News

[Short-form] The Evolution of Gwanghwamun Square

2025/05/20 14:00

Discover how Gwanghwamun Square has transformed over time into an iconic landmark of Korea!

[Kulture Issue] What's the latest K-food trending in the U.S.?

2025/05/20 14:00

Bibimbap, bulgogi, fried chicken. Which K-food comes to mind first? Today we want to talk about the latest K-food trend in the U.S. as well as a product that's been enjoying a surge in exports to the country. For that, we are now connected with Robert Ku, Managing Editor of Foundations and Futures: Asian American and Pacific Islander Multimedia Textbook, a major book project at the UCLA Asian American Studies Center. Hello Mr. Koo! 1) K-food exports to the U.S. last year amounted to 1.59 billion dollars, making the U.S. the top export destination for Korean food items. Do you feel this rising interest around you? 2) By item, Korea’s instant noodles, or ramyeon, is the number one K-food export to the U.S. right now. Why do you think we’re seeing this trend? (What’s unique about Korean instant noodles and among which group do you see the biggest popularity?) 3) What are some other rising "K-food stars" in the U.S. right now? 4) Kimbap, jjigae, tteokbokki and quite recently dalgona (famous through Squid Game), are Korean foods that were added to Oxford Dictionary in the past years. In addition to those, which Korean food items do you think deserve to be in English dictionaries? 5) (And maybe these answers will somewhat be equivalent to this next one ) which K-food do you believe could become the next big hit in the U.S.? 6) As a culture expert, could you share some advice for our global viewers on how to enjoy K-food to the fullest?

[K-wave] Ron Mueck's first solo exhibition in Korea at MMCA Seoul

2025/05/20 14:00

Australian artist Ron Mueck presents his first major solo exhibition in Korea. The contemporary sculptor is famous for his hyper-realistic human sculptures. Since its opening on April 11th, more than 150-thousand people have already visited the exhibition, setting a new record for the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul. Lee Eun-jin has the story. The sculpture of a man's sleeping face rests on the floor. Each strand of hair and wrinkle seem all too real, but the back of it is hollow, like a mask. The young couple seem to be clinging to each other but why they have such uncomfortable expressions is hidden behind, in the boy's tight grip. These are the work of sculptor Ron Mueck, born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1958 and based in the United Kingdom since 1986. Even more amazing than the delicate technique of his sculpting is the emotion that is conveyed through each piece, as it draws curiosity and throws visitors into deeper thought. "It goes beyond 'it looks real'. Emotion and presence are expressed more real than reality. Manifesting the most fundamental human emotions about death, loneliness and anxiety, his works are also called psychological portraits." Each sculpture, embodying Mueck's extreme technical skills and sophisticated artistic expression, takes anywhere from several months to many years to complete. The 48-piece collection displayed at this exhibition is the largest gathering of Mueck's works in Asia to date. But the gathering of the sculptures shaped across three decades means visitors will have the chance to experience his sculptural journey. One can imagine the work that went into installing the one hundred monumental skulls of Mueck's project titled 'Mass'. But its journey across the sea was also not easy. "The sculptures were fit into 100 crates. Upon arrival at Busan Port, they went through various security screenings, and were then transported to our museum. It was a long journey." Visitors can feel the intimate yet uncomfortable confrontation of an old man and a chicken across a table There's also an exhausted woman, overwhelmed with her ongoing efforts to survive urban contemporary life. Beyond just showcasing his sculptures, the exhibition also intends to present an overview of Mueck's artistic journey, as he has led the evolution and trend of contemporary sculpture. The Ron Mueck exhibition will be held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art until July 13th. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

