News

Trump 2.0: Trump's promise to end wars in Ukraine and Gaza

2025/01/20 17:00

On the broader diplomatic front. Raging wars including that in Ukraine amid Russian invasion look to top the list of foreign policy initiatives for the incoming Trump administration. Our Choi Min-jung has more. The incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, was once confident that he could end the three-year-long war between Ukraine and Russia in just 24 hours. This ambitious claim raised concerns that he might pressure Ukraine to concede territory to achieve a swift resolution. This comes as Russia currently occupies around a fifth of Ukraine's territory, including Crimea and the areas of Donetsk and Luhansk that were taken before 2022. However, a subtle shift in Trump's stance has been observed since his election victory. Earlier this month, he adjusted his timeline, saying he hopes to achieve peace within six months. While he still emphasizes the need to end the war in Ukraine quickly, he also appears to be taking a cautious approach, stressing the importance of Ukraine's territorial integrity. However, an expert says negotiations will be difficult under Trump unless Ukraine gives up territory. "In my view, that's how it will ultimately turn out. Ukraine will have to make many concessions—not just territorial ones. It will likely have to give up territory, agree to neutrality, and abandon its NATO ambitions." Another war Trump pledged to end is the war in Gaza. Ahead of his inauguration, Trump warned of serious consequences if the hostages were not returned. "If those hostages aren't back, I don't want to hurt your negotiations, if they're not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East and it will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone. All hell will break out." Trump himself, and some experts believe that his pressure has clearly played out in a productive way, as Israel and Hamas agreed on a three-phase ceasefire and hostage-release deal last week. He told NBC News at the weekend that the deal "better hold." What experts are more worried about is the long-term sustainability of the deal. "It's a three-phased agreement that from 16 days into the first phase, which is going to last for six weeks, is going to already require negotiations to get to the second phase. A lot of the details of the second phase and the release of further hostages and Palestinian prisoners have not been agreed upon. The terms and conditions of Israel's withdrawal from Gaza also remain unclear." Another expert says that a mechanism is needed to ensure Israel observes and respects the terms of the deal. "These could include independent monitoring system clearly defined consequences for violations and sustained diplomatic engagement to address lingering issues such as settlement expansion or territorial disputes that could reignite the tension " With bold promises and high stakes, 2025 will be the ultimate test of whether Trump can turn his words into lasting peace in Ukraine and Gaza. Choi Min-jung, Arirang News.

Trump 2.0: What the return of Trump means for Korean Peninsula

2025/01/20 17:00

On the security front. The incoming Trump administration is expected to call on South Korea to shoulder a greater burden of the cost of maintaining U.S. soldiers here in the country. Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji reports. Trump's approach to foreign policy is largely focused on the idea of putting "America First." To do this, he's appointed 'hardliners' to help him shape foreign policy in the new administration including Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, who's taken hard line positions against China and North Korea. At his Senate confirmation hearing last week, Rubio emphasized that placing the interest of America above all else has never been more necessary than it is now. "Placing our core national interest above all else is not isolationism. It is the common sense realization that our foreign that a foreign policy centered on our national interest is not some outdated relic." The "America First" policy has led to the biggest problem that South Korea is facing --that Trump could renegotiate the deal on sharing the costs needed for American troops in Korea. During his campaign, Trump said if he was at the White House, South Korea would be paying the United States 10 billion dollars a year, calling South Korea a "money machine." "So it is pretty clear that after he return to the White House, he will make a relationship based on the cost-benefit calculation especially for South Korea. Trump already mentioned several times that he is increasing the cost sharing for South Korea. So it's gonna be a rather daunting challenge for South Korean security and in terms of relationship between these two countries." With regard to relations with North Korea, there is a possibility that Trump might pursue nuclear talks with Kim Jong-un. During his first term, Trump held three summits with Kim, but the talks ended without any breakthroughs. Then on the campaign trail, Trump claimed that Kim "misses" him implying that the regime would not be acting up, once he returns to office. "Look, I had a very good relationship with President Xi. and a very good relationship with Putin and a very good relationship with Kim Jong-un, who has a nuclear force that you won't even believe." Trump recently named a close aide, Richard Grenell, as his presidential envoy for special missions and Alex Wong, who handled negotiations with North Korea during Trump's first term in office, as deputy national security adviser. South Korea's intelligence agency now believes that Trump's recent appointments of top aides on North Korean issues further indicate a willingness to explore diplomatic talks. It recently assessed that if the Trump administration comes to a conclusion that complete denuclearization of North Korea is impossible in the near future, it could seek to take actions in the form of a "small deal," such as nuclear disarmament or arms reduction. With less than a day left until Trump's inauguration, eyes are now on how his America First agenda will reshape international politics, as critics say his foreign policy could dismantle democratic norms and a decades-old international order. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

Trump Inauguration D-Day: impacts of Trump's protectionist policies on S. Korean industries

