News

Trump rules out ground troops in Ukraine, but leaves door open for air support

2025/08/20 21:42

U.S. President Donald Trump pledged "a lot of help" to Ukraine during his summit with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday. But by Tuesday, he made clear there will be no U.S. troops on the ground in Ukraine, leaving only air support as a possible option. Our Park Hyo-been reports. U.S. President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, during an interview with Fox News, gave his "assurance" that U.S. troops will not be on the ground in Ukraine. Later, the White House doubled down on that during a briefing. " the president has definitively stated U.S. boots will not be on the ground in Ukraine." That statement was in contrast to remarks made the previous day, when he appeared to leave the option on the table during the summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "There'll be a lot of there'll be a lot of help when it comes to security. There's going to be a lot of help. It's going to be good. They are first line of defense because they're there, they're Europe, But we're going to help them out also. We'll be involved." Still, Washington indicated that air support could be considered as part of any eventual settlement to end the conflict. Trump, speaking to Fox News, said the U.S. is willing to help, especially probably through "the air." The White House said that air support remains possible. "It is an option and a possibility. I won't certainly rule out anything as far as military options that the president has at his disposal. I'll let him do that. I can tell you he's definitively ruled out boots on the ground." In addition, Trump declared that Ukraine's long-standing ambitions of joining NATO and reclaiming Crimea from Russia were "impossible." Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from Donetsk and Luhansk, and to recognize Crimea as Russian territory in exchange for a possible troop pullout. Meanwhile, when U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was asked on Fox News about whether Budapest could be a possible city for the three-way talks, as had been reported, he said that it "could be" the case, but that the bilateral meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin needed to happen first. Hungary is among the few European countries Putin could visit without the risk of arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant, given Prime Minister Viktor Orban's close ties with Moscow. Alongside discussions over a potential summit venue, leaders at the Washington talks on Monday revisited the idea of establishing a Korean-style buffer zone protected by multinational troops, according to EU sources. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

S. Korea's presidential office rebuts Kim Yo-jong's commentary, says gov't will usher in "peaceful coexistence"

2025/08/20 21:38

Yet another criticism from North Korea on Wednesday, this time decrying the South's peace efforts. While here in Seoul, the Presidential Office clarified its conciliatory overtures toward the North seeking stability for the two Koreas. Moon Hye-ryeon has the details. South Korea's Presidential Office has responded to North Korea's criticism of its "efforts to restore inter-Korean trust," stating that the administration's proactive measures for peace are not intended to "appease anyone." On Wednesday, the top office emphasized that "the government will leave behind the era of hostility and confrontation and open a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula." The Ministry of Unification added that "mutual respect between the South and the North is essential to building a Korean Peninsula peace that benefits people on both sides." North Korea's Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of Kim Jong-un, had earlier launched sharp criticism against President Lee, declaring that South Korea "cannot be a diplomatic counterpart" to Pyongyang. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim convened a meeting with senior Foreign Ministry officials on Tuesday to convey her brother's foreign policy directives. In her remarks, Kim accused the Lee administration of "putting on" what she called "serious efforts" to appear interested in improving inter-Korean ties, but claimed Seoul's "confrontational intent" remains unchanged. She singled out President Lee's recent comment that small acts of goodwill could rebuild trust between the two Koreas, dismissing it as "delusion and a pipe dream." Kim further argued that decades of South Korea's "rotten political system" show that, whether under conservative or liberal governments, Seoul's stance toward the North has not changed. Kim denounced the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise with the United States as "a rehearsal for invasion" and highlighted a new operational plan, OPLAN 5022, which she claimed targets North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities at an early stage. The plan, signed last year to replace OPLAN 5015, is designed to prepare the allies for potential conflict on the Korean Peninsula, reflecting North Korea's more advanced nuclear and missile threats. Kim's remarks come as Pyongyang prepares to convene its Supreme People's Assembly on September 20, where economic and legal issues are on the agenda, though the possibility of constitutional changes has not been ruled out. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Trump rules out ground troops in Ukraine, but leaves door open for air support

