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Court rejected Yoon's request to delay Thursday's impeachment hearing, starts full-fledged trial
2025/01/16 17:00
Moving forward. The second hearing of the impeachment case against President Yoon Suk Yeol took place as scheduled despite a request for postponement placed by the president's defense team amid his arrest the day prior. For details I have Oh Soo-young standing by live. Soo-young let's start with the prosecution's allegations and the defense team's arguments. There were strong clashes over whether President Yoon's martial law order on December third could be justified, with each side accusing the other of abusing power and undermining the nation's Constitutional order. The National Assembly's panel presented five grounds for impeachment, saying that Yoon's decree threatened the country's Constitution and democracy. They argued there were no conditions that justified a martial law decree, which can be triggered by the President under the Constitution,.. only in times of national crises such as war or akin to war. The panel also said Yoon violated the procedure of declaring the decree, by not having properly gone through Cabinet approval. Panel members further claimed Yoon tried to paralyze the functions of parliament by aiming to prevent a motion to lift martial law, and tried to block political activities, gatherings, and press freedom. The Assembly's side further said Yoon tried to undermine the independence of the National Election Commission, and tried to detain judicial figures. Meanwhile, Yoon's lawyers questioned the impeachment process, and emphasized the context in which the President felt forced to declare the fateful decree. The lawyers insisted that the President was initiating peaceful martial law against the opposition-led parliament's series of attacks and impeachment motions against the incumbent government. They also argued that martial law should not be subject to judicial review, calling it an act of governance that can be exercised by the president. Yoon's side also raised suspicions about election fraud, and claimed it was the President's obligation to try to protect the Constitutional order from the National Election Commission which refused investigations. The team reiterated their position that the National Assembly's move to remove debate over insurrection from the trial, undermines its legitimacy, as the Assembly cited insurrection as a major reason for impeachment in their resolution. And for very clear reasons this second hearing also proceeded in the absence of the president right Soo-young ? That's right. The Court rejected Yoon's request to postpone the second trial hearing given his 48-hour detainment that began on Wednesday. Court press officer Cheon Jaehyun said the full bench of justices decided the reason Yoon presented did not justify a rescheduling. She said since the trial has already begun, any objections to its commencement can be considered implicitly dismissed, adding that the scheduling is at the Court's discretion. Regarding the President's request to challenge the legality of a second warrant to detain him for questioning, the Constitutional Court stated that it would continue to deliberate on the matter. The next trial hearing for President Yoon's impeachment will be held next Tuesday at 2 PM. All right Soo-young thank you for that coverage. That was our Oh Soo-young reporting live from the Constitutional Court.
Pres. Yoon spent first night at Seoul Detention Center after being questioned
2025/01/16 17:00
And President Yoon Suk Yeol has become the first sitting president to spend a night at a detention center following his arrest on allegations of insurrection. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. President Yoon Suk Yeol was taken to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi-do Province at 9:50 PM on Wednesday, where he spent his first night in a cell to himself. Yoon was taken by car from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials after 10 hours of questioning. This unprecedented situation, with a sitting president being detained, has raised questions about security at the prison, but no specific rules are in place. The Presidential Security Service has reportedly discussed security measures with the detention center. However, an official from the Ministry of Justice said discussions about Yoon's security are confidential and cannot be confirmed. The room, about 10 square meters, is reported to have a toilet, toilet, television, foldable mattress, and other essentials. There is no bed, but the floor is heated, with CCTV monitoring the room. Former Presidents Roh Tae-woo and Park Geun-hye were held at this Detention Center, and currently, former minor opposition party leader Cho Kuk , sentenced for academic fraud involving his children, is serving time there. Yoon's breakfast on Thursday morning included cereal, boiled eggs, nuts, and milk. Until a decision is made on another type of arrest warrant seeking a longer period of detention, Yoon will be moving back and forth between the CIO for questioning, and the detention center. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PRESIDENT'S ARREST
2025/01/16 17:30
Welcome to Press Perspective for this Thursday January 16th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. Today we start with the latest on the local political front amid the president's arrest and trial before touching upon the economic impact of this leadership vacuum. For more I have Steven Borowiec with Nikkei Asia here in the studio. Steven welcome back. I also have Professor Kim Yong-Jin at Sogang University with us virtually. Professor Kim it's good to have you on. 1) Steven, let's begin with latest from the Constitutional Court where a second hearing took place this afternoon for the impeachment trial against the president. 2) Meanwhile, Steven, what are some of the updates surrounding the arrest of the president by anti-corruption investigators for questioning yesterday? 3) Professor Kim, what have been the economic repercussions of Korea's political unrest? 4) Professor Kim, the Bank of Korea today decided to hold steady its benchmark interest rate at 3 percent. 5) Steven, a major variable for the Korean economy this year is the shift in U.S. trade policy. 6) Professor Kim, Mr. Trump had earlier floated the idea of imposing blanket tariffs of between 10% and 20% on all U.S. imports. 7) Steven, Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Group has been seeking to better reach out to the incoming Trump administration amid tariff concerns. 8) Professor Kim, Hyundai invested heavily in the U.S. to qualify for EV tax credits under the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act. 9) Steven, one Korean industry that has its fingers crossed for brighter prospects under Mr. Trump is the shipbuilding industry here. 10) And Professor Kim, what more can you tell us about Korea's shipbuilding industry? 11) Meanwhile, Steven, back on Trump tariffs. 12) Here in Korea, Professor Kim, the central bank earlier claimed "Trump tariffs pose a greater threat to Korea's economy than its political turmoil." 13) Steven, some foreign media have suggested Korea may look into boosting energy imports from the U.S. to appease Mr. Trump. 14) Professor Kim, what are your thoughts on ways for Korea to navigate the Trump administration's protectionist trade policy? All right.
