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Lee Jae-myung vows to expand local vouchers; PPP decides to establish body for potential merger with fmr. PM Han

2025/05/05 12:00

With less than a month to go until the presidential election, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung is spending the long weekend traveling to regions traditionally considered tough ground for the party. Meanwhile, talks are set to pick up between People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo and former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo about a possible coalition. Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The presidential race between the Democratic Party and the People Power Party is starting to take shape. Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung on Sunday traveled to Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, a region known as a conservative stronghold. Lee blamed his low support in his home province of Gyeongsangbuk-do on distorted information and asked voters there for support. "I've faced all sorts of false accusations, but if I had really done something wrong, would I have come this far? We need to eradicate fake news and misinformation." Lee also promised to help small retailers by expanding the issuance of local government vouchers and Onnuri gift certificates. Regarding the Supreme Court's decision on Lee's election law violation case, the DP decided on Sunday to delay a decision on whether to seek the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae. Instead, it will call on the high court to cancel or postpone the first hearing of Lee’s retrial, scheduled for May 15. Meanwhile, the People Power Party wrapped up its presidential primary on Saturday with a victory for former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo. According to the PPP, Kim secured over 61 percent of party members’ votes, and over 51 percent in a public poll, ultimately winning 56-point-5-3 percent of the total vote against his rival Han Dong-hoon. In his acceptance speech, Kim criticized the DP, accusing it of undermining the separation of power by overusing impeachment. He vowed to win the presidential election. "I will form a strong alliance with any force to stop Lee Jae-myung and the DP from taking power." Talks are gearing up between Kim and former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo about a possible coalition in the presidential race. Kim and Han met for the first time on Monday, since Kim was nominated as the PPP’s presidential candidate, during a visit to Jogyesa temple to mark Buddha's Birthday. Han suggested they meet later in the day, and Kim agreed. On Sunday, the PPP decided to establish a body under its election committee to explore merging its campaign with Han's. An official from Han's camp confirmed that Han, who announced his candidacy last Friday, is willing to leave all coalition logistics including rules and procedures to the PPP. All eyes are on whether the two will merge their campaigns before the candidate registration deadline this Sunday. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

[WEEKLY FOCUS] How can S. Korea, U.S. find 'win-win' opportunities in shipbuilding?