2025/01/20 17:00

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to promote an America-first trade policy. So what does that mean for its trade partners like South Korea? Our business correspondent Moon Hye-ryeon takes a look. As U.S. President Donald Trump takes office for his second term, his aggressive trade policies, particularly targeting China, are raising concerns worldwide. Trump has signaled plans for sweeping tariffs, including additional levies on Chinese imports, as part of his broader protectionist strategy – aiming to shift global trade dynamics and strengthen U.S. leverage. However, such policies have raised alarm in countries like South Korea, heavily reliant on exports. For South Korea, Trump's trade war with China poses both risks and opportunities across a wide range of industries. Advanced technology sectors such as semiconductors could face increased barriers to trade as a result of the U.S.-China tensions. Trump's protectionist policies have also triggered concerns surrounding potential amendments to the Inflation Reduction Act, and whether Samsung Electronics and SK hynix as beneficiaries of the CHIPS and Science Act could be affected. Experts say that while anything that has already been signed into contract is safe, possible future subsidies could be at risk. But the U.S. also stands to be negatively impacted as a result. "If President Trump really wants to use tariffs to induce semiconductor investment in the United States, tariffs have to be higher than 20 percent. And if tariffs for semiconductors do go that high, then it probably will hurt the United States more than help it." The steel and automobile industries could also be affected as they have been historically important for the U.S. economy. "They have been really important in the U.S. economy – especially by taking important roles in creating jobs for a long time but have lost their competitiveness in the global market. So the Trump administration is expected to implement higher tariffs on goods that experience large trade deficits." On the upside, some sectors in South Korea could benefit from Trump's tariffs. For instance, industries like electric vehicles and batteries, where South Korea has a strong presence, may see increased demand as countries look to diversify their supply chains and reduce reliance on China. South Korea's plans to boost its eco-friendly vehicle sector and advance battery technology through significant investments as announced by Acting President and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok earlier last week, may position it as a global leader in these fields. There is also growing anticipation that U.S. sanctions on China's shipbuilding sector will benefit South Korea's shipbuilding companies as they gain a competitive edge. As Trump's trade policies take shape, South Korea's industries and government will need to stay agile, balancing the potential risks and rewards in this evolving trade landscape. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Preparations in full swing with one day to go until Trump's inauguration

2025/01/20 17:00

In less than 24 hours the U.S. ushers in a second Trump administration. Lee Seung-jae covers the upcoming inauguration ceremony slated for Monday local time. In less than a day, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office, and return to the White House, four years after his election defeat to Joe Biden. Four days of inauguration-related events kicked off on Saturday with a reception and fireworks at his golf club in Virginia, with around 500 people in attendance. On Sunday, he visited Arlington National Cemetery, and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. And due to the extreme winter conditions in the U.S. capital, the inauguration day ceremony will take place indoors at the U.S. Capitol rotunda. Monday is expected to be the coldest inauguration day in 40 years, with temperatures forecast to dip to minus 5 degrees Celsius, with winds blowing up to 48 kilometers per hour due to an arctic vortex in the region. After Trump is sworn into office, he will make his inauguration speech before events close on Tuesday with a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral. Despite the extreme winter conditions, supporters of Trump came to celebrate his return, with the "Make America Great Again Victory Rally" taking place on Sunday. "I got here at 5 in the morning. And tomorrow the same. I was going to go out there now because of the freezing cold. I don't do it. I've got to do it. I've got to, I can't wait to dance that YMCA dance. I'm practicing. I'm hoping Trump will wave back." The rally took place at the Capital One Arena in Washington, where Trump held his pre-inauguration address. There, Trump promised to usher in a new era of American prosperity, adding that on Monday, the country will "begin a brand new day of American strength, prosperity, dignity and pride." Meanwhile, video sharing platform TikTok said Sunday it was restoring its service. The move comes after Trump said he would reverse a ban on the app when he returns to the Oval Office. TikTok said in a message to users that the service would be restored "as a result of President Trump's effort." In an interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press" on Saturday, Trump said he would "most likely" give the platform a 90-day reprieve from a potential ban in the U.S. once he takes office. While a final decision hasn't been made, the soon-to-be U.S. leader is considering the extension for the China-based parent company to sell to a non-Chinese-buyer, or face a U.S. ban. TikTok stopped working in the U.S. on Saturday, before a law shutting it down on the grounds of national security took effect on Sunday. Washington had warned of Americans' data being misused by Chinese parent company ByteDance. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Constitutional Court beefs up security protection for justices as President Yoon's impeachment trial continues

