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Rival parties show mixed reactions after Court dismisses impeachment motion against PM

2025/03/24 17:00

Meanwhile rival political parties have responded to the Constitutional Court's ruling against the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo . I have our political correspondent Shin Ha-young standing by live with details. Ha-young it's great to have you back. So the reaction from lawmakers across the aisle stands poles apart I believe? Sunny, indeed, the Constitutional Court's ruling on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment has brought mixed reactions from the rival parties. The ruling People Power Party welcomed the Court's decision to dismiss Han's impeachment, saying it was expected and describing the ruling as a warning against the opposition party's use of impeachment legislation. Take a listen. "It was a strong warning from the Court against the opposition party's reckless legislation. It has lost all nine cases a historic defeat." The party floor leader Kweon Seong-dong, however, expressed deep regret over the Court's decision to set the required votes for passing an impeachment motion against an acting president at 151 seats. The PPP has been arguing that Han's impeachment should be treated like a presidential impeachment, which requires the support of two-thirds of lawmakers, or 200 votes out of 300. Kweon argued that this effectively allows unlimited impeachment against acting presidents, calling it a dangerous precedent. The PPP said on Monday that its lawmakers proposed an amendment to the National Assembly Act to prevent abuse of impeachment rules in the future. The party's policy chief Kim Sang-hoon said that the bill would require lawmakers or parties that initiate an impeachment motion to cover the procedural costs if the Constitutional Court dismisses or rejects the case. And what has the main opposition party been saying? Well, Sunny, the main opposition Democratic Party, which was at the forefront of the opposition-led push in the National Assembly to remove Han from office, expressed regret over the ruling. Take a listen to what DP leader said. "We have to respect the decision, but I wonder if the public will accept why this clear and deliberate violation of the constitutional duty to form a constitutional body wasn't enough for impeachment." DP floor leader Park Chan-dae also emphasized that the Court confirmed it was unconstitutional not to appoint justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk , urging Prime Minister Han, who also resumed his role as the Acting President to do so immediately. Park also urged the Court to deliver a verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment as early as Tuesday. Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said he respects the Court's decision, stating it resolves constitutional interpretation issues regarding the required vote to pass an impeachment motion against an acting president. That's all I have for this hour. Back to you, Sunny. All right Ha-young thank you for the latest on the political front. That was our National Assembly correspondent Shin Ha-young .

Finance Minister Choi orders creation of team to explain Seoul's stance on U.S. foreign policies

2025/03/24 17:00

The government will put together a task force to focus on the current Trump administration's tariffs as well as the listing of South Korea as a sensitive country by the former Biden administration. Intentions to this end were shared on this Monday by Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok during the weekly roundtable on global economic matters at the government complex. Highlighting the importance of staying vigilant on the trade front Choi also called for follow-up measures to recent talks between Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright last week in Washington during which the two officials agreed to work together to "swiftly" settle South Korea's concerns over the sensitive country designation.

Han Duck-soo calls for national unity as he returns as acting president

2025/03/24 17:00

Upon his return to his post as acting president Han Duck-soo urged for national unity with the focus on moving forward and not towards the left nor to the right. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon has details. In an address to the nation after 88 days in suspension Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Monday emphasized national unity. He especially called for politicians to work together amid multiple crises. "If there's one clear lesson we've learned over the past few years, it's that a society divided by extremes leads only to misery and fulfills the dreams of no one. The ruling and opposition parties, as well as the government, must truly change. And, I will start with myself." He also noted that during the 50 years he's spent in public service, the majority of the people in South Korea have wanted to make the country go up and forward not left or right. As for his return as the caretaker, he said during his suspension he thought deeply about what his last responsibilities would be if he were to return. He pointed out the global trade war started by U.S. President Donald Trump and said the world is currently facing an intensifying U.S.-China power rivalry following the inauguration of President Trump, along with a new wave of geopolitical shifts and the restructuring of the global economic order. "I will devote all my wisdom and capabilities to safeguarding our national interests in the trade war that has already become a reality. For the remainder of my term, every decision I make will be guided by what best serves Korea's industries and future generations. The entire Cabinet will move forward alongside me." Han was immediately briefed about the ongoing devastating wildfires in the southeast of the country. He also made orders to public safety officials amid the turbulent times. For his first lunch back, he ate with Cabinet members. There, he urged ministers to push forward on key issues directly tied to people's livelihoods with greater speed. And, he asked all Cabinet members and public officials across the country to do their utmost to ensure that every aspect of state affairs — including diplomacy, national security, the economy, trade, public safety, and administration — functions smoothly.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo returns to office, as Court dismisses impeachment