2025/05/03 12:00

This week, amid ongoing discussions between Seoul and Washington on how to balance trade and ease the tariffs set by the Trump Administration, shipbuilding has been highlighted as one area that could deliver a win-win solution for both sides. With the visit of U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan to South Korea, where he stopped by two of the country's shipbuilding giants, there's been growing anticipation towards industrial cooperation in this sector. We have our Oh Soo-young in the studio to talk about the prospects. Q1. Now, let's begin with why shipbuilding has been raised as a crucial industry for greater cooperation. Sure, so America's global leadership has been characterised by its dominant naval capacity since the end of World War 2. Sustaining and expanding its fleet is essential to maintaining its military might, especially here in the Indo-Pacific, where the country is facing increasing competition from China, according to Dr. Peter Lee at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, who authored a report on shipbuilding cooperation last December. "So if you think back to the 20th century when the U.S. was a great manufacturing power during the Second World War, for instance the United States built 5,000 ships during the war that was more than Germany and Japan combined, and you fast forward to today and now the PLA navy is actually larger than the United States Navy but more importantly it's actually all concentrated in Asia. And then secondly, if you look at the commercial side, China built somewhere between about 1,700 ships last year, the United States built between three and five." Under the Navy's 2025 shipbuilding plan, the U.S. aims to build a fleet of 390 battle force ships over the next 30 years. However,.. due to rising costs, delays, and labour shortages, ships are retiring faster than new ones are being added. 2. Right and it seems the U.S has been shifting towards working with allies. What advantages do these countries have to offer? Well for South Korea, it was the world's second largest shipbuilding nation as of last year, with its big 3 shipyards HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, 현대중공업, 한화오션, 삼성중공업이 세계 선박의 4분의 1에서 3분의 1을 생산했습니다. China has generally held the lead in terms of the number of vessels ordered, while South Korea often surpasses China in order value due to its focus on more expensive, technologically advanced ships. So you could say Korean shipyards are ready to help America build its ships, from warships to smaller vessels, with world-class infrastructure. This could drive down construction costs for the U.S. Navy, while building up sturdy global defence supply chains. Maintenance is also a crucial area for collaboration, and could provide more immediate benefits, according to Dr. Yu Ji-hoon, a former Navy Commander. "When we collaborate closely in shipbuilding and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul activities, we directly enhance our mutual defense capabilities. Such cooperation helps standardize equipment, streamline logistics, and reduce overall maintenance costs through economies of scale." Jointly investing into future technologies, such as greater automation capabilities, is another way to help America maintain the most advanced naval technology and prowess as well as address other fundamental shortages such as its workforce both in shipbuilding and the navy. "Given the sheer scale of China's naval shipbuilding lead right now, how do we close that gap? And I think really there is a great argument to be had about using emerging technologies, uncrewed systems and drones for instance, to really leap rock and catch up to China. So there's a lot of work that Korean, Japanese, and other allied countries are doing in terms of uncrewed navigation and uncrewed systems and I think there's a lot of work to be done with the commercial sector there." But ramping up shipbuilding in the U.S. will inevitably take time. Bringing cooperation to this side of the Pacific could present both short and long-term opportunities to help the U.S. swiftly ramp up its fleet and partnerships. 3. But the Trump Administration is all about domestic industries, and more investment in America. So that's the question. While Trump himself has recognised the importance of increasing maritime capacity, concerns still remain over his America First protectionist policies focusing on boosting domestic industries. The U.S. Navy Secretary has indeed indicated more investment would be welcome, but his visit to HD Hyundai and Hanwha Ocean this week has been a positive sign for deeper cooperation. "Industrial cooperation, especially in areas like shipbuilding and sustainment, is increasingly critical for strengthening traditional security alliances today. From my perspective, modern security dynamics require more than just political alignment they demand practical interoperability and shared operational readiness among allies." To present a true win-win situation for all sides both in terms of national security and economic benefits companies will need more motivation to jump in. "So I think there's an opportunity there for Korean companies but also the Korean government to really use this priority sector of shipbuilding to demonstrate that Korea can play an alliance burden-sharing role in helping meet a very critical U.S. strategic need but also that for Korean companies that this is a profitable endeavor that has a long term future and for instance the global maintenance repair and overhaul market is worth about 60 billion dollars a year." The two major Korean shipyards have already invested into the U.S., HD Hyundai inked an MOU with the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S. to collaborate on naval shipbuilding in Mississippi. And Hanwha Ocean last year acquired Philly Shipyward. For closer partnerships to revitalise American naval capacity, legal changes will have to be made. So the "Ensuring Naval Readiness Act" was introduced by U.S. lawmakers this year. It proposes permitting vessel construction in shipyards located in allied countries in the Indo-Pacific and NATO, namely South Korea and Japan. Commander Yu suggests stronger bilateral efforts could help propel such cooperation. "Setting clear interoperability standards and co-production frameworks would ensure seamless alignment in ship designs and maintenance practices. Expanding joint research and development initiatives, particularly focusing on advanced naval technologies such as unmanned vessels and next-generation propulsion systems, could significantly enhance our combined maritime capabilities. Formalizing bilateral agreements dedicated to naval MRO cooperation would allow us to quickly capitalize on South Korea's proven strengths to support the U.S. Navy's operational needs in the Indo-Pacific." We'll have to see how bilateral consultations play out. But shipbuilding seems like a key area of cooperation. Thanks for your coverage today.

U.S.-Ukraine sign minerals agreement following long negotiations

2025/05/02 20:00

Elsewhere. Washington and Kyiv have signed the mineral deal, after months of talks, which lays out a plan of partnership and cooperation. Ahn Sung-jin covers the details. After long negotiations, the United States and Ukraine have signed a mineral agreement. Kyiv released the final agreement on Thursday, which had been signed in Washington D.C. the day before. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said it was the first tangible outcome from his recent meeting with U.S. President Trump during the Pope's funeral last month. "The agreement has changed significantly during the preparation process. It is now truly an equitable agreement – one that creates opportunities for substantial investment in Ukraine." This agreement comes after a heated meeting between the leaders in the Oval Office back in February where Trump abruptly canceled a planned closed-door session, allegedly saying "come back when you're ready to talk about peace negotiations." But now this move signifies deeper cooperation between the two countries. The deal outlines joint investments in mineral resources including rare earth minerals. This agreement, deemed as a strategic move for the U.S., gives a preferential stance to secure access to these elements as China restricts its rare mineral exports. In return, the U.S. will provide military and financial assistance to Ukraine through a reconstruction investment fund, though no concrete security guarantees have been made. One of the notable components from the joint statement is that it used the phrase "Russia's full-scale invasion" which may suggest the U.S.'s potential shift in its diplomatic stance which had been previously leaning toward Russia. "Today's agreement signals clearly to Russian leadership that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term. It's time for this cruel and senseless war to end." Another detail is that the deal did not mention Ukraine's need to pay back the so-called debt of 3-hundred-50 billion U.S. dollars of aid that Trump had previously demanded. Though the Kremlin hasn't officially spoken about the deal, some Russian politicians have denounced it by calling it "Ukraine's step towards colonization" or "repaying of U.S. support with resources." For the deal to come into effect, it will need to be ratified by the Ukrainian parliament. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

New Acting President Lee Ju-ho takes full charge to stabilize security, economy until election

