News
How will S. Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations play out?
2025/05/30 17:00
And amid the legal battle over tariffs in the U.S. ON Korea's southern island of Jeju experts from American think tanks touched upon the repercussions of Mr. Trump's tariff policy on businesses. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji covers their thoughts. Experts are now warning that U.S. President Donald Trump's economic policies could have 'conflicting consequences' that do not necessarily promote economic growth or increase productivity in the country's economy. Speaking on Thursday at an international peace forum held on Jeju Island, Jeffrey Schott, a senior fellow from Peterson Institute for International Economics.. said uncertainty about the size and duration of tariffs will discourage or delay investment decisions. "So the climate is even more uncertain, and uncertainty is a tax on doing business. That's a lesson in economics that I think the Trump administration is only now beginning to learn." South Korea, which faces 25% U.S. reciprocal tariffs --has been seeking a trade deal with the Trump administration before the July 8th deadline, when the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is lifted. Scott Snyder, the head of the Korea Economic Institute of America, who is also at the Jeju forum explained there will be a 'series of deals,' adding that although the current focus is on tariffs, there will be another negotiation on security. "I would say deal by deal. I think that is going to go on, maybe for the entire Trump administration. New things will pop up and they will require negotiation, and so I think that's what will happen and I think it will be ongoing. It will be stressful, but I think that until both sides come to a place where they're satisfied with everything, President Trump's style is to want to make deals but I don't believe that it's going to be a one big beautiful deal." He suggested it would be important for the Korean government to have negotiation strategies to make sure that what Trump is trying to do is perceived as too costly. He also noted that shipbuilding is clearly an area where South Korea has a set of technologies that the U.S. is in need of. Amid more uncertainty over Trump's tariff policies, especially following the latest decision from the U.S. trade court, eyes are now on how the trade negotiations between Seoul and Washington will play out. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News, Jeju.
D-4: Lee Jun-seok reaches out to office workers, university students in central Seoul
2025/05/30 17:00
Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok for his part continued his engagement with young voters. Earlier in the day Lee hosted a rally along the Gyeongui Line Forest Park in Mapo-gu District reaching out to white-collar workers and college students. He then made his way to popular university hangouts including Sinchon in Seodaemun-gu District and Daehak-ro in Jongno-gu District. Public polls show his support base is largely made up of voters in their twenties. Lee also reiterated his words of regret for crude language during the final presidential debate earlier this week.
Trump gains temporary boost as U.S. appeals court keeps tariffs in place for now
2025/05/30 17:00
One day after a U.S. trade court ruled against the Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs an appeals court announced that these import duties can remain in place for now. Kim Jung-sil explains. A U.S. appeals court has allowed President Trump’s trade tariffs to stay in place for now, by putting a temporary hold on a lower court’s decision to block them. This puts on hold Wednesday's ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade, which said Trump had gone beyond his legal powers in imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law. The law, known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, says the president may use its powers only to address "unusual and extraordinary" national security threats. The court said IEEPA does not give the president full control over trade policy. But on Thursday, the appeals court said that decision would not be enforced while judges review the case. It gave the plaintiffs until June 5th to file their response. Also on Thursday, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued a separate ruling finding parts of Trump’s tariff policy unlawful. The judge wrote that the IEEPA does not enable the president to "unilaterally impose, revoke, pause, reinstate, and adjust tariffs to reorder the global economy". Earlier that day, the White House defended the tariffs, saying they’re necessary to protect American industries. "President Trump is in the process of rebalancing America's trading agreements with the entire world, bringing tens of billions of dollars in tariff revenues to our country, and finally ending the United States of America from being ripped off." With legal challenges mounting, the future of the tariffs remains uncertain. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.
