News

New U.S. visa policy adds social media screening for foreign students

2025/06/19 20:00

The U.S. State Department says it's restarting student visa applications for foreigners but under the condition that all applicants make their social media accounts public for review. Lee Eun-hee reports. The U.S. State Department is resuming the process for foreign nationals applying for student visas, following a temporary suspension last month. But according to a statement released Wednesday, applicants will now be required to provide information about their social media profiles. All applicants will be asked to set the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to public. New guidance directs U.S. diplomats to look for "any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States." Failure to comply may be seen as an attempt to evade screening or as an effort to conceal online activity. This policy applies to students and other applicants for visas in the F, M, and J categories, which refer to academic and vocational education, as well as cultural exchanges. The temporary pause in visa interview scheduling last month was prompted by the U.S. evaluating new social media vetting procedures, leaving students worldwide anxious. The New York Times commented that the guidelines' "vague parameters will no doubt create much uncertainty among American universities and students and scholars overseas who intend to travel to the United States." It also wrote that critics say such a process and other related actions by Secretary of State Marco Rubio are aimed at limiting free speech, enforcing certain beliefs, and pressuring foreign citizens to censor themselves and refrain from criticizing the Trump administration. Meanwhile, according to a senior state department official, the Trump administration is working to make America safer, acting on citizen expectations, and that Marco Rubio was "helping to make America and its universities safer while bringing the state Department into the 21st century." Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

S. Korea urges N. Korea, Russia to "immediately" end all military cooperation, calls on Moscow's "constructive role" for peace

2025/06/19 20:00

Seoul has called on Moscow to play a constructive role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, and immediately end illegal military cooperation with North Korea. Upon the one-year mark of Russia and North Korea's mutual security pact, a South Korean government official expressed "grave concern" over continued violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions, saying any agreements between the two sides must fully comply with international law. South Korea intends to continue efforts to achieve progress toward peace on the Peninsula, and resolving North Korea's nuclear threat. The official added Seoul urges Pyongyang to respond positively to these efforts and calls on Russia to assume a constructive role in promoting peace and stability on the Peninsula.

20 S. Korean nationals in Iran evacuate to Turkmenistan

2025/06/19 20:00

A group of South Korean nationals in Iran has been safely evacuated to Turkmenistan, amid intensifying military clashes between Israel and Iran. Seoul's Foreign Ministry said Thursday some 20 individuals, including 18 South Korean nationals and two Iranian family members, departed from Tehran, and traveled around 12-hundred kilometers for some 30 hours to reach Iran's eastern border checkpoint. The ministry provided chartered buses and assisted with border procedures as well as other necessary consular support. Seoul also sent a Rapid Response Team to Turkmenistan to help with accommodation and assistance in arranging return flights. Following this evacuation, around 90 Koreans remain 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 leave.

Trump holds off decision on U.S. military involvement in Israel-Iran conflict

2025/06/19 20:00

Israel and Iran have continued to go back and forth with airstrikes for an entire week now. U.S. President Donald Trump is delaying a decision on his country's involvement. Our Moon Hye-ryeon reports. Seven days into Israel's military campaign against Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, cross-border attacks are escalating. On Thursday morning local time, an Iranian missile struck Israel's main southern hospital, causing what officials described as "extensive damage." This came as Israel targeted a heavy water reactor southwest of the Iranian capital, with Iranian state media reporting that the facility had been evacuated ahead of the strike and that no civilian areas were affected. Israel had issued a warning earlier in the day, stating its intention to strike the site and urging residents to evacuate. The latest air assaults come amid uncertainty over possible U.S. involvement in the conflict. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday local time, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he had yet to make a final call, and he would hold off doing so for now. "I have ideas as to what to do, but I haven't made it final. I'd like to make the final decision one second before it's due, you know, because things change. I mean, especially with war, things change with war, it can go from one extreme to the other." Shortly afterwards, he convened a second White House Situation Room meeting in as many days to discuss the agenda with his national security advisers. The talks lasted for around an hour, and it is not yet clear what was discussed or whether any decisions were made. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump told senior aides late Tuesday that he had approved plans for a potential military strike on Iran, but decided to pause, hoping Tehran might still give up its nuclear program. Earlier in the day, Trump claimed that Iran had proposed to come to the White House to begin negotiations, and once again, called for "unconditional surrender." In response, Iran's diplomatic mission to the United Nations in New York hit back on social media by saying that "No Iranian official has asked to grovel at the gates of the White House," followed by a message from Iran's supreme leader himself. "The Iranian nation stands firm against the imposed war – as it has stood so far – and stands firm against the imposed peace. The Iranian nation will not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition." As tensions intensify, nations are moving to evacuate their own nationals from Israel. The U.S. State Department has started pulling out non-essential diplomats and is arranging evacuation flights and ships for American citizens, while China is also working to evacuate its citizens. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