2025/03/24 10:00

Now, we've just heard the Constitutional Court has decided to dismiss Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment. Let's connect right away to our correspondent there. Q1. Soo-young fill us in on the verdict Han will be returning to office right? Yes, Dami. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will resume his duties immediately as his impeachment has just been dismissed by the Constitutional Court. The eight-member bench ruled against the National Assembly's motion last December to remove Han from office, thereby ending Han's suspension from his position as prime minister as well as the acting presidency. The Assembly set out five grounds for impeaching Han which included abetting President Yoon Suk Yeol’s December 3rd Martial Law, vetoing controversial bills pushed through by the opposition, and, most of all, refusing to appoint three Constitutional Court justices recommended by the National Assembly. As the charges were highly political, and the motion vote was pushed through by the opposition party's simple majority in the Assembly, critics have argued that the two-thirds majority threshold for a President should have applied. The justices are now explaining their judgment in detail on each charge, as well as presenting various differences of opinion. But the fact of the matter is that they collectively agree Han should not be removed from power. Out of the 13 impeachment cases recently pushed through by the National Assembly, the Court has ruled on 8 and dismissed all of them. Q2. So he will return to his office in Gwanghwamun straight away? That seems to be the case. The Prime Minister’s Office has reportedly drafted a scenario for Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's reinstatement, and expects him to return to his duties right away. He's likely to be briefed by Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok who has been filling in as acting president during Han's suspension. Han may also convene with Cabinet members as well as the National Security Council to address urgent matters, particularly in trade, and diplomacy. His office has been coordinating a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun. Observers expect Han to deliver a speech to the nation, emphasizing his commitment to stabilizing governance. Q3. Now this verdict was delivered before President Yoon’s impeachment ruling, the date of which is still unknown. That's right. The Court still has not revealed when it will rule on President Yoon's impeachment, taking at least two weeks longer than expected. It's impossible at this point to know at what stage the justices are at, and whether they are united or divided in their opinions. Most pundits expect a ruling this Thursday or Friday which means the Court would give an advance notice tomorrow or Wednesday. But in the meantime, observers say the ruling on Prime Minister Han’s case could provide an early indication of how the Constitutional Court is reviewing President Yoon’s impeachment, especially when it comes to the legality of the martial law declaration. Some legal experts believe that because the court dismissed Han’s impeachment, it might signal a similar outcome for President Yoon’s case especially since some of the allegations overlap. However, others caution that the president’s case carries far greater political weight, and the justices may not necessarily apply the same legal reasoning. For now, Han’s return to office marks a critical turning point, but with President Yoon’s fate still undecided, the nation’s political uncertainty is far from over. Alright, we will continue to follow this story throughout the day. Thanks for your report, Sooyoung.

Canada's Carney calls snap election, asks for mandate to tackle Trump

2025/03/24 10:00

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called a snap federal election on Sunday for April 28, aiming to secure a mandate to confront tariff threats from the United States. The announcement comes just nine days after Carney took office, following the resignation of Justin Trudeau. The urgency stems from U.S. President Donald Trump's recent imposition of tariffs on Canadian exports and suggestions of annexing Canada as a 51st U.S. state. Carney condemned these actions, labeling the trade war "the most significant crisis of our lifetimes" and asserting, "we will not let that happen." The election campaign is expected to focus on defending national sovereignty and addressing economic challenges posed by the U.S.

Israel orders evacuation from part of Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah

2025/03/24 10:00

Israel has expanded its military operations in the Gaza Strip, targeting key locations and issuing evacuation orders in the southern city of Rafah. Over the weekend, the Israel Defense Forces intensified its offensive in Gaza, focusing on the southern city of Rafah. The IDF on Sunday issued immediate evacuation orders for residents in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, designating it a "dangerous combat zone." Thousands of Palestinians fled their homes, adding to the substantial number of displaced people in the region. Also on Sunday, Israeli airstrikes targeted the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the largest medical facility in southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals, including a senior Hamas political bureau member. Another senior member of the Hamas political bureau and his wife have also been killed in a strike in Al-Mawasi.

