News

A Return Like Home: UN veterans honored in South Korea

2025/07/29 19:50

South Korea recently hosted a group of Korean War veterans to commemorate their selflessness and sacrifice in defending democracy here on the peninsula. Kim Jung-sil reports. They were in their early twenties when they first arrived in Korea: young men in uniform, sent to fight in a country they had never seen. Seven decades later, some of them have returned. 55 guests from 19 countries are taking part in South Korea's "Re-Visit Korea, Re-View Korea" program. Among them: six veterans of the Korean War, their families, and delegates from veterans' associations. As part of the six-day program, participants visited the War Memorial of Korea ahead of the official commemoration ceremony on Sunday. "I came here in 1952, actually my experience in the war was as a tank driver. We had to defend that place because otherwise the Chinese communists would overrun and come back to Seoul. That was our job." Now 91, Yamashiroya was joined by his grandson, who reflected on his grandfather's influence on their family. "He's a really strong and tough person mentally and he's really ingrained that in our family and everything he has done. It's definitely an honor learning more about the culture of Korea the history behind the war hearing about their impact it means a lot." "I'm so happy for the Korean people because they persevered and built success for themselves." While some veterans were able to return, others could not. Sunday's ceremony was held for UN Forces Participation Day: South Korea's official day to honor foreign veterans of the Korean War. U.S. Army Corporal Fred B. McGee was recognized with the country's highest military honor. His daughter accepted the medal on his behalf. "What you've done here this past week has been highly commendable. It's above and beyond anything that I expected. I just celebrate the Korean government and the Korean people for all they've done for the Korean war veterans." The medal was presented by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who also addressed the ceremony. "To protect the freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea, 1.98 million UN troops stood alongside the Korean people. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten." For the veterans and families who visited this time, the trip offered not only commemoration, but connection. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

U.S. committed to protecting Korean Peninsula based on policy of peace through strength: Trump

2025/07/29 19:48

U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed Washington's commitment to protecting the Korean Peninsula in accordance with the policy of "peace through strength." The message was shared on Monday a day after the 72nd anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement. He added that American and South Korean armies stand united today under a strong alliance though the evil of communism still exists in Asia. While acknowledging the two Koreas remain divided he spoke of pride in being the first to cross the 38th parallel during his first term.

Seoul urges N. Korea to retrieve body found off western coast

2025/07/29 19:46

South Korea has called on North Korea to retrieve a body found last month near Ganghwa-do Island. An ID identified the man as Ko Song-chol, a North Korean farm worker with an address in Hwanghaebuk-do Province. With inter-Korean hotlines severed, Seoul is resorting to the media to return the body via Panmunjom on August 5th. The Unification Ministry says it's acting on humanitarian grounds. Pyongyang has yet to respond.

Relationship between Trump and Kim Jong-un shouldn't be used for denuclearization push: Kim Yo-jong

2025/07/29 19:45

North Korea's Kim Yo-jong SUGGESTS that dialogue between her brother Kim Jong-un and his American counterpart Donald Trump can take place IF the U.S. discards its demand for denuclearization. Our Choi Soo-hyung covers her remarks. On Tuesday, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the regime's leader Kim Jong-un, said through the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency that the U.S. must accept the new reality. She added that if Washington continues to cling to the past, any meeting with the North will remain only America's hope. Kim noted that the personal relationship between the U.S. President Donald Trump and the North's leader Kim Jong-un is not bad. But she stressed that if the U.S. intended to use this relationship as a step toward denuclearization, it would only be regarded as "mockery" to the North. She said that since Trump's first term, both North Korea's nuclear capabilities and the geopolitical environment have changed dramatically. Kim warned that, "Any attempt to deny the position of the North as a nuclear weapons state will be thoroughly rejected." She also said it would not be wise for two nuclear-armed states to move toward confrontation, suggesting that other forms of contact should be explored. Following Kim's statement, the White House has again said that President Trump remains open to talks with Kim Jong-un about denuclearization. Washington and Pyongyang held summits in Singapore in June 2018 and in Hanoi in February 2019, and later met at Panmunjom in June 2019. Following Kim's statement, South Korea's presidential office said Seoul and Washington remain open to dialogue with Pyongyang and will work closely to restore inter-Korean trust and resume U.S.-North Korea talks. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

