News

Panel discussion: Tracking North Korea’s military ambitions and diplomatic moves

2025/04/23 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. As the security dynamics on the Korean Peninsula rapidly evolve, South Korea has launched its fourth military reconnaissance satellite, taking a major step toward completing its independent space-based surveillance system. At the same time, North Korea's military alliance with Russia is deepening in unprecedented ways. A North Korean multiple rocket launcher—reportedly supplied to Russian forces—has now surfaced on the Ukrainian battlefield, sparking concern about Pyongyang's growing role in global conflicts. What's even more alarming is that North Korean troops may soon be deployed from Russia to mainland Ukraine. Meanwhile, as Russia gears up for its Victory Day celebrations, speculation is mounting over a possible visit by Kim Jong-un to Moscow—and the potential for a North Korea–China–Russia summit. So what could this mean for regional security, and how should the world respond to a shifting balance of power in Northeast Asia? For more on this, we are joined by Go Myong-hyun, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy. Welcome. Also joining us is Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific Security Chair at Hudson Institute. Great to have you. 1. (GO) Let's start with Dr.Go, so yesterday, the Seoul's defense ministry announced that the nation's 4th military reconnaissance satellite was successfully launched from the U.S. Space Force base at Cape Canaveral. Could you walk us through the main tasks and roles of this 4th reconnaissance satellite? 2. (CRONIN) Now to Dr.Cronin, The military plans to complete the launch of the 5th and final reconnaissance satellite within this year, wrapping up the "425 Project," which aims to secure and operationalize Seoul's independent reconnaissance satellite capabilities. What practical impact do you think this project will have on the security of the Korean Peninsula? 3. (GO) As for North Korea, its multiple launch rocket system, reportedly supplied to Russian forces, has been captured on video for the first time. It's said to surpass the performance of nearly all artillery systems possessed by Ukraine. Dr.Go, how powerful is this weapon? 4. (CRONIN) Beyond weapons supply, there are now claims that North Korean troops are preparing to enter mainland Ukraine. Until now, North Korean forces had only been deployed in Russia's Kursk region. Dr.Cronin, what is the likelihood that North Korean troops will be deployed to Ukrainian territory? What would such a move signify? 5. (GO) In addition to this, a passenger train line between Vladivostok in Russia's Primorsky Krai and Rason in North Korea is set to begin operations on May 8th, the day before Russia's Victory Day. Preparatory work for the construction of a bridge connecting the two countries is also accelerating. Dr.Go, could this be seen as part of Russia laying the groundwork for reciprocal benefits in exchange for North Korea's troop deployment? 6. (CRONIN) Amid this, both sides have yet to announce whether Chairman Kim Jong-un will visit Moscow for Russia's Victory Day celebration in May. One major variable is that North Korea's top leader has almost never participated in multilateral diplomatic settings. Dr.Cronin, why has North Korea traditionally avoided multilateral talks? 7. (GO) Chinese President Xi Jinping meanwhile has confirmed his attendance at this year's Victory Day celebrations. Dr.Go, do you think this could lead to a North Korea–China–Russia trilateral summit? What is the likelihood of Kim Jong-un visiting Russia? 8. (GO) If Chairman Kim does visit Russia, what do you think would be the most critical diplomatic benefit North Korea seeks to gain Dr.Go? 9. (CRONIN) If Kim Jong-un's visit leads to a three-way summit between the leaders of North Korea, Russia, and China, what message would that send to the West? What impact would it have on the security landscape of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia?

