News

World News: Federal judge issues nationwide block against Trump’s order on ending birthright citizenship

2025/07/11 19:42

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. In the United States, a federal judge in New Hampshire has issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. Judge Joseph Laplante ruled on Thursday that when such an order is in effect, it would prevent tens of thousands of newborns, an estimated 150,000 annually, from obtaining automatic citizenship, violating the 14th Amendment's guarantee. The judge referenced the Supreme Court's recent guidance that limits the use of nationwide injunctions but allows class-action mechanisms to protect constitutional rights. The judge also certified a class-action lawsuit on behalf of U.S.-born children who will be impacted. The injunction applies to all U.S.-born children after February 20, 2025. Supporters of birthright citizenship hailed the decision, while the White House called it judicially excessive. In Europe, Greece has temporarily halted processing asylum applications from migrants arriving by sea from North Africa. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, addressing parliament on July 9, stated that the suspension will last an initial three months, citing a surge of more than 7,300 arrivals on the islands of Crete and Gavdos so far this year, compared to just over 5,000 in all of 2024. The arrivals, mainly from Sudan, Egypt, and Bangladesh, have been transiting through Libya. Mitsotakis described the move as an "emergency response," and authorized the swift return of those entering the country illegally. The government is also strengthening cooperation with Libyan authorities and deploying patrol vessels. Humanitarian groups denounced the policy as illegal and inhumane. The UN refugee agency also expressed "serious concern," saying the "right to seek asylum is a fundamental human right." An original Hermès Birkin bag, designed in 1984 for Jane Birkin, sold at Sotheby's Paris on Thursday for approximately 10 million U.S. dollars, setting a new record as the most expensive handbag ever auctioned. The starting price was slightly over 1 million dollars, with a Japanese collector winning the bid over the phone. The leather handbag, created after Birkin famously sketched it on an airplane sick bag, bears her initials "J.B." and a fixed shoulder strap, unlike commercially sold models. Worn by Birkin for nearly nine years, the bag was originally auctioned in 1994 to benefit HIV/AIDS charities and subsequently sold in 2000. Finally, Thailand's beloved pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, turned one year old on Thursday, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, marking her first birthday with a four-day celebration. The festivities kicked off with over 12,000 visitors on day one, including fans who traveled from abroad, and free entry for children under 12. Activities included a 20-kilogram tropical fruit cake, a parade, and photo exhibitions of Moo Deng. Moo Deng, whose name translates to "bouncy pork," has sparked global social media fascination since her birth on July 10, 2024, drawing millions of views and boosting zoo visits. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

New K-pop artists and producers added to Recording Academy membership

2025/07/11 19:41

More than 10 K-pop artists and producers have been added to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences making them eligible to vote in the Grammy Awards. According to Korean entertainment company HYBE 16 of its artists and producers including Zico and Slow Rabbit will be able to cast their ballots starting from the 68th Grammys next February. Some of the current members with the right to vote include all members of BTS. The Recording Academy selects new members each year through evaluations by current members.