S&P 500, Nasdaq hit new highs despite caution ahead of earnings reports, FOMC meeting

2025/07/29 19:43

In other news. Monday was a mixed day for Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surrendered over 64 points while the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained ground to close at all-time highs. Investors are awaiting big tech earnings reports details from this week's policy meeting of the Federal Reserve as well as key economic data such as July's employment numbers.

Trump says tariffs would be in 15-20% range for most countries that have yet to strike deal

2025/07/29 19:42

U.S. trade partners who have yet to hammer out a bilateral deal with the Trump administration will see their tariffs hovering between 15 and 20 percent. So says Donald Trump. Lee Seung-jae has more. U.S. President Donald Trump hinted that his administration expects to set tariffs somewhere between 15 to 20 percent for most of the countries that have not yet reached a trade deal. The U.S. leader made the remarks during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland, as Trump's reciprocal tariffs, including the 25 percent levies on South Korea, are set to go into effect on Friday. Senior trade officials from Seoul have been busy with their negotiation efforts, but have yet to reach a deal. The Trump administration has so far agreed to bilateral trade deals with the EU, the UK, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Meanwhile in Stockholm, top U.S. and Chinese trade officials held talks for more than five hours, with the aim of resolving longstanding economic disputes. Washington has given an August 12th deadline to China, to reach a tariff agreement, after the two economic powerhouses reached preliminary deals in May and June to end their tit-for-tat tariffs. The two sides are expected to continue discussions on Tuesday. A different kind of deadline was also issued by President Trump on Monday, as he gave Russia "10 or 12 days" for Russia to reach a peace deal, or face tough new sanctions. "Yeah, I'd say 10 to 12 days. I'll announce it probably tonight or tomorrow but there's no reason to wait. If you know what the answer's going to be, why wait? And it would be sanctions and maybe tariffs, secondary tariffs -you know what a secondary tariff is." Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin for continued attacks on Ukraine, despite his efforts to end the war. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. Korea going all in to secure deal as tariffs deadline looms

2025/07/29 19:40

Korea's top economic officials are racing against time to seal a deal with their American counterparts prior to this coming Friday's deadline on the pause in country-specific U.S. tariffs. Park Jun-han has the latest. High-level South Korean officials are going all out as they engage in trade talks, crisscrossing the globe to negotiate with their U.S. counterparts, reflecting Seoul's determination to mitigate the economic impact of potential reciprocal tariffs of 25-percent. On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol flew to Washington to continue negotiations with the U.S., saying he will do his utmost to secure a deal. "We will do our best to reach a mutually beneficial deal for both South Korea and the United States, with our national interests at the core." South Korea's trade delegation, led by Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo , has pursued relentless talks, following U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer from Washington, D.C., to New York, and even to Scotland, where they met during President Trump's visit there. "Well, the South Koreans flew to Scotland to meet with me and Ambassador (Jamieson) Greer after dinner. I mean, think of how much they really, really want to get a deal done." On July 31st, Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol is scheduled to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent , while Foreign Minister Cho Hyun — who departed for Japan on Tuesday — will meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as both sides push to seal a comprehensive agreement. Meanwhile, Hanwha Group's Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan departed for Washington on Monday to support the tariff negotiations. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong followed on Tuesday afternoon. Kim is expected to propose a shipbuilding cooperation project between the two countries, while Lee will push expanded semiconductor investment and technical collaboration on advanced AI chips in the U.S. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

