26 in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region

2025/06/25 13:33

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is The World Now. A Russian missile strike on Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region has killed at least 26 civilians and injured hundreds, in one of the most devastating attacks this week. On Tuesday, around midday local time, a Russian ballistic missile attack hit the city of Dnipro and surrounding areas, including the town of Samar. The strike struck a passenger train, schools, kindergartens, a hospital, and other civilian infrastructure. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, attending the NATO summit in The Hague, condemned the attack as a "message of terror and rejection of peace." He urged Western allies to impose tougher sanctions on Russia and supply additional military aid to Ukraine. Russian drones and missiles have struck multiple regions this week, leaving a high civilian toll across Ukraine.

[NEWs GEN] Remembering the Korean War: How should younger generations commemorate its 75th anniversary?

2025/06/25 13:33

[NEWs GEN] Remembering the Korean War: How should younger generations commemorate its 75th anniversary?

Israel-Iran ceasefire appears to hold after Trump outburst at both sides

2025/06/25 11:39

U.S. President Donald Trump urged both Israel and Iran to stick to the ceasefire after tensions flared again shortly after it took effect. Both sides have claimed victory in the conflict, effectively accepting Trump's call for a truce. Shin Ha-young starts us off. U.S. President Donald Trump gave a strong warning to both Israel and Iran, accusing them of violating the ceasefire that he had announced earlier. According to the Associated Press, Trump on Tuesday expressed frustration with Israel for retaliating against Iran and called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to stop the attacks. "Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I've never seen before. The biggest load that we've seen. I'm not happy with Israel." Trump also emphasized that he does not want to see "regime change" in Iran, which he said would lead to chaos. "No, I don't want to. I'd like to see everything calm down as quickly as possible. Regime change takes chaos and ideally, we don't want to see so much chaos." This comes as tensions flared again just hours after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran took effect on Tuesday. Israel accused Iran of violating the ceasefire with missile launches, while Iran denied the claims. The ceasefire appears to be holding for now though after Trump's outburst at the both sides. Israel and Iran both claimed victory in their recent conflict. Israel said it had removed two major threats --Iran's nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. "Dear citizens of Israel, during the 12 days of the operation Rising Lion, we achieved a historic victory, and this victory will stand for generations." Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on social media that Israel will respect the ceasefire --as long as the other side does. The military chief of staff Eyal Zamir said that Israel's military is shifting its focus back to Gaza. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would only hit Israel if it violates the ceasefire deal. He also expressed his country's readiness to resolve disputes with the U.S. within an international framework. All eyes are on the coming hours to see whether the ceasefire between Israel and Iran will hold. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Costa Rica detains ex-security minister on drug trafficking charges

2025/06/25 11:37

Costa Rica's former security minister and Supreme Court justice, as well as being a high-ranking official under past administrations, Celso Gamboa Sanchez, was arrested in San Jose on Monday, on charges of international drug trafficking, following a U.S. extradition request from Dallas, Texas. An associate, Edwin Lopez Vega, was also detained. Gamboa's arrest marks the first under Costa Rica's constitutional reform enacted in May, which permits the extradition of nationals for drug trafficking and terrorism, reversing a previous embargo. The Public Security Minister praised the operation as "the first of many blows" against transnational crime and said Costa Rica will hold suspects accountable "within or outside our borders."

Remembering the Korean War by Capturing the Faces of Its Veterans: Project Soldier

2025/06/25 11:36

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the Korean War and honoring history begins with remembering it. A recent exhibition showcased a project dedicated to photographing Korean War veterans and sharing their stories. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung was there. An American war veteran, with a Korean flag next to him. He is a veteran of the Korean War, one of one-million-950-thousand soldiers from 22 countries who fought for freedom on the Korean Peninsula. Some call it "the Forgotten War, " but with the belief that the war, and veterans' memories should not fade away, photographer Rami has been documenting Korean War veterans under an initiative named "Project Soldier." Since he started in 2013, Rami has met more than 25-hundred Korean War veterans, recording their stories. "Out of the 2,500 veterans we've interviewed so far, was there any veteran's story that stood out to you?" "All the interviews were meaningful, but Colonel William Weber stood out. When veterans see their photos that make them feel like real heroes, they often tear up and ask about the price of the frame. I usually say 'I'm just repaying a small debt.' But Colonel Weber told me I was wrong—that as a professional soldier, he simply did his duty, and Koreans owe them nothing." Photographer Rami's journey to document the veterans is not just to leave their stories behind; It is to let people know the value of freedom --and that freedom is not free. Sometimes, military items were used in the photos to show that. "The helmet is more than just equipment; it has a symbolic meaning of protecting freedom and peace. Each veteran wrote their name, military unit, and service time on a helmet before taking the photo — showing the lasting symbol of the freedom they helped defend." For freedom to truly endure, the sacrifices of veterans must be remembered—a message that resonates even with soldiers currently serving in Korea. Humbled, one said he was moved by how the photos capture the deep sincerity of senior veterans' commitment to freedom. "Even for me who's currently still serving, it has inspired me to make sure I do as good as I can every day in support of the ROK-US alliance and UNC right now. And then I'm really hopeful that our younger generation can come and see the why life is so great here in Korea." The photographer now aims to go beyond documenting war veterans—to share the stories of those who protect our freedom today. "After them, many others have stood to protect freedom—U.S. veterans in Korea, police, firefighters. I'll be sharing more stories of the guardians of freedom today." ( . , , , .) Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

