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[ECON & BIZ] Economic pledges in S. Korea’s 2025 presidential race: what candidates propose on labor and housing

2025/05/22 20:00

Last week, we covered economic visions the candidates have for the next five years when it comes to future growth and trade policies. In this week's focus, we shed light on those related to labor reform and housing shared by the major three contenders. Our economics correspondent Lee Soo-jin has the details. South Korea's presidential election is just around the corner, and each candidate’s economic pledges are drawing increased attention from voters. This week, we look closer at candidates’ labor reform and housing pledges. The candidates are aiming to improve labor conditions to win the votes of the many who wish for a better work-life balance. To do so, the two frontrunners have proposed a 4-point-5-day workweek. The current standard workweek is five days, with most full-time workers logging 40 hours from Monday to Friday, and a legal maximum of 52 hours per week. The 5-day workweek was introduced with a 2003 revision to the Labor Standards Act and fully implemented nationwide by 2011, and now attention is on whether a 4-point-5 workweek will become a reality this year. So what does each candidate's 4-point-5 workweek look like? Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung has proposed reducing the standard workweek from 40 to 36 hours by cutting Friday afternoons, without reducing wages. The proposal also includes providing incentives for companies to adopt the new schedule, and has the long-term goal of eventually transitioning to a 4-day workweek. "South Korea’s total working hours are too long, about 200 hours more than the OECD average. Longer hours no longer mean higher productivity; efficiency and creativity are now key." People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo has proposed a 4-point-5 workweek that maintains the current 40-hour workweek by redistributing working hours across the week. Under this plan, employees work one extra hour from Monday to Thursday, and finish earlier on Friday, creating a shorter workday without cutting total weekly hours. He has also said that he supports granting exemptions to the 52-hour workweek limit for the semiconductor sector. "I will replace the rigid working hours system with a more flexible one, cut corporate and inheritance taxes significantly, and drastically reform regulations to help businesses thrive." Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok has strongly criticized the 4-point-5-day workweek proposal that reduces working hours without cutting wages, calling it unrealistic. He has instead pledged labor reforms that include giving local governments the authority to adjust the minimum wage to revitalize regional economies. Housing is a key issue for all three candidates, as the country's residence crisis has fueled voter concern and also contributed to the country’s low birth rate. While they all aim to increase supply, their approaches differ, here’s how. The key theme of Lee Jae-myung's housing proposal is "New Town." South Korea’s first New Town project from the late 1980s, which includes Bundang and Ilsan, now faces aging infrastructure that he plans to rebuild. Lee also pledges to cut red tape for Seoul’s downtown redevelopment, and to develop a 4th-generation New Town with more quality public housing. The key theme of Kim's proposal is "youth." Kim’s “3•3•3” Youth housing supply plan offers support for up to 9 years, 3 years after marriage, and 3 years each after the first and second child. His proposal also includes supplying 200-thousand homes for young adults, newlyweds and families, and more housing for single-person households. The key theme of Lee Jun-seok's proposal is "life stages." He plans to increase the supply of 59㎡ homes by promoting the redevelopment and building of small-unit housing. Lee pledged to promote high-density urban development, citing strong housing demand, and proposed housing tax cuts tailored to newlyweds seeking smaller homes, growing families needing more space, and seniors looking to downsize. Though each candidate’s vision differs, the emphasis on their economic pledges highlights the critical role the economy plays in this election.

Lee Jun-seok rejects PPP's push for merger in press conference

2025/05/22 20:00

Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok has firmly rejected a merger with the main conservative party candidate, saying it will be his own name and party on the voting ballots. On Thursday, Lee held an emergency press conference with regard to the People Power Party's so-called "love calls" to the young candidate, urging him to join hands with Kim Moon-soo, to form a stronger conservative ticket. Lee said that his support in national polls hit 10 percent for the first time, and dismissed the idea of a merger as "meaningless." He'd announced earlier in the day that he had blocked incoming phone calls for the time being. On his campaign trail, Lee continued to target young voters and centrists in the greater Seoul area. He held a discussion with Choi Won-il, former captain of the Cheonan warship, which was torpedoed by North Korea in 2010. He also continued his campus cafeteria outreach, meeting with students at Inha University.

