News

[Weather] Relentless hot weather with peak heat this weekend

2025/07/25 13:39

The heat is really ramping up here in Korea. As you can see, heatwave warnings are now active in most regions, we're certainly in for a stretch of searing hot weather. This intense heat is actually expected to climax this coming weekend. The reason behind this escalating heatwave is quite significant both the North Pacific High-pressure system and the Tibetan High-pressure system are extending their influence over the Korean Peninsula. Furthermore, the simultaneous movement of three typhoons from the south is sending hot air into our region. And today, there will be nothing but sunshine with UV rays to be very strong in the entire country. Western regions will be hotter through the weekend with a high of 37 degrees in the capital and Daejeon, 35 in Daegu. And due to the indirect effect of that typhoon mentioned earlier, Jeju will experience strong winds and rain this weekend, stay safe if you plan to be near the water.

Legendary pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan dead at 71

2025/07/25 13:39

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."

Britain and India sign free trade pact during Modi visit

2025/07/25 13:38

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.

'No survivors' in plane crash in Russia’s Far East

2025/07/25 13:38

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 Kha-ba-rovsk to Tynda with a stopover in Bla-go-vesh-chensk, 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.

Thailand closes border with Cambodia after military clashes kill at least 12 people

2025/07/25 13:37

In Southeast Asia. Thailand's health minister has said that at least 12 people have been killed and 14 wounded in the country's conflict with Cambodia. Cha Yun-kyung reports. At least 12 Thais, mainly civilians, have been killed as Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire on Thursday morning in a disputed border area. The Royal Thai Army said that the deaths occurred in at least three different provinces along the Thai-Cambodia border. Thailand has accused Cambodia of firing heavy weapons, such as BM-21 rocket launchers and artillery, into a Thai village and a hospital. Thailand also says it has carried out air strikes on Cambodian military targets. Both sides have accused the other of firing the first shots. Anti-personnel landmines within Thai territory also caused injuries to Thai soldiers who were patrolling on Wednesday. This follows injuries from a landmine last week. As a result, Thailand has closed its entire border with Cambodia after telling all its nationals there to leave, while Cambodia has downgraded its ties with Thailand to the lowest level. "Now we have escalated the measures to level four, which involves the complete closure of all border checkpoints along the Thai-Cambodian border." Thursday's fighting has ramped up a long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. Recent border tensions in May led to the death of one Cambodian soldier. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

SK hynix sees record Q2 earnings but Hyundai Motor Group profits tumble

2025/07/25 13:37

SK hynix reported record preliminary earnings and profit in the second quarter due to high demand in premium AI chips. However, Hyundai Motor Group saw a decline in profit due to the 25% U.S. tariffs on automobiles. Park Jun-han reports. South Korean tech giant SK hynix reported record-breaking preliminary second-quarter earnings on Wednesday. The driving force behind SK hynix's strong earnings was its competitiveness in high-value, high-bandwidth memory — a key product in the AI sector. SK hynix reported an operating profit of 9-point-2 trillion won or some 6-point-7 billion U.S. dollars, up 68-point-5 percent compared to the second quarter of last year. Its revenues hit a record 22-point-2 trillion won, or 16-point-2 billion dollars, a 35-point-4 percent on-year surge. SK hynix's dominance in premium HBM chips has propelled its earnings, as it rides the AI wave by supplying tech giants like NVIDIA, Broadcom, and Amazon. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group posted a 15-point-8 percent drop in operating profit. The 3-point-6 trillion won operating profit, roughly 2.6 billion dollars is the steepest decline in five years, This comes despite record revenues of 48-point-2 trillion won, up 7-point-3 percent. The main reason for this disparity is the 25 percent U.S. tariff on automobiles imposed since April, which has hurt the company's profitability despite robust U.S. sales as consumers bought cars early to avoid expected price increases. Hyundai's global sales grew by point-8 percent to 1-million-65-thousand units, fueled by a 36-point-4 percent increase in eco-friendly vehicle sales, particularly hybrid cars. However, the costs of tariffs and stronger incentives to stay competitive in the market have squeezed profits, causing the operating profit margin to fall to 7.5 percent. "In the case of Hyundai and Kia, they haven't raised their U.S. selling prices despite the 25% tariff, essentially not factoring the tariff into their pricing. That puts pressure on their profits, and if the situation continues, it will remain a disadvantage for Hyundai." With just eight days left until the August 1 reciprocal tariffs deadline, attention is on how any potential deal will impact Korea's main exports. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