2025/01/20 17:00

Come tomorrow that is Tuesday the third hearing of the impeachment case against the president takes place. That being said efforts are underway to ensure protection for the justices at the Constitutional Court in light of the violent displays of discontent at the Seoul Western District Court in the early hours of Sunday morning. Oh Soo-young has the latest. The Constitutional Court will beef up security for justices, ahead of President Yoon Suk Yeol's third impeachment trial hearing on Tuesday, while the leader remains detained under extended custody. On Monday, Court Press Officer Cheon Jaehyun said due to violence over the weekend caused by protestors in support of the President outside the Seoul Western District Court, the Constitutional Court has devised enhanced security measures. Cheon said justices will be accompanied by police, and security screening at the courtroom entrance will be intensified. The Court has also added more security personnel and is operating an emergency standby system during and outside the working hours, along with additional police reinforcement. This marks the first time for a sitting South Korean leader to face impeachment under formal arrest, after the Seoul Western District Court approved Yoon's extended detention for further questioning by investigators. Yoon's lawyers have said the President was planning to attend the hearing at an appropriate time to defend himself. However, he skipped the first hearing on last Tuesday, citing the attempted execution of an arrest warrant. He also missed the second hearing on Thursday, as he was being detained for questioning at the time. Thus Yoon's lawyers are likely to argue for more time, saying that his prolonged arrest infringes his right to attend his ongoing trial. His team has previously filed two requests to delay the hearings, both of which the Court rejected. Press Officer Cheon said Monday that the Court cannot reveal "at this stage" whether the President will attend a hearing, but it has not yet received requests for security arrangements. She added the Court will determine the conditions under which Yoon may argue his case during the proceedings. Also, regarding the possible suspension of the impeachment case, as investigations into his alleged insurrection pick up pace with his arrest, Cheon said "it is difficult to confirm whether the justices have discussed the matter," adding that "no related documents have been submitted by President Yoon's team." Article 51 of the Constitutional Court Act allows for the suspension of an impeachment trial, when a criminal investigation based on the same grounds is ongoing. As President Yoon's impeachment trial unfolds under unprecedented circumstances, the Constitutional Court faces mounting challenges in ensuring fair trial procedures and security amid political and social unrest, as well as addressing potential delays caused by simultaneous legal proceedings. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Justices and Acting President express concerns over court attack

2025/01/20 17:00

Meanwhile the country's Supreme Court earlier on this Monday condemned Sunday's acts of violence by the president's hard-line supporters at the Seoul Western District Court following its order for a formal arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol . Our Kim Bo-kyoung has details. Justices expressed concerns over the attack on Seoul Western District Court by protesters on Sunday, saying no country would be able to survive if extreme actions disregarding the rule of law become normalized. This came during the emergency meeting presided by the Supreme Court Chief Justice on Monday morning. There, justices emphasized that any attempted acts of terrorism against individual judges or trials are not only a complete denial of the rule of law but could also be considered acts of defiance against all constitutional institutions. The Court Administration Office has announced that the specific damage to the court including exterior walls, windows, shutters and other items, is estimated to be approximately six-hundred to seven-hundred million Korean won which is a little less than five-hundred-thousand U.S. dollars. Choi Sang-mok, the Acting President too, voiced strong regret over the attack. "Democracy begins with abiding by the law. To persuade others, one must first follow the law themselves." The court faced an unprecedented attack on Sunday after it issued President Yoon's formal arrest warrant at around 3AM. Angry supporters stormed into the court, heading to the back entrance when blocked by police at the front gate. Some smashed windows using stones and fire extinguishers to enter the court. Inside, they sprayed fire extinguishers, vandalized televisions and ATMs along with other items, and even ransacked a judge's chambers, looking for Judge Cha Eun-kyung, who was responsible for the decision to issue the warrant. The protesters were only dispersed three hours later at around 6 AM after a large police force was deployed. Responding to the attack on the Seoul Western District Court, police and the prosecution said they will deal "sternly" with all of the protesters who were involved in violent acts citing their attack as "grave crimes" that undermine the rule of law and the judicial system. According to the police on Monday, a total of 90 individuals were apprehended in the act over the weekend for illegal activities at Seoul Western District Court and the Constitutional Court. Meanwhile, the Seoul Western District Court returned to normal operations on Monday. though vehicle access is restricted, and identity verification is required to enter. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

K-wave AI News

2025/01/20 14:00

Welcome to The Kulture Wave AI News. Here's our first story of the day. Culture Minister Yu In-chon attended the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2025 and the ASEAN+3 Tourism Ministers Meeting in Johor Bahru, Malaysia over the weekend. As co-chair of this year's ASEAN tourism gathering, Minister Yu led discussions on enhancing regional cooperation in the sector. During a series of bilateral meetings with his partners, he emphasized ways to expand Korea's role to strengthen the connectivity with the ASEAN bloc, also underscoring the Korean government's efforts to ensure a safe environment for international visitors. Korea signed a memorandum of understanding on tourism cooperation with Malaysia, commemorating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year. Marking the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan, the Korea Heritage Service will issue commemorative stamps featuring four repatriated cultural artifacts. These artifacts symbolize Korea's resilient efforts to protect its sovereignty and highlight the value of independence. The stamps include depictions of documents related to the late Joseon-era militia and the imperial seal of Emperor Gojong. Over 540,000 stamps will be issued, which can be purchased at local post offices or via the Internet Post Office website. The Andong Amsan Ice Festival, the largest winter event in the Gyeongsang region, reopened last weekend after a two-year hiatus, drawing large crowds. The festival's highlights include traditional sledding and smelt fishing, along with various other activities such as ice skating, ice slides, and ice train rides. The event will run until this Sunday. That's all for now. Keep it tuned to The Kulture Wave.