When Hangeul becomes art: the legacy of Pyeongbo Seo Hee-hwan

2025/07/11 19:40

We are looking ahead to the weekend and for those of you here seeking a meaningful indoor activity away from the scorching heat do consider a visit to the Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum that is hosting a special showcase of Hangeul in memory of a master Hangeul calligrapher. Our Byeon Ye-young was there. Geometric beauty and fluid structure, materialized in black ink. Korean Calligraphy, or Hangeul Seoye, is an art form rooted in rhythm, balance, and the expressive power of the written line. Hangeul offers a unique aesthetic language of its own, one that is now being rediscovered as a distinct art form. A new retrospective at the Seoul Arts Center shines a spotlight on this very tradition through the work of a master who dedicated his entire career to breaking away from the better-known Chinese characters and elevating Hangul calligraphy into high art: 'Pyeongbo' Seo Hee-hwan. "Master Seo Hee-hwan's artist pseudonym, Pyeongbo, meaning 'to walk steadily without rest,' was given by his teacher, Son Jae-hyeong. It reflects the idea that even slow progress leads to mastery, as long as you don't stop." Although he was the first artist to receive the Presidential Prize for a work of Hangul calligraphy, his work also drew criticism for resembling his teacher's style. Seo accepted the critique and embarked on a journey to find his own voice. That journey began with a return to the roots of Hangeul. In a section titled "Deep-Rooted Tree," we see how Seo turned to early printed texts from the time of King Sejong. "This is Seo Hee-hwan's interpretation of , or Songs of the Moon's Reflection on a Thousand Rivers. Originally compiled by King Sejong, the creator of Hangul, it's a Buddhist hymn book dedicated to his late wife, Queen Soheon. The interpretation by Seo Hee-hwan shows around 10,000 Hangeul characters on a single folding screen." By studying the typeface-like panbonche styles from early Joseon, Seo grounded himself in the fundamentals of Hangeul and gradually shaped a calligraphic language that was uniquely his own. He explored more artistic styles as well, like this piece where the brush naturally flows into the next character. Commemorating 30 years since Seo's passing, the exhibition runs until mid-October at the Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum Gallery, and there are also programs where visitors can try their hand at Hangeul Calligraphy. This retrospective gives visitors the chance to see upfront that Hangeul seoye is more than just writing. It's visual art where each stroke carries emotion and history. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News

NATO chief holds phone talks with Trump on Ukraine

2025/07/11 19:39

On the international front. Ukraine was the center of talks between the heads of NATO and the White House on Thursday amid a fresh onslaught of aerial assaults by Russia in recent days. Lee Seung-jae has the latest. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and U.S. President Donald Trump held phone talks on Thursday to discuss the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. According to Rutte on X, he spoke with the U.S. leader to condemn Russia's recent large-scale airstrikes on Ukraine, and urged the U.S. and other allies to provide emergency support to Ukraine. The phone talks come as Russia recently conducted airstrikes on Kyiv, killing two and injuring 25 others. Meanwhile, U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on Thursday in Malaysia. During the talks, the two sides exchanged new ideas for peace in Ukraine. "I think it's a new and a different approach. Again, I wouldn't characterize it as something that guarantees a peace, but it's a concept that I'll take back to the president today, as soon as I finish with you." During the talks,.. Rubio reportedly expressed Washington's frustration that more progress has not been made on ending the war in Ukraine. Rubio says he had expressed to his Russian counterpart, what President Trump has stressed about there not being enough flexibility on the Russian side to bring about an end to the conflict. In the hopes of coordinating a multinational 'reassurance force' ready to help Ukraine after a potential ceasefire, a new headquarters in Paris will serve as the base for the western-led 'Coalition of the Willing' for one year. The announcement comes as a virtual meeting of the member nations' leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and other European leaders took place on Thursday. The headquarters in the French capital is led jointly by France and the UK, and will rotate to London after a year in order to allow for flexible military contributions from partner nations. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Minimum Wage Commission reaches agreement on next year's minimum wage at KRW 10,320 per hour

2025/07/11 19:38

South Korea's hourly minimum wage has been set at 10-thousand-3-hundred-20 won starting next year up 2-point-9 percent from the current rate in a unanimous decision among the labor management and public the first in 17 years. Our Kim Bo-kyoung has more. Starting next year, the hourly minimum wage would be 10-thousand-3-hundred-20 Korean won, around seven dollars and 50 cents. This, as the Minimum Wage Commission reached an agreement on Thursday, to raise the minimum wage by 2-hundred-90 Korean won, that is two-point-nine percent, from this year's minimum wage of 10-thousand-30 Korean won per hour. If one works a standard monthly workload of two-hundred-nine hours, the new minimum wage translates to a monthly income of two million one hundred fifty-six thousand eight hundred eighty won. The commission is made up of nine representatives each from labor, management and the general public, obliged to review the new minimum wage by mid-July for the labor minister to make a formal announcement by early August every year. This year's decision marks the first agreement reached among the three sides in 17 years. If an agreement can't be made, the increase is decided by majority vote. The 2-point-9-percent increase is the lowest first-year hike under any administration since 2000, though minimum wage increases tend to be higher than average in the first year of a new administration. During first year of the Moon Jae-in administration, the minimum wage was raised by more than 16-percent, while for the first year of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, it went up by five percent. The management side said they agreed to the decision after much deliberation "It was a very difficult decision, made based on the thought that it would be better to support harmony and unity as the new government begins, rather than create more conflict." while, the labor side said the government should come up with measures to help low-paid workers. "It would be the Lee Jae Myung administration's task to deal with any areas that are insufficient. It must come up with strong measures to help low-wage workers cover their living costs." After the Commission submits an agreed minimum wage for next year to the labor ministry, the ministry will finalize and announce it by August 5th, after the review process. The new rate will take effect starting the very first day of January next year. The presidential office called the commission's decision significant and added that the government will actively ensure the minimum wage is followed through promotion, guidance, and supervision. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Bitcoin hits new all-time high above US$ 116,000