PPP's Kim apologizes to doctors amid prolonged medical crisis, calls for political reform

2025/05/22 20:00

The main conservative party contender stayed in the capital area where he met with different organizations, including doctors' associations amid the prolonged conflict over medical reform. Earlier in the day, he called for political reform, aiming to reduce the number of lawmakers among others. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. Yet another apology from the People Power Party for the actions of the former administration. On Thursday, presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo met with leaders of the medical community—issuing a public apology for the Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s handling of the medical reform, despite collective pushback from doctors. "As a responsible cabinet member of the government myself, I sincerely offer an apology. The fact that it's not just one or two doctors but nearly all of them raising this issue clearly indicates there is a problem." Kim clarified that he wasn't taking sides—but emphasized the need for the government to listen to professionals in the field. According to the Doctors’ Association, Kim pledged to resolve the ongoing medical crisis within the first six months of his term. He spent the day meeting with various civil society groups. At a roundtable with the heads of Korea’s five major business organizations, Kim highlighted his pro-industry record as former Gyeonggi-do Province Governor. "This was also his fourth day in the capital region meeting organizations and rallying for support. And one of his rallies here was Bucheon City's Sosa-gu District his old congressional district where he served three terms until around 20 years ago." This also comes as the capital region is always a key battleground where he needs to expand his support to turn things around before the election day. Meanwhile, Kim also made a surprise morning announcement—calling for sweeping political reform. "Will we achieve a second wave of democratization? Or head toward an authoritarian presidential system? I'm deeply concerned." His remarks were seen as a warning against a potential power monopoly, should Democratic Party front-runner Lee Jae-myung win—adding to the DP’s existing parliamentary majority. Kim’s reform pledges include cutting the number of lawmakers from 300 to 270, granting the opposition power to appoint an independent inspector general, raising the threshold for impeachment motions, and shielding the judiciary and investigative bodies from political pressure. His message lands as the DP filed around 30 impeachment motions during Yoon's term only one of which, against former President Yoon, passed. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

N. Korea fires cruise missiles after reporting destroyer launch failure

2025/05/22 20:00

North Korea fired several cruise missiles into the East Sea this morning. This follows the regime failing to launch a new warship the previous day, sparking a rebuke from its leader Kim Jong-un. Our correspondent Kim Jung-sil explains. South Korea's military confirmed the launch of several unidentified cruise missiles from North Korea on Thursday. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were detected at around 9 AM from the Sondok area in Hamgyongnam-do Province, on North Korea's east coast. The missile launches came a day after North Korea failed to launch a new 5,000-ton destroyer at the Chongjin shipyard. State media reported that Kim Jong-un was present during the incident, calling it "unforgivable" and a blow to the regime's dignity. According to the Rodong Sinmun, the rear sled carrying the destroyer detached prematurely, causing the ship to tilt and preventing the front from releasing, disrupting the launch balance. While North Korea did not specify the extent of the damage, the South Korean military said this: "Given the size and scale, it is expected to be similar to the Choe Hyon vessel, and the ship is currently lying on its side in the sea." Some analysts believe the missile tests could be a response to the negative fallout from the failed naval launch. However, others argue that the launches were likely part of North Korea's routine military exercises, as South Korea had already been tracking signs of missile activity. "While the missile launch may help counter the negative image from the ship failure, it could be part of a broader strategy, focused on military training, international negotiations, and military cooperation with Russia." Analysts believe North Korea's ongoing military demonstrations, including the missile tests and destroyer construction, may be part of the regime's broader strategy to showcase its military power. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Humanitarian aid trucks still stuck near Gaza checkpoint

2025/05/22 20:00

In the Middle East. Trucks containing basic humanitarian aid has yet to reach Palestinians while Israel ramps up its ground operations in Gaza. Lee Seung-jae covers growing humanitarian crisis in that region. Work is in full swing to transport relief supplies to Gaza, but aid has still not been distributed to those in need. Around 100 relief trucks have passed through to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom checkpoint, with the first of the trucks to arrive there for a third day. The delay comes amid concerns of looting, as authorities look to secure a safe route for the trucks. "So far, and this is as of a few minutes ago, but the situation obviously is fluid -none of the supplies have been able to leave the Kerem Shalom loading area. This is because by yesterday evening, Israeli authorities had only allowed our teams to go through one area that was highly congested that we felt was insecure and where we felt looting was highly likely to take place given the prolonged deprivation in Gaza since the blockade by the Israeli authorities for over 11 weeks." UN officials are consulting with Israeli authorities to determine if another route can be used to deliver the aid. According to UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, humanitarian items include baby food, flour, medicine, and nutrition supplies. However,.. he said that Israel has not allowed hygiene products or fuel into Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has continued its ground operations in Gaza. According to Al Jazeera, around 80 people were killed in airstrikes in various locations in Gaza on Wednesday. In a press conference on the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli military had "apparently" killed Hamas' leader Mohammed Sinwar. He is the younger brother of Hamas' former top leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in October last year. Netanyahu said that there are currently 20 Israeli hostages alive in Gaza, and promised to bring them all back. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Overseas Voting begins: How S. Korean voters abroad could tip the 2025 presidential race

