News

S. Korea's exports of dried seaweed, or gim, hit record high in 2025 Q1

2025/04/21 17:00

Exports of gim, Korea's dried seaweed rose remarkably during the first quarter of this year with shipments to the U.S. soaring. Lee Eun-hee has details. The exports of Korean staple gim, or dried seaweed, hit a record high in the first quarter of this year, driven by strong demand from U.S. and China. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation on Monday, Korea's seaweed export value in the first quarter of this year reached 281-million U.S. dollars, or around 402-billion Korean won. That is more than 20-percent increase from the same period last year. Export volume for the first quarter also rose to 10-thousand-161 tons, up more than 7-percent from last year. Compared to the same period in 2015, this marks a massive 844-percent increase over the past decade. Monthly export growth rates compared to the same period last year stood at more than 7-percent for January, over 52-percent for February, and over ten-percent in March according to the Korea Maritime Institute's Fisheries Outlook Center. With the demand from major overseas markets remaining high, the center is expecting to see the exports for this month to also exceed those of both last year and historical average for the same month. By country, the United States was the largest importer of Korean seaweed in the first quarter, followed by China, Japan, and Thailand. The type of seaweed each country prefers is a bit different though. Most of Korea's seaweed exports to China were in the form of dried seaweed, with 2-thousand-258 tons shipped, a whopping 97-percent increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, the U.S. remains the top destination for seasoned seaweed, with exports reaching 1-thousand-367 tons in the first quarter, accounting for more than 30-percent of total seasoned seaweed exports. The Oceans and Fisheries Ministry attributed such growing demand in China, to the popularity of Korean dramas and films, which have sparked a gimbap trend and a surge in dried seaweed consumption. In the U.S., the popularity of seaweed snacks has pushed up demand. With both export volume and value on the rise, the government is expecting gim exports to hit its annual goal of one-billion U.S. dollars this year, two years before the original target date of 2027. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Hyundai, Kia win seven honors at 2025 Red Dot Awards

2025/04/21 17:00

South Korean carmakers clinched seven awards at the 2025 Red Dot Design Awards. According to Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Corporation Kia's compact electric SUV the EV3 won the "Best of the Best" award in the Product Design category extending the carmaker's success in this category following wins for the EV6 in 2022 and the EV9 in 2024. Meanwhile Hyundai's IONIQ 9 and the Palisade SUV were also among those honored in their respective categories.

"Freedom Flag," S. Korea and U.S. large-scale joint air exercise kicks off its two-week run

2025/04/21 17:00

And on the defense front. South Korea and the U.S. are currently involved in a two-week air drill that began last week and will last until early May. Our correspondent Kim Bo-kyung files this report. Fighter jets fly through the air, making thunderous sounds. This, as part of South Korea and the U.S.' large-scale joint air power exercise the "Freedom Flag" at Gwangju Air Base. Held two times in a year, combining "Korea Flying Training" and "Vigilant Defense, " this over two-week journey began on Thursday. Aiming to advance combined air power capabilities, while improving interoperability between pilots from both countries, the 24-hour operating Mission Planning Cell organizes the exercise, for pilots to embark on their missions. Approximately 11-hundred personnel join the drill, and more than 90 aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles such as U.S. MQ-9, take part in the event. "This drill will serve as a chance to further strengthen the combined defense posture and enhance our joint response capabilities against various threats on future battlefields." Another notable part is that the drill will also be based on complex scenarios against a high-level simulated threat, involving an advanced stealth jet. "This is a U.S. Marine Corps' F-35B, one of the U.S. stealth fighter jets that came from Japan. Along with ROK F-35As,. these fifth-generation jets will play the role of "red air" enemy aircraft for the first time during the exercise." "By putting a stealth fighter, our most capable, on the red side, it gives our pilots, our airbound managers, everyone involved, a more difficult problem to try and solve. So, by going against a capable threat, we're just enhancing our own capability through these missions." By carrying out high-level air-to-air combat missions, and working side by side, South Korea and the U.S. expect bolstered trust, building upon the alliance. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News, Gwangju.