Trump Inauguration D-Day: impacts of Trump's protectionist policies on S. Korean industries

2025/01/20 10:00

Trump's comeback also means the return of his feisty protectionist trade policies. For South Korea, experts say it'll be a time of both risks and opportunities. Our Moon Hye-ryeon explains. As U.S. President Donald Trump takes office for his second term, his aggressive trade policies, particularly targeting China, are raising concerns worldwide. Trump has signaled plans for sweeping tariffs, including additional levies on Chinese imports, as part of his broader protectionist strategy – aiming to shift global trade dynamics and strengthen U.S. leverage. However, such policies have raised alarm in countries like South Korea, heavily reliant on exports. For South Korea, Trump's trade war with China poses both risks and opportunities across a wide range of industries. Advanced technology sectors such as semiconductors could face increased barriers to trade as a result of the U.S.-China tensions. Trump's protectionist policies have also triggered concerns surrounding potential amendments to the Inflation Reduction Act, and whether Samsung Electronics and SK hynix as beneficiaries of the CHIPS and Science Act could be affected. Experts say that while anything that has already been signed into contract is safe, possible future subsidies could be at risk. But the U.S. also stands to be negatively impacted as a result. "If President Trump really wants to use tariffs to induce semiconductor investment in the United States, tariffs have to be higher than 20 percent. And if tariffs for semiconductors do go that high, then it probably will hurt the United States more than help it." The steel and automobile industries could also be affected as they have been historically important for the U.S. economy. "They have been really important in the U.S. economy – especially by taking important roles in creating jobs for a long time but have lost their competitiveness in the global market. So the Trump administration is expected to implement higher tariffs on goods that experience large trade deficits." On the upside, some sectors in South Korea could benefit from Trump's tariffs. For instance, industries like electric vehicles and batteries, where South Korea has a strong presence, may see increased demand as countries look to diversify their supply chains and reduce reliance on China. South Korea's plans to boost its eco-friendly vehicle sector and advance battery technology through significant investments as announced by Acting President and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok earlier last week, may position it as a global leader in these fields. There is also growing anticipation that U.S. sanctions on China's shipbuilding sector will benefit South Korea's shipbuilding companies as they gain a competitive edge. As Trump's trade policies take shape, South Korea's industries and government will need to stay agile, balancing the potential risks and rewards in this evolving trade landscape. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Seoul Western District Court operating normally after protesters' attack on Sunday

2025/01/20 10:00

And it was a weekend full of violence and anger, with pro-Yoon protesters attacking a court that issued the formal arrest warrant against him. Our Kim Bo-kyoung tells us more. Seoul Western District Court, which was attacked by supporters of President Yoon on early Sunday morning, returns normal operations on Monday, though vehicle access is restricted, and identity verification is required to enter. The court faced an unprecedented attack after it issued President Yoon's formal arrest warrant at around 3AM on Sunday. Angry supporters stormed into the court, heading to the back entrance when blocked by police at the front gate. Some smashed windows using stones and fire extinguishers to enter the court. Inside, they sprayed fire extinguishers, vandalized televisions and ATMs along with other items, and even ransacked a judge's chambers on the 7th floor, looking for Judge Cha Eun-kyung, who was responsible for the decision to issue the warrant. The protesters were only dispersed three hours later at around 6 AM after a large police force was deployed. A total of 87 protesters were apprehended. On Sunday afternoon, Yoon's supporters focused their protests on the Constitutional Court, which is responsible for making a decision over Yoon's impeachment. They split into three groups in Jongno-gu District, and held unregistered rallies at locations nearby. Though the police notified protesters of possible punishment, they did not disband. There were no clashes between the police and the protesters, but three people were apprehended, one for climbing over the wall of the court for a suspected break-in, one for possessing a crowbar, and another for suspected obstruction of official duties. Responding to the attack on the Seoul Western District Court, police and the prosecution said they will deal "sternly" with all of the protesters who were involved in violent acts by investigating them under detention. Citing their attack as "grave crimes" that undermine the rule of law and judicial system, the prosecution on Sunday formed a nine-member team to investigate the protesters. The Supreme Court Chief Justice is to hold an emergency meeting of justices on Monday morning, to share how the situation unfolded and talk about the ways to restore the rule of law, including normalizing court functions and preventing a similar incident from occurring again. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Senior presidential secretaries pledge to back gov't efforts to 'stably manage' diplomacy, economy

2025/01/20 10:00

Following his detention, President Yoon's senior secretaries held a meeting on Sunday to discuss how to move forward as an administration. In a press statement, the top office pledged support for the government's efforts to effectively manage diplomatic and security affairs, given the evolving international landscape, such as leadership changes in allied nations. It will also work with the Cabinet to address high exchange and interest rates, and oil prices which affect people's livelihoods. Chief-of-Staff Chung Jin-suk called on all secretaries to "fulfill their respective roles as public officials to ensure stable governance."

