News

Medical standoff loosens with gov't plans including med. school students return unveiled

2025/07/25 21:36

Thousands of medical students who boycotted classes over the government's medical school admission plans will be allowed to be back in school in the fall semester. Park Kun-woo has the details. A year-and-a-half-long standoff between the South Korean government and the medical community is now showing signs of a breakthrough. On Friday, the Education Ministry unveiled a plan allowing roughly 8,000 medical students, who faced failing their courses after boycotting classes, to return in the second semester. The students had protested the previous administration's push to expand medical school admissions. The new plan follows a proposal put forward by the Council of Medical School Presidents, which has been under discussion. Key elements of the government's plan include shifting from a year-based academic system to a semester-based one, allowing students to make up missed credits during breaks and continue their studies. Graduation timelines for third-year students will now vary by school, with options in either February or August of 2027. As the duration of clinical training varies by university, those graduating in February will be able to graduate one semester earlier. Additional national medical licensing exams will also be scheduled to accommodate returning students that graduate this August. The government on Friday also held the first disaster response meeting on the collective resignations by doctors since President Lee Jae Myung took office. Second Vice Health Minister Lee Hyung-hoon expressed deep regret over the prolonged disruption to healthcare services. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to a "people-centered" medical reform, built on dialogue and trust with the medical community. The minister added that both the new administration and the medical sector are beginning to take steps toward rebuilding trust, emphasizing efforts to listen to feedback directly from the field. With these developments, a once tightly knotted standoff now appears to be slowly unravelling. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

K-democracy on the global stage: resilience, legacy, and the road ahead

2025/07/25 21:35

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. For the first time in 28 years, the World Congress of Political Science was held in Korea — a country navigating a complex political moment, just months after the December 3rd martial law incident and the election of a new administration. At a time when democratic backsliding is being reported across the globe, Korea is drawing attention for its civic resilience and evolving democratic model. President Lee Jae Myung, in his opening address, introduced the concept of "K-democracy," asserting that democracy must prove it can put food on the table — that "freedom is the economy." But even as Korea is celebrated, questions persist: how much of its authoritarian past still shapes its politics? And how does its democracy stack up against global standards? To help us unpack these questions, we're joined by Ji Yeon Hong — associate professor of Political Science and Korea Foundation professor of Korean Studies at the University of Michigan — who also attended the Congress in person. Welcome. 1. To start off, the World Congress of Political Science (IPSA) was held in Korea for the first time in 28 years just last week. You were there in person — what do you think was the most significant message this congress delivered to the global political science community, especially considering Korea's recent governmental transition after the December 3 martial law incident? 2. With global democratic decline increasingly evident, how is Korea's civil society — particularly its political resilience and democratic capacity — being evaluated on the world stage? 3. President Lee Jae Myung, during the opening ceremony of the Congress, highlighted the achievements of what he called K-democracy. He also stressed the importance of proving that "democracy can feed the people." How should we interpret that statement? 4. Building on that, in your view, what are the key strengths of K-democracy? 5. Looking at its historical roots, Korea's political system began under a legacy of authoritarian military rule. Given your research on authoritarianism and political economies, do you see remnants of that legacy still influencing Korean politics today? If so, in what ways does it manifest? 6. You've mentioned before that overcoming Korea's authoritarian legacy is still very much an ongoing process. What, in your opinion, are the most effective paths forward to overcome it? 7. Based on your longstanding research on elite structures under authoritarian regimes, what improvements are needed in the elite-centered political structure of Korean parties today? 8. Considering the current climate, Korea's political polarization appears to be deepening along lines of class and region, among others. What kind of impact do you think this polarization could have on the quality of Korean democracy — and what institutional or cultural approaches might help alleviate it? 9. Finally, what direction should K-democracy take going forward? And what do you believe is the single most crucial condition for it to be recognized as a legitimate model in the global democratic landscape?