S. Korea to launch fourth spy satellite on Apr. 22nd from Cape Canaveral

2025/04/21 17:00

South Korea is scheduled to send into space its fourth spy satellite Tuesday morning Korea Time from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This latest launch is part of South Korea's plan to put into orbit five satellites by the end of this year to bolster surveillance of North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and reduce reliance on U.S. satellite imagery. South Korea's first spy satellite was launched in December 2023. The success of this latest launch will be confirmed some three hours after blast-off.

Japanese PM Ishiba sends offering to Yasukuni Shrine, unlikely to visit amid Seoul, Beijing backlash

2025/04/21 17:00

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a ritual offering to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on this Monday as the shrine began its three-day annual spring festival. A similar offering was made during the autumn festival last year. The Japanese leader is reportedly not expected to make an in-person visit in light of concerns of a potential backlash from South Korea and China. The shrine honors 14 convicted Class A Japanese war criminals from the Second World War. The last sitting Japanese prime minister to visit the shrine in person was Shinzo Abe in 2013.

Russia, Ukraine trade accusations over "Easter truce" violations

2025/04/21 17:00

On the international front. A 30-hour ceasefire unilaterally declared by Russia to mark Easter Sunday this past weekend has come to an end amid much doubt about the sincerity of the declaration. Park Kun-woo has more. Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of violating the "Easter truce" that lasted 30-hours from 6 PM Saturday, Moscow time, and has now expired. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has alleged that Russian forces breached the ceasefire around 3-thousand times since Sunday. He earlier said Russia had no intention of ending the war, adding it was only interested in a PR exercise. Similar skepticism was shared by those on the front lines. "It was announced only to show to the world as if they are making some steps, concessions for us. But in reality, nothing has changed." On the other side, the Russian Foreign Ministry accused Kyiv of violating the truce over a thousand times, firing shells and launching hundreds of drones, and even some U.S.-supplied missiles. Its defense ministry said Moscow "strictly observed" the ceasefire. Some residents in Donetsk, that's been under Russian control since 2014, expressed distrust toward Ukraine. "I don't have hopes on the Ukrainian side, they have deceived us so many times, I do not trust them." While Ukraine urged for an extension of the truce, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said just hours before its expiration that no new orders had been received from President Vladimir Putin. Amid the continuing tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope on Sunday that the two sides will be able to make a peace deal this week, adding it could open the doors for "big business" with the U.S. With a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal possibly being signed later this week, attention now turns to whether new efforts will be made to help bring the war to an end. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Fmr. President Yoon's legal team goes head-to-head with key witness at second criminal trial hearing

2025/04/21 17:00

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was in court earlier on this Monday for the second hearing of the criminal case against him on charges of insurrection. Our Moon Hye-ryeon reports. A dark navy suit paired with a red tie — this is what former President Yoon Suk Yeol wore to the second hearing of his criminal trial on Monday. In the first footage made available to the public since his trial began, he was seen entering the courtroom and taking his seat at the defendant's bench with his lips tightly closed, ignoring the press cameras flashing around him. The media were required to leave before proceedings officially began. Previously, the court did not allow the media to film in the courtroom, explaining that the request came in too late for the appropriate judicial procedures to be followed. At today's trial, Yoon's legal team cross-examined Cho Sung-hyun from the army's capital defense command, who had been summoned as a key witness by the prosecution. During the first hearing last week, Cho testified that he received a direct order from his superior to enter the National Assembly and remove lawmakers on the night of the martial law order declaration last December. Yoon's legal team questioned the feasibility of such an order before challenging the credibility of his testimony by highlighting inconsistencies between his statements across different legal proceedings. Throughout the session, the defense continued to warn Cho that false testimony could result in legal consequences and demanded that he "speak accurately." The exchange escalated when Cho, frustrated by repeated questioning, appealed directly to the bench — which was acknowledged by the judge. To secure a conviction on charges of insurrection, prosecutors must prove that Yoon deliberately sought to overthrow the constitutional order by mobilizing the military. If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment — or even the death penalty. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

DP's Lee solidifies lead for presidential candidacy while PPP's first cut-off to come on Tues. evening