2025/05/02 20:00

Things dramatically unfolded overnight in the political arena, with the post of acting president going to Education Minister Lee Ju-ho. He started the job by holding a National Security Council meeting today. Oh Soo-young has the latest. Stabilizing governance amid a political storm, South Korea's new Acting President Lee Ju-ho took charge of the nation Friday, prioritising people's livelihoods and national security as his first agenda. Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Lee Ju-ho, as of midnight, became the country's unprecedented third interim leader in the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. This came after two back-to-back resignations on Thursday, as Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stepped down to run in the June 3rd presidential election, and his next in line, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, quit within hours under the threat of impeachment by the National Assembly. Lee's first course of action: convening the National Security Council to ensure livelihoods and public safety remain intact, and for watertight readiness against potential provocations from North Korea. "Ensuring national security and the lives and safety of the people is the government's most fundamental duty. There must not be even the slightest gap in any area — whether in diplomacy, security, defense, or economic security." The Acting President also presided over a State Council meeting to approve the 13-point-8 trillion won, or 9-point-six billion dollar supplementary budget passed by parliament, to fund wildfire recovery, AI research and development, public welfare, and infrastructure projects. Remarking on the fastest-ever passing of extra budget seen in the last two decades, Lee stressed the interim government must not cease to address challenges affecting national interests, such as trade consultations with the United States, 경제 안보, and global competition in key technologies like semiconductors and AI. Until the next government takes office next month, Lee requested all ministers fulfill their duties until the end, in the face of history. An economist globally renowned for education and innovation policy, the two-time Education Minister will run a caretaker government until a new president is elected. His responsibilities now span the country's presidency, the prime minister's office, and the Finance Ministry. With the Finance Minister's resignation, the Cabinet is left with only 14 members falling short of the 15 required to hold a State Council meeting. However, the Ministry of Government Legislation has ruled that the 15-member requirement refers to positions, not active individuals, and that with 11 or more attendees, the Cabinet can lawfully function. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Fmr. PM Han declares presidential candidacy ahead of PPP convention; DP proposes bill following Lee's court ruling

2025/05/02 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. We begin with the latest on the upcoming presidential election with the clocking ticking fast. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has made his presidential bid official, pledging for a major change in power structure. DP's presidential hopeful Lee Jae-myung continued campaigning today, and so did PPP's Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon ahead of the party convention tomorrow. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo officially announced his run for president on Friday morning, just one day after stepping down as acting president and prime minister. "I just can't accept that even trade and diplomacy, which are vital to our national interest, are being used for political fights. I've decided to find a way to contribute for the future of the Republic of Korea I love, and for all of us." Han pledged immediate constitutional reform. He laid out a plan to draft an amendment in his first year in office, complete it in the second, hold general and presidential elections in the third year under the new Constitution, and then step down immediately. He also pledged to tackle trade issues including U.S. tariffs as well as to work for national unity and support the vulnerable. Han's entry into the race is expected to shake up the People Power Party's primary, now in its final stage, as he's expected to form a coalition with the PPP's final candidate. The PPP will wrap up its two-day voting on Friday to choose the party's presidential candidate, with results based 50 percent on party members and 50 percent on a public opinion poll. Ahead of the party convention on Saturday, where the final candidate will be announced, Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon on Friday visited different regions to gather support. Kim focused on the Seoul Metropolitan Area, while Han visited Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do Province. Meanwhile, despite the political fallout from the Supreme Court's decision on his election law violation case, Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung is sticking to his schedule. Lee visited Gangwon-do Province to listen to the voices of the people. The Supreme Court on Thursday sent Lee's election law violation case back to the high court with the intent of a guilty verdict. The DP's election committee on Friday criticized the ruling, calling it an unfair political decision. The National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee led by members of the DP decided on Friday to initiate the review of a DP-proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, despite opposition from PPP members. The amendment aims to halt legal proceedings once a defendant is elected president. The DP plans to refer the bill to a plenary session next week. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

New Acting President Lee Ju-ho takes full charge to stabilize security, economy until election

