News

Members of BTS make their return after completing military service

2025/06/10 20:00

Two BTS members, RM and V, completed their military service on Tuesday, which now leaves just three members still on mandatory duty. We may be just weeks away from seeing all 7 of them in one place. Ahn Sung-jin has more. The K-pop kings are making their return. From placards on buses to giant balloons in the sky, hundreds of fans have gathered to celebrate following the completion of mandatory military service. BTS members RM and V were discharged on Tuesday morning, with RM playing the saxophone and V dancing along. "I'll work hard on making a new album to get back on stage." "I have prepared myself physically and mentally, and I can't wait to be back with our fans. I want to say thank you to the Army for waiting for our military service to end." As the members thanked their fans and hinted at what's next, a reunion seems closer. Three more members are to return soon, with Jungkook and Jimin scheduled for discharge on Wednesday, and SUGA expected to follow later this month. Jin and J-Hope have already been discharged and are actively pursuing solo careers. The members began their military service during their career high, and fans will be waiting for their favorite stars to return. As the entire group will be free of social obligations, many are wondering what's next for BTS. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Trump deploys additional 2,700 troops to LA amid escalating immigration protests

2025/06/10 20:00

Protests in Los Angeles stretch into a fifth day, and tensions show no signs of easing. In fact, U.S. President Donald Trump has doubled down on his hardline stance by deploying more troops. Park Hyo-been has the details. U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday ordered an additional 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to be deployed to Los Angeles, significantly expanding the military response to ongoing protests against immigration raids. With the latest deployment, approximately 4,700 military personnel are now set to be involved in controlling protests in the area. The decision comes despite opposition from local officials and California Governor Gavin Newsom, who have raised concerns about the escalating federal involvement. However, Trump called the governor "incompetent" and insisted that federal intervention was necessary to restore order. "Look at the job he's doing in California. He's destroying one of our great states. And if I didn't get involved, if we didn't bring the guard in, and we would bring more in if we needed it, because we have to make sure there's going to be law and order." The first wave of 2,000 National Guard troops, previously ordered by Trump, began arriving Sunday. According to CNN, about 1,700 members were active in greater Los Angeles on Monday night. President Trump claimed that the deployment prevented the city from being destroyed. "Thank goodness we sent out some wonderful National Guard. They've really helped and a lot of problems that we're having out there. They were afraid to do anything, and we sent out the troops, and they've done a fantastic job." Even on the fourth day of the protests on Monday, clashes erupted again as protesters shut down major highways, throwing concrete and Molotov cocktails. Cars were set on fire, and police responded with tear gas and flashbangs, filling the streets with smoke. According to CBS News, as of midday Monday local time, 53 people have been arrested. Meanwhile, similar anti-ICE protests have popped up around the U.S., including in San Francisco, New York, and Atlanta. According to CNN, at least 150 people were taken into custody in San Francisco as demonstrations continued to grow nationwide. The protests were sparked when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and the FBI raided downtown shops in LA last Friday, detaining 44 people. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

S. Korea urges halt to anti-North leaflets in shift toward de-escalation

2025/06/10 20:00

The government is drawing a new line on one of the peninsula's most volatile flashpoints, leaflet launches into North Korea. And for the first time in years, Seoul is urging activists to stop. Our North Korean affairs correspondent Kim Jung-sil reports. South Korea's new administration is taking its first public steps to reduce tensions with North Korea: formally urging civic groups to stop launching anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border. "The first step in reducing tensions and rebuilding trust between the two Koreas is stopping the leaflet launches and the loudspeaker broadcasts." The Ministry of Unification's call came after a civic group, representing families of North Korean abductees, carried out a third leaflet launch this year, despite multiple calls for restraint. "These actions heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula and endanger the lives and safety of residents near the border. We strongly urge an end to leaflet launches." It's the first formal appeal since South Korea's Constitutional Court struck down the leaflet ban in 2023 on free speech grounds. While the Yoon Suk-yeol administration tolerated the launches, President Lee Jae-myung appears to be signaling a clear policy reversal. "Even during his campaign, President Lee pledged to manage situations that could trigger inter-Korean clashes. That included restoring previous measures like the ban on anti-North leaflets and loudspeaker broadcasts, and the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement." Leaflets have long been a flashpoint, used by both Koreas as psychological warfare since the peninsula was divided. South Korea ended its state-run campaigns in 2000, but defector-led groups picked up where the government left off. After a 2020 ban was overturned in court, the skies reopened to civic activity, prompting North Korea to retaliate with its own balloon launches carrying trash. After years of policy drift, the new government is renewing calls for restraint, citing public safety. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