PPP's Kim Moon-soo makes final push, departs for 90-hour campaign journey
2025/05/30 17:00
Up next we touch base with the latest at the conservative camp whose contender Kim Moon-soo is ALSO campaigning in Gangwon-do Province. My colleague Kim Do-yeon is there as well and joins me now. Do-yeon it's good to have you on. So essentially Kim and Lee are both in the same region today? That's right, Sun-hee, as you said I'm also here in Wonju, Gangwon-do Province. His strategy is to meet as many citizens as possible over the next four days and he says he's not going home until the election campaign period ends. First, as he left for this long journey, he made an emotional appeal to voters. Take a listen. "The People Power Party has had many shortcomings. I deeply reflect on and sincerely apologize for having disappointed the people. We deserve the criticism, and we will reflect on it deeply. We will not shy away from self-sacrifice, making tough decisions for the greater good, and pursuing policy innovation." For this first day of 90 hours of not going home, Kim rallied in Gyeonggi-do Province and Chungcheongbuk-do Province before coming here. With the voters already casting their ballots, he's not trying to put in new messages against his rival. At his rallies, he's been reiterating that Lee Jae-myung has too many legal risks, and that DP will have too much power if it wins the presidency as well. To add to the efforts, Kim has also been appearing on stage with some well-known liberal politicians such as Son Hak-gyu and Jun Byung-hun, who formed their own factions as anti-Lee Jae-myung. Also Do-yeon I asked this next question to Ha-young as well. What has been the conservative party's reaction to news that the FIRST day of EARLY voting registered a RECORD number of voters? Right, Sun-hee of course, the People Power Party says the voters are voting for them. Now they continue to claim that they're turning things around in this election. Take a listen. "I believe this high voter turnout reflects the people's strong and resolute will to stop a monstrous dictatorship. We are moving toward a miraculous comeback." Now, as for the second day of his journey, Kim is set to tour around this province a bit more and head down to Gyeongsangbuk-do for rallies over the weekend. The Gyeongsangbuk-do region, including Daegu, as you might have heard, is a region that has not participated in early voting as much as others. Having said that, it also means that many votes are up for grabs still. So Kim's decision to go there on Saturday after the early voting closes could be a strategy. That's all for now, back to you, Sun-hee. All right Do-yeon thank you for that coverage of the conservative camp. And do keep us posted.
Lee campaigns in Wonju, home to public bio and medical institutions
2025/05/30 17:00
NOW with election day slated for next Tuesday campaigning continues with contenders out on the streets to share their vision for Korea. That being said our political correspondent Shin Ha-young is standing by at a rally of liberal party contender Lee Jae-myung who is speaking to supporters in Gangwon-do Province. Ha-young, welcome back. So it's the last day of early voting and we have four days left before the actual election day. What has Lee Jae-myung been saying? Sunny. As you've mentioned, today is the last day of early voting, and the Democratic Party is giving it their all until the end. As you can see behind me, DP candidate Lee Jae-myung is on stage right now delivering a speech here in the city of Wonju, Gangwon-do Province. Now this is Lee's first visit to the province during the official campaign period. The DP describes the region as an "Innovation City," home to public bio and medical institutions. As part of today's campaign, Lee is expected to share plans to grow the AI healthcare industry, expand bio research and development, and boost Wonju's future industrial competitiveness. Ahead of his visit here, Lee stopped in Chuncheon, where he addressed the people's livelihoods. Take a listen. "Real freedom comes from a fair and equal society. We need to make sure everyone has a fair chance by removing unfair barriers and creating a level playing field. Freedom doesn't mean being free to starve --that's not true freedom." Meanwhile Ha-young, the FIRST day of EARLY voting saw a RECORD number of voters. What has been the response to this reality from the liberal party? Regarding yesterday's record-high early voting turnout, the DP said it was a clear reminder that votes are more powerful than bullets. The party attributed the high turnout to the public's strong desire to end the insurrection fallout and put the country back on track. Take a listen to what the party's election committee had to say. "In the 2022 presidential election, early voting turnout hit a record high of 36-point-9 percent. Let's break that record again today. By taking part in early voting, you can help end the insurrection, restore livelihoods, and bring the country back together." The party said that it will stay humble and focus on the people's wish for a change in government. That's all for this hour. Back to you Sunny. All right Ha-young, thank you for now and do keep us updated with the latest from the liberal camp.