Yoon rejects questioning on day 2, says he has said all he has to say
2025/01/16 10:00
1. And the questioning for President Yoon will resume this afternoon, investigators say. We go live to our Kim Do-yeon at the investigators' office. Do-yeon, while today is supposed to be the second day of questioning it's unclear whether President Yoon will be coming from Seoul Detention Center at all. Good morning Dami, that's right. As you said, today was supposed to be day two of questions for President Yoon on charges of insurrection due to his declaration of martial law last month. But it's unclear whether the session which was initially set to start here at 2 PM will happen today. Now according to reports, President Yoon's representatives initially asked for a delay to the start of questioning today due to health issues but have now stated that Yoon has nothing more to say and say he won't take questions. What seems to be a lack of cooperation from Yoon reflects his stance on the investigation from the beginning. He's called it illegal as he says the CIO does not have the investigative authority over insurrection charges. And as he left the presidential residence yesterday morning he said he only gave into investigators and was detained to prevent any unfortunate clashes between the investigators and the Presidential Security Service. 2. Now, walk us through the first day of the questioning. Nearly 11 hours of questioning? President Yoon spent ten hours and forty minutes here at the CIO yesterday starting from 11 AM. Prosecutors at the CIO have been questioning Yoon about his motives and the preparation process for the declaration of martial law back in December AND what his specific orders were when the military raided the National Assembly and the National Election Commission. among others. What we know so far is that he's remained silent for the most part, and if he moves to the CIO for questioning he will likely continue to do so today as well. The CIO has to be mindful of time. The warrant issued by the court only gives them 48 hours to detain President Yoon, and based on the questioning they will request for a warrant that will allow them to detain President Yoon for up to 20 days. All that needs to be done by Friday morning as Yoon's detention started around 10 AM yesterday. 3. And pro and anti-Yoon protesters are now arriving at the investigators' office. How are things looking there at the moment? That's right Dami, while as you said President Yoon may not even come here today it hasn't stopped these protesters. They have been here since early in the morning and from what I can tell at the moment there are dozens of President Yoon supporters. The Police started forming these barriers around the CIO to prevent any incidents with buses as well. Of course overnight near here there was an incident when someone set themself on fire. The person is in critical condition, and it's unknown whether the action was in support of or against President Yoon. That's all for now, back to you Dami.
China slams U.S. trade restrictions, vows to protect its interests
2025/01/16 10:00
Over in China, the Ministry of Commerce issued a statement denouncing recent U.S. trade restrictions, particularly those targeting China's semiconductor industry. It said the Biden Administration's expansion of export controls, were economic coercion and a violation of international trade rules. The commerce ministry spokesperson added that such measures disrupt global supply chains, and harm the interests of both Chinese and American companies. This follows the U.S. Commerce Department's recent addition of several Chinese tech firms to its export control list, aiming to limit China's access to advanced semiconductor technologies.
Trump nominee Pam Bondi vows to uphold Justice Dept. independence
2025/01/16 10:00
Let's begin today with the U.S. attorney general nominee's confirmation hearing. With Donald Trump's inauguration just around the corner, we're seeing a series of these hearings for the nominees for key positions. Right. President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, vowing to maintain the Justice Department's independence. Bondi, who previously served as Florida's Attorney General from 2011 to 2019, said she will not allow politics to influence her decisions and that her duty is to uphold the rule of law. While Democratic senators expressed concerns about her close ties to Trump, particularly her role as his lawyer during his 2020 impeachment trial and her comments related to the 2020 election, Republican senators voiced confidence in her confirmation. Bondi also emphasized that her overriding objective would be to keep Americans safe and get back to basics.