[On-point] Fragile ceasefire between Israel, Iran appears to be holding --Who gained what from war?

2025/06/25 11:34

Trump says the ceasefire between Israel and Iran continues to be in effect and that he expects this to last "forever." Will the ceasefire hold? What did Israel and Iran gain from the war? Will Iran "never" be able to rebuild a nuclear program as Trump claims, now that the U.S. has bombed its nuclear facilities? And was the country actually very close to building a nuclear warhead? Will Iran return to the negotiating table with the U.S. for nuclear talks? What cards does Iran have left to play? How might the conflict between Israel and Iran affect the broader Middle East, including the ongoing war in Gaza? Alright, Professor Geon, thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

President Lee opens online survey to gauge public opinion on state affairs

2025/06/25 11:34

President Lee Jae Myung has now launched an online survey in order to gauge public opinion on state affairs. Open from Tuesday, the Google Forms survey, titled "The People's Mailbox," invites anyone to ask questions on the economy, society, politics, diplomacy, and national security. According to the Presidential Office, all submissions will be reported to the President, who plans to personally respond to those considered timely or widely relatable. The top office says it will continue expanding two-way communication channels to ensure the public stays at the center of policymaking.

Trump arrives at The Hague to attend NATO Summit

2025/06/25 11:34

U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived at The Hague in the Netherlands to attend the NATO Summit. This year's meeting is in the spotlight, as the U.S. leader has repeatedly been critical of the alliance's lack of defense spending. Lee Seung-jae has more. U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at The Hague on Tuesday, and began his official activities for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit. Leaders and officials from 32 countries, including President Trump, are scheduled to hold a plenary session of the North Atlantic Council on Wednesday, local time, with a press conference scheduled for later that afternoon. The joint statement of this year's summit is expected to include an agreement that all member countries will eventually spend five percent of their GDP on defense, something the U.S. leader has been pushing for. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that he has "no doubt" that the U.S. is committed to NATO's Article 5 mutual defense clause. The comment came as Trump raised renewed doubts about his willingness to protect U.S. allies. When asked by a reporter on his way to The Hague, whether he's still committed to Article 5, which states that an armed attack against one or more of its members would be considered an attack against all NATO member states, he gave a rather ambiguous answer. "Depends on your definition. There are numerous definitions of Article Five. You know that, right? But I'm committed to being their friend. I've become friends with many of those leaders, and I'm committed to helping them." Trump has, however, decided not to attend a special meeting with the Indo-Pacific 4, or IP4 countries, including South Korea. According to NATO officials, the U.S.-NATO-IP4 meeting scheduled for Wednesday, has been changed to a NATO-IP4 format. One official said Trump's non-participation was due to scheduling issues. Meanwhile, with a major focus on NATO's defense spending this year, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to meet the target of 5 percent of the UK's GDP by 2035. All NATO member countries are also expected to agree to spending 3-point-5 percent on core defense issues, and the remaining 1-point-5 percent on other defense-related areas, such as resilience and security. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

U.S. State Dept. reaffirms denuclearization goal for N. Korea after strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities

2025/06/25 11:33

Washington on Tuesday reaffirmed the Trump administration's commitment to the "complete denuclearization" of North Korea, after the United States launched strikes at key nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend. When asked whether there was a "lesson" for Pyongyang to learn from the U.S. strikes on the Iranian nuclear facilities, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stressed that the administration remained committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea. However, she added that if the North Korean nuclear issue can't be resolved through dialogue, the State Department was open to "speculation on hypotheticals at this point."