Trade, Trust, and Transition: AMCHAM Chair on strengthening U.S.-S. Korea alliance
2025/05/30 20:30
Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. With President Trump now in his second term, "America First" is once again driving U.S. trade policy—placing South Korea back on the frontlines of high-stakes economic negotiations. From tariffs and energy cooperation to regional headquarters strategies and regulatory reform, the U.S.-Korea alliance is being reshaped in real time. Adding to the urgency, Korea's new administration takes office on June 4th—just as bilateral talks with Washington enter a critical phase. With rising uncertainty—but also new opportunities—how can the two allies build a stronger, future-focused partnership? Tonight on Within The Frame, we sit down with James Kim, Chairman and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce Korea, for an exclusive look at what lies ahead for the U.S.-Korea economic and security alliance. Welcome to the program, Mr. Kim. 1. Let's begin with the broader picture. Ever since its inauguration, the Trump administration has been placing renewed focus on "America First" policies. Due to this, tariff negotiations between the U.S. and South Korea have gained momentum. How would you assess the overall state of U.S.-Korea economic cooperation at this time? 2. Building on that point, in a past interview, you emphasized the proactive role that Korean business leaders must play in trade negotiations with the U.S. In your view, how can Seoul's business leaders effectively function as a "private diplomatic channel" amid trade tensions with the U.S.? 3. Of course, government strategy is just as critical. In negotiations with the Trump 2.0 administration, what should be the top priority in foreign and trade policy preparations for the incoming Korean administration? 4. Looking at a specific area of cooperation, at a recent forum, you highlighted the expansion of the LNG partnership as a key pillar of U.S.-Korea cooperation. Could you elaborate for our viewers, why LNG is of such strategic importance at this time? 5. As for the private sector—like chambers of commerce, what kind of role should they play to promote balanced trade and economic cooperation between the two countries? What specific efforts is AMCHAM currently pursuing in this regard? 6. Speaking of such efforts, AMCHAM has been continuing strategic dialogue with the Korean government, including last year's release of the "Korea as an APAC Regional HQ Report," to support Korea's bid to become a regional business hub. What do you think are South Korea's strengths and competitiveness to be a global business hub? 7. When it comes to seizing new opportunities, you've noted that the trend of global companies moving out of China—spurred by U.S.-China tensions—could become an opportunity for Korea. What regulatory obstacles must be urgently addressed to capitalize on this shift? What policy support is needed? 8. Looking ahead to policy implementation, you recently met with key presidential candidates, including Kim Moon-soo and Lee Jun-seok, who all emphasized a strong will to pursue regulatory innovation to boost investment in Korea. Although past administrations also pushed various pro-business reforms, many failed to produce tangible results. What were the underlying reasons for this, and what should the next administration do differently? 9. With the new Korean administration launching on June 4, it will need to lead trade negotiations with Trump's second-term administration and attract global investment. In your view, where should U.S.-Korea economic cooperation head next? And what roles and goals does AMCHAM envision for itself in strengthening this partnership going forward? 10. Finally, as we wrap up—beyond trade deals and investment flows, public diplomacy also plays a vital role in shaping long-term bilateral ties. Arirang TV, as an international broadcaster, contributes to Korea's global image and outreach. In your view, what role can media outlets like Arirang TV play in strengthening Seoul-Washington economic diplomacy during President Trump's second term?
Last day of early voting nears the end following record-high figures on first day
2025/05/30 17:00
We start with election news. In less than one hour the two-day EARLY voting period comes to a close. And my colleague Ahn Sung-jin joins me now from a polling place here in Seoul. Sung-jin, it's great to have you on. So what's the mood there like today? Right, Sunny, I'm currently in front of the early voting station in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu District. It's a busy area, bustling with office workers. I've been out here since early this morning, when we saw an influx of people coming in to vote before going to work. Yesterday saw the highest voter turnout rate in early voting, which first took place in national elections in 2014. This morning, it was relatively calmer when we first got here, but in the afternoon, the line has been getting longer. In fact, as we head towards the end of early voting, the line is extending beyond the front of the polling station. Have a listen to what some of the voters have had to say. "People nowadays say how living conditions are difficult, so I hope that the economy can be revitalized and that whichever candidate wins, they actually follow through with their election promises." "I came here with my son to explain about how elections work and that this many people are interested in voting." So as you mentioned the first day of early voting saw a record voter turnout. What can we expect today? And do you have any words for those planning to rush to polling stations within the next hour? Well, the two-day early voting will close in around one hour, at 6 PM. But anyone who wishes to cast their ballots today must be over 18 and will need to bring a government-issued ID. And now, if we take a closer look at the voter turnout rate as of 4 PM this afternoon, it stood at 31-point-38 percent. Jeollanam-do Province recorded the highest turnout at 52-point-45 percent, while Daegu the lowest at 22-point-84 percent. Turnout in previous early voting in 2017 was 26-point-1 percent, while in 2022 it was 36-point-9 percent, a record-high figure. Although we did see an increase in 2022, with voting taking place on a weekday, unlike previously, we may see a lower number. Some say that with much interest coming from a snap presidential election, more voters may come out to vote. Now, as we just passed 5 PM, new figures should be out, which I will be back with for our later newscast for the final numbers. Back to you, Sunny. All right then Sung-jin, thank you for that report. That was our Ahn Sung-jin with the latest on EARLY VOTING that ends in about an hour.
