News

Samsung Electronics Chairman free of all legal troubles; what next?

2025/07/17 19:37

In other news. An almost decade long court battle against the head of Samsung Electronics has come to an end. Our business correspondent Kim Do-yeon has details. After nearly a decade of legal battles, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong is now officially free of all charges. On Thursday, South Korea's Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling acquitting the Samsung Chairman of fraud and market manipulation. The case centered on a controversial 2015 merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries — a deal that helped Lee cement control over Samsung Electronics, despite not owning direct shares. The merger came as Lee was in the midst of inheriting leadership from his now-late father, Lee Kun-hee. Prosecutors argued the merger unfairly favored Cheil, where Lee was the largest shareholder. But the top court ruled there was insufficient evidence that the deal or the related accounting practices violated the law. Lee's legal woes began in 2016 with a bribery case linked to former impeached President Park Geun-hye. He served a total of 18 months in prison over the course of four years until 2021 and was barred from holding an official role at Samsung for five years following his release from prison. That ban was lifted early after a presidential pardon in 2022 by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, paving the way for his formal return to Samsung leadership. Despite rejoining the company, Lee remained entangled in the ongoing merger case, making frequent court appearances. His legal team celebrated an appeals court acquittal in February 2025 and famously left this comment. "I hope this decision leads to the defendant returning and concentrating on their work." Lee's freedom from legal issues comes as Samsung Electronics has recently faced mounting headwinds. Its operating profit for the second quarter was slashed in half year-on-year, dragged down by weakness in its key semiconductor business, which accounts for more than half of total profits. Pundits say the legal issues didn't help and kept the company as a whole from making risky and bold decisions. But now, at least, the man at the top is no longer looking over his shoulder — and that may mark a turning point for South Korea's biggest conglomerate. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Nat'l Assembly unveils monument symbolizing its identity on 77th Constitution Day

2025/07/17 19:36

Today that is July 17th is Constitution Day here in South Korea and in light of this occasion the National Assembly shared a monument and prepared a time capsule to be opened precisely one hundred years from today. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. "The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea The Last Bastion of Democracy" are the words engraved on a monument unveiled on Thursday on the front lawn of the National Assembly, marking the 77th anniversary of the first proclamation of the Constitution. On the back, it commemorates the day the Assembly, with the people, blocked martial law troops, ending the decree's implementation, and reaffirming its commitment to protect the people and strengthen democracy. "Beneath the monument lies a National Assembly time capsule, buried to mark the 77th Constitution Day. It contains items that reflect the spirit of the times and will be opened 100 years from now, on July 17, 2125." The items include legislative and policy reports, notable bills, Dokdo-related publications, photos of the Assembly, a backup gavel, and messages from lawmakers and staff to future generations. South Korea's constitution was promulgated in 1948 based on open democracy. It was last revised in 1987 after decades of authoritarian rule. To celebrate the anniversary, the National Assembly held a special ceremony on Thursday, where Speaker Woo Won-shik highlighted the power of the Constitution. "This is the first Constitution Day since the December 3rd martial law declaration. In Korea, the people protect the Constitution, and the Constitution protects them. That's why the Constitution is powerful, and Korea is strong." Woo also called for constitutional reform, saying this was needed to meet today's needs and to build a stronger democracy and improve people's lives. He floated the idea of a constitutional referendum alongside the presidential election back in April in order to address calls for decentralization of power following the martial law declaration, but withdrew this after a backlash. "We need to act before it's too late. Rather than a full reform, we should begin with small, gradual amendments that the National Assembly, government and people can all agree on." Posting on Facebook, President Lee Jae Myung called for a discussion on constitutional reform and urged the National Assembly to lead the process, pledging to work alongside the legislature to reflect the will of the people. Meanwhile, following several recently proposed bills to reinstate Constitution Day as a public holiday, attention is on whether it will become a national holiday again for the first time since 2007. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea’s confirmation hearings: Key discussions on U.S. tariffs, economic challenges, and security