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

2025/07/25 13:36

Two American lawmakers have reintroduced a bill to provide work visas for highly skilled South Korean nationals. Republican lawmaker Young Kim,.. and Democrat lawmaker Sydney Kamlager on Thursday introduced the "Partner with Korea Act" as part of an effort to encourage more collaboration between South Korean and U.S. businesses. The bill seeks to create an allotment of 15-thousand E-4 highly skilled work visas for South Korean nationals with specialized education or expertise. Kim, who is the chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, stressed that South Korea's highly skilled workforce can help support the U.S.'s economic and national security amid rising threats in the Indo-Pacific. The bill was previously introduced in the 113th, 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses but did not pass in any of those sessions.

[On-point] Korean trade officials in Washington ahead of Aug. 1 tariff deadline

2025/07/25 13:35

With just a week left until the August 1st deadline, South Korea's trade officials held talks in Washington seeking to reach an agreement with the Trump administration. For more on this, we're joined by Professor Park Min-jung, Professor at the Department of Business Administration at Kumoh National Institute of Technology. Professor Park, thanks for joining us this morning. 1. South Korea's trade officials met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington. What might have been discussed between the two sides? What exactly is the U.S. asking from Korea, and what cards does South Korea hold in tariff negotiations? 2. Based on the trade agreement Japan reached with the Trump administration, what do you think a deal will look like for South Korea? 3. Japan also succeeded in lowering tariffs on auto imports. Since Japan is one of South Korea's biggest competitors in the auto industry, there are concerns that if Seoul fails to lower its tariffs to a similar level, its competitiveness in the U.S. market could decline. What's your take on this? 4. South Korea is reportedly considering investing at least 100 billion dollars in the United States, backed by major conglomerates such as Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motors and LG. What are your thoughts on this? 5. What can we expect to happen next week, once the higher tariffs take effect on August 1st? How should Korean businesses prepare for the impact, especially given Korea's heavy reliance on the U.S. market? Alright Professor Park. Thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

France to formally recognise Palestinian state, Macron says

2025/07/25 13:34

Let's begin with France's move to recognize Palestine as a state. Sure. French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will recognize Palestine as a state. President Macron 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.

Heat wave warning issued nationwide

2025/07/25 13:34

A heat wave warning has been issued for most parts of the nation,.. with the capital Seoul expected to see daytime temperature rise to 37 degrees Celsius today. The number of days with extreme heat and tropical nights is now the second highest on record, with a week to go until August. Lee Seung-jae has more. A heat wave warning has been issued nationwide with sweltering temperatures making a return. The heat wave warning was also issued for all of Seoul on Thursday, with the capital back under the highest-level notice for the first time in 11 days. The previous heat wave warning for Seoul was issued from July 7th to the 13th. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the mercury readings for Seoul will continue to hover in the high 30s, with Friday expected to see daytime highs at 37 degrees Celsius, 38 degrees on Saturday and 37 on Sunday. A heat wave warning is issued when the maximum perceived temperature is forecast to remain above 33 degrees for at least two consecutive days. 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 the 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. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[NEWs GEN] No New Cars: Why young drivers aren't buying new cars

2025/07/25 13:33

[NEWs GEN] No New Cars: Why young drivers aren't buying new cars

STOCK&FX

2025/07/24 22:36

2025. 7. 24. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,190.45 ▲6.68 +0.21% KOSDAQ : 809.89 ▼3.67 -0.45% KOSPI200 : 430.03 ▼0.01 -0.00% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 41,826.34 ▲655.02 +1.59% HANG SENG : 25,667.18 ▲129.11 +0.51% SHANGHAI : 3,605.73 ▲23.42 +0.65% WALL STREET (July 23) DOW JONES : 45,010.29 ▲507.85 +1.14% NASDAQ : 21,020.02 ▲127.33 +0.61% S&P500 : 6,358.91 ▲49.29 +0.78% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,367.20 (-12.60) JPY : 935.03 (-4.22) CNY : 191.22 (-1.39) EUR : 1,608.72 (-10.34)