S. Korea posts US$ 5.7 bil. current account surplus in April, extending two-year streak

2025/06/10 20:00

South Korea's current account remained in the black yet again in April. While solid exports helped support the balance, experts warn that upcoming U.S. tariffs and a slowing global economy could weigh on the surplus going forward. Shin Se-byuck reports. South Korea posted a current account surplus of 5-point-7 billion U.S. dollars in April. That marks 24 consecutive months in the black since May 2023. According to data released by the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the surplus shrank sharply from the previous month's 9-point-1 billion dollars. But it was still a notable jump from the 1-point-5 billion dollar surplus recorded a year earlier. The decline was mainly driven by a sharp reversal in the dividend income balance, which swung from a 2-point-6 billion dollar surplus in March to a 650 million dollar deficit due to concentrated payouts to foreign investors. April's goods account, the largest component of the current account, posted a surplus of around 9 billion dollars, backed by solid export performance. Exports rose nearly 2 percent on-year to 58-point-6 billion dollars, led by semiconductors and wireless devices. IT exports jumped almost 11 percent, while auto exports fell by just over 4 percent. Imports, meanwhile, fell 5-point-1 percent to nearly 50 billion dollars, largely due to lower global energy prices, including coal and crude oil. The services account remained in deficit, posting a 2-point-8 billion dollar shortfall in April, a wider gap than the previous month, as Korean firms spent more on tech licensing, consulting, and platform services. In the first four months of the year, the cumulative current account surplus reached nearly 25 billion dollars, up almost 7 billion from the same period last year. But one expert pointed out that these figures reflect the period before new U.S. tariffs took effect, and warned the surplus could narrow further in the months ahead. "Lower energy prices may ease imports, but Trump's tariffs could hit exports harder, narrowing the surplus compared to last year." He also noted that, with the global economy slowing, a sharp rise in stock prices is unlikely, and that gains in the primary income account are likely to remain limited, further narrowing the overall surplus. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.

S. Korean economy remains weak amid sluggish construction, exports: KDI

2025/06/10 20:00

South Korea's economy continues to be "weak," according to a local think tank which states it's slow construction activity and poor export conditions that are slowing the growth. Our Moon Ji-young reports. A state-run think tank has diagnosed that the South Korean economy remains subdued overall, noting escalating external uncertainties, driven by U.S. tariff hikes. According to the June Economic Trends Report released on Tuesday, the Korea Development Institute states that the country's economy is weighed down by continued weakness in the construction sector and a slowdown in exports. The agency stated that construction investment continued its decline, constraining recovery in domestic demand. Overall production growth is also slowing, with the construction sector notably contributing to this deceleration, posing a significant drag on the economy. Exports also showed weakening momentum, especially in sectors heavily exposed to U.S. tariffs. This included a continued decline in exports to the U.S, with automobile shipments notably falling by 32 percent year on year. In contrast, manufacturing production maintained solid growth, led by semiconductors, with persistent demand supporting robust growth in production, exports, and related equipment investment in this sector. Meanwhile, household and business sentiment showed modest improvement amid easing political uncertainties and progress in trade talks between Washington and Beijing. The Consumer Sentiment Index recovered to the baseline level in May, signaling an easing in the contraction seen since last year. "It seems the situation itself has improved compared to the first quarter. Since interest rate policy is now moving towards an easing stance, I think it might gradually contribute to an improvement in domestic demand." However, the KDI warned that trade-related uncertainty remains high due to further increases in steel and aluminum tariffs and concerns over a potential resurgence of U.S.-China trade tensions. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