2025/08/20 19:35

On the international front. The White House has ruled out prospects of U.S. boots on the ground as part of security guarantees for Ukraine BUT left open the prospects of support "in the air". Park Hyo-been explains. U.S. President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, during an interview with Fox News, gave his "assurance" that U.S. troops will not be on the ground in Ukraine. Later, the White House doubled down on that during a briefing. " the president has definitively stated U.S. boots will not be on the ground in Ukraine." That statement was in contrast to remarks made the previous day, when he appeared to leave the option on the table during the summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "There'll be a lot of there'll be a lot of help when it comes to security. There's going to be a lot of help. It's going to be good. They are first line of defense because they're there, they're Europe, But we're going to help them out also. We'll be involved." Still, Washington indicated that air support could be considered as part of any eventual settlement to end the conflict. Trump, speaking to Fox News, said the U.S. is willing to help, especially probably through "the air.” The White House said that air support remains possible. "It is an option and a possibility. I won't certainly rule out anything as far as military options that the president has at his disposal. I'll let him do that. I can tell you he's definitively ruled out boots on the ground." In addition, Trump declared that Ukraine’s long-standing ambitions of joining NATO and reclaiming Crimea from Russia were “impossible.” Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from Donetsk and Luhansk, and to recognize Crimea as Russian territory in exchange for a possible troop pullout. Meanwhile, when U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was asked on Fox News about whether Budapest could be a possible city for the three-way talks, as had been reported, he said that it "could be" the case, but that the bilateral meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin needed to happen first. Hungary is among the few European countries Putin could visit without the risk of arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant, given Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s close ties with Moscow. Alongside discussions over a potential summit venue, leaders at the Washington talks on Monday revisited the idea of establishing a Korean-style buffer zone protected by multinational troops, according to EU sources. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

S. Korea's presidential office rebuts Kim Yo-jong's commentary, says gov't will usher in "peaceful coexistence"

2025/08/20 17:39

South Korea's top office says its peace overtures toward North Korea seek stability for both Seoul and Pyongyang. The clarification follows the regime's latest condemnation of the president's efforts to revive cross-border engagement. Our Moon Hye-ryeon reports. South Korea's presidential office has responded to North Korea's criticism of its "efforts to restore inter-Korean trust," stating that the administration's proactive measures for peace are not intended to "appease anyone." On Wednesday, the top office emphasized that "the government will leave behind the era of hostility and confrontation and open a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula." The Ministry of Unification added that "mutual respect between the South and the North is essential to building a Korean Peninsula peace that benefits people on both sides." North Korea's Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of Kim Jong-un, had earlier launched sharp criticism against President Lee, declaring that South Korea "cannot be a diplomatic counterpart" to Pyongyang. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim convened a meeting with senior Foreign Ministry officials on Tuesday to convey her brother's foreign policy directives. In her remarks, Kim accused the Lee administration of "putting on" what she called "serious efforts" to appear interested in improving inter-Korean ties, but claimed Seoul's "confrontational intent" remains unchanged. She singled out President Lee's recent comment that small acts of goodwill could rebuild trust between the two Koreas, dismissing it as "delusion and a pipe dream." Kim further argued that decades of South Korea's "rotten political system" show that, whether under conservative or liberal governments, Seoul's stance toward the North has not changed. Kim denounced the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise with the United States as "a rehearsal for invasion" and highlighted a new operational plan, OPLAN 5022, which she claimed targets North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities at an early stage. The plan, signed last year to replace OPLAN 5015, is designed to prepare the allies for potential conflict on the Korean Peninsula, reflecting North Korea's more advanced nuclear and missile threats. Kim's remarks come as Pyongyang prepares to convene its Supreme People's Assembly on September 20, where economic and legal issues are on the agenda, though the possibility of constitutional changes has not been ruled out. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Mexico denies reaching any border enforcement deal with DEA