[K-enter] I-dle make full transformation from head to toe

2025/05/20 14:00

So, Walter let's start off with a girl group we talked about with our K-pop expert Jeff Benjamin yesterday, but a girl group that decided to put less emphasis on the "girl" part of their name with their return! I-dle, formally (G)I-dle . While with each album cycle a change of style in a K-pop group is common, I-dle have decided to take things up a notch and do a complete transformation including switching out their (G)I-dle name. On Monday, a press conference was held at Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam to celebrate the release of girl group I-DLE’s 8th mini album "We Are". Not everything changed though with I-DLE signalling a fresh start following the full renewal of their contracts with Cube Entertainment BUT a new mindset. "We Are" includes six tracks such as the title song “Good Thing,” the pre-released “Girlfriend,” Yuqi’s self-composed track “Love Tease,” and the ballad “If You Want,” with lyrics written by Shuhua . Good luck to I-dle and their new beginnings! Next up, some K-musical news. The Korean musical "Maybe Happy Ending", which made its way to Broadway, won four awards at this year’s Outer Critics Circle Awards. "Maybe Happy Ending" took home honours for "Outstanding New Broadway Musical", "Outstanding Book of a Musical", "Outstanding Score", and director Michael Arden was awarded "Outstanding Direction of a musical". The Outer Critics Circle is an organisation of writers who review New York theatre productions. "Maybe Happy Ending" is an original musical set in the future, telling the story of Oliver and Claire, robots created to assist humans, who unexpectedly fall in love. After its premiere in Korea in 2016, the musical made its way to Broadway and officially opened at the Belasco Theatre in November last year. The production has also been nominated in 10 categories for next month's Tony Awards. Outstanding indeed. Lastly, taking music from the stage to the big screen, what do you have for us? I have a new movie for watchers of music and romance. "Midnight Sun" is a musical romance that follows the story of Miso and Minjun who can only go on dates in the middle of the night. As they fall in love through music, they also embark on a journey to pursue their dreams together. Cha Hak-yeon makes his big screen debut with "Midnight Sun." He has previously worked on television dramas but is also well-known for debuting as a member of the boy band VIXX back in May 2012 and usually goes by the stage name "N". Cha Hak-yeon shared, “When I first read the script, it felt like I was being gifted a piece of youth. It’s a film beautifully filled with warmth and a refreshing romance,” expressing his deep affection for the project and why he chose to join it. "Midnight Sun" is set to premiere on June 11.

[Weather] Southern regions seeing summer heat with strong UV rays

2025/05/20 10:00

Central areas might see some lingering sprinkles and some clouds pop up here and there, but overall, it's shaping up to be a bright day with summer heat. Especially those in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province will notice highs easily surpassing 30 degrees this afternoon. I had to double-check to make sure I got the numbers right. UV rays will be very strong in those areas, so make sure to stay safe in the heat and intense sunlight. Daegu and Gyeongju both see a high of 32 degrees this afternoon, Seoul at 26 degrees, while Daejeon makes it to 31 degrees. Then, as we've seen lately, a quick change in the weather with rain is on the horizon for tomorrow. It will start on Jeju tonight, spreading to the south coast overnight before expanding to mostly eastern parts of Korea until Thursday. Meanwhile, this rain could cause temperatures to rise even further in the central regions tomorrow. Seoul could see a high of 28 degrees on Wednesday under cloudy to sunny skies this week.

Sand Sculpture festival in Denmark begins May 23

2025/05/20 10:00

Finally, in Denmark, the 14th Hundested Sand Sculpture Festival kicks off on Friday. The annual event will feature sand sculptures crafted by 16 international artists, centered around this year's theme of "Showtime." Visitors can expect to see detailed representations of entertainment icons such as Charlie Chaplin and Miss Piggy, as well as circus clowns. The festival also offers diverse family-friendly activities, including sculpting workshops, sand painting, and treasure hunts. As the festival runs through October 19, the sculptures are made of sand mixed with clay to ensure they last until autumn. The sand is reused each year.

Cancer touches us all, says Biden after outpouring of support

2025/05/20 10:00

Former U.S. President Joe Biden expressed gratitude for the support he has received from around the world after announcing on Sunday that he has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to the bones. Biden wrote on his social media on Monday, "Cancer touches us all," and that he and his wife Jill have learned that you are "strongest in the broken places." Reacting to the announcement, President Donald Trump said Biden's diagnosis was "very sad," but added that he was surprised it wasn't detected earlier. At the same time, he and First Lady Melania wished Biden a "fast and successful recovery." While not curable, experts note that effective management can allow patients to live for several years.

U.S. Supreme Court lets Trump end deportation protection for Venezuelans

2025/05/20 10:00

The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to terminate the Temporary Protected Status for approximately 350-thousand Venezuelan nationals living in the country. In an unsigned order on Monday, the Supreme Court lifted a lower court's injunction that blocked the Department of Homeland Security's attempt to end TPS for Venezuelans. This decision allows the administration to revoke protections extended until October 2026 during the Biden administration. TPS provides temporary legal status and work authorization to individuals from countries experiencing severe crises. The Biden administration granted Venezuelans an extension of the status in response to ongoing political and economic instability in Venezuela. TPS has also been removed for nationals from Afghanistan and Cameroon as part of the Trump administration's efforts to tighten immigration policies.