S. Korea fails to reach tariff deal with U.S. during trade talks on Thurs.

2025/07/25 18:44

South Korea has about a week to seal a tariff deal with the U.S. ahead of the August first deadline. imposed by the latter. Our Moon Hye-ryeon reports. With just a week remaining before the U.S. imposes reciprocal tariffs, South Korean and U.S. trade officials met in Washington, D.C. — but failed to reach a deal. On Thursday local time, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and chief trade negotiator Yeo Han-koo held an hour-long meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The meeting had originally been scheduled as a high-level session involving both countries' trade and finance ministers, but was abruptly changed after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent canceled due to scheduling conflicts. South Korea's trade ministry said that Seoul proposed deepening cooperation in manufacturing in sectors such as shipbuilding, semiconductors and batteries — and urged that tariffs, especially on automobiles, be reduced. Although the meeting ended without a solid deal, the ministry revealed that the two sides agreed to hold follow-up talks as soon as possible. In the lead-up to the meeting, the U.S. turned up the pressure on Seoul by highlighting its trade deal with Japan that rolled back its tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent. Lutnick told CNBC in an interview that as South Korea "very, very much wants to make a deal," he could imagine the reactions when Tokyo struck a trade deal with Washington — saying that he could hear the "expletives." Trump, on the same day, remarked that other countries could see tariff reductions if they make large-scale investments — like Japan. With automobiles being a major export to the U.S. for both South Korea and Japan, there are concerns that Korean carmakers could be placed at a disadvantage if Seoul fails to secure a similar reduction in tariffs. Looking ahead, Kim is set to meet with the Chair of the White House National Energy Council, while Yeo will hold separate meetings with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to further discuss tariffs and energy cooperation. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

[Weather] Hottest day of this year tomorrow with Seoul at 38 degrees

2025/07/25 18:43

Heat wave warnings have now been issued in most parts of the country to the extent that it is difficult to find an area just under heat wave advisories. Today, the daytime temperature soared to a high of 37 degrees Celsius in Seoul and also 37 degrees in Jeonju. The peak of this summer heat is coming tomorrow. Tomorrow, the hottest day of the year is expected as the daytime temperature in Seoul rises to 38 degrees. There is a high possibility of heat-related illness so it's better to refrain from outdoor activities. If you're outside, you should drink plenty of water often. Tomorrow morning, Seoul will start off at 28 degrees, Jeju 27 degrees. Highs will reach 35 degrees in Chuncheon and Daegu, 32 degrees in Busan. Due to the indirect effect of a typhoon, strong rain and winds will hit Jeju Island this weekend. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

France to formally recognise Palestinian state, Macron says

2025/07/25 18:42

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will recognize Palestine as a state. The French President stated in a social media post on Thursday that France will formalize its recognition of the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, in support of "sustainable peace in the Middle East." Macron emphasized that ending the Gaza war, securing the release of hostages, demilitarizing Hamas, and delivering massive humanitarian aid are urgent priorities that his decision supports. The move makes France, home to the largest Jewish and Muslim populations in Western Europe, the first G7 country to recognize Palestinian statehood. While the Palestinian Authority welcomed the announcement, calling it proof of France's support for international law and Palestinian self-determination, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced it as "rewarding terror." The State of Palestine is currently recognized by more than 140 of the 193 UN member countries. In Russia, a plane crash in the far east of the country killed all 48 people on board. The An-24 passenger plane, operated by Angara Airlines, was en route from Khabarovsk to Tynda with a stopover in Blagoveshchensk, near the Chinese border. The plane disappeared from radar near Tynda shortly after 1:00 PM local time, before rescue crews discovered its burning fuselage on a hillside. On board were six crew members and 42 passengers, including five children. Regional officials have confirmed that none had survived. The aircraft was built in 1976 and had been in service for nearly five decades. Despite a history of mechanical incidents, it had recently passed a safety inspection. A criminal investigation has been launched into suspected air traffic violations. President Vladimir Putin offered condolences, and the Amur region in Russia's Far East declared three days of mourning. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally signed a free trade agreement in London on Thursday, promising tariff cuts and increased market access for both economies. The agreement aims to increase bilateral trade by approximately 34 billion U.S. dollars, marking Britain's most significant bilateral trade deal since Brexit. The pact reduces India's average tariff on UK goods from around 15 percent to 3 percent, including the immediate halving of tariffs on Scotch whisky from 150 percent to 75 percent and duties on British automobiles from over 100 percent to roughly 10 percent. American pro-wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died on Thursday in Florida after suffering a "cardiac arrest." Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was the biggest professional wrestler of the 1980s and 90s, transforming the World Wrestling Federation, which later became the WWE into a global entertainment powerhouse. With his iconic "Hulkamania" persona, Hogan won the world champion title 12 times and popularized wrestling through crossovers into film, reality TV, and pop culture. Figures across wrestling, entertainment, and politics, including President Trump, paid tribute, while the WWE described him as "one of pop culture's most recognizable figures." Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