2025/04/21 17:00

On the political front. The Democratic Party's presidential contender for the early election will be announced this coming weekend while the results of the People Power Party's first elimination will be shared late Tuesday. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon covers the partisan campaigns. As the Democratic Party of Korea's front-runner Lee Jae-myung strengthens his dominance in the party's presidential primary, with around 90 percent of the cumulative votes so far, he now looks beyond the primaries and eyes the undecided voters for the actual presidential race. On Monday he visited the Korea Financial Investment Association and discussed the stock exchange. He pledged to surpass 5-thousand points in the stock market through various measures around double of what it's at today. Meanwhile, the current runner-up, Kim Dong-yeon, has pledged to turn the primary around, saying having a clear front-runner is not good for the party overall. The party will announce the results of its primaries in the Jeolla-do provinces on Saturday, and those for the Seoul Metropolitan Area, alongside Gangwon-do Province and Jeju on Sunday. Public polls, accounting for 50 percent of the total, will be held for two days between April 21st and 27th, with the final candidate confirmed on April 27th. Meanwhile, after two days of heated debates, the open poll for the first round cut-off for the People Power Party primary started on Monday with four of eight to be cut. This is a 100-percent open opinion survey where both PPP and undecided supporters will be surveyed. And to boost their chances, three contestants traveled to Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province on Monday a region known as a conservative stronghold. Han Dong-hoon went to Gyeongju City to visit the preparations for this year's APEC Summit. Na Kyung-won and Ahn Cheol-soo also visited Daegu to meet with supporters there. Kim Moon-soo, who has a slight lead among the eight contestants according to recent polls, pledged to expand rapid train lines across the nation, while Hong Joon-pyo shared his vision for welfare through a press conference. The result of the polling done on Monday and Tuesday will be released sometime on Tuesday evening. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Exports for first 20 days of April drop as shipments to U.S. fall

2025/04/21 17:00

And while we await that upcoming bilateral consultation the TOLL of U.S. tariffs on Korea's trade numbers has become clear. Exports lost ground during the first 20 days of this month. According to the Korea Customs Service outbound shipments stood at 33-point-9 billion U.S. dollars during this period down 5-point-2 percent on year. In fact findings show Korea's exports to the U.S. market tumbled over 14 percent in the face of the Trump administration's tariffs. Among Korea's top ten export items nine including cars noted declines while chips climbed.

K-Wave AI news

2025/04/21 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The ancestral tablets of Joseon kings and queens have returned to Jongmyo after five years. Established by the first king of the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo, Jongmyo is an ancestral shrine dedicated to memorial rites of Joseon located in central Seoul. The tablets were temporarily moved to Changdeokgung Palace in 2020 after damage to parts of Jongmyo prompted major repairs. To mark their return, a traditional reenactment procession was held on Sunday along the 3.5 km route from Changdeokgung to Jongmyo, with over 1,000 participants. The procession was followed by "Goyuje," a ritual declaring the tablets' return. A special media façade illuminated Jongmyo at night, along with various celebratory performances. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Jongmyo shrine's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seoul will launch the spring edition of the 'Hangang River Night Tour' this week, offering a guided evening stroll along the river that winds through the heart of the capital. Led by expert storytellers, participants can immerse themselves in scenic views of starlight, moonlight, and city lights by the river at Banpo and Yeouido Hangang Parks. The program also includes hands-on crafting workshops. It runs every Friday and Saturday evening through June 14. Participation is lottery-based, and sign-ups are available at visit-hangang.seoul.kr. Incheon International Airport ranked third globally in international passenger traffic last year, handling over 70.6 million travelers. That's according to Airports Council International's latest report. Dubai took the top spot, followed by London's Heathrow. Incheon Airport attributed the surge to expanded infrastructure and increased travel during Korea's major holidays. Passenger numbers are projected to exceed 76 million this year. The airport also ranked third worldwide in international cargo volume, processing 2.9 million tons, up more than 7% from 2023. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture-Issue] The return of long-running original K-musicals