Pres. Yoon spent first night at Seoul Detention Center after being questioned
2025/01/16 10:00
President Yoon wrapped up the first day of questioning before being moved to Seoul Detention Center. That will be his home until questioning by investigators comes to an end. Our Shin Ha-young has the details. President Yoon Suk Yeol was taken to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi-do Province at 9:50 PM on Wednesday, where he spent his first night in a cell to himself. Yoon was taken by car from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials after 10 hours of questioning. This unprecedented situation, with a sitting president being detained, has raised questions about security at the prison, but no specific rules are in place. The Presidential Security Service has reportedly discussed security measures with the detention center. However, an official from the Ministry of Justice said discussions about Yoon's security are confidential and cannot be confirmed. The room, about 10 square meters, is reported to have a toilet, toilet, television, foldable mattress, and other essentials. There is no bed, but the floor is heated, with CCTV monitoring the room. Former Presidents Roh Tae-woo and Park Geun-hye were held at this Detention Center, and currently, former minor opposition party leader Cho Kuk , sentenced for academic fraud involving his children, is serving time there. Yoon's breakfast on Thursday morning included cereal, boiled eggs, nuts, and milk. Until a decision is made on another type of arrest warrant seeking a longer period of detention, Yoon will be moving back and forth between the CIO for questioning, and the detention center. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.
Yoon Suk Yeol becomes first sitting president of S. Korea to be arrested
2025/01/16 10:00
For the first time in the nation's history, a sitting South Korean president was arrested and taken in for questioning. It took just over 40 days for President Yoon to be arrested as part of the investigation into his martial law declaration. Bae Eun-ji reports. At around 10:30 AM, President Yoon was arrested at his presidential residence in central Seoul, marking a historic moment in South Korea's political landscape. He was arrested after a 7-hour standoff, with the operation to arrest him beginning in the early morning hours of Wednesday, at around 3:20 AM. This came 43 days after Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law on December 3rd making him the first sitting president to become arrested in South Korea's history. This was the second time that the anti-corruption investigators tried to arrest President Yoon, but unlike the first arrest attempt two weeks ago, Wednesday's attempt succeeded without any physical encounters. It was carried out rather peacefully, as the presidential bodyguards showed almost no resistance. Investigators passed through defense lines in the residence by using ladders to go over the buses that were parked as barricades and the team managed to secure entry without any major incidents. But, the 64-year-old leader, who has repeatedly said his arrest warrant is not legally valid, did not admit that he was "arrested." Rather, he said in a video message on Wednesday that he agreed to cooperate with anti-corruption authorities to prevent "bloodshed," adding that the rule of law has "completely collapsed" after his detention. "To prevent any unfortunate bloodshed, I have decided to appear before the CIO, even though this investigation is illegal." On social media, he posted another defiant message a hand-written letter insisting once again, that the imposition of martial law is not a crime, and that it's only an exercise of presidential authority to overcome a national crisis. Throughout Wednesday, thousands of Koreans protested for, and against the president. Angry supporters of President Yoon rallied overnight, holding up signs that said they would fight with the president. Around 30 of them even laid down on the roads, and some were seen crying. SOV: "We will protect him!" Meanwhile, those against Yoon also came out to protest. SOV: "Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol!" After the impeached leader was arrested, anti-Yoon protesters cheered, while Yoon's supporters were seen crying and wailing. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.
Live: President Yoon's lawyers ask Constitutional Court to delay impeachment trial due to his arrest
2025/01/16 10:00
The second hearing of President Yoon's impeachment trial takes place today, after justices adjourned the first meeting due to his nonappearance. Given his arrest on Wednesday, his lawyers have asked for the hearing to be rescheduled. We now head over to the Constitutional Court with our Oh Soo-young standing by. 1. Sooyoung, for obvious reasons, the President cannot attend Thursday's trial. That's right. President Yoon's legal team has requested the Constitutional Court to postpone the second impeachment trial hearing, scheduled for 2PM on Thursday. This came after the President's detainment and interrogation by state investigators from Wednesday morning until late into the night. Yoon's lawyers reportedly claimed that holding a hearing during his detention violates his right to go to court as the respondent. As he already missed his first session,. if he does not attend Thursday's hearing, justices can proceed to begin a full-fledged trial without him. We have yet to hear whether the Court will agree to postpone the session, but if it goes ahead, we're likely to see strong protests from Yoon's lawyers. The trial already has had a rocky start, with the President's legal team filing a series of objections to the Court. These include an objection to the first hearing, and the Court's decision to fix five hearing dates without consultation both of which the panel rejected. Yoon's side has also objected to the Court's decision to accept ongoing investigation records as evidence, saying this violates trial rules. His team has further cited security concerns in attending the trial, filing for an injunction against arrest warrants by state investigators. 2. Remind us of the key points and arguments expected to the raised in the trial. Sure, but at this point it's hard to expect smooth debates with organised arguments, as President Yoon's team and the National Assembly's panel trying to impeach him failed to narrow their differences over the main grounds of argument in two pre-trial hearings. Initially, the National Assembly set out four or five main grounds for impeachment including the declaration of martial law on December 3, and various actions which they claim disrupted the Constitutional order. In a written response to the Court on Tuesday, Yoon's team claimed martial law was justified due to "suspicions of election fraud," and the opposition-led parliament sabotaging governance, among other reasons that put the country in a "state of crisis" akin to war or a national emergency. But the biggest point of contention continues to be whether 'insurrection' stands as a main ground for impeachment. The National Assembly's panel withdrew it from their argument, as they want to speed up the verdict. But Yoon's side argues that the Assembly cited insurrection as a major reason for impeachment in their resolution, so removing it from the debate undermines the trial's legitimacy. Court justices have been 'comprehensively reviewing' the matter, but until now, they have been focusing speeding up the trial. Thank you for keeping us updated Sooyoung.
