News

[Weather] Most of Korea trapped in severe levels of fine dust, warmer than norms

2025/01/21 10:00

Most of Korea is trapped in high levels of ultrafine dust. An ultrafine dust advisory has been issued in the capital, Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheongbuk-do Provinces. Even, Emergency Fine Dust Reduction Measures are in place for the capital area and Chungcheongnam-do Province. We could see dust level going to a very high level in the morning. Dusty air has built up since yesterday, it's best to avoid going outdoors if you can but when you do make sure to wear a face mask that can help filter out fine dust and cover as much skin as possible. It's better to keep your windows closed if you are in central regions. Afternoon highs will be as high as yesterday at 8 degrees Celsius in the capital, Daegu and Busan at 11 degrees. Sunny skies will be blurred with the dust. Warmer than average temperatures to continue with dusty air staying through the end of the week. That's Korea for you, here's a look at the international weather conditions.

Melania Trump joins crypto craze

2025/01/21 10:00

In the U.S., on the eve of her husband's inauguration as President, Melania Trump introduced her own cryptocurrency, the $MELANIA meme coin. She posted on X on Sunday that "The Official Melania Meme is live." The announcement follows Donald Trump's launch of his own meme coin ahead of his inauguration. According to CoinMarketCap, Trump's meme coin has a total market value of about 12 billion US dollars, while Melania's meme coin stands at around 1.7 billion US dollars. Despite previously calling cryptocurrency a scam, Trump became the first presidential candidate to accept digital assets as donations during his 2024 election campaign.

Sample test in Tanzania positive for Marburg disease

2025/01/21 10:00

Tanzania's president confirmed on Monday that one out of more than 20 samples taken in the north of the country had tested positive for the infectious Marburg disease. That validated a WHO report on the 14th of this month, in which it said it suspected an outbreak of Marburg in Tanzania's Kagera region, following eight deaths manifesting symptoms in line with the virus. Initially, Tanzanian health officials denied the presence of the virus, citing negative test results. Marburg virus, similar to Ebola, is a highly contagious pathogen that causes high fever and bleeding and has a fatality rate of up to 90%.

Earthquake strikes southern Taiwan

2025/01/21 10:00

In Taiwan, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the southern region early on Tuesday, leaving 15 people with minor injuries. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration recorded, the quake struck at 12:17 a.m. roughly 38 kilometers southeast of Chiayi county hall, and with a depth of 9.7 kilometers. A 5.2-magnitude aftershock also occurred over an hour after the initial quake. The tremor resulted in 15 minor injuries, with six people rescued from a collapsed house in Nanxi District, Tainan City. Workers in this district, including those in the TSMC factory, have reportedly been evacuated. Last April, Taiwan suffered its strongest earthquake in 25 years, a 7.4 magnitude quake near Hualien City that led to at least 18 deaths.

Pope Francis Condemns Trump's Mass Deportation Plans

2025/01/21 10:00

Pope Francis has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's plans, for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants. He described the plans as "a disgrace" in an interview on Italian television on Sunday, ahead of Trump's inauguration. Speaking from the Vatican, the Pope emphasized the human cost of the plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants from the United States. He said, "This is not the way to solve things." President Trump is starting off his second term with several executive orders, including ones to accelerate deportations and enhance border security. In response, Pope Francis urged world leaders to focus on addressing the root causes of migration rather than punishing vulnerable people. Despite his criticisms, the Pope extended a congratulatory message to President Trump on Monday, the day of his inauguration, praying that Trump's "leadership fosters unity and compassion in addressing global challenges."

