News

Oil tanker, cargo ship collide off UK coast

2025/03/11 10:00

Starting off the east coast of England an oil tanker and a cargo ship have collided, leading to fires and environmental concerns due to leaking fuel. On Monday, the U.S.-flagged oil tanker Stena Immaculate and the Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel Solong collided in the North Sea near the Humber Estuary. The Stena Immaculate, anchored at the time and carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military, suffered ruptured cargo tanks after the collision, resulting in explosions and a subsequent fire. The Solong, reportedly transporting sodium cyanide, also caught fire. Emergency response teams rescued 36 individuals from both vessels. One person was taken to the hospital and one person is reportedly missing. Experts are currently assessing the environmental impact of the collision, noting that while the leaking jet fuel evaporates more quickly than crude oil, the potential release of sodium cyanide presents additional risks.

K-wave AI News

2025/03/11 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The former presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae has welcomed more than seven million visitors since it opened to the public in May 2022. The total number of foreign visitors is nearing 800,000. The Blue House Foundation continues efforts to enhance visitors' convenience and says it remains committed to transforming the historic site into a distinguished space where history, culture, and nature come together. Cheong Wa Dae was reopened to the public for the first time in 74 years in 2022 when the Yoon administration relocated the top office to Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. An exhibition showcasing artifacts from the Hittite Empire– one of the three major powers of the late bronze age, alongside Egypt and Assyria– is currently on display in Seoul. The ruins of ancient Hittite cities, including fortress walls and palaces are designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. This exhibition presents over 200 artifacts from over 3,750 years ago, excavated from Hattusa, the Hittite capital. Highlights include bronze weapons, armor, ritual pottery shaped like animals, and clay tablets inscribed with hieroglyphs that document Hittite culture. The exhibition runs through June 8 at Seoul Baekje Museum. Changwon City is recruiting 150 volunteer interpreters to assist foreign tourists with communication during this year's Jinhae Gunhangje Festival. Held annually in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, the festival is one of Korea's most iconic cherry blossom celebrations. 50 interpreters will be selected for each language—English, Japanese, and Chinese. Those wishing to take part can apply through Changwon City's official website until March 19. A dedicated interpretation booth for foreign visitors will be set up for the first time this year. The city plans to offer reimbursements for volunteer-related expenses as well as volunteer mileage points. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Hallyu People] Designer Yang Cheon-Shik spreads beauty of hanbok as way of reclaiming his identity

2025/03/06 14:00

Hanbok, Korea’s traditional attire is not just clothing worn in the past. It is an emblem of Korean culture, history and identity. Today, we meet a person who is searching for his Korean identity by designing, making, and wearing hanbok. For today’s “Hallyu People” we are joined by hanbok designer Yang Cheon-shik in the studio. Welcome Cheon-shik! 1-1) Cheon-shik, thank you for joining us during your current stay in Korea. Please introduce yourself to our viewers. 1-2) You practice “hanbok saenghwal”, which means you wear hanbok in your daily life, not just for special occasions. That’s why you are in one of your daily hanbok outfits today, that you designed yourself? 1-3) How did your affection for hanbok start and since when did you wear hanbok on a daily basis? 2) There are many different types of hanbok: men’s and women’s hanbok, hanbok worn by kings and queens, as well as different styles of hanbok for different eras. Do you have a personal favorite? 3) On the back of the hallyu boom, the interest in hanbok has also grown overseas. How is the response out in the streets in the U.S. (New York) when people see you wearing hanbok? 4) Let’s talk about some hanbok-related events that you were part of, either here in Korea or abroad. 5-1) You describe yourself as “Aggressively Korean” and a Korean American Adoptee (KAD), also seen on your social media. What is it that you want to express with that? 5-2) How much influence does hanbok exert on you and how does hanbok display your identity? 6) Can you share with us your goal or wish as a hanbok designer or someone who raises awareness about this beautiful Korean traditional attire? 7) Last but not least, what makes hanbok so beautiful?

[Short-form] Gorosoe Sap: Korea’s must-try drink in spring

2025/03/05 14:00

Discover Gorosoe Sap, a natural remedy from trees that offers a refreshing taste of pure spring, packed with health-boosting benefits!

Pope Francis returns to ventilator following respiratory failure

2025/03/04 10:00

Pope Francis is back on a ventilator in a hospital in Rome after experiencing two episodes of acute respiratory distress on Monday. According to a Vatican official later the same day the pope's acute respiratory distress had stabilized and the 88-year-old pontiff was under "careful observation." Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14th due to a respiratory infection with pneumonia detected in both lungs. The latest setback means the pope will miss the procession and mass on Wednesday marking the first day of Lent.