2025/05/22 20:30

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most up-to-date issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. With less than two weeks until South Korea’s June 3rd presidential election, overseas voters are poised to play a critical role. Ballots are being cast in 223 locations across 118 countries worldwide, with over 258,000 Koreans registering to cast their ballots. This is a significant jump compared to the last election, despite the fact that this year’s overseas voting process had the shortest preparation window since its inception. And with compressed timelines, logistical challenges, and major policy stakes in play, the overseas vote is proving to be far more than symbolic. Today, we examine what’s truly at stake—not just for Koreans at home, but for a global electorate that's ready to be heard. For this, we are joined in the studio by Hans Schattle, Professor of Political Science at Yonsei University. Welcome. Also with us is Daniel Han, councillor for the City of Ryde in Sydney, and an active leader in Australia’s Korean community. Great to see you. 1. (SCHATTLE) Professor Schattle, with overseas voter registration reaching 258,200 this year—a 14.2% increase from the last presidential election—how significant is this figure in terms of electoral impact, especially given that the last presidential race was decided by just 240,000 votes? 2. (HAN) Now let's bring in Councilor Han to the discussion, since you're in Sydney, could you tell us, what does the current voting atmosphere look like in Australia, and what’s your prediction for voter turnout among Koreans in Australia this election? 3. (HAN) Councilor, you’ve lived in Australia since middle school, and you’ve served the community as a pharmacist, a teacher, and now an elected official. Given that experience, do you think there’s something specific about the local culture or context in Australia that encourages such consistently high voter turnout among Korean residents? 4. (SCHATTLE) Professor Schattle, how has overseas voting historically influenced the outcome of Korean presidential elections? Are there specific instances where the overseas vote played a decisive or symbolic role? 5. (HAN) This election had the shortest preparation period for overseas voting since the system’s introduction. Have logistical preparations for this short-notice overseas election presented any specific challenges for Korean voters in Australia broadly? 6. (SCHATTLE) In general, Prof. Schattle, what challenges or vulnerabilities might this present in terms of transparency, 투표 접근성, or security? 7. (HAN) Beyond turnout, what kind of policy expectations do overseas Koreans typically have, and how well are today’s presidential candidates addressing those diaspora-specific issues? 8. (SCHATTLE) Across the campaign, what leadership qualities or policy narratives have stood out most, particularly to overseas Koreans who may be weighing stability, diplomacy, or economic direction differently than domestic voters? 9. (HAN) From your perspective, what lessons can be drawn from the Australian federal election held on May 3rd, especially regarding global political currents or potential parallels to Korea’s political climate? 10. (SCHATTLE) Looking ahead to June 3rd, what do you believe is ultimately at stake in this presidential election—not just for Koreans at home, but for the millions of overseas Koreans watching and voting from abroad?

[Weather] Early summer-like heat eases off a bit, rain in some areas

2025/05/22 17:00

The early heat is slowly subsiding. Yesterday was the hottest this year, with the daytime temperature exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in Seoul. It was still hot today with highs of 27 degrees in Seoul, but not as hot as yesterday. Tomorrow and Saturday will stay slightly below the average temperatures. There will be some rain in southern regions today. It will rain around 5 millimeters in Chungcheongbuk-do Province and there will be 5 to 10 millimeters mainly in the southern areas. Most of this rain will stop by tonight. Another round of light rain is forecast on the west coast of Chungcheongnam-do Province at dawn tomorrow, and on Jeju Island from late afternoon. Tomorrow morning, Seoul, Gwangju and Jeju will start off at 16 degrees, Chuncheon and Gyeongju at 12 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 23 degrees in Seoul, 24 degrees in Daejeon and Gwangju. Temperatures will rise back again from Sunday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Trump ambushes S. African leader with claim of Afrikaners being 'persecuted'