World leaders congratulate Trump on inauguration

2025/01/21 10:00

And leaders around the world quickly welcomed back President Trump and voiced wishes to work closely with the returned leader. Lee Seung-jae has more. Donald Trump on Monday became just the second U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms in the White House,. when he was sworn in during his inauguration ceremony. World leaders were quick to congratulate the 47th U.S. President. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to his social media to note the opportunity the two neighboring countries have in working together to create more jobs and prosperity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump, saying that he believes the U.S. and Israeli alliance will grow to "even greater heights." Calling the U.S. its closest ally, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the aim of the two countries is to have "a good transatlantic relationship." British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed Trump's "longstanding affection and historical ties to the UK," adding that such "depth of friendship will continue." Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was present at the inauguration noted that the friendship and values that the two countries share, will continue to strengthen their cooperation. But much of the attention was on what the leaders of Russia and Ukraine had to say on Trump's inauguration day. Russian President Vladimir Putin not only congratulated Trump on his return to the White House, but also said he's open to hold talks regarding the war in Ukraine. "We have never refused dialogue, we have always been ready to maintain an attitude of cooperation with any American administration. We are also open for dialogue with the new U.S. administration on the Ukrainian conflict. The most important thing here is to address the root causes of the crisis, that we have spoken about many times." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also quick to congratulate Trump. The Ukrainian leader noted that Trump has always been "decisive," adding that Trump would provide an opportunity to strengthen American leadership, and achieve long-term peace. Zelenskyy also expressed hope that the two countries can work together to provide greater security, stability and economic growth to the world, and the two nations. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Trump withdraws U.S. from Paris Climate Agreement; declares national emergency at U.S.-Mexico border

2025/01/21 10:00

And as soon as he returned to power, Trump signed an executive order beginning the process of pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement. This is his second time to have done so, as he exited it in his first term in 2017, only for then-President Biden to rejoin the agreement in 2021. Trump also declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. In his inaugural address, Trump said he will send troops to the southern border, detain all illegal immigrants, and re-introduce a 'Remain in Mexico' policy that requires migrants wait for their asylum proceedings on the Mexican side of the border.

Live from Seoul Detention Center: CIO withdraws from forced questioning

2025/01/21 10:00

Meanwhile, investigators' efforts to question Yoon continue having so far failed due to Yoon's persistent refusal to cooperate. We connect live with our Moon Hye-ryeon standing by at the Seoul Detention Center where he's being detained. Hye-ryeon, last night, investigators returned to their office empty-handed after failing to bring Yoon in for questioning by force. Tell us more. Good morning, Dami – as you said, the CIO attempted to forcibly bring President Yoon in for questioning here at the Seoul Detention Center yesterday, but withdrew late last night after being met with resistance. In a statement to the press, the CIO announced that their investigators stopped their attempts at around 9 PM last night in accordance with human rights protection regulations as Yoon refused to cooperate. Yoon has refused all interrogation requests since he was arrested last Wednesday – ignoring summonses last Thursday and Friday and continuing to resist even after his formal detention on Sunday. The CIO notified him twice of scheduled interrogations – on Sunday and on Monday – but he did not comply. As Yoon's initial detention period is set to expire on January 28th, the CIO has deemed a face-to-face investigation urgent and therefore attempted forced questioning. They have said that they will continue criminal procedures, including additional attempts at forced interrogation – but it is not yet clear when or how this will happen. Citing legal precedents and Supreme Court rulings, the agency asserted that a suspect could be forcibly brought to the interrogation room, but President Yoon's legal team criticized the CIO's action saying that Yoon had been meeting with the attorneys when CIO officials attempted to "unlawfully" force an interrogation. And on that note of President Yoon's legal team – what's their reasoning for President Yoon's such defiant manner? Well, Dami, in addition to the CIO's attempt to forcibly bring Yoon in for questioning, Yoon's legal team has strongly criticized the CIO for prohibiting visits to the detained president for anyone other than his legal representatives. They argue that restricting family meetings unrelated to the charges of insurrection is a "vindictive" act rather than a legitimate investigative measure, and have demanded the immediate revocation of such a decision. The CIO has cited concerns over potential evidence tampering as a reason for imposing these restrictions, but Yoon's attorney said that these allegations are "baseless and unjust", while pointing to the impeachments of former Presidents Roh Moon-hyun and Park Geun-hye who were still allowed external communication and national briefings to ensure smooth governance. Yoon's attorneys argued that this set a precedent, and that Yoon must remain fully informed of the country's ongoing developments. And let's turn our attention to Yoon's supporters and the Sunday riots that led to some serious damage at the Seoul Western District Court building. How are investigations unfolding? That's right, so the police have arrested a total of 90 individuals in connection with the riots that happened early Sunday morning at the Seoul Western District Court. The detainees range in age from in their teens to their seventies, with over half in their twenties and thirties. Police have applied for arrest warrants for 66 individuals and are continuing to analyze mobile phone data, video evidence, and footage from YouTube channels collected during the arrest. Authorities expect the number of individuals formally charged to increase as the investigation unfolds. The police have also intensified their investigation into whether there was an organized effort behind the riot, deploying the Criminal Mobilization Unit to pursue the case further. Meanwhile, the Seoul Western District Court has issued arrest warrants for two of five individuals accused of assaulting police officers near the court on Saturday the day before the riot. That's all I have for now, but I'll be back in a later newscast with more updates. Back to you, Dami. That was our Moon Hye-ryeon reporting live from the Seoul Detention Center.