No emergency communication before deadly Navy aircraft crash in Pohang
2025/05/30 17:00
A Navy P-3CK maritime patrol aircraft crashed on a mountain in Pohang Gyeongsangbuk-do Province Thursday afternoon. All FOUR Navy officers on board were killed. Authorities say there had been normal communication between the aircraft and the control tower up until one minute before the fatal crash and that there had been no emergency indication. The cockpit voice recorder has been retrieved and authorities believe the data within may offer insight into the cause of the crash. An investigation has been launched and in the meantime all P-3 patrol aircraft operations have been suspended.
ON POINT: S. Korea's Presidential Race: Who will record early voting favor?
2025/05/30 10:00
Before early voting ends Friday, and we head into the weekend before the election, we have our political correspondent Oh Soo-young in studio with us. 1. Why don't we begin with this highest-ever turnout for early voting on Day 1. On the first day of early voting, turnout reached 19.58 percent, setting a new all-time high, as over 8-point-6 million out of a total 44-point-3 million eligible voters cast their ballots within a 12-hour time frame. With this unprecedented high for day one, there is now a strong possibility that by the end of Friday, the total early voting figures this year will top the record figure reached in the previous presidential race in 2022 which was 36-point-93 percent. By region, Jeollanam-do Province, a progressive stronghold, recorded the highest early voting rate at 34-point-9-6 percent, while the conservative stronghold of Daegu, recorded the lowest at 13.42 percent. In the capital region, considered the most fiercely contested battleground and a barometer of public sentiment, Seoul recorded a turnout of 19-point-1-3 percent , slightly below the national average, but still an increase compared to the 17-point-3-1 percent seen on the first day of the 2022 election. Incheon's early voting rate was 18-point-4-0 percent, and Gyeonggi-do Province which has the largest number of voters nationwide recorded 18-point-2-4 percent. 2. And any clue as to what this high turnout rate may indicate about the result? Now, historically,.. and globally, early voting or alternative forms of voting, such as by post, has generally been associated with younger, progressive voters. Here in Korea, it has typically been favored by voters in their 20s and 30s, as well as the generally left-leaning middle-aged voters in their 40s and 50s, with turnout reported to be five to ten percentage points higher than on the main voting day. As recently as the General Election last year, where the Democratic Party won 175 seats, early voting reached 31-point-28 percent the highest for any parliamentary race. But then again, conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol also won the 2022 race with record-high early voting. Of course,.. presidential elections tend to see a higher overall turnout, and voters aged 70 and older who tend to support conservative candidates may also turn up in swarms on the actual day of voting. In response to this year's early voting, the DP has said early voting reflects the outrage against the conservative camp, associated with impeached President Yoon's martial law. However, the PPP says that turnout simply rose due to increased political interest from both sides, and that conservative regions tend to see stronger turnout on election day. So some analysts say early voting no longer disproportionately favors one side. When early voting was still relatively new, younger Koreans showed high participation while turnout among older voters was low, but now we expect even the elderly to participate in large numbers, making it hard to conclude which side actually benefits. What we do know is that casting an early vote usually means the voter has firmly made up their mind. 3. We're currently in a so-called black out period as opinion polls are banned from six days before the day of the election. So it's hard to determine public sentiment. But we could potentially see the highest overall turnout for a presidential race. Yes. Opinion polls have shown over eight in ten people intend to take part in this presidential election. In a voter awareness survey conducted by Gallup Korea earlier this week, 86-point-8 percent of respondents said they would "definitely vote" in the upcoming election. That's 3-point-8 percentage points higher than the 83 percent reported ahead of the 2022 presidential race. Among those who intend to vote, 37 percent said they plan to cast their ballot during early voting, up 10 percentage points from 2022. The actual voter turnout in the 20th presidential election was 77-point-1 percent, with early voting making up almost one in four votes. So we'll have to wait and see what the early turnout will be, and how it will compare to the overall number of votes to draw meaningful patterns and conclusions. That's right. Well, early voting takes is open until 6 PM on Friday here in Korea. We'll see you back here Monday, Sooyoung.