2025/08/20 17:37

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. We begin in Mexico. President Claudia Sheinbaum denied on Tuesday, that Mexico has reached any new agreement with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The DEA had earlier announced what it called the "Portero Project," a major operation aimed at shutting down smuggling routes that move drugs, weapons, and money across the border. But during a press briefing, Sheinbaum stressed that no Mexican security institution has signed such an agreement with the DEA. The president, who has generally been proactive toward strengthening security ties with Washington, and cracking down on drug cartels reacted sharply to what she described as a unilateral statement made without prior consultation. In the DEA statement, its administrator Terry Cole, who was recently appointed to head Washington D.C.'s police force, said the new initiative will involve planning and operating side by side with Mexican partners, while bringing the full weight of the U.S. government to the fight. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the White House is launching a full review of the Smithsonian museums, expressing frustration over what he perceives as an excessive emphasis on the negative aspects of American history. Trump said on social media that the museums overly highlight dark parts of U.S. history, including slavery. He added that he has instructed his attorneys to conduct a review, using a process similar to the one he applied to higher education institutions. The museums expected to be affected by the review include the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of Natural History. The Smithsonian has declined to comment on the matter. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to recognize a Palestinian state. Netanyahu said the move fuels anti-Jewish sentiment in France and rewards Hamas. He described the move as strengthening hatred toward Jews and endangering their communities. Macron's office called Netanyahu's claims "incorrect" and emphasized France's ongoing efforts to combat anti-Semitism. Macron announced in July that France would formally recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. With the third and final Downton Abbey film set to hit theaters this September, fans now have the chance to own a piece of the show's history. Props and costumes from across the series are going up for charity auction. Among the items is the bell wall from the servant's hall, expected to fetch between 6-thousand and 9-thousand U.S. dollars. The family car, a 1925 Sunbeam, is estimated to sell for around 40-thousand dollars. All auction items, including set pieces and costumes, are currently on display in central London for free. Proceeds from the auction will go to Together for Short Lives, a charity supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Yoon Se-young, Arirang News.

President Lee hosts business leaders ahead of summit with U.S. President Trump

2025/08/20 17:34

Earlier on Tuesday President Lee Jae Myung hosted business leaders at his office as part of summit preparations ahead of his U.S. visit. Our correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports. With the summit with U.S. President Donald Trump less than a week away, President Lee Jae Myung hosted business leaders at his office on Tuesday, including Chey Tae-won of SK Group and Lee Jae-yong of Samsung, who will be accompanying him on his trip to Washington. "The meeting was arranged to discuss ways to maximize economic outcomes at the South Korea-U.S. summit, and listen to our companies' investment and purchase plans in the U.S." As the President thanked them for their role in recent trade talks with the U.S., he called for the need to work together to turn the crisis into an opportunity amid trade uncertainties to revitalize the economy. The sentiment was echoed by the business leaders. "The business leaders agreed that the upcoming trip should serve as an opportunity to help promote our businesses entering the U.S. market and further raise our industrial competitiveness." Late last month, a framework trade deal was reached to lower the U.S. reciprocal tariffs on South Korea from 25-percent to 15, in exchange for investment pledges worth hundreds of billions of dollars, with many details to be worked out in time for the first Lee-Trump summit. Areas of cooperation would be centered on chips, batteries and shipbuilding. Security is also one of the major issues, such as South Korea's defense spending and a possible change to the role and scale of U.S. troops stationed in Korea as Washington focuses on countering China. President Lee's trip to neighboring Japan will precede his U.S. trip for talks with Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, signaling resumption of the two neighbors' so-called "shuttle diplomacy." Against this backdrop, former Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is likely to be appointed as South Korea's ambassador to the U.S., according to sources familiar with the matter, and former ambassador to Vietnam, Lee Hyuk, as top envoy to Japan. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