Beyond missiles: How Pyongyang is expanding its power through deals and deterrence

2025/07/24 22:35

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. As North Korea accelerates both military and diplomatic maneuvers, signs of strategic recalibration are surfacing across the region. Pyongyang has announced the construction of a third 5,000-ton destroyer, expanded uranium enrichment capacity, and deepened military-industrial cooperation with Russia — all while floating nuclear threats aimed at the U.S.-ROK-Japan alliance. At the same time, Seoul appears to be rethinking its approach, suspending decades-long radio broadcasts to the North and even reviewing the possibility of individual tourism. On Within The Frame tonight, we take a closer look at how these moves reshape not just the Peninsula but the broader security architecture in Northeast Asia. For this, we invite Youngshik Bong, Research Fellow at the Yonsei University Institute for North Korean Studies. Welcome. Also joining us is Brian Myers, Professor of International Studies at Dongseo University. Good to see you. Let's begin with North Korea's naval announcement. On July 21st, Pyongyang declared plans to complete its third 5,000-ton "Choe Hyon-class" destroyer by October 10th, 2026, coinciding with Party Foundation Day. How do you interpret the significance of the timing, and what does it signal about North Korea's broader maritime strategy? Building on that, we know the second ship in this class ran aground during its launch in May — a high-profile embarrassment — but Kim Jong-un doubled down, promising two destroyers per year from 2025. What does this insistence on naval expansion reveal about North Korea's military ambitions or internal messaging? Meanwhile, this isn't the only military investment Pyongyang's doubling down on. A recent KIDA report estimates North Korea could theoretically produce over 125 nuclear warheads annually by next year. What are the implications for regional stability if the North continues to industrialize at this pace? Adding to that, the same report notes the expansion of uranium enrichment facilities in Yongbyon and Kangson, potentially doubling production lines. How does this impact diplomatic leverage for future arms control negotiations, and should Washington and Seoul now shift from denuclearization to containment? Parallel to its military developments, North Korea appears to be diversifying its strategic lifelines — especially through deeper ties with Russia. We're now seeing North Korean apples in Russian supermarkets, local brands filing trademarks, and a 100 million dollar bridge going up over the Tumen River. How should we interpret this economic engagement? In contrast, South Korea seems to be exploring its own form of engagement — with reports that the government is reviewing individual tourism to the North, a policy not seen since the early Moon administration. How would you read into this efforts? Following South Korea's full suspension of state-run radio broadcasts to the North — a policy in place since 1973 — North Korea has now responded by halting its own jamming signals across most frequencies as of July 22nd. Given this unexpected move, should we interpret this pause in the decades-long broadcast battle as a de-escalation gesture or as a tactical silence before new messaging begins? Meanwhile, we are seeing North Korea intensify its rhetoric against the U.S.-ROK-Japan alliance, calling it a "nuclear triangle" accelerating war. Is this simply ideological noise, or do you see this as groundwork for potential provocations during upcoming trilateral drills in September? Finally, South Korea just awarded 30-day leave and commendations to soldiers who helped guide a North Korean defector across the DMZ earlier this month. Given this is the first such incident under the current administration, what message does it send domestically, and how might Pyongyang interpret it externally?

National security adviser Wi returns from U.S. amid cancellation of 2+2 trade talks

2025/07/24 21:44

Trade talks between Seoul and Washington set for Friday have been abruptly called off due to a scheduling conflict for U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Meanwhile, Seoul's National Security Adviser returned from his visit to the U.S. just hours ago and said negotiations are in the works. Park Hyo-been starts us off. After a four-day visit to the U.S., Wi Sung-lac, South Korea's national security adviser, returned to Seoul on Thursday afternoon. Wi said that he met with various U.S. officials during his visit and fully conveyed the South Korean government's position. "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." The Presidential Office said Wi held a phone consultation with Rubio, who apologized for missing their meeting due to an unexpected call from President Trump. Wi's return to South Korea comes after the announcement of trade talks being postponed. Just a week ahead of the U.S. imposing 25% reciprocal tariffs, a 2+2 high-level meeting between the trade and finance ministers from the two countries, scheduled to take place in Washington D.C., was abruptly canceled. According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the U.S. informed South Korea that the meeting, originally set for Friday, could not take place due to an urgent scheduling conflict with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The ministry added that the U.S. has proposed rescheduling the meeting in the near future, and both sides are working to set a new date as soon as possible. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol was informed of the cancellation on Thursday morning at Incheon International Airport, just as he was preparing to depart for the U.S. "Minister Koo won't be departing, so reporters will need to pull out as well. We were told it wouldn't be possible due to an urgent schedule. And then they asked when the earliest possible time might be for rescheduling." The meeting was to bring together Minister Koo and Yeo Han-koo, chief free trade negotiator, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Despite the cancellation, the South Korean government said Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Yeo Han-koo will proceed with their scheduled meetings in Washington as planned. With just days left before the August 1st deadline when the U.S. will impose reciprocal 25% tariffs on South Korean goods, talks are continuing behind closed doors, but a clear breakthrough is yet to be seen. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