UK strikes EU trade and defense reset in 'new era' for relations

2025/05/20 10:00

Five years after the United Kingdom departed from the European Union a new agreement has been reached between the two parties. The deal announced on Monday includes defense cooperation and youth mobility. At a summit in London on May 19, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a comprehensive agreement to improve post-Brexit relations. It includes a new defense and security partnership, granting the UK access to a 200 billion U.S. dollar EU defense fund, and facilitating joint military procurement and support for Ukraine's defense. The agreement also extends mutual fishing access for 12 years, allowing EU vessels to continue operating in UK waters. A youth mobility scheme will facilitate temporary work and study exchanges between the UK and EU member states. British travelers will also benefit from faster airport procedures through EU e-gates. Prime Minister Starmer lauded the agreement as a "win-win," while EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen described the progress as "historic."

From Laos to S. Korea: Global help cultivates local fields

2025/05/20 10:00

In other news. May is an especially busy month for farmers here and seasonal workers from neighboring countries are offering much-needed assistance. Our Park Kun-woo tells us more. A vast area of crop fields stretches across Cheongyang-gun County in Chungcheongnam-do Province – a countryside region where farming is central. It's easy to find land and vinyl greenhouses here, but much harder to find people to farm them, especially in May, Korea's peak farming season. That's a sharp contrast to the past, when entire villages in rural regions worked side by side in the traditional "dure" system during busy times. But with Korea's aging population and younger people moving to cities, rural labor shortages have become a growing challenge. That's where new helping hands are stepping in – foreign "seasonal workers" employed legally under Korea's E-8 visa program from 2017. Dressed in farming gear, those workers began their work early, braving the heat and humidity. On this day, they cleared frost-protection plastic from the soil and carried heavy metal pipes used to support crops, all while wading through muddy fields. "I've only been working alongside them in this pepper field for a few minutes, and I'm already starting to sweat. But it's these foreign workers who help local farmers do this every single day." Though language can be a barrier, many see this as a chance to learn. "Working here isn't too hard, especially knowing I can send money home to my family. Communication can be difficult at times, but I'm learning a lot, using farming machines and new techniques that I hope to take back and use on my own farm someday." And farmers describe their help as vital. "They're like lifelines for us. Without this workforce, farming in our rural community simply couldn't continue. Without their help, my wife and I could only manage a much smaller piece of land." Due to its popularity, the number of these workers is growing, with nearly 70-thousand foreign seasonal workers coming to Korea this year alone, thousands more than the year before. Local governments are expanding agreements with other cities abroad and even considering longer-term visas. While the spring remains busy in the countryside, the shoulders of local farmers bearing the weight of our food supply are now a little lighter, thanks to help from afar. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Cheongyang.

India open for tariff negotiation: White House

2025/05/20 10:00

Washington says trade negotiations with a number of its trading partners are "very close to the finish line," signaling optimism that agreements could be reached within the next few weeks. Speaking to Fox Business on Monday, Chairperson of the U.S. National Economic Council Kevin Hassett said that the U.S. is closing in on trade deals with several countries. Regarding negotiations with India, Hassett said that while it's "up to the negotiators," India is showing a "very open attitude." He also voiced his hope that India will become a good negotiation model for "other countries in Asia."

Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok continues to seek support in Gwangju, rules out possible merger

2025/05/20 10:00

In the meantime, the Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok is back in Gwangju City, with an aggressive push to convince voters he is the ultimate conservative runner. Earlier on Monday, he ruled out PPP candidate Kim Moon-soo's hint of a possible merger with him and instead stressed the race will be him against the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung. He also went around Gwangju City pledging more diverse investment in the Jeolla-do provinces. He's expected to do the same on his second day in the southwestern region on Tuesday, and continue his campus cafeteria outreach to college students.

PPP's Kim stresses ROK-U.S. alliance after labeling DP rival Lee as 'pro-China' during debate

