News

[K-wave] "Jongmyo Daeje": Keeping Korea's centuries-old royal ritual alive

2025/05/08 14:00

On the first Sunday of every May, an ancient ritual takes place at the Jongmyo Shrine here in Seoul in memory of the deceased monarchs of the Joseon Dynasty. Our Lee Eun-hee was there this past weekend. The king, carried in a royal palanquin, travels from the palace to Jongmyo Shrine. He is escorted by rows of officials and royal guards. When they reach the shrine, this impressive scene marks the beginning of a special reenactment the "Jongmyo Daeje," a grand royal ancestral ritual from the Joseon Dynasty. "So, the Jongmyo Daeje—it's a ceremony that honors the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty, and it's no ordinary event. Recognized by UNESCO, it's a rare chance to see centuries-old royal traditions come to life." The ceremony begins with placing the ancestral tablets or "shinju" of past kings and queens on the altar, followed by rites to greet and honor the spirits. With offerings of liquor, deep bows, and traditional music and dance, the ritual unfolds in solemn and precise tradition. This intangible cultural heritage was the Joseon Dynasty's grandest and most significant state ritual conducted by the king. It was first revived in 1969 and is still held on the first Sunday of May and again in November. Originally built in the late 14th century, Jongmyo Shrine is recognized by UNESCO as the oldest and most well-preserved Confucian royal ancestral shrine. This year, for the first time in six years, the ritual at the main hall, "Jeongjeon" was open to the public, following five years of restoration work. In April, a "Hwananje" ceremony was held to mark the return of the ancestral tablets of the Joseon kings and queens to their original place in the main hall. "Since Jongmyo Daeje is a meaningful event held at a cultural heritage site, I wanted to wear a hanbok and chose a traditional one." "I left at 4 AM to attend this event today I was happy to hear all the traditional music I was hoping for-it was a really special experience." "This was my first time seeing the Jongmyo Daeje, and even though I didn't know much about it, it made me want to learn more about traditional culture." "So we took the chance and came to this palace to see what was going on, what it looks like. It's very interesting I have to say." The timeless rituals of the two-hour ceremony not only honor Korea's royal heritage but also preserve a profound cultural legacy that still captivates and inspires today. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

[K-enter] j-hope surprises fans with encore concert on BTS anniversary

2025/05/08 14:00

So, let’s start off with some exciting news for BTS fans, especially fans of a specific member. BTS j-hope is preparing a special gift for ARMYs on a very meaningful day. BIGHIT MUSIC, j-hope’s agency, announced on Wednesday that j-hope will hold his encore concert, “j-hope Tour: HOPE ON THE STAGE – FINAL,” on June 13th and 14th at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium. This encore concert will serve as the grand finale of j-hope’s solo world tour, which began in February at KSPO Dome in Seoul. The tour has since spanned over 15 cities and 31 performances across the globe, including Chicago, Mexico City, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Osaka. What makes this finale concert even more special is that the first of the two shows will be held on June 13th, which is the anniversary of BTS’s debut. Ticket sales will begin on May 12th for fan club pre-sales and 13th for general sales. And if you don’t get your hands on one of the tickets, not to worry. The concert will be streamed live through an online platform. It definitely will be a gift for ARMYs on such a special day. Our next story is a comeback story. Who are we talking about? DAY6 are back with a fresh burst of spring energy. On Wednesday, the band released their new digital single “Maybe Tomorrow.” This marks DAY6’s first new release since their 9th mini album “Band Aid,” released back in September last year. “Maybe Tomorrow” blends vibrant drum beats, refreshing instrumentals, and emotionally charged vocals. The members were very active in making the new single. Young K wrote the lyrics, delivering hopeful messages, while Young K and Wonpil took part in the composition. Meanwhile, DAY6 are set to hold the grand finale of their third world tour titled, “DAY6 3RD WORLD TOUR FINALE in SEOUL,” from May 9th to 11th and again from May 16th to 18th at KSPO DOME in Seoul. DAY6 songs always lift me up. And the next boy group does too. The name of the band already says it: RIIZE. There’s a chance for K-pop fans in the States to meet them? RIIZE will become the first K-pop act to perform at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in the United States. The festival will be held over six days from October 3rd to 5th and from the 10th to 12th at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. RIIZE will perform during the first weekend. The ACL Music Festival began in 2002 and attracts up to 450-thousand attendees every year. Along with RIIZE, this year’s lineup includes singer Sabrina Carpenter, rapper Doja Cat, and rock band The Strokes. It’s not the first time that RIIZE are dominating the global stage. Last year, they were the first K-pop artist to perform at Tecate Emblema, Mexico’s biggest pop festival. Meanwhile, RIIZE are currently gearing up for their first full-length album “Odyssey” set to be released on May 19th. Excited to see them shine on another global stage. Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