Producer prices up for 2nd month in Dec. amid weak Korean won

2025/01/21 10:00

South Korea's producer prices rose for the second straight month in December, amid the weakening Korean won. According to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the producer price index, a major barometer of consumer inflation rose zero-point-three percent in December from the month before. This follows a zero-point-one percent gain in November. On year, the index rose one-point-seven percent last month, increasing for the 17th straight month. Agricultural, livestock and fisheries goods saw the highest jump in prices last month, climbing two-point-eight percent from a month earlier.

Trump returns to the White House, signaling a rapid shift in global order

2025/01/20 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring you today's most pressing issues from across the globe, I'm Kim Mok-yeon. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's second inauguration ceremony is just hours away. With forecasts predicting temperatures as low as -12°C, Trump decided to move the event indoors, for the first time in 40 years. The last time an inauguration was held indoors because of the weather was in 1985 for former Republican President Ronald Reagan. With world diplomats and citizens planning to attend, questions are emerging about the impact on attendance and the broader significance of this inauguration. Attention is also focused on Trump's inaugural address and the return of the farewell event for the outgoing President Joe Biden, which could signal key shifts in the transition of power and the tone of the new administration. For a closer look into the current situation ahead of the inauguration ceremony, we first connect to our Voice of America correspondent Jessica Stone in Washington D.C. Welcome, Jessica. 1. The weather forecast predicts extremely cold temperatures for President Trump's inauguration, and because of this, the ceremony is being held indoors. Jessica, could you give us some details on how the ceremony will proceed? What has Trump said? 2. How do you think this will affect the turnout and atmosphere? There had been news that many people including world diplomats were planning to visit. Will they be able to be accommodated? 3. The former president's farewell event, which was omitted four years ago, is now included in the ceremony's schedule. Biden says he's planning to attend showcasing a peaceful transfer of power. What could this signify for the tone of the inauguration? Could it lead to a smooth transition of government operations to the new administration? 4. What can we expect from Trump's second inaugural speech? How do you think it will differ from his first one, particularly in terms of messaging and priorities? 5. Trump spent the past two years on the campaign trail making more than a dozen promises about what he would enact on his first day in office. Could you remind us of some that are highly likely at this point? policies, especially in areas like economic growth, immigration, and national security. Thank you for bringing us the latest from Washington Jessica. And now to explore more on the implications of these changes, as well as the potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration, we connect to Hannah Kim, Assistant Professor of International Studies at Sogang University GSIS. Thank you for coming on. 1. Now that the Trump 2.0 era has begun, what kind of big changes could we expect in the global landscape? 2. Fundraising efforts have led to a substantial amount of money being raised, with significant contributions from industries like tech, banking, and energy. How has the donor landscape changed since Trump's previous term, and what does this shift suggest about the relationship between business and politics in the U.S.? 3. Trump had invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to his inauguration, an unprecedented move, especially with his previous statements on dumping tariffs on China. China in response vowed to send its Vice President instead, the first time to send a high-ranking official to the inauguration. What could this mean when it comes to the future of Washington-Beijing relations? 4. Like China, Japan is also sending a high-ranking official, its foreign minister to Trump's inauguration. But as for South Korea, the South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong will attend. Though it's customary for the ambassador to attend, there are concerns that South Korea has missed an early diplomatic opportunity with the Trump administration, especially following the impeachment crisis. What are your thoughts and what could be done? 5. Earlier this week, Israel and Hamas agreed on a ceasefire deal following 15 months of fighting. Since Trump had been eager to end the war in Gaza and Ukraine, how much of an influence could Trump have on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine?