2025/05/22 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. In an Oval Office meeting on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with allegations of a "white genocide" targeting white South African farmers. The encounter was initially intended to discuss trade and diplomatic relations, but escalated into heated exchanges as President Trump presented a video featuring clips of South African politicians inciting violence against white farmers. Trump argued that these clips were evidence that there was a systematic campaign against the white minority in South Africa. Ramaphosa stayed calm, but disputed Trump's allegations, saying that black people were more likely to be victims of violence in the country than white people. He also said that his government does not endorse any form of racial violence or related policies. A former Ukrainian politician who had been a senior aide to a pro-Russian president was shot dead outside a school in Madrid, Spain. Andriy Portnov had been deputy head of the presidential administration under former president Viktor Yanukovych. On Wednesday, at approximately 9:15 AM local time, Portnov was ambushed by several attackers as he returned to his car after leaving his children at the American School of Madrid. Witnesses report he was shot multiple times, including at least once in the head. The attackers fled the scene, heading toward a nearby wooded area. Portnov had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2021 for undermining judicial reforms. After fleeing Ukraine in 2014, he lived in Russia and Austria before settling in Spain. Investigations into his killing are ongoing, but no arrests have been reported yet. Finally, the Enhanced Games, a new controversial sporting event allowing the use of performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision, has announced that its inaugural competition will kick off next year, from May 21 to 24, in Las Vegas. Founded by an Australian entrepreneur, the Games aim to challenge traditional anti-doping norms, under the principle that banning such substances hinders athletes' performance rather than protecting them. The event will feature competitions in swimming, track and field, and weightlifting, and athletes will be categorized based on chromosomes, XX or XY, rather than gender. There will be up to 500 thousand U.S. dollars in prize money per event and a one-million-dollar bonus for breaking world records in the 100-meter sprint or 50-meter freestyle. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Blackpink's Rosé, NewJeans win awards at inaugural Music Awards Japan

2025/05/22 17:00

On the entertainment front K-pop artists have been acknowledged at an inaugural music award ceremony in neighboring Japan. Blackpink member Rosé's DUET with Bruno Mars APT won the "Best International Pop Song in Japan" at the "Music Awards Japan" while "Ditto" by NewJeans won the "Best K-Pop Song in Japan". Music Awards Japan is a new event organized through collaboration among major Japanese music organizations and government agencies.

Korean SMEs showcase defense innovations at LIMA 2025

2025/05/22 17:00

In other news. Korea's small and mid-sized defense companies are seeking to share their strategic solutions to bolstering security at an ongoing regional showcase in Malaysia. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung reports. A Boeing 737's 3-dimensional landing gear appears, just by wearing a mixed reality headset. This, is one of many innovative products Korea's small and medium-sized companies have brought to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, LIMA, Southeast Asia's largest exhibition of this type. Situated within the booth of the integrated "Korean Pavilion" Augmented Knowledge offers a digital twin of aircraft by integrating AI-based paper manuals with 3D models. Currently being used by several institutions, the cloud service is already helping students learn aircraft maintenance more efficiently. With the innovation that makes paper manuals a legacy of the past, the company aims to open up new opportunities at LIMA 2025. "Malaysia offers relatively low labor costs and has a well-developed MRO industry. We're in contact with both companies like GE Aerospace and local schools, aiming to establish a foothold in Southeast Asia." Optical communications company FOSTEC, which is showcasing expanded beam connectors that are reliable for field use, is already producing cables used for Korean missile defense systems like "Cheongung." It now aims to explore more chances in the global market. "Our products are about 1/5 the cost compared to Amphenol and Glenair, with delivery times reduced by about half, while maintaining equal or superior quality standards." Also eyeing the Southeast Asian market is an anti-drone manufacturer, producing a system that integrates multiple functions into one. It can detect, operate jamming methods, disrupt the signals and spoofing, and send false GPS signals to mislead the drone to move to a different direction. "I've heard that many key officials from important agencies such as the Malaysian Air Force and police will be attending, so we hope there will be an opportunity to participate in bids with the Malaysian government." With strong government support behind them, Korean defense SMEs are taking a big leap into the global market. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News, Langkawi.