Top security officials, experts call for continued U.S. commitment to nuclear deterrence, partnership with allies: Asan Plenum 2025

2025/04/23 20:00

The second Trump administration's first three months in office have been marked by tariffs and continued tensions with its partner countries. In Seoul, a forum gathering prominent diplomatic officials and experts raised the need for America to build confidence among its allies. Our Oh Soo-young reports. Nuclear deterrence and alliances should not be neglected but bolstered by the United States, as geopolitical tensions and global conflicts continue three months into the second Trump administration. That's according to officials and experts at the annual Asan Plenum in Seoul. As concerns grow over the lack of messaging on Washington's security commitment to its allies,.. Kurt Campbell, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, raised the need for confidence-building, noting North Korea's nuclear threat, Russia's potential use of nuclear weapons, and the largest nuclear build-up of modern times in China. "My own view is that over time we're going to need to do more and we're going to need to involve our key allies, Japan and the ROK, more in decision making around military nuclear use, much in the way we did in Europe and in parts of the Cold War." Campbell also called for Seoul to have greater representation, as an addition to the G7 or the Quad, saying its contributions to global governance are dearly valued. On trade concerns, as America rolls out reciprocal tariffs against its trading partners, the former diplomat expressed optimism towards the "ingenuity and the determination" by Seoul's trade officials, who have traveled to Washington, D.C for ministerial consultations this week. Former U.S. White House official Victor Cha said Trump has unlocked many new opportunities of cooperation that were previously unthinkable. "The most obvious area is shipbuilding where the U.S. needs help. Korea's very successful in that area. Strategic energy cooperation. Where South Korea doesn't need to rely on unreliable supplies from the Gulf but get energy supplies from the U.S." "The annual discussion comes amid the need for the Indo-Pacific security architecture to evolve to meet the challenges of a new era, especially at a time marked by competing visions of order and leadership in Northeast Asia." Highlighting 80 years since the end of World War Two that liberated South Korea from Japan's colonisation, Seoul's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul warned against "naked self-interest" that led to war in the past. As two key democratic players in the Indo-Pacific, Cho highlighted Seoul and Tokyo's dramatic improvement of relations over the past three years, saying their partnership is not a choice but a necessity. The two nations commemorate 60 years of normalising bilateral ties this year. Amid the U.S.-China rivalry, Cho said South Korea and Japan can encourage China's constructive role and prevent escalations in the region. Tokyo's ambassador to Seoul also called for continued trilateral cooperation with the U.S. to strengthen deterrence and foster regional stability and prosperity. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

DP candidates debate on 'ending insurrection attempt' while PPP's 2nd round debate scheduled

2025/04/23 20:00

Turning to the presidential primaries. The Democratic Party hosted its second debate today while the People Power Party is gearing up for the next phase of the race. Our National Assembly correspondent Kim Do-yeon has the latest. The Democratic Party of Korea's three presidential primary contestants held a second debate on Wednesday. Three topics were posed to the three candidates: their thoughts on the ongoing insurrection allegations, the livelihood economy, and inter-Korean relations. Regarding ending what the contestants called an "ongoing insurrection attempt" referring to the martial law declaration the front-runner Lee Jae-myung emphasized "investigating the truth and punish those responsible," while candidates Kim Kyung-soo and Kim Dong-yeon argued that was insufficient, suggesting "comprehensive social reform" and "constitutional amendment," respectively, as specific methods. This comes as the second half of voting started for the primary on Wednesday with Lee Jae-myung in the lead with 90-percent of the votes so far. However, what's known as the "Honam region," consisting of the Jeolla-do Provinces and Gwangju City as well as ones that open on Thursday the capital region, Gangwon-do Province, and Jeju Island, consist of around 80 percent of the total votes room to turn things around. Meanwhile, the People Power Party started its second round as well. Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo, a couple of hours ago, came together for a media day to kick off the series of debates for this round. There will be one-on-one debates two on Thursday and two on Friday, and each contestant picked a debate partner. Kim Moon-soo picked Han Dong-hoon for the first debate on Thursday. Ahn picked Kim Moon-soo for the second debate on Thursday. Han Dong-hoon and Hong Joon-pyo picked each other, making their debate a three-hour-long one on Friday. On Saturday, there will be a four-way debate as well. The match-up brings together a pro-impeachment contestant and an against-impeachment contestant with Ahn and Han being pro-impeachment and Kim and Hong being against. This round cut-off, for which the result comes on April 29th, will be decided with 50 percent of eligible PPP voters and 50 percent an open survey. If a candidate gets more than 50-percent of the total, there won't be a run-off. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Top security officials, experts call for continued U.S. commitment to nuclear deterrence, partnership with allies: Asan Plenum 2025