2025/05/20 10:00

And the People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo also continues to expand his campaign here in the capital. He started off the week by stressing his vision for the ROK-U.S. alliance while insinuating a possible merger with Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. On the campaign trail on Monday, People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo emphasized the ROK-U.S. alliance saying that he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump as soon as he's elected amid the ongoing tariff negotiations. "If I’m elected president, I will visit the United States as early as June to hold a prompt summit with President Trump and swiftly resolve issues that are hindering economic cooperation between our two countries." The comments came during a luncheon with the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea. He added he’ll promote Korea-U.S. business cooperation in advanced technology and culture, not just security. Kim also pledged to remove unnecessary regulations to attract more foreign investment. This comes after Kim claimed his DP rival Lee Jae-myung is too pro-China, during the first televised debate the night before. "In other campaign activities and rallies around Seoul, he also gave pledges to the younger generations, on Coming of Age Day, vowing to create jobs, expand opportunities, and ease financial burdens related to marriage and housing." Meanwhile, much attention was given to his gesture toward the Reform Party’s Lee Jun-seok with an idea of a conservative and anti-Lee Jae-myung alliance looming over the election scene. The two met at a Seoul City event, where Kim apologized for the PPP’s past treatment of Lee when he was party chair—and praised his debate performance from the night before. During the AMCHAM talk, Kim also hinted that a merger may be possible. "Things are gradually improving. If you watched the debate yesterday, you would’ve seen Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok—he used to be our party leader, and now he’s out there representing a certain segment. If I can bring together people like him and unify our efforts, I believe we can bring about significant change." Lee Jun-seok has so far rejected the idea of a merger—and the current polls show that even combined, their ratings trail DP’s Lee Jae-myung. But with the election now just two weeks away a last-minute conservative alliance could still shift the race. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Trump's 2-hour phone call with Putin fails to achieve breakthrough in ending Ukraine war

2025/05/20 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump held a rare phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his latest effort to end the prolonged war in Ukraine. The call lasted more than two hours, but there appears to have been little sign of a breakthrough on peace talks. Bae Eun-ji reports. Following the much-anticipated call between leaders from Washington and Moscow, U.S. President Donald Trump said he made progress during his conversation on Monday with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. He proclaimed on his social media that the call "went very well" and that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to 'immediately' start negotiations toward a ceasefire, without providing details on when that will happen. "We just spent two and a half hours talking to Vladimir Putin, and I think some progress has been made." Putin, who described the call as "meaningful and frank," said Russia is ready to work with Ukraine on a memorandum on a possible future peace agreement. But he did not address demands from the U.S. and European countries for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, meaning no major breakthrough in ending the war. "At the same time, I would like to note that, in general, Russia's position is clear. The main thing for us is to eliminate the root causes of this crisis." Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he also spoke with Trump before the American leader's call with Putin. He called for an unconditional ceasefire, while urging stronger U.S. sanctions if Russia is not ready to end the war. "I asked him before his conversation with Putin, not to make decisions about Ukraine without us. We agreed that we would get in touch after his conversation with Putin." Zelenskyy also urged Washington not to distance itself from peace talks, saying he is considering a high-level meeting between Ukraine, Russia, the U.S., and European countries. This comes after Trump said the conditions of a peace deal could only be negotiated between Russia and Ukraine, possibly with the help of the Pope, leading to speculation that this signals a possible shift in his stance that he was leaving the two countries to find a deal without the U.S. as a broker. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

Israel hits 160 targets in Gaza as aid begins to come through

2025/05/20 10:00

Israel continued its airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Monday, increasing pressure on Hamas. While it targeted some 160 sites throughout the enclave, Israel also began letting in humanitarian aid amid global concerns of a famine crisis. Lee Seung-jae has more. The Israeli military, which recently launched "Operation Gideon's Chariots," aimed at recapturing the Gaza Strip, announced it had struck some 160 targets, including Hamas infrastructure. However, according to Al Jazeera, airstrikes also targeted several hospitals across the enclave. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement on the same day, vowing to make progress amid fierce fighting, adding that Israel will take control of the entire Gaza Strip. The remark was slammed by Britain, France, and Canada, who were critical of Israel's expansion of its war, as they vowed a "concrete" response if Israel's campaign continues. Also, following pressure from around the globe over the blocking of any humanitarian aid into region, Israel has begun allowing some trucks carrying necessities. "Today, Israel is facilitating the entry of trucks with baby food into Gaza. In the coming days, Israel will facilitate the entry of dozens of aid trucks." The Director General of Israel's Foreign Ministry, Eden Bar Tal, said "Israel always complies with international law and with its obligations and statements." However, he was critical of the recent condemnation, saying the international community must decide whether to side with Israel or Hamas. He added that the aid that began coming in will only cover a few days. The foreign ministry official also stressed that the humanitarian aid "is to help the population, not to support Hamas." Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. Korean officials to travel to Washington for tariff talks on Tues.