President Lee to meet with ruling, opposition party leaders on Sunday

2025/06/19 20:00

President Lee Jae Myung is set to meet with the leader of the ruling party as well as the leader of the main opposition party this Sunday. Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sang-ho told reporters on Thursday that the President will host a luncheon at the presidential residence with Democratic Party acting leader and floor leader Kim Byung-kee, People Power Party interim leader Kim Yong-tae, and the party's floor leader, Song Eon-seok. President Lee will share his experience from the recent G7 summit in Canada and engage in what the top office described as a "frank and open dialogue," with no set items on the agenda.

Cabinet approves enforcement decree to boost support for scientists and engineers

2025/06/19 20:00

The Cabinet on Thursday passed an enforcement decree to implement the revised Special Act on Support of Scientists and Engineers for Strengthening National Science and Technology Competitiveness. Senior Presidential Secretary for AI and Future Planning Ha Jung-woo said the decree will lay the groundwork for more support across the science and engineering fields, starting with outreach programs to spark interest among younger students. It also promotes quality education and research at the university level, including reforms to research systems and training aligned with industry needs. National guidelines for postdoctoral researchers will be standardized to improve hiring, career development, and research conditions. The decree takes effect this Saturday.

PUBLIC PROTESTS ACROSS U.S. CITIES

2025/06/19 17:30

Welcome to Press Perspective for this Thursday June 19th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. Today we turn our attention to public protests over in the U.S. following our own fair share of domestic demonstrations after a short-lived martial law late last year. For more I have Ruy Valdes with Spanish news agency EFE Spain. Ruy it's good to have you here. I also have Jessica Stone an independent journalist over in the U.S. Jessica thank you making time to join us live. 1-1) Jessica, LA has become the epicenter of tensions over Trump's deportation plan 1-2) And Jessica, broadly speaking, what's the latest with regard to ICE raids on farms, hotels and restaurants? 2) Jessica, what can you tell us about the demographics of the demonstrators? 3-1) Ruy, for the sake of clarity, how many undocumented immigrants are there in the U.S., and what makes the U.S. a desired destination? 3-2) Ruy, do you suppose the Trump administration's immigration policies have changed how Mexican migrants view the U.S.? 4) Ruy, we've been told immigrants contribute tangibly to the U.S. economy. 5) Jessica, beyond the public protests against ICE raids in LA, there were rallies in other parts of the U.S. this past weekend called the "No Kings" that drew millions, I hear. 6) Ruy, the LA protests also prompted a diplomatic dispute between Mexico and the U.S., I believe. 7) Jessica, also with regard to Mr. Trump's broader immigration policies. 8) Ruy, speaking about immigration but here in South Korea. All right.

President Lee says it's time for gov't to spend; supplementary bill draft comes with 20.2 trillion KRW spending