2025/04/23 17:00

A forum here in Seoul has brought together dozens of diplomatic and defense experts including former U.S. government officials to discuss regional security and stability under a second Trump administration. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young covers this event. Nuclear deterrence and alliances should not be neglected but bolstered by the United States, as geopolitical tensions and global conflicts continue three months into the second Trump administration. That's according to officials and experts at the annual Asan Plenum in Seoul. As concerns grow over the lack of messaging on Washington's security commitment to its allies,.. Kurt Campbell, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, raised the need for confidence-building, noting North Korea's nuclear threat, Russia's potential use of nuclear weapons, and the largest nuclear build-up of modern times in China. "My own view is that over time we're going to need to do more and we're going to need to involve our key allies, Japan and the ROK, more in decision making around military nuclear use, much in the way we did in Europe and in parts of the Cold War." Campbell also called for Seoul to have greater representation, as an addition to the G7 or the Quad, saying its contributions to global governance are dearly valued. On trade concerns, as America rolls out reciprocal tariffs against its trading partners, the former diplomat expressed optimism towards the "ingenuity and the determination" by Seoul's trade officials, who have traveled to Washington, D.C for ministerial consultations this week. "Lots of discussions about enhanced technology and other investments in the U.S. That's very welcome from the Trump administration more defense engagement but also work in areas that the U.S. clearly needs help One of the areas of deepest concern is our challenges in shipbuilding, both civilian and military. It is the ROK that can help us that can work with us and very productive partnerships. "The annual discussion comes amid the need for the Indo-Pacific security architecture to evolve to meet the challenges of a new era, especially at a time marked by competing visions of order and leadership in Northeast Asia." Highlighting 80 years since the end of World War Two that liberated South Korea from Japan's colonisation, Seoul's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul warned against "naked self-interest" that led to war in the past. As two key democratic players in the Indo-Pacific, Cho highlighted Seoul and Tokyo's dramatic improvement of relations over the past three years, saying their partnership is not a choice but a necessity. The two nations commemorate 60 years of normalising bilateral ties this year. Amid the U.S.-China rivalry, Cho said South Korea and Japan can encourage China's constructive role and prevent escalations in the region. Tokyo's ambassador to Seoul also called for continued trilateral cooperation with the U.S. to strengthen deterrence and foster regional stability and prosperity. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Acting President Han visits CFC, reaffirms commitment to boost ROK-U.S. alliance

2025/04/23 17:00

Acting President Han Duck-soo reaffirmed commitment to advancing the ROK-U.S. alliance during his visit to the Combined Forces Command at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek earlier on this Wednesday. Han sat down with Commander Xavier Brunson of U.S. Forces Korea and stressed the importance of maintaining a strong readiness posture. He also thanked troops deployed to fight the recent wildfires in the southeastern part of the country.

U.S. envoy visits Russia for more peace talks with Putin

2025/04/23 17:00

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is visiting Russia this week for talks with President Vladimir Putin about ending Russian aggression against Ukraine. The upcoming meeting will mark the fourth between the two in recent times aimed at advancing a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. Separately officials from the U.S. U.K. France Germany and Ukraine are set to sit down in London on Wednesday for similar talks. As part of efforts to halt the hostilities some sources say the U.S. may suggest formal recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea a suggestion that Ukraine has already rejected. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday emphasized that he was willing to talk with Russia but would reject recognition of Russia's occupation of Crimea.