[Politics & Diplomacy] Pres. Lee to debut on global stage at G7, mark S. Korea's return to top-level diplomacy

2025/06/10 20:00

With the country's new leader elected, South Korea is resuming top-level diplomacy. President Lee Jae-myung held a series of phone talks with foreign leaders, and is slated to attend the G7 Summit. For more details on this, we have our Kim Bo-kyoung in the studio. Good evening, Bo-kyoung. Bo-kyoung, why don't we start with the phone calls President Lee had recently? Sure, as we saw in Jung-min's report, President Lee held his third phone call with Chinese President Xi, where he asked China to play a constructive role in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and invited him to attend the APEC summit that will take place here in November. This follows phone talks with U.S. President Trump on June 6th and with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the 9th. The call with Trump was reportedly conducted in a friendly way, where they reaffirmed the importance of the Korea-U.S. alliance. Some expressed concerns over the White House not having issued any formal comment, nor Trump mentioning the call on his social media platform, but an expert I talked to said there was not much to worry about, as Washington could be just taking a cautious approach, to better understand Lee's "pragmatic diplomacy." In terms of Ishiba, they agreed to build a "stronger, more mature" bilateral relationship, and affirmed their commitment to trilateral cooperation with the U.S. Right. President Lee is scheduled to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada from June 15 to 17 as an observer. And this will be his debut on the global diplomatic stage, right? Yes, his trip to the G7 Summit comes less than two weeks after his inauguration. The summit is going to be in Alberta, and Lee is going there at Canada's invitation. Lee attending a G7 summit is going to be quite symbolic for South Korea, as it signals the resumption of Korea's top-level diplomacy that had been stalled over the past six months following the martial law crisis. "The attendance basically means that we are going to normalize things and actively engage on the diplomatic stage, though we have had a diplomatic vacuum for the past six months." Now with Trump also attending the G7 summit, is there any possibility of bilateral talks taking place between Lee and Trump? Yes, there is always a possibility, and if they get a chance, it would be the first in seven months since the leaders of Seoul and Washington last met in person, when former President Yoon Suk-yeol and former U.S. President Joe Biden met at the APEC summit held in Peru in November last year. But we need to note that the G7 Summit is a multilateral setting and that South Korea has been invited as an observer. In this kind of setting, it could be quite difficult to have bilateral talks. Also, according to an expert I talked to, it could be better for us to talk about such challenging issues later on, after being fully prepared and when proper talks can be held. "It's not a good idea that we talk about these upcoming and very daunting issues and challenges for South Korea including tariffs and cost sharing We have to be prepared, we have to have our own strategy first, and then we will have a very detailed way to prepare to hold this meeting." I see. How about Japan? If bilateral talks do take place, how would they be? Yes, as Lee and Ishiba have already expressed the hope of meeting each other in person at an early date during their recent phone talks, there is the possibility that a summit will take place. In terms of Japan, there are still concerns over how President Lee will shape his approach toward Tokyo, as he had taken a confrontational stance, regarding historical and territorial disputes. Despite such worries, the expert says Seoul will maintain a favorable relationship with Tokyo, largely because the two countries have the same issues to deal with. "Japan is not just a country that helps us keep countries like China and North Korea in check, but also a country like South Korea that is going through some overbearing behavior from the U.S., and therefore we need to work together in dealing with this." And that is where we could perhaps see President Lee's "pragmatic diplomacy, " separating issues of cooperation from those of the past. Alright, Bo-kyoung. They are all the questions I have for now. Thank you for the talk. Thank you.

Presidential Office announces new changes under Lee Jae-myung administration

2025/06/10 20:00

The Presidential Office has announced plans to return to Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential compound, from its current location in Yongsan. The Cabinet has approved a contingency fund of 25-point-9-billion won, or approximately 18-point-9-million U.S. dollars, for the return. This represents 69 percent of what the previous administration spent on relocating to Yongsan. An exact timeline has not been announced. To ensure a smooth transition, adjustments to public tours have been posted on the Cheong Wa Dae Foundation's website. Also on Tuesday, the Presidential Office announced that from today, the public can recommend candidates for positions as Cabinet ministers, vice ministers, and heads of public institutions. Recommendations will be accepted through next Monday via the Ministry of Personnel Management's public referrals website, President Lee Jae-myung's official social media channels, or by email to [email protected]. Candidates will then undergo a formal vetting and public review process.