2025/06/19 17:00

The Lee Jae-myung administration is looking to loosen the government's purse strings to breathe fresh life into the local economy. Accordingly, an extra budget plan has been hammered out and will soon be sent to the National Assembly. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon reports. The second round of a supplementary budget bill this year, the first of its kind under Lee Jae Myung's presidency, has been drafted and is set to go to the National Assembly next week. President Lee, presiding over a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, took a final look. The size of this supplementary budget is 30.5 trillion Korean won, or a bit more than 22 billion U.S. dollars. 15.2 trillion of that will be going into boosting the economy through stimulus. 5 trillion will be going to stabilizing people's livelihoods. 10.3 will be for revenue adjustment, for the nation's fiscal situation. This means, 20.2 trillion will be for direct spending by the government with 19.8 trillion being debt. Going into the details 15.2 trillion for economic stimulus will consist of 10.3 trillion of that being cash relief to everyone, in a different form of the recipient's choosing. 1 trillion will go into boosting discounts and other needed aspects. 2.7 trillion will go into support for the construction sector as it's currently one of the hardest hit industries with close links to the employment of working-class citizens. President Lee has been pushing for cash relief to everyone for some time now, since his lawmaker days. The conservative government had been saying a universal payout is not right due to the financial pressure on the nation's fiscal status, and selective support is better. This draft did go with a universal payout but for those who need it, the more they will receive. The top 10-percent, approximately 5.12 million people, will receive a one-time payment of 150,000 Korean won, or around a 100 U.S. dollars. And the biggest group of citizens of around 43 million people will receive the first payment of 150,000 Korean won, but will get an additional 100,000 in the second round. The lower levels will receive more in first-time payments, with the social welfare recipients later getting 500,000 in total. As for stabilizing livelihoods, money will be spent on debt relief for small businesses as well as boosting employment and taming inflation. Now, the ball is in the National Assembly's court with the government's draft being transferred on the 23rd. Lawmakers will be reviewing the bill, but with the ruling Democratic Party holding the majority on the floor, the bill won't face many obstacles. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

New U.S. visa policy adds social media screening for foreign students

2025/06/19 17:00

The U.S. is resuming its visa applications for foreign scholars but now requires full access to their social media accounts for thorough vetting procedures. Lee Eun-hee reports. The U.S. State Department is resuming the process for foreign nationals applying for student visas, following a temporary suspension last month. But according to a statement released Wednesday, applicants will now be required to provide information about their social media profiles. All applicants will be asked to set the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to public. New guidance directs U.S. diplomats to look for "any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States." Failure to comply may be seen as an attempt to evade screening or as an effort to conceal online activity. This policy applies to students and other applicants for visas in the F, M, and J categories, which refer to academic and vocational education, as well as cultural exchanges. The temporary pause in visa interview scheduling last month was prompted by the U.S. evaluating new social media vetting procedures, leaving students worldwide anxious. The New York Times commented that the guidelines' "vague parameters will no doubt create much uncertainty among American universities and students and scholars overseas who intend to travel to the United States." It also wrote that critics say such a process and other related actions by Secretary of State Marco Rubio are aimed at limiting free speech, enforcing certain beliefs, and pressuring foreign citizens to censor themselves and refrain from criticizing the Trump administration. Meanwhile, according to a senior state department official, the Trump administration is working to make America safer, acting on citizen expectations, and that Marco Rubio was "helping to make America and its universities safer while bringing the state Department into the 21st century." Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

'New standard' for Asian, other allies' defense spending: Pentagon chief

2025/06/19 17:00

Recent remarks by the head of the U.S. Defense Department are re-igniting concerns about U.S. commitment to security partnerships with its allies including those here on the peninsula. Lee Seung-jae has details. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there will be a "new standard" for defense spending for Asian and other U.S. allies, as the Pentagon chief reiterated U.S. President Donald Trump's call for NATO members to raise defense spending to five percent of GDP. Speaking to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, Hegseth stressed that the U.S. cannot want the allies' security "more than they do." He also said NATO heads must commit to spending five percent of GDP on defense at the NATO heads of state meeting next week. The comments from the Pentagon chief come amid speculation that Trump might raise South Korea's defense spending or its share of the cost of stationing U.S. Forces Korea. Currently, South Korea's defense spending stands at around two-point-five percent of its GDP. Meanwhile, during a forum hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Wednesday, U.S. Senator Andy Kim said that the current administration's reported consideration to decrease USFK presence in South Korea is a "perfect" way to derail the Seoul-Washington relationship, especially "at a critically important moment" for the alliance. The Korean-American senator also stressed that failing to treat U.S. allies and partners differently from adversaries is a "huge" mistake,.. adding that it will cause unnecessary friction. At the same forum, former deputy secretary of state during the Joe Biden administration, Kurt Campbell warned that any substantial adjustments to the USFK troop level could be "misinterpreted" as a sign of reduced security commitment from Washington. Campbell warned that any steps that would lower the troop presence in South Korea could lead to a "crisis in confidence." The Wall Street Journal last month reported that the Pentagon was considering the idea of withdrawing some 45-hundred USFK troops to other locations in the Indo-Pacific to better calibrate U.S. force posture in Korea to deter China. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Trump holds off decision on U.S. military involvement in Israel-Iran conflict