Russia launches drone attacks ahead of ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia

2025/03/24 10:00

Ahead of its own ceasefire talks with the U.S. on Monday, Russia conducted massive drone attacks in Ukraine, killing at least seven people. According to Ukrainian officials, Russia launched a wave of drone attacks across Ukraine, in the early hours of Sunday morning, including against the capital Kyiv. A total of 147 drones were launched, with the Ukrainian air defenses shooting down 97, while 25 others didn't reach targets due to other countermeasures. Among those killed in Kyiv was a 5-year-old child.

On-point: Constitutional Court's first judicial decision of high-ranking official in relation to martial law

2025/03/24 10:00

So the court's ruling to oust Han // restore Han's position is the first judicial decision of a high-ranking official to be ruled in relation to the martial law order. Will today's verdict be a bellwether for President Yoon's political fate? We turn to legal expert Joung Hwang. Good morning. 1. What did you think of the final statements? As to why the court decided to restore his position? What’s notable about the final statements? 2. What does it mean for Han to return to duty? Will he become the acting president immediately? Any other hurdles left for Han now? 3. Han’s impeachment case was considered a bellwether that enables people to grasp the court’s decision on Yoon’s impeachment trial. Is that the case or would it be difficult to directly link Han's case to Yoon's impeachment? 4. Now that the ruling for Han is out, do you think the court will announce a ruling date for Yoon’s trial soon? How soon? Within the week? When will the big day be? 5. Also today, the Seoul Central District Court is holding the second preparatory hearing in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s insurrection trial. Why is he not showing up this time, do you think? We are now officially into this so-called judicial super week Let's see how today's verdict will reshape the political landscape here in the country. Thank you sir for connecting with us this morning. We appreciate it.

Will Constitutional Court rule for or against PM Han Duck-soo's impeachment?

2025/03/24 10:00

As we begin our newscast, we're just moments away from the Constitutional Court ruling on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment. Before we bring the result to you, we connect with our correspondent Oh Soo-young who is standing by at the Court. Sooyoung, the verdict will be delivered in the next few minutes, right? That's right, at 10 AM, the Court is set to determine whether Han will be removed from office or reinstated after nearly three months of suspension. The National Assembly impeached Han 87 days ago, citing 5 grounds for impeachment including his handling of the December 3rd martial law declaration, exercise of veto power, and failure to appoint Constitutional Court justices. The ruling requires a two-thirds majority of the eight justices to be upheld. In a separate trial, the Court ruled in favor of the National Assembly, that the current Acting President Choi Sang-mok acted unconstitutionally by not appointing all three candidates but just two. So the question here is whether the judicial bench sees Han's actions as deserving impeachment. Another key question is whether the impeachment motion passed by the opposition party's simple majority in parliament was valid in impeaching Han, who was also Acting President. A two-thirds majority is needed for the Assembly to remove a president. If Han is removed, it will be the first time a South Korean Prime Minister and acting president has been ousted through impeachment. If the case is dismissed, Han will immediately return to his duties including the role of acting president. In the meantime, tension is high both inside and outside the court, as pundits reckon this ruling could be a preview of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment verdict. Security has been tightened around the court with extra metal barriers installed as crowds are expected to rally. Okay, so you will update us as soon as you hear the outcome. Of course. Great. Before we hear the verdict, let's turn to some other stories.