Preparations in full swing with one day to go until Trump's inauguration

2025/01/20 10:00

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump officially moves back into the White House on Monday. And inauguration-related events are in full swing, with the inauguration itself set to take place indoors due to extreme winter conditions. Lee Seung-jae reports. In less than a day, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office, and return to the White House, four years after his election defeat to Joe Biden. Four days of inauguration-related events kicked off on Saturday with a reception and fireworks at his golf club in Virginia, with around 500 people in attendance. On Sunday, he visited Arlington National Cemetery, and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. And due to the extreme winter conditions in the U.S. capital, the inauguration day ceremony will take place indoors at the U.S. Capitol rotunda. Monday is expected to be the coldest inauguration day in 40 years, with temperatures forecast to dip to minus 5 degrees Celsius, with winds blowing up to 48 kilometers per hour due to an arctic vortex in the region. After Trump is sworn into office, he will make his inauguration speech before events close on Tuesday with a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral. Despite the extreme winter conditions, supporters of Trump came to celebrate his return, with the "Make America Great Again Victory Rally" taking place on Sunday. "I got here at 5 in the morning. And tomorrow the same. I was going to go out there now because of the freezing cold. I don't do it. I've got to do it. I've got to, I can't wait to dance that YMCA dance. I'm practicing. I'm hoping Trump will wave back." The rally took place at the Capital One Arena in Washington, where Trump held his pre-inauguration address. There, Trump promised to usher in a new era of American prosperity, adding that on Monday, the country will "begin a brand new day of American strength, prosperity, dignity and pride." Meanwhile, video sharing platform TikTok said Sunday it was restoring its service. The move comes after Trump said he would reverse a ban on the app when he returns to the Oval Office. TikTok said in a message to users that the service would be restored "as a result of President Trump's effort." In an interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press" on Saturday, Trump said he would "most likely" give the platform a 90-day reprieve from a potential ban in the U.S. once he takes office. While a final decision hasn't been made, the soon-to-be U.S. leader is considering the extension for the China-based parent company to sell to a non-Chinese-buyer, or face a U.S. ban. TikTok stopped working in the U.S. on Saturday, before a law shutting it down on the grounds of national security took effect on Sunday. Washington had warned of Americans' data being misused by Chinese parent company ByteDance. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Yoon refuses to be questioned again while CIO bans personal visits for Yoon

2025/01/20 10:00

President Yoon Suk Yeol was formally arrested on Sunday, which means he stays put in the Seoul Detention Center but now with a prisoner number. We go straight to the site where he's being detained. Do-yeon, how are things looking there this morning, and what might we see today? Good morning Dami, as you said I'm standing in front of Seoul Detention Center where President Yoon has been detained since last week. At the moment there are only a handful of people here in support of President Yoon that I can see with barricades and officers at the scene to maintain order. Members of the media have been arriving here since early morning to see whether President Yoon will be leaving here for questioning by the CIO. However, according to his legal team, he has once again refused to make himself available for the questioning session. They have been saying that Yoon has already shared everything with the CIO so there is no need for additional questioning. They did this on Friday and yesterday as well after the new warrant was issued. Now as President Yoon is in custody the CIO could be looking at being more forceful with President Yoon, something the investigators will certainly have to be careful with. All in all President Yoon has only appeared at the CIO once. 2. Now, President Yoon is under a new and different kind of arrest warrant than what was issued last week. Some say he's "officially" arrested what does this mean? Dami, that's right over the weekend, the CIO was able to get a warrant to keep Yoon in custody until early February. And that means the CIO and the prosecutors will have him here at the Seoul Detention Center while they question him to investigate the case further. There are two types of arrest one that preliminarily allows investigators to detain suspects for 48 hours and within that 48 hours after questioning they can request another arrest warrant to extend the period of detention. Yoon is now being held under that second warrant as a local court early on Sunday morning granted the CIO's request despite efforts from Yoon's legal team to fight back. This means he is now dressed in a detention center-issued uniform with an inmate number assigned to him. Considering his status he will have a separate cell and guards will try to isolate him from other inmates. According to the Justice Ministry he's had a mug shot taken and a body search the same procedure as anyone else who has been arrested. It's because of all these details that some are calling Yoon's current situation an "official arrest." 3. Do-yeon, the CIO also has banned Yoon from personal visits citing possible obstruction of evidence. What does this mean? Right Dami, as Yoon uses his legal rights to refuse questioning sessions the CIO is also using its legal options to pressure President Yoon. As you said, except for Yoon's attorneys he's not going to be able to see anyone until formal prosecution begins for this case. The CIO cited obstruction of evidence as the reason and remember that is the exact reason why the court issued the second "official" arrest warrant. Now, Yoon's legal team could also be filing for a review of the legality of this current arrest as well and we'll have to see how that legal battle unfolds. That's all for now, back to you Dami.

ASEAN foreign ministers meeting begins in Malaysia

2025/01/20 10:00

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, convened its Foreign Ministers' Retreat on Sunday in Langkawi, Malaysia. The Retreat was the first major meeting under Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship for 2025, and opened under the theme, "Inclusivity and Sustainability." Foreign ministers from the 10 ASEAN member states attended, with East Timor's foreign minister also participating as an observer. East Timor will soon become the association's 11th member. Key discussions focused on the ongoing crisis in Myanmar and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Concerns about the impact of U.S.-China rivalry on ASEAN unity were also raised.