2 killed as car rams into crowd at carnival in German city of Mannheim

2025/03/04 10:00

At least two people were killed and 11 others were injured in the western German city of Mannheim on Monday, local time when a car was driven into a crowd during a carnival celebration. Authorities have arrested the suspect, a 40-year-old German man, who is now under investigation for two counts of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder. According to Mannheim prosecutors, the man shot himself following the attack but survived and is in a stable condition in hospital. They also said the attack did not appear to be politically or religiously motivated but suggested the suspect may have been mentally unstable. Police in Mannheim had been on high alert after a surge in violent incidents in Germany in recent months. In December, a similar car-ramming attack occurred in Magdeburg, followed by another in Munich last month.

S. Korea saw fifth straight year of natural population decrease in 2024

2025/03/03 12:00

South Korea saw a rebound in the number of births last year for the first time in nearly a decade, but the country's shrinking population remains a serious concern. According to Statistics Korea, the population declined naturally by 1-hundred-20-thousand in 2024, as deaths outnumbered births. Last year, 2-hundred-38-thousand-3-hundred babies were born, while 3-hundred-58-thousand-4-hundred people died. This marks the fifth consecutive year of a natural decrease in population, with a total drop of 4-hundred-56-thousand from 2020.

Over 1 mil. foreign tourists visited S. Korea in January 2025, recovering to pre-COVID levels

2025/02/28 20:00

The number of foreign tourists visiting this country has once again fully recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels. According to data released by the Korea Tourism Organization on Friday, over 1-million people visited the country in January 2025. This represents a 1-hundred-and-1 percent recovery from the level seen in January 2019, before the pandemic. Most tourists came from China, with more than 3-hundred-60-thousand, followed by Japan, Taiwan, the U.S. and Hong Kong.

NUMBER OF NEWBORNS REBOUND IN KOREA IN 2024

2025/02/28 17:00

Hello and welcome. It's Friday February 28th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. Today we start off our talk on various social issues here that made international headlines with the focus on last year's rebound in the number of newborns here in Korea. For this I have Kelly Kasulis Cho with The Washington Post. Kelly welcome back. I also have writer Colin Marshall with the pundit's take on the media coverage today. Colin it's good to have you here. 1) Kelly, let's start with some promising news. Korea saw a rebound in the number of newborns last year for the first time in nine years. Now this was covered by the foreign media as well. What was the gist of their coverage? 2) Colin, a number of reasons have been offered to explain the rebound. What are your thoughts based on your observations? 3) Kelly, a British daily has linked the rebound to government efforts. First, do touch upon some of the incentives for those planning to start a family here, and do you believe they have been effective? 4) Colin, how does Korea ensure that this latest rebound is not a one-time phenomenon? I mean, foreign media coverage of the falling birth here in this part of the world have often included the concerns of critics who touch upon the lack of policy consistency. 5) Kelly, The Washington Post carried a rather interesting article earlier this month about a Nobel Prize winner "decoding" people's reservations about having kids. First, do share details of this coverage with us, and then, do share your take on these findings based on your observations here in Korea. 6) Colin, findings for last year show the number of men taking childcare leave here in Korea soaring past 30% for the first time. What are the broader implications of this reality for the Korean society? 7) Meanwhile Kelly, findings shared by Statistics Korea show life satisfaction among Koreans fell for the first time in four years with Korea ranking 33rd out of 38 OECD nations. Now, to be clear, these findings represent the sentiment of Koreans back in 2023. How do you explain these findings? 8) Colin, those at top of the life satisfaction list are countries in northern Europe including Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden. What do you suppose are their common traits and how do they differ from South Korea? 9) Kelly, also here in Korea, more than 8 out of 10 people have been found to 안락사를 지지하는 것으로 나타났습니다. Do tell us a bit about the debate over euthanasia. 10) Colin, what can you tell us about the diverse cultural perspectives with regard to euthanasia? All right.

