News

PEOPLE, POLITICS, TARIFFS AFTER COURT RULING

2025/04/11 17:00

Hello and welcome. It's Friday April 11th and you're watching Press Perspective. Today we touch upon a host of issues here on the local front AS REPORTED by the foreign media including public sentiment and election preparations all amid U.S. tariffs. For more I have Yang Chien-Hao a freelance journalist from Taiwan based here in Seoul. Chien-Hao welcome. I also have Chloe Borgnon with French broadcaster France 24. Chloe it's good to have you here. 1) Chien-Hao, public rallies leading up to the Constitutional Court's ruling were intense. 2) And Chloe, I believe South Korea's political polarization continues to make international headlines. 3-1) Chien-Hao, contrary to earlier concerns, there have been no violent displays of public discontent over the latest political developments. 3-2) Chien-Hao, do you suppose the reality that the ruling by the Constitutional Court was unanimous served to ward off radical public behaviour? 4) Chloe, there are mounting concerns here in South Korea, ahead of the early election, regarding the potential spread of disinformation to sway voters. 5) Chien-Hao, the presidential race is on as foreign media outlets have been quick to report. 6) And Chloe, what messages from the presidential candidates would be of interest to Europe, do you think? 7) Chien-Hao, clearly, the most urgent task for the new tenant of South Korea's top office is America's tariff policy. 8) Chloe, staying with tariffs. All right.

Defence ministers of 'coalition of willing' meet in Brussels, discuss bolstering Ukraine forces

2025/04/11 10:00

Beginning in Europe, defense ministers of 31 nations convened in Brussels to discuss the formation of a multinational force aimed at supporting Ukraine. The so-called "coalition of the willing," led by the United Kingdom and France, aims to establish a framework for ensuring lasting peace in the region. On Thursday local time, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, the defense ministers deliberated on creating a "reassurance force" for Ukraine, in the event of a future ceasefire with Russia. The proposed force is envisioned to comprise of between 10,000 and 30,000 troops, stationed away from active front lines. However, uncertainties remain over the role of the United States. While the U.S. did not participate in the Brussels meeting, European ministers underscored the importance of American Support.

U.S. military commanders warn over potential Korea troop withdrawal

2025/04/11 10:00

U.S. military commanders have voiced concerns over a potential troop withdrawal from South Korea. At the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing held in Washington D.C. on Thursday, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Samuel Paparo said losing U.S. forces would mean a "higher probability" of North Korea invading the South. Xavier Brunson, the commander of U.S. forces in Korea, also said a reduction would be "problematic," adding that U.S. presence helps deter threats from China and Russia. Roughly 28-thousand-5-hundred American troops are stationed in South Korea.

Former DP Chairman Lee Jae-myung announces presidential candidacy in video message

2025/04/11 10:00

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has announced his third run for the nation's top office after stepping down as the party leader on Wednesday. In a video message on Thursday, Lee pledged dedication to the people in a new vision dubbed "K-Initiative" that highlights Korea's ability to turn crisis into opportunity. He will elaborate on this vision at the parliament on Friday. Other DP candidates are former lawmaker Kim Du-kwan and Governor of Gyeonggi-do Province Kim Dong-yeon who earlier declared their intentions to run in the race. And the opposition party has tapped Park Beom-kye, a four-term lawmaker, as its election committee chair. The party will announce its partisan primary election plan on Friday.

PPP presidential primary rules set: Garnering attention, support amid impeachment fallout