2025/07/17 19:35

Meanwhile at the parliament. Confirmation hearings for nominees of the foreign and economy minister posts took place today. Our Kim Jung-sil has the latest. Foreign minister nominee Cho Hyun expressed confidence that an agreement on U.S. tariffs could be reached before the August 1st deadline set by President Donald Trump. When asked at Thursday's confirmation hearing whether the negotiations could conclude in such a short time, Cho said this: "It seems possible, though it's hard to predict. We are putting in our utmost efforts, and from the U.S. perspective, South Korea is not only a very important ally but also a key trading partner, so I believe they will prioritize negotiations with us." Cho also highlighted the potential for both countries to turn the crisis into a win-win opportunity by leveraging South Korea's strengths. If appointed, he pledged to visit the U.S. as early as next week to help finalize the crucial negotiations. Moving to security, Cho was asked whether North Korea remains South Korea's "primary enemy." "North Korea is an urgent and existential threat, but it is also a necessary partner in dialogue for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula." Cho emphasized the importance of close cooperation with the U.S. to ease tensions with North Korea and create opportunities for dialogue. He also outlined plans to strengthen trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan, while encouraging constructive roles from China and Russia. Meanwhile, confirmation hearings for key economic positions also took place. The finance minister nominee, Koo Yun-cheol, highlighted rising inflation, declining household incomes, and worsening external factors, stressing the decline in growth potential. He vowed to lead economic reforms to boost South Korea's future growth. Industry minister nominee, Kim Jung-kwan, outlined plans to boost exports and investments, emphasizing trade policies to strengthen the national interest, especially in response to U.S. tariffs, and expanding global trade networks through agreements and APEC Summits. As hearings continue, focus remains on how nominees' policies will shape South Korea's security and economy. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

President Lee Jae Myung names special envoys to U.S.

2025/07/17 19:33

And President Lee Jae Myung has appointed Park Yong-maan former chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry to lead a diplomatic delegation to the U.S. The three-member delegation includes Park along with ruling Democratic Party lawmakers Han Jun-ho and Kim Woo-young . According to Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sang-ho the delegation is not being dispatched to address a specific subject but to convey changes within South Korea in light of the recent transition of political power. Their departure date has yet to be decided.

President Lee orders all-out response to heavy rain

2025/07/17 19:33

In related news. President Lee Jae Myung has ordered an all-out response to the heavy rain. Meeting with his top aides earlier today he called for safety inspections of high-risk areas including underpasses underground parking lots and retaining walls. "We're already receiving reports of flood damage and casualties. There must be zero tolerance for even the smallest mistakes when it comes to protecting lives." Linking the government's primary purpose to public protection the president also urged for swift probes into recent workplace fatalities strict accountability for those responsible and stronger support for those falling through the cracks of the welfare system. Also marking Constitution Day today he proposed reinstating July 17th as a public holiday calling it a chance to reflect on the spirit of popular sovereignty.

