News

Spain agrees with NATO to skip 5% defense spending target

2025/06/23 10:00

Spain has secured an exemption from NATO's new defense spending goal of 5 percent of GDP, ahead of a summit in The Hague. On Sunday, June 22, Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, announced that Spain and NATO finalized the opt-out after an exchange of letters with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Now, members, excluding Spain, will be subject to the 5 percent spending target. Last year, Spain spent 1.28 percent of its GDP on defense, the alliance's lowest. Sanchez pledged to raise that to 2.1 percent this year, affirming that this level is sufficient to meet its contribution to NATO without undermining Spain's welfare state commitments. Sanchez argued escalating to 5 percent by 2035 would be "disproportionate and unnecessary," potentially forcing deep cuts in social services or higher taxes.

Twenty killed in suicide bombing at Damascus church

2025/06/23 10:00

Now, let's take a look at some stories from around the world with our Choi Chi Hee . Good morning, Chi Hee. Good morning, Eunji. Let's begin with a suicide bombing at a church in Syria. Do tell us more. A devastating suicide bombing at an Orthodox Church in Damascus killed at least 22 and wounded dozens more. On Sunday, local time, a lone attacker, believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State group, opened fire and then detonated an explosive vest, killing worshippers at the Mar Elias Church. According to Syria's Health Ministry, at least 63 others were wounded in the attack. It was the first suicide bombing targeting a church in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad's government fell. Reports suggest a second man may have been involved. Syrian authorities condemned the attack, calling it an act of terrorism. Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has repeatedly said he will protect minorities; however, Syria has already seen deadly sectarian violence in recent months.

[Weekly Focus] President Lee ends diplomatic freeze with first overseas trip

2025/06/21 12:00

This week, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung attended the G7 Summit in Canada, his first overseas trip since taking office. To walk us through the key takeaways from his three-day visit, our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin joins us in the studio. Welcome, Yoo-jin. Great to be here. Yoo-jin, let's begin with the significance of this trip. There was uncertainty at first over whether President Lee would attend the G7 at all. That's right. The trip came just 12 days after President Lee took office, making this the fastest overseas debut by a South Korean president. For comparison, it took President Yoon Suk Yeol 49 days, Moon Jae-in 51 days, and Park Geun-hye 70 days. Despite the tight timeline, President Lee made the decision to attend. Here's what he told reporters aboard the Air Force One: South Korea experienced a period of stalled diplomacy after former President Yoon's martial law debacle last December. It was certainly a meaningful debut. Let's turn to the results. While he delivered remarks at the G7's expanded session, much attention was on his bilateral meetings. Let's start with Tuesday's summit with Japan. That was one of the most anticipated. A meeting had been scheduled with U.S. President Donald Trump, but that fell through after he returned to Washington early due to what was going on in the Middle East. However, President Lee did meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, marking their first summit. "I truly hope that, marking the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic ties, exchanges will grow not just between our two governments and businesses, but also between our people. I look forward to Korea and Japan working together in a way that contributes more to the region and to the world." During the 30-minute meeting, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to regular summit-level meetings while agreeing to strengthen trilateral coordination with the United States, particularly in responding to regional geopolitical challenges, including North Korea. A senior Presidential Office official told reporters the talks were held in a positive, friendly atmosphere, and both leaders expressed interest in frequent reciprocal visits. Aside from Japan, President Lee also met with several other world leaders during his trip. That's right. He held one-on-ones with nine other heads of state, plus UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Among the G7 members, he met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. "The leaders of South Korea and the UK agreed to move forward on updating their post-Brexit FTA. They also discussed working together on Korean Peninsula peace and security." In his summit with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Lee emphasized defense cooperation, mentioning the participation of Korean companies in Canada's submarine acquisition program, with contracts expected to be finalized by 2028. He also held summits with the leaders of South Africa, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, India, and the European Union, where economic cooperation was high on the agenda. Throughout his bilateral meetings, the Presidential Office says President Lee prioritized personal rapport and pragmatic diplomacy. "President Lee engaged comfortably with all the leaders, drawing on his prior knowledge of their personal backgrounds, political careers, and governing philosophies, while also using his trademark humor to build rapport." "In virtually every bilateral meeting, there were focused discussions on advancing practical cooperation in areas like trade, investment, supply chains, and energy, aimed at delivering real benefits for the Korean economy and businesses." Beyond the bilateral meetings, President Lee also delivered remarks at the G7's expanded session. What were the key messages there? The expanded session President Lee attended focused on energy security, where he delivered two speeches. In his first address, he outlined South Korea's commitment to strengthening the global energy supply chain, which he described as being key to global economic growth and prosperity. In his second speech, the president shared the country's policy direction on integrating AI and energy. He detailed plans to boost energy efficiency through low-power AI semiconductors, known as NPUs, and to encourage greater private sector involvement through tax incentives, regulatory reform, and the creation of a public investment fund. He also invited global leaders to take part in the APEC Summit in Gyeongju later this year, where South Korea will present a roadmap for international cooperation on AI. It seems like a strong start, but there's still a major task left: meeting with President Trump. Any updates on when that could happen? That's the big question. The canceled summit drew attention, especially with 25 percent reciprocal tariffs set to take effect if Korea fails to reach a deal with the U.S. by July 8th. According to a senior official, talks are ongoing to arrange a meeting at another multilateral engagement. One possibility is next week's NATO Summit. We'll be watching that closely. Yoo-jin, thank you for the wrap-up today. My pleasure.