DP presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung welcomes retrial postponement decision

2025/05/08 10:00

In the meantime, things are working out for the Democratic Party's presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, with a major legal hurdle cleared for him, as the high court on Wednesday decided to postpone his election law violation case retrial until after the election. Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The first hearing for the retrial of Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung's election law violation case has been rescheduled from May 15th to June 18th after the 21st presidential election. The Seoul High Court announced on Wednesday that the postponement was to ensure the defendant has a fair opportunity to campaign and to avoid any controversy over the fairness of the trial. The court added that it has always conducted trials independently and fairly based on the Constitution and the law, and will continue to do so. This comes after Lee's legal team submitted a request to the court on Wednesday morning to reschedule. The Supreme Court last week struck down a lower court's acquittal of Lee, sending the case back to the appeals court. The party, which has been urging the high court to postpone the hearing, and Lee welcomed the court's announcement, calling it the right decision. "This is a critical time when the people are practically exercising their sovereignty, so it’s extremely important to ensure nothing hinders that process. I believe the court made a rightful and necessary decision in line with the spirit of the Constitution." The People Power Party, on the other hand, expressed regret over the decision, with Floor Leader Kweon Seong-dong saying the court gave in to pressure from Lee's side. The same day, the Seoul Central District Court also postponed Lee's trial related to a land development scandal one of five cases he is currently facing. Hearings were originally scheduled for May, but the court rescheduled it for June 24th. At the parliament, a DP-proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act has passed the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee led by members of the DP despite a boycott by the PPP members. The amendment aims to halt legal proceedings once a defendant is elected president. Meanwhile, Lee on Wednesday continued meeting voters across the country, this time visiting Jeollabuk-do and Chungcheongnam-do provinces. During a visit to Jeollabuk-do, he asked for support, saying that local governments issuing more vouchers and providing basic income where people receive regular, unconditional payments would help increase the rural population. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

Fed holds rates amid rising economic uncertainty over tariff policies, inflation risks

2025/05/08 10:00

As widely expected, the U.S. Federal Reserve decided to leave its interest rates unchanged, citing economic uncertainty and rising inflation. It's the third consecutive freeze since Trump took office, despite ongoing pressure for cuts. Shin Se-byuck reports. The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at 4-point-2-5 to 4-point-5-0 percent on Wednesday, amid growing economic uncertainty fueled by U.S. tariff policies. Fed Chair Jerome Powell cited slowing job growth and rising inflation as key reasons for the freeze. "The risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation appear to have risen." The Fed also pointed to the economic uncertainties surrounding the White House's tariff policies. "The tariff increases announced so far have been significantly larger than anticipated. their effects on the economy remain highly uncertain." Powell further emphasized that the inflationary impact of these tariffs could vary widely, depending on their duration and scope. This marks the central bank's third consecutive rate freeze since President Donald Trump took office in January, with each Federal Open Market Committee meeting so far opting against a rate hike. Trump has repeatedly pressured the Fed to cut rates, arguing that his tariff strategy should not lead to economic slowdown or higher consumer prices. Despite this, Powell says the central bank's decisions remain independent. He stressed that the Fed will continue to focus on maximum employment and price stability. As for the timing of potential rate cuts, Powell avoided a direct answer. He said the Fed will "wait and see how things evolve" before deciding on its next monetary policy steps. The Fed's latest decision leaves the U.S.-South Korea interest rate gap unchanged at 1-point-7-5 percentage points, based on the upper end of each country's benchmark rates, with Korea's current rate at 2-point-7-5 percent. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.