Top diplomats of S. Korea, Japan, China agree to work towards maintaining peace on Korean Peninsula

2025/03/24 10:00

Also over the weekend, top diplomats of South Korea, Japan and China held talks on a wide range of matters including diplomatic, security, and economic issues. In particular, the three sides agreed to work towards denuclearization on the Korean peninsula. Bae Eun-ji reports. South Korea's foreign minister Cho Tae-yul sat down for talks with his Japanese and Chinese counterparts in Tokyo, as the three countries seek to boost cooperation for regional peace amid geopolitical uncertainties. This is the first time that they've met since November 2023. In a press conference following the meeting that took place in Tokyo on Saturday, Cho said they have agreed that it's in the three countries' common interest to maintain security on the Korean peninsula. He also added that they addressed the issue of illegal cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. "I stressed that illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea must come to an end immediately and that the North should not be rewarded for its wrongdoings, in the course of ending the war in Ukraine.” Japanese foreign minister Takeshi Iwaya noted that the the world is at a 'turning point in history,'.. and showed concerns about evolving threats from North Korea. "Regarding the current international situation, I expressed my concerns about North Korea's nuclear and missile development, cryptocurrency thefts, and cooperation with Russia as regional threats." Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi described the current situation on the Korean peninsula as complex and sensitive while adding that all parties must "meet each other halfway" and "show goodwill." On economic issues, he said the three countries are looking to push forward with regional economic integration including the resumption of a free trade agreement. "The three parties are maintaining communication on restarting the negotiations on the free trade agreement, and strive to resume them as soon as possible." The three officials also agreed to speed up efforts to hold a summit between their leaders as soon as possible, at a mutually convenient date. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

U.S. and Ukraine hold talks 1 day ahead of U.S.-Russia talks

2025/03/24 10:00

Over in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian officials held talks with a U.S. technical team on Sunday, a day before Washington holds separate talks with delegates from Kyiv and Moscow. Lee Seung-jae has more. A day before the U.S. plans to hold separate meetings with Ukrainian and Russian delegates on Monday, Washington's technical team held talks with Ukrainian officials on Sunday in Riyadh. As part of Washington's shuttle diplomacy in Saudi Arabia, U.S. and Ukrainian officials were set to hold talks on Monday, followed by a separate meeting between U.S. and Russian delegates on the same day. However, it was later confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Washington and Kyiv would hold talks a day ahead of its meeting set for Monday. Following Sunday's meeting, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said talks with U.S. officials were "productive and focused," adding that the two sides addressed key points including energy. The defense chief said that Ukraine was working to make its goal of a "just and lasting peace" become a "reality." U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff expressed confidence that progress would be made with Russia and Ukraine. Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Witkoff said he expects Ukraine and Russia to make progress on a ceasefire in the Black Sea after holding talks on Monday, which will "naturally gravitate to a full-on shooting ceasefire." The special envoy also said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end the war, stressing that "he wants peace." Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[WEEKLY FOCUS] What will Trump's reciprocal tariffs look like for S. Korea?