Israel and Iran tensions escalate after claims of ceasefire violations

2025/06/24 23:40

Just hours after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran took effect, tensions have once again escalated. Israel accuses Iran of violating the ceasefire with missile launches, while Iran denies the claims. Our Kim Jung-sil has the latest. In a dramatic escalation, Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has ordered the Israel Defense Forces to "respond forcefully" to what he called a violation of the ceasefire by Iran. Israel claims it detected missile launches from Iran, just hours after both countries agreed to halt hostilities earlier Tuesday. Air defense systems were activated, and citizens were urged to seek shelter as the missiles were reportedly intercepted. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a close ally of Prime Minister Netanyahu, also took to social media, posting: "Tehran will shake." However, Iran has denied the accusations. Iranian state media quoted General Abdolrahim Mousavi, the military's chief of staff, who stated that no missiles have been fired towards Israel in the past few hours. A senior Iranian security official also told CNN that "No missiles have been fired at the enemy" since the ceasefire took effect at 7:30 AM local time. Iran's Supreme National Security Council also issued a warning, stating that any further Israeli aggression would be met with a "decisive and firm" response. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire earlier on social media, urging both sides to adhere to the agreement. In a Truth Social post, Trump said: THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT! The coming hours will be pivotal in determining whether peace holds, or if the situation escalates further. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Restoration underway for Korean War historical records designated as cultural heritage

2025/06/24 23:39

Historical records can give us some of the greatest insights into the war, and the South Korean Army has been working on a restoration project for the past 5 years. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung tells us more. A paulownia wood box, known for its excellent preservation qualities, is taken out from a mobile rack. Inside is a heavily damaged operations log from ROK Army headquarters, written in February 1952. This, is just one of 81-thousand military pieces from the Korean War that were designated as National Registered Cultural Heritage in 2020. Marking the very first modern war records to be designated as national heritage, Army Archives Management Group has been restoring Korean War records, already having successfully restored about 40-thousand pieces since 2020. "I am currently in the military policy archives. This map records the changes in the location of the 6th Division's command post during the war. The green lines show advances, while the black lines indicate retreats." Aside from 1-point-6 meter long map of the Korean 6th Division's CP location routes, are records showing details such as information on the enemy, and operational plans from major battles of the Korean War. These important documents of the past, however, had to go through a long and painstaking restoration process. "After over 70 years, the records show severe discoloration, contamination, creases, damage, and acidification. We are working to eliminate such damage and repair the missing parts." Restoring is one thing, preserving is another. To make sure the records are safely preserved, the digitized records are put on microfilm, known for its outstanding longevity and durability. It is indeed a demanding process requiring a great deal of patience, but junior soldiers say this allows them to feel the patriotic spirit of those whose steps they are following in. "As a person in charge of the Korean War records restoration project and a junior soldier, I take great pride in honoring the sacrifices of senior comrades and continuing the legacy of their patriotic spirit." Through the restoration and preservation process, the 75-year history of the Korean War gets passed down to future generations. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News, Gyeryong.

President Lee to host luncheon on Friday marking National Patriots and Veterans Month

2025/06/24 23:38

President Lee Jae Myung will host a luncheon this Friday at Cheong Wa Dae's Yeongbingwan reception hall to mark National Patriots and Veterans Month. The Presidential Office says around 1-hundred-60 guests, including national merit recipients, their families, and heads of veterans' organizations, have been invited. The event aims to honor those who sacrificed their lives for the nation and reaffirm the government's commitment to repaying them for their services.

First-ever PM nominee hearing without single witness takes place on Tuesday

2025/06/24 23:38

The National Assembly has held a confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok. From the start, rival parties clashed over his failure to submit key documents, mainly related to his wealth and family. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. Democratic Party four-term lawmaker Kim Min-seok stood before the National Assembly on Tuesday, stating that if given the chance to serve as Prime Minister, he would do his best to fulfill his responsibilities by always listening and communicating. "I'll work to be a forward-looking and innovative prime minister practical and unbound by protocol, hands-on rather than desk-bound, and communicative instead of giving one-sided directives." Kim said that once in office, he would focus on quickly advancing policies over the next 100 days to address the previous government's shortcomings. He also vowed to make reviving the economy his top priority, starting with improving people's livelihoods affected by high prices. During the hearing, questions centered on Kim's previous conviction for illegal political funding, the sharp rise in his assets over the last five years, and concerns about his son's college admissions. "Apart from my official salary, my other income came from congratulatory and condolence money, two book launch events, and occasional help with living expenses from my wife's mother. These made up my total additional income." Tuesday's confirmation hearing began with arguments and harsh remarks. The ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party clashed from the start over the failure to select any witnesses and Kim's failure to submit key documents, mainly about his wealth and family. With no agreement on witnesses between the parties, the hearing proceeded without any a first for a prime minister nominee. "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?" The prime minister is the only Cabinet post needing parliamentary consent. Confirmation needs majority approval, with a majority of lawmakers present. The two-day hearing continues through Wednesday. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Ruling DP launches task force to tackle rising prices, ease cost of living

2025/06/24 23:37

The ruling Democratic Party launched a task force on Tuesday to tackle rising prices and ease the cost of living. Floor Leader Kim Byung-kee said stabilizing prices is key to supporting people's livelihoods and restoring the economy. Kim noted that as inflation rises, so does the public's hardship, emphasizing the need for special measures. He urged the task force to come up with practical, tangible solutions amid crises at home and abroad, including the conflict in the Middle East. Kim also stressed that since President Lee Jae Myung's first executive order was to launch an Emergency Economic Response Task Force, the National Assembly must do its part as well.