S. KOREA DISPATCHES DIPLOMATIC DELEGATIONS

2025/07/17 18:34

Hello. It's Thursday July 17th here in Seoul and you're watching Press Perspective. I'm Min Sunhee. Today we touch upon South Korea's diplomatic endeavors as it seeks to ensure mutual gains on the trade and security fronts with its global partners. For more I have Ruy Valdes with Spanish news agency EFE Spain. Ruy welcome. I also have Malene Jensen with Danish weekly broadsheet Weekendavisen over in Denmark. Malene it's great to have you on. Malene, the Lee Jae Myung administration has begun dispatching diplomatic delegations overseas to bolster its bilateral interactions with its global partners and among the first four destinations are the EU headquarters in Belgium, France, the UK and India. What has been the response of the foreign media to such diplomatic endeavors by South Korea? Ruy, the first four nations do not include the U.S. nor China. What do you suppose is South Korea's broader intention? Malene, according to the New York Times, Mr. Trump's tariffs are encouraging America's Asian allies to "seek out better friends." What are pundits there saying about prospects of greater partnership between South Korea and Europe? Malene, defense looks to be another area of cooperation between South Korea and Europe. Again, what are the prospects of South Korea emerging as an arms supplier for Europe? Ruy, earlier this week, South Korea extended formal invitations to APEC leaders for this year's summit in Gyeongju. Is South Korea's diplomacy back on track? Malene, earlier this week, President Lee Jae Myung addressed the audience of the 2025 World Congress of Political Science, which was held here in Seoul. What do you believe are the broader implications of this hosting especially keeping in mind South Korea's short-lived martial law in December and the political turmoil it caused? Ruy, back here on the national front. After meeting with bereaved family members of victims of tragic accidents including the Sewol Ferry disaster and the Itaewon crowd crush, President Lee Jae Myung called for a disaster response mechanism that is centered on the victims. What were your takeaways? Ruy, Korea's medical school students are returning back to the academic arena, ending a walkout that has lasted about a year and a half. What are some of the pending tasks for the new administration with regard to this particular issue? All right.