2025/06/19 17:00

U.S. President Donald Trump is delaying his decision on U.S. involvement in the military confrontation between Israel and Iran. Our Moon Hye-ryeon reports. Seven days into Israel's military campaign against Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, cross-border attacks are escalating. On Thursday morning local time, an Iranian missile struck Israel's main southern hospital, causing what officials described as "extensive damage." This came as Israel targeted a heavy water reactor southwest of the Iranian capital, with Iranian state media reporting that the facility had been evacuated ahead of the strike and that no civilian areas were affected. Israel had issued a warning earlier in the day, stating its intention to strike the site and urging residents to evacuate. The latest air assaults come amid uncertainty over possible U.S. involvement in the conflict. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday local time, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he had yet to make a final call, and he would hold off doing so for now. "I have ideas as to what to do, but I haven't made it final. I'd like to make the final decision one second before it's due, you know, because things change. I mean, especially with war, things change with war, it can go from one extreme to the other." Shortly afterwards, he convened a second White House Situation Room meeting in as many days to discuss the agenda with his national security advisers. The talks lasted for around an hour, and it is not yet clear what was discussed or whether any decisions were made. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump told senior aides late Tuesday that he had approved plans for a potential military strike on Iran, but decided to pause, hoping Tehran might still give up its nuclear program. Earlier in the day, Trump claimed that Iran had proposed to come to the White House to begin negotiations, and once again, called for "unconditional surrender." In response, Iran's diplomatic mission to the United Nations in New York hit back on social media by saying that "No Iranian official has asked to grovel at the gates of the White House," followed by a message from Iran's supreme leader himself. "The Iranian nation stands firm against the imposed war – as it has stood so far – and stands firm against the imposed peace. The Iranian nation will not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition." As tensions intensify, nations are moving to evacuate their own nationals from Israel. The U.S. State Department has started pulling out non-essential diplomats and is arranging evacuation flights and ships for American citizens, while China is also working to evacuate its citizens. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Trump holds off decision on U.S. military involvement in Israel-Iran conflict

2025/06/19 10:00

As Washington deliberates its role in the conflict between Israel and Iran, global attention is on unfolding developments and the potential for further escalation. Our Moon Hye-ryeon has the details. U.S. President Donald Trump kept the international community on edge with an ambiguous response to whether Washington would join Israel's military campaign against Iranian nuclear sites. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday local time, he said that he had yet to make a final call, and he would hold off doing so for now. "I have ideas as to what to do, but I haven't made it final. I'd like to make the final decision one second before it's due, you know, because things change. I mean, especially with war, things change with war, it can go from one extreme to the other." Shortly afterwards, he convened a second White House Situation Room meeting in as many days to discuss the agenda with his national security advisers. The talks lasted for around an hour, and it is not yet clear what was discussed or whether any decisions were made. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump told senior aides late Tuesday that he had approved plans for a potential military strike on Iran, but decided to pause, hoping Tehran might still give up its nuclear program. Earlier in the day, Trump claimed that Iran had proposed to come to the White House to begin negotiations, and once again, called for "unconditional surrender". In response, Iran's diplomatic mission to the United Nations in New York hit back on social media by saying that "No Iranian official has asked to grovel at the gates of the White House," followed by a message from Iran's supreme leader himself. "The Iranian nation stands firm against the imposed war – as it has stood so far – and stands firm against the imposed peace. The Iranian nation will not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition." In the meantime, Israel downgraded its domestic security level on the assessment that Tehran's retaliatory capabilities have weakened after days of intense airstrikes. Israeli authorities have also begun operating return flights for Israeli citizens abroad, while other nations move to evacuate their own nationals from Israel. The U.S. State Department has started pulling out non-essential diplomats and is arranging evacuation flights and ships for American citizens, while China is also working to evacuate its citizens. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Germany’s Merz sparks criticism for respecting Israel’s courage for ‘doing dirty work for us’ in Iran