S. Korean gov't and ruling party agree to raise top corporate tax rate back to 25%

2025/07/29 19:37

Staying at the National Assembly. Government officials and ruling party lawmakers are turning toward higher taxation to tackle the shortfall in tax revenue. Our correspondent Moon Hye-ryeon has details. The South Korean government and the ruling party have agreed to raise the country's top corporate tax rate to 25 percent reversing a cut introduced by the previous administration. The decision was made on Tuesday during a policy consultation meeting at the National Assembly, as part of ongoing efforts to finalize the 2025 tax reform framework. This increases the rate by one percentage point from the current 24 percent, as set back in 2022. The two sides also plan to tighten capital gains tax rules by lowering the threshold for major shareholders. Currently, only those holding over 5 billion won roughly 3-point-6 million U.S. dollars in a single listed stock are taxed. Under the new plan, that threshold would be reduced to 1 billion won, or just under 720 thousand dollars. Officials say the changes aim to restore tax equity and rebuild the nation's revenue base, with the Democratic Party having criticized the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's previous cuts as benefiting the wealthy. "We'll correct the tax system to fix the revenue collapse and fiscal crisis. The treasury is empty — we are buried in debt. In just two years, corporate tax revenues have dropped by 41 trillion won. For the first time ever, income taxes from workers have surpassed those from corporations. This level of shortfall, year after year, is not just emptying the state coffers — it's shaking the foundation of government operations." Meanwhile, debate continues over a separate proposal to apply lower, flat-rate taxation to dividend income. While the government argues it would encourage corporate payouts and boost the stock market, some ruling party politicians warn it could disproportionately benefit high-net-worth investors. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Culture minister nominee pledges to open 300 tril. KRW 'K-culture market'

2025/07/29 19:35

At the parliament. Confirmation hearings for the nominees to lead the culture as well as the land ministries took place today. Our National Assembly Correspondent Shin Ha-young covers the latest sessions. The National Assembly held confirmation hearings on Tuesday, continuing its review of nominees for Lee Jae Myung's first Cabinet this time focusing on his picks for land and culture ministers. During the hearing of the nominee for culture, sports and tourism minister, Chae Hwi-young , the current CEO of travel platform Nol Universe, emphasized his commitment to materializing President Lee's vision of a K-culture market worth 300-trillion won, around 215 billion U.S. dollars, and attracting 30 million inbound tourists. "Culture is a part of the economy that is a key to international competitiveness. I will help industries such as movies and games overcome challenges, and support local content creators and streaming services to help them succeed worldwide." Chae also said he would develop a new K-tourism strategy to turn the global popularity of Korean culture into visits to regions across the country. To prepare for the growing use of AI, he pledged to support content innovation and help build AI training data that reflects Korea's history and culture. On the same day, Kim Yun-duk, the nominee for land, infrastructure and transport minister, and a three-term lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party, pledged to quickly roll out a plan to boost housing supply. "I will increase housing supply in prime locations, such as near subway stations, by using available land and old public facilities. Redevelopment and reconstruction projects will also be promoted with a focus on balancing public and private interests." Kim also emphasized his commitment to achieving balanced regional growth, saying it is not a choice but a matter of survival. He noted that while local areas are struggling with an economic slowdown and rising unsold homes, housing prices in Seoul and the capital region are soaring, adding that the problem can only be solved through balanced regional growth. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

[K-Enter] KPop Demon Hunters's soundtrack ‘Golden’ ranks No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100