Pope Francis lies in St. Peter's Basilica ahead of funeral on April 26

2025/04/23 17:00

At the Vatican. The funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday morning local time and starting Wednesday his body lies in state at Saint Peter's Basilica. Ahn Sung-jin has more. Pope Francis lies in a wooden coffin, wearing a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary held in his hands. Unlike his predecessors, who were placed in a triple coffin, the Pope remains in a wooden coffin, which reflects the humble life he led. On Wednesday morning local time, the procession left the chapel of Santa Marta, the Pope's residence in the Vatican, to St. Peter's Basilica. It passed through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, was in charge of the rite of translation -the process of translating liturgical texts. Large crowds gathered to mourn the Pope's death, carrying flowers and crosses while some prayed. The late Pope's body will be taken into the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment, but until then, will remain in an open coffin until Friday at St. Peter's Basilica for mourners who wish to pay their respects before the funeral mass. The Vatican has confirmed that the Pope's funeral will take place on Saturday in St. Peter's Square. Royals and world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have confirmed their attendance. Once the mourning period is over, conclave, the process of electing the new pope, will begin. Corriere della Sera, one of Italy's oldest and most-read newspapers, placed South Korea's first Prefect of the Vatican's Diacastery for the Clergy, Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik , as a potential successor. The newspaper described You as "A member of the Focolare Movement who sought reconciliation between the two Koreas." Pope Francis appointed 80 percent of the cardinals who will pick the next pope. Though several contenders have been brought up, it is more likely to be narrowed down in the coming days. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

DP's second debate held while schedule set for PPP's second round debate

2025/04/23 17:00

On the political front. The Democratic Party is hosting its second debate on this Wednesday while the race at the People Power Party has been reduced to four contenders. I have our correspondent Kim Do-yeon live on the line with the latest. Do-yeon let's start with the events taking place at the DP. Sun-hee the Democratic Party of Korea's three presidential primary contestants are currently in a second debate discussing a wide variety of topics. Three topics were posed to the three candidates: their thoughts on the ongoing insurrection allegations, the livelihood economy, and inter-Korean relations. At the moment, each candidate is picking their own topic to discuss with others. This comes as the second half of voting started for the primary today as well and while the front-runner Lee Jae-myung has 90-percent of the votes so far Kim Dong-yeon and Kim Kyung-soo are looking to turn things around. In fact, what's known as the "Honam region," consisting of the Jeolla-do Provinces and Gwangju City started voting while the voting also opens for the capital region, Gangwon-do Province, and Jeju Island. These regions are where around 80 percent of electors are from so despite its front-runner Lee Jae-myung racking up 90 percent of votes so far, there are votes to turn things around. Candidates, one by one, with voting in these regions coming up, have shared their pledges for how they'd develop these regions. I see. And what's the latest at the primary election of the People Power Party? Well, Sun-hee, the People Power Party started its second round as well. Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo, a couple of hours ago, came together for a media day to kick off the series of debates for this round. There will be one-on-one debates two on Thursday and two on Friday, and each contestant picked a debate partner. Kim Moon-soo picked Han Dong-hoon for the first debate on Thursday. Ahn picked Kim Moon-soo for the second debate on Thursday. Han Dong-hoon and Hong Joon-pyo picked each other, making their debate a three-hour-long one on Friday. On Saturday there will be a four-way debate as well. The match-up brings together a pro-impeachment contestant and an against-impeachment contestant with Ahn and Han being pro-impeachment and Kim and Hong being against. Do keep in mind that this round cut-off, for which the result comes on April 29th, will be decided with 50 percent of eligible PPP voters and 50 percent an open survey. If a candidate gets more than 50-percent of the total, there won't be a run-off. Good to know. All right Do-yeon thank you for the latest on the partisan primaries ahead of Korea's presidential election.