Trump says 'no' to bringing down tariffs for China before negotiations

2025/05/08 10:00

Trade officials from the U.S. and China are set to meet for their first round of negotiations in Geneva this weekend. Despite some momentum building up between the two major economies, Trump says he's not lowering any tariffs for Beijing before trade talks begin. Lee Seung-jae reports. Amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and China, U.S. President Donald Trump said he won't lower his 145 percent tariff on Chinese imports before trade talks happen between the two countries. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump was asked if he would be "open to pulling back" on his tariffs in order to bring China to the negotiation table, to which he simply replied "no." The comments come as Beijing said earlier that meaningful negotiations would only happen if Washington lowers the 145 percent tariffs first. His comments come as a meeting between U.S. and Chinese trade officials is set to take place in Geneva on Saturday. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are set to meet with China's economic chief He Lifeng, in what could be the first step towards de-escalating tensions between the two economic powers. Speaking to Fox News earlier this week, Bessent said the trade talks will center mostly on de-escalating tensions, and not on a "big trade deal." Last month, President Trump raised import duties on Chinese goods to 145 percent, despite scaling back on his reciprocal tariffs on almost all other U.S. trading partners. China retaliated with steep tariffs on U.S. goods, further escalating the trade tensions. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Black smoke from Sistine Chapel signals no pope elected in first round of conclave

2025/05/08 10:00

Thousands of people gathered at the Vatican on Wednesday only to see black smoke billowing from the top of the Sistine Chapel. Voting to choose a new pope continues on Thursday with four rounds of voting. Lee Eun-hee has more. Black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican on Wednesday, signaling that the conclave had failed to elect a new pope on the first day. As the dark smoke curled into the night sky, a wave of disappointment swept through the crowd gathered at St. Peter's Square, many of whom had been waiting for hours. "It's an emotion, it's an emotion to be here, especially, and we will be here again tomorrow. It was expected to be black smoke today, for the first vote." The black smoke from the burning ballots came more than three hours after the start of the conclave, taking longer than expected. This was an hour longer than it took for smoke to appear after the first vote in the 2013 conclave that elected the late Pope Francis. "I would like it to be a Pope who continues the legacy of Pope Francis, meaning that he is a more open, more liberal Pope, because that is the way to attract people to the Church." To be elected, a new pope must secure at least 89 votes, a two-thirds majority. The conclave will resume on Thursday, with 1-hundred-33 cardinals from 70 countries voting in strict secrecy. "Yes, we'll come back tomorrow because we live here, so tomorrow, from the morning, we'll be on the lookout to see if there's white smoke." When a pope is chosen, white smoke will emerge from the chimney. Starting Thursday, the cardinals will hold four votes a day, two votes in the morning session and two in the afternoon. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

PPP candidate rejects pressure to merge with former PM, with 2nd merger talks on Thursday

2025/05/08 10:00

Amid pressure to create a coalition between conservative party candidate Kim Moon-soo and former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in the upcoming presidential election, their first attempt towards the move largely failed on Wednesday. With a tight election schedule ahead, it's no walk in the park. We have our political correspondent Oh Soo-young on the line. 1.Sooyoung, let's begin with this emergency press conference by People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo. In an emergency briefing Thursday, Kim refused to give into party pressure and the so-called roadmap to merge with independent candidate Han Duck-soo, accusing the PPP leadership of trying to drag down his campaign despite having legitimately won the party's primary. He called on the party to halt its unilateral merger plans, threatening litigation against what he called an undemocratic, and illegal takeover of his campaign. He rejected a televised debate planned by the party at 6 PM, between Kim and Han, saying they should hold one next Wednesday, followed by two days of polling to decide on a merger. The PPP has been pushing for its main candidate Kim and former PM Han, to join forces in the presidential race, against their main opponent the Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung who currently leads the polls. Han and Kim came second and third respectively in recent public surveys. After he emerged as the leading PPP candidate,.. Kim has argued it should be him not the party that leads efforts towards a union. The candidate added he will continue sincerely working with Han to reach an agreement. Their 75-minute talks on Wednesday fell through, with Kim complaining that while he set out a proposal, Han said he entrusted the matter entirely to the PPP. Han, for his part, said that if no agreement is reached by the May 11 registration deadline, he will not enter the race. Kim says he has contacted Han directly to propose a second meeting on Thursday at 4 PM. Han’s side accepted, while also suggesting the two hold more extensive talks in the evening. 2. And there was some panic within the PPP which came up with emergency measures to prompt a merger. Yes. The PPP leadership held an emergency meeting Wednesday, and announced a roadmap towards uniting the campaigns, starting with a one-on-one televised debate between Kim and Han at 6 PM Thursday. Now that has fallen through. But they will still conduct a poll on the two candidates from 7PM until 4PM on Friday, evenly reflecting party and public preferences. PPP spokesperson Shin Dong-wook said leadership invoked a special clause in the party charter to prompt emergency measures in the candidate selection process. Shin said this was justified, citing a poll that showed 87 percent of PPP members support a Kim-Han union before May 11th. Meanwhile, senior party figures have taken dramatic action. Nine PPP advisers, led by former chairman Kim Moo-sung, launched a hunger strike on Wednesday, calling the merger a moral imperative. Lawmaker Kim Mi-ae and floor leader Kweon Seong-dong also joined in, with Kweon on Thursday blasting Kim Moon-soo's latest remarks. Some party members, including former presidential contenders have criticized the leadership, saying their push undermines the legitimacy of candidacy procedures. The merger really is easier said than done it seems, and we'll have to see how the talks today proceed. Thanks for keeping us updated.