Israel, Hamas agree to six-week ceasefire, hostage release deal
2025/01/16 10:00
A ceasefire deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas. The six-week ceasefire will begin Sunday, and includes the exchange of prisoners and hostages. Lee Seung-jae has more. Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal, that will put a halt to the conflict in Gaza for six weeks beginning on Sunday. Qatar's Prime Minister announced the ceasefire deal on Wednesday, adding his hope that the pause in fighting will lead to an eventual permanent ceasefire. "Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United States, are happy to announce the success of joint mediation efforts in order to reach a deal between the parties in conflict in the Gaza territory to exchange prisoners and hostages, and a return to a prolonged truce that achieves a permanent ceasefire between the two sides." As part of the ceasefire deal, the Palestinian militant group is expected to release 33 Israeli hostages initially. In exchange, Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli hostage, and 50 Palestinian prisoners for every one of the five female Israeli soldiers being held in Gaza. Within the first 42 days of the deal, females and hostages under 19 years old will be released. They make up the 33 Israeli hostages mentioned in the agreement. Reports say some 1-thousand-650 Palestinian prisoners could be released as part of the deal. Pundits say the growing pressure to have Israeli hostages returned home forced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to the ceasefire deal, while others say the election of Donald Trump was behind it. However,.. both Trump and U.S. President Joe Biden were quick to take credit. Speaking from the White House on Wednesday, Biden said the deal was reached under "the precise contours" of a plan he set out in May last year. Biden added that the ceasefire deal was the result of "painstaking American diplomacy." On the other hand, Trump took to Truth Social to say that the ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of his "Historic Victory" in November. Biden says negotiations will continue beyond the latest temporary ceasefire to phase two of the deal, that could include a permanent halt to the conflict in Gaza. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
Expert discussion on North Korea's continued military provocations, impact on regional security
2025/01/15 20:00
Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring you today's most pressing issues from across the globe, I'm Kim Mok-yeon. North Korea continues with its provocative military actions, launching another short-range ballistic missile this week. The launch, which came Tuesday, was the second provocation of the regime this year and comes just eight days since its last launch. Experts are closely analyzing the regime's strategic motives, its involvement in the Ukraine war, and its potential engagement with the upcoming Trump administration in the U.S. As tensions rise, key questions surround how South Korea, the U.S., and the international community should respond to safeguard security and stability in the region. For a deeper analysis into this, we connect to Go Myong-hyun, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy. Welcome. Also joining us is Evans Revere, Former Acting Assistant Secretary of State and Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Program at Brookings. Great to have you with us. 1. (Go) So Dr. Go, just yesterday, North Korea launched short-range ballistic missiles ahead of Trump's inauguration. The last time it held a hypersonic missile test, I recall you told us it was more about domestic interests. What about this time? Do you think the provocations seek to send a message? 2. (Revere) In a recent statement, North Korea declared it would pursue the "toughest" counteraction strategy toward the U.S., especially in response to the growing military bloc with South Korea and Japan. What kind of strategy could we expect from N. Korea during the second Trump term? 3. (Go) How about you? With the possibility of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump seeking renewed engagement with Kim Jong-un in his second term, what kind of diplomatic approaches do you think could emerge, and what challenges might arise in any future negotiations? 4. (Go) Given North Korea's aggressive rhetoric and military actions, what steps should South Korea and the international community take to ensure that any future nuclear negotiations avoid sidelining South Korean interests? 5. (Revere) Moving on to the situation in Ukraine, President Zelenskyy recently emphasized that Russia is heavily reliant on North Korea's military support. How do you view North Korea's involvement in the Ukraine conflict? 6. (Revere) Ukraine has proposed a prisoner exchange involving North Korean soldiers captured in the conflict. The soldiers say they weren't told ahead that they would be participating in the war. What implications could this have for North Korea's internal propaganda? 7. (Go) How do you expect North Korea to respond to the news of its soldiers being captured and publicly displayed by Ukraine, and do you think they would accept the offer? 8. (Revere) Reports indicate that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is considering a visit to Russia this spring. How might this visit strengthen North Korea's strategic ties with Russia, and what impact could it have on regional dynamics, particularly with South Korea and the U.S.? 9. (Go) North Korea's military strength has been ranked 34th globally, with notable advancements in areas like submarine and fighter fleet strength. How do these rankings reflect North Korea's military strategy and its position in regional security? 10. (Revere) So we are aware that the regime wants to be recognized as a nuclear-armed state. Do you think this is the main reason for the regime's efforts to develop both nuclear and conventional military capabilities? What can the international community do to maintain non-proliferation efforts?