2025/05/02 17:00

We start with some dramatic developments on the political front overnight with the post of acting president going to Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Lee Ju-ho . Our senior correspondent Oh Soo-young covers the events thus far. Stabilizing governance amid a political storm, South Korea's new Acting President Lee Ju-ho took charge of the nation Friday, prioritising people's livelihoods and national security as his first agenda. Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Lee Ju-ho, as of midnight, became the country's unprecedented third interim leader in the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. This came after two back-to-back resignations on Thursday, as Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stepped down to run in the June 3rd presidential election, and his next in line, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, quit within hours under the threat of impeachment by the National Assembly. Lee's first course of action: convening the National Security Council to ensure livelihoods and public safety remain intact, and for watertight readiness against potential provocations from North Korea. "Ensuring national security and the lives and safety of the people is the government's most fundamental duty. There must not be even the slightest gap in any area — whether in diplomacy, security, defense, or economic security." The Acting President also presided over a State Council meeting to approve the 13-point-8 trillion won, or 9-point-six billion dollar supplementary budget passed by parliament, to fund wildfire recovery, AI research and development, public welfare, and infrastructure projects. Remarking on the fastest-ever passing of extra budget seen in the last two decades, Lee stressed the interim government must not cease to address challenges affecting national interests, such as trade consultations with the United States, 경제 안보, and global competition in key technologies like semiconductors and AI. Until the next government takes office next month, Lee requested all ministers fulfill their duties until the end, in the face of history. An economist globally renowned for education and innovation policy, the two-time Education Minister will run a caretaker government until a new president is elected. His responsibilities now span the country's presidency, the prime minister's office, and the Finance Ministry. With the Finance Minister's resignation, the Cabinet is left with only 14 members falling short of the 15 required to hold a State Council meeting. However, the Ministry of Government Legislation has ruled that the 15-member requirement refers to positions, not active individuals, and that with 11 or more attendees, the Cabinet can lawfully function. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

World News: Waltz out as U.S. national security adviser and tapped for UN ambassador

2025/05/02 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. U.S. President Donald Trump has removed National Security Adviser Mike Waltz following a security breach and named Secretary of State Marco Rubio his interim replacement. As part of the reshuffle, Trump has nominated Waltz as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. President Trump's decision was announced on Thursday local time. This comes after Waltz mistakenly added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a group chat of top officials discussing classified U.S. military operations in Yemen. While an internal review concluded the breach was accidental, the incident intensified tensions between Waltz and other officials over his hawkish foreign policy views. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed as acting National Security Adviser, adding to his current roles as Secretary of State, acting administrator for the United States Agency for International Development, and U.S. Archivist. The Senate must now confirm Waltz's nomination as UN Ambassador. Parts of Northwest Europe are experiencing an unprecedented heatwave, with multiple countries recording their highest temperatures at the start of May. The United Kingdom saw its hottest start to May since records began on Thursday, with temperatures reaching 29.3 degrees Celsius at Kew Gardens in London, according to the Met Office. This surpasses the previous record of 27.4 degrees Celsius set in 1990. Elsewhere in Europe, cities including Paris and Berlin have also experienced unseasonably warm weather, with temperatures reaching 29 and 27 degrees Celsius, respectively. The early onset of such high temperatures raises concerns about the frequency and intensity of future heatwaves in the region. In Brazil, Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, recognized as the world's oldest person, has died at the age of 116. Sister Inah passed away on April 30 in Porto Alegre due to natural causes. Born in 1908, Lucas became a Catholic nun in her early 20s and devoted her life to religious service and teaching. She joined the Teresian Sisters religious community in 1927 and spent decades educating students. Sister Inah was blessed by the late Pope Francis in 2018. She attributed her longevity to her faith, saying that "He is the secret of life." With her passing, 115-year-old Ethel Caterham in England now holds the title of oldest living person. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Gov't unveils 2025 plan for N. Korean defectors, boosting education and incentives

2025/05/02 17:00

The Unification Ministry has shared its latest settlement support plan for North Korean defectors. The plan expands academic opportunities for the children of defectors and offers tax incentives to businesses that hire defectors. It also strengthens safety nets for the elderly and working mothers. Seeking to build upon last year's framework the plan focuses on job creation and talent development aimed at giving defectors the chance to gain a firm foothold here in South Korea.

S. Korea, U.S. conduct first tabletop military exercise against N. Korea's space threats

2025/05/02 17:00

South Korea and the U.S. held their first tabletop exercise against space-based security threats posed by North Korea. The exercise between the Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. Space Forces Korea took place on Thursday and included response simulations to potential North Korean attacks against South Korean satellites such as GPS jamming. This tabletop training follows working-level talks on space partnership held in Washington D.C. last November.