S. Korea issues travel warning for areas near Thai-Cambodian border amid fear of war

2025/07/25 18:41

South Korea is warning against travel to areas near the Thai-Cambodian border where deadly clashes continue for a second day. The Foreign Ministry has placed districts in Cambodia and Thailand under special travel advisories as of noon on this Friday. This comes as Thailand warns the clashes could "move towards war." Thailand reported 15 fatalities and at least 46 wounded while Cambodia confirmed one civilian killed and five injured. The clashes reignite a decades-old dispute over an 8-hundred-kilometer border marked by colonial-era maps. Both sides blame each other for the military confrontation marking their bloodiest in more than a decade.

Lost Joseon-era building returns home from Japan after nearly 100 years

2025/07/25 18:40

An ancient Korean building believed to be a royal shrine from the Joseon Dynasty has made the long journey back home from Japan. Our Choi Soo-hyung shares its story. Roof tiles, wooden pillars, and planks all carefully wrapped one by one. A lost Joseon-era building that had been hidden behind a Japanese Buddha statue for nearly 100 years has finally come home, piece by piece with nearly 5,000 wooden parts. This building, called Gwanwoldang, is now being kept in the Traditional Architecture Elements Conservation Center in Paju, Gyeonggi-do Province. It is the first time that a full wooden Korean structure like this has been returned home. It used to be located at the very back of a famous Japanese temple called Kotoku-in in Kanagawa Prefecture. It is believed that in 1924, during the Japanese occupation of Korea, the building was given to a Japanese businessman by the Joseon Industrial Bank, and from there, it was moved to Japan. Later, the building was donated to the temple and used as a prayer room until it was first revealed in the 1990s by a Korean professor Kim Jeong-dong. Though Korea tried several times to bring it back, those efforts failed, until last year. However, thanks to the support and strong will of Takao Sato, the chief priest of the temple, the return was made possible ensuring the shrine could be preserved in its original home, Korea. Experts say the building may be related to royal architecture, based on the unique and colorful roof tile designs, including dragons and butterflies. "This feature has a striking appearance. It is usually found in palace buildings, and at Gwanwoldang, 10 pillar patterns like this were installed. This shows that Gwanwoldang is linked to royal architecture." "There are five known remaining, Joseon royal shrines. We think this one was also royal, but likely outside in a small palace near Gyeongbokgung. It's probably a prince's shrine, smaller than those for royal concubines." Park also noted that, even though the building stayed in Japan for a long time, there are clear signs that any attempts at restoration followed traditional Joseon architectural styles. "The roof tiles taken from Joseon were only the original ones installed at Gwanwoldang. So, if those tiles were damaged, they would have had made new ones in Japan. But they copied the original Joseon's designs exactly, even though the dragon pattern is very complex to produce." Administrator of Korea Heritage Service, Huh Min, also expressed a strong commitment to continue bringing back cultural heritage items that were taken out of the country. "Currently, about 247,000 national heritage items have been taken abroad. Of these, only about 5 percent have been returned by repatriation or donation. We are determined to recover all items that were stolen or illegally taken." Once research are complete, the plan is to restore Gwanwoldang by preserving its key parts and recreating the damaged sections using traditional methods as much as possible. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

Core space launch vehicle tech to be transferred from KARI to Hanwha Aerospace

2025/07/25 18:39

South Korea will be transferring its Nuri rocket technology to a private company. According to the Korea Aerospace Administration on Friday it has sealed a deal to transfer core technology from the government-led space launch program to Hanwha Aerospace. Hanwha was selected after evaluation by experts tapped by the Trade Ministry and researchers from the Korea AeroSpace Research Institute. Experts believe this deal to commercialize the country's space launch program will serve to spearhead private space ventures.