Yoon Suk Yeol becomes first sitting president of S. Korea to be arrested
2025/01/15 20:00
Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. It was a scene that has not happened here in this country until this day. The sitting president was arrested and taken in for questioning, after an hours-long standoff that started early in the morning. During the event, there was no clash. Bae Eun-ji begins our coverage. At around 10:30 AM, President Yoon was arrested at his presidential residence in central Seoul, marking a historic moment in South Korea's political landscape. He was arrested after a 7-hour standoff, with the operation to arrest him beginning in the early morning hours of Wednesday, at around 3:20 AM. This came 43 days after Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law on December 3rd making him the first sitting president to become arrested in South Korea's history. This was the second time that the anti-corruption investigators tried to arrest President Yoon, but unlike the first arrest attempt two weeks ago, Wednesday's attempt succeeded without any physical encounters. It was carried out rather peacefully, as the presidential bodyguards showed almost no resistance. Investigators passed through defense lines in the residence by using ladders to go over the buses that were parked as barricades and the team managed to secure entry without any major incidents. But, the 64-year-old leader, who has repeatedly said his arrest warrant is not legally valid, did not admit that he was "arrested." Rather, he said in a video message on Wednesday that he agreed to cooperate with anti-corruption authorities to prevent "bloodshed," adding that the rule of law has "completely collapsed" after his detention. "To prevent any unfortunate bloodshed, I have decided to appear before the CIO, even though this investigation is illegal." On social media, he posted another defiant message a hand-written letter --insisting once again, that the imposition of martial law is not a crime, and that it's only an exercise of presidential authority to overcome a national crisis. Throughout Wednesday, thousands of Koreans protested for, and against the president. Angry supporters of President Yoon rallied overnight, holding up signs that said they would fight with the president. Around 30 of them even laid down on the roads, and some were seen crying. "We will protect him!" Meanwhile, those against Yoon also came out to protest. "Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol!" After the impeached leader was arrested, anti-Yoon protesters cheered, while Yoon's supporters were seen crying and wailing. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire close: Blinken
2025/01/15 20:00
In the Middle East. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken claims Israel and Hamas are close to a cease fire deal for Gaza and that the ball is now in the latter's court. Lee Seung-jae reports. After over a year of fighting, Israel and Hamas may finally agree to a ceasefire deal. According to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, a ceasefire deal is "closer than it's ever been before." "Over the past several weeks, our intensive efforts have brought us to the brink of full and final agreement. On Sunday (January 12), the United States, Qatar and Egypt put forward a final proposal. The ball is now in Hamas's court. If Hamas accepts the deal is ready to be concluded and implemented, I believe we will get a ceasefire." Speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington, the top U.S. envoy also laid out the plan, in which he says a reformed Palestinian Authority would lead Gaza and bring in international partners to help establish and run an interim government. Blinken added that the Biden administration will hand over the post-war management plan for Gaza to President-elect Donald Trump's team. This would include details of an interim security mission, including international forces and Palestinians. The Associated Press says that Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire, as well as the release of dozens of hostages. According to officials involved in the negotiation, the talks are in their final stages. The call for a ceasefire is also coming from a small number of Israeli soldiers, who are refusing to fight if a ceasefire agreement isn't reached. Some 200 soldiers signed a letter, vowing to stop fighting if the Israeli government didn't secure a ceasefire. The troops say they want others to come forward. Speaking to the Associated Press, a number of soldiers said the declaration comes as Palestinians were indiscriminately killed during the 15-month long conflict, with many soldiers being ordered to burn or destroy homes that posed no threat. Meanwhile, on Tuesday night thousands gathered at Tel Aviv's Hostages Square, a public plaza located in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, where families of the hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attack have made camp. Protesters sang and played music on stage, with those present anticipating a ceasefire deal that would finally bring back their loved ones. Ninety-four hostages are still being held by Hamas since being taken on October 7, 2023. The 15-month-long conflict has also led to the death of over 45-thousand Palestinians. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
S. Korea, U.S., Japan hold joint aerial drills involving B-1B bomber to counter N. Korean threats
2025/01/15 20:00
Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo held joint aerial drills earlier on this Wednesday. The exercise involved the U.S.'s B-1B strategic bomber, South Korea's F-15K, and Japan's F-2 fighters. According to the Defense Ministry here, the drills come as part of efforts to counter North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats, including its most recent series of ballistic missile tests.