Putin meets Sultan of Oman in Moscow

2025/04/23 10:00

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said on Tuesday at the Kremlin to discuss the ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations. Oman has been mediating indirect talks between Tehran and Washington, aiming to revive a nuclear agreement that limits Iran's nuclear activities. Kremlin's foreign policy aide said Russia maintains close contact with Iranian officials and offers assistance where possible. Meanwhile, Iran announced that expert-level talks between Iran and the United States, originally scheduled for Wednesday, have been postponed to Saturday.

Russia says Ukraine must remove legal hurdles for talks on halting strikes on civilian facilities

2025/04/23 10:00

Russia has indicated a willingness to engage in direct negotiations with Ukraine but says certain legal hurdles must be addressed before formal talks can begin. On Tuesday, local time, Russia's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that President Vladimir Putin is open to discussing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal to halt attacks on civilian infrastructure. However, he said Kyiv must take steps to clear the way for talks. Peskov mentioned a 2022 decree by Zelenskyy that prohibits negotiations with Putin, saying that this was a significant legal impediment. No specific plans for direct talks have been put forward amid mounting international pressure for renewed negotiations to resolve the conflict, including threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw from mediation efforts unless progress is made.

U.S. confirms vacancy of N. Korean human rights envoy position

2025/04/23 10:00

The U.S. State Department has confirmed that the position of Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues is once again vacant following Julie Turner's departure in January. Turner, who was appointed in 2023, held the position until early this year after a six-year vacancy. Her exit comes as part of a broader reshuffling by the Trump administration, which has eliminated several special envoy positions, including the position dedicated to North Korea. And with the administration proposing a major State Department overhaul, it's unclear if or when the role will be refilled.

Trump says he has "no intention of firing" U.S. Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell

2025/04/23 10:00

Trump has "no intention of firing" U.S. Fed Chair Jerome Powell, the U.S. leader says. The comments come as Trump was asked by reporters at the Oval Office on Tuesday if he has plans to fire Powell, to which the U.S leader said he "never did." He added that the "press runs away with things." Trump, however, called on Powell to cut interest rates, calling it the "perfect time" to do so. Just last week, Trump took to social media to say that Powell is "always TOO LATE and WRONG" and that his "termination cannot come fast enough," raising speculation that he could be looking to oust the U.S. Fed chair before his term ends next year.

Trump signals cooling trade tensions with Beijing with possible tariff reductions

2025/04/23 10:00

In the meantime, U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled easing trade tensions with China, as countries around the world push to negotiate lower tariffs. Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, he said tariffs on Chinese goods could be "substantially" reduced, though not eliminated, under any forthcoming agreements. His remarks came after the U.S. Treasury Secretary expressed optimism about a potential de-escalation, but described negotiations with Beijing as a "slog" that has yet to officially begin. According to the White House, 34 countries are set to meet with Trump's trade team this week, with 18 having already submitted proposals.

On-point: How to make 2+2 tariff talks with U.S. fruitful?

2025/04/23 10:00

The South Korea-U.S. 2+2 trade talks on Thursday will be momentous, especially for South Korea, as what Seoul is calling 'consultations' will be the first of their kind since the Trump administration's 90-day tariff pause. We discuss more with Professor Park Minjung this morning. Good morning. 1. Can we expect some sort of a concrete outcome from the 2+2 meeting? Or will it be more of a pre-game where the two sides let each other know what they want and what they can offer? Because it's the first round of such talks? What makes you think so? 2. An expert I spoke to said that it would be a good sign if Trump shows up at discussions on Thursday because Trump is favoring countries like South Korea and Japan. What's your take on this? Do you also think so? 3. Trump is waging this tariff war on the U.S. trade deficit. Will South Korea's shipbuilding and LNG be enough as leverage to resolve tariff issues? Or are they enough for now? 4. Would you say it's a relief that a new administration will be launched in South Korea in June? Because we can buy time in the meantime? Or are we still running out of time? 5. The Trump administration is busier than ever carrying out tariff talks with countries around the world. Does the 90-day tariff pause give enough time to conduct talks with more than 70 countries realistically? Will the pause be extended? Or no? Thanks so much for sharing your insight with us. We appreciate it.