STOCK

2025/01/20 20:00

2025. 1. 20. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 2,520.05 -3.50 (-0.14%) KOSDAQ : 727.66 +2.97 (+0.41%) KOSPI200 : 333.94 -1.15 (-0.34%) ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 38,902.50 +451.04 (+1.17%) HANG SENG : 19,925.81 +341.75 (+1.75%) SHANGHAI : 3,244.38 +2.56 (+0.08%) WALL STREET (JANUARY 17) DOW JONES : 43,487.83 +334.70 +0.78% NASDAQ : 19,630.20 +291.91 +1.51% S&P500 : 5,996.66 +59.32 +1.00% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,451.70 (-6.60) JPY : 930.13 (-6.81) CNY : 198.21 (-0.41) EUR : 1,496.12 (-4.03)

Investigators arrive at Seoul Detention Center to forcefully escort Yoon for questioning

2025/01/20 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. We start our coverage at a local detention center where President Yoon Suk Yeol is being held after a court ordered his formal arrest in the early hours of Sunday. For more, let's turn to our correspondent Kim Do-yeon standing by live on site. Do-yeon, I hear the CIO is now trying to bring the president back for questioning by force? Good evening, Jung-min. Yes, as you said, I'm here at Seoul Detention Center where President Yoon has been under detention since last week and has been refusing to be taken to the CIO for questioning. As you'll be able to hear, there are some protesters still here showing support for President Yoon. However, the CIO has now started to take action. In the afternoon our team spotted what looked like the CIO's vans and cars heading inside and hours later it was confirmed that members of the CIO had indeed arrived. According to reports there are 6 members of the CIO currently here attempting to escort President Yoon but the option of just holding the questioning session has not been completely ruled out. President Yoon has only appeared at the CIO once the first day of his detention last Wednesday and has repeated that he's got nothing more to share and refused to be questioned by the investigators. Of course, Yoon has said that this arrest is not legal yet again and will likely continue to refuse to be questioned and even file for another legality review of this current arrest. Over the course of this past weekend, the president went from being a temporary detainee to becoming a criminal suspect over insurrection charges. It almost sounds like a cliche, now, but it is unprecedented. Jung-min, that's right over the weekend, the CIO was able to get a warrant to keep Yoon in custody until early February. This second warrant means he is now dressed in a detention center-issued uniform with an inmate number assigned to him. Considering his status he will have a separate cell, and guards will try to isolate him from other inmates. According to the Justice Ministry he's had a mug shot taken and a body search the same procedure as anyone else who has been arrested. The CIO is also using its legal options to pressure President Yoon except for Yoon's attorneys he'll not be allowed any visitors until a formal prosecution begins for this case. The CIO cited the risk of evidence being destroyed as the reason and remember that is the exact reason why the court issued the second "official" arrest warrant. Of course, Yoon has called this ban just a way to push him around saying if there is reasonable evidence obtained by the CIO how could he destroy any? And I believe the police tried to raid some locations related to the President again how'd that go? Jung-min that's right the search and seizure warrant from last month is still valid and the police attempted to raid the presidential safehouse and Yongsan Presidential Office The goal was to obtain CCTV footage to see who went in and out on the night of the martial law declaration. In addition, at Yongsan Presidential Office's Presidential Security Service office the servers for these CCTV recordings are there so the investigators could be looking into those. However, again the Presidential Security Service refused to comply with the search and the police had to turn back. That's all for now, back to you Jung-min. That was our Kim Do-yeon reporting live from the Seoul Detention Center.