[Weather] Getting hotter across the country, Seoul will soar to 37 degrees

2025/07/24 21:43

The sun shone strongly all day across the country, resulting in heat wave warnings being strengthened further. Heat wave warnings have been in effect in most parts of the country. It was as hot as around 35 degrees Celsius nationwide. This heat wave will get worse and worse. The daytime temperature will soar to 37 degrees in Seoul tomorrow and 38 degrees on Saturday, which will be the hottest day this year and the heat at night will get worse. Please be extra careful not to get a heat-related illness with such hot conditions. Tomorrow, Seoul will start warm at 27 degrees, Chuncheon and Gyeongju 23 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 35 degrees in Chuncheon and Daegu, Gyeongju 34 degrees. While it will continue to be sunny around the country, Jeju Island is expected to have rain and wind this coming weekend. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

[Econ & Biz] Stablecoins in focus: S. Korea's legal framework and global trends

2025/07/24 21:42

Today, as U.S. dollar-based stablecoins rapidly gain traction worldwide, major nations are actively pursuing institutionalization and regulations, based on both their own domestic currencies and foreign currencies. South Korea is no exception. For more, we have our economics correspondent, Moon Ji-young, in the studio. It's good to have you, Ji-young. Ji-young. What exactly is a stablecoin, and what makes them "stable"? Stablecoins are a class of digital assets designed to maintain a stable value. This stability is typically achieved by pegging their price to a fiat currency, such as the U.S. dollar, or to other specific assets. This mechanism crucially differentiates them from highly volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, thereby providing a consistent store of value within the digital realm. Their inherent price stability makes stablecoins highly suitable for a broad spectrum of digital economic activities. They facilitate efficient payments, seamless remittance, and rapid cross-border transactions by circumventing traditional financial complexities and fees. Notably, in regions experiencing fiat currency instability.such as parts of Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.stablecoins are already widely used in the real economy. Their utility further extends across various digital finance sectors, including cryptocurrency exchanges and decentralized finance. If well-designed and appropriately regulated, stablecoins could offer a faster, more efficient, and more inclusive payment option relative to existing payment systems. However, due to their potential financial risks, there's a lot of attention and discussion on the need to legalize and regulate them. 2. Alright, let's turn our attention to the global stage. What are the latest movements in stablecoin regulation and adoption worldwide? The global push to regulate stablecoins is intensifying, with major economic powers like the U.S., Japan, and the EU leading the charge. This isn't merely about digital asset oversight. It's more about reinforcing national financial sovereignty and managing the shifting tides of global economic influence. The U.S. made a significant move on July 18th by enacting the GENIUS Act, which aims to provide a clear regulatory framework. The Act specifies entry requirements for stablecoin issuers and clarifies conduct regulations for user protection, intending to foster innovation in domestic payments while promoting the global expansion of dollar-backed stablecoins. A key provision of the Act also focuses on capital and liquidity requirements, ensuring that stablecoins are fully backed by secure, liquid assets. Crucially, the U.S. is tightening regulations on foreign payment stablecoin issuers. This move signals a potential market exit for stablecoins like USDT, which currently do not comply with U.S. regulatory standards, effectively warning non-compliant entities. Meanwhile, Japan and the European Union are implementing robust regulations specifically targeting foreign-issued stablecoins to safeguard their respective monetary sovereignties. Through its 2023 Payment Services Act amendment, Japan introduced the "EPIESP" system, permitting foreign-issued stablecoins to circulate only if the handling entity accepts liability for potential losses. The EU's comprehensive MiCA regulation mandates that only EU-approved issuers can distribute foreign currency-based stablecoins within the bloc. While their approaches vary, a clear set of common objectives underpins these diverse regulatory efforts, including financial stability, consumer and investor protection, and preservation of monetary sovereignty. 3. With such significant developments abroad, how is South Korea currently approaching the institutionalization of stablecoins, and what progress has been made? South Korea is actively pursuing the legalization of domestically won-pegged stablecoins. In fact, ruling party lawmakers and the Korea Capital Market Institute held a key policy forum yesterday to discuss integrating stablecoins into the nation's legal framework. Let's take a listen to what a lawmaker had to say. "We are working on the stablecoin bill by establishing a dedicated task force. Through extensive discussions, significant progress has been made in solidifying the direction of the legislation. We anticipate that the bill will be formally introduced sometime next week." The stablecoin bill is expected to advance based on an "authorization system," proposing to raise the minimum capital requirement for stablecoin issuers to at least 5 billion Korean won, or 3-point-7 million U.S. dollars, which is higher than the previous proposal. It also aims to enforce a perpetual 1-to-1 reserve requirement. Meanwhile, the Bank of Korea has raised concerns over potential side effects. "If won-pegged stablecoins are introduced, there could be an issue where their supply creates its own demand. From a broad monetary perspective, if stablecoins are issued, the central bank might not intervene when conducting monetary policy, potentially influencing inflation." While the Financial Services Commission underscored the necessity of establishing legal protection for domestic users of foreign-issued stablecoins, the Finance Ministry emphasized the critical importance of defining their legal classification, citing concerns over money laundering. Though legislative approaches varied in South Korea, there is a clear consensus on the need for a robust legal framework that balances Korean won sovereignty, financial innovation, and stability. Alright, Ji-young. Thanks for your insights today.