Fmr. trade chief Yeo Han-koo appointed as trade minister

2025/06/10 20:00

President Lee Jae-myung has appointed former trade chief Yeo Han-koo as trade minister, who will lead tariff talks with the U.S. Yeo served as chief negotiator under the former Moon Jae-in government, during the first Trump administration. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said the appointee has been recognized for his excellent policy-making and negotiating ability with regard to international trade and economic cooperation. Also on Tuesday, Lee Hyoung-il, commissioner of Statistics Korea, was named first vice finance minister and Park Yoon-joo, minister for South Korea's mission to ASEAN, as first vice foreign minister.

Cabinet approves three special prosecution bills, including martial law probe

2025/06/10 20:00

Three high-profile special prosecution bills were passed during a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jae-myung earlier on this Tuesday morning. The probes will focus on the martial law declaration by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, allegations against former First Lady Kim Keon-hee and the death of a marine during flood relief operations in 2023. These bills had been previously vetoed by the Yoon administration but are now set to take effect.

President Lee invites China's Xi Jinping to APEC summit during first talks

2025/06/10 17:00

We start at the top office where President Lee Jae-myung held phone talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping earlier on this Tuesday and extended a cordial invitation to this year's APEC summit scheduled to take place here in South Korea in coming autumn. Our top office correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports. During his first, half-hour phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Lee Jae-myung invited him to South Korea for the upcoming APEC summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju this November. If he does attend, it'll be Xi's first visit to the country in 11 years. Tuesday's conversation was "friendly and amicable" says Lee's spokesperson, where Xi congratulated Lee on winning the election and the two leaders shared similarities in their political career. Their focus was on building a "new" bilateral relationship, bolstering cooperation in areas that could practically help the lives of the people in both countries. "President Lee expressed hope that South Korea and China will actively promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including the economy, security, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, based on the spirit of mutual benefit and equality." Also discussed was North Korea, where Lee asked Xi to play a constructive role for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and Xi responded by saying Beijing will make efforts, saying peace and stability fit into their mutual interests. It's been a week since Lee took office, during which he exchanged greetings and held "get-to-know" sessions with the leaders of some major countries, first with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump, followed by Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Then came talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "President Lee, during his the presidential campaign, said that ROK-U.S. alliance is the most top priority and then he also put lots of emphasis on the relationship with Japan. Of course, he mentioned that South Korea-U.S.-Japan, the trilateral cooperation is important. So he's simply implementing what he has pledged." The series of talks comes as the newly inaugurated Korean leader prepares for his debut on the multilateral summit stage next week in Canada, where the G7 leaders are set to meet, where sideline summits are possible with Trump and Ishiba. "All seven countries share the same value that this liberal democratic country and they also have the same goal to balancing against China. To participate this G7 meeting, even though we are not a member of G7, but as the observer, it's can deliver the very significant message to China." The upcoming diplomatic stage is also widely seen as a litmus test of how the new Korean President will navigate diplomacy, both with the U.S. and China in mind, as he puts forth "pragmatic diplomacy." This, as Korea also makes its comeback on the diplomatic stage official after a six-month absence following the impeachment of its former leader. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

[Weather] Strong winds tomorrow morning, heat across the country

2025/06/10 17:00

In the central part of the country, it was cloudy and rainy today. The daytime temperatures did not rise significantly. The temperature in Seoul rose up to only 26 degrees Celsius, which is about 4 degrees lower than yesterday. However, the east coast and southern areas continued to be hot during the day. It will be hotter tomorrow across the country. In addition, strong winds will blow around the eastern parts of Gangwon-do Province until tomorrow morning. There will be places with gusty winds of more than 15 meters per second. Not only that, Jeju Island will receive frequent rain until Saturday. Tomorrow morning will start cool with Seoul and Daejeon at 16 degrees, Chuncheon at 14 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 29 degrees in Seoul, Daejeon and Gwangju, 27 degrees in Busan. There is rain forecast starting from the Chungcheong-do provinces, and southern areas on Friday and spreading to the whole country on Saturday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Gaza-bound activist boat carrying Greta Thunberg towed to Israel