2025/03/22 12:00

Concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs continue to grow, especially with reciprocal tariffs set to be announced on April 2nd. South Korean officials are particularly on edge as the White House mentioned Korea as one of its major trade deficit countries ahead of the tariff announcement. We have our Lee Soo-jin in the studio to tell us more. Welcome, Soo-jin. Good to be here. 1. To start us off, can you tell us what Trump has announced regarding tariffs thus far? Sure, so Trump has announced plans to implement reciprocal tariffs starting April 2nd, targeting countries that impose high tariffs against U.S. exports,.. by assigning them each with a reciprocal tariff "number". Here's what Trump said regarding his tariff plans. "Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it's our turn to start using them against those other countries. April 2nd, reciprocal tariffs kick in and whatever they tariffs, other countries, we will tariff them. That's reciprocal back and forth. Whatever they tax us, we will tax them." And this comes as Trump just last week imposed a 25-percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports to the United States, applied worldwide without exceptions. While Canada, the largest supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S., was expected to face the biggest impact, as it accounts for 23 percent of total U.S. steel imports and about 60 percent of aluminum imports, South Korea was still significantly affected, ranking fourth in both categories. This ends South Korea's duty-free quota system for 2-point-63 million tons of steel products, which began in 2018, meaning that from now on, South Korean steel exports to the U.S. will be subject to standard tariffs. And the tariff on aluminum has also been increased from 10 percent to 25 percent. 2. With about two weeks until the announcement of reciprocal tariff plans, has there been anything said about what they will look like for South Korea? Nothing in detail has been said but so far, it doesn't seem to bode well for Korea. A top economic aide to the White House, U.S. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, told CNBC on Monday that trade deficits with Europe, China and South Korea have persisted for years, claiming the deficits are attributable to the countries' high tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers. And since South Korea and the U.S. have a Free Trade Agreement that removes tariffs on most items, Hassett's statement is raising expectations of increased pressure on South Korea to lower non-tariff trade barriers. Let's take a listen to what an expert said. "The Trump administration is focused on fixing trade imbalances and seems to be taking a one-on-one approach with countries that have large trade deficits. For South Korea, this could mean either imposing tariffs to reduce imports or negotiating to lower barriers so South Korea can import more from the U.S." 3. An interview in which a member of the Trump administration highlighted the presence of the so-called "Dirty 15" trade partners has drawn international attention. Can you tell us more about this? Sure, so this Fox News interview has gained a lot of traction here in Korea as there is a possibility that Korea will be included in the "Dirty 15." U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday said that there were 15 nations, which he referred to as the "Dirty 15", that are imposing substantial tariffs on the U.S. He did not clarify which nations were on this list but Trump has previously highlighted South Korea as one of the countries that he claimed was unfairly benefiting from trade imbalances. South Korea's trade surplus with the U.S., which represents a trade deficit for the U.S., rose for five straight years to reach over 55 billion U.S. dollars last year. Bessent also said that come April 2nd, each country will receive a specific reciprocal tariff number deemed fair by the U.S. and that "Dirty 15" countries are likely to face higher tariffs due to perceived unfair trade practices. But again, we don't know the details as to what those numbers will look like yet as they are still being calculated by the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Commerce Department. 4.) How has the Korean government responded, and what viable policies can be implemented to counter U.S. tariff pressure? Right, so despite the country facing a leadership vacuum, the government has been actively pursuing talks with high-ranking U.S. officials. Seoul's Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun arrived in Washington D.C. on Friday and met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. Let's take a listen to what he said would be discussed. "The Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has effectively eliminated tariffs between our two countries. However, non-tariff barriers have emerged as a concern. We are actively addressing these issues domestically and will communicate our progress to our U.S. counterparts." And here's what the government should do moving forward, according to an expert. "The reason why we had a large amount of trade surplus with the U.S., especially in 2024, we exported a lot of machine and tools to support U.S. factory construction. Our government has to prepare some items such as further investment in the U.S. including shipbuilding " All right, we'll continue to keep an eye on the situation. Thanks for coming in today Soo-jin. Thank you for having me.

Opposition to impeach acting president with prime minister's impeachment ruling just days away

2025/03/21 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. Opposition parties today put forward a motion to impeach acting President Choi Sang-mok amid deeper partisan confrontation. The ruling party protested, saying it amounts to "terrorism" that destroys state affairs. Our Kim Do-yeon starts our coverage. After months of warnings and build-up the five opposition parties proposed an impeachment motion for Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister for Finance Choi Sang-mok. This came on Friday with the proposal accusing the Acting President of four different unconstitutional acts. First was an accusation that he was an accomplice to the alleged insurrection led by President Yoon Suk Yeol through martial law. Second, and what seemed to be the main reason, was Choi's decision to hold off on appointing the ninth Constitutional Court justice Ma Eun-hyeok despite the Constitutional Court's ruling last month that this is an infringement of the parliament's authorities. "To defy the ruling of the Constitutional Court is to defy the constitutional order itself — and beyond that, it is a denial and contempt of the Republic of Korea's very existence. That is how we see it." The other two were his decision to hold off on appointing a supreme court justice and a permanent special prosecutor. With the opposition parties having the majority, the motion can be passed unilaterally by the opposition lawmakers. Meanwhile, the ruling People Power Party has fired back saying this is, quote, "terrorism" against the government and the DP's emotional revenge by stopping government functions. PPP floor leader also added the DP is not confident about the upcoming ruling on President Yoon's impeachment at the Constitutional Court and needs add a liberal judge. "The reason Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party faction is taking such extreme measures is clear: as procedural flaws in the impeachment trial become exposed, they're trying to overturn the case by pushing Ma Eun-hyuk into the Constitutional Court." "This is the 30th impeachment effort by the DP. 13 of them were passed by the National Assembly with 8 eventually making it to the Constitutional Court. None of the impeachments were upheld." In the meantime, the voting time for Choi's impeachment motion is yet to be decided. One variable is that the Constitutional Court will give its verdict on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment on Monday morning. Han was impeached for similar reasons—refusing to appoint Constitutional Court justices. If the Court rejects his impeachment, Choi's motion could lose momentum even before the vote. In terms of succession, Han would return as acting president, and even if Choi is suspended, Han would still lead the government. But if Han's impeachment is upheld and Choi is suspended, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Lee Joo-ho, fourth in line, would take over as caretaker. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