DP primaries in stronghold Honam region while PPP's 4-way race starts

2025/04/23 10:00

The People Power Party on Tuesday shortlisted four contenders in the first round of its presidential primary. The Democratic Party begins voting in its stronghold, Honam region, on Wednesday, with its second debate set to take place on the same day. Our Kim Do-yeon has more. The Democratic Party of Korea kicks off the second half of its regional presidential primaries on Wednesday in its traditional stronghold of the Honam region consisting of the Jeolla-do provinces and Gwangju City in the country's southwest. This region accounts for 27 percent of the Democratic Party's total electors, more than the 18 percent combined from the previous two voting regions, the Chungcheong-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces. While the primary is largely dominated by Lee Jae-myung, who leads with 90 percent of the votes so far other candidates are looking to boost their chances and turn things around. Second-place Kim Dong-yeon released his pledges for the region's development while Kim Kyung-soo, who is in third place, was the first to arrive on Tuesday to meet with DP members. Lee Jae-myung on the other hand had no public appearances due to a court appearance for one of his ongoing criminal trials. However, he's set to visit the region on Thursday as the voting will continue for a few days. And as the voting starts the three candidates are also set to have a second debate on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the People Power Party primary also turned a corner as the first round cut-off was announced on Tuesday evening. Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo survived after the eight initial contestants were cut to four. Except for Ahn Cheol-soo, all candidates were expected to make it through. Ahn's survival comes as the first round cut-off rule is new in this election. Having no weighted votes for PPP electors, the aim of the rule was to provide a boost to candidates who appeal to undecided voters. And Ahn was in favor of impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol as opposed to Na Kyung-won, who was seen as Ahn's rival for the fourth spot. Now the race is two against impeachment Kim Moon-soo and Hong Joon-pyo and two for impeachment Han Dong-hoon and Ahn Cheol-soo. Starting with the second round cut-off, 50 percent of the votes will be from eligible PPP electors, while the other 50 percent will come from an open survey giving more weight to PPP members than the open survey. This means, those who protected President Yoon during the impeachment process could have an advantage. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

S. Korea-U.S. to begin high-level trade talks in Washington

2025/04/23 10:00

High-level trade talks between South Korea and the U.S. are set to begin in Washington this week. South Korea's finance minister Choi Sang-mok is now there, and joining him is trade minister Ahn Duk-geun who says he's being mindful of all possibilities at the talks, considering how President Trump abruptly showed up at Japan's tariff talks with the U.S. Our Kim Jung-sil reports. South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Choi Sang-mok, has arrived in Washington, D.C. for trade talks with the U.S. The discussions are set to begin at 8 a.m. local time on Thursday. This marks the highest-level visit by a South Korean official since the start of the Trump administration's second term. "We are here to initiate discussions that will further strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance. I will share the results of our talks on Thursday." Choi's visit comes amid rising trade tensions, with the U.S. imposing a 25% tariff on South Korean imports. Minister Choi is joined by Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, who will arrive on Wednesday to join the discussions with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. While the specifics of the meeting remain unclear, the talks are expected to address a broad range of issues, including the ongoing trade imbalance, potential non-tariff barriers like U.S. beef import restrictions, and even defense cost-sharing. The Trump administration has been accelerating its trade efforts, with the White House announcing that the entire trade team is meeting with officials from 34 countries this week alone. "We are moving at Trump speed to ensure these deals are made on behalf of the American worker and the American people." Experts in Seoul advise South Korea to take a measured approach for a better long-term deal. "We don't know if what Trump wants today it will be the same tomorrow—he may ask additional things in the near future. We want to make sure that if there is a deal, then it's a complete deal." The expert also cautioned that the U.S. may be seeking a quick win for President Trump, which could lead to rushed decisions. With so much on the line in these negotiations, the outcome of Thursday's talks is being closely watched. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

U.S.-South Korea Trade Talks: What’s next for the semiconductor industry?