Symbol of Joseon Dynasty's royal legacy returns home after over 100 years

2025/02/28 14:00

A piece of royal heritage has finally returned home after about a hundred years. Our Lee Eun-hee covers its journey back and its importance. This centuries-old piece of royal heritage has finally made its way back home. This is believed to have been the nameplate of Seonwonjeon Hall within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the four main royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. Seonwon means the "origin of jade." The hall was considered the most sacred hall within the palace, home to the portraits of past kings and royal rituals. This month, the Korea Heritage Service successfully repatriated the nameplate from Japan. It is unclear how the plaque ended up there, but it's believed to have been taken by the first Japanese governor-general of Korea in the early 1900s, during the Japanese colonial period. "The plaque features gold letters on a black lacquered background, with intricately carved cloud patterns on the frame, featuring its prestigious significance and exceptional artistic quality." The nameplate was first publicly discovered in 2023 when it appeared at a Japanese antique auction. The Korea Heritage Service and the Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation were quick to take action. The return of this priceless cultural heritage was made possible through negotiations and sponsorship from gaming giant Riot Games. "For the past 12 years, Riot Games has supported the protection and return of Korean cultural heritage. As a company shaping modern culture, we believe preserving Korea's heritage holds great significance for everyone including our players and Riot Games." The Gyeongbokgung Palace's "Seonwonjeon" nameplate will be studied and managed at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Seoul, with plans for in-depth research and future exhibitions to further honor its historical significance. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

[Short-form] March 1st Independence Movement

2025/02/28 14:00

Explore the profound significance of March 1st, a day of courage, sacrifice, and the lasting legacy of Korea’s independence.

Symbol of Joseon Dynasty's royal legacy returns home after over 100 years

2025/02/27 20:00

A piece of royal heritage has finally returned home in about a hundred years. Our Lee Eun-hee covers its journey back and its importance. This centuries-old piece of royal heritage has finally made its way back home. This is believed to have been the nameplate of Seonwonjeon Hall within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the four main royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. Seonwon means the "origin of jade." The hall was considered the most sacred hall within the palace, home to the portraits of past kings and royal rituals. This month, the Korea Heritage Service successfully repatriated the nameplate from Japan. It is unclear how the plaque ended up there, but it's believed to have been taken by the first Japanese governor-general of Korea in the early 1900s, during the Japanese colonial period. "The plaque features gold letters on a black lacquered background, with intricately carved cloud patterns on the frame, featuring its prestigious significance and exceptional artistic quality." The nameplate was first publicly discovered in 2023 when it appeared at a Japanese antique auction. The Korea Heritage Service and the Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation were quick to take action. The return of this priceless cultural heritage was made possible through negotiations and sponsorship from gaming giant Riot Games. "For the past 12년, Riot Games has supported the protection and return of Korean cultural heritage. As a company shaping modern culture, we believe preserving Korea's heritage holds great significance for everyone including our players and Riot Games." The Gyeongbokgung Palace's "Seonwonjeon" nameplate will be studied and managed at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Seoul, with plans for in-depth research and future exhibitions to further honor its historical significance. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

Symbol of Joseon Dynasty's royal legacy returns home after over 100 years

2025/02/27 17:00

A piece of royal heritage has finally returned home in about a hundred years. Our Lee Eun-hee covers its journey back and its importance. This centuries-old piece of royal heritage has finally made its way back home. This is believed to have been the nameplate of Seonwonjeon Hall within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the four main royal places of the Joseon Dynasty. Seonwon means the "origin of jade." The hall was considered the most sacred hall within the palace, home to the portraits of past kings and royal rituals. This month, the Korea Heritage Service successfully repatriated the nameplate from Japan. It is unclear how the plaque ended up there, but it's believed to have been taken by the first Japanese governor-general of Korea in the early 1900s, during the Japanese colonial period. "The plaque features gold letters on a black lacquered background, with intricately carved cloud patterns on the frame, featuring its prestigious significance and exceptional artistic quality." The nameplate was first publicly discovered in 2023 when it appeared at a Japanese antique auction. The Korea Heritage Service and the Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation were quick to take action. The return of this priceless cultural heritage was made possible through negotiations and sponsorship from gaming giant Riot Games. "For the past 12 years, Riot Games has supported the protection and return of Korean cultural heritage. As a company shaping modern culture, we believe preserving Korea's heritage holds great significance for everyone including our players and Riot Games." The Gyeongbokgung Palace's "Seonwonjeon" nameplate will be studied and managed at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Seoul, with plans for in-depth research and future exhibitions to further honor its historical significance. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

[Features-reporter] Independence fighter Ahn Junggeun Memorial Museum to reopen with wider range of digital content

