News

Russia launches drone attacks ahead of ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia

2025/03/24 10:00

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

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

2025/03/24 10:00

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

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

2025/03/24 10:00

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

Wildfires spread in S. Korea amid strong winds over weekend

2025/03/24 10:00

Last weekend, wildfires across South Korea killed four workers including firefighters and caused the evacuation of more than 1-thousand people. Choi Soo-hyung reports. Houses completely burned down, with collapsed roofs and blackened walls. In Sancheong-gun County, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, the whole of Oegong Village was covered in smoke over the weekend, and six houses were destroyed. "The fire sparks were flying in all directions. With strong winds in the afternoon, the fire spread across the river." The wildfire started last Friday afternoon on a hillside in Sancheong-gun County and spread rapidly due to strong winds. Four government workers from Changnyeong-gun County died while fighting the fire, and the county has declared a mourning period until March 27th. An area of around 13 square kilometers, about the size of 1,900 football fields, has been reduced to ashes. The fire spread to the nearby Hadong-gun County, burning a ginkgo tree, which was over 900 years old and a national heritage. As of Sunday, 65 percent of the fire had been contained. Large wildfires also broke out in other parts of the country, including Uiseong-gun County in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Ulju-gun in Ulsan over the weekend. The total area burned is about 32 square kilometers, roughly the size of 4,600 football fields. Nearly 40 homes have been destroyed, and over 1,500 residents have been temporarily evacuated. The Cultural Heritage Administration has confirmed that three national heritage sites, including the ginkgo tree, have been destroyed in the fire. Currently, the government is deploying over 100 helicopters and more than 9,000 personnel to put out the fires. The cause of the wildfires has not been determined yet as the firefighting efforts are ongoing, but they are tentatively believed to be accidental caused by acts such as welding and tomb sweeping. The Korea Meteorological Administration said that the wildfires were made worse by the severe dryness in forested areas and strong spring gusts. On Sunday, Acting President Choi Sang-mok declared Sancheong-gun County, the hardest-hit area, a special disaster zone and is considering declaring Uiseong-gun and Ulju-gun counties disaster zones as well. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

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

2025/03/24 10:00

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

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

2025/03/24 10:00

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

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

2025/03/22 12:00

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

STOCK

2025/03/21 20:00

2025. 3. 21. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 2,643.13 ▲6.03 +0.23% KOSDAQ : 719.41 ▼5.74 -0.79% KOSPI200 : 355.18 ▲1.68 +0.48% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 37,677.06 ▼74.82 -0.20% HANG SENG : 23,689.72 ▼530.23 -2.19% SHANGHAI : 3,364.83 ▼44.12 -1.29% WALL STREET (MARCH 20) DOW JONES : 41,953.32 ▼11.31 -0.03% NASDAQ : 17,691.63 ▼59.16 -0.33% S&P500 : 5,662.89 ▼12.4 -0.22% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,462.70 (+3.80) JPY : 978.23 (-6.22) CNY : 201.63 (+0.07) EUR : 1,584.18 (-5.22)

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

2025/03/21 20:00

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

[Weather] Warm conditions across the country for the time being, ultra-fine dust continues

2025/03/21 20:00

Finally, the cold snap has receded, and the spring weather has come again. It rose to around 17 degrees Celsius during the day in Seoul today. Temperatures will rise even higher to 19 degrees on Saturday and 22 degrees on Sunday. With large daily temperature gaps, make sure to dress in layers. However, the air has been dusty with this warm spring weather. Stuffy air will continue tomorrow in the western regions with "bad" levels of ultra-fine dust in the Seoul metropolitan area, Chungcheongnam-do Province, the Jeolla-do provinces, and Jeju Island. You should wear a protective mask when going outside. On Saturday morning, Daejeon and Gwangju will start off at 6 degrees, Jeju at 13 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 20 degrees in Gwangju, 25 degrees in Daegu and Gyeongju. For the time being, warm conditions of around 20 degrees will continue. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Seoul District Court bans NewJeans from acting independently

2025/03/21 20:00

K-pop girl group NewJeans, can not engage in independent activities under its new name NJZ. On Friday, the Seoul Central District Court accepted an injunction request filed by ADOR, its contractual agency, and blocked the group from acting independently. The group has been in a contract dispute with ADOR, since November last year and began charting an independent path under the new name NJZ. In response, ADOR filed the injunction request in January, to stop the group from signing its own advertising deals, and from performing live and engaging in other entertainment activities.

More patrol dogs across S. Korea, promoting positive pet culture

2025/03/21 20:00

This Sunday marks National Puppy Day and in light of this occasion, we share with you a story of puppies who've been making contributions to their communities. Our Park Kun-woo shows us how. Around 7 PM, when pet owners usually get off work, it's time for their furry friends to head out for their favorite part of the day: a stroll around the neighborhood. These dogs aren't just on their regular walks, but are on a special mission. From tiny pooches to large ones, wearing green "patrol" suits, they're out there to identify dangerous situations, potential safety hazards, and individuals who may be drunk or lying on the ground. "Coco once found a drunk person on a cold winter day, so we reported it right away." "Coco, what was your most memorable patrol mission?" "Yeah, when I reported that drunk person!" Thanks to these dogs and their owners, thousands of reports were made in Seoul alone last year. And dogs that performed exceptionally well were given extra prizes. These patrol activities also mean valuable time together for both the pets and their owners. "We usually go for a walk once a day, but now, through this patrol activity, I get to spend time with my dog while also contributing to the safety of my city, which feels really rewarding." Starting in Seoul in 2022, the pet patrol program has expanded nationwide, reaching cities as far as Busan and on Jeju Island. However, not every dog can become a patrol dog as they must meet various criteria, such as how they react to strangers and other dogs, as well as their overall behavior. "Wait!" "As you can see, this dog that passed the patrol dog test, is very gentle and obedient. Although there's no pay, the dogs are rewarded with things like patrol certificates and snacks. Good boy!" And, the efforts of these patrol teams are helping to create a positive image of dogs for non-pet owners who may fear or dislike them. "I don't usually like having pets, but seeing these dogs working for public safety outside makes me feel good about them." With over 15-million people, around one-third of South Korea's population, owning pets, these dog patrols are contributing to the creation of a positive pet culture in society. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