U.S. Defense Secretary nominee calls North Korea a "nuclear power" and threat to global stability
2025/01/15 20:00
The incoming Trump administration's defense chief nominee Pete Hegseth has called North Korea a "nuclear power." Washington has refrained from this phrase amid concerns that it legitimizes the regime's illicit weapons program. Lee Eun-hee reports. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, described North Korea as a threat to global stability, calling it a "nuclear power." Hegseth made the comments in reply to advanced policy questions submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee ahead of his confirmation hearing for the role of 29th Secretary of Defense. Hegseth wrote that North Korea's nuclear weapons, missile development, and growing cyber capabilities threaten stability in the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific, and globally. He added that the threat is especially concerning due to North Korea's proximity to U.S. allies hosting American troops, and if confirmed, he will request both classified and unclassified briefings on the DPRK threat. His use of "nuclear power" differs from the term "nuclear weapon state" under international law, as it includes countries with nuclear weapons that are not officially recognized as countries with nuclear weapons. With him potentially running the U.S. Department of Defense, overseeing over 3 million people and a budget of nearly 9 hundred billion U.S. dollars, Hegseth's remarks signal a clear recognition of the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear capabilities. He also said he plans to reassess the readiness of U.S. military forces globally and ensure adequate funding to strengthen U.S. posture and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. This suggests the Trump administration may seek higher defense contributions from South Korea for U.S. forces stationed in the country. Regarding China's military threat, Hegseth emphasized the need for greater global burden-sharing, along with increased investment in the U.S. defense industrial base. Hegseth emphasized that strong alliances require mutual responsibility and cannot be one-sided, noting that the U.S. will push for increased defense spending and burden-sharing from allies. He also said that strengthening these partnerships through consistent cooperation is key to enhancing mutual trust. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.
Rival parties show mixed reactions to Yoon's arrest
2025/01/15 20:00
As widely expected, the responses at the National Assembly to the president's arrest are bitterly divided between the ruling and opposition parties. Our Correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. After President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday morning, the rival political parties urgently convened meetings. The ruling People Power Party criticized investigators for executing a so-called "unlawful arrest warrant," adding that the party would hold the CIO accountable for this. "The CIO and police executed an unlawful warrant, with a complicit judiciary. The opposition party pressured both the CIO and the NOI. History will inevitably record this." Floor leader Kweon Seong-dong stated that it was embarrassing for the public and damaged the country's dignity. Regarding the citizen who was injured during the CIO's execution of the warrant, Kweon said the party would hold both the CIO and the National Office of Investigation responsible. The PPP filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office against Oh Dong-woon, head of the CIO, and NOI chief Woo Jong-soo, for abuse of power, and unlawful arrest and detention. Ahead of Yoon's arrest, some PPP lawmakers gathered outside the presidential residence, and it was later confirmed that a few met with President Yoon inside. According to attendees, Yoon expressed doubts about continuing the remaining two-and-a-half years of his term, questioning its purpose under the current circumstances. He noted that whether he stayed at the residence or in custody, his freedom of movement would still be restricted, and suggested that the latter might be the better option. However, the main opposition Democratic Party welcomed the arrest, saying that this marked the first step to restoring the constitutional order and democracy, and upholding the rule of law. "Though delayed, it's reassuring to see that justice and public authority are still alive in South Korea." DP Floor Leader Park Chan-dae urged the CIO to fully investigate Yoon on insurrection charges. The DP also pressured the PPP to address a bill for a special investigation into President Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law. Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik expressed relief on Wednesday that the arrest warrant was executed without clashes. Woo said that with the president's arrest, efforts should now be focused on stabilizing current state affairs and improving the people's livelihoods. Woo also expressed his commitment to advancing a bill for a special investigation into President Yoon's brief imposition of martial law. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.
President Yoon arrested: What’s next in the unfolding political crisis?