President Lee celebrates launch of mega AI data center in Ulsan amid economic challenges

2025/06/20 20:00

President Lee Jae Myung has once again pledged full support for the AI industry to realize the goal of South Korea becoming the world's top AI powerhouse. Our senior correspondent Yoon Jung-min leads us tonight. A day after returning home from his trip to the G7 summit in Canada, President Lee Jae Myung chose the country's southeastern industrial city of Ulsan for a visit, where a ceremony took place on Friday to celebrate the launch of a mega AI data center, as the country faces daunting economic challenges. "Korea has grown rapidly, but now we seem to be climbing uphill. Depending on how we prepare, we can move on to a completely new world, or we might end up sliding backward." Making Korea one of the world's AI powerhouses was among Lee's pledges during his presidential campaign. Accompanying the president were the CEOs of major companies, including SK Chairman Chey Tae-won and Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a, as the business leaders pitched their ideas. "I hope the government expands the "AI one-stop vouchers" so that start-up businesses can easily use AI infrastructure at a lower cost. In tandem with the government's creation of a national AI fund, I hope we can nurture as many as 20-thousand AI start-ups over the course of the next five years." Chey also asked for an "AI government," meaning more AI applications and services used by the public sector. Dubbed the "AI highway," the 100-megawatt AI data center in Ulsan is a joint project between SK Group and Amazon Web Services (AWS), worth over 5-billion U.S. dollars in investment to meet increasing AI demand at home. There are plans to expand to 1-gigawatt later down the line. "Through bold tax breaks and regulatory innovation, we will promote private investment and build an AI-era highway for Korea's successful AI transformation." He went on to ensure that every person in the country can harness the benefits of AI in their daily lives. The President did not forget to put particular emphasis on his in-person visit to the region, as he says Korea's cutting-edge technology can prosper also in areas outside the capital region. Yoon Jung-min Arirang News.

South Korean nationals evacuate Iran, Israel as gov't urges those remaining to leave

2025/06/20 20:00

More South Korean nationals were safely moved out of both Israel and Iran on Thursday. The South Korean government is doing all it can to ensure the safety of Korean people in the Middle East. Oh Soo-young has more. Over 60 South Korean nationals have been safely evacuated from Iran and Israel to surrounding countries, as Seoul authorities urge those staying behind to swiftly leave the conflict-ridden areas. Seoul's Foreign Ministry said Friday that a total of 37 Korean citizens and their family members in Iran have crossed over to Turkmenistan. The first group of 18 Koreans and two family members departed Tehran on Tuesday, traveling for around 30 hours, over some 12 hundred kilometers to Iran's eastern border with Turkmenistan, on a bus provided by the Korean government. They entered Turkmenistan on Wednesday, and a second group of ten arrived the next day, followed by four more individuals. On Friday, two Koreans and one family member crossed the border safely. Meanwhile, 25 Korean citizens and one Israeli family member were evacuated by bus from Israel to Jordan on Thursday. Embassies in Iran and Israel have provided chartered buses for nationals wishing to evacuate, while rapid response teams dispatched from Seoul's Foreign Ministry arrived in Turkmenistan and Jordan to assist with customs clearance and flight scheduling. Roughly 460 South Korean nationals remain in Israel, and about 90 in Iran. The government stated that it stands ready to provide additional consular support and evacuation assistance upon request. Its travel advisories for Iran and Israel are both at level 3, which recommends Korean nationals to leave the country in question. There have been no Korean casualties so far amid the rapid escalation of the conflict. The Foreign Ministry has said it will continue to monitor the situation, and maintain close communication with overseas missions to ensure the safety of Korean people. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Israel strikes Arak reactor, no leak of radioactive materials confirmed