2025/05/20 10:00

A group of South Korean officials is set to travel to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to hold working-level talks with the U.S. over tariffs. The two sides are expected to hold discussions focused on six key areas, including economic security and digital trade. This comes after Seoul's trade minister, Ahn Duk-geun, met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer here in South Korea last week, and requested exemptions from higher levies. South Korea, which faces 25 percent U.S. reciprocal tariffs, is seeking a trade deal before the July 8th deadline, when the temporary pause on tariffs is lifted.

1st TV debate: S. Korea's Presidential candidates hold intense debate on U.S. tariffs, China, economic growth

2025/05/19 20:00

Eyes of the voters in the country were on the first televised presidential debate on Sunday night, with clashes on economic and trade policy. And the four debaters on the stage looked as equally focused on controversies surrounding their rivals as addressing ways to tackle economic challenges. Lee Soo-jin fills us in. Pledging to save Korea from its present economic downturn, the four main presidential candidates held their first televised debate live on Sunday, beginning with the task of improving livelihoods. Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung promised big government spending, with funding towards debt forgiveness for small business owners, more research and development in AI, and new industries in energy and culture. "We need a supplementary budget as soon as possible, within feasible limits, to revive domestic demand and everyday livelihoods." The People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo agreed on boosting spending to offer subsidies and debt restructuring for small firms. He pledged to be a 'jobs president', using regulatory reform to support growth in high tech sectors. "By eliminating excessive regulations, businesses won't feel forced to move abroad and can confidently operate locally and create jobs." Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok opposed "reckless" injections of money in a time of high inflation and low demand, saying it will hurt, not benefit small companies. He proposed regional governments set their own minimum wage, and focused more on building national competence in sectors critical to economic growth. "To beat China, we need not only an understanding of science and technology but also competent leadership that can communicate freely with global leaders." Meanwhile, the Democratic Labour Party's Kwon Young-kuk focused on overcoming inequality for workers, farmers, women, and minorities. "A world where you work hard yet remain poor, where you're driven further to the margins -this unequal world must not be left as it is. With the topic turning to America's tariffs on its trading partners, Lee Jae-myung said negotiations must begin but Korea must also diversify its export items. He said the door should stay open to Russia and China. Kim Moon-soo promised to hold a summit with U.S. leader Donald Trump,.. and resolve the bilateral issues based on their personal trust. Lee Jun-seok suggested a cool, strategic response that highlights South Korea's strength in semiconductors, and its value as Washington's long-standing security partner. Kwon Young-kuk showed the U.S a red card and said he will not submit to predatory trade tactics. The two candidates leading the polls faced intensive questioning. Lee Jae-myung was under fire over his proposed wind power project largely involving Chinese firms, and his alleged affinity with Beijing. Lee was also grilled on alleged illegal payments made to North Korea during his time as Gyeonggi-do province governor with the Reform Party candidate suggesting Lee's plans to legalise domestic spot cryptocurrency ETFs could also potentially fund North Korea. Meanwhile, Kim Moon-soo was strongly criticised for being a part of the impeached Yoon Suk Yeol Administration, as former Labour Minister. Lee Jae-myung said Kim should share the blame for the sluggish economy. And Kwon Young-kuk slammed Kim's endorsement of allowing extra working hours for semiconductor workers. The next live debate will take place on Friday, focusing on social issues. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

PPP's Kim stresses ROK-U.S. alliance after labeling DP rival Lee as 'pro-China' during debate

2025/05/19 20:00

The People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo had the chance to share his vision for the ROK-U.S. alliance at American Chamber of Commerce in Korea. He also hinted at possibly merging with Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok, who rejected the idea. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. On the campaign trail on Monday, People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo emphasized the ROK-U.S. alliance saying that he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump as soon as he's elected amid the ongoing tariff negotiations. "If I'm elected president, I will visit the United States as early as June to hold a prompt summit with President Trump and swiftly resolve issues that are hindering economic cooperation between our two countries." The comments came during a luncheon with the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea. He added he'll promote Korea-U.S. business cooperation in advanced technology and culture, not just security. Kim also pledged to remove unnecessary regulations to attract more foreign investment. This comes after Kim claimed his DP rival Lee Jae-myung is too pro-China, during the first televised debate the night before. "In other campaign activities and rallies around Seoul, he also gave pledges to the younger generations, on Coming of Age Day, vowing to create jobs, expand opportunities, and ease financial burdens related to marriage and housing." Meanwhile, much attention was given to his gesture toward the Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok with an idea of a conservative and anti-Lee Jae-myung alliance looming over the election scene. The two met at a Seoul City event, where Kim apologized for the PPP's past treatment of Lee when he was party chair—and praised his debate performance from the night before. During the AMCHAM talk, Kim also hinted that a merger may be possible. "Things are gradually improving. If you watched the debate yesterday, you would've seen Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok—he used to be our party leader, and now he's out there representing a certain segment. If I can bring together people like him and unify our efforts, I believe we can bring about significant change." Lee Jun-seok has so far rejected the idea of a merger—and the current polls show that even combined, their ratings trail DP's Lee Jae-myung. But with the election now just two weeks away a last-minute conservative alliance could still shift the race. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Looking into first TV debate on economy among S. Korea's 4 main presidential candidates