2025/06/10 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Israeli naval forces have intercepted a yacht carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 others while it was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Israeli navy boarded the British-flagged yacht Madleen, operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition, detaining Thunberg and a French lawmaker, among those who were onboard. On early Monday, the vessel was seized approximately 185 kilometers from Gaza in international waters and escorted into a port in Israel by the evening. Israeli officials confirmed the activists were unharmed and will be deported after undergoing medical checks. They said that the yacht's cargo of symbolic aid such as baby formula, rice, and medical kits, will enter Gaza through official Israeli aid channels. While Thunberg denounced the interception as "kidnapping," Israel dismissed the mission as a "media stunt" and called the aid boat a "selfie yacht." Governments in Sweden, France, and Spain have lodged consular requests and France's President Macron has demanded swift repatriation. The boat departed from Italy on June 1 to raise awareness of the conditions in Gaza. Ukraine and Russia began the first stage of a multi-phase prisoner exchange, repatriating servicemen under the age of 25, following a humanitarian agreement reached during peace talks. On Monday, the first phase of a prisoner swap agreed on in Istanbul on June 2 took place, involving young military prisoners and severely wounded individuals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange in his evening address, emphasizing a phased approach over several days and thanking all parties involved. Although specific numbers were undisclosed, both nations affirmed an equal exchange of prisoners. Despite conflicting claims over the exchange between the two nations the previous day, the exchange marks hope for broader negotiations aimed at exchanging at least 1,200 prisoners from each side and repatriating fallen soldiers. Apple unveiled its "liquid glass" design and advanced AI upgrades in iOS 26, its first major visual overhaul since iOS 7, during its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday. The liquid glass interface introduces translucent, refractive UI elements across all platforms, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and TV. AI enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence include live translation in Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, all of which are processed on-device. The public beta of iOS 26, including liquid glass and AI features, launches this summer, with the full release slated for this fall. Labubu dolls, a toothy plush toy from Chinese maker Pop Mart, have seen a surge in popularity, and price, worldwide. Created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and marketed since 2019, Labubu shot to fame after being spotted with celebrities like Rihanna, Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Blackpink's Lisa. Collectors, mostly adults, are drawn by the blind-box format of the collectibles, which offers randomly packed variants, some rare versions, fueling a global frenzy. Official retail prices range from about 20 to 30 U.S. dollars, but resale values have exploded from 100 to 7,000 dollars for rare editions. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

How botanic gardens can be key in solving global environmental challenges

2025/06/10 17:00

Up next a showcase here in Seoul suggests botanical gardens may be the key to sustainable solutions to some environmental concerns. Our Byeon Ye-young files this report. Environmental issues are a global challenge. But there's one solution that can boost biodiversity and cool the local environment: botanical gardens and arboretums. An event in Seoul is opening a new chapter in exploring their role in tackling environmental issues: The 11th International Congress on Education in Botanic Gardens. "From June 9th to 13th, the COEX Grand Ballroom has been transformed into a global hub for botanical garden education—where ideas take root and grow into solutions for a greener future." The global forum on botanical garden education comes to East Asia for the first time. This year's theme is "Education for Change: Botanic Gardens' Role in Addressing Global Challenges". At the core of the conversations is the importance of working together as a community to mitigate environmental challenges. Keynote speaker Choi Jae-chun posed the idea that the COVID-19 pandemic was the result of imbalances in biodiversity. "If this severe imbalance in biodiversity isn't addressed in some way, we'll continue to face situations like this repeatedly it's simply a matter of probability." He highlighted the importance of botanical gardens as a means to promote biodiversity and raise interest in environmental conservation. Another keynote speaker Shahbaz Khan discussed the vital role of UNESCO in reversing climate change and highlighted botanical gardens as key tools in building sustainability. "Botanical gardens are important for keeping the cities cool, and they can be an answer to increasing temperatures. They can help us reduce the needs for the air conditioning for example." He pointed to thermal images of a city which showed how places with gardens had cooler temperatures, and underscored the importance of botanical gardens in conserving plant species. Over the course of five days, participants are engaging in workshops, panel discussions, and a field trip to the Korea National Arboretum, as they work toward a greener, more sustainable planet. Botanical artwork brings a colorful, creative layer to the educational experience, while booths showcase various contributions to environmental preservation. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