Kim Yo-jong dismisses S. Korea as diplomatic partner, targets President Lee

2025/08/20 13:40

North Korea has issued a pointed message against South Korea's new administration as joint military drills with the U.S. continue. This comes as Seoul and Washington kicked off their annual summertime joint military exercise this week. Our Moon Hye-ryeon starts us off. North Korea's Kim Yo-jong has launched sharp criticism against President Lee Jae Myung, saying South Korea "cannot be a diplomatic counterpart" to Pyongyang. According to the regime's state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim, the powerful sister of Kim Jong-un, convened a meeting with senior Foreign Ministry officials on Tuesday to convey her brother's foreign policy directives. In her remarks, she accused the Lee Jae Myung administration of making what she called "serious efforts" to appear interested in improving ties, but claimed Seoul's "confrontational intent" remains unchanged. She singled out President Lee's recent comment that small acts of goodwill could rebuild trust between the two Koreas, dismissing it as "delusion and a pipe dream". Kim went further, saying North Korea has witnessed decades of what she described as South Korea's "rotten political system," arguing that whether under the conservative or liberal government, Seoul's stance toward the North has not changed. In her words, as reported by state media, "Lee Jae Myung is not the kind of great man who can alter the flow of history." She also criticized South Korea's unification, defense, and foreign ministers by name, citing their past remarks that the North's regime and military are an enemy. On military drills, Kim denounced the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise between Seoul and Washington that began on Monday as "a rehearsal for invasion". She claimed the allies are reviewing a new operational plan that would seek to neutralize Pyongyang's nuclear and missile capabilities and expand attacks. Kim underscored North Korea's intent to sideline Seoul in global diplomacy, instructing the Foreign Ministry to focus instead on countering what she called "the most hostile nations" and those aligned with them, saying South Korea would not even be given a minor role in regional diplomacy. Kim's remarks come as Pyongyang prepares to convene its Supreme People's Assembly on September 20, where economic and legal issues are on the agenda, though the possibility of constitutional changes has not been ruled out. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Netanyahu says Macron fueling ‘anti-Semitic fire’ by recognizing Palestinian state

2025/08/20 13:38

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to recognize a Palestinian state. Netanyahu said the move fuels anti-Jewish sentiment in France and rewards Hamas. He described the move as strengthening hatred toward Jews and endangering their communities. Macron's office called Netanyahu's claims "incorrect" and emphasized France's ongoing efforts to combat anti-Semitism. Macron announced in July that France would formally recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.

Trump targets Smithsonian Institution ordering "comprehensive internal review"

2025/08/20 13:38

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the White House is launching a full review of the Smithsonian museums, expressing frustration over what he perceives as an excessive emphasis on the negative aspects of American history. Trump said on social media that the museums overly highlight dark parts of U.S. history, including slavery. He added that he has instructed his attorneys to conduct a review, using a process similar to the one he applied to higher education institutions. The museums expected to be affected by the review include the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of Natural History. The Smithsonian has declined to comment on the matter.

Mexico denies reaching any border enforcement deal with DEA

2025/08/20 13:37

We begin in Mexico this morning. President Claudia Sheinbaum denied on Tuesday, that Mexico has reached any new agreement with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The DEA had earlier announced what it called the "Portero Project," a major operation aimed at shutting down smuggling routes that move drugs, weapons, and money across the border. But during a press briefing, Sheinbaum stressed that no Mexican security institution has signed such an agreement with the DEA. The president, who has generally been proactive toward strengthening security ties with Washington, and cracking down on drug cartels reacted sharply to what she described as a unilateral statement made without prior consultation. In the DEA statement, its administrator Terry Cole, who was recently appointed to head Washington D.C.'s police force, said the new initiative will involve planning and operating side by side with Mexican partners, while bringing the full weight of the U.S. government to the fight.