2025/07/11 19:37

Bitcoin continued its rally to hit yet another high over the past 24 hours. According to U.S.-based crypto exchange Coinbase Bitcoin hit 1-hundred-16-thousand-4-hundred-74 dollars at 5:40 PM on Thursday U.S. Eastern Time. Pundits are linking the recent rally to steady capital inflows into Exchange-Traded Funds and the growing presence of companies adopting cryptocurrency as an asset.

KOSPI soars above 3,200 in intraday trading, KOSDAQ reclaims 800

2025/07/11 19:36

U.S. tariff threats appear to be doing little to dampen investor sentiment in the local stock market with the KOSPI soaring past the 3-thousand-2-hundred mark at one point during trade on this Friday afternoon before closing its session slightly lower. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon covers the latest rally and more. The benchmark KOSPI once again hit a new yearly high during intra-day trading on Friday surpassing the 32-hundred mark briefly for the first time in 3 years and 10 months at one point, reaching 3,216. But it was a mixed trend as it fell later to close at 3,175.77, following a strong sell-off by foreign and institutional investors that caused it to briefly turn negative during the session. Boosted by overnight gains in shares of U.S. tech, major Korean semiconductor stocks saw simultaneous strength. SK hynix rose more than 3 percent during the session, briefly surpassing the 300,000 Korean won mark for the first time. The KOSDAQ also opened slightly higher and reclaimed the 800 level during intraday trading for the first time in 12 sessions. The total market capitalization also surpassed 3,000 trillion won for the first time. While there are some concerns about a breather after the rapid short-term rally, the overall view is that upward momentum remains intact. "It seems that continued expectations for the new administration's policies are still prompting some market funds to flow into the stock market. In addition, hopes for further discussions — such as on dividend taxes following the recent amendments to the Commercial Act — also appear to be having a positive impact on the domestic stock market." This comes after Thursday, when the KOSPI closed at 3,183.23, its highest finish in 3 years and 10 months. Comparing Friday's close to the lowest of the year on April 9, the KOSPI is up around 38.5 percent in a matter of 3 months. With "reciprocal" tariffs from the U.S. scheduled to take effect next month, the market largely believes these concerns have already been priced in. Expectations for interest rate cuts and an additional stock market stimulus are also seen as supporting investor sentiment. The previous all-time high for the KOSPI was 3,316.08 points, recorded on June 25, 2021, and hopes are growing in the securities industry that this level could be surpassed soon. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Pres. Lee names culture, land minister nominees; nomination of Cabinet completed