U.S. lawmakers reintroduce bill to provide work visas for highly skilled Korean nationals

2025/07/25 18:39

Two American lawmakers have reintroduced a bill to provide work visas for highly skilled South Koreans. Republican lawmaker Young Kim and Democrat lawmaker Sydney Kamlager on Thursday introduced the "Partner with Korea Act" as part of efforts to encourage greater collaboration between South Korean and American businesses. The bill seeks to create an allotment of 15-thousand E-4 highly skilled work visas for South Koreans with specialized education or expertise. The bill was previously introduced in the 113th 116th 117th and 118th congresses but to no avail.

President Lee vows "no deaths" at workplaces

2025/07/25 18:38

President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to make workplaces safe to ensure quote "no one dies". The pledge was made earlier on this Friday during his visit to an SPC Samlip bread factory in Gyeonggi-do Province where an accident in May killed a female employee sparking much public outrage. Noting that he himself was once a factory worker the human rights lawyer-turned-president called for "practical" measures to reduce the death rate at workplaces here in Korea which is said to be notoriously high among OECD members. He also asserted that no cost consideration can justify the neglect of workplace safety and human life.

Trump visits Fed ahead of FOMC meeting, amping up pressure to lower rates

2025/07/25 18:38

And a muted confrontation between the U.S. leader and the head of the U.S. central bank took place on Thursday just ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting next week. Moon Ji-young covers the interaction and more. U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in another subtle, tension-filled bout with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, this time at a construction site. In a rare visit on Thursday to the Federal Reserve, less than a week before the FOMC meeting, Trump inspected what he calls the "costly" renovation of the central bank's buildings. "So we're taking a look, and it looks like it's about 3.1 billion. Went up a little bit or a lot. So the 2.7 is now 3.1." In response to Trump's cost allegations, the Fed leader noted that it appeared the president had included the cost of overhauling another central bank office in the current repair cost for two buildings. "No, it's been it was built five years ago. We finished Martin five years ago." This tense exchange unfolds amid the Trump administration's consistent criticisms of Chairman Powell's stewardship of the independent agency and its decision not to cut interest rates this year, a move strongly demanded by Trump. Trump reiterated his stance that the Fed's position on interest rates was hindering economic progress. He stated that: "Well, I'd love him to lower interest rates, but other than that, what can I tell you? The country's doing really well." After the visit, Trump said it was not necessary to fire Powell although he has previously raised the possibility of getting rid of the Fed leader. President Trump has explicitly called for the Federal Reserve to lower key rates by three percentage points. However, the U.S. central bank has held interest rates in the 4-point-2-5 percent to 4-point-5 percent range throughout the year, as it monitors the potential economic impact of tariffs. Presidential visits to the Federal Reserve are uncommon, with former President George W. Bush's visit in 2006 marking the last such occasion before this event. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

Ahead of APEC 2025, Gyeongju Arts Center hosts Korean contemporary art exhibition