Trump gains temporary boost as U.S. appeals court keeps tariffs in place for now
2025/05/30 10:00
A U.S. appeals court has temporarily allowed President Trump's import tariffs to remain in effect, after a lower court ruled Wednesday they were illegal. Our Kim Jung-sil reports. A U.S. appeals court has allowed President Trump's trade tariffs to stay in place for now, by putting a temporary hold on a lower court's decision to block them. This puts on hold Wednesday's ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade, which said Trump had gone beyond his legal powers in imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law. The law, known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, says the president may use its powers only to address "unusual and extraordinary" national security threats. The court said IEEPA does not give the president full control over trade policy. But on Thursday, the appeals court said that decision would not be enforced while judges review the case. It gave the plaintiffs until June 5th to file their response. Also on Thursday, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued a separate ruling finding parts of Trump's tariff policy unlawful. The judge wrote that the IEEPA does not enable the president to "unilaterally impose, revoke, pause, reinstate, and adjust tariffs to reorder the global economy". Earlier that day, the White House defended the tariffs, saying they're necessary to protect American industries. "President Trump is in the process of rebalancing America's trading agreements with the entire world, bringing tens of billions of dollars in tariff revenues to our country, and finally ending the United States of America from being ripped off." With legal challenges mounting, the future of the tariffs remains uncertain. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.
Early voting in S. Korea heads into final day following record-high figures on first day
2025/05/30 10:00
Polling stations are open until 6PM today for the second of the two days of early voting in the presidential election. We connect right away with our Ahn Sung-jin standing by at one of the polling stations. Hello there, Sung-jin. Sung-jin, I'm aware you are at the same polling station as you were yesterday. How's the second and final day looking this morning? Right, so Dami, I'm currently in front of an early voting location in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu District, an area bustling with office workers. I was out here since early this morning, and we're seeing an influx of people coming in to vote before going to work. Yesterday saw the highest voter turnout rate in early voting, which first took place in national elections in 2014, but today, it was relatively calmer than the same time yesterday when we got here. However, over time starting from 8-9AM, the line has begun to get much longer so we'll have to keep an eye on it till the afternoon. As we head into the last day of early voting, have a listen to some of the voters. "I came to vote early before going to work. Regardless of who becomes the next president, I think it's important to vote." "I think voting is the least we can do. I wish that the next government will be fair and transparent and bring more change for those in their 20s and 30s." 2. So Sung-jin, we already saw a record-high early voting figure on the first day, how are the figures looking 4 hours into the voting today? Right, if we take a closer look at how many people cast their ballot this morning as of 9AM at this polling station I'm at 1,845 people have voted, and a total of 223,978 for Seoul. Other major cities like Busan saw 53,151 people, Daegu 35,308, and Sejong 8,619. However, as we just passed 10AM, new figures should be out, which I will be back with for our later newscast. 3. And Sung-jin, today is the last day voters can cast their ballot in the early voting. Walk us through the voting procedure one more time, and how is the National Election Commission ensuring a transparent election? To first explain how early voting works, early voting takes place for two days, Thursday and Friday, from 6 AM till 6 PM. Voters must be over 18 and bring a government-issued ID. I just mentioned the number of voters per hour, which is a new measure for this presidential election that the NEC announced, the number of voters per hour will be disclosed by each polling station for the first time. The process of verifying vote-counting officials will also be strengthened after accusations over the use of Chinese voting officials in 2020. The NEC emphasized that in this election, all 260-thousand voting and counting officials are Korean nationals. Ballot boxes will be monitored around the clock, and the NEC will also operate a "Fair Election Observation Team" for the first time to observe the entire election process from voting to counting. That's all I have for now and I will be back with updates in our later newscast. All right, Sung-jin. Thanks for the report this morning.
Israel signs off on latest Gaza ceasefire proposal
2025/05/30 10:00
Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. Israel has approved a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal developed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. It has also reportedly been presented to Hamas and is currently under review. On Thursday, May 29, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Israel had signed off on a 60-day ceasefire proposal before it was submitted to Hamas. The proposal includes the release of 10 living and 18 deceased Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees, along with terms for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, Hamas has responded with reservations, stating that it does not meet key demands such as a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Hamas official Bassem Naim said the proposal "does not respond to any of our people's demands, foremost among which is stopping the war and famine."