[Weather] Beautiful, warm day on Parents' Day

2025/05/08 10:00

We're expecting a beautiful, warm day across the country on this Parents' Day. Just a reminder that we'll see a big difference in temperatures throughout the day. Sunny skies are in store, in fact, sunshine could be too strong, boosting UV rays to very high levels in most parts of Korea. Don't forget to apply sunscreen before going out in the sun! And this afternoon, Seoul, Daejeon and Gwangju will reach a warm 25 degrees, Daegu will get up to 24 degrees. Air will be clean nationwide. Meanwhile, the clouds will start to roll in from tonight. And get ready for rain tomorrow! It will begin in the southern regions early tomorrow morning before spreading nationwide. This rain could be quite heavy at times, especially on Jeju Island, where we might see up to 50 millimeters falling per hour. Rain will also bring much cooler temperatures to the country and it will stay breezier than norms through the weekend.

Disney announces plans for new theme park in Abu Dhabi

2025/05/08 10:00

Finally, Walt Disney announced on Wednesday that it plans to open its first theme park resort in the Middle East, selecting the United Arab Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi, as the location. Disney's seventh global resort and first new theme park in over a decade will be on Yas Island, a popular destination with many other family-friendly attractions. The project is a collaboration with Miral, a regional developer known for creating immersive destinations. The new resort aims to blend Disney's iconic storytelling with Abu Dhabi's rich culture and modern architecture. Disney CEO Bob Iger said the project will be "authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati."

France's Macron: will push for EU sanctions against Syria to not be renewed in June

2025/05/08 10:00

Following a meeting in Paris with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday that France will support the gradual lifting of European Union sanctions on Syria, if Syria maintains a trajectory toward "civil peace and harmony." Macron emphasized that if Syria continues on its "current path," France will support the progressive easing of EU sanctions and lobby the United States to consider similar actions. Meanwhile, the Syrian leader also mentioned that Syria is engaging in indirect talks with Israel to prevent further hostilities in the region.

New German gov't announces tighter border controls to curb migration

2025/05/08 10:00

Germany's new government, led by Friedrich Merz, has announced plans to tighten border controls. The plans aim to reduce illegal migration and address concerns over security. Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt on Wednesday detailed the government's strategy to bolster border security, including the deployment of an additional 3,000 police officers at the border. This would increase the total border force to 14,000. Stricter checks will be conducted, and undocumented migrants will be turned away at the borders. While the new measures aim to deter illegal crossings, vulnerable individuals, such as pregnant women and children, will still be permitted entry. The policy marks a shift from the previous administration's approach, which allowed many asylum seekers to enter Germany. Chancellor Merz emphasized that these actions are necessary to restore order and public confidence.

Israeli airstrikes hit crowded market and restaurant, killing at least 33 in Gaza City

2025/05/08 10:00

Israeli airstrikes have struck densely populated areas in Gaza City leading to more than 30 deaths. On Wednesday local time, Israeli airstrikes struck a crowded market and a nearby restaurant in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of at least 33 people. The market was packed with people when the airstrike hit, causing immediate fatalities and injuries. Shortly after, a nearby restaurant, known to be operating as a community kitchen, was also hit, leading to additional casualties. The Israeli Defense Forces have stated that their operations are aimed at targeting Hamas militants; however, they have resulted in significant civilian deaths, drawing criticism from the international community.

Pyongyang fires ballistic missiles toward East Sea from Wonsan area

2025/05/08 10:00

North Korea has launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea. Several projectiles, presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles, were launched from the Wonsan area at 8:10 AM on Thursday, according to Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff. This marks the first launches in around two months, and the second since the current U.S. Trump administration came into office. The South Korean military is looking into specific details, and said it is maintaining a full readiness posture while closely sharing information with the U.S. and Japan.