2025/04/11 10:00

The race for the top office is just getting started. The Power People Party on Thursday disclosed its partisan primary election plan. The first round of cut-offs will be based on public opinion. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon reports. The rules for the People Power Party's presidential primary are set. With over 10 contenders expected to vie for the nomination, there will be a series of cut-offs. But their biggest challenge: winning public support amid the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. That's why the first round of cut-offs, to leave four contenders, will be an open survey to all citizens, not just their registered members. "The decision to base the first round entirely on the general public was made in response to widespread calls for an open primary and greater weight on public sentiment. This ensures that candidates who align with the public's expectations can advance to the four-way race." As for the specific timeline, the first round of candidates will be finalized by April 16th. After three days of debates, the general public poll will leave four contenders. For the next few days, the four candidates will face the media and debate each other. The next cut-off survey starts on the 27th and by the 29th the remaining two will be decided through an open poll for 50 percent and eligible PPP electors for 50 percent, or registered PPP members who've paid for party membership at least once in the past year. If one of the four contenders receives more than 50 percent of the final votes here, he or she will be the final candidate. If not, on April 30th, a debate will be held between the two contenders. On May 3rd, the PPP will hold a convention and announce its candidate. Meanwhile, to prevent tactical voting in open polls—where opposition supporters might try to boost a weaker PPP candidate—respondents will be asked the party they support before taking the survey. As for the race, the latest to enter is former PPP chair Han Dong-hoon. Speaking at the National Assembly, Han vowed to block what he called Lee Jae-myung's "monstrous" administration and says he wants a generational shift in politics. "I'm going to create a nation where the citizens come first, the middle class grows, and practicality beats ideology. With that in mind, I will make a change in politics, the era, and the generation." Once the closest to President Yoon, Han broke ranks in early 2024 and even backed Yoon's impeachment. Because of this, he's expected to score high on the all-open voting tallies. Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo is also likely a beneficiary, and his declaration is set to come next Monday. On the other hand, Yoon's close political ally, Na Kyung-won, also announced that she will declare her candidacy on Friday. Kim Moon-soo and Ahn Cheol-soo are among those that's declared candidacy already. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

On-point: Has S. Korea recovered from the impeachment ruling?

2025/04/11 10:00

It's been a week since the court's dismissal of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law order. How is South Korea doing without a leader? Have the South Korean people recovered from the political drama? Let's turn to Professor Robert Kelly. Welcome back. 1. A week since the court's dismissal It also means it's been a week without the country's leader. How would you evaluate how the country's doing without a president on the social front? 2. Why do you think there was no dramatic violence or unrest following the impeachment ruling this time? 3. Are you saying the South Korean people have fully exercised the idea of democracy? How? Do you think we learned from our experience 8 years ago? 4. We are now officially on election mode. How can we have a civil election? What is essential for a peaceful and harmonious election in June? 5. What next after the election then? How do we welcome a new administration in a civil, democratic manner? Thanks so much for sharing your insight with us. We appreciate it.

South Korea establishes diplomatic ties with Syria, longtime ally of North Korea

2025/04/11 10:00

South Korea has established a formal diplomatic relations with Syria the last remaining UN member state apart from North Korea that did not have formal ties with Seoul. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji reports. Syria has now become the 194th country in the world to form diplomatic relations with South Korea marking a milestone for the country, as it now has formal ties with all UN member states, except North Korea. Foreign minister Cho Tae-yul visited Syria's capital city Damascus this week,.. and signed a joint statement on Thursday local time, with his counterpart Assad al-Shaibani. "By establishing diplomatic relations with Syria -the last remaining country with which we had no diplomatic ties, South Korea has now reached a historic milestone of establishing diplomatic relations with all 191 UN member states." The two sides held a meeting, where Cho said South Korea is willing to contribute to reconstruction efforts in Syria, and discussed the possibility of Korean companies participating in rebuilding the country. He also promised Seoul will provide humanitarian assistance including medicine, medical equipment and rice. During his visit, Cho also met the country's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa.. and said taking a firm stance against extremism and eliminating chemical weapons, will help create an environment conducive to the country's development. South Korea started to work on forging diplomatic ties with Syria, after more than 13 years of war recently put an end to the brutal Assad dictatorship which had maintained a close relationship with North Korea for decades. The Assad family regime, which ruled the country for more than 50 years, collapsed in December during a major offensive by opposition forces. Syria has had diplomatic ties with North Korea since 1966, but the fall of the dictatorship brought about a significant shift in its relations with Pyongyang. Now that South Korea has forged ties with nations that have been close allies of the North, including Cuba last year, this latest diplomatic development is expected to further isolate Pyongyang on the global stage. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

China says door for dialogue with the U.S. is open

2025/04/11 10:00

Despite blow-for-blow tariffs being exchanged between the two largest economies in the world, China also said it's open for talks with the U.S. Lee Seung-jae has more. The United States and China have been facing off with tariffs imposed left and right. China responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's 104 percent tariffs by imposing an 84 percent tariff on American goods. Trump quickly countered with additional tariffs against China, with levies now at up to 145 percent. On Thursday, Beijing expressed its willingness to hold talks with the U.S. in the hope of putting an end to the tariff war. "China's position is clear and consistent. If the United States wants to talk, our door is open. However, dialogue must be conducted on an equal footing and on the basis of mutual respect." The spokesperson also warned that if the U.S insists on pursuing a tariff war, China will respond and "fight till the end." She added that pressure, threats, or blackmail are not the right way to deal with China. The European Union is also open for negotiations with the U.S., as it announced it would put its trade retaliation measures on hold for 90 days. According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday, the bloc "took note of the announcement by President Trump," adding that the EU wants to give negotiations a chance. The European Commission spokesperson also announced the 27-member bloc's willingness to hold talks with Washington. "We believe we can reach all sorts of beneficial outcomes from both sides that would avoid the types of tariffs that we believe are harmful and counterproductive. So we're continuing all our preparations, and we will continue to talk to our member states, talk to our industry, and we remain ready to engage in a meaningful way with the U.S." Despite the tariff-for-tariff war between major economies, there are now hopes that the parties involved will sit down for talks, in a bid to ease the global trade tensions. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