2025/01/15 20:00
Now, for more on what lies ahead for President Yoon following his arrest, we have Kim Jung-sil here in the studio. Jung-sil, welcome. Thank you for having me. Right then do walk us through the protocols ahead for the president given his arrest by anti-corruption investigators earlier this morning. Certainly. After questioning by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), President Yoon will be transferred to Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi-do Province, where he will likely be held in solitary confinement. The CIO must decide by Friday whether to request a detention warrant for President Yoon or release him. Under South Korean law, the CIO has 48 hours to request a detention warrant — until 10:33 a.m. on January 17. An arrest warrant allows custody for this amount of time, but a detention warrant extends this period during an ongoing investigation. If granted, the CIO and prosecution will split the investigation period, each conducting inquiries for 10 days. If denied, Yoon will be released but remain under investigation. Given that this involves a sitting president, the legal and political stakes are high. President Yoon and his legal team argue that his arrest and the investigation are illegal. What are the grounds for these claims? Jungmin, some legal experts support Yoon's claims, but others strongly disagree. Let's break it down. Let's hear from Professor Chang Young-soo from Korea University, who explains the basis of the legal arguments from Yoon's lawyers. "First, the CIO does not have the authority to investigate insurrection charges. Second, there's an issue with the warrant request — jurisdiction belongs to the Seoul Central District Court, so why was it filed with the Seoul Western District Court?" However, other experts dismiss these claims. Take a listen to Professor Cho Hee-kyoung of Hongik University. "It's true that the CIO does not have specific jurisdiction over insurrection because their focus is mainly to do with high-level public officials corruption and related acts. But what they do have is the jurisdiction to look at any related crime that they become aware of as they investigate another crime. Plus the CIO is not acting alone here they are actually cooperating with the National Investigation bureau(Office) so together they have all the necessary jurisdiction." With the warrant reviewed and approved multiple times, some view Yoon's claims as an attempt to exploit legal loopholes to avoid responsibility. Beyond this investigation, President Yoon is also facing an impeachment trial. Will he attend the next hearing scheduled for tomorrow? This afternoon, President Yoon's legal team confirmed that he will not attend tomorrow's impeachment hearing. Yoon also skipped the first session on Tuesday, citing concerns over the legitimacy of his arrest and his personal safety. As a result, that hearing ended after just four minutes. However, the Constitutional Court has made it clear that the trial will proceed regardless of his presence. Professor Cho Hee-kyoung explains why Yoon's absence may be more than just a safety concern. "The reason why Yoon didn't participate is really more a delaying tactic because the constitutional court still needs to ask the president, the defendant, to appear before the court to attend the trial process up to two times. Then if the defendant doesn't appear, even at the second request, they can simply go ahead without the defendant present." Lastly Jung-sil what's the fate of the president's security officials who stood their ground during the first arrest attempt earlier this month? The police are now focusing on high-ranking members of the Presidential Security Service who blocked the first attempt to arrest President Yoon. While some have cooperated, others continue to resist. So far, 55 individuals from various government, military, and security agencies have been charged, with key suspects — such as former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun and former defense intelligence commander Noh Sang-won — already handed over to the prosecution. Ultimately, how the police handle this high-stakes investigation will shape the outcome of this unprecedented legal battle. Unprecedented indeed. All right Jung-sil thank you for the latest on both the probe and legal proceedings against the president. Thank you.
President Yoon refuses to answer CIO's questions over imposition of martial law on Dec. 3
2025/01/15 20:00
The president has been under interrogation by the corruption investigation office since 11 AM this morning. For more on how the investigation is unfolding, we have our correspondent Choi Min-jung, joining us live from the investigation office in Gwacheon. Min-jung, let's begin with the details of his arrival at the investigation office. Right, President Yoon was transferred to the anti-corruption agency's headquarters here in Gwacheon, just twenty minutes after his 10:33 AM arrest at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong. He left the residence in a convoy of security vehicles. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials had set up a photo line at the front entrance for President Yoon, but he entered the building through a back door restricting his appearance to journalists waiting outside. Being escorted in a security vehicle and limiting his exposure to the public was likely a measure taken considering his status as the sitting president. Now, how is the investigation unfolding? Right, nine hours have passed since the interrogation began at 11 AM in a video recording room. From 11 AM to 1:30 PM, deputy chief of the CIO, Lee Jae-seung, conducted the investigation,. with Yoon's legal team present, including Yun Gap-geun. The interrogation resumed in the afternoon at 2:40 PM, conducted by Senior Prosecutor Lee Dae-hwan. President Yoon refused to testify during the questioning and exercised his right to remain silent. And it remains to be seen whether Yoon will cooperate at all, given his stance that the investigation is "illegal." The anti-corruption agency also mentioned that while President Yoon is currently being questioned in a video recording room, no video is being recorded due to his refusal to be taped. Yoon is expected to be questioned on multiple allegations tied to the imposition of martial law on December third, including the unlawful declaration and proclamation of martial law, insurrection, abuse of power, sending troops to the National Assembly on the night of the declaration to stop lawmakers from voting down the decree, and attempting to illegally arrest opposition and ruling party leaders. We have yet to know how long the questioning will last, but the CIO reportedly prepared 2-hundred pages worth of questions for Yoon. That's all I have for now. Back to you, Jung-min.