At least 592 dead in Gaza after Israel resumes airstrikes

2025/03/21 20:00

Civilians in Gaza, including many children, are bearing the brutal brunt of Israel's renewed ground offensive following conflict with Hamas over details of their earlier fragile ceasefire. Park Hyo-been has the latest. After Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza from early Tuesday, the attacks have led to over 1-thousand-4-hundred casualties as of Thursday. Gaza's Ministry of Health reported that approximately 6-hundred people were killed in the first three days of the resumed airstrikes. Of the 4-hundred deaths on the first day of strikes, nearly 3-hundred were women and children. "We weren't living in a truce. We expected the war to return at any moment. We never felt stability at all. We would go to sleep without expecting to make it to the next morning." Israel has now deployed ground forces in Rafah, southern Gaza, to dismantle terrorist facilities. In northern Gaza, airstrikes targeted hospitals used by Hamas as command centers. Israel also launched attacks across the city, and the Israeli military confirmed the killing of two Hamas security commanders. In response, Hamas issued a statement accusing Israel of committing massacres, claiming that 6-hundred Palestinians were killed. It also launched three M90 rockets at Tel Aviv on Thursday, marking its first response to the latest Israeli airstrikes. Israel's defense ministry reported that one rocket was intercepted, and the other two landed in open areas with no casualties reported. On the same day, Iran-backed Houthi rebels joined the attack despite U.S. President Donald Trump's warning. "The Yemeni Armed Forces Missile Force carried out a qualitative operation targeting a military target of the Israeli enemy, south of the occupied Jaffa region, with 2 hypersonic ballistic missiles." As the clashes between Israel and Hamas intensify, peace in Gaza seems increasingly distant. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Shoigu visits Pyongyang amid deepening Russia-N. Korea military ties

2025/03/21 20:00

Russia's top security official, Sergei Shoigu, has arrived in North Korea for high-level talks, according to Russian state media. The Security Council Secretary reportedly arrived in Pyongyang on Friday and is expected to meet with leader Kim Jong-un during his visit. This marks his first trip to the regime in about six months. His arrival comes as military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang deepens, especially after a North Korean troop deployment to Russia. Observers are also watching to see whether a possible visit by Kim to Moscow will be discussed.

Top diplomats from Seoul, Beijing address Xi Jinping's potential visit to S. Korea

2025/03/21 20:00

Ahead of trilateral talks between the top diplomats of South Korea, Japan, and China scheduled for this weekend in Tokyo, Seoul's foreign minister Cho Tae-yul today sat down separately with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. During the 50-minute long meeting, they decided to work towards a visit to South Korea by Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the APEC summit later this year. The two sides also agreed to make efforts to restore cultural exchanges. This comes after China started to restrict the distribution of Korean movies, dramas, and all other forms of pop culture in 2016, in retaliation to Korea's deployment of U.S. THAAD missile defense systems.

Seoul, Washington agree to resolve S. Korea's placement on "Sensitive Countries" list