2025/07/11 19:35

And President Lee Jae Myung appointed his ministers for culture and land earlier on this Friday completing his roster of all 19 members of his first Cabinet. Our correspondent Yoon Jung-min tells us who they are. President Lee Jae Myung has tapped Chae Hwi-young, current CEO of travel platform Nol Universe, to lead the nation's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The journalist-turned-CEO has broad enough experience to materialize President Lee's vision of a K-culture market worth 300-trillion won, which is worth some 218-billion U.S. dollars that's according to Lee's Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik on Friday. The same day, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's lawmaker Kim Yun Duk, was named to lead the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The three-term lawmaker has served on the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, in which Kang says he has proven competency in legislation and policy. "When it comes to real estate, he is expected to approach the issues from ordinary people's perspectives, not as a scholar or bureaucrat." President Lee Jae Myung has warned of zero-tolerance on speculation in real estate, often leading to housing market instability. The new land minister's focus will also be on balanced regional growth, while putting forth new visions for transportation and mobility, among others. With Friday's announcement, the appointment of the nominees for the Lee administration's first Cabinet has been completed. "President Lee said he expects all government ministries to yield results in a speedy manner with competence and loyalty. He asked them to break away from customs in a bold manner, and lead changes with fresh and flexible ideas for innovation in the society." Kang went on to say the new administration will proactively take on pending issues, such as the U.S. pressure on tariffs, extreme heat at home, and the economy in the doldrums. The nominees will undergo confirmation hearings at the National Assembly, but they are not required to be approved for appointment. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

President Lee says coexistence with N. Korea is key to nat'l security

2025/07/11 19:34

Meanwhile where security is concerned conflict prevention is better than crisis response. Now this is according to President Lee Jae Myung during his first National Security Council meeting back on Thursday that touched upon North Korea and more. Our Presidential Office Correspondent Song Yoo-jin reports. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says peaceful coexistence with North Korea is "the most realistic and practical" path to safeguarding national security. He made the remarks during his first National Security Council meeting on Thursday. The President has already taken steps to de-escalate tensions, including suspending loudspeaker broadcasts along the inter-Korean border, a move that prompted the North to halt its propaganda campaign. The administration says it aims to build on that momentum. "The government will do everything it can to help people feel the Korean Peninsula is becoming more peaceful and secure. There were discussions on ways to restore severed communication channels and links between the two Koreas." This is in line with how President Lee views the path to safety. "The President noted that in matters of security, prevention is always more important than responding afterward." When asked whether the meeting covered trade talks with the United States, Kang said the discussions explored a range of options, with national interests as the top priority. South Korea is pursuing what it calls a "package deal," which was discussed earlier this week in Washington between National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac and his American counterpart, Marco Rubio. "Talks include issues across the board, including trade, investment, purchasing goods, and security. We suggested taking all this into a "package" to make progress in negotiations." Thursday's meeting, which lasted over two hours, was attended by the Prime Minister, senior officials from the ministries of foreign affairs, unification, defense, and interior, as well as the National Intelligence Service and the Office of National Security. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

S. Korea, U.S., Japan stage combined air exercise involving B-52H bomber

2025/07/11 19:33

Back here in this part of the world on this Friday. A trilateral air drill took place over international waters off the southern island of Jeju. South Korea's KF-16 and Japan's F-2 fighters were joined by at least one U.S. B-52H bomber marking the latter's first deployment to the Korean peninsula this year. The training comes in line with a three-way meeting here in Seoul among top military officers from the three countries earlier this morning. Admiral Kim Myung-soo stressed the significance of the trilateral partnership amid the threats posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile ambitions. His U.S. counterpart General Dan Caine also highlighted the importance of the security cooperation to strengthen deterrence against an "unprecedented" military buildup by North Korea and China.

FOOD, FERTILITY AND MORE

2025/07/11 18:34

Welcome to Press Perspective for this Friday. Now today that is July 11th is World Population Day an annual occasion to raise awareness about universal population matters. We touch upon some of those issues in our panel session but first we talk about the growing presence of Korean food overseas. For more I have Celio Fioretti with French daily La Croix. Celio welcome back. I also have writer Colin Marshall with the pundit's take on the day's topics. 1) Celio, American media claim "Korean food seems to be everywhere in the U.S." Would you say this is the trend over in Europe as well? And if so, why? 2) Colin, as recently as a decade ago, Korean cuisine was considered an acquired taste, but in recent times, the global palate for Korean dishes has been growing, if you will. How do you explain this shift in trend? 3) Celio, the UNFPA says "social and economic barriers, not choice," are behind the "fertility crisis" worldwide. First, do tell us a bit about the agency's findings, and second, to what extent, do you agree with them keeping in mind the situation here in South Korea? 4) Colin, the report also shows over four of the ten people in their 50s and above, saying that they did not have as many children as they would have liked. Do you suppose this is also the case here in South Korea? And if so, what are the broader implications of this sentiment? 5) Celio, for the sake of comparison, what can you tell us about the French birth rate and the countermeasures there? 6) And Colin, what has been shared about the Lee Jae Myung administration's population policy? 7) Celio, you recently wrote an article sharing concerns about the use of medication to address weight issues here in Korea. Do fill us in. 8) Also, Colin, you touched upon Korea's interest in physical appearances. How severe is this situation, and what are its broader repercussions? All right.