[Weather] Early summer-like heat continues tomorrow with high UV rays

2025/05/07 20:00

Returning back to daily life after the long holiday, some perfect clear spring weather appeared today. The temperature in Seoul rose to 20 degrees Celsius today, widening the daily temperature difference. You need to take good care of your health throughout this week amid these temperature swings. Even hotter early summer-like heat will appear with the daytime temperature rising to 25 degrees in Seoul tomorrow. UV rays will also stay high in the morning, and they'll be very high in the afternoon. Please wear sunscreen before going outside. Tomorrow morning will be very similar to today with Seoul at 10 degrees, Busan at 12 degrees. Highs will move up to at least 20 degrees all over the country. On Friday, it will start to rain from the south coast and Jeju Island at dawn and spread across the country in the morning. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

"Jongmyo Daeje": Keeping Korea's centuries-old royal ritual alive

2025/05/07 20:00

On the first Sunday of every May, an ancient ritual takes place at the Jongmyo Shrine here in Seoul in memory of the deceased monarchs of the Joseon Dynasty. Our Lee Eun-hee was there this past weekend. The king, carried in a royal palanquin, travels from the palace to Jongmyo Shrine. He is escorted by rows of officials and royal guards. When they reach the shrine, this impressive scene marks the beginning of a special reenactment the "Jongmyo Daeje," a grand royal ancestral ritual from the Joseon Dynasty. "So, the Jongmyo Daeje—it's a ceremony that honors the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty, and it's no ordinary event. Recognized by UNESCO, it's a rare chance to see centuries-old royal traditions come to life." The ceremony begins with placing the ancestral tablets or "shinju" of past kings and queens on the altar, followed by rites to greet and honor the spirits. With offerings of liquor, deep bows, and traditional music and dance, the ritual unfolds in solemn and precise tradition. This intangible cultural heritage was the Joseon Dynasty's grandest and most significant state ritual conducted by the king. It was first revived in 1969 and is still held on the first Sunday of May and again in November. Originally built in the late 14th century, Jongmyo Shrine is recognized by UNESCO as the oldest and most well-preserved Confucian royal ancestral shrine. This year, for the first time in six years, the ritual at the main hall, "Jeongjeon" was open to the public, following five years of restoration work. In April, a "Hwananje" ceremony was held to mark the return of the ancestral tablets of the Joseon kings and queens to their original place in the main hall. "Since Jongmyo Daeje is a meaningful event held at a cultural heritage site, I wanted to wear a hanbok and chose a traditional one." "I left at 4 AM to attend this event today I was happy to hear all the traditional music I was hoping for-it was a really special experience." "This was my first time seeing the Jongmyo Daeje, and even though I didn't know much about it, it made me want to learn more about traditional culture." "So we took the chance and came to this palace to see what was going on, what it looks like. It's very interesting I have to say." The timeless rituals of the two-hour ceremony not only honor Korea's royal heritage but also preserve a profound cultural legacy that still captivates and inspires today. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

Volunteer tourists bring helping hands back to Korea's worst wildfire-hit regions

2025/05/07 20:00

In other news. The most devastating wildfire in the country more than a month ago has left a deep scar in the southeast, still recovering from the severe damage. But hope is there. It's for this reason that a group of "volunteer tourists" are visiting the regions. Our Park Kun-woo has their story. Weeks have passed since the worst wildfire in South Korea's history mainly scorched Gyeongsangbuk-do Province in the southeast part of the country in March. Over 99-thousand hectares of land, roughly the size of 140-thousand football fields, were affected. In hard-hit regions like Andong, signs of the disaster still remain from charred trees on once-dense forest slopes to ruined homes, warehouses, and damaged cultural heritage sites. And with recovery still underway, tourist numbers have declined. But recently, change has been made thanks to volunteer tourists visitors who come not just to travel, but to help. Wearing gloves and masks, and fueled by sincerity, they are clearing away burnt tree branches and gently cleaning cultural treasures using camelia oil amid thick dust. "I was scared when the wildfire happened, though my school wasn't very close. I can only imagine how terrifying it must've been for people living nearby. That's why I came believing that small acts like ours can lead to big changes." "Burnt tree branches like this are scattered everywhere. Just clearing one away helps bring life back to this region. And especially in a place that's full of cultural heritage, such as Andong, you get to realize how much we almost lost. That's why every small effort here truly matters." And the residents have taken notice. "The wildfire happened overnight. Everything just burned down. So it means a lot seeing these young people come all the way to this rural area to help us." After lending a hand, participants also get a chance to explore the area's beauty and history. "I'd never had the chance to visit neat places like Manhyujeong Pavilion before. Knowing it almost burned down made the visit even more meaningful." To boost recovery, the government is also rolling out campaigns to encourage more visitors, offering travel discounts and support, along with more volunteer tourism programs. And with the help of these visitors, efforts are raising hopes to bring vitality back to fire-stricken regions. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Andong.