2025/06/20 20:00

Now in its eighth day, the conflict between Israel and Iran is escalating. Israel bombed Iran's nuclear reactor that is under construction, while Iran launched missiles armed with cluster munitions. Park Hyo-been has more. Multiple explosions rocked Iran's Arak heavy water reactor on Thursday, local time, following Israeli airstrikes. "Over the past 24 hours, the Air Force aircraft hit targets of the nuclear weapons program, they hit the nuclear reactor in the Arak area, we are talking about a reactor that is not active but has the potential to produce enriched plutonium that is used to create the core of a nuclear weapon." The International Atomic Energy Agency warned of the potential for radioactive materials to spread into the atmosphere, although no radiation leak has been detected so far. The escalation has gone beyond the Arak strike. On the same day, Israel initially claimed strikes on Iran's Natanz and Bushehr nuclear sites, but later called the Bushehr reference a mistake. Still, the military has neither confirmed nor denied an attack there, leaving the door open for future strikes. Meanwhile, Iran launched a ballistic missile armed with a cluster-bomb warhead — a weapon banned by many nations for its indiscriminate effects and high civilian risk, as it scatters dozens or even hundreds of smaller bombs. At least 639 people have been killed in Iran this week by Israeli strikes, according to the Associated Press. Israeli officials say 24 of their citizens have been killed in the conflict so far. With tensions rising, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday, local time, that he would allow two more weeks for diplomacy — before deciding whether to authorize a military strike on Iran. ''I have a message directly from the president and I quote: 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations, that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go, within the next two weeks.''' For now, diplomacy is racing against time as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to mount. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Trump to decide whether U.S. will strike Iran ‘within next two weeks’

2025/06/20 17:00

In other news. The White House says President Donald Trump will announce his decision on a tangible course of action against Iran for its nuclear weapons pursuits within a fortnight. Lee Seung-jae has the latest. Amid growing speculation over U.S. involvement in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, the White House says President Donald Trump will decide "within the next two weeks" whether his country will strike Iran. ''Now, regarding the ongoing situation in Iran, I know there has been a lot of speculation amongst all of you in the media, regarding the president's decision making and whether or not the United States will be directly involved. In light of that news I have a message directly from the president and I quote: 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations, that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go, within the next two weeks.' That's a quote directly from the president for all of you today.'' The White House spokesperson added that Trump is always interested in a diplomatic solution, calling him " a peacemaker in chief," but noted that the U.S. leader is not afraid to use strength to achieve peace. Meanwhile, according to CBS news, citing multiple sources, President Trump believes it's necessary to destroy the Fordow nuclear site. The report says Trump had been briefed on both the risks and benefits of striking Iran's most secure nuclear site, and found it necessary to disable it, due to risks of weapons being produced in a relatively short period of time. Trump approved attack plans on Iran on Tuesday, but has not yet made the final decision to join the conflict with strikes. According to a Pentagon official, Trump held off on the decision to strike Iran, in case Tehran decides to abandon its nuclear program. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

NIS chief nominee's confirmation hearing report meeting canceled amid fierce debate

2025/06/20 17:00

Also on this Friday at the parliament. A committee meeting to vote on the confirmation hearing report for National Intelligence Service chief nominee Lee Jong-seok was canceled amid fierce debate. The main opposition People Power Party cited "unresolved" doubts over Lee's views on national security and North Korea following the previous day's hearing the first for nominees of the Lee Jae Myung administration. The ruling Democratic Party condemned the cancellation accusing the opposition of derailing the confirmation process for partisan gain.