2025/07/29 15:37

So, first up, news on one of my favourite movies of this year but more about its soundtrack. The original soundtrack for the hit Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" continues to show strong momentum on the U.S. Billboard 200, still climbing the chart in its fifth week since release. A preview article from Billboard says the original soundtrack moved up two spots from the previous week, reaching No. 3. The Billboard 200 ranks albums by combining traditional album sales, streaming equivalent albums, and track equivalent albums. In the latest tracking week, "KPop Demon Hunters" the original soundtrack achieved 89,000 album units. Can't get enough of not just Golden and Soda Pop, but Take Down and all the others. Next up BTS! BTS's live album "Permission to Dance on Stage – Live", released on July 18, debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 chart dated August 2. Despite featuring no new songs, the concert album's strong debut further reinforces BTS's reputation as pop icons. "Permission to Dance on Stage – Live" is BTS's first official concert recording, capturing the energy of their 12-show tour held both online and in person in Seoul, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas between 2021 and 2022. This marks BTS's 16th album to enter the Billboard 200. Of those, six have reached No. 1, including the anthology album "Proof" and their fourth studio album "Map of the Soul: 7." With this release, BTS now holds the record for the most top 10 entries on the Billboard 200 among Korean artists, with a total of eight albums reaching the top tier. Finally, let's talk about legendary K-pop singer BoA. On Monday, BoA gave fans a sneak peek into her 11th full-length album "Crazier" through her YouTube channel. The video features a weather forecast theme and offers an overall vibe of the album. Starting with the soul-pop track "Healing Generation," other tracks include BoA's self-written song "It Takes Two," which portrays a passionate love story, the pop dance track "Don't Mind Me," and the title track "Crazier." All of the songs are introduced in a compact 5-minute video. Marking her 25th anniversary, this album is scheduled for release on August 4. BoA unfortunately made news recently after having to cancel August concerts due to health reasons. Thanks for the news Walter. Now let's turn to our AI anchor Ari for more culture news. Ari.

K-Wave AI News

2025/07/29 15:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Korean government is engaging with APEC member economies to discuss regional cooperation for sustainable growth in the tourism sector. The APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting will be held in Incheon through Thursday, focusing on this year's three key APEC priorities, connectivity, innovation, and prosperity, while exploring ways to boost regional tourism collaboration. Attendees will also take part in experiential programs highlighting the appeal of Korean tourism. The itinerary includes visits to the National Museum of Korea and Seoul's popular tourist destinations, including the Seongsu-dong neighborhood, aimed at showcasing the diverse attractions of Korea. The royal pharmacy at Changdeokgung Palace will open to the public every Wednesday through Sunday from this week until August 17. Known as "Yakbang" during the Joseon Dynasty, the pharmacy served as the palace's official medical office. Visitors can freely explore the historic site and also sample "omija tea," a traditional drink favored by the royal family. Tastings will be offered at 10 am and 2 pm, with 100 cups available at each session. For more details on the "Yakbang tour," visit the official Changdeokgung website at royal.khs.go.kr. Park Sae-eun, the first Asian to be named an étoile, or principal dancer, at the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet, will return to Korea for a special gala performance alongside her fellow stars. Following successful runs in 2022 and last year, this year's gala has once again been personally curated by Park, who also oversaw the casting. A total of ten principal dancers will take part in the performance. Running for three days from this Wednesday, the gala will feature iconic works by legendary choreographers, including George Balanchine. At a pre-show press conference, Park noted that recognition of the Korean Gala has grown within the company and that many dancers were eager to participate. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-wave] S. Korea's ancient petroglyphs adding to UNESCO World Heritage List