Humanitarian aid trucks still stuck near Gaza checkpoint

2025/05/22 17:00

In the Middle East. A large convoy of trucks containing basic humanitarian aid has yet to reach Palestinians as authorities seek safe passage amid fears of looting. Lee Seung-jae covers this reality as well as Israel's military offensive. Work is in full swing to transport relief supplies to Gaza, but aid has still not been distributed to those in need. Around 100 relief trucks have passed through to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom checkpoint, with the first of the trucks to arrive there for a third day. The delay comes amid concerns of looting, as authorities look to secure a safe route for the trucks. "So far, and this is as of a few minutes ago, but the situation obviously is fluid -none of the supplies have been able to leave the Kerem Shalom loading area. This is because by yesterday evening, Israeli authorities had only allowed our teams to go through one area that was highly congested that we felt was insecure and where we felt looting was highly likely to take place given the prolonged deprivation in Gaza since the blockade by the Israeli authorities for over 11 weeks." UN officials are consulting with Israeli authorities to determine if another route can be used to deliver the aid. According to UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, humanitarian items include baby food, flour, medicine, and nutrition supplies. However,.. he said that Israel has not allowed hygiene products or fuel into Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has continued its ground operations in Gaza. According to Al Jazeera, around 80 people were killed in airstrikes in various locations in Gaza on Wednesday. In a press conference on the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli military had "apparently" killed Hamas' leader Mohammed Sinwar. He is the younger brother of Hamas' former top leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in October last year. Netanyahu said that there are currently 20 Israeli hostages alive in Gaza, and promised to bring them all back. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Bitcoin hits record high of over US$ 110,000 as some investors view it as 'safe haven'

2025/05/22 17:00

Bitcoin hit a new high on Wednesday to reach over 1-hundred-10-thousand U.S. dollars. Pundits believe prospects of greater regulatory clarity for digital-asset firms under the Trump administration are fueling the rally for Bitcoin. What's more a growing number of investors are opting for Bitcoin as a safe haven as compared to traditional assets such as the U.S. dollar in light of the U.S.'s tariff policy and its broader repercussions on global trade.

[ECON & BIZ] Economic pledges in S. Korea’s 2025 presidential race: what candidates propose on labor and housing

2025/05/22 17:00

In this week's focus on presidential pledges we shed light on those related to labor reform and affordable housing as shared by the top three contenders. Our Lee Soo-jin has details. South Korea's presidential election is just around the corner, and each candidate’s economic pledges are drawing increased attention from voters. This week, we look closer at candidates’ labor reform and housing pledges. The candidates are aiming to improve labor conditions to win the votes of the many who wish for a better work-life balance. To do so, the two frontrunners have proposed a 4-point-5-day workweek. The current standard workweek is five days, with most full-time workers logging 40 hours from Monday to Friday, and a legal maximum of 52 hours per week. The 5-day workweek was introduced with a 2003 revision to the Labor Standards Act and fully implemented nationwide by 2011, and now attention is on whether a 4-point-5 workweek will become a reality this year. So what does each candidate's 4-point-5 workweek look like? Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung has proposed reducing the standard workweek from 40 to 36 hours by cutting Friday afternoons, without reducing wages. The proposal also includes providing incentives for companies to adopt the new schedule, and has the long-term goal of eventually transitioning to a 4-day workweek. "South Korea’s total working hours are too long, about 200 hours more than the OECD average. Longer hours no longer mean higher productivity; efficiency and creativity are now key." People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo has proposed a 4-point-5 workweek that maintains the current 40-hour workweek by redistributing working hours across the week. Under this plan, employees work one extra hour from Monday to Thursday, and finish earlier on Friday, creating a shorter workday without cutting total weekly hours. He has also said that he supports granting exemptions to the 52-hour workweek limit for the semiconductor sector. "I will replace the rigid working hours system with a more flexible one, cut corporate and inheritance taxes significantly, and drastically reform regulations to help businesses thrive." Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok has strongly criticized the 4-point-5-day workweek proposal that reduces working hours without cutting wages, calling it unrealistic. He has instead pledged labor reforms that include giving local governments the authority to adjust the minimum wage to revitalize regional economies. Housing is a key issue for all three candidates, as the country's residence crisis has fueled voter concern and also contributed to the country’s low birth rate. While they all aim to increase supply, their approaches differ, here’s how. The key theme of Lee Jae-myung's housing proposal is "New Town." South Korea’s first New Town project from the late 1980s, which includes Bundang and Ilsan, now faces aging infrastructure that he plans to rebuild. Lee also pledges to cut red tape for Seoul’s downtown redevelopment, and to develop a 4th-generation New Town with more quality public housing. The key theme of Kim's proposal is "youth." Kim’s “3•3•3” Youth housing supply plan offers support for up to 9 years, 3 years after marriage, and 3 years each after the first and second child. His proposal also includes supplying 200-thousand homes for young adults, newlyweds and families, and more housing for single-person households. The key theme of Lee Jun-seok's proposal is "life stages." He plans to increase the supply of 59㎡ homes by promoting the redevelopment and building of small-unit housing. Lee pledged to promote high-density urban development, citing strong housing demand, and proposed housing tax cuts tailored to newlyweds seeking smaller homes, growing families needing more space, and seniors looking to downsize. Though each candidate’s vision differs, the emphasis on their economic pledges highlights the critical role the economy plays in this election.