2025/04/21 14:00

“Old but gold“. This year, a number of Koreans’ favorite long-running original K-musicals are being welcomed back onto the stage. What does it take for musicals like “The Last Empress“ and “Love in the Rain“ to receive decades of love from the audience? We’ll answer that question and more with culture critic Professor Chie Hye-won at Kyung Hee University. Welcome Professor Chie! Q1. Professor Chie, please introduce to us the long-running Korean musicals that have become big again these days. Q2. Let’s talk a bit more about “The Last Empress“, which is a pioneer when it comes to original musical theater productions here in Korea. What makes it special and why has it stood the test of time? Q3. The musical “Love in the Rain“ meanwhile is known to be a “star incubator“, as it has served as a career doorway for many of the cast. Who are some of the mentionable names and what made “Love in the Rain“ a long-running musical? Q4. And it’s not only success in Korea, as these productions have also made it onto the global stage. How was the response from the overseas audience as well as from critics? Q5. These productions have also undergone some changes over the years. What are they? And how have each of the musicals grown into what they are today? Q6. What impact have these long-running original musicals have had on Korean performance culture, and how do you think they've contributed to the popularization of musical theater? Q7. The history of musicals goes back a long way in Europe and the U.S. There is a much bigger presence of long-running musicals overseas. What are the secrets to their longevity, and what are the conditions necessary for Korean musicals to follow suit? Thank you very much Professor Chie for your insights. Thank you Walter, see you tomorrow.

[Features-reporter] Remembering Jeju 4.3 incident

2025/04/21 14:00

Earlier this month, Koreans commemorated the anniversary of an uprising on South Korea's Jeju Island back in 1948. Days after we learned that the archives of the Jeju April 3rd incident were officially added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in remembrance of the victims of state violence. Our News Features reporter Ahn Sung-jin went down to Jeju to take a closer look at the historical artifacts. The search for answers still continues nearly 80 years after the Jeju April 3rd incident. Mr. Yang's grandfather was one of the missing from the incident. Only around ten years ago did he find out his grandfather had died in prison. "I still get emotional every time I talk about it, but the older I get, the more I understand the hardships of what my grandpa went through. I work on understanding the pain of those who have passed away." Mr. Yang works for the association of victim's families from the Jeju 4.3 incident. There are some 4-thousand tombstones of the missing victims that the families still mourn. The Jeju 4.3 incident traces back to an uprising on the island in the late 1940s, at a time when South Korea was still working on forming its own government. Following discontent over the election process and economic hardships, the Worker's Party of South Korea launched an armed uprising, which the government violently suppressed. Many were killed by the government forces and others allegedly involved in the uprising were sent to prison and tortured. Many like Mr. Yang's grandfather died in prison. "The reason this stone can't be placed is because this still doesn't have a name to it. Some call it a massacre, some say it's a revolt, but there has been no name given to it." Around 30-thousand people are thought to have died. More than 30 percent of them were elderly, children or women who were not affiliated with any of the combatants. "Those who know the past and the story behind it, work on raising awareness so more people recognize the value and significance of what happened here." The Jeju April 3rd incident became the background for Nobel Prize literature winner Han Kang's book "We do not part", discussing humanity and the survivors of the incident. "I read testimonies from massacre survivors, pored over materials, and then, in as restrained a manner as I could without looking away from the brutal details that felt almost impossible to put into words, I wrote what became 'We Do Not Part'." To make sure the incident and the victims are not forgotten, the Jeju 4.3 archives have been designated as a UNESCO Memory of the World. The documents in the archives illustrated the underlying human stories of Jeju. Time passes but what remains important is that people continue to remember. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Jeju.