Reform Party leader continues young voter outreach as last minute merger attempt fails
2025/05/30 10:00
Also on Thursday, Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok also cast his ballot at an early voting station in Hwaseong City Gyeonggi-do Province which he added was the closest to where he lives. On his campaign agenda for Thursday were talks with tech workers, college students, and a visit to a popular street food alley in central Seoul. Also, pundits believe a merger between Lee Jun-seok and Kim Moon-soo is now essentially out of the equation as early voting has kicked off.
PPP's Kim rallies with theme 'Beginning of a Great Comeback,' resembling Incheon landings
2025/05/30 10:00
The conservative party's Kim Moon-soo also voted early at his main rival Lee Jae-myung's congressional district while calling for stronger voter participation for democracy. Our Kim Do-yeon has more. With the election campaign coming to the final stages, as early voting started on Thursday, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, Kim Moon-soo, focused on making a comeback. His rallies for the day were called "The Beginning of a Great Comeback," and he said he's done it before some 30 years ago when he first ran for a seat in the parliament. "I was third until the last three days before the election, but won it to become a lawmaker. Who picks parliamentary members? Citizens do. Who picks the president? Citizens do. We call this democracy, right?" The idea of a comeback comes as the election comes from PPP's former president having been impeached, and it needing a strong change in narrative. It showed at the rallies. Kim made his way to a rally in the central part of the capital region—Gyeonggi-do Province—after kicking off the day in the western port city of Incheon. The route is symbolic, echoing the Incheon Landing Operation during the Korean War—a turning point that shifted the tide of the conflict. He also urged people to vote during early voting. For his own ballot, he chose to do it at his rival Lee Jae-Myung's congressional district. While the party said the message was clear, Kim said he didn't try to force the idea. "Well, it's not just about Lee Jae-myung, but my daughter lives in Bucheon right across the street here. We just stopped by on our way to other rallies. Lee Jae-myung could be one of the reasons." Kim also told voters that the early voting process will be managed fairly, though some question the process as the transportation and opening of the ballot is more complicated than regular voting. He said not voting is a bigger problem. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.
DP's Lee casts vote in Seoul's Sinchon; campaigns in capital, seeking support amid early voting
2025/05/30 10:00
And the presidential runners are going all out for the next four days until the actual big day. The liberal party's Lee Jae-myung cast his ballot early on Thursday here in Seoul, seeking support in the biggest battleground. Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. Marking the first day of early voting in the snap presidential election, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung kicked off his campaign on Thursday morning after casting his ballot in Sinchon, Seoul, an area known for its many universities. After voting alongside young people, he encouraged the public to vote, emphasizing that it was the strongest way for them to exercise their sovereignty. "We can overcome the insurrection if people come out to vote. I chose to vote alongside young people because I hope this election marks the start of a new era for South Korea, led by its youth." The DP also focused its efforts on encouraging people to vote. Even though early voting takes place on weekdays, the party believes it's crucial to bring as many supporters as possible to the polls to secure victory in the presidential election. They urged voters to take part and clearly show who truly holds power in the country. Lee later addressed supporters again in the capital, including in Seocho-gu District, one of Seoul's busiest transit hubs. "During his campaign in Seoul's Seocho-gu District, Lee Jae-myung outlined plans to develop the area into a hub for K-culture and make the Gangnam region a more competitive and innovative center of the city's economy." Ahead of Thursday's rallies, Lee joined a meeting on supporting startups, where he discussed expanding the research and development budget, and easing regulations. "We're now in a time when the private sector is more advanced than the public sector, so we need to shift the direction of the administration. That includes creating a chief policy coordinator for AI at the presidential office, and boosting the National Artificial Intelligence Committee." Lee will continue his campaign in Gangwon-do Province on Friday, where rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party is also scheduled to hold rallies. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.