2025/06/19 10:00

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing growing criticism at home after saying on Tuesday that Israel is doing the West's "dirty work" by striking Iran's nuclear facilities. Speaking on the sidelines of the G7 summit, Merz praised Israel's actions as "courageous," saying he has the "greatest respect" for its military campaign against Iran. The comments have stirred backlash among German lawmakers and human-rights advocates. Critics argue Merz is normalizing targeted strikes that bypass international diplomacy and risk violating international law. However, Merz defended his stance, saying he stands by his remarks, though he declined to address criticisms directly.

'New standard' for Asian, other allies' defense spending: Pentagon chief

2025/06/19 10:00

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said there will be a "new standard" for Asian and other allies' defense spending. This comes amid speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump may call for a hike in South Korea's share of defense spending. Lee Seung-jae has more. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there will be a "new standard" for defense spending for Asian and other U.S. allies, as the Pentagon chief reiterated U.S. President Donald Trump's call for NATO members to raise defense spending to five percent of GDP. Speaking to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, Hegseth stressed that the U.S. cannot want the allies' security "more than they do." He also said NATO heads must commit to spending five percent of GDP on defense at the NATO heads of state meeting next week. The comments from the Pentagon chief come amid speculation that Trump might raise South Korea's defense spending or its share of the cost of stationing U.S. Forces Korea. Currently, South Korea's defense spending stands at around two-point-five percent of its GDP. Meanwhile, during a forum hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Wednesday, U.S. Senator Andy Kim said that the current administration's reported consideration to decrease USFK presence in South Korea is a "perfect" way to derail the Seoul-Washington relationship, especially "at a critically important moment" for the alliance. The Korean-American senator also stressed that failing to treat U.S. allies and partners differently from adversaries is a "huge" mistake,.. adding that it will cause unnecessary friction. At the same forum, former deputy secretary of state during the Joe Biden administration, Kurt Campbell warned that any substantial adjustments to the USFK troop level could be "misinterpreted" as a sign of reduced security commitment from Washington. Campbell warned that any steps that would lower the troop presence in South Korea could lead to a "crisis in confidence." The Wall Street Journal last month reported that the Pentagon was considering the idea of withdrawing some 45-hundred USFK troops to other locations in the Indo-Pacific to better calibrate U.S. force posture in Korea to deter China. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

U.S. resumes visas for international students, but demands access to social media accounts

2025/06/19 10:00

The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday that it's resuming the process for foreigners to apply for student visas. However,.. in the public notice the state department said that new applicants who refuse to set their social media accounts to "public" and allow them to be reviewed may be rejected. The department added that consular officers will look for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile to the U.S., its government, culture, institutions or founding principles. Washington last month temporarily suspended the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students, while preparing its social media screening process.

President Lee Jae Myung returns from first overseas trip to Canada

2025/06/19 10:00

President Lee Jae Myung returned to South Korea early this morning, following a three-day trip to Canada to attend the G7 Summit. Korea's Air Force One landed at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam City just after 1 AM. President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung were welcomed by presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik and senior secretary for political affairs Woo Sang-ho. Later this afternoon, the president is scheduled to preside over a Cabinet meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office.

S. Korea, U.S., Japan hold combined air exercise for first time since Pres. Lee took office

2025/06/18 20:00

For the first time under the Lee administration, South Korea, the United States, and Japan held combined air drills on Wednesday morning, in waters off the southern part of Jeju Island. This also marked the first joint air exercises since January. Two South Korea F-15K fighter jets, six U.S. F-16s, and two Japanese F-2s participated. The drills were conducted to boost trilateral security cooperation to deter North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats, the Air Force said, and added that it plans to continue three-way drills on the back of a firm Seoul-Washington alliance.