First three hostages released by Hamas as part of ceasefire deal

2025/01/20 10:00

Starting with the Israel-Hamas conflict, on January 19, local time, the first three Israeli hostages, of 33 to be released according to the recent ceasefire agreement, were freed by Hamas. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the transfer, escorting the three women to an Israeli military checkpoint. Upon arrival, they were reunited with their families and transported to a medical center for examination, where the director said all three were in stable condition. Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari had been abducted on Oct. 7 near a kibbutz and music festival during the Hamas attack. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a video showing him receiving news about the return of three hostages. Global leaders, including Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed relief at the hostages' release and emphasized ongoing efforts to secure freedom for those still in captivity.

Davos Forum to begin amid Trump inauguration events

2025/01/20 10:00

The World Economic Forum, where world leaders gather to discuss issues facing the world, will kick off on Monday, at the Swiss resort of Davos. The theme of the 55th Davos Forum is 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,' with the aim of creatively solving problems for humanity by utilizing technological advancements, while preventing the negative impacts caused by the widespread use of artificial intelligence. Around 25 hundred people, including 350 high-ranking government officials from around the world will attend. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will give a speech virtually on Thursday, just three days after his inauguration.

[Weekly Focus] Trump 2.0: Here's what to expect on North Korea policy

2025/01/18 12:00

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House is expected to greatly influence world affairs.. including relations with Seoul and Pyongyang. For this week's Weekly Focus, we take a closer look at the incoming Trump administration's approach toward North Korea, with our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji. Welcome. Thanks for having me. 1. Before we go into details, let's go over comments made by Trump's picks to lead foreign policy and national security issues on North Korea this week. The Trump administration's defense chief nominee, Pete Hegseth recently called the North a "nuclear power." Right.. his remarks sparked quite a lot of concerns here in South Korea. In a written response to advanced policy questions submitted to a Senate panel ahead of his confirmation hearing, Hegseth said North Korea's status as a "nuclear power" poses threats to the Korean Peninsula and other parts of the world. This has led to some watchers expressing concern that Hegseth's comments hint that the United States could recognize North Korea as a "nuclear weapon state." His use of "nuclear power" differs from the term "nuclear weapon state" under international law, as it includes countries with nuclear weapons, that are not officially recognized as such. "Nuclear weapon state" is a status that's officially granted to only five countries in the world, under an international treaty barring nuclear weapons development: that includes the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China. South Korea and other countries that comply with the deal, known as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty --receive international support to pursue peaceful uses of nuclear technology. But North Korea pulled out of the pact in 2003, to continue to advance nuclear weapons. Seoul's foreign ministry immediately responded to Hegseth's comments saying that North Korea can "never be recognized as a nuclear weapon state," under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. 2. We also heard Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio say that the United States needs to take a broader approach to North Korean issues. That's right. Let's take a listen to what Rubio had to say during his Senate confirmation hearing this week,.. where he called the North Korean leader a "dictator." "In Moscow and Tehran and Pyongyang, dictators, rogue states now sow chaos and instability and aligned with and they fund radical terror groups and then they hide behind their veto power at the United Nations Security Council or the threats of nuclear war." When asked about how he will re-shape America's 'broken' North Korea policy, which has only led to Pyongyang doubling down on its nuclear and missile programs rather than slowing them down, he said there has to be an appetite for a serious look at broader North Korean policies. He called for efforts to prevent a war between North Korea and allies such as South Korea and Japan, and said they're seeking ways to prevent a crisis without encouraging other nation-states to pursue their own nuclear weapons programs leading to speculation that this could mean Washington is now shifting away from its focus on "denuclearizing" North Korea and rather, focus on more realistic options to manage risks. At the hearing, Rubio also backed Trump's efforts to actively engage with the regime. He admitted he was initially skeptical about engagement with the North and acknowledged that Trump's meeting with Kim did not produce any lasting agreement, but said it calmed the situation "quite a bit." 3. South Korea's intelligence agency suggested earlier this week.. that Trump might pursue dialogue with Kim Jong-un. Will we be able to see Trump and Kim meet again? Well, we can't be too sure about that for now but it does seem likely. Trump named a close aide, Richard Grenell, as his presidential envoy for special missions and Alex Wong, who handled negotiations with North Korea during Trump's first term in office, as deputy national security adviser. As you just mentioned, the NIS said Trump's recent appointments of top aides on North Korea issues further indicate a willingness to explore diplomatic talks, possibly "smaller-scale agreements" such as a nuclear freeze or an arms reduction. This assessment was shared during the agency's briefing to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee on Monday. Take a listen. "If the Trump administration comes to a conclusion that complete denuclearization of North Korea is impossible in the near future, it could seek to take actions in the form of a 'small deal' such as nuclear disarmament or arms reduction." During Trump's first term, he held three summits with Kim Jong-un, but failed to persuade Kim to give up his nuclear weapons. They first met in Singapore, then in Hanoi and finally in the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas but the talks ended without any breakthroughs. 4. But there are concerns that the United States might bypass South Korea when trying to engage in dialogue with the North. How should the South Korean government work to prevent that from happening? South Korea's foreign ministry says it is closely cooperating with the United States and plans to communicate with the incoming U.S. administration to work on denuclearizing North Korea. An expert that I've spoken to said that it's important for the South Korean government to focus on having some kind of network with key officials in the new administration that will be responsible for North Korea relations --such as Alex Wong and Richard Grenell. "The most serious thing from the South Korean perspective is North Korea's nuclear threats. And Trump had mentioned several times he will you know possibly resume some kind of a summit that we have experienced back in 2018 and 19 so in those processes, South Korea should get into it and then deliver our own message and our opinion and our own policy." Alright Eun-ji. We'll have to keep a close eye on how Trump's team decides to handle issues on the Korean Peninsula. Thank you for the wrap-up. We appreciate it. Thank you.