S. Korea-U.S. conclude working-level 'technical discussions' on tariffs

2025/05/02 17:00

Working-level trade officials from South Korea and their U.S. counterparts have concluded their first "technical talks" on tariffs in Washington D.C. Our correspondent Lee Soo-jin has more. South Korean and U.S. trade officials concluded two days of "technical discussions" on bilateral trade issues on Thursday, local time. The discussions, which were held in Washington, mark the first working-level meeting between the South Korean delegation, led by Chang Sung-gil, the director-general for trade policy at the industry ministry, and their U.S. Trade Representative counterparts. While the details of the discussions were not disclosed, one source said the meeting's aim was to outline a framework for future full-scale talks. The meeting comes on the heels of last week's so-called "two-plus-two" trade negotiations between Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, and then-Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. During the high-level talks, the two sides agreed to create a trade package aimed at securing tariff exemptions by July 8, the day that a 90-day pause in tariffs set by U.S. President Donald Trump is set to expire. And South Korea is not the only Asian country that the U.S. is holding trade talks with. The second round of tariff negotiations between the U.S. and Japan kicked off on Thursday, local time, in Washington attended by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and a delegation led by Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa. During the meeting, which lasted about an hour longer than the first round, the U.S. and Japan focused on expanding trade, addressing non-tariff measures, and strengthening cooperation on economic security. Bessent emphasized the Trump administration's focus on countries in Asia during an interview on Thursday. "I am concentrating on our Asian trading partners. So we're meeting with the Japanese delegation today. We've had some very good meetings with Korea. So, you know, we we are moving quickly." He also said that trade deals with other Asians countries may take place before China. White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller maintained a firm stance on China during a briefing on Thursday, saying that the U.S. will not tolerate intellectual property theft or mounting trade deficits. He also said the trade deficit in auto trade between the U.S. and South Korea, Japan and the European Union, was "unsustainable" under fair trade conditions. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

Fmr. PM Han declares presidential candidacy ahead of PPP convention; DP proposes bill following Lee's court ruling

2025/05/02 17:00

And as mentioned in that report Han Duck-soo has declared his intentions to join the presidential race on June 3rd. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young covers this declaration as well as the latest on the election front. Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo officially announced his run for president on Friday morning, just one day after stepping down as acting president and prime minister. "I just can't accept that even trade and diplomacy, which are vital to our national interest, are being used for political fights. I've decided to find a way to contribute for the future of the Republic of Korea I love, and for all of us." Han pledged immediate constitutional reform. He laid out a plan to draft an amendment in his first year in office, complete it in the second, hold general and presidential elections in the third year under the new Constitution, and then step down immediately. He also pledged to tackle trade issues including U.S. tariffs as well as to work for national unity and support the vulnerable. Han's entry into the race is expected to shake up the People Power Party's primary, now in its final stage, as he's expected to form a coalition with the PPP's final candidate. The PPP will wrap up its two-day voting on Friday to choose the party's presidential candidate, with results based 50 percent on party members and 50 percent on a public opinion poll. Ahead of the party convention on Saturday, where the final candidate will be announced, Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon on Friday visited different regions to gather support. Kim focused on the Seoul Metropolitan Area, while Han visited Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do Province. Meanwhile, despite the political fallout from the Supreme Court's decision on his election law violation case, Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung is sticking to his schedule. Lee visited Gangwon-do Province to listen to the voices of the people. The Supreme Court on Thursday sent Lee's election law violation case back to the high court with the intent of a guilty verdict. The DP's election committee on Friday criticized the ruling, calling it an unfair political decision. The National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee led by members of the DP decided on Friday to initiate the review of a DP-proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, despite opposition from PPP members. The amendment aims to halt legal proceedings once a defendant is elected president. The DP plans to refer the bill to a plenary session next week. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea-U.S. conclude working-level 'technical discussions' on tariffs

2025/05/02 10:00

South Korean industry ministry officials and their U.S. counterparts have wrapped up their first working-level "technical discussion," which follows the "two-plus-two" trade talks held last week. Our Lee Soo-jin tells us more. South Korean and U.S. trade officials concluded two days of "technical discussions" on bilateral trade issues on Thursday, local time. The discussions, which were held in Washington, marks the first working-level meeting between the South Korean delegation, led by Chang Sung-gil, the director-general for trade policy at the industry ministry, and their U.S. Trade Representative counterparts. While the details of the discussions were not disclosed, one source said the meeting aimed to outline a framework for future full-scale talks. The meeting comes on the heels of last week’s so-called "two-plus-two" trade negotiations between Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, and then-Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. During the high-level talks, the two sides agreed to create a trade package aimed at securing tariff exemptions by July 8, the day that a 90-day pause in tariffs set by U.S. President Donald Trump is set to expire. And South Korea is not the only Asian country that the U.S. is holding trade talks with. The second round of tariff negotiations between the U.S. and Japan kicked off on Thursday, local time, in Washington between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and his Japanese counterpart,.. Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa. Bessent emphasized the Trump administration's focus on countries in Asia during an interview on Thursday. "I am concentrating on our Asian trading partners. So we're meeting with the Japanese delegation today. We've had some good meetings with Korea. So, you know, we we are moving quickly." He also said that trade deals with other Asians countries may take place before China. White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller maintained a firm stance on China during a briefing on Thursday, saying that the U.S. will not tolerate intellectual property theft or mounting trade deficits. He also said the trade deficit in auto trade between the U.S. and South Korea, Japan and the European Union, was "unsustainable" under fair trade conditions. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

Education minister now leads S. Korea as finance minister resigns following DP's impeachment push