President Lee hosts business leaders ahead of summit with U.S. President Trump

2025/08/20 13:37

On the local front. President Lee Jae Myung hosted business leaders at his office, who will be joining his trip to Washington, as he prepares for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.. set for next Monday. Our top office correspondent Yoon Jung-min has this report. With the summit with U.S. President Donald Trump less than a week away, President Lee Jae Myung hosted business leaders at his office on Tuesday, including Chey Tae-won of SK Group and Lee Jae-yong of Samsung, who will be accompanying him on his trip to Washington. "The meeting was arranged to discuss ways to maximize economic outcomes at the South Korea-U.S. summit, and listen to our companies' investment and purchase plans in the U.S." As the President thanked them for their role in recent trade talks with the U.S., he called for the need to work together to turn the crisis into an opportunity amid trade uncertainties to revitalize the economy. The sentiment was echoed by the business leaders. "The business leaders agreed that the upcoming trip should serve as an opportunity to help promote our businesses entering the U.S. market and further raise our industrial competitiveness." Late last month, a framework trade deal was reached to lower the U.S. reciprocal tariffs on South Korea from 25-percent to 15, in exchange for investment pledges worth hundreds of billions of dollars, with many details to be worked out in time for the first Lee-Trump summit. Areas of cooperation would be centered on chips, batteries and shipbuilding. Security is also one of the major issues, such as South Korea's defense spending and a possible change to the role and scale of U.S. troops stationed in Korea as Washington focuses on countering China. President Lee's trip to neighboring Japan will precede his U.S. trip for talks with Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, signaling resumption of the two neighbors' so-called "shuttle diplomacy." Against this backdrop, former Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is likely to be appointed as South Korea's ambassador to the U.S., according to sources familiar with the matter, and former ambassador to Vietnam, Lee Hyuk, as top envoy to Japan. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

[On-point] Will North Korea continue to ignore South Korea’s push to ease tensions?

2025/08/20 13:36

As we just heard, North Korea has rejected calls from South Korea to engage in diplomacy. For more on what to expect for relations between the two Koreas, we're joined by Dr. Bong Young-shik, Research fellow at the Yonsei University Institute for North Korean studies. Dr. Bong, thanks for joining us this morning. 1. North Korea's Kim Yo-jong said this morning that South Korea cannot be the regime's diplomatic partner. What's behind her comment? 2. The Korean government has recently been seeking to engage in talks with the North, but the regime continues to take a hardline stance against South Korea. Will North Korea continue to ignore Seoul's push to ease tensions? 3. The Lee administration said it will work to resume inter-Korean cooperation and intends to restore an agreement to suspend military activity along the border, as part of the so-called September 19 agreement. Do you think this measure will be effective? 4. Will Lee's summit with Trump in Washington next week open the door for talks with Kim Jong-un? Alright Dr. Bong. Thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

Trump says no ground troops, but maybe air support for Ukraine

2025/08/20 13:34

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has ruled out sending American troops to fight in Ukraine, but suggested Washington could provide air support as part of a broader peace deal to end the war with Russia. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said while "Europeans are willing to put people on the ground," the U.S. is willing to help them "probably, by air." However, the U.S. president did not elaborate further. The comments came a day after Trump pledged security guarantees for Kyiv during a White House summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders of NATO member countries. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed air support is "an option and a possibility," but, like Trump, offered no further details.

Hamas agrees to new ceasefire proposal from mediators without conditions

2025/08/20 00:38

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has moved one step closer to a ceasefire after Hamas agreed to a proposal by mediators for a ceasefire without any conditions. Our Choi Soo-hyung reports. Palestine militant group Hamas has agreed to a new ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators Egypt and Qatar. On Monday local time, Hamas official Basem Naim posted on Facebook that he prays for the flames of war to be extinguished, announcing the group's acceptance of the new plan. Another Hamas source stressed the group accepted the proposal in full, without asking for any changes. The plan calls for a 60-day halt to fighting, the release of 10 surviving hostages and the bodies of 18 held in Gaza, as well as the transfer of Israeli troops to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza. It also includes the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners and 1,500 war detainees. Egypt has hinted at a possible UN peacekeeping deployment in Gaza after the war, signaling security guarantees for the territory. Israel has yet to issue an official response. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Hamas accepted the deal because of Israel's tough stance and its ongoing push to capture Gaza. "I spoke with the minister of defense and the chief of staff about our plans for Gaza City and the completion of our missions. And like you, I hear the reports in the media, and from them you can get one impression ---Hamas is under massive pressure." Meanwhile, the international human rights group Amnesty International has accused Israel of deliberately starving residents in Gaza. Amnesty said its report was based on interviews with hospital staff and displaced civilians in the enclave. Israel, however, has rejected the claim, insisting that there is no malnutrition in Gaza. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Trump plans Zelenskyy-Putin summit, gives U.S. security assurance for Ukraine