2025/07/25 18:37

On the cultural front. The venue of this year's APEC leaders' meeting Gyeongju City is currently hosting a Korean contemporary art exhibition to commemorate the upcoming multilateral economic meeting. My colleague Ahn Sung-jin was there. A collection of four of the greatest. Kim Whanki, Park Sookeun, Lee Jungseop, and Jang Ucchin are artists who represent Korean contemporary art, and works of all four can be seen together at Gyeongju Arts Center. In celebration of the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting taking place in Gyeongju this fall, the exhibition, a collaboration between MMCA and Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, puts the spotlight on Korean art. "These four leading figures of modern and contemporary art reflect the hardships of their era, as well as Korea's tradition and nature and show it into their own unique artistic styles." Kim Whanki is known as the pioneer of Korean abstract art through his notable pieces, including "Mountains." His signature style of all-over dot paintings is often seen on canvases filled with blue dots. Park Sookeun also had his own style in portraying human goodness with layers of oil paint, as seen with his painting "Under the Tree." And just like Park, who illustrated the hardships of ordinary people in post-war Korea, Lee Jungseop expressed his hardships and emotions, such as deep longing for his family, using silver foil paintings like in "Family." And like all other artists, Jang Ucchin also focused on the everyday aspects of life that are reflected on his canvases through simple yet clear depictions, as seen in "Village." "I got to see all the artists in one spot, and as someone who is interested in art, I had to see the artworks up close. Pieces from Artist Kim Whanki are not so easily seen, and to see the change throughout his work was moving." Through this special exhibition with all four artists, visitors can see the essence of Korean beauty, and the Gyeongju Foundation for Arts and Culture notes that more such events in accordance with the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will take place to boost the city. "Holding such a large-scale exhibition means a lot. Not only will it contribute to the vitalization of regional culture and art, but by hosting these exhibitions outside of Seoul and the capital area allow local residents to explore these cultural events and boost their pride." This exhibition runs till October, so for those interested in exploring Korean contemporary and modern art, visit the historical city of Gyeongju. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Gyeongju.

Heat wave warning issued nationwide

2025/07/25 18:36

Pundits say South Korea is on track to recording.. one of its hottest summers in history as forecasters warn of greater heat this coming weekend. Byeon Ye-young has the weather. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on Friday that its national heat wave alert level has been raised to "serious," its highest level. The "serious" level is issued when over 40% of the country is expected to experience a daily maximum perceived temperature of 35 degrees Celsius or higher for more than three consecutive days. Level 1 of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters was also activated as of 2 PM. A heat wave warning was issued for all of Seoul and many parts of the country on Thursday, with the capital back under the highest-level notice for the first time in 11 days. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, temperatures for Seoul will continue to hover in the high 30s, with Friday expected to see daytime highs of 37 degrees Celsius, 38 on Saturday and 37 on Sunday. This summer's heat has intensified more rapidly than usual, with both daytime highs and overnight lows hitting record levels. When compared to the same period in previous years, conditions have surpassed even the notorious summers of 1994 and 2018. Also, the number of days with extreme heat and tropical nights is now the second highest on record. The sweltering summer is also leading to a rising number of heat-related illnesses. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, a total of 107 people sought emergency treatment for heat-related conditions across the country on Thursday alone, with one fatality reported in Paju, Gyeonggi-do Province. Since May 15, the number of patients stood at 1-thousand-963, nearly 3-times higher than the same period last year. Deaths have more than tripled from three last year to ten this year. Heat-related illnesses are acute conditions caused by excessive heat exposure, typically accompanied by symptoms such as headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, and fatigue. Without timely treatment, these can lead to loss of consciousness and can be life-threatening. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

Medical standoff loosens with gov't plans including med. school students return unveiled

2025/07/25 18:35

Back here in Korea. A new study schedule has been proposed for medical students whose prolonged protest against the former administration's healthcare reform has disrupted their original academic time table. Park Kun-woo has details. A year-and-a-half-long standoff between the South Korean government and the medical community is now showing signs of a breakthrough. On Friday, the Education Ministry unveiled a plan allowing roughly 8,000 medical students, who faced failing their courses after boycotting classes, to return in the second semester. The students had protested the previous administration's push to expand medical school admissions. The new plan follows a proposal put forward by the Council of Medical School Presidents, which has been under discussion. Key elements of the government's plan include shifting from a year-based academic system to a semester-based one, allowing students to make up missed credits during breaks and continue their studies. Graduation timelines for third-year students will now vary by school, with options in either February or August of 2027. As the duration of clinical training varies by university, those graduating in February will be able to graduate one semester earlier. Additional national medical licensing exams will also be scheduled to accommodate returning students that graduate this August. The government on Friday also held the first disaster response meeting on the collective resignations by doctors since President Lee Jae Myung took office. Second Vice Health Minister Lee Hyung-hoon expressed deep regret over the prolonged disruption to healthcare services. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to a "people-centered" medical reform, built on dialogue and trust with the medical community. The minister added that both the new administration and the medical sector are beginning to take steps toward rebuilding trust, emphasizing efforts to listen to feedback directly from the field. With these developments, a once tightly knotted standoff now appears to be slowly unravelling. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