2025/05/02 10:00

South Korea is now led by Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Education Minister, Lee Ju-ho fourth in line to the presidency. This comes as Deputy Prime Minister for Finance Choi Sang-mok was initially set to take over again as caretaker but stepped down after the Democratic Party moved to impeach him. Let’s bring in Kim Do-yeon, live from the National Assembly. Do-yeon, walk us through what happened. Dami, tensions flared at the National Assembly last night as the Democratic Party pushed an impeachment motion against Choi Sang-mok — just hours before he was to assume caretaker duties. The DP abruptly changed the plenary agenda, bringing an idle bill to a vote right after Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s resignation. Choi, who had been present for a vote on the supplementary budget, walked out as the impeachment motion was read and submitted his resignation to then Acting President Han, who accepted effectively halting the vote. The DP accused Choi of being complicit in the alleged insurrection tied to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration among other unconstitutional acts. In protest, People Power Party lawmakers walked out calling it political retaliation for the Supreme Court’s ruling on DP presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung earlier in the day. Now, for the first time in South Korean history, the Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs is serving as acting president. New Acting President Lee Ju-ho began Friday with an emergency National Security Council meeting vowing to keep security tight. Here’s also what he said upon entering office for the first time. "I feel a great sense of responsibility. With the election just a month away, my top priority is ensuring a fair process." Now, this all stems from former Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo resigning to run for the presidency earlier yesterday and I believe at the moment, he's at the National Assembly to declare his presidency. Catch us up with this. That's right Dami. The former Acting President and Prime Minister is currently giving his declaration speech for his candidacy for the presidency. This comes as at 4 PM yesterday then Acting President Han as anticipated said he will resign effective as of midnight. First, take a listen to what he had to say yesterday. To help overcome the crisis we face, I’ve decided to step down and do what I can, and must do. Following the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, Han Duck-soo has been the nation's interim leader. While he was impeached himself by the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court restored him to his duties just 39 days ago. But his move to run for president was widely expected with some People Power Party lawmakers calling for him to run and recent polling showing him ahead of other conservative leaders favored for the next presidency though still behind the DP's Lee Jae-myung. Dami. Do-yeon, do keep us posted please. Thank you.

Next round of Iran-US nuclear talks postponed

2025/05/02 10:00

A fourth round of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, initially scheduled for Saturday, May 3, in Rome, has been postponed, for logistical reasons. On Thursday, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi announced the postponement of the planned talks on the social media platform X, stating the meeting would be rescheduled for logistical reasons. He emphasized that new dates would be announced once they are mutually agreed upon by all parties involved. Iranian officials, however, suggest that the delay reflects deeper issues. They indicated that the next round of talks depends on the U.S. approach, criticizing Washington's recent sanctions on seven entities involved in the trade of Iranian oil products, calling them unhelpful to diplomatic efforts. The U.S. maintains that it had not confirmed the initial Saturday meeting in Rome but expects further discussions "in the near future."

Waltz out as U.S. national security adviser and tapped for UN ambassador

2025/05/02 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump has removed National Security Adviser Mike Waltz following a security breach and named Secretary of State Marco Rubio his interim replacement. As part of the reshuffle, Trump has nominated Waltz as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. President Trump's decision was announced on Thursday local time. This comes after Waltz mistakenly added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a group chat of top officials discussing classified U.S. military operations in Yemen. While an internal review concluded the breach was accidental, the incident intensified tensions between Waltz and other officials over his hawkish foreign policy views. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed as acting National Security Adviser, adding to his current roles as Secretary of State, acting administrator for the United States Agency for International Development, and U.S. Archivist. The Senate must now confirm Waltz's nomination as UN Ambassador.

Supreme Court overturns Lee Jae-myung's acquittal in election law violation, sends case back to high court

2025/05/02 10:00

The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a lower court's acquittal of Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung on charges of election law violation, sending the case back to the appeals court, with just about a month left until the snap presidential election. Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The Supreme Court has sent the election law violation case of Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung back to the high court. The top court was split 10 to two. It had a full bench oversee the case and reviewed it at an unusually fast pace ahead of the upcoming presidential election. Thursday's ruling follows an appeal by prosecutors against a high court ruling in March that had overturned an initial guilty verdict by a local court. In the initial verdict by Seoul Central District Court in November, Lee was convicted of making false statements in 2021, leading up to the presidential campaign in the following year. The Supreme Court on Thursday also provided guidelines for determining which statements by candidates are considered false. Regarding the "meaning of expressions," the court emphasized that it should be interpreted from the perspective of the general voter, not the candidate or the court itself. When judging "false facts," it emphasized that it's important to consider whether the statement is minor and doesn't affect voters' judgment, or if it's significant enough to mislead them. In this regard, the court ruled that Lee's statements are considered as spreading false information under Public Official Election Act. Lee Jae-myung did not appear in court on Thursday, as defendants are not required to be present. He said the ruling is completely different from what he believed. "The ruling is completely different from what I thought. The law is an agreement by the people, and the will of the people is what matters most." The DP criticized the ruling, calling it clearly political and rushed, and accused the court of unfairly interfering in the presidential election. On the other hand, the People Power Party welcomed the ruling, called for Lee’s resignation, and urged the DP to nominate a new candidate. "The Supreme Court confirmed that Lee distorted public judgment by spreading false information. That alone disqualifies him as a presidential candidate. Stepping down is just common sense." Lee will now face a retrial at the Seoul High Court. Since the court must follow the Supreme Court’s decision, he's expected to be found guilty. The court is expected to hold a sentencing hearing to decide Lee's sentence. Thursday's ruling drew much attention, as it could have affected presidential front-runner Lee’s eligibility to run in the upcoming election. With the case sent back for a retrial, his candidacy remains unaffected, since a final ruling has yet to be made. However, if he is elected before the ruling, it could spark controversy over whether the trial should be paused during his term. If the ruling comes before the election, and if Lee receives a fine of one million Korean won, about 700 U.S. dollars, or more, he would be barred from running for elections for five years, including the June 3rd election. If sentenced to a prison term, the ban extends to ten years. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Rival parties speed up candidate selection as S. Korea's snap election nears