Reform Party candidate blocks 'love calls' from main conservative party to push for merger

2025/05/22 17:00

And the answer remains "no" to a merger with the main conservative camp. This is according to Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok who posted on Facebook that he would be difficult to reach via phone starting today until Election day amid a flood of calls seeking a coalition. Meanwhile on the campaign trail he continued to target young voters and centrists in the greater Seoul area. He sat down with former Captain Choi Won-il of the Cheonan warship which was torpedoed by North Korea in 2010. Also today he was at Inha University as part of his campus cafeteria outreach.

Kim calls for political system reform, apologizes to doctors for prolonged collective action

2025/05/22 17:00

Up next we turn to the conservative camp whose contender Kim Moon-soo remains here in the metropolitan region. For details I have Kim Do-yeon joining me live. Do-yeon welcome back. Let's begin with his pledge for political reform. That's right, Sun-hee. First I’m at Bucheon Metro Station in Gyeonggi-do Province this is also Kim's old congressional district, where he served three terms He’s set to take the stage behind me at any moment now. Before that, as you said, he made headlines earlier today with a last-minute press conference, calling for sweeping political reform. Take a listen. "Will we achieve a second wave of democratization? Or head toward an authoritarian presidential system? I'm deeply concerned." His message comes amid concerns that if front-runner Lee Jae-myung wins, the Democratic Party—already holding a majority—would wield even more control. Kim pledged to cut the number of lawmakers by 10 percent—down from 300 to 270—and allow the opposition to appoint an independent inspector general to oversee the executive. He also vowed to raise the threshold for impeachment motions and shield the judiciary and investigative bodies from political interference. This all comes as Lee faces ongoing legal troubles and the DP has already submitted around 30 impeachment motions this year—only one of which, against President Yoon, was upheld. And Do-yeon what else was on his agenda today? Kim spent the day meeting with a range of groups—from business leaders and medical associations to women’s and early childhood education organizations. He also chaired a campaign meeting at the Korea Exchange, where he laid out his vision for stock market reform. Take a listen. "We'll limit economic offenders from trading, strengthen market surveillance and crackdowns, and enhance shareholder protections. In company spin-offs, we'll guarantee priority shares for original shareholders." At his meeting with Korea’s top five business organizations, Kim emphasized support for industry—pointing to his record as Gyeonggi Governor. He pledged to eliminate barriers facing women and ensure their safety. And when sitting down with medical leaders, Kim issued an apology for pushing healthcare reform, which led to a collective action by medical doctors. It's been prolonged for over a year with the situation not completely settled even yet. He says he's not taking doctors' sides, but he does feel if all doctors acted together, there is an issue with the government which he was a Cabinet member of. That’s all from Bucheon. Back to you, Sun-hee. All right Do-yeon thank you for that coverage of the conservative camp.

N. Korea fires cruise missiles after reporting destroyer launch failure

2025/05/22 17:00

North Korea fired a series of cruise missiles earlier this morning that some believe was an attempt to save face following an accident during a military event on Wednesday. Our correspondent Kim Jung-sil explains. South Korea's military confirmed the launch of several unidentified cruise missiles from North Korea on Thursday. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were detected at around 9 AM from the Sondok area in Hamgyongnam-do Province, on North Korea's east coast. The missile launches came a day after North Korea failed to launch a new 5,000-ton destroyer at the Chongjin shipyard. State media reported that Kim Jong-un was present during the incident, calling it "unforgivable" and a blow to the regime's dignity. According to the Rodong Sinmun, the rear sled carrying the destroyer detached prematurely, causing the ship to tilt and preventing the front from releasing, disrupting the launch balance. While North Korea did not specify the extent of the damage, the South Korean military said this: "Given the size and scale, it is expected to be similar to the Choe Hyon vessel, and the ship is currently lying on its side in the sea." Some analysts believe the missile tests could be a response to the negative fallout from the failed naval launch. However, others argue that the launches were likely part of North Korea's routine military exercises, as South Korea had already been tracking signs of missile activity. "While the missile launch may help counter the negative image from the ship failure, it could be part of a broader strategy, focused on military training, international negotiations, and military cooperation with Russia." Analysts believe North Korea's ongoing military demonstrations, including the missile tests and destroyer construction, may be part of the regime's broader strategy to showcase its military power. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