2025/05/19 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. The economy is once again a decisive issue that could sway voter sentiment in South Korea's upcoming presidential election. On May 18th, the four leading candidates—Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, and Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labor Party—faced off in their first televised debate. With Korea stuck in a prolonged period of 저성장, soaring inequality, and deepening regional disparity, each candidate laid out their vision to revive the everyday economy. From job creation and fiscal policies to trade and labor reform, the stakes couldn't be higher. Voters are no longer content with slogans—they're demanding realistic, concrete solutions. On Within The Frame tonight, we break down what each economic pledge really offers, what sets them apart, and how feasible their roadmaps are in confronting Korea's most pressing economic challenges. For a closer look into the trade dynamics, we are joined by Shin Se-don, Professor of Business Economics at Sookmyung Women's University. Welcome. Also joining us online is Chai Sang-mi, Professor of Business Administration at Ewha Womans University. Good to see you. 1. (Shin) Let's begin with Prof. Shin, so on May 18th, the four leading presidential candidates — Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, and Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labor Party — faced off in their first televised debate. The spotlight was on overcoming low growth and jumpstarting the everyday economy. Professor Shin, how did you assess the overall direction of the debate? 2. (Chai) While all four candidates agreed on the urgency of economic recovery, their proposed solutions couldn't have been more different. Professor Chai, can you walk us through the key differences between the plans put forward by the candidates? 3. (Shin) Let's now delve into the different pledges of each candidate. Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, he's proposing swift supplementary budgeting, paired with long-term investment in AI, renewable energy, and cultural industries. But since his strategy depends on aggressive fiscal expansion, some are warning about the risk of worsening fiscal health. Professor Shin, what's your evaluation? 4. (Chai) Turning to People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo — he's called for sweeping deregulation, including new bodies like a Regulatory Reform Committee and a Ministry for Regulatory Innovation. Professor Chai, is this level of economic restructuring necessary to escape the low-growth trap? 5. (Shin) Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok offered a localized approach, suggesting the minimum wage be adjusted by region. It's a bold departure from uniform policy. Professor Shin, how realistic and effective could this be for struggling communities? 6. (Chai) Democratic Labor Party candidate Kwon Young-guk is putting inequality, not growth, front and center. He's pushing for wealth redistribution through increased taxes on the rich. Professor Chai, how would you assess this equity-focused economic philosophy? 7. (Shin) Trade with the U.S. also split the candidates. Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung says there's no rush to finalize tariff negotiations, while People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo insists on wrapping up talks before July 8th. Professor Shin, what do you make of this stark policy divergence? 8. (Chai) In labor policy, the fault lines were especially clear. Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung supports the Yellow Envelope Law and a 4.5-day workweek. In contrast, People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo wants to reform the 52-hour workweek through labor-management consensus. Professor Chai, how should voters interpret these contrasting positions? 9. (Shin) And across the board, the candidates' proposals remain vague on funding details — raising questions about feasibility. When voters look at the economic pledges from the Democratic Party, People Power Party, Reform Party, and Democratic Labor Party, Professor Shin, where should they place the most weight?

[Weather] Strong winds until dawn tomorrow, summer-like heat continues

2025/05/19 20:00

Two different skies appeared today in the central and southern parts of the country. The central areas are affected by rain clouds from the afternoon, having cloudy skies. The expected rainfall will be up to 20 millimeters in the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon-do Province and up to 10 millimeters in the Chungcheong-do provinces. This rain will mostly stop by early tomorrow morning. A preliminary warning for strong winds is in place. Typhoon-like gusts of more than 15 meters per second will hit the East Sea and the west coast, and winds of 25 meters per second or more will hit the mountainous areas of Gangwon-do Province and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province until dawn tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, Seoul and Gyeongju will start off at 17 degrees Celsius, Chuncheon at 16 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 27 degrees in Seoul and Chuncheon, 25 degrees in Jeju. Rain is forecast throughout the east on Wednesday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.