2025/05/01 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. With just over a month remaining until Korea's June 3rd snap presidential election, the political landscape has taken another dramatic turn. The Supreme Court has overturned the appellate acquittal of Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung in his election law violation case, with a new ruling that effectively signals a guilty outcome. While such a verdict could have disqualified his candidacy, the final judgment is not expected before election day, allowing Lee to remain in the race—for now. Meanwhile, former Acting President Han Duck-soo has officially resigned and is expected to declare his candidacy tomorrow. His entry could trigger a last-minute conservative realignment, especially as the People Power Party is set to confirm its nominee later this week. As parties gear up to finalize their candidates, we take a closer look at the prospects of the upcoming snap election. And for this, we are joined by Hans Schattle, Professor of Political Science at Yonsei University, in the studio with us. Welcome. Also joining us online is Choi Hyunsun, Professor of Public Administration at Myongji University. Great to have you. (SCHATTLE) 1. So let's begin with the latest update: the Supreme Court's full bench has overturned the second trial's "not guilty verdict" for DP presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, who was indicted on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act. The case has now been remanded for a new ruling with the implication of guilt. Could you walk us through what this means for his presidential candidacy moving forward—and what the legal and political consequences could he face if the appeals court now returns a guilty verdict? (CHOI) 2.Now to Prof.Choi, also today Former Acting President Han Duck-soo resigned from office and is expected to announce his candidacy tomorrow. It's widely expected that he'll align with the PPP, yet the party's nominee will only be finalized this Sunday. How do you interpret the timing—and what's the most likely scenario that could unfold around a conservative unity ticket? (SCHATTLE) 3. Prof.Schattle, PPP candidate Kim Moon-soo has expressed openness to a unification effort, while his rival Han Dong-hoon has dismissed speculation of merging with Han Duck-soo. If the push for unification fails before the May 11th final registration deadline, what impact could that have on the conservative bloc's competitiveness in this race? (CHOI) 4. Looking at the policy battlefield available so far, many of the leading promises, particularly around youth debt relief, AI education, and housing subsidies, are highly expansive. Prof.Choi, Are we seeing any credible fiscal roadmap from either side? (SCHATTLE) 5. Former Acting President Han Duck-soo is expected to formally propose a shortened presidential term as part of his constitutional reform plan. Prof.Schattle, What is the political logic behind the term reduction—and how might this differentiate him from DP candidate Lee Jae-myung, who has so far remained cautious on constitutional change? (CHOI) 6. Both major parties now endorse a version of the 4.5-day workweek. The DP envisions a long-term shift toward a 4-day model, while the PPP proposes redistributing working hours. From a public administration standpoint Prof.Choi, how realistic is it for the government to oversee such a rollout across sectors with vastly different labor structures? (SCHATTLE) 7. Meanwhile a recent survey by the Korea Manifesto Center on the top ten issues for voters in this election had been released. For the first time, "restoring fairness and trust in institutions" ranked higher than jobs or housing. Prof.Schattle, What does this shift tell us about the psychological and political mood of the electorate? (CHOI) 8. Younger voters—likely to be a decisive demographic—face competing visions: AI education, deregulated housing, debt relief, and even digital sovereignty. Based on what's been proposed so far, what should parties prioritize to win over this critical bloc Prof.Choi? (BOTH) 9.-10. Finally, what policies are voters ultimately looking for from both the former ruling party and the opposition, given the current political vacuum and the instability following the presidential impeachment?