2025/04/22 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. Tonight, we turn our attention to U.S.-South Korea trade relations, with a specific focus on the semiconductor sector. As both nations prepare for the upcoming '2+2' trade talks, key industries such as the automotive, steel, and semiconductor sectors are set to take center stage. With rising tariffs, trade imbalances, and increasing geopolitical tensions, South Korea's semiconductor industry faces critical challenges. With the U.S. looking to expand local production, how should South Korea respond to ensure its semiconductor sector remains competitive in the global market? And what steps should companies take to navigate these uncertain times? To explore more on this, we connect to Sung Soo Eric Kim, founder & CEO of Datacrunch Global and adjunct professor at Yonsei Graduate School of Business. Welcome. Also joining us is William Brown, a former member of the board of directors at the Korea Economic Institute of America, and the principal of NAEIA.com. Great to have you. (KIM) 1. Let's begin with Prof. Kim. So the upcoming '2+2' trade talks are expected to address issues such as tariffs on automotive and steel products, and semiconductors. How likely do you think it is that South Korea will be able to negotiate a reduction or removal of these tariffs, specifically in the semiconductor sector? (BROWN) 2. With the U.S. seeking to expand its local production in key sectors such as semiconductors, what incentives or proposals should South Korea present during these talks to ensure its own semiconductor industry remains competitive and benefits from the negotiations? (KIM) 3. Given that South Korea is about to experience a political transition, Prof.Kim, how should the current government approach these trade talks to secure the best possible outcome for its semiconductor industry, especially considering the next administration may have different priorities? (BROWN) 4. On the topic of tariffs, the U.S. has indicated it will impose tariffs on South Korean semiconductors. Bill, what potential effects do you foresee this having on the South Korean economy, and what steps should South Korean companies take to adjust to these changes? (KIM) 5. Considering the growing uncertainty around global trade Prof. Kim, how should South Korean semiconductor companies adapt their production strategies to avoid the impact of these tariffs and maintain their competitive edge in the global market? (BROWN) 6. The semiconductor industry plays a crucial role in both the U.S. and South Korean economies. In your opinion, how important is it for South Korea to maintain strong ties with major American tech companies like Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm, particularly given the rising geopolitical tensions? (KIM) 7. President Trump has expressed interest in tying U.S. military cost-sharing arrangements to the trade negotiations. What risks do you see in linking these national security concerns directly to trade talks, particularly in terms of the semiconductor sector? (BROWN) 8. The U.S. has been focusing heavily on addressing trade imbalances and has pressured countries like South Korea to adjust their trade structures. What actions should South Korea take to address U.S. concerns while protecting its semiconductor industry and other economic interests? (BROWN) 9. Given the ongoing political and economic pressures surrounding U.S.-China trade tensions, how should South Korea strategically navigate these negotiations to avoid being caught in the middle of the two superpowers, especially when it comes to its semiconductor exports to both countries? (KIM) 10. In light of the recent reduction in semiconductor exports to China due to U.S. trade restrictions, what specific steps should South Korea take to ensure its semiconductor industry remains resilient and continues to thrive, both through market diversification and by strengthening its trade agreements with the U.S.?