K-Sports highlights with Jason Lee

2025/07/17 16:36

South Korea has won its first East Asian WOMEN'S football title in TWO decades. The tournament for the country's men's team did not end that successfully though. For more in the world of K-sports we are joined by our sportscaster Jason Lee in the studio who will bring us all the highlights. Hello Jason! Q1. Let's kick off in a celebratory mood, South Korea's national women's football team won the East Asian Football Championship title, their first in 20 years? Yes, this was actually a little unexpected, because Korea tied China 2-2 and Japan 1-1 in their first 2 games and both those teams also beat Chinese Taipei so basically whoever won between China and Japan would have 2 wins and a draw compared to Korea's best possible outcome of 1 win and 2 draws. But, would you believe China and Japan played to a scoreless draw meaning all 3 teams finished with 1 win and 2 draws. The first tie breaker is goals scored within the teams tied and Korea had 3 total goals in those 2 games, while China had 2 and Japan had just 1 so Korea would claim the title for the first time since the innaugural event back in 2005. You could say Korea earned it with their win over Chinese Taipei, but they definitely also needed a bit of luck with the scoreless draw between China and Japan. Q2. The East Asian Football Tournament however did not wrap up on a successful note for the men's team Korea fell short in their pursuit of a 6th title. Yes, Korea beat Hong Kong 2-0 and China 3-0, but they fell to Japan 1-0 in their final game. Japan was plus 7 compared to Korea being plus 5 going into the game so Japan actually had an advantage only needing a draw compared to Korea needing to win the game to finish first in the standings. Korea gave up a goal to Japan just 8 minutes into the final contest and then simply couldn't score. Na Sang-Ho actually hit the post just before Japan's goal. And Lee Jae-Ho almost scored on a spectacular volley that was stopped by the Japanese keeper. But in the end Japan wins their 3rd E-1 Championship Korea still has the most wins with 5 of the 10 to date that's also Korea's 3rd straight loss to Japan which is a first in senior men's matches Korea still holds an edge with a 42-17 and 23 record against Japan overall. Q2. Because Korea did not use any of their players based in Europe, there were a lot of opportunities for the K-Leaguers and others to shine who left an impression on you? Yeah, there were 10 players that had never played a senior National team game on the roster so a lot of opportunity. I have to admit that no one player really wowed me that much, but players that stood out from the pack, I would say: midfielder Seo Min-Woo was noticeable. What I liked about his game was his ability to make accurate long passes he made a brilliant 20 yarder to Kang Sang-Yoon for a goal against Hong Kong. It was a nice goal from Kang, but I kind of noticed the pass by Seo Min-Woo more and at the highest level it's passes like that that can make the difference. The other player I want to mention is Lee Ho-Jae who scored Korea's 2nd goal against Hong Kong. It was his first goal with the senior squad and what I liked about it was that it was a header. And what's the big deal about that you might ask, well Lee Ho-Jae is 193cm tall, which translates to about 6'3'. That makes him one of the taller Korean forwards and even if he doesn't become a regular, if he can become a winner in the air, that could prove useful for set plays and late game additions in big games. Q3. Let's shift our attention to the KBO's All-Star Game. which took place over the weekend. Team Nanum defeated Team Dream 8-6 what stood out in this year's game? Yeah, the Nanum team is made up of players from the LG Twins, Kia Tigers, NC Dinos, Kiwoom Heroes and Hanhwa Eagles. Team Dream actually led 1-0 in the first, but Team Nanum immediately responded with 4-runs in the bottom of the inning helped by a 2-run Park Dong-Won Home Run. The LG catcher would be named the game's MVP for that shot as well 3 total hits and 3 RBI. He received a Kia EV4 for his performance. Q4. What about from an entertainment standpoint, because we all know that All Star Games in Korea are more about what the players prepare than how they play in the game Yeah, there are always lots fun costumes and planned entertainment to keep everything light-hearted and fun. And some of the more memorable spectacles included Hanhwa's Cody Ponce entering as Darth Vader. Lotte's Victor Reyes stepped into the batter's box wearing a Korean Hanbok and Twins centerfielder Park Hae-Min showed up as Spiderman. My favourite surprise of the eventhing was SSG Lander's pitcher Lee Ro-Un dressing up in a Boyscout uniform. You sort of have to get it because Lee Ro-Un is only 20 years old, but he's got a baby face that makes him look like a middle schooler so I thought the boyscout costume was very appropriate and hilarious. Q5. And before we could start the KBO's 2nd half, there's been some more leadership changes this time with Kiwoom parting ways with more than just their manager Yes Kiwoom cleaned house firing manager Hong Won-Ki, General Manager Ko Hyung-Wook and even Bench Coach Kim Chang-Hyun. This team has finished dead last in each of the last 2 seasons and will most likely make it 3 in a row by the end of this year. Kiwoom have obviously lost some good players in Lee Jung-Hoo, Kim Hye-Seong and Kim Ha-Seong over the last few years, but they've also received over 20-million dollar in compensation for those guys that obviously wasn't properly spent to re-invest into the team so I'm not the least bit surprised these moves were made. Q6. Speaking of those three former Kiwoom players, now that Major League Baseball just had its All-Star Game, how would you say the first half has been so far for Lee Jung-Hoo, Kim Hye-Seong and Kim Ha-Seong? It's honestly been a bit of a roller coaster ride so far. Let's start with Lee Jung-Hoo who was off to a hot start in April not so much as of late his average has dropped to.249 and he's even been hitting lower in the order, usually at 6th most recently. Honestly I think pitchers are figuring out how to pitch to him now and now he needs to recognize that and now adjust his hitting to how he's being pitched to and honestly I think he'll figure things out soon enough being the way he is. Kim Hye-Seong on the Dodgers is getting much more playing time as of late and he's been contributing with a.339 average now with 2 home runs and 11 steals in just 112 at bats. I would say he has outplayed Tommy Edmond as of late so hopefully that'll make him even more of a mainstay in the line up for the 2nd half. As for Kim Ha-Seong of the Tampa Bay Rays, he really hasn't played enough yet with just 6 games under his belt after returning from shoulder surgery. He does have a home run already, but is hitting just.227 in a small sample size, but I think we'll obviously see a lot more of him in the 2nd half where I expect he'll make a significant impact for Tampa Bay, not only with the bat, but of course with his Gold Glove defense as well. Q7. There was a lot of attention towards Lee So-Mi last week as she held the halfway lead at the LPGA's major in France. Things didn't finish the way she wanted however Yeah, Lee So-Mi held the 2nd round lead at the LPGA's Evian Championship, but she finished with rounds of 71 and 73 that dropped her down to 14th place tie. The eventual winner was Grace Kim who won in a playoff over Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand. Kim actually represents Australia, but she is a 2nd generation Korean just like Lee Min-Jee who finished in a tie for 3rd just a stroke behind the finalists. Thank you Jason for all the updates in the world of K-sports. Have a great rest of the week and see you next time. Thank you Bella, see you back tomorrow.

[K-enter] "Omniscient Reader : The Prophet" sold to 113 countries

2025/07/17 15:37

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Let’s kick off with a Korean film that is about to meet global viewers. “Omniscient Reader: The Prophet” has achieved pre-sales in 113 countries, signaling a promising global box office. The film is a fantasy action piece that follows Kim Dok-Ja, an ordinary man who unexpectedly finds himself transported into the fantasy world of a novel he was reading. It stars Lee Min-ho, Ahn Hyo-seop, Nana from Afterschool and Jisoo from BLACKPINK. “Omniscient Reader: The Prophet” will kick off in Korean and Taiwanese theaters on July 23rd, followed by theaters in Indonesia, Hong Kong, Australia, the United States, and many more around the globe. So July 23rd in Korea, will mark my calendar! Now, on the side of K-pop, we have a boy group celebrating their 10 year anniversary? MONSTA X celebrates their 10th anniversary of debut this year. They held a press conference on Wednesday in Seoul to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of their debut. The group attributed their decade-long run to the family-like bond and shared sense of purpose among the members. MONSTA X debuted in 2015 and has since built a global fanbase with their hit songs, including “Trespass,” “Dramarama,” and “Shoot Out.” In 2021, the group paused their activities, as members began their mandatory military service, and has resumed their activity as a group last May. The group is set to meet their fans through their 10th anniversary concert, “2025 MONSTA X CONNECT X,” at KSPO DOME in Seoul from July 18th to 20th. Congratulations MONSTA X on such a meaningful anniversary! And let’s end with another K-pop artist, Hyoyeon from Girls Generation. Hyoyeon has returned with a powerful sound that will heat up this summer. She released her new digital single “YES” on Wednesday, which comes about nine months after her latest single “Retro Romance” released last September. The new single, a sped-up house genre, is catching the ears of the listeners with the repetitive keyword “YES” in its chorus. Hyoyeon also debuted as a DJ in 2018, and she is currently on her fourth North American DJ tour “2025 SUMMER USA TOUR” held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Denver. Looking forward to DJ and singer Hyoyeon dominating global stages this summer. Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

K-wave AI News

2025/07/17 15:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Korea Tourism Organization has rolled out a special summer tourism feature on its integrated travel platform VISITKOREA, targeting international tourists. It offers personalized travel recommendations and tour programs based on six travel styles: active adventurer, cultural explorer, culinary seeker, nature lover, nightscape collector, and indoor enthusiast. Users can take a brief travel personality quiz to discover their ideal travel style. The organization plans to further expand tailored travel content and marketing for global travelers based on user data collected through the VISITKOREA platform. World-renowned soprano Hwang Su-mi will take on the role of host and artistic director for the "2025 Lotte Concert Hall Matinee Concert" series this fall, presented by the Lotte Foundation for Arts. Speaking at a press event, Hwang said the unfamiliar matinee format posed a new challenge, but she is excited to expand her horizons as a vocalist and connect musically with other performers. The concerts will take place at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul on September 18, October 16, and November 20. Hwang gained global recognition after winning the prestigious 2014 Queen Elisabeth Competition and further drew spotlight as the soloist for the Olympic Anthem at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games. "The Cherry Orchard," marking Cannes-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon's return to theater after 30 years, launches its international tour this fall with performances in Hong Kong and Singapore. The production is a contemporary adaptation of Anton Chekhov's classic by director Simon Stone, set in modern-day Seoul. The tour opens at the 2025 Hong Kong Asia+ Festival in late September, followed by a November show in Singapore celebrating 50 years of Korea-Singapore diplomatic ties. LG Arts Center, the production company, plans to extend the tour to Australia and New York next year. "The Cherry Orchard" has attracted around 40,000 theater-goers since its Korean premiere last June. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Global K-pop audition held in New York; K-pop fans to become K-pop artists

2025/07/17 15:35

With K-pop going viral worldwide, global auditions to discover aspiring artists for the genre are gaining attention. A global K-pop audition was held in New York as part of the biggest annual dancing festival, "K-FAN 2025." Global wannabe K-pop artists showed their talent in front of Korean entertainment agents during a global K-pop audition at the dancing festival “K-FAN 2025” held in New York at the end of June. Thirteen teams and solo participants were on stage after passing the preliminaries, which involved around 100 teams. "K-Pop is something where you can express yourself and try out different concepts with other group members. I will keep working hard and keep taking opportunities, such as performing in festivals like these." "I wanna try new things and I get stage fright really badly but I wanna put myself out there." Participants who were K-pop fans were thrilled to be part of the global K-pop artist debut project. Several agents from famous Korean agencies, such as "STARSHIP Entertainment" and "ADOR," participated as judges. "As K-pop is going viral all over the world, we also need prominent global members. It was worth it to meet lots of potential trainees." More global potential trainees are expected to participate in K-pop auditions which will also be held again in the U.S., as well as Europe, and Asia. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

Webtoon companies set out to catch pirates themselves

2025/07/17 15:34

The increase in popularity of Korean webtoons and novels has not only led to the release of other webtoon-and webnovel-based content, like the movie "Omniscient Reader", that Bella reported on earlier, but it has also resulted in a surge of illegal online reproduction and distribution cases leaving creators disheartened. Webtoon companies are now actively tracking down the individuals behind these acts. Lee Eun-jin tells us more. K-webtoons often feature uniquely Korean superheroes, with the characters ranging from being cute to quirky. And many of the beloved K-dramas on various OTT platforms are actually based on webtoons. But illegal distribution has become a serious issue, with new episodes often uploaded to piracy sites just 10 minutes after release. This has forced webtoon companies to go after the pirates themselves, which led to the formation of an illegal distribution response team four years ago, the first in the industry. They monitor for illegal content around the world with a hawk's eye. They have since identified the operators behind more than 80% of targeted piracy sites. They infiltrate illicit channels and use proprietary technology to gather scattered data online and determine the identities of those responsible. "When we send a warning email with the message, 'We know who you are,' it's not long before they shut down the site or take down our content." To date, over 800 million pieces of illegal content have been removed, and nearly 30 global distribution sites have been shut down. The number of shutdown sites has increased significantly since the team's launch, but the process hasn't been easy. "It's personally tough at times, especially when we receive insults from users of these illegal sites, sometimes bordering on defamation." Last year alone, more than 400 million cases of illegal K-content distribution were reported overseas, with over 70% involving webtoons. According to the most recent data collected for 2023, the estimated financial damage to the webtoon industry exceeds 440 billion won, that's approximately 320 million U.S. dollars. This is not a problem that can be solved by industry efforts alone. Such violations leave webtoon creators disheartened as others profit from their work. This has led to growing calls for harsher penalties and for the establishment of a profit recovery system that redirects illicit gains back to the victims. "Even when a webtoon is successful, it's not easy to just celebrate. It's heartbreaking—those who work hard get nothing, while others make money off their efforts." With the new government aiming for a cultural market worth some 211 billion U.S. dollars. .and the value of cultural exports to reach 35-point-2 billion U.S. dollars by 2030, illegal K-content distribution is expected to be a key issue moving forward. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

Man killed by collapsing wall as extreme rain pounds South Korea

2025/07/17 13:40

Just days after enduring an intense heat wave, South Korea is now dealing with extremely heavy rain. Overnight, parts of the central region were hit with more than 300 millimeters of rain, with one man killed during the rain in Gyeonggi-do Province. Park Hyo-been has the latest. A man in his 40s was killed on Wednesday evening after a wall collapsed and crushed his vehicle amid heavy rain across South Korea. The 10-meter retaining wall gave way in Osan City, Gyeonggi-do Province, burying two passing vehicles under tons of debris. Passengers in one car managed to escape, but the driver of a second car was buried under 180 tons of concrete and soil. "The vehicle was completely crushed under the structure. It was too heavy to lift, so we had to dismantle it piece by piece." Authorities suspect heavy downpours in the area contributed to the collapse. Rain began to intensify across central South Korea on Wednesday afternoon. Chungcheongnam-do Province suffered some of the heaviest damage. In Seosan City, over 110 millimeters of rain fell in just one hour at around 2 AM on Thursday. Over 400 millimeters of rain drenched the city between Wednesday and early Thursday, the most in the country. As rivers swelled in Chungcheongnam-do Province, the Galsancheon and Dangjincheon streams overflowed, raising flood concerns. 120 residents of Buyeo and Seocheon, areas at risk of flooding and landslides, were evacuated to nearby community centers and elementary schools. The Chungcheongnam-do Province fire headquarters also received more than 300 calls regarding issues with drainage overnight. Train services were affected as well. Korea Railroad suspended general train operations on parts of the Gyeongbu, Janghang, and Seohae lines around 6 AM due to heavy rain. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts an additional 50 to 150 millimeters of rain in Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungcheongnam-do Province, with some areas expecting over 180 millimeters on Thursday. Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds and lightning is expected across most regions through this Saturday. Officials are urging residents to take precautions against potential flooding. Park Hyobeen, Arirang News.

Downpours across the nation today, especially central regions

2025/07/17 13:39

Widespread heavy rain has been lashing down on the country. Especially in the central regions, we are seeing intense downpours of up to 80 millimeters an hour. Chungcheong-do provinces are getting the most of the rainfall The Seosan area has already seen over 400 millimeters of rain; the rest of Chungcheong-do saw 2 to 300 millimeters of showers so far, with heavy rain alerts in place for most of the central regions. A strong wind advisory is also in effect along the west coast. Concerns are on the rise as southern Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheong-do provinces could see up to 180 millimeters, and west of Jeolla-do could get over 150 millimeters. Meanwhile, heavy rain will continue mainly in southern regions tomorrow and into Saturday. And this afternoon Seoul will see rain tapering off with a high of 28 degrees, Gwangju at 29 degrees. We're expecting localized heavy downpours for the next two days. This can cause rivers and streams to swell suddenly, so please, when rain starts to come down hard, move to a safe location right away. Safety should be a priority.

Eight healthy babies born with DNA from three people in an effort to avoid genetic disease

2025/07/17 13:39

Researchers in the UK published a study in The New England Journal of Medicine on July 16, reporting that eight healthy babies have been born using mitochondrial replacement therapy, which involves the use of genes from three people, and achieved a 36% success rate. Developed by Newcastle University and the Newcastle Fertility Center, the procedure transfers the nucleus from a mother's fertilized egg into a donor egg containing healthy mitochondria. The babies now carry nuclear DNA from both parents and mitochondrial DNA from a third donor. All children, aged from a few weeks to over two years, are developing normally with no signs of the inherited mitochondrial disease that they were at risk for.

Iceland volcano erupts for 12th time since 2021

2025/07/17 13:38

In Iceland, a volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula, in the southwest of the country, erupted in the early hours of Wednesday. This marks the 12th eruption in the region since 2021. Lava fountains burst along a fissure up to a kilometer long, sending thick gray smoke and orange lava into the sky. Authorities evacuated the nearby town of Grindavik , home to approximately 4,000 people, and cleared the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Roads around the eruption zone have been closed, but flights have not been affected. While Reykjanes has been particularly active since 2021, the officials described the recent eruption as "relatively small."

At least 20 killed in crush at aid site in Gaza

2025/07/17 13:38

In the Middle East, at least 20 people have been killed in a fatal crush at an aid distribution site in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-and Israeli-endorsed NGO, reported on July 16 that the deaths occurred during food distribution in Khan Younis. GHF officials said that armed people believed to be linked to Hamas deliberately caused unrest by infiltrating the crowd to cause panic. The Hamas-run Gaza Government Media Office blamed the incident on the GHF, while witnesses said security personnel had used pepper spray on the crowd. Palestinian health authorities confirmed 21 deaths by suffocation, asserting many victims were crushed in an overcrowded enclosure.

Wall Street ends higher after brief slump on Powell firing claims

2025/07/17 13:38

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is The World Now. Wall Street closed higher on Wednesday after an early drop triggered by reports that President Trump planned to dismiss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which Trump quickly called "highly unlikely." Markets tumbled mid-morning on Wednesday with the S&P and Nasdaq falling more than 1%, while the dollar plunged and Treasury yields spiked after Bloomberg cited an anonymous White House source suggesting Powell would lose his job. The confusion grew amid concerns about Trump's repeated criticism of Powell for not cutting interest rates faster. However, stocks recovered swiftly once Trump denied any plan to fire Powell. The Dow rose 0.53%, the S&P 500 gained 0.32%, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.26%. Tech shares lifted the Nasdaq to another record close.

[On-point] From tradition to global influence: What's next for Taekwondo's growth?

2025/07/17 13:37

Taekwondo, a traditional Korean martial art,.. has now evolved into a global sport --practiced worldwide with a focus on both physical and mental training. Today, the 'World Taekwondo Culture Expo' kicked off here in South Korea and will run through next Tuesday. For more on this, we're joined by Kim Jung-Heon, the Chairperson of the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation. Mr. Kim, thanks for joining us this morning. Could you give us a brief overview of the World Taekwondo Culture Expo and how it will help promote Taekwondo internationally? The venue for this event, Taekwondowon,.. is where the World Taekwondo Diamond Game was held recently, right? Could you tell us about the significance of hosting international competitions like this, and any outcomes from that? As Chairperson of the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation, could you tell us about the significance of Taekwondo as a sport, particularly how it focuses on building confidence and mental discipline, in addition to physical skill? I understand that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation. What's the foundation's mission moving forward, and what are its key goals? Taekwondo is practiced in over 200 countries worldwide. What further efforts are needed to support its continued global growth? It's amazing how the traditional Korean martial art is practiced by millions across the world. We'll have to see how this year's World Taekwondo Culture Expo plays out. Thank you so much for your time today. We appreciate it.

Trump says 25% reciprocal tariff on Japan might go into effect on Aug. 1

2025/07/17 13:36

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington might push ahead with the proposed 25 percent reciprocal tariffs on Japan, hinting at difficulties in reaching a trade deal. Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said his administration may "live by the letter with Japan," referring to letters he sent to countries notifying them of reciprocal tariff rates that will go into effect on August 1st. Observers expected tough trade negotiations between Washington and Tokyo, with Japan showing little flexibility on the U.S.'s call for more access to Japan's agricultural market.

S. Korea's presidential envoys meet top EU officials

2025/07/17 13:36

Presidential envoys from South Korea visited Brussels this week, delivering a message that "Korea's democracy is back" after a months-long leadership vacuum triggered by last year's martial law crisis. Led by former Environment Minister Yoon Yeo-joon, the delegation met with top EU officials, including European Council President António Costa and European Parliament Vice President Christel Schaldemose. Costa welcomed Korea's democratic recovery and voiced support for President Lee's dual-track policy toward North Korea — combining deterrence with dialogue. Marking 15 years of the Korea-EU strategic partnership, both sides pledged deeper cooperation in advanced technologies, climate action, and global security.