Supreme Court overturns Lee Jae-myung's acquittal in election law violation, sends case back to high court

2025/05/01 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. We start with a major ruling today ahead of the presidential election next month. The Supreme Court today returned to the high court an election law violation case against DP's presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, with the intent of a guilty verdict. It set the rule by drawing a line between what amounts to freedom of expression and what constitutes false information, when it comes to statements by candidates that could affect voters. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The Supreme Court has sent the election law violation case of Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung back to the high court. The top court was split 10 to two. It had a full bench oversee the case and reviewed it at an unusually fast pace ahead of the upcoming presidential election. Thursday's ruling follows an appeal by prosecutors against a high court ruling in March that had overturned an initial guilty verdict by a local court. In the initial verdict by Seoul Central District Court in November, Lee was convicted of making false statements in 2021, leading up to the presidential campaign in the following year. The Supreme Court on Thursday also provided guidelines for determining which statements by candidates are considered false. Regarding the "meaning of expressions," the court emphasized that it should be interpreted from the perspective of the general voter, not the candidate or the court itself. When judging "false facts," it emphasized that it's important to consider whether the statement is minor and doesn't affect voters' judgment, or if it's significant enough to mislead them. In this regard, the court ruled that Lee's statements are considered as spreading false information under Public Official Election Act. Lee Jae-myung did not appear in court on Thursday, as defendants are not required to be present. He said the ruling is completely different from what he believed. "The ruling is completely different from what I thought. The law is an agreement by the people, and the will of the people is what matters most. The DP criticized the ruling, calling it clearly political and rushed, and accused the court of unfairly interfering in the presidential election. On the other hand, the People Power Party welcomed the ruling, called for Lee's resignation, and urged the DP to nominate a new candidate. "The Supreme Court confirmed that Lee distorted public judgment by spreading false information. That alone disqualifies him as a presidential candidate. Stepping down is just common sense." Lee will now face a retrial at the Seoul High Court. Since the court must follow the Supreme Court's decision, he's expected to be found guilty. The court is expected to hold a sentencing hearing to decide Lee's sentence. Thursday's ruling drew much attention, as it could have affected presidential front-runner Lee's eligibility to run in the upcoming election. With the case sent back for a retrial, his candidacy remains unaffected, since a final ruling has yet to be made. However, if he is elected before the ruling, it could spark controversy over whether the trial should be paused during his term. If the ruling comes before the election, and if Lee receives a fine of one million Korean won, about 700 U.S. dollars, or more, he would be barred from running for elections for five years, including the June 3rd election. If sentenced to a prison term, the ban extends to ten years. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

U.S. Navy Secretary visits shipyards in S. Korea, as Trump administration seeks to revive shipbuilding

2025/05/01 20:00

U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan has this week visited shipyards of South Korea's leading shipbuilding companies, as part of the Trump administration's efforts to revive the U.S. shipbuilding industry. The office of the Secretary of the Navy said Thursday that Phelan visited Hanwha Ocean's shipyard in Geoje and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard in Ulsan the day before. He stressed the importance of cooperation between the U.S. Navy and Korea's maritime industrial base, while adding that leveraging the expertise of these highly capable shipyards enables U.S. vessels to operate at peak performance. His visit comes after Trump earlier said the United States may purchase advanced ships from close countries.

S. Korea moves closer to finalizing supplementary budget of 13.8 trillion KRW

2025/05/01 20:00

A supplementary budget aimed at addressing disaster recovery, boosting exports, and supporting vulnerable groups comes following days of cross-party negotiations. The result is a compromise to expand the amount in the final package. Our Moon Hye-ryeon reports. South Korea has taken a major step toward finalizing its first supplementary budget in three years — and the first drafted under an acting president. The two main political parties reached an agreement on Thursday to expand the package to 13-point-8 trillion Korean won, roughly 9-point-6 billion U.S. dollars, up from the government's original 12-point-2 trillion won proposal. The budget targets three main priorities: disaster recovery, boosting exports and strategic technologies, and supporting vulnerable communities. A major driver of the budget's expansion is the response to devastating wildfires, which prompted an additional 200 billion won for disaster relief. This will help double the national disaster reserve and upgrade emergency equipment such as drones and AI surveillance systems. As global trade tensions and export slowdowns persist, the budget allocates 4 trillion won for high-tech industries, including policy financing, export programs, and AI semiconductor investment. Another key addition is 400 billion won for regional gift certificates, aimed at boosting consumption in small businesses and traditional markets. Funding for agricultural discounts has been expanded, along with scholarships for university students. With the IMF reducing South Korea's 2025 growth outlook to one percent, more funds have been directed to construction projects to stimulate domestic demand. Experts say this could be vital for job creation and economic recovery. "Reviving the construction sector can have a strong ripple effect. It helps boost employment among low-income, unskilled workers and contributes to faster recovery in domestic demand." The supplementary budget also targets small businesses and vulnerable groups. Measures include a new "burden-relief credit" for electricity and insurance bills, traditional market vouchers, and expanded loans for students and low-income youth. This emergency budget may serve as a stepping stone for more extensive fiscal action later this year. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.