Lee Jae-myung shares vision for medical system and environment; PPP's 1st round cut-off announced

2025/04/22 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. Presidential primaries heat up in the nation as the June 3rd election approaches. For the latest, our political correspondent Kim Do-yeon is live on the line. Do-yeon, let's begin with the Democratic Party that appears to have a clear front-runner. Jung-min, the front-runner, Lee Jae-myung, was forced into a quiet day on the campaign trail as he appeared in court for one of his ongoing criminal trials. Still, he took to social media earlier in the day to highlight his pledges—ranging from cutting carbon emissions and reducing plastic use, to pushing forward with changes in the medical system. Tomorrow marks the start of the second half of the regional primaries—starting with the southwest, covering the Jeolla-do Provinces and Gwangju City. A liberal stronghold, this region accounts for 27 percent of the Democratic Party's total electors—more than the 18 percent combined from the previous two voting regions, the Chungcheong-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces. Lee Jae-myung, who has so far secured 90 percent of the vote, is expected to travel to the region on Thursday. The candidate in second place, Kim Dong-yeon, laid out his development plans for the region today, while third-place Kim Kyung-soo—looking to turn things around—was the first to arrive there. Let's now turn to the People Power Party. The first round cut-off results are out. Who are advancing to the next round? Right, Jung-min. PPP's presidential primary is now a four-way race with Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo. A 100-percent open survey among PPP supporters and undecided voters took place from yesterday to 3 PM today and those four were the top-scoring candidates among eight. The Party says that due to election laws, exact numbers and rankings cannot be disclosed. Except for Ahn Cheol-soo, the rest were expected to make the cut. Ahn's survival comes amid the first round cut-off rule being new in this election. Having no weighted votes for PPP electors, it was aimed at providing a boost to candidates who appeal to undecided voters. And Ahn was in favor of impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol as opposed to Na Kyung-won, who was seen as Ahn's rival for the fourth spot. Starting with the second round cut-off, the voting will be comprised of 50-percent eligible PPP electors and 50-percent an open survey giving more weight to PPP members than the open survey. All right Do-yeon. Thank you for the latest.

Putin implies Russia is open to direct talks with Ukraine

2025/04/22 20:00

Elsewhere, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signalled that he is open to direct talks with Ukraine, for the first time since the full-scale war began more than three years ago. During an interview with Russian state TV on Monday, Putin said Russia has "always looked positively on any peace initiatives," adding that he "hopes that representatives of the Kyiv regime will feel the same way." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "the president had in mind negotiations with the Ukrainian side." Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not directly respond to Putin's comments, but said in his nightly video address on the same day that Ukraine is "ready for any conversation" that would ensure the safety of civilians.

How does Conclave elect new pope?

2025/04/22 20:00

The passing of the pope looks to initiate the procedure of electing a new leader of the Catholic Church. Our Choi Soo-hyung walks us through that protocol. "With key." That's the literal meaning of Conclave, which comes from the Latin "cum clave." In the Catholic Church, the Conclave is the secret meeting of cardinals, under the age of 80, held to elect a new pope. The meeting takes place 15 to 20 days after the pope's death, leaving enough time for a nine-day mourning period and funeral, with cardinals from around the world arriving in Rome. The current Conclave traces its roots back to the 13th century. Traditionally, the pope is buried four to six days after his death. The process of electing the 267th pope begins after the mourning period. For this Conclave, 138 cardinals are eligible to elect and to be elected as the new pontiff out of the 252 members of the College of Cardinals. During the Conclave, the cardinals are locked inside the Sistine Chapel until the new pontiff is chosen. They cast four ballots each day, with a two-thirds majority required to choose the pope. The cardinals are not allowed contact with the outside world, no phones, no television, and no newspapers. After each vote, the ballots are burned, and the smoke coming from the chapel's chimney is the only signal to the outside world. Black smoke means an inconclusive vote, while white smoke marks the election of a new pope. Once elected, the bells of the Sistine Chapel ring, and after the chosen candidate accepts the office, an official announcement is made, revealing the new pope's papal name. Pope Francis, elected on March 13th, 2013, was chosen after five rounds of voting, just two days into the Conclave. The senior cardinal deacon introduces the newly elected pontiff with the traditional declaration, "Habemus Papam," meaning "We have a pope." Following Pope Francis, the first Latin-American pontiff, all eyes are now on whether the next pope, for the first time, could come from Asia or Africa. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.