2025/08/20 00:37

Over in the U.S., President Donald Trump is actively pushing for the first direct summit between President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moon Ji-young has more. U.S. President Donald Trump has begun arrangements for a direct meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking the first potential summit since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Following a Monday meeting with Zelenskyy and European partners, President Trump described the discussions as "very good." He then held a phone call with President Putin, during which he commenced efforts to organize a summit "at a location to be determined." The White House confirmed that U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will facilitate the arrangements between the two countries. During the summit with Zelenskyy, Trump said that the U.S. would be involved in ensuring Ukraine's future security. "There'll be a lot of, there'll be a lot of help when it comes to security. There's going to be a lot of help. It's going to be good. They are the first line of defense because they're there, they're Europe, But we're going to help them out also. We'll be involved." These remarks signal a potential shift in Washington's security posture, not ruling out the possibility of U.S. troop deployments. Trump also reiterated his priority for an immediate peace agreement, rather than a temporary ceasefire. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy stressed that Russia must stop the war, calling for a trilateral meeting between himself, Trump and Putin. "And we are ready for a trilateral. As the president said, this is good signal about trilateral, I think this is very good." Zelenskyy added that all the "sensitive issues" including territorial issues would be discussed at the highest level in the trilateral summit. In response, President Trump expressed confidence that the trilateral summit would take place, calling it a matter of "when, not if." Trump also suggested that such a summit could bring an end to Russia's three-year invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, European and NATO leaders also attended the White House meeting with President Trump on Monday. There, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the much needed security for Ukraine would be possible after Monday's meeting. "A historic step actually could come out of this meeting in terms of security for Ukraine and security in Europe." Unlike the more tense February meeting, Monday's summit between Trump and Zelenskyy unfolded in a friendlier atmosphere. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea's Prime Minister to meet Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates

2025/08/20 00:36

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is set to meet Bill Gates, Microsoft cofounder and chairman of the Gates Foundation, during his visit to South Korea beginning Thursday. Kim told reporters on Tuesday said the two will discuss "a range of global issues," including public health. He added that Gates' visit reflects his strong desire to deepen cooperation with the Korean government in those areas. According to local media, Gates is also expected to visit the National Assembly, where he will speak to lawmakers on Korea's contributions and leadership on the international stage.

Kim Jong-un says N. Korea needs to "rapidly expand" its nuclear armament

2025/08/20 00:34

We begin with North Korea, where the regime's leader slammed the annual summertime military exercise between South Korea and the U.S. that began on Monday. But Seoul is firm that the drills are strictly defensive. Our Byeon Ye-young reports. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un accused the United States and South Korea of heightening the risk of conflict through their joint UFS military exercise, and stressed that Pyongyang needed to rapidly expand its nuclear armament. His remarks, carried by the KCNA state media on Tuesday coincided with the start of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise. According to the report, Kim delivered the message while inspecting the Choe Hyon , North Korea's new 5,000-ton warship, at Nampo Shipyard. He said the close military coordination between the United States and South Korea, along with their displays of force and "nuclear elements" demonstrated a will to provoke war. He added that such actions undermine both peace and the broader security environment in the region. Kim also went on to say that the deteriorating security environment compels North Korea to push for swift, fundamental shifts in its military strategy and to significantly expand its nuclear weapons stockpile. Against this backdrop, Kim emphasized the navy's role in strengthening North Korea's defense, saying it will soon become a reliable force in the nation's nuclear domain. Photos released by the KCNA showed Kim visiting the situation room and living quarters on the Choe Hyun. Kim reportedly instructed that the warship move on to performance evaluations in October. An expert pointed to the upcoming South Korea-U.S. summit as the reason for Pyongyang hardening its hostile stance. "This upcoming South Korea summit is very important and also it's going to be a real change for the Russian and Ukraine war because Trump has met Putin, and that's another very huge and direct issue for North Korea. So this is why North Korea tried to show their very clear policy attitude regarding the Korean peninsula, including the issue of denuclearization." Pyongyang has long denounced the joint exercise as invasion rehearsals and at times countered with weapons tests. But Seoul and Washington maintain the drills are strictly defensive, with South Korea's unification ministry stressing Tuesday it had no intention of attacking the North or raising tensions on the peninsula. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