[Features reporter] When Hangeul becomes art: the legacy of Pyeongbo Seo Hee-hwan

2025/07/11 16:38

So Ye-young, I heard you visited a quieter and calmer place this time, compared to the musical festival you reported on last week. Yes, I did. It was a retrospective on Seo Hee-hwan, also known as Pyeongbo, a master Hangeul calligrapher. The pieces were beautiful, and for me, the exhibition shed completely new light on Korean letters. Let's take a look together. Geometric beauty and fluid structure, materialized in black ink. Korean Calligraphy, or Hangeul Seoye, is an art form rooted in rhythm, balance, and the expressive power of the written line. Hangeul offers a unique aesthetic language of its own, one that is now being rediscovered as a distinct art form. A new retrospective at the Seoul Arts Center shines a spotlight on this very tradition through the work of a master who dedicated his entire career to breaking away from the better-known Chinese characters and elevating Hangeul calligraphy into high art: 'Pyeongbo' Seo Hee-hwan. "Master Seo Hee-hwan's artist pseudonym, Pyeongbo, meaning 'to walk steadily without rest,' was given by his teacher, Son Jae-hyeong. It reflects the idea that even slow progress leads to mastery, as long as you don't stop." Although he was the first artist to receive the Presidential Prize for a work of Hangeul calligraphy, his work also drew criticism for resembling his teacher's style. Seo accepted the critique and embarked on a journey to find his own voice. That journey began with a return to the roots of Hangeul. In a section titled "Deep-Rooted Tree," we see how Seo turned to early printed texts from the time of King Sejong. "This is Seo Hee-hwan's interpretation of , or Songs of the Moon's Reflection on a Thousand Rivers. Originally compiled by King Sejong, the creator of Hangul, it's a Buddhist hymn book dedicated to his late wife, Queen Soheon. The interpretation by Seo Hee-hwan shows around 10,000 Hangul characters on a single folding screen." By studying the typeface-like panbonche styles from early Joseon, Seo grounded himself in the fundamentals of Hangeul and gradually shaped a calligraphic language that was uniquely his own. He explored more artistic styles as well, like this piece where the brush naturally flows into the next character. Commemorating 30 years since Seo's passing, the exhibition runs until mid-October at the Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum Gallery, and there are also programs where visitors can try their hand at Hangeul Calligraphy. This retrospective gives visitors the chance to see upfront that Hangeul seoye is more than just writing. It's visual art where each stroke carries emotion and history.

[K-enter] BLACKPINK comes back with "JUMP"