President Lee announces new round of vice ministerial appointments

2025/06/20 17:00

President Lee Jae Myung earlier on this Friday made a number of vice ministerial appointments. Kim Nam-jung has been tapped as Vice UNIFICATION Minister. Kim formerly served as the chief representative of the UNIFICATION Ministry's South-North Dialogue Division and the top office adds he holds extensive experience in cross-border interactions. Meanwhile at the INTERIOR Ministry ASSISTANT Vice Minister Kim Min-jae has been promoted to Vice Minister while the ministry's spokesperson Kim Gwang-yong has been named Vice Minister for Disaster and Safety Management. At the AGRICULTURE Ministry Kang Hyoung-seok takes on the role of Vice Minister having led the ministry's innovation policy division. Finally at the OCEANS and FISHERIES Ministry Kim Sung-bum who headed marine policy will now serve as the Vice Minister.

President Lee celebrates launch of mega AI data center in Ulsan amid economic challenges

2025/06/20 17:00

We start here on the national front. President Lee Jae Myung joined corporate heavyweights at the launching ceremony of a mega AI data center in the city of Ulsan today. Our senior correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports. A day after returning home from his trip to the G7 summit in Canada, President Lee Jae Myung chose the country's southeastern industrial city of Ulsan for a visit, where a ceremony took place on Friday to celebrate the launch of a mega AI data center, as the country faces daunting economic challenges. "Korea has grown rapidly, but now we seem to be climbing uphill. Depending on how we prepare, we can move on to a completely new world, or we might end up sliding backward." Making Korea one of the world's AI powerhouses was among Lee's pledges during his presidential campaign. Accompanying the president were the CEOs of major companies, including SK Chairman Chey Tae-won and Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a, as the business leaders pitched their ideas. "I hope the government expands the "AI one-stop vouchers" so that start-up businesses can easily use AI infrastructure at a lower cost. In tandem with the government's creation of a national AI fund, I hope we can nurture as many as 20-thousand AI start-ups over the course of the next five years." Chey also asked for an "AI government," meaning more AI applications and services used by the public sector. Dubbed the "AI highway," the 100-megawatt AI data center in Ulsan is a joint project between SK Group and Amazon Web Services (AWS), worth over 5-billion U.S. dollars in investment to meet increasing AI demand at home. There are plans to expand to 1-gigawatt later down the line. "Through bold tax breaks and regulatory innovation, we will promote private investment and build an AI-era highway for Korea's successful AI transformation." He went on to ensure that every person in the country can harness the benefits of AI in their daily lives. The President did not forget to put particular emphasis on his in-person visit to the region, as he says Korea's cutting-edge technology can prosper also in areas outside the capital region. Yoon Jung-min Arirang News.

South Korean nationals evacuate Iran, Israel as gov't urges those remaining to leave

2025/06/20 17:00

Dozens of South Koreans have been evacuated from Iran and Israel by land on buses and are currently seeking shelter in nations bordering these two foes as their military confrontation escalates. Our foreign affairs correspondent Oh Soo-young reports. 60 South Korean nationals have been safely evacuated from Iran and Israel to surrounding countries, as Seoul authorities urge those staying behind to swiftly leave the conflict-ridden areas. Seoul's Foreign Ministry said Friday that a total of 34 Korean citizens and their family members in Iran have crossed over to Turkmenistan as of Thursday local time. The first group of 18 Koreans and two family members departed Tehran on Tuesday, traveling for around 30 hours, over some 12 hundred kilometers to Iran's eastern border with Turkmenistan, on a bus provided by the Korean government. They entered Turkmenistan on Wednesday, and a second group of ten arrived the next day, followed by four more individuals. Meanwhile, 25 Korean citizens and one Israeli family member were evacuated by bus from Israel to Jordan on Thursday. Embassies in Iran and Israel have provided chartered buses for nationals wishing to evacuate, while rapid response teams dispatched from Seoul's Foreign Ministry arrived in Turkmenistan and Jordan to assist with customs clearance and flight scheduling. Roughly 460 South Korean nationals remain in Israel, and about 90 in Iran. The government stated that it stands ready to provide additional consular support and evacuation assistance upon request. Its travel advisories for Iran and Israel are both at level 3, which recommends Korean nationals to leave the country in question. There have been no Korean casualties so far amid the rapid escalation of the conflict. The Foreign Ministry has said it will continue to monitor the situation, and maintain close communication with overseas missions to ensure the safety of Korean people. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