Court blocks Trump administration's effort to bar Harvard from enrolling international students
2025/05/30 10:00
The Trump administration has begun the process of barring Harvard University from enrolling international students, but the courts have again blocked it. The U.S. State Department said that the review of student visas will resume soon. Lee Seung-jae has the details. Last week, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration's decision to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll international students. This put the brakes on the government's plan to take away Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which allows schools in the U.S. to host international students with proper visas. However, the government notified the Ivy League school once again on Wednesday, that it would revoke the program, despite the court injunction. The Trump administration on Thursday gave Harvard 30 days to contest the government's move to revoke its Student and Exchange Visitor Program. In a notice of intent sent by the U.S. Department of Homeland on Wednesday, it said that the school has 30 calendar days to "submit written representation under oath and supported by documentary evidence" setting forth why SEVP should not be withdrawn from Harvard's certification. However, this, too, was blocked by a federal judge, who said that she would issue a preliminary injunction that would allow the school to continue enrolling international students. In the meantime, the U.S. State Department hinted at the resumption of student visa interviews, which were suspended earlier this week in order to introduce a new "social media screening" system. The Trump administration has been arguing that Harvard has "failed to maintain a campus environment free from violence and antisemitism," arguing that the school should be stripped of their ability to enroll international students. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
How will S. Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations play out?
2025/05/30 10:00
Economists and diplomatic experts have gathered on South Korea's southern Jeju Island for an international peace forum where growing uncertainty of Trump's trade policies were at the center of discussion. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji was there. Experts are now warning that U.S. President Donald Trump's economic policies could have 'conflicting consequences' that do not necessarily promote economic growth or increase productivity in the country's economy. Speaking on Thursday at an international peace forum held on Jeju Island, Jeffrey Schott, a senior fellow from Peterson Institute for International Economics.. said uncertainty about the size and duration of tariffs will discourage or delay investment decisions. "So the climate is even more uncertain, and uncertainty is a tax on doing business. That's a lesson in economics that I think the Trump administration is only now beginning to learn." South Korea, which faces 25% U.S. reciprocal tariffs has been seeking a trade deal with the Trump administration before the July 8th deadline, when the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is lifted. Scott Snyder, the head of the Korea Economic Institute of America, who is also at the Jeju forum explained there will be a 'series of deals,' adding that although the current focus is on tariffs, there will be another negotiation on security. "I would say deal by deal. I think that is going to go on, maybe for the entire Trump administration. New things will pop up and they will require negotiation, and so I think that's what will happen and I think it will be ongoing. It will be stressful, but I think that until both sides come to a place where they're satisfied with everything, President Trump's style is to want to make deals but I don't believe that it's going to be a one big beautiful deal." He suggested it would be important for the Korean government to have negotiation strategies to make sure that what Trump is trying to do is perceived as too costly. He also noted that shipbuilding is clearly an area where South Korea has a set of technologies that the U.S. is in need of. Amid more uncertainty over Trump's tariff policies, especially following the latest decision from the U.S. trade court, eyes are now on how the trade negotiations between Seoul and Washington will play out. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News, Jeju.
First day of early voting reaches record-high voter turnout rate
2025/05/29 20:00
The two-day early voting started today ahead of the June 3rd presidential election next week. Nearly 8-point-7 million voters cast their ballots on this first day, with the turnout reaching a record-high for Day One. Our Ahn Sung-jin spoke with those who cast their ballots for their hopes and wishes. The line stretches out far beyond the front of the polling station. With early voting starting on Thursday, those who came to cast their ballot ahead of the presidential election next Tuesday have poured in. Election officials had to control the line of people, and in the afternoon, there was a waiting time of around 30 to 40 minutes. "I had come here during lunchtime, but the line was so long, so I came again now. It's obvious for me to come and exercise my rights." "A good thing about early voting is we get to come in at a convenient time for us. Especially for this time because the previous president was impeached, I cast a ballot in hopes of a president with a vision for the country." "This polling station in Yeoksam-dong Gangnam-gu District, in a bustling area with offices and business people, has been seeing an influx of voters from early in the morning till the end of the first day." The voter turnout rate for the first day was at 19-point-58 percent, 2-point-01 percentage points higher than the previous presidential election, and a record-high figure for the first day of early voting since 2014, when early voting took place in nationwide elections. A total of 8,691,711 voters cast their ballots across the country. Early voting takes place for two days, Thursday and Friday, from 6 AM til 6 PM. Voters must be over 18 and bring a government-issued ID. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.