Fire near Buddhist temple in Seoul extinguished; No injuries, no artifacts damaged

2025/06/10 17:00

A fire that broke out at around 10 AM on this Tuesday at a building within the compound of the historic Jogye temple in Seoul was extinguished some 90 minutes later. Some three hundred monks and officials from the Jogye order were at a meeting in the building's conference hall but were all safely evacuated. There have been no reports of casualties nor damage of national treasures. The cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed.

Ceremony marks 38th anniversary of June 10 Pro-democracy Movement; Nat'l Museum of Korea Democracy opens

2025/06/10 17:00

A ceremony was held here in Seoul today to commemorate the 38th anniversary of South Korea's June 10 Pro-democracy Movement. Some two hundred people including government officials and politicians were present for the solemn affair. In a written message President Lee Jae-myung asserted that democracy is advanced when the past is remembered to build the future. The event also marked the opening of the National Museum of Korea Democracy located in what was once the Anti-Communist Investigation Office a site notorious for state violence during the 1970s and 1980s military dictatorship. Ultimately the country's pro-democracy campaign led to constitutional amendment paving the path to direct presidential elections.

BTS members RM and V discharged after mandatory military service

2025/06/10 17:00

Much to the delight of BTS fans worldwide members RM and V were discharged from their military service earlier this morning. The two members came together to thank fans for their unwavering support. The remaining three members are also set to return with Jungkook as well as Jimin scheduled for discharge tomorrow that is Wednesday and SUGA later this month. Jin and J-Hope completed their mandatory service last year and have been pursuing solo music careers as anticipation mounts for the group's full return.

Day 4 of LA protests: at least 56 arrested, 700 marines deployed

2025/06/10 17:00

In Los Angeles. Protests against immigration raids persist and the Trump administration has now mobilized some seven hundred U.S. Marines and thousands of additional National Guard troops to the area. Choi Soo-hyung has the latest. Los Angeles faces the fourth day of protests against the Trump administration's immigration raids. At least 56 people have been arrested during the protests, according to NBC News. Protesters shut down major highways, throwing concrete and Molotov cocktails. Cars were burned to ashes, and police responded with tear gas and flashbangs, filling the streets with smoke. The Los Angeles Police Department declared the entire downtown area a no-protest zone on Sunday local time, concerned about the growing violence of the protesters. On Monday, the Pentagon deployed about 700 marines to LA to support the National Guard. Around 2,000 National Guard troops had already been sent by U.S. President Donald Trump to control the situation, without the governor of California's request. "Thank goodness, we sent out some wonderful National Guard they've really helped and a lot of problems that we're having out there They were afraid to do anything and we sent out the troops and they've done a fantastic job." In response, California's governor Gavin Newsom said he will file a lawsuit against Trump over the activation of the state's National Guard. President Trump called Governor Newsom incompetent and supported arresting him, after Tom Homan, the official in charge of border issues, warned that Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass could face arrest for interfering with immigration enforcement. "Look at the job he's doing in California. He's destroying one of our great states. And if I didn't get involved, if we didn't bring the guard in, and we would bring more in if we needed it, because we have to make sure there's going to be law and order." Meanwhile, the protests that began in LA are now popping up in other major cities, including San Francisco and Chicago. In San Francisco, around 60 people were arrested during Sunday's demonstration. The protests were sparked when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and the FBI raided downtown shops in LA last Friday, detaining around 44 people. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Experts' view on second round of U.S.-China trade talks involving chips, rare earths