2025/07/29 15:35

Korea's southeastern city of Ulsan is home to prehistoric rock carvings that were recently recognized as UNESCO World Heritage. Our Choi Soo-hyung delves into the implications of this latest acknowledgement. Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream in Ulsan became South Korea's 17th entry on the UNESCO World Heritage List. These are carvings made on rock walls beside the stream by prehistoric people who lived on the Korean Peninsula about 6-thousand years ago. This is South Korea's first UNESCO World Heritage listing of petroglyphs that show prehistoric life and possible beliefs. "This inscription is especially meaningful as it marks the first petroglyph site in all of Asia to be recognized by UNESCO. Until now, only seven countries, including Russia, Algeria and Brazil, had petroglyphs on the World Heritage List. South Korea is the first in East Asia to achieve this." On July 12 in Paris, the World Heritage Committee recognized the Bangucheon Petroglyphs as masterpieces of human creativity, showcasing the artistic and unique skills of ancient people living along coastal areas of the Korean Peninsula. Especially, the committee said those featuring whales and whaling were a historically important record of "Outstanding Universal Value." "Whale inscriptions are extremely rare worldwide. These petroglyphs uniquely show not only different whale species, but also detailed hunting methods. With little written record from prehistoric times, the Bangucheon Petroglyphs provide invaluable insight into the lives and creativity of early humans." Following its addition to the UNESCO Tentative List in 2010, the full listing has finally come to fruition after 15 years. Notably, it is the second prehistoric heritage site in Korea to gain World Heritage status, after the dolmen in Ganghwa in the country's western region. Due to its location near a stream and risk of flooding, the World Heritage Committee recommended reporting progress on flood prevention measures and formally involving local communities in site management. The Korea Heritage Service also made special efforts to ensure their preservation, contributing to the successful listing. "To be listed as a World Heritage site, its value must be clearly identified and well preserved through strong management plans. All efforts need to meet UNESCO's standards. We prepared thoroughly in these areas, which led to its successful listing." South Korea has 13 sites on the UNESCO Tentative List, including the second phase of tidal flats, Seoul's old city walls, and Busan's wartime heritage, all under review. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

[Short-form] Unique Summer Escapes in Seoul

2025/07/29 15:34

Looking for a summer getaway? No need to go far– Seoul is packed with the coolest spots to beat the heat.

[K-Travel] Where to travel in Korea this summer? Part 4: Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju

2025/07/29 15:34

You may have noticed a South Korean city making more frequent appearances recently on Korean media. Gyeongju has been in the spotlight as the host city of the APEC summit this year. Gyeongju is also a top travel destination for locals and foreigners alike. For our fourth summer K-Travel segment we want to introduce the southeastern city of Gyeongju and a special destination within the city, Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO heritage site and symbol of Buddhism. For that, we connect to Richard McBride, Professor of Korean studies and Buddhist studies at Brigham Young University. Hello Professor McBride! Q1) Professor, you've been to Bulguksa Temple numerous times. Do you remember your first visit to the temple? And how do your trips feel every time you go? Q2) Korea is home to a lot of Buddhist temples. Among them, Bulguksa is one of the most representative ones. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the inscription of Bulguksa Temple on the UNESCO World Heritage list. What kind of space does it feel like to you, and what symbolism or value do you think it has in Buddhism? Q3) Another of Gyeongju's heritage sites that was added to UNESCO's World Heritage list three decades ago is Seokguram Grotto. It's distinct from Bulguksa Temple, yet interconnected? Tell us more. Q4-1) From late October to early November, Gyeongju will host the APEC summit. Do you believe World Heritage sites such as Bulguksa Temple bring more attention to the city? Q4-2) Big international events like APEC are a great opportunity for foreigners to be exposed to Korea's traditional culture and Buddhist heritage. But what significance do you see in such experiences? Q5) As many foreigners are expected to visit Gyeongju for the APEC summit, what other places apart from Bulguksa would you recommend? Thank you very much Professor McBride for your insights today. Thank you Walter! We'll see you again soon.