U.S. clarifies 145% tariffs on China, keeps door open for talks

2025/04/11 10:00

The tariff war between the U.S. and China seems far from over as the White House confirmed the tariff on Chinese imports now stands at 145 percent instead of the previous 125. Our Park Kun-woo leads us this morning. The White House said Thursday that imports from China now face a retaliatory 145 percent tariff. According to officials, an existing 20 percent levy will be added to the 125 percent tariff, announced the day before. That tariff was imposed by Donald Trump in February in response to China's role in supplying fentanyl and its precursors to the U.S. However, Trump also said he remains open to talks with Beijing. "I have great respect for President Xi. He's been, in a true sense, he's been a friend of mine for a long period of time and I think that we'll end up working out something that's very good for both countries." On Wednesday, Trump announced a 90-day pause on additional tariffs, keeping a 10 percent baseline tariff in place for trading countries except China. The following day, he said what happens after that would depend on the situation at that time, but stressed that tariffs would return if no negotiations took place during the pause. Also on Thursday, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said 15 countries had made "explicit offers" to lower tariffs, with some being considered and other deals close to being agreed. "We're setting up a very orderly process to prioritize countries and make sure that the countries that are most important for getting this to the finish line are the countries that we bring in first." He added that he expects a lot of movement on trade deals within the next three to four weeks. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Trump announces 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, hikes levies on China

2025/04/10 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. We start with unexpected news of a three-month pause in so-called U.S.'s reciprocal tariffs on most countries, less than 24-hours after they took effect. But that doesn't apply to China, against which the rate went up even higher in a tit-for-tat battle with Washington. Kim Bo-kyoung reports. In just 13 hours since the reciprocal tariffs for so-called "worst offender" countries took effect on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly backed down on this set of tariffs for 90 days for all countries apart from China, which instead saw its tariffs raised to one-hundred-25-percent. Trump's stunning reversal came through his social media just before 1:30 PM Wednesday where he said Washington would pause higher targeted tariffs to more than 75 trading partners who reached out to negotiate with the U.S., rather than retaliated. He repeated his thoughts during an event with race car champions on the White House South Lawn. "I did a 90-day pause for the people that didn't retaliate, because I told them, if you retaliate we're going to double it. And that's what I did with China, because they did retaliate." The decision means countries that would have faced reciprocal tariff rates on Wednesday including South Korea, see rates go back down to the universal ten-percent rate. But for Beijing, which had retaliated to Trump's 104% tariffs by upping its tariff rate on U.S. goods to 84%, Trump raised tariffs on China yet again, to now 125%. Products that aren't exempt under the trade deal steel, aluminum and autos, will still have a 25-percent tariff. When asked whether volatile bond markets persuaded him to pull back on his plan, Trump said he saw people were getting afraid. "The bond market right now is beautiful. But yeah, I saw last night where people were getting a little queasy. . They were getting yippy, you know, they were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid." On this, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly told the press at the White House,. that what people saw the reciprocal tariffs that went effect on Wednesday was a "ceiling", and now that they have a temporary "floor." He added it would take some time for each country's tailor-made solutions. Meanwhile for South Korea, the 90-day pause will likely serve as time to negotiate with the U.S. after the new administration launches in June. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Former DP Chairman Lee Jae-myung announces presidential candidacy in video message

2025/04/10 20:00

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung who stepped down on Wednesday has announced his third run for the nation's top office. In a video message on Thursday, Lee pledged dedication to the people in a new vision dubbed "K-Initiative" that highlights Korea's ability to turn crisis into opportunity. He is expected to elaborate on this vision at the parliament on Friday. Other DP candidates are former lawmaker Kim Du-kwan and Governor of Gyeonggi-do Province Kim Dong-yeon who earlier declared their intentions to run in the race. Meanwhile, the opposition party has tapped Park Beom-kye , a four-term lawmaker, as its election committee chair and yet has to announce its partisan primary election plan.