[Weather] Milder cold continues this week with ultra-fine dust

2025/01/20 20:00

Today is 'Daehan' which means 'severe cold' on the traditional seasonal calendar. However, it is relatively mild throughout the day today. Seoul was as mild as early March during the day and these milder conditions will continue tomorrow across the country with Seoul reaching 8 degrees Celsius during the day. With mild conditions, the air continues to be murky all over the country. In particular, "preliminary measures to reduce the high concentration of fine dust" were issued in Chungcheongnam-do Province for the first time this winter to reduce fine dust in this area. There is a possibility that this ultra-fine dust will persist this whole week. Tomorrow, Seoul will start off at zero degrees, Gwangju at minus 1 degree. Highs will move up to 7 degrees in Chuncheon. Gyeongju and Jeju will reach 11 degrees. This week will be milder than usual. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Robert Pattinson visits Korea for first time to promote upcoming "Mickey 17"

2025/01/20 20:00

Legendary Korean director Bong Joon-ho's first new film in six years, "Mickey 17," will be released next month. Before its official release, he and the lead actor, Robert Pattinson are on a promotional tour here in Korea. Here's our Park Kun-woo with takeaways from that event. The first Korean director to win an Oscar, Bong Joon-ho, is set to return to the big screen with his new film, "Mickey 17." With just about a month to go until its premiere, global promotions have kicked off this week, starting in Bong's home country. "Hollywood star Robert Pattinson, starring as Mickey, the main character of Mickey 17, is in Korea for the first time to meet fans. He and director Bong Joon-ho are holding a press conference at this cinema, and we're about to go meet them. Follow me." "Annyeonghaseyo. I always wanted to come. And just really really excited to show you guys the movie." He also shared why he wanted to appear in Bong's movie. "Bong manages, with a sense of humor, a very very prominent and such a huge movie. We turned up on set and it looked like a giant Star Wars-looking thing. (Bong is probably one of the) four or five directors in the world working now that has that kind of appeal I think to every single actor in the world." Bong stressed that he had aimed to make a sci-fi movie with a strong human touch. "It's a sci-fi film full of the scent of humanity. Humans are printed out like documents from a printer, which in itself is very dehumanizing. You feel how miserable this character is. But despite that, you see how he overcomes his struggles." He added he tried to set the movie in the near future to make it more tangible for people. "You couldn't even have imagined talking with Chat GPT in the previous decade. The events in the movie may seem like science fiction, but they could happen to you soon." Fans waiting for the movie's release also waited from the early morning to see their favorite movie star and director. "Young girls who watched "Twilight" must have liked him. I have been waiting from the early morning cause I was happy to see him at last in Korea. Everybody will be waiting for the upcoming movie." Amid high anticipation, "Mickey 17" is set to screen at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival next month ahead of its theater premieres. With its premiere in Korea on February 28th ahead of other countries, one question remains: Will the new movie create another global sensation? Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