[NEWs GEN] Company Culture: Why old company traditions are making a comeback

2025/07/29 12:33

구직자 1명당 일자리 0.39개...이러한 상황 속 MZ들의 달라진 사회생활 #취업난 #취준생 #구직 #회식 #집단주의 #jobmarket #jobseekers #jobhunting #companydinners #collectivism

Trump says tariffs would be in 15-20% range for most countries that have yet to strike deal

2025/07/29 11:41

U.S. President Donald Trump says most trading partners that have not yet reached a trade deal will face tariffs of 15 to 20 percent. The comments come as Seoul continues to seek a deal before the negotiation deadline this week. Lee Seung-jae starts us off. U.S. President Donald Trump hinted that his administration expects to set tariffs somewhere between 15 to 20 percent for most of the countries that have not yet reached a trade deal. The U.S. leader made the remarks during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland, as Trump's reciprocal tariffs, including the 25 percent levies on South Korea, are set to go into effect on Friday. Senior trade officials from Seoul have been busy with their negotiation efforts, but have yet to reach a deal. The Trump administration has so far agreed to bilateral trade deals with the EU, the UK, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Meanwhile in Stockholm, top U.S. and Chinese trade officials held talks for more than five hours, with the aim of resolving longstanding economic disputes. Washington has given an August 12th deadline to China, to reach a tariff agreement, after the two economic powerhouses reached preliminary deals in May and June to end their tit-for-tat tariffs. The two sides are expected to continue discussions on Tuesday. A different kind of deadline was also issued by President Trump on Monday, as he gave Russia "10 or 12 days" for Russia to reach a peace deal, or face tough new sanctions. "Yeah, I'd say 10 to 12 days. I'll announce it probably tonight or tomorrow but there's no reason to wait. If you know what the answer's going to be, why wait? And it would be sanctions and maybe tariffs, secondary tariffs -you know what a secondary tariff is." Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin for continued attacks on Ukraine, despite his efforts to end the war. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Disney drops 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' first look trailer and stills

2025/07/29 11:40

Disney has released the first official trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in James Cameron's epic sci-fi saga, on Monday. The trailer debuted exclusively in theaters alongside Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and is now available online. It encompasses the visionary land, sea, and air worlds of Pandora at their most dramatic, and also unveils the Ash clan, a tribe that inhabits volcanic regions. Reviews praise the trailer as a "huge level up" in action, world-building, and emotional depth. The movie is set to open in theaters in December.

More than 40 killed in DR Congo attack linked to Islamic State

2025/07/29 11:39

Over in Africa, the UN reported on Monday that the attack on a Catholic church in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday was done by a group linked to the Islamic State. At least 43 churchgoers were killed when armed fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces, a group affiliated with IS, entered the church in the town of Komanda in the Ituri province. The attackers also set fire to nearby homes and shops. Over 20 victims were buried in a mass grave on Monday. MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in the region, condemned the attack as "revolting." Pope Leo XIV also denounced the deadly attack, expressing sorrow and describing the victims as martyrs.

Thailand and Cambodia agree to 'immediate ceasefire'

2025/07/29 11:39

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, starting Monday midnight local time, following five days of border clashes that killed nearly 40 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. This follows negotiations in the Malaysia headed by Malayian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. At a joint press conference with acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Anwar outlined the step-by-step de-escalation process of the conflict. He also stated that a broader border committee session is scheduled for August 4 in Cambodia to address long-standing territorial issues. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had phoned the leaders of both countries and celebrated the outcome, calling himself the "President of peace."

Trump says starvation crisis in Gaza is real

2025/07/29 11:39

Now, let's take a look at some stories from around the world with our Choi Chi Hee. Good morning, Chi Hee. Good morning, Eunji. Let's begin with U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Give us the update. President Trump has acknowledged that the crisis in Gaza has reached a point of "real starvation" and vowed to build "food centers" in the enclave. Speaking during a visit to Scotland on Monday, Trump said visual evidence convinced him that starvation in Gaza is real and pledged the creation of U.S.-backed "food centers" in coordination with European partners. Trump emphasized that the current aid infrastructure is deeply flawed, adding the U.S. would work with other countries to establish food centers without entry barriers, allowing civilians to access aid freely. According to the White House, additional details on the plan are "forthcoming." Trump's remarks are in stark contrast with those of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has denied that Gaza is facing starvation, saying Israel continues to allow "significant amounts of humanitarian aid" into the enclave.