2025/03/21 20:00

As key agenda lie ahead, Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun was back in Washington in three weeks, this time, to relay concerns over the U.S.' so-called sensitive country list. The two countries agreed to swiftly resolve the issue. Shin Ha-young has the details. South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to work together to resolve the issue of South Korea being placed on the U.S. Department of Energy's "Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List" during Minister Ahn Duk-geun's visit to Washington. On Friday, the trade ministry said Ahn raised concerns about the designation in his first meeting with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and both sides agreed to address the matter swiftly. If South Korea remains on the list, new restrictions on research collaboration and visits to institutions affiliated with the U.S. energy department will take effect starting April 15. However, Ahn stated that Washington does not expect the designation to significantly impact bilateral scientific cooperation. Seoul hasn't been removed from the list yet, but securing U.S. cooperation increases the likelihood of changes before it takes effect next month. His visit comes at a crucial time, ahead of the new Trump administration's anticipated tariff announcement on April 2nd, and securing a favorable position is another key objective for the talks. "Our priority is to seek South Korea's removal from the "Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List". If immediate removal is not possible, we will work on alternative solutions to ensure that this designation does not hinder scientific and industrial collaboration between our nations." The two officials also agreed to strengthen energy cooperation in areas such as LNG, hydrogen, power grids and nuclear energy including small modular reactors. Ahn said the visit to the U.S. provided an opportunity to confirm both sides' commitment to resolving the sensitive country designation issue and to strengthen the momentum of Korea-U.S. energy cooperation. During his two-day visit to the U.S. Ahn will also meet with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. With the U.S. set to impose new tariffs worldwide on April 2, Ahn plans to share South Korea's government and industry stances with Lutnick, whom he met just three weeks ago. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Will President Yoon's impeachment verdict come next week or early April? Fmr. Court officials give their views

2025/03/21 20:00

As the Constitutional Court continues to contemplate President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment case, pundits are weighing in with their thoughts regarding the prolonged deliberation. Our Oh Soo-young reports. Almost a month has passed with no indication of when President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment verdict will be delivered. As of Friday, the Constitutional Court has not yet revealed when it will rule on the National Assembly's motion to remove Yoon from power, which was passed in December last year, following the leader's controversial Martial Law. For more than three weeks, the justices have been convening almost daily to deliberate on the case -a record period of time compared to past presidential impeachments. It took at most two weeks for verdicts on former presidents Park Geun-hye and Roh Moo-hyun, but there has been no word from the Court as of Friday 24 days since Yoon's final trial hearing was held. Given that the Constitutional Court notified former leaders two to three days in advance of their respective ruling dates, Yoon's verdict could fall between next Wednesday at the earliest,. and early April before two of the justices retire. The longer-than-expected deliberation has given rise to plenty of speculation over what's holding up the eight-member bench. Some believe the justices are working towards a unanimous decision to impeach President Yoon, and are fine-tuning their positions to deliver an indisputable judgment amid fears the result may trigger extreme reactions from the public. Some speculate the bench are struggling to align their views, given how an earlier impeachment case of Korea Communications Commission chair Lee Jin-sook was dismissed as the justices opinions were split evenly in line with their political orientations. "It seems the grounds for impeachment are clear and it is hard to dispute the President's declaration of martial law was unconstitutional and unlawful but the justices must determine whether the constitutional violations are severe enough to warrant removal from office. There may be justices who argue that it does not meet the threshold for an impeachable offense." In any case, the justices are facing growing calls to make a swift decision as Yoon's prolonged suspension from office, hinders effective governance. "This case is neither legally complex nor presents particularly difficult legal issues. We actually thought a conclusion would come by mid-March at the latest. The prolonged ruling has fueled speculation about political influence but I believe the justices fully understand the gravity and urgency of this case. I don't expect it to be delayed until early April. I believe that by the end of March, the ruling will be delivered one way or another." Still, the context of the decision and its timing is inevitably political. Those supporting Yoon's impeachment wish to quickly trigger a snap presidential election, which polls show would favor opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. Meanwhile, conservatives including Yoon's supporters are calling for the case to be dismissed, or for the Court to deliver a ruling after Lee Jae-myung's own verdict on Wednesday, March 26th, on one of his five criminal cases. With pressure coming from every side, the Court faces the challenge of ensuring its constitutional decision doesn't worsen the deep political division in the country. If at least six justices agree to uphold the presidential impeachment, Yoon will be removed from office immediately, triggering an early election that must be held within 60 days. If at least three are against impeachment, the President will resume his duties. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Will President Yoon's impeachment verdict come next week or early April? Fmr. Court officials give their views