U.S. formally accepts US$ 400 mil. luxury jet from Qatar as Air Force One

2025/05/22 17:00

The U.S. Defense Department has accepted a four-hundred-million U.S. dollar jet from Qatar as a gift to turn into Air Force One for the American president. Shin Se-byuck covers this event and the debate surrounding it. The U.S. has accepted a luxury Boeing 747 jet gift from Qatar for use as Air Force One. President Donald Trump received the 400 million U.S. dollar luxury jet during a recent visit to Qatar, and announced plans to use it for future presidential travel. This, however, has sparked controversy in Washington, with critics raising concerns over potential impropriety and foreign influence. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement Wednesday that the plane was accepted in accordance with all federal rules and regulations. He added that the Defense Department is working to ensure the aircraft meets the necessary security standards and mission requirements for presidential transport. The U.S. Air Force is expected to begin modifications to the jet so it can be used as an official presidential aircraft. While there are questions surrounding the luxury jet and the ethics of accepting such an expensive gift from a foreign government, Trump has maintained there's nothing improper. "It's not a gift to me. It's a gift to the Department of Defense." Qatar has also downplayed the backlash, calling it a routine government-to-government transaction. "I see that this story is taking a different direction and is being more politicized, while it's a normal government-to-government deal." However, CNN reported earlier this week, citing an anonymous source, that it was the Trump administration, not Qatar, that first initiated the deal. Facing an urgent need for a new Air Force One, the administration reportedly approached Qatar to inquire about acquiring a Boeing 747, and Qatar agreed. During his first term, President Trump had placed an order for a new presidential jet from Boeing, but with the delivery still delayed, he has repeatedly voiced frustration over the wait. Meanwhile, the security upgrades are expected to cost over 1 billion U.S. dollars, with Boeing aiming to complete delivery of the newly configured presidential jet by 2027. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.

[Hallyu People] Meet Jocelyn Clark, the first foreigner who became a licensed gayageum sanjo player

2025/05/22 14:00

The gayageum is a traditional Korean instrument. It dates back to around the 6th century. It’s old, but its sound mesmerizes to this day. In today’s “Hallyu People” we meet with Dr. Jocelyn Clark or Jo Se-rin , Professor at Pai Chai University, who has been studying and playing gayageum for over 30 years. Recently she has earned herself the title of the first foreign gayageum ‘sanjo’ licencee. What that means and what gayageum means to Professor Clark, we’ll hear now, as she is joining us on the show today. Welcome Professor Clark! Q1) Professor Clark, or Professor Jo! Could you please introduce yourself to 'The Kulture Wave' viewers? Q2) Professor, congratulations for becoming an official gayageum sanjo licencee, or an intangible cultural heritage licencee. Could you please enlighten us on the significance of this designation and how you feel about it? Q3) Tell us about the process please. All we can assume is that it’s not an easy one, even for someone who’s been playing the instrument for over 30 years. Q4) As we have a global audience Professor Clark, could you please explain what kind of instrument the gayageum is and what kind of sounds it makes. and how it makes those sounds? Q5) How can you listen to the gayageum, or where? From traditional performances to K-pop songs that feature the instrument, there are a variety of ways to discover this traditional music aren’t there? Q6) Professor, you’ve been playing instruments your whole life, starting from Western instruments like the violin and piano to other East Asian instruments, why did you choose to master the gayageum? Q7) What were, or are some challenges or difficulties in playing the gayageum? Q8) You not only studied the instrument yourself, you teach in the field of music. I heard even K-pop? Does that involve K-pop collaborations with traditional music? Q9) What’s your ultimate goal Professor? (Are you also aiming to become an official master of gayageum?)