Papal conclave begins on Wednesday with 133 cardinals set to vote

2025/05/07 20:00

The papal conclave to choose the next pope begins on Wednesday at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. One hundred-33 cardinals from 70 countries the largest and most diverse gathering in history will vote under strict secrecy. To be elected a candidate must secure at least 89 votes a two-thirds majority. The result of each vote will be revealed through smoke rising from the chapel's chimney white for a new pope black for no result. Pope Francis was elected in two days back in 2013.

Kim skips Russian military parade as Xi visits for high-stakes summit

2025/05/07 20:00

North Korea's Kim Jong-un will not be attending Russia's Victory Day celebration this week but Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to do so. Our correspondent Kim Jung-sil covers the implications of this reality. In the heart of Moscow, Russia is preparing for a highly symbolic Victory Day—marking 80 years since the end of World War II. But this year's event is unfolding under a different kind of pressure: the ongoing war in Ukraine. The commemorations run from May 8 to 11, with the annual military parade set for Friday in Red Square. 29 world leaders are expected, and military units from 13 countries—including China—will join Russian troops in the parade. But one leader who won't be attending is North Korea's Kim Jong-un. Pyongyang is expected to send its ambassador in Moscow, Shin Hong-chol, in his place. Though the North has confirmed support for Russian forces against Ukraine, its troops won't join the parade. "There was simply no realistic way for Kim to get there. North Korea has no aircraft for the trip, and going by train would take several days." Another possible factor may involve Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is now confirmed to attend. "Given that President Xi Jinping is the most prominent guest at this year's event, it's possible that Kim Jong-un chose to stay away to avoid being overshadowed." Professor Lim added that Kim's absence may also reflect lingering tensions in North Korea's relationship with China. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping is stepping into the spotlight. His visit will include a summit with President Putin, expected to reaffirm the two countries' growing strategic partnership. "I'd like to highlight that Russia and China's comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction are now at the highest level in history." Analysts say the summit is expected to focus on long-term economic ties and strategic coordination, as both countries face growing pressure from the West. As China draws closer and North Korea pulls back, this year's Victory Day underscores a shifting power dynamic in Northeast Asia—less about history, and more about strategy. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

India strikes Pakistani territory in retaliation to Kashmir attack

2025/05/07 20:00

In what many observers are calling "a dramatic escalation in tensions," two nuclear neighbors India and Pakistan have traded fierce fire over last month's deadly terrorist attack in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir. Byeon Ye-young reports. In the early hours of Wednesday, the Indian military launched a strike inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistani officials report at least 30 civilian deaths, including children, and over four dozen injured. Coined "Operation Sindoor," the strike targeted what India called "terrorist infrastructure," with the Indian government stressing that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the attack "cowardly," and the Pakistani army spokesperson promised a strong response as well. "This cowardly, unjustified act of the enemy will be responded to strongly by the Pakistan Army, responding with the support of the Pakistani nation." Pakistan claimed several Indian fighter jets were shot down in retaliation. India, meanwhile, reports at least 7 civilians were killed by Pakistani shelling across the de facto border that divides Kashmir between the two countries. The escalating military exchange follows weeks of rising hostility, notably the April 22nd terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed dozens, in which Pakistan has denied involvement. With both countries on high alert, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged the two nuclear powers to exercise restraint. "It is also essential, especially at this critical hour, to avoid the military confrontation that could easily spin out of control. Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink." U.S. President Donald Trump called the operation "a shame," while neighboring China expressed regret over India's actions and urged both sides to avoid further escalation. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

Won-to-dollar exchange rate hits strongest level in 6 months

2025/05/07 20:00

The South Korean currency gained ground against the U.S. dollar on this Wednesday, trading at one-thousand-3-hundred-79 won in the early hours of its session today. This marks the won's strongest level against the greenback in six months and comes in light of expectations surrounding the planned tariff talks between the U.S. and China. Also, Asian currencies rallied as investors continued to withdraw money from the U.S. amid concerns of a possible recession.