President Lee hosts business leaders ahead of summit with U.S. President Trump

2025/08/19 23:37

President Lee Jae Myung hosted business leaders today at his office, who will be joining his upcoming trip to the U.S., as he prepares for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. He thanked them for their efforts during recent tariff negotiations with the U.S., and asked them to continue working together. Correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports. With the summit with U.S. President Donald Trump less than a week away, President Lee Jae Myung hosted business leaders at his office on Tuesday, including Chey Tae-won of SK Group and Lee Jae-yong of Samsung, who will be accompanying him on his trip to Washington. "The meeting was arranged to discuss ways to maximize economic outcomes at the South Korea-U.S. summit, and listen to our companies' investment and purchase plans in the U.S." As the President thanked them for their role in recent trade talks with the U.S., he called for the need to work together to turn the crisis into an opportunity amid trade uncertainties to revitalize the economy. The sentiment was echoed by the business leaders. "The business leaders agreed that the upcoming trip should serve as an opportunity to help promote our businesses entering the U.S. market and further raise our industrial competitiveness." Late last month, a framework trade deal was reached to lower the U.S. reciprocal tariffs on South Korea from 25-percent to 15, in exchange for investment pledges worth hundreds of billions of dollars, with many details to be worked out in time for the first Lee-Trump summit. Areas of cooperation would be centered on chips, batteries and shipbuilding. Security is also one of the major issues, such as South Korea's defense spending and a possible change to the role and scale of U.S. troops stationed in Korea as Washington focuses on countering China. President Lee's trip to neighboring Japan will precede his U.S. trip for talks with Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, signaling resumption of the two neighbors' so-called "shuttle diplomacy." Against this backdrop, former Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is likely to be appointed as South Korea's ambassador to the U.S., according to sources familiar with the matter, and former ambassador to Vietnam, Lee Hyuk, as top envoy to Japan. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

South Korea-U.S. launch Ulchi drills as Kim slams exercise as “hostile”