[Arts & Culture] How a journey through Korean history landed in Germany

2025/03/21 20:00

Time now for our Arts and Culture segment. Joining me in the studio is our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin. Welcome! Good evening. What do you have for us today? I recently found out that Korean cultural treasures are making a surprise appearance in Germany, with happiness at the heart of the story. They're currently on display in Dresden, also known as the cultural center of Germany. First, take a look. This gold crown and belt from Korea's 5th century Silla Dynasty, are making a rare visit to Germany, for the first time in over 60 years. These national treasures are part of the "100 Ideas of Happiness. Art Treasures from Korea," an exhibition at Dresden Royal Palace, a result of years of collaboration between the National Museum of Korea and Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, one of the most prestigious museum networks in the world. The partnership began in 2017 when SKD showcased its prized collections to Korea. Now, the favor is being returned, with over 1-hundred-80 objects spanning from the Three Kingdoms Period to the Joseon Dynasty, making their way to Germany. Claudia Brink and Baik So-jin are the curators. "We start with works coming from the fifth and sixth century and up to the 19th and 20th century. And also, lots of genres, so we have sculpture, we have metal work, goldsmith work, precious objects, paintings, calligraphy." "From my field, that this opportunity to present the Korean heritage in this volume, really it's impossible. We had like this kind of like a comparable size of exhibition in 1999 in Essen and that was kind of like the last biggest exhibition in Germany." Though these artifacts differ in shape, size, and era, they share a common theme: happiness. "Figurative earthenware from the Three Kingdoms period reflects wishes for a good afterlife. The Korean folding screen from the GRASSI Museum of Ethnology in Leipzig, '100 Signs of Happiness and Long Life,' captures traditional Korean ideas of joy and fortune. We wanted to introduce Korean cultural heritage and also share a message of hope and resilience." This isn't just East meets West. It's a bridge between cultures, told through a story that never gets old. And in times like these, who couldn't use a little extra happiness? An exhibition with happiness at its heart is something we could all use more of these days. Yoo-jin, your report mentioned that this is the largest Korean culture exhibition to take place in Germany in well over two decades. Tell us more about its significance. Sure. One thing I'd like to highlight is the significance of the venue itself: the Dresden Royal Palace. The palace was nearly destroyed during World War II but has since been beautifully restored. According to Curator Kim from the National Museum of Korea, the fact that Korean culture is now being showcased in a space so cherished across Europe is a sign of just how far Korean culture has come. It's truly spreading its wings across the continent. As for the exhibition itself, it runs until August 10th, and several events are planned along the way. One highlight is Korean Week, from May 26th to June 1st, where visitors can try on hanbok, Korea's traditional attire, and experience a modern art performance inspired by Korean themes. More details will be announced soon. And just a quick note for anyone planning a visit. It's open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, except Tuesdays. And Yoo-jin, I hear this exhibition isn't the only cultural moment where Silla's golden crown is making an impression. That's right. If you found Silla's gold crown and belt featured in my report intriguing, you might want to check out BLACKPINK Jennie's music video for her recent track, "ZEN." Released in late January, it features a dazzling costume inspired by the Silla gold crown, which is what you're seeing on the screen right now. The designer says the outfit includes over one-thousand handcrafted metal embellishments, which is a bold fusion of heritage and modern style meant to highlight Jennie's unique charisma and connect past and present through fashion. It is a stunning reinterpretation of tradition. Yoo-jin, thank you for your report today. My pleasure.

At least 592 dead in Gaza after Israel resumes airstrikes

2025/03/21 20:00

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

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

2025/03/21 20:00

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

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

2025/03/21 20:00

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

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

2025/03/21 20:00

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

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

2025/03/21 20:00

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

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

2025/03/21 17:00

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

[Weather] Warm spring weather continues during the weekend with dusty air

2025/03/21 17:00

The cold snap has gone away ahead of the weekend. It rose to around 17 degrees Celsius during the day in Seoul today. Temperatures will jump to 19 degrees on Saturday and 22 degrees on Sunday, as warm as late April to early May already. With huge temperature gaps, make sure to dress in layers. However, uninvited guests are flowing in with this warm spring weather. Stuffy air will continue tomorrow in the western regions with "bad" levels of ultra-fine dust in the Seoul metropolitan area, Chungcheongnam-do Province, the Jeolla-do provinces, and Jeju Island. It's necessary to wear a protective mask when you are outside. On Saturday morning, Daejeon and Gwangju will start off at 6 degrees, Busan at 9 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 20 degrees in Gwangju, 25 degrees in Daegu and Gyeongju. Temperatures are expected to stay at around 20 degrees for the time being. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.