3 Israeli hostages, 90 Palestinian prisoners released as part of Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal

2025/01/20 20:00

A truce has taken effect in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, as of Sunday, paving the path for phased exchanges of hostages for prisoners. Lee Eun-jin covers the first such exchange in months. Sunday was the first day of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire that has halted 15 months of war. On the same day, the first three Israeli hostages of the 33 that were agreed to be released under the terms of the ceasefire deal were freed by Hamas. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the transfer, escorting the three women to an Israeli military checkpoint. Upon arrival, they were reunited with their families and transported to a medical center for examination, where the director said all three were in stable condition. Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari were abducted on Oct. 7 near a kibbutz and music festival during the Hamas attack. In Tel Aviv, thousands of people erupted in applause as they gathered to watch the news on large screens. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also released a video showing him receiving news about the return of three hostages. Just over seven hours later, the first of the Palestinian prisoners were released. Around 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were freed from Israeli jails into the occupied West Bank, arriving by bus to scenes of cheering and celebration. They had been detained for what Israel called offenses related to its security. This was the first of several hostage and detainee exchanges set to take place during the ceasefire over the next six weeks. The agreement reached in Qatar last week with the help of mediators calls for Hamas to release 33 hostages, including women, children, men over 50, and ill and wounded captives, while Israel is set to release more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that the government is committed to the return of all 98 hostages, major questions remain about whether fighting will resume after the six-week first phase of the ceasefire. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

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

2025/01/20 20:00

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

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

2025/01/20 20:00

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

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

2025/01/20 20:00

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

PPP urges veto of special probe bill against Yoon; DP demands immediate approval

2025/01/20 20:00

The rival parties are pressuring Acting President Choi Sang-mok over an opposition-led bill to launch a special counsel investigation into President Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law. The ruling PPP today urged Choi to veto the bill, criticizing it as overly broad and unnecessary, as most key figures, including Yoon, have already been arrested or indicted. The main opposition DP, on the other hand, claimed that it has incorporated the PPP's demands, and called for immediate approval. This follows the bill's passage at the National Assembly on Friday after failed negotiations between the parties. Meanwhile, the acting president is reportedly reviewing the bill, noting that it's difficult to say whether it passed with a bipartisan agreement.

Unprecedented court attack leads to chaotic aftermath following Yoon's arrest

2025/01/20 20:00

In the early hours of Sunday morning, violence broke out at the Seoul Western District Court as President Yoon's hard-line supporters stormed into the building after the court ordered the president's official detention. Our Ahn Sung-jin reports on the aftermath of the chaotic scenes. Glass shattered on the floor with windows now wide open, revealing the offices inside. The immediate aftermath of the Seoul Western District Court riots provides a glimpse into early Sunday's chaotic scenes. "Where I'm standing is right near the rear entrance to the Seoul Western District Court. There are still several police officers on guard for any further unexpected incidents. Most of the glass has now been cleaned up from the ground, but the building is still in disarray. Right behind me, the sign of the court still lies on the ground and if we take a look at the other side if the building, most of the glass has been shattered is still temporarily covered." President Yoon's supporters stormed into the court building during the early hours on Sunday, after the court's decision to issue an arrest warrant at around 3 AM. Enraged supporters broke through windows and doors while some sprayed fire extinguishers at lines of police guarding the front entrance. Some of these protesters swarmed into the building looking for Judge Cha Eun-kyung, who was responsible for the decision to issue the warrant, trashing and vandalizing everything in sight. Multiple individuals have been arrested and at least 40 were injured including riot police, some who were seen bleeding. According to the police, though the ages of those who've been arrested vary, what's notable is that more than half of them were seen to be men in their 20s and 30s. Some say that they have been influenced by what they've seen on YouTube or read in online communities. This chaos has resulted in social upheaval and discussions on whether the rule of law still exists. As concerns mount over extremist movements, both the ruling and opposition parties raised their concerns during Monday's National Assembly Interpellation on Pending Matters. However, the ruling People Power Party said that the police should have prepared thoroughly in advance while the main opposition Democratic Party suggested that the ruling party has incited such movements. The Seoul Western District Court said despite concerns regarding normal court proceedings, to reassure the public that the country's rule of law still exists, trials will proceed as normal. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.