SK hynix sees record Q2 earnings but Hyundai Motor Group profits tumble

2025/07/24 21:39

SK hynix reported record preliminary earnings and profit in the second quarter due to high demand in premium AI chips. However, Hyundai Motor Group saw a decline in profit due to the 25% U.S. tariffs on automobiles. Park Jun-han reports. South Korean tech giant SK hynix reported record-breaking preliminary second-quarter earnings on Wednesday. The driving force behind SK hynix's strong earnings was its competitiveness in high-value, high-bandwidth memory — a key product in the AI sector. SK hynix reported an operating profit of 9-point-2 trillion won or some 6-point-7 billion U.S. dollars, up 68-point-5 percent compared to the second quarter of last year. Its revenues hit a record 22-point-2 trillion won, or 16-point-2 billion dollars, a 35-point-4 percent on-year surge. SK hynix's dominance in premium HBM chips has propelled its earnings, as it rides the AI wave by supplying tech giants like NVIDIA, Broadcom, and Amazon. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group posted a 15-point-8 percent drop in operating profit. The 3-point-6 trillion won operating profit, roughly 2.6 billion dollars is the steepest decline in five years, This comes despite record revenues of 48-point-2 trillion won, up 7-point-3 percent. The main reason for this disparity is the 25 percent U.S. tariff on automobiles imposed since April, which has hurt the company's profitability despite robust U.S. sales as consumers bought cars early to avoid expected price increases. Hyundai's global sales grew by point-8 percent to 1-million-65-thousand units, fueled by a 36-point-4 percent increase in eco-friendly vehicle sales, particularly hybrid cars. However, the costs of tariffs and stronger incentives to stay competitive in the market have squeezed profits, causing the operating profit margin to fall to 7.5 percent. "In the case of Hyundai and Kia, they haven't raised their U.S. selling prices despite the 25% tariff, essentially not factoring the tariff into their pricing. That puts pressure on their profits, and if the situation continues, it will remain a disadvantage for Hyundai." With just eight days left until the August 1 reciprocal tariffs deadline, attention is on how any potential deal will impact Korea's main exports. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Trump puts pressure on countries to open their markets amid tariff negotiations