2025/02/27 14:00

This year Korea marks a hundred and 15 years since the execution of independence hero Ahn Jung-geun whose faith in freedom for Korea fueled his fight against Japanese occupation and its atrocities. That being said a memorial museum bearing his name is re-opening its doors also just in time for this weekend's March 1st Independence Movement Day. Our Kim Bo-kyoung takes us there. An independence fighter who cut off the tip of his left ring finger with 11 others as a symbol of sacrifice to their nation. A patriot who assassinated Japanese general Ito Hirobumi, firing three bullets into his chest and abdomen in Harbin, before being executed at Lushun Prison. Marking the 115th anniversary of his death, the Ahn Junggeun Memorial Museum held a re-opening ceremony on Wednesday. An expanded range of digital exhibits is part of the patriots' ministry's efforts to renew the memorial museums of Korea's patriots --Yun Bong-gil, Ahn Junggeun, and Baekbeom Kim Gu, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation. "Through introducing the latest digital content and immersive video rooms, visitors can now experience the life and independence movement of patriot Ahn Junggeun in a more vivid and interactive way." Ahn's commitment to the Enlightenment Movement in Korea, his role in the Righteous Army Movement along with his long journey are well-shown throughout the exhibition. But of course, the most noticeable part of the renewed exhibition is how it digitized major historical moments and lessons Ahn left. "If you put your hand on Ahn's handprint with his fingers cut off, it turns on the video on the wall showing Ahn pulling the trigger of his pistol to assassinate Ito Hirobumi, letting visitors feel the atmosphere at that moment." The museum recreated the courtroom as well, where Ahn explains why he shot Ito, citing 15 reasons, based on trial records. In the reproduced video, Ahn also talks about a treatise on peace in the East, which he wrote while at Lushun Prison, until his execution on March 26th, 1910. "I have always thought it has been difficult to convey why Ahn Junggeun shot Ito, the meaning behind it, and the ideals and dreams he envisioned. Through the renewal, I hope visitors will be able to easily understand Ahn's advanced philosophy on peace." People will be able to enjoy the renewed Ahn Junggeun Memorial Museum starting March 1st, Independence Movement Day. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Child in Texas is first U.S. measles death in a decade

2025/02/27 10:00

Turning to the United States. Amid a growing measles outbreak, Texas has reported its first child fatality from the disease. This marks the first measles-related death in the U.S. in nearly a decade, with the last case occurring in Washington state in 2015. According to the Texas Department of Health on Tuesday, the number of reported measles cases in West Texas has risen to 124 an increase of more than 30 cases since late last week. The highest infection rates have been observed among children aged 5 to 17. So far, a total of 18 people have been hospitalized due to the outbreak, and all of them were unvaccinated.

Bus crash in Thailand kills leaves at least 18 passengers dead

2025/02/27 10:00

At least 18 people have been killed and 23 others injured after a double-decker tour bus overturned in eastern Thailand. The crash occurred early Wednesday, local time after the bus lost control due to a brake failure and plunged down a slope. A total of 49 adults were on board, traveling as part of an educational tour. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra extended her sympathies to the victims' families and stated that an investigation was underway. Thailand's Ministry of Transport has also announced that it will work with police to investigate the incident and strengthen inspections to guarantee that all public transportation vehicles meet safety standards.

Sharing the beauty of Korean calligraphy

2025/02/27 10:00

Korean calligraphy, the art of writing hangeul , has recently been designated as a national heritage. And efforts to acknowledge and spread the art of Hangeul seoye continue. Ahn Sung-jin tells us more. A delicate brush stroke lands on the paper. These single strokes come together to create characters from the Korean alphabet Hangeul. This is known as Hangeul seoye, or Hangeul calligraphy. 94-year-old Jung Joo-hwan has dedicated more than 60 years of his life to practicing calligraphy, and is one of the first to practice the artform. "Hangeul was easy to learn and memorize. It's also very scientifically made. Look at the beauty of these characters." Calligraphy in Korea has used both Hanja, which are Chinese characters, and the Korean alphabet Hangeul. But last month, Hangeul seoye was designated as a national intangible cultural heritage recognizing its unique writing style using Korea's own alphabet as well as its unique font and brushwork. Jung runs his own academy where he passes on his knowledge of calligraphy. "I like letters, but I also started learning calligraphy to control my mind more peacefully and cultivate a sense of virtue, which I think has been helping." "An old saying says that calligraphy helps grow patience and trains the mind. Not only does this calligraphy demonstrate the beauty of the written characters but it also can develop one's own character." And calligrapher Lee Jung-hwa feels Hangeul is a better medium to convey meaningful messages. "The reason why I like Hangeul seoye is because I can convey emotions through characters that really represent our sound since it is the Korean alphabet. That's why moving forward I want to try everything I can using Hangeul seoye and find what I really can accomplish." The Korea Heritage Service said it will provide support for scholarly studies and initiatives aimed at promoting the transmission of cultural heritage. Seoye is an age-old tradition, and with efforts like these to promote it further, this calligraphy could play a key role in sharing not only the Korean writing system, but also its culture. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