2025/07/11 16:37

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. Let's "jump" into our first story, an exciting comeback that many of us have been waiting for. Just before our show, BLACKPINK released their new single "JUMP." This is the song that BLACKPINK performed for the very first time at their Goyang concert last weekend, as Walter reported earlier this week. "JUMP" is BLACKPINK's first new release as a complete group in almost three years and it also marks the start of their new world tour "DEADLINE." BLACKPINK is currently on that world tour, which spans across 16 cities, with a total of 31 shows. Following their successful kick off in Goyang, they are set to continue across major cities worldwide, including Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Toronto, Paris, London, Jakarta and Tokyo. They will definitely make their fans jump. The next story is also on K-pop, but in relation to the Grammies? Sixteen artists and producers from HYBE Music Group will join the Recording Academy as members. On Wednesday, the Recording Academy invited Seventeen's Woozi and Vernon, TOMORROW X TOGETHER's Yeonjun, LE SSERAFIM's Heo Yunjin, and a couple more from HYBE as new voting members. Notably, the entire group KATSEYE was invited. The Recording Academy is a prestigious organization of music professionals that represents the voices of artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers. It was established in 1957 and has been hosting the Grammy Awards since 1959. The voting members can participate in the selection of Grammy Award winners. Currently at HYBE, Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, all seven members of BTS, and producer Pdogg, have been selected as voting members. Great to see more K-pop artists' and producers' voices in the global music industry. And lastly, we'll end off with an upcoming film featuring one of your favorite actresses Bella? Singer-actor Lim Yoona will make a screen comeback with "PRETTY CRAZY." "PRETTY CRAZY" is a comedy film about Gil-gu, a young unemployed man who takes on an unusual part-time job -keeping an eye on his neighbor, Sun-ji (Yoona), who transforms into a demon every night. Yoona took on a dual role of Sun-ji, who runs a bakery during the day but unknowingly awakens as a demon at night. To portray the stark contrast, she underwent a complete transformation in her styling, voice and acting. Meanwhile, Gil-gu is played by Ahn Bo-hyun. It's also notable that Yoona worked with director Lee Sang-geun again, after their hit film "EXIT." "PRETTY CRAZY" will premiere in theaters on August 13th. I also love comedy acting by Yoona. Thank you Bella for today's stories.

K-wave AI News

2025/07/11 16:35

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The government is ramping up safety measures ahead of a wave of large-scale events nationwide this summer. A pan-ministry meeting on Thursday reviewed safety protocols for festivals, concerts, sports events, and other gatherings, as well as crowded sites like subways, airports, and beaches. Key measures include intensified monitoring and safety officer deployment for events expecting over 20,000 attendees, and on-site inspections for performances drawing more than 5,000 people. Coastal safety personnel will be stationed at all 256 beaches to strengthen patrols, while crowd levels at the busiest train stations and rail lines will be closely watched. The 2025 KBO League, which kicked off in late March amid a record-breaking boom, wrapped up its first half with Thursday's games. The Hanwha Eagles shook up the league standings by clinching the top spot in the first half, a first for the team in 33 years. The league has entered a six-day All-Star break, with the marquee game slated for Saturday in Daejeon. The second half resumes on July 17, with teams set to intensify their push for the top, adding heat to the season's all-time high baseball fever. The KBO became Korea's first professional sports league to surpass 10 million in total attendance last year, and it's on pace to exceed 12 million this year if current trends hold. The Ron Mueck solo exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul has attracted over 503,000 visitors in 90 days. According to the museum, the show recorded an average of 5,590 daily visitors, the highest for any single exhibition since the museum's opening. Visitors in their 20s and 30s made up 70% of the audience, with their reviews, widely shared on social media, helping to sustain the buzz for nearly three months. The exhibition is the largest retrospective of Mueck's work in Asia, featuring 24 pieces, including 10 sculptures, 12 studio photographs, and two documentary films. The show runs through this Sunday. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture Issue] Highlights of the 29th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival

2025/07/11 16:34

"Stay Strange" is what the 29th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival calls for and has been calling for for years with its slogan. Korea's representative summer film festival held in the city of Bucheon, halfway between Seoul and Incheon, is now approaching its end. This year's event, once again filled with imaginative works of horror, fantasy, science fiction and more. Let's talk about the highlights with our movie expert Jae Soh, professor and filmmaker at Seoul Institute of the Arts. Welcome Professor! Q1. Professor Soh, you just came back from BIFAN? Please tell us how it was. Q2. Known for its focus on unconventional imagination and experimentation with genres, BIFAN is now already in its 29th year. What role does the festival play in the Korean film industry? Q3. The opening film that kicked off the festival grabbed a lot of attention. It was made from a screenplay written by AI. Tell us about the movie and what having selected an AI-written film as the opening piece means for the film industry. