News

[Politics & Diplomacy] Rival parties set aside political strife to tackle flood recovery, trade talks

2025/07/23 22:42

After days of bipartisan clashes during confirmation hearings for the Lee Jae Myung administration's first Cabinet, the National Assembly shifted its focus this week to bipartisan cooperation, tackling both domestic and international issues. For more on the key legislation and what lies ahead throughout the July extraordinary session, we turn to our political correspondent Shin Ha-young. Welcome Ha-young. Good evening. Ha-young, the rival parties have put political strife on hold to focus on responding to the recent deadly downpours in South Korea. Could you tell us more about that? Well, following the recent heavy rain that caused serious damage nationwide, both parties canceled or postponed their schedules to visit affected areas and assist with recovery efforts. The government has declared six regions as special disaster zones, and both the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party have spoken with one voice, saying more areas may need to be added. Take a listen. "We'll speed up recovery efforts to help people get back to their daily lives. A fast recovery is our top priority. The Democratic Party will work closely with the government to make sure the needed equipment and support reach affected areas on time." "Lawmakers are visiting flood-affected areas, and we'll do our best as a party to help displaced residents return to their daily lives. We also urge the government to quickly designate other hard-hit areas as special disaster zones." Also during today's plenary session, unlike the last one when parties clashed over approving Kim Min-seok's appointment as prime minister, the rival parties came to an agreement and passed a set of non-controversial bills. Among them, two notable ones relate to agriculture and fisheries. One is an amendment to the Prevention and Countermeasures against Agricultural and Fishery Disasters Act, aimed at strengthening support so that farmers and fishermen can recover more quickly and return to their daily lives after the disasters. The other is a revision to the Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Insurance Act, which expands coverage and reduces insurance premiums. Under the current laws, support for affected farmers and fishers is limited to basic relief, and this doesn't fully cover their losses or help stabilize their livelihoods after such disasters. The amendments come amid increasingly frequent and severe disasters such as floods and heavy rain linked to climate change ---most recently seen in the deadly downpours that swept across the country. Similar revisions were vetoed by the former government, but this time the rival parties agreed that conditions for farmers and fishermen need to improve, and had in-depth discussions. Like you said, while the parties do clash at times, we also see them come together when it matters. On that note, I hear the rival parties are also working together to support the South Korea-U.S. trade talks. You're right. As we saw in other coverage, Trump's reciprocal tariffs on trading partners are a key issue for South Korea. A group of lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties is currently in the U.S. to support trade talks between the two countries, aiming to encourage American state governors and local politicians to voice their support at the White House. According to the Korea-U.S. parliamentary union, they met with U.S. Congressman Bruce Westerman on Tuesday and expressed the view that the trade negotiations should be concluded swiftly through a "package deal." They suggested that instead of addressing U.S. demands separately, the two countries should bundle them into one comprehensive agreement --what they called a "good deal." The union said that they also told members of the U.S. Congress that minimizing tariffs on key items like cars and steel is crucial for the South Korean economy. They also emphasized the need to speed up the trade talks and begin preparing for a Korea-U.S. summit. Then can we expect such kind of cooperation at the Assembly throughout the rest of the July extraordinary session? Well, first of all, the extraordinary session concludes on August 4, with continued cooperation expected until that date. This is because the DP plans to address issues related to people's livelihoods, where there is a bipartisan consensus. Recently, it suggested 11 bills to the PPP for discussion and is currently awaiting a response. However, it's still hard to say the outlook is optimistic for the entire extraordinary session; instead, a political standoff between the rival parties is expected. This is because the DP plans to push for the passage of contentious bills during this period. These include a revision to the Grain Management Act that would prompt the government to take active measures to stabilize the prices of grain, mainly rice, to help farmers. A similar amendment was vetoed by the previous government last year. Another plenary session is expected on the last day of the extraordinary session, so these are key developments to watch until then. Alright, thank you for the wrap-up, Ha-young. My pleasure.

Former Seoul Station marks centennial with poetic art exhibition

2025/07/23 22:39

Just steps away from today's bustling Seoul Station stands its century-old predecessor, now reborn as a space for art and memories. A special exhibition there is inviting people to rediscover the space under the theme of "paradise." Park Hyo-been takes us there. Once a place of departures, the station now offers a different kind of arrival. The exhibition, "Our Enchanting Paradise," brings together 50 works by 21 Korean artists, featuring sculpture, media art, virtual reality, and installations, all presented inside the century-old former Seoul Station, now reborn as Culture Station Seoul 284. "This grand hall once echoed with train whistles and footsteps. Now, a century later, it's filled with the sound of art and imagination." Curators say the idea of "paradise" wasn't drawn from distant utopias, but from the very emotions this space once held: anticipation, hope and relief. "The old Seoul Station represents both departures and arrivals. We wanted to show that paradise isn't one fixed idea. It's a journey each of us makes from our own place, in our own way." In the main hall, once the heart of the station, a large-scale digital work by Hwang Se-jin reimagines a traditional Korean landscape painting, blurring the line between memory and illusion. "I was surprised by how diverse and unexpected the artworks were. The media art in the main hall really left an impression." Roh Jin-ah's "Evolutionary Chimera" blinks and responds like a real person. Her AI-powered sculpture, with human eyes and voice, challenges the boundaries between life and machine, reminding us that in an age where nature and technology blur, we are called to rethink what paradise truly means. "We think the exhibition is nice and we like the mix of old things with new and modern things." "For me, it was the talking face downstairs with the moving eyes. It was like something new and different." In a station once filled with departures and returns, art now fills in with meaning. In its century of change, it offers not only history but also a moment of reflection through art. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

More than 100,000 babies born in S. Korea through May 2025

2025/07/23 22:38

The number of newborns continues to climb here in the country. That's not it a record number of couples also tied the knot in May. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. South Korea recorded an increase in births for the 11th consecutive month in May, amid a nationwide policy push and delayed marriages during the pandemic, leading to births. According to Statistics Korea on Wednesday the number of babies born in May rose 3-point-8 percent on-year to 20-thousand-309, marking the fastest growth for that month in 14 years — but the pace of increase has started to narrow. Looking at the year up to May, the total number of babies stands at 106-thousand-048, up 6-point-9 percent compared to the same period last year. This is the fastest growth rate recorded since 1981, when data started being collected. Statistics Korea is showing cautious optimism amid the country's struggle with a demographic crisis. "The rise in marriages has played a role, along with an increase in the number of women entering their early 30s — a key childbearing age group. There's also been a gradual shift toward a more positive perception of childbirth." In fact, for 14 straight months marriages have been going up. May this year had 6-point-7 percent more marriages than last year. On the other hand, there are concerns that this is only because of the low point from the COVID era and delayed marriages especially considering that the rising rate has been getting smaller. "So while the number of births is rising, what's important to note is that this doesn't necessarily signal a rebound in the fertility rate. It's not driven by structural or fundamental changes — and that's reflected in the fact that the year-on-year growth is gradually slowing." The fertility rate right now stands at point-75, meaning the population is still shrinking. Some experts do believe the rate will go up with this trend, but a more long-term plan is necessary to bring the rate up to a healthy level with policies to push marriages and births through financial support having limited impact. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Search and rescue efforts continue after deadly torrential summer rains kill 23 in S. Korea

2025/07/23 22:37

Search and rescue efforts continue after deadly torrential summer rains scarred the entire nation last week. Our Moon Hye-ryeon tells us more. At least 23 people have died following the heavy rains that swept across South Korea last week, with the death toll continuing to rise as search and rescue operations press on. Two more bodies were recovered on Wednesday morning — one in Gapyeong-gun County, Gyeonggi-do Province, and another in Sancheong-gun County, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, where 13 fatalities have been confirmed. Authorities have identified the body found in Gapyeong as one of the individuals previously reported missing. The other remains unidentified, bringing the current number of missing people still unaccounted for to six. Search efforts are ongoing in Sancheong, where a fire department official said that while receding water levels have improved conditions slightly, the search remains challenging due to limited equipment access, forcing crews to rely heavily on manual inspections. In Gapyeong, search teams involving more than 700 personnel continue, but have been prolonged due to rapid water currents. Meanwhile, residents in the area are grappling with the aftermath of the torrential rains and landslides that devastated homes, businesses, and farmlands. "The cowshed was completely flooded. We got a warning from the village center telling us to evacuate, but with the cows here, we couldn't leave. It was heartbreaking." Nearly two million livestock died due to the heavy rains since last Wednesday, while nearly 3 hectares of crops were destroyed. Many returned to find their properties unrecognizable — buildings reduced to rubble, interiors buried under layers of mud, and entire crops destroyed. "The damage is just overwhelming. The water's been cut off, so there's nothing we can do. There's no electricity, no running water" As the nation continues to reel from the destruction, rescue crews remain in a race against time, working around the clock to locate the missing and support recovery efforts. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Gender Equality Minister nominee Kang Sun-woo steps down amid workplace abuse allegations

2025/07/23 22:36

Ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, nominated to serve as South Korea's Minister of Gender Equality and Family, has stepped down, following allegations of workplace abuse against her aides. According to Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, the nominee expressed her intention to resign to Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik on Wednesday afternoon, who then reported it to President Lee Jae Myung. In a Facebook post, Kang apologized to the public, President Lee, and her party, saying she would "live a life of self-reflection." The Presidential Office says it will swiftly search for a new nominee who meets "the public's expectations."

President Lee speaks with leaders of Kazakhstan, Sweden for cooperation

2025/07/23 22:35

The leaders of South Korea and Kazakhstan have agreed to expand the two countries' cooperation on infrastructure and critical minerals, based upon their "strategic partnership." That was discussed during the first phone call between President Lee Jae Myung and his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday. Lee also asked for support from Tokayev for Korean companies making inroads into Kazakhstan. President Lee also spoke with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and agreed to advance cooperation on defense, supply chains, and culture. Noting Sweden's role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula as a member of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, the two leaders agreed to work closely together on related issues.

Trump imposes 15% tariffs on Japanese exports to U.S.

2025/07/23 22:34

And South Korea's industry minister's trip to the U.S. came just hours after the U.S. announced its new tariff deal sealed with Japan. Lee Seung-jae has the details. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Washington will impose a 15 percent tariff on goods from Japan. In a social media post, the U.S. leader touted what he called a "massive deal" that would also see Japan invest 550 billion U.S. dollars into the U.S., adding that the U.S. would "receive 90 percent of the profits." Trump also noted that Japan will open trade to cars and trucks, rice, and "certain" other agricultural products. Trump also announced on Tuesday that the U.S. will charge a 19 percent tariff on goods from the Philippines. The figure is a percentage point lower than what was announced in April. The announcement was made in a social media post, with Trump saying that Washington had reached a deal with Manila, after holding talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Junior at the White House. In exchange,.. the U.S. will see zero tariffs on goods going to the Southeast Asian nation. Meanwhile,.. the U.S. has agreed to lower the tariffs imposed on Indonesia from 32 percent to 19 percent. The U.S. will see virtually no tax on all American goods shipped to Indonesia. The U.S. will also be exempt from most regulations on automobiles, agricultural products, and pharmaceuticals exports to the Southeast Asian nation. According to a senior Trump administration official, Indonesia will reduce tariffs to zero percent on over 99 percent of the products from the U.S. and eliminate all non-tariff barriers. With the U.S. and China still trying to strike a trade deal,.. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Tuesday that a third round of trade talks with Beijing is scheduled for next week in Sweden. Speaking to Fox Business,.. Bessent said that he will be in Stockholm from July 28th to 29th, with his Chinese counterparts, adding that they'll be working out "what is likely an extension." Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

APEC D-100: Peru ambassador on Korea’s readiness, bilateral impact, and shared goals

2025/07/23 21:36

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. With just 100 days to go until the 2025 APEC Leader's meeting in Gyeongju, Korea is stepping up its final preparations for what's expected to be a pivotal gathering of Asia-Pacific leaders. This year's summit comes at a critical time—with global supply chains shifting, protectionism on the rise, and new technologies like AI reshaping economies. Korea is pushing key themes like demographic change and innovation to the forefront. Peru, which successfully hosted last year's APEC as chair, has been working closely with Korea to share insights and lessons learned. For today's exclusive, we're joined by Paul Duclos, Peru's Ambassador to Korea, to get his take on Korea's readiness, the summit's expected impact, and the future of bilateral cooperation. Welcome Ambassador. 1. First off, earlier this month, on July 9th, you attended Korea's APEC briefing hosted by the 2025 APEC Preparation Committee. From your perspective, how would you assess Korea's current level of readiness for the summit? 2. Building on that visit, we know you personally traveled to Gyeongju last year for a preliminary inspection. In your view, what are Gyeongju's key strengths as the host city for APEC? 3. On the subject of knowledge-sharing, you've expressed Peru's intent to offer its experience and know-how to Gyeongju. As last year's host country, what lessons or insights have you been able to share with Korea so far? 4. Zooming out to a bigger picture, economic integration remains a core APEC value. Amid the global surge in protectionism, what role do you believe this year's APEC in Gyeongju should play in countering that trend? 5. Looking back at last year's momentum, the South Korea-Peru summit held during APEC led to MOUs in defense and critical minerals cooperation. Through this year's summit, in which new areas do you foresee deeper bilateral cooperation between Korea and Peru? 6. Turning to this year's agenda, the Korean government has put forward demographic change and artificial intelligence as its core themes. What's your take on these priorities, and why do you believe APEC-wide coordination is especially important on these topics? 7. Reflecting on your own country's hosting success, Peru's 2024 APEC is now being recognized as one of the standout summits. What do you think made it so successful—and what were the key ingredients behind that success? 8. With just around 100 days left before the opening, as the ambassador of a recently successful host country, what would be your one piece of advice to ensure a successful APEC summit in Gyeongju? 9. On a broader bilateral note, Peru and Korea mark 62 years of diplomatic ties this year. In your view, what have been the most meaningful achievements in our relationship, and how would you characterize the current state of South Korea-Peru relations? 10. And finally, looking ahead, you've mentioned Peru's hope to expand cooperation with Korea in digital tech and defense. What specific projects or discussions can we expect in the near future?

[APEC LEADERS' MEETING D-100] How far have S. Korea's preparations come?

2025/07/23 19:42

South Korea is hosting this year's APEC forum and with one hundred days left to the start of the summit meeting Prime Minister Kim Min-seok chaired a related meeting to check on the preparations thus far. Song Yoo-jin reports. Tens of thousands of people -delegates, including world leaders, CEOs, and journalists -will gather in the South Korean city of Gyeongju this fall for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC Leaders' Meeting. With 100 days to go, new Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, the head of the event's preparation committee, chaired a meeting on Wednesday to review preparations and progress. "Just as the 1988 Seoul Olympics changed Korea's global standing, this year's APEC carries even greater historic weight. It's a chance to reestablish Korea's place in the world after last year's political turmoil. We must aim for an unprecedented 'K-APEC' that exceeds expectations across diplomacy, venues, accommodations, programming, and service." Member states will discuss digital innovation and regional connectivity at the two-day Leaders' Meeting from October 31st to November 1st. Eyes are on who will attend in person, especially U.S. President Donald Trump, China's Xi Jinping, and Russia's Vladimir Putin. "From transport and logistics to medical services, all government agencies will work as one so that there are no gaps in the preparation. Specific programs will be finalized by August, infrastructure completed by September, and rehearsals conducted in October, so that we're fully ready by October 31st." And the APEC CEO Summit will bring together world leaders and prominent business figures for meaningful dialogue. "We're focusing on next-generation AI chips, digital transformation, and e-commerce. We plan to host 77 speakers, 17 heads of state, and 60 top-tier figures, over 19 hours of programming. It will be the longest CEO Summit in APEC history." Wednesday's meeting was broadcast live, part of the government's effort to ignite public interest. "We encourage you to visit Gyeongju, learn more about our history, and follow our APEC preparations. We'll open new dialogue and feedback channels with the public." This will be the first summit-level multilateral event held in South Korea under President Lee Jae Myung, which means it could serve as a test of his administration's diplomatic strategy. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

[Weather] Temperatures will get higher this week with heat wave warnings everywhere

2025/07/23 19:41

The summer heat is warming up the whole country. Heat wave warnings have been issued across the country except for some inland areas of Gangwon-do, and have been extended in Gyeonggi-do Province, Chungcheongnam-do Province, and most of the south. Today, the daytime temperature in Seoul rose to 33 degrees Celsius, Gyeongsan 37 degrees, and the temperatures in most regions felt closer to 35 degrees. It will get hotter and hotter through rest of the week. Tomorrow, the daytime temperature in Seoul will rise to 34 degrees, and on Friday and Saturday, it will rise to 36 degrees. Tomorrow morning, most areas will start off at around 25 degrees. Highs will move up to 35 degrees in Daejeon, 36 degrees in Gwangju and Daegu. Even at night, the heat will not cool down and the tropical nights will continue. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: U.S. to leave UN cultural agency UNESCO again

2025/07/23 19:41

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. The United States has announced that it will pull out of the United Nations' cultural and educational agency, UNESCO, once again, as part of President Donald Trump's efforts to withdraw from international institutions. A White House spokesperson announced on Tuesday that the withdrawal will take effect in December 2026, adding that the country's continued participation in the agency is not in its "national interest." U.S. officials criticized UNESCO's agenda, highlighting its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and its 2011 acceptance of Palestine, as misaligned with U.S. values. This marks the third U.S. departure, following exits in 1984 under the Reagan administration and 2017 under Trump, with the U.S. then rejoining in 2003 and 2023, respectively. U.S. financial contributions currently represent approximately 8 percent of UNESCO's budget, down from over 20 percent previously. UNESCO's Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, expressed deep regret but emphasized that the agency is prepared, both financially and operationally. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned on Tuesday that Türkiye will directly intervene to stop any attempt to fragment Syria or allow militants to gain autonomy. Fidan addressed reporters in Ankara at a joint news conference after recent clashes between the Druze and Bedouin groups in the city of Sweida He also accused Israel of seeking to destabilize Syria and push for separatism in the south. The minister specifically warned Kurdish groups that any moves toward autonomy or independence would be seen as a "big strategic catastrophe" and a direct threat to Türkiye's national security. Following a push by U.S. President Donald Trump, Coca-Cola announced on Tuesday that it will introduce a new version of its flagship product in the U.S. this fall, sweetened with domestic sugar cane. CEO James Quincey confirmed that to align with consumer demand, Coca-Cola will launch a U.S. cane sugar variant this fall, following Trump's appeal for "REAL Cane Sugar" instead of corn syrup. The new product will complement the core recipe, rather than replacing the classic formulation. Coca-Cola also reported robust second-quarter profits, beating estimates for quarterly results. The company's comparable revenue beat estimates by increasing 2.5 percent in the 3 months up to June 27. In the United Kingdom, Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath known as the "Prince of Darkness," died on Tuesday at the age of 76. No immediate cause was given, though he had been battling Parkinson's disease since 2020. His final performance took place only recently, on July 5, at Villa Park stadium in his hometown of Birmingham, with the proceeds donated to organizations such as Parkinson's UK. Over his five-decade career with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, Ozzy Osbourne sold more than 100 million records and earned a revered place in rock history. Tributes poured in worldwide, with Elton John calling him "a true legend." Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

[THE INTERVIEW] Meet Korean bobsleigh legend now racing for IOC seat

2025/07/23 19:39

In our interview segment today we sit down with Asia's first-ever bobsleigh Olympic medalist who is now seeking to write a fresh chapter in sports diplomacy for South Korea. Our Park Kun-woo meet up with him. Legendary Korean bobsleigher Won Yunjong appeared confident and full of anticipation after being named one of the final 11 candidates for membership of the IOC Athletes' Commission last month. "Those candidates are role models in their own sports and have significant influence. So it's truly meaningful to be named among them." If elected in the athletes' vote at the 2026 Winter Games, Won would become Korea's first winter sports athlete to hold a seat on the IOC Athletes' Commission. Then he'd be able to act as a bridge between the IOC and athletes -to listen to them and make sure they're represented -throughout his 8-year term. Won says his own experience as an athlete has shaped how he hopes to serve. "If elected, I want to connect with athletes everywhere and speak with them freely. I've seen athletes struggling when transitioning after retirement. I want to support them through that phase, and help address mental health concerns, too. I also want to eradicate doping and protect clean athletes." With climate change threatening the future of winter sports, Won says environmental advocacy should also be part of the job. "Athletes have a big influence on the public. If they take the lead in environmental campaigns, it can raise awareness and help preserve both the planet and winter sports." But the road won't be easy. Won says he's ready to walk thousands of steps, literally, to meet athletes during the Olympics, with sincerity. For the legendary bobsleigh athlete, challenge is nothing new, as it's been the driving force behind every milestone in his journey. "What does challenge mean to you on a personal level, and as a person Won Yunjong, what are your personal goals?" "Challenge means growth and change to me. When I tried to become a bobsleigh athlete, it was a challenge and I made it. I tried to get the medal and it was a huge challenge for me, all my life, but yeah I did it. I think there are lots of challenges if I want to get good outcomes. So I believe that I can be a better person through challenges." 'No brake until the end.' With that mindset, Won says he'll keep racing forward -just like on the bobsleigh track -toward what could be a new milestone for Korean sports diplomacy. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Pyeongchang.

Former Seoul Station marks centennial with poetic art exhibition

2025/07/23 19:38

Just a few footsteps away from today's bustling Seoul Station stands its one-hundred-year-old counterpart which has been transformed into a space for art. Our Park Hyo-been was there. Once a place of departures, the station now offers a different kind of arrival. The exhibition, "Our Enchanting Paradise," brings together 50 works by 21 Korean artists, featuring sculpture, media art, virtual reality, and installations, all presented inside the century-old former Seoul Station, now reborn as Culture Station Seoul 284. "This grand hall once echoed with train whistles and footsteps. Now, a century later, it's filled with the sound of art and imagination." Curators say the idea of "paradise" wasn't drawn from distant utopias, but from the very emotions this space once held: anticipation, hope and relief. "The old Seoul Station represents both departures and arrivals. We wanted to show that paradise isn't one fixed idea. It's a journey each of us makes from our own place, in our own way." In the main hall, once the heart of the station, a large-scale digital work by Hwang Se-jin reimagines a traditional Korean landscape painting, blurring the line between memory and illusion. "I was surprised by how diverse and unexpected the artworks were. The media art in the main hall really left an impression." Roh Jin-ah's "Evolutionary Chimera" blinks and responds like a real person. Her AI-powered sculpture, with human eyes and voice, challenges the boundaries between life and machine, reminding us that in an age where nature and technology blur, we are called to rethink what paradise truly means. "We think the exhibition is nice and we like the mix of old things with new and modern things." "For me, it was the talking face downstairs with the moving eyes. It was like something new and different." In a station once filled with departures and returns, art now fills in with meaning. In its century of change, it offers not only history but also a moment of reflection through art. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

South Korea hardens crackdown on illegal gambling in 2024

2025/07/23 19:37

The National Gambling Control Commission has made public its 2024 Statistics Report on Speculative Industries as part of efforts to crack down on illegal gambling. According to the report released today on-site monitoring activities targeting illegal gambling operations have tripled on year demonstrating the government's commitment to creating a safer and more responsible social environment.

Highest drop in housing price increase expectations in 3 years due to loan regulations

2025/07/23 19:37

The outlook on housing prices has declined tangibly. According to the Bank of Korea the housing price forecast index for July stood at 109 down 11 points on month. While the index remains higher than the long-term average of 107 its reading for this month is the largest monthly decline in three years and reflects a substantial fall in the number of people who believe home prices will rise over the next year. Bank officials are linking this latest finding to the recent implementation of real estate loan regulation by the Lee Jae Myung administration

More than 100,000 babies born in S. Korea through May 2025

2025/07/23 19:37

Also on the local front. More babies were born and more marriages were noted in May both extending months of consecutive rises. Kim Do-yeon has details. South Korea recorded an increase in births for the 11th consecutive month in May, amid a nationwide policy push and delayed marriages during the pandemic, leading to births. According to Statistics Korea on Wednesday the number of babies born in May rose 3-point-8 percent on-year to 20-thousand-309, marking the fastest growth for that month in 14 years — but the pace of increase has started to narrow. Looking at the year up to May, the total number of babies stands at 106-thousand-048, up 6-point-9 percent compared to the same period last year. This is the fastest growth rate recorded since 1981, when data started being collected. Statistics Korea is showing cautious optimism amid the country's struggle with a demographic crisis. "The rise in marriages has played a role, along with an increase in the number of women entering their early 30s — a key childbearing age group. There's also been a gradual shift toward a more positive perception of childbirth." In fact, for 14 straight months marriages have been going up. May this year had 6-point-7 percent more marriages than last year. On the other hand, there are concerns that this is only because of the low point from the COVID era and delayed marriages especially considering that the rising rate has been getting smaller. "So while the number of births is rising, what's important to note is that this doesn't necessarily signal a rebound in the fertility rate. It's not driven by structural or fundamental changes — and that's reflected in the fact that the year-on-year growth is gradually slowing." The fertility rate right now stands at point-75, meaning the population is still shrinking. Some experts do believe the rate will go up with this trend, but a more long-term plan is necessary to bring the rate up to a healthy level with policies to push marriages and births through financial support having limited impact. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Search and rescue efforts continue after deadly torrential summer rains kill 23 in S. Korea

2025/07/23 19:36

The death toll from last week's torrential rain has risen yet again. Our Moon Hye-ryeon has the latest. At least 23 people have died following the heavy rains that swept across South Korea last week, with the death toll continuing to rise as search and rescue operations press on. Two more bodies were recovered on Wednesday morning — one in Gapyeong-gun County, Gyeonggi-do Province, and another in Sancheong-gun County, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, where 13 fatalities have been confirmed. Authorities have identified the body found in Gapyeong as one of the individuals previously reported missing. The other remains unidentified, bringing the current number of missing people still unaccounted for to six. Search efforts are ongoing in Sancheong, where a fire department official said that while receding water levels have improved conditions slightly, the search remains challenging due to limited equipment access, forcing crews to rely heavily on manual inspections. In Gapyeong, search teams involving more than 700 personnel continue, but have been prolonged due to rapid water currents. Meanwhile, residents in the area are grappling with the aftermath of the torrential rains and landslides that devastated homes, businesses, and farmlands. "The cowshed was completely flooded. We got a warning from the village center telling us to evacuate, but with the cows here, we couldn't leave. It was heartbreaking." Nearly two million livestock died due to the heavy rains since last Wednesday, while nearly 3 hectares of crops were destroyed. Many returned to find their properties unrecognizable — buildings reduced to rubble, interiors buried under layers of mud, and entire crops destroyed. "The damage is just overwhelming. The water's been cut off, so there's nothing we can do. There's no electricity, no running water" As the nation continues to reel from the destruction, rescue crews remain in a race against time, working around the clock to locate the missing and support recovery efforts. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Seoul and Washington select CH-47 Chinook helicopter engine for first MRO project

2025/07/23 19:35

The defense ministries of South Korea and the United States have chosen the engine of the CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter for a maintenance repair and overhaul project also known as "M-R-O." The choice was made during a regular logistics cooperation committee meeting here in Seoul this past Tuesday. The MRO for the American helicopter's engine will be carried out in South Korea. Hanhwa Aerospace is expected to undertake the task as it is the only domestic company that has experience in maintaining this type of engine.

Seoul's efforts to lower U.S. tariffs on specific items will be 'challenging': Fmr. acting USTR

2025/07/23 19:35

Seeking exemptions from product-specific U.S. tariffs will be "very challenging". This is according to Stephen Vaughn former acting U.S. Trade Representative while addressing members of the Korean media in Washington on Tuesday local time. South Korea has been pressing for exemptions on products such as steel which faces a 50-percent tariff and autos which have been slapped with a 25-percent tariff. The former trade official pointed out that steel and autos are seen as critical to U.S. security and warned that slashing tariffs for one ally would open the floodgates for others. He nonetheless hinted that greater access for American agricultural products like rice and beef into the Korean market might help Seoul's case.

Trump says Japan will pay 15% tariffs to U.S.

2025/07/23 19:34

The Trump administration's tariff on Japanese imports into the American market has been lowered to 15 percent and Tokyo has reportedly agreed to import American rice. Lee Seung-jae has details. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Washington will impose a 15 percent tariff on goods from Japan. In a social media post, the U.S. leader touted what he called a "massive deal" that would also see Japan invest 550 billion U.S. dollars into the U.S., adding that the U.S. would "receive 90 percent of the profits." Trump also noted that Japan will open trade to cars and trucks, rice, and "certain" other agricultural products. Trump also announced on Tuesday that the U.S. will charge a 19 percent tariff on goods from the Philippines. The figure is a percentage point lower than what was announced in April. The announcement was made in a social media post, with Trump saying that Washington had reached a deal with Manila, after holding talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Junior at the White House. In exchange,.. the U.S. will see zero tariffs on goods going to the Southeast Asian nation. Meanwhile,.. the U.S. has agreed to lower the tariff imposed on Indonesia from 32 percent to 19 percent. The U.S. will see virtually no tax on all American goods shipped to Indonesia. The U.S. will also be exempt from most regulations on automobiles, agricultural products, and pharmaceuticals exports to the Southeast Asian nation. According to a senior Trump administration official, Indonesia will reduce tariffs to zero percent on over 99 percent of the products from the U.S. and eliminate all non-tariff barriers. With the U.S. and China still trying to strike a trade deal,.. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Tuesday that a third round of trade talks with Beijing is scheduled for next week in Sweden. Speaking to Fox Business,.. Bessent said that he will be in Stockholm from July 28th to 29th, with his Chinese counterparts, adding that they'll be working out "what is likely an extension." With Seoul also working to strike a deal with Washington before the August 1st deadline, South Korea's Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Tuesday that he would hold so-called "2+2" high-level trade talks with the U.S. on Friday. Koo said he and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo will head to Washington for the talks, involving Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Without a trade deal,.. South Korea is set to face 25 percent tariffs on all goods entering the U.S. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.