No. of childbirths in S. Korea rose for first time in 9 years in 2024

2025/02/27 10:00

Both the birth rate and fertility rate in South Korea have gone up for the first time in nine years. More marriages during the post-pandemic years and and supportive measures drove the rise. Our Lee Soo-jin reports. The number of births last year in South Korea rose for the first time in nine years, marking a rare and encouraging shift in the nation's long-suffering demographic crisis. Data from Statistics Korea on Wednesday shows that there were 2-hundred-38-thousand-3-hundred births in 2024, up 3-point-6 percent compared to the previous year. This marks the first time since 2015 that the number of births in Korea saw an on-year increase. And the nation's total fertility rate ---the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime ----also rose for the first time in nine years to point-75 , after it fell to its lowest annual figure of point-72 in 2023. "This shift is driven by the post-COVID-19 rise in marriages and an increase in the population of women in their 30s. Our survey also shows that, compared to two years ago, attitudes toward childbirth and parenting have become somewhat more positive." The official also said that as the number of marriages last year came to 2-hundred-22-thousand-4-hundred-22, the highest recorded since 2019, the number of births may continue to see an upward tick this year. The positive shift comes as the government implemented various policies last year such as extending the duration of parental leave. Yoo Hye-mi, senior presidential secretary for low birth rate response, said on Wednesday that the government will address policy gaps in childcare and housing while supporting families with multiple children to sustain the increase. And the number of births for just the month of December also rose 11-point-6 percent compared to the previous year. But despite the turnaround in the total fertility rate, it remains low by international standards, as South Korea is currently the only country with a fertility rate below 1, signaling a continued need for targeted efforts to boost population growth. The country saw a natural population decline for the fifth straight year, as the number of deaths once again outnumbered the number of births. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

Sharing the beauty of Korean calligraphy

2025/02/26 20:00

Korean calligraphy that is the art of writing hangeul has recently been designated as a national heritage. In light of this event, our Ahn Sung-jin shares its appeal in this following report. A delicate brush stroke lands on the paper. These single strokes come together to create characters from the Korean alphabet Hangeul. This is known as Hangeul seoye, or Hangeul calligraphy. 94-year-old Jung Joo-hwan has dedicated more than 60년 of his life to practicing calligraphy, and is one of the first to practice the artform. "Hangeul was easy to learn and memorize. It's also very scientifically made. Look at the beauty of these characters." Calligraphy in Korea has used both Hanja, which are Chinese characters, and the Korean alphabet Hangeul. But last month, Hangeul seoye was designated as a national intangible cultural heritage recognizing its unique writing style using Korea's own alphabet as well as its unique font and brushwork. Jung runs his own academy where he passes on his knowledge of calligraphy. "I like letters, but I also started learning calligraphy to control my mind more peacefully and cultivate a sense of virtue, which I think has been helping." "An old saying says that calligraphy helps grow patience and trains the mind. Not only does this calligraphy demonstrate the beauty of the written characters but it also can develop one's own character." And calligrapher Lee Jung-hwa feels Hangeul is a better medium to convey meaningful messages. "The reason why I like Hangeul seoye is because I can convey emotions through characters that really represent our sound since it is the Korean alphabet. That's why moving forward I want to try everything I can using Hangeul seoye and find what I really can accomplish." The Korea Heritage Service said it will provide support for scholarly studies and initiatives aimed at promoting the transmission of cultural heritage. Seoye is an age-old tradition, and with efforts like these to promote it further, this calligraphy could play a key role in sharing not only the Korean writing system, but also its culture. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Police begin investigation of highway bridge collapse that killed 4 workers

2025/02/26 20:00

Back on the local front. An investigation is underway to uncover the cause of the collapse on Tuesday of a bridge under construction. Police said on Wednesday, they were questioning on-site officials from the main construction company, Hyundai Engineering, and subcontracting companies. There were 10 casualties in the collapse, including 4 who were killed. Officers say it would take some time to get statements from the surviving construction workers, because some were seriously injured and are in an intensive care unit. The catastrophe happened in Anseong, south of the capital Seoul, at the site of the bridge construction over a steep valley on the Seoul-Sejong Expressway.