CIO sends detention warrant application for President Yoon to Seoul Western District Court

2025/01/17 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. We start with the latest on the investigation by the anti-corruption officials, who have applied for an official detention warrant against President Yoon Suk Yeol. For more, Arirang's Kim Bo-kyoung joins us live from the Gwacheon Government Complex where the anti-graft agency is located. Bo-kyoung , so the CIO has now applied for that detention warrant. It's another unprecedented event for a sitting president. Hello, Jung-min. Yes, the CIO requested the detention warrant against President Yoon just before 6 PM, around three hours before the deadline. filing the request with the Seoul Western District Court. This marks the first instance in South Korea's history where a sitting president faces formal arrest. If the detention warrant is issued, Yoon can be held for a total of 20 days, including the initial 48-hour detention period. The CIO will likely hold and question Yoon for eight more days, before transferring the case to the prosecution, which has the authority to indict a suspect. Both parties have already agreed to spend ten days each questioning Yoon. With the detention warrant requested, the court is going to conduct a review tomorrow at 2 PM. Eyes are now on whether President Yoon will attend the review. and if he does so, it will be his first appearance outside after being detained. Meanwhile, Yoon shared a message from the detention center via his lawyer around half an hour after the CIO requested the warrant, saying he is doing well although it's quite uncomfortable, and that he has been looking back on state affairs through speeches he made. He expressed gratitude for those who have been out on the streets supporting him. And this filing for a detention warrant comes after President Yoon again refused to appear for questioning today. That's right, Jung-min. He was supposed to be here at 10 AM for questioning, but again refused to appear. His refusal comes after failing to appear the previous day, too citing health issues. One CIO official said that there has been no notification from Yoon's side over his non-attendance this time around. The CIO did not re-summon Yoon as the 48-hour deadline to detain him was approaching, which is at around 9 PM Friday. Yoon not appearing is not a surprise as his legal team had already expressed regret over the Seoul Central District Court's decision on Thursday to dismiss the request to challenge his detention. Yoon had filed a petition to the Seoul Central District Court seeking a review of the legality of his detention arguing the detention warrant against him issued by the Seoul Western District Court was invalid, and that the CIO lacked jurisdiction over insurrection. This, however, was only to be rejected and Yoon's lawyers have said it is unfortunate how illegal and unlawful actions are tolerated, and that they will not comply with the CIO's investigations. Meanwhile Bo-kyoung I hear public rallies remain intense at a number of different locations. That's right. Behind me were around three hundred Yoon supporters protesting against the CIO. Around a thousand supporters have also been rallying in front of Seoul Detention Center where Yoon is currently, chanting things like "Release the President." Just 10 meters away from the pro-Yoon protests were also those in favor of Yoon's impeachment, having a banner criticizing the declaration of martial law. Pro-Yoon protests are taking place in front of the Seoul Western District Court as well, where the detention warrant was requested. That is all I have for now. Back to you, Jung-min. That was our Kim Bo-kyoung reporting live from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill more than 80 despite announcement of ceasefire

2025/01/17 20:00

In the Middle East. Despite the sealing of a ceasefire deal, that was supposed to start on Sunday local time, Israeli assaults against Hamas in Gaza continue to raise the Palestinian death toll. Ahn Sung-jin has more. Many rejoiced at the news of a six-week ceasefire deal agreed between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. But just days before the deal is implemented on Sunday, Israel conducted more airstrikes in Gaza, killing at least three more Gazans, and raising the death toll to 86 since the news of the ceasefire agreement. According to Gaza's Civil Defense Service, the death toll includes 23 children and 27 women. During the same period, more than 250 Palestinians have been injured in the airstrikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a Security Cabinet meeting on Friday to discuss and ratify the ceasefire, which was successfully agreed on. According to local media, in a statement from Netanyahu's office, the prime minister has been informed of the release of hostages and has signed the deal. This comes after the vote was initially postponed with Netanyahu blaming a last-minute disagreement with Hamas for the delay. A full Cabinet meeting to give final approval to the ceasefire deal is expected to take place on Saturday, and considering the legal procedures, the first hostages could be released as early as the 20th. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the deal will start on time despite what he called a last-minute "loose end." "On the ceasefire, yes, I am confident, and I fully expect that implementation would begin, as we said, on Sunday. Look, it's not exactly surprising that in a process, in a negotiation, that has been this challenging and this fraught, you may get a loose end. We are tying up that loose end as we speak." Following the ceasefire agreement, the European Union on Thursday pledged 120 million euros, or over 123 million U.S. dollars in aid for Palestine. According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a post on X, the "ceasefire and hostage release agreement offers hope the region desperately needed," but added that Gaza's "humanitarian situation remains grim." The aid will provide assistance to address acute food insecurity and malnutrition, healthcare assistance, water, sanitation, and hygiene support, shelter and protection assistance. The latest humanitarian assistance to Gaza from the bloc brings the total value to over 460 million US dollars since 2023. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