2025/06/10 17:00

Over in London. American and Chinese delegates are resuming a second session of trade talks on this Tuesday following their first session on Monday to address differences over the deal reached in Geneva. Park Jun-han covers these talks as well as their prospects by pundits here. The United States and China on Monday discussed export controls — specifically, the easing of U.S. technological export restrictions in exchange for greater access to China's rare earth metals. This was on the agenda for the first day of the second round of talks in London. According to a Financial Times report, U.S. President Trump said he could ease chip exports to China if Beijing agrees to accelerate the export of rare earth metals and magnets to the United States. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer led the U.S. delegation. The Chinese side was headed by Vice Premier He Lifeng. While U.S. chip exports and China's control of rare earths could serve as leverage in negotiations, experts say the talks are unlikely to significantly improve market access for either side. "I don't think these trade talks are likely to bring fundamental changes in the U.S.-China relationship at this point, and so the negotiations won't end here. Korea should keep a close eye on the situation and prepare appropriate responses." "On the surface, there may be some concessions between the U.S. and China. However, China can restrict rare earth exports at any time, and the U.S. is only partially easing controls on legacy semiconductors. Therefore, I believe this military-like battle for technological hegemony over high-tech industries between the two nations is likely to continue." Earlier in May, the two countries agreed to significantly reduce tariffs on each other's goods for 90 days. However, following the Geneva agreement, the United States claimed that China had violated the terms by maintaining export controls on rare earth metals, despite pledging to lift non-tariff barriers. China denied the accusation and instead accused the U.S. of taking discriminatory actions, such as canceling visas for Chinese students. Meanwhile, the two countries are set to hold further talks at 10 AM on Tuesday. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Moscow-Pyongyang direct railway to resume operations next week

2025/06/10 17:00

Passenger train service between Moscow and Pyongyang that were halted in 2020 amid the pandemic will resume next Tuesday. According to Russian Railways the service will be available twice a month with the train from Pyongyang departing on the 3rd and 17th of every month and that from Moscow departing on the 12th and 26th of each month. The one-way trip takes eight days and is reportedly the longest direct train journey in the world spanning over 10-thousand kilometers.

S. Korea posts US$ 5.7 bil. current account surplus in April, extending two-year streak

2025/06/10 17:00

On a positive note. South Korea's current account remained in the black in April but the surplus stood substantially lower on month amid the U.S.'s tariff campaign. Shin Se-byuck has the latest numbers. South Korea posted a current account surplus of 5-point-7 billion U.S. dollars in April. That marks 24 consecutive months in the black since May 2023. According to data released by the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the surplus shrank sharply from the previous month's 9-point-1 billion dollars. But it was still a notable jump from the 1-point-5 billion dollar surplus recorded a year earlier. The decline was mainly driven by a sharp reversal in the dividend income balance, which swung from a 2-point-6 billion dollar surplus in March to a 650 million dollar deficit due to concentrated payouts to foreign investors. April's goods account, the largest component of the current account, posted a surplus of around 9 billion dollars, backed by solid export performance. Exports rose nearly 2 percent on-year to 58-point-6 billion dollars, led by semiconductors and wireless devices. IT exports jumped almost 11 percent, while auto exports fell by just over 4 percent. Imports, meanwhile, fell 5-point-1 percent to nearly 50 billion dollars, largely due to lower global energy prices, including coal and crude oil. The services account remained in deficit, posting a 2-point-8 billion dollar shortfall in April, a wider gap than the previous month, as Korean firms spent more on tech licensing, consulting, and platform services. In the first four months of the year, the cumulative current account surplus reached nearly 25 billion dollars, up almost 7 billion from the same period last year. But one expert pointed out that these figures reflect the period before new U.S. tariffs took effect, and warned the surplus could narrow further in the months ahead. "Lower energy prices may ease imports, but Trump's tariffs could hit exports harder, narrowing the surplus compared to last year." He also noted that, with the global economy slowing, a sharp rise in stock prices is unlikely, and that gains in the primary income account are also likely to remain limited, further narrowing the overall surplus. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.