[K-Enter] Jin and Chris Martin BFF

2025/04/21 14:00

Usually on K-enter news, we talk about Korean entertainers but there can be exceptions. British band Coldplay held a number of concerts here in Korea and on Saturday they were joined by a special guest? Yes, Coldplay have made their return to Korea after 8 years with their "Music of the Spheres World Tour" that blew the doors off the stadium. K-pop girl group Twice warmed up the crowd by opening all three nights, before Coldplay graced the stage. And if you were one of the lucky ones to have attended on Saturday's performance you were in for a little treat as BTS's Jin made a special appearance. Jin and Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin have a special bond as they have collaborated together in the past, working on songs such as Jin's solo song "Astronaut" and also a collaborative song with BTS "My Universe", which were both performed on the Saturday evening. Their relationship has grown over the years. In October 2022, just before Jin's military enlistment, he traveled to the other side of the world to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to join Coldplay on stage and perform "Astronaut" with the band. With two more concerts remaining, who knows if they have anyone else special planned. Next up WE meaning YOU and I have some really exciting news to go along with this news don't we? Big Ocean, the world's first deaf K-pop idol group, released their second mini-album titled "Underwater" on Sunday, marking both their first year anniversary and also Korea's "Day of People with Disabilities". The album is Big Ocean's story of realising they are like mermaids, awakening their instincts and embracing their identity. The album includes four tracks: the title song "ATTENTION," "FADE OUT," "END OF TIME," and member PJ's solo track "SINKING." I will talk a little more about PJ in just a second. Meanwhile, Big Ocean kicked off their first European tour on Saturday in Lausanne , Switzerland. Following that show, they will perform in a total of five cities, including Milan on the 23rd and London on the 24th. AND for that exciting news you mentioned Soa, we have an interview with Big Ocean member PJ tomorrow on the show so DO NOT MISS THAT! Yes we do! You should never miss a day of the Kulture Wave but especially not tomorrow. And lastly, moving over to a K-animation film! According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticket sales network, the film "Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning", which was released on February 21, surpassed a cumulative audience of 500,000 as of Saturday, ranking second in the 2025 animated box office overall. Despite strong competition since its release, the animation has consistently drawn audiences, and though 500,000 might not seem like a large number, in terms of animated movies this is considered a remarkable success for a Korean animation targeted at adults. The film is an occult blockbuster that depicts the beginning of an epic tale in which exorcists with special powers confront evil. It is based on the novel "Exorcism Chronicles" by author Lee Woo-hyuk , a legendary name in Korean fantasy literature. Thank you for that news Walter, don't go anywhere and let's take a look at what our AI news presenter Ari has for us today, Ari, take it away!

"Freedom Flag," S. Korea and U.S. large-scale joint air exercise kicks off its two-week run

2025/04/21 10:00

South Korea and the U.S.' joint large-scale air drill "Freedom Flag" is in full swing here in the country. The two-week drill this year is all about boosting joint response capabilities against various threats on future battlefields. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyung has this report. Fighter jets fly through the air, making thunderous sounds. This, as part of South Korea and the U.S.' large-scale joint air power exercise the "Freedom Flag" at Gwangju Air Base. Held two times in a year, combining "Korea Flying Training" and "Vigilant Defense, " this over two-week journey began on Thursday. Aiming to advance combined air power capabilities, while improving interoperability between pilots from both countries, the 24-hour operating Mission Planning Cell organizes the exercise, for pilots to embark on their missions. Approximately 11-hundred personnel join the drill, and more than 90 aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles such as U.S. MQ-9, take part in the event. "This drill will serve as a chance to further strengthen the combined defense posture and enhance our joint response capabilities against various threats on future battlefields." Another notable part is that the drill will also be based on complex scenarios against a high-level simulated threat, involving an advanced stealth jet. "This is a U.S. Marine Corps' F-35B, one of the U.S. stealth fighter jets that came from Japan. Along with ROK F-35As,. these fifth-generation jets will play the role of "red air" enemy aircraft for the first time during the exercise." "By putting a stealth fighter, our most capable, on the red side, it gives our pilots, our airbound managers, everyone involved, a more difficult problem to try and solve. So, by going against a capable threat, we're just enhancing our own capability through these missions." By carrying out high-level air-to-air combat missions, and working side by side, South Korea and the U.S. expect bolstered trust, building upon the alliance. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News, Gwangju.

On-point: Will South Korea find a breakthrough at 2+2 tariff talks?

2025/04/21 10:00

The 2+2 tariff negotiations in Washington this week will be critical for South Korea to find a breakthrough in Trump's reckless tariffs. Will the talks be the much-needed breakthrough or another setback? Let's turn to Dr. Younbshik Bong. Good morning. 1. Let's start with Acting President Han's statement South Korea not "fighting back" against Trump's tariffs, citing South Korea's historical debt to Washington. 2. The South Korean team will be aiming for win-win scenarios for both Seoul and Washington. 3. About the 2+2 meeting this week which will take place on the sidelines of the G20 finance ministers meeting. 4. South Korean officials claim the upcoming talks will be about consultations, not negotiations. 5. What should South Korea aim for during the first round of "consultation" this week? Thanks so much for connecting with us this morning.