S. KOREA TO PLAY HOST TO APEC 2025

2025/06/20 17:00

Welcome to Friday's edition of Press Perspective. It's June 20th here in Seoul and I'm Min Sunhee. This year's APEC summit will take place here in South Korea which will be hosting this forum for the second time following its first twenty years ago. Today we touch upon this upcoming event and other social stories in recent headlines. For more I have freelance reporter.. David Lee here in the studio. David it's a pleasure. I also have writer Colin Marshall with the pundit's take on today's topics. Colin welcome back. 1) Colin, curtains went down on this year's G7 summit in Canada this past Tuesday. We had been addressing the agenda there for the most part of this week, and today, as we touch upon a host of different topics, I'd like to start with your thoughts on the significance of such summits for the HOST COUNTRY. 2) David, speaking of summits, South Korea's Gyeongju is set to host this year's APEC later this year. What has been the prospects shared by the foreign media thus far about this planned summit here in Korea? 3) David, this latest APEC summit here in South Korea comes after a number of major domestic events. What are the broader implications of hosting this upcoming multinational summit for Korea? 4) Colin, as I mentioned earlier, Gyeongju will be the host venue of this year's APEC. What are the prerequisites of being picked as a host venue for the APEC, and what does this particular opportunity mean for Gyeongju? 5) David, aside from the main APEC event, what stories might make foreign headlines as we host this economic event? 6) Colin, let's now move on to some other stories. According to British publication The Economist, a growing number of parents worldwide are showing preference for girls over boys. What have you been observing here in Korea? 7) Meanwhile David, in perhaps the latest tangible proof about the power of soft diplomacy, we're seeing BTS fans supporting Korean international adoptees. Do tell us more. 8) Colin, on a solemn note. A recent article by the South China Morning Post highlighted efforts here in Seoul to fight loneliness. Do tell us a bit about this coverage, and your own takeaways. All right.

Trump to decide whether U.S. will strike Iran ‘within next two weeks’

2025/06/20 10:00

The White House says President Trump will decide whether the U.S. will strike Iran "within the next two weeks." The U.S. leader also reportedly says disabling Iran's nuclear site is necessary because of the risk of weapons being produced in a relatively short period of time. Lee Seung-jae has more. Amid growing speculation over U.S. involvement in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, the White House says President Donald Trump will decide "within the next two weeks" whether his country will strike Iran. ''Now, regarding the ongoing situation in Iran, I know there has been a lot of speculation amongst all of you in the media, regarding the president's decision making and whether or not the United States will be directly involved. In light of that news I have a message directly from the president and I quote: 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations, that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go, within the next two weeks.' That's a quote directly from the president for all of you today.'' The White House spokesperson added that Trump is always interested in a diplomatic solution, calling him " a peacemaker in chief," but noted that the U.S. leader is not afraid to use strength to achieve peace. Meanwhile, according to CBS news, citing multiple sources, President Trump believes it's necessary to destroy the Fordow nuclear site. The report says Trump had been briefed on both the risks and benefits of striking Iran's most secure nuclear site, and found it necessary to disable it, due to risks of weapons being produced in a relatively short period of time. Trump approved attack plans on Iran on Tuesday, but has not yet made the final decision to join the conflict with strikes. According to a Pentagon official, Trump held off on the decision to strike Iran, in case Tehran decides to abandon its nuclear program. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Pope Leo urges global cooperation to end wars through wisdom and diplomacy in first media interview

2025/06/20 10:00

Pope Leo XIV conducted his first formal media interview on Thursday with Italy's state broadcaster Rai TG1, with a declaration that "we must always promote peace." He emphasized the crucial role of dialogue and reason in resolving conflicts. Speaking from Vatican City, the pontiff lamented that "countless innocent lives are being lost" across war zones, and urged the international community to seek diplomatic solutions over military confrontation. He reiterated his earlier stance that no nation should threaten another's existence, calling instead for respectful engagement rooted in justice and human dignity.