[K-enter] Rosé & NewJeans win awards at the Music Awards Japan 2025

2025/05/22 14:00

So Bella, let's kick off on the K-pop front. K-pop artists made it big at an awards ceremony in Japan. Tell us more! Rosé and NewJeans received awards at Music Awards Japan 2025, held on Wednesday in Kyoto, Japan. Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” won ‘Song of the Year.’ And NewJeans earned the title of ‘Best K-Pop Song’ with their hit song “Ditto.” It’s notable to see that the popularity of NewJeans’ music is enduring as this song was released back in 2022. Music Awards Japan is an awards ceremony that determines its winners by compiling various objective indicators, such as Billboard Japan and Oricon, along with the votes of over 5-thousand music industry professionals. Great to see familiar names there. Now we will continue with NewJeans , but on a different note. There is an update on NewJeans in regards to their legal dispute with ADOR? Please fill us in. While the legal dispute between NewJeans and their agency ADOR continues, NewJeans have registered additional legal representatives before the upcoming second hearing. With this, the group now has a total of 13 lawyers from the law firm Sejong. On the other hand, ADOR also has over 10 lawyers from Kim & Chang. To briefly track you back, NewJeans began pursuing independent activities in February after accusing ADOR of violating the terms of their exclusive contract. However, in March, the court accepted the injunction sought by ADOR, to prevent the five members from independent activities. The second hearing for the validity of their exclusive contract is scheduled for June 5th. Please continue to keep us updated with this issue. Our next story is on an exciting announcement for Seventeen fans, CARATs. Seventeen will hold a solo performance at Jamsu Bridge in Seoul, becoming the first artist to do so. The group’s agency, Pledis Entertainment, announced that the event titled “B-DAY PARTY: BURST STAGE” is scheduled to be held on May 25th at 7:30 p.m. local time for one hour. And for global CARATs, no need to worry too much, the performance will be livestreamed online. What’s also notable is that this event comes just one day before Seventeen’s scheduled 10 year anniversary comeback with their 5th full-length album titled “HAPPY BURSTDAY.” Along with the performance on the 25th, there will also be a large scale pop-up store to celebrate the group’s 10 year anniversary from the 23rd to 25th. So if you’re a CARAT currently in Korea, make sure to visit Jamsu Bridge this weekend. Our last story for today is on a new film that casts an actress for whom this movie was her last one. The late actress Kim Sae-ron’s final film “Guitar Man” is coming out soon in theaters. On Wednesday, a press conference for the new film took place at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul. “Guitar Man” tells the story of a genius guitarist’s loss, love, and journey as he seeks hope through music amid the harsh reality of life. It stars Lee Seon-jeong, who is also the director of the film, and Kim Sae-ron. Lee explained that he pushed forward with the decision to premiere the film to keep a promise he made to Kim. “Guitar Man” is set to premiere in theaters on May 30th. It must be a meaningful film for both the director and Kim Sae-ron, and of course the fans as well.

K-wave AI News

2025/05/22 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Celebrated soprano Sumi Jo will be awarded the Commandeur of the Order of Arts and Letters, one of France's highest distinctions in the field of culture and the arts. According to the Korean Cultural Center in France, the award will be presented by Fleur Pellerin, the former French Culture Minister, who is of Korean descent, next Monday in Paris. Established in 1957, the Order of Arts and Letters recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts and literature or have helped elevate the international prestige of French culture. Since making her debut in 1986, Sumi Jo has received worldwide acclaim and is often praised as possessing "a voice gifted by the gods." Tottenham Hotspur and South Korea national team captain Son Heung-min has claimed the first trophy of his club career, having led his team to victory in the UEFA Europa League. Since joining Spurs a decade ago, Son has played in three major finals, finishing as runner-up on two occasions. The long-awaited triumph comes during a disappointing season in the Premier League. With the Europa League title, the club not only ends its trophy drought but also secures a coveted spot in next season's Champions League. Son described himself as the happiest person in the world, saying his dream had finally come true. The Busan International Performing Arts Festival kicks off tomorrow and runs through June 1, offering audiences a firsthand look at the latest trends in world theater. Under the theme "Regeneration & Balance," this year's festival will showcase 58 productions from 14 countries. The opening show, "The Song of Oedipus" by Sardegna Theatre, will make its Korean debut with a fresh take on the classic Greek tragedy. A wide range of programming will follow, including K-Stage, a competition for local theater groups; BIPAF Rookies, showcasing emerging artists; and invited performances from Korea and abroad. The festival closes with "The Vegetarian," adapted from the novel by Nobel laureate Han Kang and directed by Italy's Daria Deflorian. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.