Yoon's appearance at second hearing of 'insurrection trial' to be revealed to public

2025/04/21 10:00

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in person for the second hearing of his insurrection trial on Monday. The Seoul Central District Court's trial began at 10 AM, with the court accepting a request from the press to film the courtroom and the appearance of the former president sitting in the defendant's seat. It marks the first time that such footage will be made available to the public since the trial began. While Yoon's side did not agree to the filming, the court made the decision with public interest and people's right to know in mind.

S. Korea's exports of dried seaweed, or gim, hit record high in 2025 Q1

2025/04/21 10:00

South Korean dried seaweed, also known as 'gim' in Korean, has proven its global popularity, with its outbound shipments seeing a record high in the first quarter of the year. It was especially popular in the U.S. and China. Our Moon Hye-ryeon has more. The exports of Korean staple gim, or dried seaweed, hit a record high in the first quarter of this year, driven by strong demand from U.S. and China. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation on Monday, Korea's seaweed export value in the first quarter of this year reached 281-million U.S. dollars, or around 402-billion Korean won. That is more than 20-percent increase from the same period last year. Export volume for the first quarter also rose to 10-thousand-161 tons, up more than 7-percent from last year. Compared to the same period in 2015, this marks a massive 844-percent increase over the past decade. Monthly export growth rates compared to the same period last year stood at more than 7-percent for January, over 52-percent for February, and over ten-percent in March according to the Korea Maritime Institute's Fisheries Outlook Center. With the demand from major overseas markets remaining high, the center is expecting to see the exports for this month to also exceed those of both last year and historical average for the same month. By country, the United States was the largest importer of Korean seaweed in the first quarter, followed by China, Japan, and Thailand. The type of seaweed each country prefers is a bit different though. Most of Korea's seaweed exports to China were in the form of dried seaweed, with 2-thousand-258 tons shipped, a whopping 97-percent increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, the U.S. remains the top destination for seasoned seaweed, with exports reaching 1-thousand-367 tons in the first quarter, accounting for more than 30-percent of total seasoned seaweed exports. The Oceans and Fisheries Ministry attributed such growing demand in China, to the popularity of Korean dramas and films, which have sparked a gimbap trend and a surge in dried seaweed consumption. In the U.S., the popularity of seaweed snacks has pushed up demand. With both export volume and value on the rise, the government is expecting gim exports to hit its annual goal of one-billion U.S. dollars this year, two years before the original target date of 2027. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Trump hopes Russia, Ukraine will make a deal this week

2025/04/21 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump said he hopes Russia and Ukraine will make a peace deal this week and join the U.S to "do big business", while the Kremlin says Russia will not extend the 30-hour Easter truce, with both Moscow and Kyiv accusing each other of breaching the ceasefire deal. Lee Seung-jae reports. U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media on Sunday, to express hope that Russia and Ukraine will be able to secure a peace deal this week. According to the U.S. president, if both countries are able to strike a peace deal, they will be able to "do big business with the United States," which he says is "thriving, and make a fortune." Trump's comments come despite his threat to pull U.S. support from the peace process if either Moscow or Kyiv stalls negotiation talks. Meanwhile, on Saturday, the U.S. and Ukraine both called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend his 30-hour 'Easter truce,' and impose a 30-day ceasefire with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposing that Russia abandon drone and missile strikes on civilian infrastructure for at least 30 days. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin gave no such order, and the ceasefire came to an end at midnight Monday. Zelensky accused Russia of violating the Easter truce over two thousand times, while Russia's defense ministry alleged that Kyiv had broken the truce more than one thousand times. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

DP's Lee Jae-myung wins big in regional primaries; PPP candidates clash over Yoon's impeachment