PPP presidential primary rules set: Garnering attention, support amid impeachment fallout

2025/04/10 20:00

On the political front. The ruling Power People Party has disclosed its partisan primary election plan. The first round of cut-offs will be based on the public opinion aiming to better reflect their sentiment. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon has more. The rules for the People Power Party's presidential primary are set. With over 10 contenders expected to vie for the nomination, there will be a series of cut-offs. But their biggest challenge: winning public support amid the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. That's why the first round of cut-offs, to leave four contenders, will be an open survey to all citizens, not just their registered members. "The decision to base the first round entirely on the general public was made in response to widespread calls for an open primary and greater weight on public sentiment. This ensures that candidates who align with the public's expectations can advance to the four-way race." As for the specific timeline, the first round of candidates will be finalized by April 16th. After three days of debates, the general public poll will leave four contenders. For the next few days, the four candidates will face the media and debate each other. The next cut-off survey starts on the 27th and by the 29th the remaining two will be decided through an open poll for 50 percent and eligible PPP electors for 50 percent, or registered PPP members who've paid for party membership at least once in the past year. If one of the four contenders receives more than 50 percent of the final votes here, he or she will be the final candidate. If not, on April 30th, a debate will be held between the two contenders. On May 3rd, the PPP will hold a convention and announce its candidate. Meanwhile, to prevent tactical voting in open polls—where opposition supporters might boost a weaker PPP candidate—those who've previously backed another are excluded from the survey sample. As for the race, the latest to enter is former PPP chair Han Dong-hoon. Speaking at the National Assembly, Han vowed to block what he called Lee Jae-myung's "monstrous" administration and says he wants a generational shift in politics. "I'm going to create a nation where the citizens come first, the middle class grows, and practicality beats ideology. With that in mind, I will make a change in politics, the era, and the generation." Once the closest to President Yoon, Han broke ranks in early 2024 and even backed Yoon's impeachment. Because of this, he's expected to score high on the all-open voting tallies. Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo is also likely a beneficiary, and his declaration is set to come next Monday. On the other hand, Yoon's close political ally, Na Kyung-won, also announced that she will declare her candidacy on Friday. Kim Moon-soo and Ahn Cheol-soo are among those that's declared candidacy already. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Government targets illicit N. Korean cargo shipments with new sanctions

2025/04/10 20:00

The government has imposed new sanctions on one vessel, two foreign companies, and two Chinese nationals for violating UN Security Council resolutions. The "stateless ship" Sunrise 1, run by Hong Kong's Xiangrui Shipping, was caught in South Korean waters last June after loading some 5-thousand tons of North Korean iron ore, strictly banned under UN Resolution 2371. Russia's CONSUL DV owned the cargo, while two Chinese men operated the ship. Seoul says the move reaffirms its commitment to curbing Pyongyang's weapons development by cutting off illegal supply routes at sea.

Seoul mobilizes full diplomatic response to U.S. tariff policy shift

2025/04/10 20:00

And Korea is trying make the most of the 90-day pause, using diplomatic channels and seeking areas of cooperation with Washington. Moon Hye-ryeon has the latest. Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has ordered an all-out diplomatic push to respond to Washington's tariff moves, following the Trump administration's decision to temporarily suspend additional rates on reciprocal tariffs for key trade partners, including South Korea. During a virtual meeting on Wednesday with South Korea's ambassador to the United States, Cho Hyun-dong, and Minister for Trade, Cheong In-kyo, Han stressed the need for swift and unified coordination with U.S. counterparts — the National Security Council, U.S. Trade Representative, and the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce and Energy. He instructed the Korean Embassy in Washington to strengthen communication with U.S. officials and ensure timely reporting back to Seoul, where all government ministries are treating the situation with "the utmost seriousness." Ambassador Cho said U.S. officials reacted positively following Han's phone call with U.S. President Trump, expressing interest in deepening cooperation in trade, energy, and shipbuilding. Trade Minister Cheong, who is currently in Washington, echoed that the tariff delay gives Korea a chance to minimize the economic fallout. However, he warned of potential spillover effects from steep U.S. tariffs on China — such as an influx of discounted Chinese goods into Korean and regional markets. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok also addressed the issue, stating on Wednesday that the 90-day deferral has eased some immediate pressure. In a meeting with financial envoys abroad, he pledged full support for Korean companies during this adjustment period and emphasized the need for clear messaging that Korea's economic and foreign policy remains steady despite this period of political transition. Officials noted that while China is responding forcefully to the U.S. tariffs, countries like Japan and Vietnam are prioritizing dialogue — highlighting the importance of tailored, proactive diplomacy in the weeks ahead. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