Pyongyang to send 6,000 personnel to Russia for reconstruction; Seoul condemns move

2025/06/18 20:00

North Korea is dispatching at least 6 thousand military personnel to Russia so that they can help rebuild a Russian city damaged by its war with Ukraine. The deployment marks a new phase in Pyongyang's deepening partnership with Moscow, and it's drawing concerns from Seoul. Kim Jung-sil reports. North Korea is sending thousands of military construction workers to Russia's Kursk region: including 5,000 construction workers to rebuild damaged infrastructure and 1,000 sappers to clear the area of landmines. The decision was announced by Russia's top security official, Sergei Shoigu after he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on Tuesday afternoon , their second meeting in just two weeks. "It's a gesture of brotherly support from the North Korean people and their leader, Kim Jong-un." North Korea is believed to have already sent some 12,000 combat troops to Russia's Kursk region since October. South Korean intelligence says around 600 have been killed, with total casualties nearing 4,700. Analysts say Pyongyang's support isn't without strings , and it's likely expecting a payoff. "North Korea will likely get advanced systems like the Pantsir air defense weapon and reconnaissance satellite technology." Professor Kim added that Pyongyang will also likely receive oil and food supplies in return , crucial support as it struggles under sanctions and isolation. Other analysts say the visit also reflects shared concerns over Washington's recent signals regarding the situation in the Middle East. "With Trump doubling down on saying Iran must never get nuclear weapons, Russia may be reassuring North Korea , which has taken real risks for Moscow and still wants full recognition as a nuclear power." Pyongyang gave no details on the new deployment but said the two sides exchanged views on global and regional issues and reached full consensus. A South Korean presidential office official on Wednesday called the deployment "concerning" and said Seoul "does not support it". Earlier, the Foreign Ministry said the employment of North Korean workers abroad violates UN Security Council resolutions and called on Pyongyang and Moscow to halt their cooperation. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Israel-Iran conflict continues as Trump warns Iran while U.S. involvement in question

2025/06/18 20:00

The Middle East conflict intensifies as Israel and Iran exchange strikes on the sixth consecutive day. Lee Eun-hee has the latest. A new wave of strikes has shaken cities in both Israel and Iran as the conflict between the two countries enters its sixth day. U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for Iran's "unconditional surrender," declaring that the U.S now holds "complete and total control of the skies over Iran." He also said that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is "an easy target," and that America's "patience is wearing thin." Not backing down, Iran's supreme leader posted on social media early Wednesday, declaring to Israel that "The battle begins." Following his warning to Iran, the U.S. President held a National Security Council meeting in Washington after abruptly leaving the G7 summit a day early on Monday. The White House has yet to provide an official statement following the 80-minute meeting, but CNN reports that officials familiar with the discussions say Trump is weighing options and growing more open to using U.S. military assets to strike Iranian nuclear facilities and that he spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Amid the possibility of change in Trump's approach, sources say he is still open to a diplomatic solution if Iran is willing to make concessions. According to Reuters, meanwhile, fighter aircraft have been deployed to the Middle East already, although U.S. military officials have emphasized their defensive nature. So far, Washington's involvement in the conflict has remained defensive, supporting Israel by helping intercept Iranian missile attacks. The pressing question is whether the United States will intervene in the Israel-Iran conflict with military support or push for a diplomatic resolution, as civilians flee and the death toll continues to rise. According to Iranian state media, more than 2-hundred-20 people have been killed since Israel began bombing Iran on Friday. Iranian attacks on Israel have resulted in at least 24 deaths. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

[Politics & Diplomacy] President Lee ends diplomatic freeze with first overseas trip

2025/06/18 20:00

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is currently on his way back home after wrapping up his first overseas trip, attending the G7 Summit in Canada. 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, Dami. 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 on Tuesday. That's right. He held one-on-ones with six 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 Brazil, Mexico, India, and the European Union, where economic cooperation was high on the agenda. And President Lee's summit diplomacy began on Monday with other G7 invitees. That's right. He kicked off his visit with meetings with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, also focusing on economic and security cooperation. Throughout his bilateral meetings with a total of nine heads of state, 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." 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, but President Lee's attendance hasn't been confirmed. We'll be watching that closely. Yoo-jin, thank you for the wrap-up today. My pleasure.