2025/04/21 10:00

The Democratic Party held regional primaries in the country's southeast, where presidential hopeful Lee Jae-myung won by a wide margin in two regions. The People Power Party held its first debate over the weekend ahead of a public opinion poll that will determine four candidates advancing to the second round. Our Shin Ha-young reports. Both rival parties continued their primary races over the weekend. And there were no surprises as Democratic Party front-runner Lee Jae-myung won big again in the regional primary, this time in the nation's southeastern Gyeongsang-do provinces after his earlier victory in the Chungcheong-do provinces. In the latest round of voting, 70-point-8-8 percent of the 103-thousand eligible voters, including party members and delegates, took part. With the announcement made on Sunday evening, the former party leader strengthened his position as the DP's top contender, earning 90-point-8-1 percent of the vote, followed by Kim Kyung-soo with 5-point-9-3 percent, and Kim Dong-yeon with 3-point-2-6 percent. The latest result came a day after Lee's victory in the Chungcheong-do provinces, where he won with 88-point-1-5 percent. Kim Dong-yeon beat Kim Kyung-soo to take second place. The party will announce the results of its primaries in the Jeolla-do provinces on Saturday, and those for the Seoul Metropolitan Area, alongside Gangwon-do Province and Jeju on Sunday. Public polls, accounting for 50 percent of the total, will be held for two days between April 21st and 27th, with the final candidate confirmed on April 27th. Meanwhile, after two days of heated debates, the People Power Party wrapped up its first round of primary debates on Sunday. With eight contestants, they broke the first round debates into two groups and topics: 'Future for the young generations' and 'Social unity'. Lee Cheol-woo , Na Kyung-won , Han Dong-hoon , and Hong Joon-pyo clashed in the 'Social unity' debate over issues including former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and his martial law declaration. Han highlighted the illegality of Yoon's martial law declaration, siding with the pro-impeachment side, while the others criticized Han for leading the push to impeach Yoon. During the 'future for the young generations' debate on Saturday, Yoo Jeong-bok , Ahn Cheol-soo , Kim Moon-soo , and Yang Hyang-ja discussed foreign policy, AI, as well as Yoon's impeachment. During the debates, candidates also focused on promoting themselves, each claiming that they are the best option to defeat the DP front-runner Lee Jae-myung. The party will conduct a 100 percent open poll for two days, starting Monday, narrowing the field from the current eight to four candidates on Tuesday. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea "will not fight" but aim for deal with Washington, as top trade officials meet in D.C. this week

2025/04/21 10:00

South Korea's finance and trade officials are sitting down with their U.S. counterparts this week to hold the country's first tariff talks since Washington put its wide range of levies against its trading partners on hold. Acting President Han Duck-soo has made it clear South Korea will not be fighting but aiming for a 'win-win' arrangement. Oh Soo-young reports. South Korea will not fight but try to make a deal with the United States over Donald Trump's tariffs, as top trade officials meet in Washington this week. Seoul officials confirmed on Sunday that high-level consultations will take place., with Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun flying out to D.C. for a so-called "2+2" consultation. They will meet with their U.S. counterparts Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings. The bilateral was first proposed by the U.S., after the Trump Administration decided to delay its reciprocal tariffs, including a 25 percent duty on South Korean goods. The wide-ranging tariffs were paused for 90 days, after panic in U.S markets, wiped out five-point-four trillion dollars in just 48 hours. Shortly before implementing the pause, the U.S. President held a half-hour phone call with Acting President Han Duck-soo, and ordered officials to prioritize deals with allied countries like South Korea and Japan, projecting optimism that a "great deal" could be made. In an interview with the Financial Times published Sunday, Han said Seoul would not fight the U.S. over its tariffs, but hinted there could be concessions, for a win-win deal between the long-term allies. He suggested South Korea could increase purchases of U.S. liquefied natural gas and commercial aircraft, and that cooperation in naval shipbuilding could help America in strengthening alliances. Han further said Seoul could discuss non-tariff barriers, pointing to existing U.S. concerns about auto emissions regulations, pharma pricing, beef imports, and network fees imposed on platforms like Netflix. It's unclear whether the cost of keeping U.S. soldiers in South Korea will be raised during the session. While Trump has indicated he'd like a "one-stop shopping" deal combining trade and defense issues into a single package, Seoul officials are prioritizing trade talks to tackle tariffs,.. keeping security matters separate. The government has described the meeting as a "consultation," not a "negotiation," signaling a measured approach. The agenda and the schedule of this week's meeting are still being finalized. On whether the U.S. leader might appear at the meeting in person, as he did unexpectedly during talks with Japan last week, South Korea's trade minister said Sunday that Seoul is preparing for such a scenario. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.