2025/03/21 17:00

As the Constitutional Court continues to contemplate President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment case and pundits are weighing in with their thoughts regarding the prolonged deliberation. Our Oh Soo-young reports. Almost a month has passed with no indication of when President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment verdict will be delivered. As of Friday, the Constitutional Court has not yet revealed when it will rule on the National Assembly's motion to remove Yoon from power, which was passed in December last year, following the leader's controversial Martial Law. For more than three weeks, the justices have been convening almost daily to deliberate on the case -a record period of time compared to past presidential impeachments. It took at most two weeks for verdicts on former presidents Park Geun-hye and Roh Moo-hyun, but there has been no word from the Court as of Friday 24 days since Yoon's final trial hearing was held. Given that the Constitutional Court notified former leaders two to three days in advance of their respective ruling dates, Yoon's verdict could fall between next Wednesday at the earliest,. and early April before two of the justices retire. The longer-than-expected deliberation has given rise to plenty of speculation over what's holding up the eight-member bench. Some believe the justices are working towards a unanimous decision to impeach President Yoon, and are fine-tuning their positions to deliver an indisputable judgment amid fears the result may trigger extreme reactions from the public. Some speculate the bench are struggling to align their views, given how an earlier impeachment case of Korea Communications Commission chair Lee Jin-sook was dismissed as the justices opinions were split evenly in line with their political orientations. "It seems the grounds for impeachment are clear and it is hard to dispute the President's declaration of martial law was unconstitutional and unlawful but the justices must determine whether the constitutional violations are severe enough to warrant removal from office. There may be justices who argue that it does not meet the threshold for an impeachable offense." In any case, the justices are facing growing calls to make a swift decision as Yoon's prolonged suspension from office, hinders effective governance. "This case is neither legally complex nor presents particularly difficult legal issues. We actually thought a conclusion would come by mid-March at the latest. The prolonged ruling has fueled speculation about political influence but I believe the justices fully understand the gravity and urgency of this case. I don't expect it to be delayed until early April. I believe that by the end of March, the ruling will be delivered one way or another." Still, the context of the decision and its timing is inevitably political. Those supporting Yoon's impeachment wish to quickly trigger a snap presidential election, which polls show would favor opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. Meanwhile, conservatives including Yoon's supporters are calling for the case to be dismissed, or for the Court to deliver a ruling after Lee Jae-myung's own verdict on Wednesday, March 26th, on one of his five criminal cases. With pressure coming from every side, the Court faces the challenge of ensuring its constitutional decision doesn't worsen the deep political division in the country. If at least six justices agree to uphold the presidential impeachment, Yoon will be removed from office immediately, triggering an early election that must be held within 60 days. If at least three are against impeachment, the President will resume his duties. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

World News: EU leaders vow to continue backing Ukraine, but make no concrete pledges

2025/03/21 17:00

This is The World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. European Union leaders convened in Brussels for a two-day summit to deliberate on strengthening defense support for Ukraine. However, the summit concluded without a concrete financial commitment. During the summit held on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the EU leaders via video, urging them to maintain pressure on Russia through sanctions and to provide additional military aid. However, the EU leaders kept a cautious approach and didn't give a solid answer regarding Zelenskyy's appeal for approximately 5.4 billion U.S. dollars for artillery shells. EU foreign policy chief and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas had previously proposed a 43.4 billion-dollar military aid package for Ukraine, but the plan has faced opposition from several member states. Reaching consensus was further complicated by Hungary's refusal to endorse the summit's joint statement supporting Ukraine. Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry was elected as the next president of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday, becoming the first woman and first African leader of the organization in its 130-year history. Coventry secured 49 out of 97 votes, defeating six other candidates. 41-year-old Coventry has won two Olympic gold medals in swimming and serves as Zimbabwe's Sports Minister. Outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach was among those sending messages of congratulations to Coventry. She pledged to expand Olympic participation and will officially assume the presidency on June 23. Paris is hosting a unique exhibition titled "Snoopy In Style: A History of Peanuts and Fashion" to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip. The exhibition runs from March 22 to April 5 showcasing Snoopy's influence on fashion over the decades. Ahead of the exhibition, dozens of dolls of the cartoon beagle dog wearing designer clothes were on display in Paris on Thursday. Visitors can explore original comic strips, designer collaborations, and fashion items featuring Snoopy and his sister Belle in the exhibition. The exhibition highlights partnerships with renowned designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Giorgio Armani. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.