Thai prime minister's leaked phone call sets off political backlash

2025/06/20 10:00

Thailand's Prime Minister is facing political backlash and calls for her resignation after a leaked phone call with Cambodia's former leader, Hun Sen. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra apologized publicly on Thursday, after enraged nationalist critics accused her of undermining Thailand's sovereignty and sovereignty and military by trying to appease Cambodia. On Sunday, Paetongtarn spoke privately with Cambodia's Senate President Hun Sen about easing border restrictions following border clashes on May 28 that left a Cambodian soldier dead. In the 17-minute call, which was later posted online by Hun Sen after a shorter version was leaked, Paetongtarn referred to him as "uncle" and criticized the Thai army commander overseeing the border, calling him "an opponent." A major coalition party withdrew support from her government, leaving it on the verge of collapse. Protesters gathered outside the Government House in Bangkok on Friday, calling for her resignation.

Current, fmr. Japanese PMs attend Tokyo event marking 60 years of normalizing S. Korea-Japan relations

2025/06/20 10:00

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called on Korea and Japan to take a new step forward to an "even brighter future," as he marked 60 years of normalising bilateral relations. This came at a reception hosted by the Korean Embassy in Tokyo, following a gathering hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Seoul earlier this week. Around a thousand people attended notably, two former Japanese Prime Ministers Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida, and South Korea's Deputy National Assembly Speaker Joo Ho-young. Following his (quote) "very productive discussion" with President Lee Jae-myung this week at the G7 in Canada, Prime Minister Ishiba expressed hope for further development of ties, saying there are many areas for cooperation.

S. Korea evacuates nationals amid growing military clashes in Iran, Israel

2025/06/20 10:00

South Korean nationals have been evacuated from both Iran and Israel as military clashes between the two countries escalate for a seventh day. Seoul's Foreign Ministry said on Friday that 34 Korean nationals and family members in Iran have crossed over to Turkmenistan as of Thursday. The first group departed Tehran on Tuesday, traveling for around 30 hours, over some 12 hundred kilometers on a bus provided by the Korean government. They entered Turkmenistan on Wednesday, and a second group arrived the next day. Meanwhile, 25 Koreans and one Israeli family member were evacuated from Israel to Jordan on June 19th. Roughly 460 South Korean nationals remain in Israel, and about 90 in Iran.

[On-point] What to expect as Trump keeps world guessing about U.S. involvement in Israel-Iran conflict

2025/06/20 10:00

Tensions are escalating between Israel and Iran, after President Trump called for Tehran's "unconditional surrender," but Iran vowed to continue to fight. For more on how the situation in the Middle East will unfold, we're joined by Dr. Robert Lawrence, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Middle East and African Affairs. Dr. Lawrence, thanks for joining us this morning. 1. Why did Israel attack Iran just days before U.S. and Iranian negotiators were set to meet for nuclear talks? What's behind Israel's decision? 2. How likely is U.S. involvement in the war? And if it does join, what might that look like? 3. Trump also says the deal with Iran "could still happen." Is Iran likely to engage in negotiations anytime soon? 4. Trump claims Iran was "weeks away" from having nuclear weapons. In your view, how close is Iran to getting a nuclear weapon? 5. The fighting can't go on forever. How might the conflict end --and when? Alright, Dr. Lawrence, thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

Pres. Lee unveils online "public communication platform" for direct democracy

2025/06/20 10:00

President Lee Jae Myung has unveiled an online platform where people can directly propose policy ideas. Taking to his Facebook account on Thursday, he said he hoped it could help realize the principle of people's sovereignty stated in the Constitution and serve as a platform for "direct democracy." He asked the public to feel free to pitch their ideas on all areas that affect their lives, from the economy, social issues, diplomacy to culture, as he vowed to thoroughly review them in order for them to materialize. He also asked the public to give proposals to officially name the platform. More details can be found on the website.

U.S. monitoring situation in close contact with S. Korea after N.Korean artillery launches

2025/06/20 10:00

Washington says it's monitoring North Korea-related developments in close contact with Seoul, after Pyongyang fired around 10 artillery rounds earlier this week. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the Trump administration is in close contact with the new South Korean government, adding that the two allies are working together to deter "adversaries and preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific." She added that U.S. President Donald Trump will not tolerate threats against American interests "on his watch." The comments come as the regime fired shells towards the West Sea on Thursday morning from the Sunan area near Pyongyang.