S. KOREA SEEKS TARIFF DEAL BEFORE AUGUST DEADLINE

2025/07/25 18:34

Welcome to Press Perspective for the Friday July 25th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. So what is the latest with regard to tariff talks between South Korea and the U.S.? To answer that question I have Lee Ji-hoon with news agency Reuters. Ji-hoon welcome back. I also have Professor Kim Jinill at Korea University with the pundit's take on trade talks between Seoul and Washington. Professor Kim it's a pleasure. Ji-hoon, let's begin with the cancellation of the two-plus-two trade talks between South Korea and the U.S. initially scheduled for this Friday over in the U.S. Professor Kim, South Korea is seeking a package deal that includes trade and defense. What are the prospects of such a deal, in your view? Ji-hoon, beyond national borders, a tariff deal between the U.S. and Japan was sealed. Do tell us more. Professor Kim, what are the implications of the U.S.-Japan tariff deal on a potential deal between South Korea and the U.S.? And Ji-hoon, what is the latest with regard to tariff talks between the U.S. and its other trade partners here in Asia? Professor Kim, pundits say Asia is a major manufacturing hub. That being said, how does the Trump administration's tariff campaign look to affect this economic reality? Professor Kim, how severe do you believe is the overall sense of uncertainty within the global trade environment? Ji-hoon, what does South Korea's second-quarter GDP finding tell us about the impact of U.S. tariffs on the country's economic growth? All right.

[Features reporter] Ahead of APEC 2025, Gyeongju Arts Center hosts Korean contemporary art exhibition

2025/07/25 15:37

So, Sung-jin, I heard you were in Gyeongju all this week. What were you up to? Well, we have less than 100 days left till the APEC Leaders' Meeting, and among other things, I was there to see an exhibition that showcased four masters of Korean modern and contemporary art in celebration of the upcoming event. Have a look at what it was like. A collection of four of the greatest. Kim Whanki, Park Sookeun, Lee Jungseop, and Jang Ucchin are artists who represent Korean contemporary art, and works of all four can be seen together at Gyeongju Arts Center. In celebration of the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting taking place in Gyeongju this fall, the exhibition, a collaboration between MMCA and Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, puts the spotlight on Korean art. "These four leading figures in modern and contemporary art reflect the hardships of their era, as well as Korea's tradition and nature and transform it into their own unique artistic worlds." Kim Whanki is known as the pioneer of Korean abstract art through his notable pieces, including "Mountains." His signature style of all-over dot paintings is often seen on canvases filled with blue dots. Park Sookeun also had his own style in portraying human goodness with layers of oil paint, as seen with his painting "Under the Tree." And just like Park, who illustrated the hardships of ordinary people in post-war Korea, Lee Jungseop expressed his hardships and emotions, such as deep longing for his family, using silver foil paintings like in "Family." And like all other artists, Jang Ucchin also focused on the everyday aspects of life that are reflected on his canvases through simple yet clear depictions, as seen in "Village." "I got to see all artists in one spot, and as someone interested in art, I had to see the artworks up close. Pieces from Artist Kim Whanki are not so easily seen, and to see the change throughout his work was moving." Through this special exhibition with all four artists, visitors can see the essence of Korean beauty, and the Gyeongju Foundation for Arts and Culture notes that more such events in accordance with the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will take place to boost the city. "Holding such a large-scale exhibition means a lot. Not only will it contribute to the vitalization of regional culture and art, but by hosting these exhibitions outside of Seoul and the capital area allow local residents to explore these cultural events and boost their pride." This exhibition runs till October, so for those interested in exploring Korean contemporary and modern art, visit the historical city of Gyeongju.