2025/07/24 21:38

As countries scramble to strike trade deals with the Trump administration before the August 1st deadline, the U.S. leader raised pressure on trading partners, saying that the tariffs will be lowered only when a country opens its market. Lee Seung-jae reports. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday pressed trading partners to open their markets, in order to avoid "much higher tariffs" from the U.S. The U.S. leader made the remarks in a social media post, stressing that Washington will "only lower tariffs if a country agrees to open its market," adding that those that fail to do so will be met with "much higher tariffs." Trump also said through such agreements, U.S. businesses "will boom." The latest remarks put pressure on South Korea and other countries to find ways to open their markets in exchange for the reduced tariff Trump unveiled in April. Seoul has been pushing to avoid the proposed 25 percent reciprocal tariffs, as well as sector-specific tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles that would be a major blow to its export-reliant economy. Meanwhile, in touting the recent trade deal made with Japan, which lowers its tariff rate to 15 percent, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the 500 billion U.S. dollar investment from Japan in exchange for the lowered rate will give the U.S. the ability to choose where it will be invested. In an example, Lutnick says if Trump decides to create more antibiotics in the U.S., Japan will fund the project, and give it to a U.S. business that will operate the project,.. while 90 percent of the profits will go to the American taxpayer, and 10 percent to Japan. The White House said Wednesday that the money could be used to invest in key industries. "And these funds will be spent at President Trump's discretion and direction into key industries such as energy, semiconductors, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and shipbuilding." The spokesperson said there are still many more countries that need to strike a deal with the U.S., adding that Washington has sent "25 letters to countries around the world." Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Thailand closes border with Cambodia after military clashes kill at least 12 people

2025/07/24 21:37

In Southeast Asia. Thailand's health minister has said that at least 12 people have been killed and 14 wounded in the country's conflict with Cambodia. Cha Yun-kyung reports. At least 12 Thais, mainly civilians, have been killed as Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire on Thursday morning in a disputed border area. The Royal Thai Army said that the deaths occurred in at least three different provinces along the Thai-Cambodia border. Thailand has accused Cambodia of firing heavy weapons, such as BM-21 rocket launchers and artillery, into a Thai village and a hospital. Thailand also says it has carried out air strikes on Cambodian military targets. Both sides have accused the other of firing the first shots. Anti-personnel landmines within Thai territory also caused injuries to Thai soldiers who were patrolling on Wednesday. This follows injuries from a landmine last week. As a result, Thailand has closed its entire border with Cambodia after telling all its nationals there to leave, while Cambodia has downgraded its ties with Thailand to the lowest level. " Now we have escalated the measures to level four, which involves the complete closure of all border checkpoints along the Thai-Cambodian border." Thursday's fighting has ramped up a long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. Recent border tensions in May led to the death of one Cambodian soldier. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

South Korea battling high temperatures with heat wave warnings expanded

2025/07/24 21:36

After seeing mass damage from torrential rain and floods, South Korea is now under extreme heat nationwide. And it's only looking to get hotter in the coming days. Byeon Ye-young tells us more. Korea is experiencing record-breaking heat, with Seoul expected to climb to 38 degrees Celsius over the weekend. On Thursday, the Korea Meteorological Administration issued heat wave warnings for Seoul and other areas of the country. Additional heat wave advisories have been issued as well. For Seoul, this marks the first heat wave warning issued in 11 days. A heat wave warning is issued when the maximum daily perceived temperature is expected to exceed 35 degrees Celsius for at least two consecutive days, and a heat wave advisory is issued when the perceived temperature is expected to exceed 33 degrees. A heat wave alert may also be issued when significant damage is expected due to extreme heat. Korea has recently seen an unusual pattern of heat waves and torrential rains, leading to a surge in heat-related illnesses, widespread flooding, and landslides. This has been caused by a combination of factors. "The reason why this year's heatwaves in Korea have been particularly severe is due to the air masses that dominate Korea's summer, namely the North Pacific air mass and the Tibetan air mass." High sea surface temperatures near the Philippines have intensified the North Pacific high, which expanded northwestward this year due to the lack of descending Arctic air. Additionally, reduced snowfall over the Tibetan Plateau and warmer Indian Ocean waters pushed the Tibetan high further north, increasing its impact on South Korea. The heat is expected to get worse over the next few days. "In densely populated urban areas, the urban heat island effect adds to the heat, so actual temperatures in city centers where we live could approach 40 degrees Celsius." The Korea Meteorological Administration warns of potential atmospheric instability next week due to interactions between typhoons and other systems, and urges the public to stay updated and respond accordingly. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.