S. Korea's Jan. green book points to "greater downside risks" to economy

2025/01/17 20:00

Korea's political instability appears to be casting a darker cloud of uncertainty over its economy. Lee Soo-jin explains. South Korea is seeing greater downside risks to its economy, as uncertainties grow both at home and abroad. The somber assessment is from the latest economic green book,. a monthly economic assessment report, released by the Finance Ministry on Friday. "The term "concerns about increased downside risks" was previously used, but has now been replaced with "greater downside pressure." This change reflects the negative trends observed across industries during both October and November." It presents a bleaker outlook compared to last month's report when the government omitted the phrase "economic recovery" for the first time in over a year, as January's report also includes concerns about employment, an area where the government had previously been largely optimistic. In December, South Korea saw its first year-on-year decrease in employment figures in more than three years, as a downturn in industrial activity has begun to spill over into the labor market. This was mainly attributed to a larger drop in employment in the manufacturing sector last month, which continued to see a decline for the sixth straight month, and the construction sector for eight consecutive months. This comes as industrial output in November dropped point-four percent compared to the previous month, as the services and construction sectors remained weak, marking a fall for the third straight month. Services output declined by point-2 percent, driven by decreases in the finance and insurance sectors. The construction sector also experienced a drop in production for the seventh consecutive month as building activity slowed, setting a new record for the longest continuous downturn since 1997. But retail sales, an indicator of consumer spending, rebounded by point-four percent compared to the previous month after seeing declines in both September and October. The finance ministry official said the month's report also placed less emphasis on concerns about inflation, as figures for December showed that consumer prices rose 1-point-9 percent year-on-year, marking the fourth consecutive month of inflation under the two percent mark. But with continued political unrest in the country as well as mounting concerns about potential changes in the trade environment during President-elect Donald Trump's second term, the government pledged to collaborate with relevant agencies and swiftly implement economic policy plans for 2025 to ensure economic stability. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

Rival parties in talks on special counsel bill to probe Yoon's insurrection charges

2025/01/17 20:00

The ruling and opposition parties are locking horns over the disputed bill to appoint a special counsel to investigate President Yoon's martial law declaration. This is raising questions about whether a last-minute agreement can be reached before midnight, the deadline set by the opposition. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young is on the line with the latest. Ha-young, how are the talks unfolding? Jung-min, the rival political parties have yet to reach a final agreement. An official from the National Assembly speaker's office told reporters that agreements had been reached on some issues, but the talks are still ongoing due to major differences. The official declined to elaborate on these. Floor leaders of the two parties sat down at the negotiating table Friday afternoon, with the National Assembly speaker presiding, to discuss a bill to launch a special counsel investigation into President Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law. This comes after the ruling People Power Party proposed its own version of the bill, while the opposition pushed its already-prepared bill. On Friday morning, PPP Floor Leader Kweon Seong-dong said there was no need for the bill since most key figures, including President Yoon, have already been arrested or indicted. He explained that the party proposed its own version of the special counsel bill as it was compelled to choose the worse option over the worst one. Take a listen. "This special counsel is pointless and serves no purpose. I urge the DP to withdraw the special counsel bill." Democratic Party Floor Leader Park Chan-dae said the bill was needed to hold people accountable for a serious crime against democracy and the constitutional order. The DP has set the deadline for negotiations of midnight, Friday. If no agreement is reached, it plans to hold a vote on its prepared special prosecutor bill. Take a listen "I urge the PPP not to betray the people and to engage in negotiations sincerely." Then Ha-young, how are the bills from each side different? The primary focus of the opposition's bill, proposed earlier this month, is to uncover whether President Yoon unlawfully instigated an insurrection, and violated the Constitution in the process. The PPP's version, however, removes the allegations of "insurrection" and also that of "the inducement of foreign aggression." It aims to look into five specific allegations overall, in comparison to the 11 presented by the opposition. The PPP's bill also shortens the investigation period to a maximum of 110 days, compared to the DP's 150. As for the size of the investigation team, the PPP is pushing for a team of 58, while the DP is aiming for 155. Meanwhile, ahead of the talks, Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik urged both parties to complete the negotiations by Friday and do their best to pass the agreed bill. "If we can't reach an agreement easily, we'll do our best, even if it takes working until midnight." While all eyes are on whether they can reach an agreement by the deadline, the DP is expected to pass its own bill if the talks fail. That's all I have for now, Jung-min. All right Ha-young thank you for the latest.