[K-enter] Park Bo-gum becomes the new face of Korea tourism

2025/07/25 15:36

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Yesterday we talked about G-Dragon being appointed as an ambassador for APEC 2025 KOREA. Today we have a story on another star being appointed as an ambassador for something else? Actor Park Bo-gum has been appointed as the honorary ambassador for Korea Tourism for the year of 2025. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will officially appoint Park as the ambassador next Tuesday. The ministry often works with top-tier Hallyu stars to promote their annual campaigns, including BTS, Lee Jung-jae and NewJeans. Park, who was one of the stars of the recent Netflix hit "When Life Gives You Tangerines," will now lead efforts to promote Korea abroad over the next year. As an ambassador, he will appear in two videos, produced in the style of a short film and music video. He also recorded the tourism campaign's official theme song "On My Way." The campaign videos will be screened on landmark billboards in 16 major cities around the globe, including New York's Times Square, Tokyo, Beijing and Bangkok. Excited to see Park Bo-gum's face on billboards world-wide. On a different note, the third hearing for the NewJeans-Ador lawsuit took place on Thursday. Please give us the updates. The legal standoff between NewJeans and their agency Ador rumbles on, with both sides presenting conflicting arguments over the validity of the group's exclusive contract. On Thursday, the Seoul Central District Court held the third hearing in Ador's lawsuit seeking to confirm the enforceability of its contract with NewJeans. NewJeans' attorneys claimed that Ador failed to meet fundamental management responsibilities, alleging that this breach justified the members' attempt to end their ties. Ador rejected the accusations, asserting that there is no reasonable grounds to terminate their contract. The case will now move into mediation, with a closed-door mediation session scheduled for August 14th. If an agreement is reached, the result will carry the same legal effect as a settlement in court. If the mediation fails, a tentative court ruling date is set for October 30th. Please keep us updated. And we will end off with a boy group dropping a new album. Stray Kids will soon release a new full-length album titled, "KARMA." Their agency, JYP Entertainment, announced that the group's fourth full-length album "KARMA" will be released on August 22nd. It comes two years after their last full-length album "5-STAR." The trailer video for the upcoming album leaps through time to the year 2081, where the eight members compete against each other in "2081 KARMA SPORTS" as former winners of the same event. Stray Kids are currently travelling around Europe for their world tour "dominATE." They will wrap up the tour which went to 34 cities with their final show in Rome next week. Looking forward to more amazing milestones from them. Thank you Bella for today's stories. And now let's take a look at what Ari has for us on the culture-front. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/07/25 15:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. A K-pop Street is set to be established in Luanda, the capital of Angola. The Korean Embassy in Angola plans to sign an MOU with the city's Rangel district in October, outlining a framework for cooperation on the project. The embassy expressed confidence the street will serve as a year-round hub for showcasing Korean culture and a platform to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries. The announcement follows the regional preliminaries of the 2025 K-pop World Festival held in Rangel, where 14 teams performed before an audience of over 600 fans. The top three teams will move on to the next round of global auditions, with a chance to compete in the finals set for this October in Korea's southern city of Changwon. A postcard signed by Korean marathon legend Sohn Kee-chung shortly after his 1936 Berlin Olympics victory has been unveiled to the public for the first time. It's part of the National Museum of Korea's special exhibition, "The Radiant Strides, Moving the World," being showcased to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan. Sohn won gold with a new Olympic record but was forced to compete under the Japanese flag, as Korea was under colonial rule. The museum says the postcard reflects Sohn's strong desire to assert his Korean identity. Also on display are his Olympic gold medal, laurel crown, and other memorabilia, including items highlighting his symbolic role as the final torchbearer at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The exhibition runs through December. The first solo exhibition in Korea dedicated to Chinese contemporary art master Wu Guanzhong opened today at the Seoul Arts Center. Running through October 19, the exhibition is part of the "Hong Kong Week 2025 @ Seoul" program, curated by the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Seventeen of Wu's representative works are on display under three themes– white, gray, and black. Wu was one of the most important Chinese painters of the 20th century, widely recognized for his lasting impact on the global art scene. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture Issue] Horror and female-centered K-movies in the spotlight this summer