2025/08/19 22:35

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. South Korea and the United States have launched their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield, running for eleven days across the country. It's one of the largest readiness drills in years, combining military maneuvers with government-wide emergency simulations. What's different this time is the focus on modern threats — drones, satellite disruption, and large-scale cyber warfare, scenarios that mirror the security challenges Seoul faces today. North Korea has already condemned the exercise in unusually harsh terms, while South Korea is signaling a softer policy line toward Pyongyang. And with North Korea's growing alignment with Moscow, plus renewed great-power diplomacy following President Trump's latest call with President Putin, the Korean Peninsula is once again caught in the middle of shifting global currents. For a deeper discussion on this, we are joined in the studio by Go Myong-hyun, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy. A big welcome. Also joining us via Zoom is Brian Myers, Professor of International Studies at Dongseo University. Good to see you. (MYERS) 1. First of all, how should we interpret the scale and design of this year's Ulchi Freedom Shield, which kicked off yesterday, Monday, Aug. 18, with over 580,000 participants, including a civil defense simulation? (GO) 2. And this year is the drills are simulating drone incursions, GPS jamming, and cyber attacks. This comes as South Korea faced more than 9,000 suspected North Korean hacking attempts against its military networks in just the first half of this year. How does this affect the urgency and realism of the exercises? (MYERS) 3. The schedule of the drills itself has also drawn attention. Half of the planned field training exercises were pushed back. While officials cited heat and safety, do you think this was also a diplomatic signal aimed at lowering tensions? (GO) 4. As the drills began, President Lee chaired the Ulchi NSC and stressed that the exercises are purely defensive, designed to protect civilians. But how likely is it that Pyongyang actually sees it that way, or are they still locked in their "war rehearsal" narrative? (MYERS) 5. And just today, we got a sharp reaction. Kim Jong-un condemned the UFS drills as "the most hostile expression of intent" toward North Korea. Despite Seoul's conciliatory gestures, he came out with very strong language. How should we interpret this? (GO) 6. Do you agree? Dr. Go, do you think this is mainly rhetorical, aimed at shoring up domestic unity? Or should we take it as a signal that Pyongyang could actually accelerate nuclear development? (GO) 7. At the same time, Kim also chose this moment to showcase the new 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon-ho. Was the timing meant to coincide with the drills — and does the ship signal real capability, or mostly propaganda? (MYERS) 8. On the other hand, Seoul has shifted its own policy stance. Just last week, the Unification Ministry formally scrapped the Yoon-era "8.15 Doctrine," which Pyongyang had denounced as an absorption policy. President Lee instead emphasized "peaceful coexistence" in his Liberation Day speech. Do you think this change could make a difference in how North Korea views Seoul? (GO) 9. And then there's Pyongyang's growing ties with Moscow. North Korea and Russia just issued a joint stamp marking the 80th Liberation Day, featuring Pyongyang's Liberation Tower. How can we interpret this? (MYERS) 10. And as we wrap up, let's take a step back. Just yesterday, Presidents Trump and Putin spoke by phone about raising the level of direct Russia–Ukraine negotiations. Even without a breakthrough, some say this gives Moscow more room to maneuver — and by extension, Pyongyang more leverage. How do you see this? and what should Seoul be most mindful of going forward?

Trump plans Zelenskyy-Putin summit, gives U.S. security assurance for Ukraine

2025/08/19 21:36

U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to set up a summit between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia in hopes of ending the Kremlin's aggression. This latest development follows his talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday. Moon Ji-young has the latest. U.S. President Donald Trump has begun arrangements for a direct meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking the first potential summit since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Following a Monday meeting with Zelenskyy and European partners, President Trump described the discussions as "very good." He then held a phone call with President Putin, during which he commenced efforts to organize a summit "at a location to be determined." The White House confirmed that U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will facilitate the arrangements between the two countries. During the summit with Zelenskyy, Trump said that the U.S. would be involved in ensuring Ukraine's future security. "There'll be a lot of, there'll be a lot of help when it comes to security. There's going to be a lot of help. It's going to be good. They are the first line of defense because they're there, they're Europe, But we're going to help them out also. We'll be involved." These remarks signal a potential shift in Washington's security posture, not ruling out the possibility of U.S. troop deployments. Trump also reiterated his priority for an immediate peace agreement, rather than a temporary ceasefire. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy stressed that Russia must stop the war, calling for a trilateral meeting between himself, Trump and Putin. "And we are ready for a trilateral. As the president said, this is good signal about trilateral, I think this is very good." Zelenskyy added that all the "sensitive issues" including territorial issues would be discussed at the highest level in the trilateral summit. In response, President Trump expressed confidence that the trilateral summit would take place, calling it a matter of "when, not if." Trump also suggested that such a summit could bring an end to Russia's three-year invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, European and NATO leaders also attended the White House meeting with President Trump on Monday. There, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the much needed security for Ukraine would be possible after Monday's meeting. "A historic step actually could come out of this meeting in terms of security for Ukraine and security in Europe." Unlike the more tense February meeting, Monday's summit between Trump and Zelenskyy unfolded in a friendlier atmosphere. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.