World News: Ukraine launches largest air attacks on Russia since start of war
2025/01/15 17:00
This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Ukraine's military struck several targets deep inside Russia on Tuesday in what it called the "most massive" air attack since the start of the war. Ukraine deployed over a hundred drones and more than a dozen cruise missiles targeting infrastructure in cities far from the Ukrainian border. Damage was reportedly caused at gas storage tanks that served an airbase for Russian bomber planes, as well as ammunition depots and chemical plants. In response, Russia has accused Ukraine of "energy terrorism" following an alleged drone attack on the TurkStream pipeline, a crucial channel for Russian gas to Europe. Amid the latest tensions, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited Kyiv to reaffirm Germany's unwavering support for Ukraine. In France, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, on Tuesday, proposed reopening discussions on President Emmanuel Macron's 2023 pension reform, which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64. The move aims to secure support from left-wing lawmakers to pass the 2025 budget. Bayrou emphasized the necessity of restructuring the pension system to stabilize France's public finances, highlighting the country's significant debt and the goal to reduce the public deficit to 5.4% of GDP in 2025. The proposal comes after months of protests and political turmoil over the pension changes. Bayrou's approach includes engaging with labor unions and opposition parties to find common ground, and warning against modifications that could exacerbate France's financial challenges. NATO has launched a new mission, the "Baltic Sentry," to protect critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, amid rising concerns over potential sabotage. This follows recent incidents involving damage to undersea cables and pipelines, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. As part of the mission, NATO countries will deploy frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, and naval drones to increase surveillance and deterrence capabilities. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated the mission aims to "deter and detect any potential threats" to undersea assets. In the U.K., the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has announced on Tuesday that after a year-long battle, she no longer has any signs of cancer. During a visit to London's Royal Marsden Hospital, where she received treatment, the princess expressed relief and gratitude for the exceptional care she received from the medical staff. In a social media post, Middleton acknowledged the challenges of adapting to a new normal following her diagnosis and shared her optimism for the future. The recent hospital visit was her first solo engagement since completing chemotherapy in September. Choi Chi Hee, Arirang News.
President Yoon undergoes questioning over imposition of martial law on Dec. 3
2025/01/15 17:00
We start today at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials at the Gwacheon Government Complex where President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing questions on charges of insurrection following his arrest early this morning. For details Arirang's Choi Min-jung is standing by live on site. Min-jung let's begin with details of the actual arrest. Right, Sunny. President Yoon was arrested this morning at 10:33 AM,.. at his presidential residence in Hannam-dong, marking a historic moment in South Korea's political landscape. The arrest comes 43 days after he declared martial law on December third. He was seen leaving the residence in a convoy of security vehicles, and arrived at the CIO headquarters in Gwacheon behind me,.. where he is being held for questioning. The interrogation began at 11 AM in a video recording room,.. focusing on the allegations of insurrection that are tied to the imposition of martial law on December third. From 11 to 1:30 PM, deputy chief of the CIO, Lee Jae-seung, conducted the investigation,. with Yoon's legal team present. President Yoon refused to testify during the questioning and exercised his right to remain silent. The interrogation resumed in the afternoon at 2:40 PM, conducted by Senior Prosecutor Lee Dae-hwan. The anti-corruption agency also mentioned that while President Yoon is currently being questioned in a video recording room, no video is being recorded due to his refusal to get taped. The arrest comes after South Korea's anti-corruption agency executed the warrant to temporarily detain Yoon early this morning for questioning. The operation commenced at around 5 AM,. and approximately 1-thousand personnel, including members of the anti-corruption agency and police,. were deployed to the presidential residence. Authorities appeared better prepared than the first failed attempt. At around 7:30 AM,.. a few dozen investigators passed through defense lines,.. by using ladders to go over the buses that were parked as barricades. The team managed to secure entry without any major incidents, though initial resistance was reported. Now following his arrest the president shared a pre-recorded public address. What was the gist of his message? Before heading here, to the CIO headquarters, Yoon released a video message saying that he decided to appear for questioning to prevent "bloodshed" between government agencies. He, however, stressed that the investigation remains illegal. Take a listen. "As the president who must protect the Constitution and legal system of the Republic of Korea, responding to such illegal and invalid procedures is not an acknowledgment of them, but rather a desire to prevent any unsavory bloodshed." Yoon's legal team argues that the CIO does not have investigative authority over the president, but also illegally sought the arrest warrant from the Seoul Western District Court, where it does not have jurisdiction. President Yoon's side argues that the declaration of a state of emergency was a legitimate exercise of executive power. As this unprecedented event unfolds, all eyes remain on President Yoon's next steps and how the investigation will progress. This is all I have for now, but I'll be back with more updates on our next newscast.