2025/07/25 15:34

Korea's movie theater landscape appears to be undergoing some change this summer season. Instead of the classic male-dominated summer blockbusters, audiences are opting for horror films with young female leads. While female-centered horror movies have been around for a long time, they have recently had a resurgence with fresh material. For more, we invite Jae Soh, professor and filmmaker at Seoul Institute of the Arts into the studio. Welcome back! Q1. Professor Soh, before we get into our main topic, there has been some welcome news at the Korean box office regarding a couple of movies we've been anticipating for a long time, right? Q2. Now it's going to get a little scary with our main topic. Right, summer season calls for horror movies! This summer, female actresses in their 20s and 30s are notable as the main characters. Please tell us more Professor. Q3. While it's often assumed that commercial movies with female leads are a box office risk, do you think the releases this summer can be seen as an attempt to break that perception? Q4. Female-centered plots in horror movies are nothing new, but what can you infer from the recent attention these movies are gaining? Q5. Another interesting aspect we're seeing in recent horror productions are storylines based on real-life social issues, from noisy neighbors to social media. Why do you think audiences are drawn to these types of movies? Q6. At the same time, there seems to be an increasing diversity of styles within the horror genre lately. Are there any works you're keeping an eye on? Q7. There seems to be a preference for films that bring real-life horror and social anxiety to the forefront. In your opinion, how is this different from past scary movies, and will horror productions lean more toward these real-life based themes from hereon? Thank you Professor Soh for your insights. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you Bella, have a great weekend and see you next week.

S. Korea fails to reach tariff deal with U.S. during trade talks on Thurs.

2025/07/25 13:40

With time running out, high-level trade talks between Seoul and Washington have stalled, raising concerns over looming U.S. tariffs. Our Moon Hye-ryeon starts us off. With just a week remaining before the U.S. imposes reciprocal tariffs, South Korean and U.S. trade officials met in Washington, D.C. — but failed to reach a deal. On Thursday local time, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and chief trade negotiator Yeo Han-koo held an hour-long meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The meeting had originally been scheduled as a high-level session involving both countries' trade and finance ministers, but was abruptly changed after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent canceled due to scheduling conflicts. South Korea's trade ministry said that Seoul proposed deepening cooperation in manufacturing in sectors such as shipbuilding, semiconductors and batteries — and urged that tariffs, especially on automobiles, be reduced. Although the meeting ended without a solid deal, the ministry revealed that the two sides agreed to hold follow-up talks as soon as possible. Meanwhile, South Korea's national security adviser Wi Sung-lac returned to Seoul on Thursday afternoon following a four-day visit to the U.S. Wi said he met with several top officials and fully conveyed Seoul's position on the matter. "I talked with key officials including National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, Deputy National Security Advisor Andy Baker, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to support upcoming working-level talks. The negotiation process is now underway." According to the Presidential Office, Rubio was unable to attend their in-person meeting due to an unexpected call from President Trump, but the two held a phone consultation instead, during which Rubio apologized for the last-minute cancellation. In the lead-up to the meeting, the U.S. turned up the pressure on Seoul by highlighting its trade deal with Japan that rolled back its tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent. Lutnick told CNBC in an interview that as South Korea "very, very much wants to make a deal," he could imagine the reactions when Tokyo struck a trade deal with Washington — saying that he could hear the "expletives." Trump, on the same day, remarked that other countries could see tariff reductions if they make large-scale investments — like Japan. With automobiles being a major export to the U.S. for both South Korea and Japan, there are concerns that Korean carmakers could be placed at a disadvantage if Seoul fails to secure a similar reduction in tariffs. Looking ahead, Kim is set to meet with the Chair of the White House National Energy Council, while Yeo will hold separate meetings with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to further discuss tariffs and energy cooperation. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.