U.S. court blocks Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, ruling they exceed legal authority
2025/05/29 20:00
The Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs on America's trade partners have hit a legal hurdle at home with a U.S. court ruling that the president has stepped beyond his authority. The Trump team lodged an appeal. Shin Se-byuck has more. The U.S. Court of International Trade struck down core parts of Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs, saying they overstepped presidential authority under existing law. At the center of the ruling is the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA. The Trump administration cited the law on April 2 to justify a global 10-percent tariff, along with higher, reciprocal duties on major trading partners like South Korea, the EU, Japan, and China. But the court rejected this interpretation. It said the law was intended for true emergencies, not for addressing routine trade deficits. The judges emphasized that Congress never gave the president blanket authority to impose such broad trade measures. The ruling halts some of the administration's most controversial trade actions, including 30 percent tariffs on Chinese imports, 25-percent duties on select Mexican and Canadian goods, and a 10-percent universal tariff on most products entering the U.S. However, the ruling does not affect auto, steel, or aluminum tariffs imposed under a separate legal provision, Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, a law permitting tariffs for national security reasons. Just minutes after the decision, the Trump administration filed a notice of appeal. The White House pushed back against the ruling, arguing that decisions on national emergencies should rest with the president, not the courts. It also reaffirmed President Trump's commitment to fully exercising his executive powers to respond to the crisis and advance his "America First" agenda. The court has given the administration a ten-day window to issue any necessary administrative orders. If the ruling is upheld through appeal, and possibly the Supreme Court, most of the tariffs would be suspended. The lawsuit, brought by the nonpartisan Liberty Justice Center on behalf of five small importers affected by the tariffs, marked the first major legal challenge to Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" measures. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.
Early voting kicks off for 2025 Presidential Election: what to watch for
2025/05/29 20:00
Day One of early voting wrapped up some two hours ago, hopefully, serving as a barometer indicating how engaged the public is. For more on the early voting process and what to watch for, we're joined by our Moon Hye-ryeon in the studio. Hye-ryeon, what stands out to you this time when Korea is holding a snap election? What stands out is how authorities are working more thoroughly than in past elections to ensure a secure and transparent voting process. During the two-day early voting period, security will be intensified, with more than six thousand police officers deployed to early voting stations in Seoul alone. Acting President Lee Ju-ho has personally visited early voting stations, urging officials to ensure a fair process. "It's an important election, and it must be fair without the slightest gap, so I ask for your best efforts." For the first time ever, the NEC is publishing real-time data on the number of voters every hour — and this change is intended to dispel suspicions that early voting numbers could be inflated to manipulate results. The NEC also announced that all election staff — including ballot counters and polling station managers — will be confirmed as South Korean nationals. This comes following controversy that a Chinese national was working as a ballot counter back in the 2020 parliamentary elections. Although current election law does not require election staff to be South Korean citizens, the NEC has taken this extra step to further safeguard public trust. Also, for the first time, the NEC will operate a team of 30 members to observe the entire election process — from candidate registration to ballot storage. Additionally, 24-hour surveillance camera feeds from ballot storage facilities will be available to the public. This was first introduced during the general election last year, and citizens can visit their local NEC offices to view the live footage. Furthermore, in response to past controversies over the use of QR codes on ballot papers, this year's early voting ballots will feature one-dimensional barcodes to boost transparency and address suspicions of tampering. Tell us how early voting started in Korea and what this means for voters. Early voting was first introduced in 2012 and piloted in 2013 as a way to make elections more accessible — especially for people who can't vote on the main election day due to work, travel, or other commitments. In past elections, early voting was usually held on Fridays and Saturdays, allowing people with weekday jobs to vote on the weekend. But this year, both early voting days — May 29th and 30th — fall on weekdays only. That's because this is a snap election, triggered by the impeachment of a president. Under Korean law, the vote must take place within 60 days, so the schedule was compressed to meet the legal deadline. Despite the change, accessibility remains a key focus. There are more than three thousand early voting stations across the country — including polling stations inside hospitals, and even at Incheon International Airport to make sure that people on the move, including patients and travelers, can still vote. With early voting, no prior registration is needed — anyone can walk into an early voting station and cast their ballot. "Early voting can be done anywhere in the country, so I was able to stop by and vote on my way to work without the hassle of going to a different location." And looking ahead, what does the rest of the election timeline look like from here? Early voting will continue into tomorrow, with polling stations around the country open from 6 AM to 6 PM. After early voting closes on Friday evening, there will be a brief quiet period where campaigns will continue their final pushes before the official election day, which is next Tuesday, June 3rd. It's a national holiday, and polling stations will be open from 6 AM to 8 PM. Ballots will be counted immediately after voting ends, and the National Election Commission is expected to verify the results on Wednesday, June 4th. The inauguration of South Korea's new president will take place thereafter. Thank you for your report, Hye-ryeon. Thank you for having me.