President Lee calls for better compensation for war veterans

2025/06/24 23:36

Tomorrow, June 25th, we mark a solemn anniversary the start of the Korean War 75 years ago. In light of this occasion, President Lee Jae Myung called for better compensation for the country's war veterans at a Cabinet meeting earlier today. Our top office correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports. "When we talk about security, it's so important and so routine that we often don't feel it. However, the security issue of protecting our community cannot be overemphasized." This was how President Lee Jae Myung began the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, a day before the nation remembers the 75th anniversary of the Korean War. Once again noting the importance of "peace without conflict," he called for efforts to better compensate those who made "extraordinary" sacrifices to defend the nation, adding that security is key to the economy. And the focus of the meeting was on the economy, trying to hammer out how to tamp down higher prices and help the lives of the people. "Right now, the world, including the Republic of Korea, is suffering greatly. I hope you take extra care for the vulnerable so that they do not suffer from greater pain." Among over two-dozen items approved was a revision to a related law to extend fuel tax cuts as well as individual consumption tax breaks, following the crisis in the Middle East. Lee also reportedly instructed the Oceans and Fisheries Ministry to review whether it's possible to relocate to Busan by the end of this year. What was also notable was President Lee revisiting the importance of the responsibility of public servants regardless of a political situation, saying how they handle their jobs makes a great difference. "I think that's what power is. What you do, every little signature, the small things that have your attention. All these just might seem barely meaningful to you, but the impact of those may mean a matter of life-or-death to someone else." The President has emphasized the importance of public servant responsibility during nearly every meeting. This might be no coincidence as the importance of "details" and "competency" has been often highlighted by the new government. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

Seoul emphasizes full tariff exemptions in talks with Washington

2025/06/24 23:35

South Korea's top trade negotiator has met with his U.S. counterpart for high-level talks for the first time under the new Lee Jae Myung administration. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Tuesday, Yeo Han-koo, the new chief trade negotiator, met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington on Monday local time. Yeo reiterated to the U.S. side the importance of exempting both reciprocal tariffs and tariffs on specific items, including automobiles and steel.

Ceasefire reached between Israel and Iran, will it hold?

2025/06/24 23:34

So questions still linger over such a fragile ceasefire. Will it hold or not? Byeon Ye-young talked to some experts. U.S. President Donald Trump announced a surprise ceasefire between Israel and Iran, but its durability and the next steps remain uncertain. Experts weighed in on the situation in the Middle East. "The broader region is still, of course unstable and in principle this pause in hostilities could go in two different directions. It could go towards something more solidified over time or this could unravel again and lead back into conflict depending on whether or not both sides hold to the ceasefire." Experts say there is no telling how long this ceasefire will last, but point to Iran's compromised position as an indicator that the ceasefire will hold for the time being. "Iran's military capabilities have been enormously degraded not just during this most recent air campaign from Israel and the United States, but also really over the last several years and also many of Iran's proxies in the region have also been degraded notably, and obviously Hamas and Hezbollah, and so it may take quite some time for Iran to reconstitute a capability that can really credibly threaten Israel." Though Israel appeared to be successful in the past two weeks, a drawn-out conflict may have brought accumulating damage to Israel as well, and pressure from the Trump administration influenced Israel's decision to agree to the ceasefire. As for the U.S., although President Trump had initially opposed direct involvement in the conflict, he ultimately seized what he saw as a strategic opportunity, led by Israel, to severely undermine Iran's nuclear capabilities. "That's why the U.S. joined the airstrikes, while consistently and explicitly reiterating that the objective was not regime change, but solely targeting Iran's nuclear program." Israel now must turn its tactical military gains into long-term diplomatic success, while Iran faces tough choices on rebuilding its nuclear program and regional influence amid growing isolation. "The challenge for Israel is to turn these tactical military victories into a strategic victory which involves politics and diplomacy. And in Iran's case, they have some very difficult choices with respect to whether or not they will try to reconstitute their nuclear program whether or not they will be able to and will be interested in reconstituting their proxies in neighboring countries." The ceasefire between Israel and Iran may mark a pause in hostilities, but the long-term outcome remains uncertain as both sides weigh their next steps. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.