China's tit-for-tat 84% tariffs on U.S. imports take effect, as trade tensions escalate

2025/04/10 20:00

Trade tensions between the world's two largest economies show little sign of dialing down any sooner. China's retaliatory tariffs of 84-percent on U.S. imports came into effect this afternoon, just hours after the U.S. decided to raise tariffs on China to 125-percent. Bae Eun-ji explains more. China's countermeasures against the U.S. took effect at noon, Beijing local time, after the Chinese government announced its decision to impose 84 percent additional tariffs on all American imports. The country had earlier vowed to "fight to the end," and said in a statement that the U.S. escalation of tariffs is a "mistake upon mistake." "We will continue to take resolute and strong measures to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests." In addition to the tariffs, China's commerce ministry announced that it had imposed export controls on 12 American companies, banning Chinese companies from supplying them with dual-use products with military and civilian applications. It also added six more U.S. firms to its "unreliable entity list," which bans them from trading or making new investments in China. But China did leave room for dialogue with Washington. When asked about whether the two sides have started tariff negotiations, the commerce ministry said in a regular briefing on Thursday that it's open to talks, but stressed that this must be based on "mutual respect and equality." The two countries have been going back and forth with tariffs, since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office earlier this year. In February, Trump imposed additional 10 percent tariffs on Chinese imports, and China hit back by imposing 15 percent tariffs on U.S. coal and LNG products. In March, Trump decided to double the levies on China to 20 percent, in which China retaliated by imposing 15 percent tariffs on key American farm products. Then last week, Trump unveiled an additional 34-percent tariff on all Chinese imports, and China hit back with reciprocal tariffs. Trump threatened to add another 50 percent, increasing the tariff rate to 104 percent. China immediately responded by increasing tariffs on American imports from 34 to 84 percent. And now, Trump has hit back China harder with tariffs of 125 percent, leading to retaliation from Beijing. As both countries refuse to back down, eyes are now on whether the two largest economies in the world will be able to reach a trade deal in the near future. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

China counters Trump's 104% tariffs with 84% levies on U.S. products

2025/04/10 17:00

As mentioned ahead.. among the trade partners that are opting for retaliation over negotiation is China whose tit-for-tat strategy also includes tough rhetoric. Lee Seung-jae covers Beijing's earlier response and more. The two largest economies in the world are now going back and forth with tariffs, each hoping one side with succumb first. A day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 104 percent tariff on Chinese goods coming into the U.S., China retaliated, announcing an 84 percent tariff on U.S. goods. China's State Council Tariff Commission said in a statement that the U.S. escalation of tariffs against Beijing is a "mistake upon mistake," adding that it "severely" infringes upon China's legitimate rights and interests. It added that the U.S. tariffs seriously damage the rules-based multilateral trading system. China had warned that it would "fight to the end" if Washington continued to impose additional tariffs against the country. On top of the 84 percent tariffs, China's Ministry of Commerce announced that it had imposed export controls on 12 American companies, banning Chinese companies from supplying them with dual-use products with military and civilian applications. Beijing also added 6 more U.S. firms to its "unreliable entity list," which bans them from trading or making new investments in China. Meanwhile the European Union will impose its first countermeasures against the U.S. reciprocal tariffs starting next week. EU members agreed on Wednesday to join Canada and China in retaliating against U.S. tariff policies. Members agreed to impose retaliatory tariffs on 23 billion U.S. dollars worth of American products, from farm produce to products from Republican states. The EU says it will impose 25 percent tariffs on a number of goods from almonds to yachts,.. with the first levies being collected starting next Tuesday. Most of the retaliatory tariffs will be applied from May 15th,.. and the remainder starting on December 1st. However,.. the European Commission said in a statement that "these countermeasures can be suspended at any time, should the U.S. agree to a fair and balance negotiated outcome. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. KOREA'S DEMOCRACY MAKES INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES

2025/04/10 17:00

Welcome. It's Thursday April 10th here in Seoul and you're watching Press Perspective. Today we touch upon the praise that the Korean public has been garnering for its relatively peaceful rallies over the past months in demonstration of its democratic values. For more I have Kelly Kasulis Cho with The Washington Post. Kelly welcome back. I also have Steven Borowiec with Nikkei Asia with us. Steven it's good to have you here. 1) Kelly, let's begin with your thoughts on the current public atmosphere following the Constitutional Court's ruling against the former president. 2) Steven, foreign media reports after the Constitutional Court's ruling highlighted South Korea's democratic displays throughout its political paralysis. What appears to be the general assessment? 3) Kelly, you covered the events here starting from the martial law declaration on December 3rd to the Constitutional Court's ruling against the former president on April 4th. What remains the most in your mind? 4) Steven, one French media claims the presidential impeachment here is a reflection of the Korean public's tangible commitment to its political values. Now, prior to the events over the past few months, some pundits had claimed Korea's young appeared uninterested in politics. What do you suppose motivated them to take to the streets? 5) Kelly, over in the U.S., this past weekend, thousands took to the streets to protest Trump tariffs. What comparisons can be made between the rallies there and those that unfolded here over the past weeks? 6) Steven, back in Europe, both French and German media say Korea's latest democratic triumph serves as proof of the positive prospects against democratic backsliding elsewhere. What's your take? I mean, what lessons can be learnt from Korea's experience? 7) Kelly, along with the general applause for South Korea's democracy, concerns have also been shared about its political polarization. Do delve into these concerns for us as shared by the foreign media. 8) Steven, moving forward, there has been talk about the need for constitutional reform here in South Korea, and this reality has also been covered by the German media. What's the latest on this front? All right.

Trump announces 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, hikes levies on China

2025/04/10 17:00

We start with news of a three-month pause in reciprocal tariffs by the Trump administration. on American trade partners who chose negotiation over retaliation. Kim Bo-kyoung has our top story. In just 13 hours since the reciprocal tariffs for so-called "worst offender" countries took effect on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly backed down on this set of tariffs for 90 days for all countries apart from China, which instead saw its tariffs raised to one-hundred-25-percent. Trump's stunning reversal came through his social media just before 1:30 PM Wednesday where he said Washington would pause higher targeted tariffs to more than 75 trading partners who reached out to negotiate with the U.S., rather than retaliated. He repeated his thoughts during an event with race car champions on the White House South Lawn. "I did a 90-day pause for the people that didn't retaliate, because I told them, if you retaliate we're going to double it. And that's what I did with China, because they did retaliate." The decision means countries that would have faced reciprocal tariff rates on Wednesday including South Korea, see rates go back down to the universal ten-percent rate. But for Beijing, which had retaliated to Trump's 104% tariffs by upping its tariff rate on U.S. goods to 84%, Trump raised tariffs on China yet again, to now 125%. Products that aren't exempt under the trade deal steel, aluminum and autos, will still have a 25-percent tariff. When asked whether volatile bond markets persuaded him to pull back on his plan, Trump said he saw people were getting afraid. "The bond market right now is beautiful. But yeah, I saw last night where people were getting a little queasy. . They were getting yippy, you know, they were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid." On this, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly told the press at the White House,. that what people saw the reciprocal tariffs that went effect on Wednesday was a "ceiling", and now that they have a temporary "floor." He added it would take some time for each country's tailor-made solutions. Meanwhile for South Korea, the 90-day pause will likely serve as time to negotiate with the U.S. after the new administration launches in June. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Constitutional Court dismisses impeachment of Justice Minister Park Sung-jae over alleged martial law participation

2025/04/10 17:00

The Constitutional Court has dismissed the National Assembly's motion to impeach Justice Minister Park Sung-jae. The Court on Thursday unanimously declared its decision NOT to uphold the dismissal of Park on allegations of collusion to impose martial law citing the lack of tangible evidence. This ruling immediately reinstated Park into his post after almost four months of absence.

Former DP chairman Lee Jae-myung announces presidential candidacy in video message

2025/04/10 17:00

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung who stepped down on Wednesday has announced his third run for the nation's top office. In a video message on this Thursday morning Lee pledged dedication to the people in a new vision dubbed "K-Initiative" that highlights Korea's ability to turn crisis into opportunity. He is expected to elaborate on this vision at the parliament on Friday. Other DP candidates are former lawmaker Kim Du-kwan and Governor of Gyeonggi-do Province Kim Dong-yeon who earlier declared their intentions to run.. in the race. Meanwhile the opposition party has tapped Park Beom-kye a four-term lawmaker as its election committee chair and yet has to announce its partisan primary election plan.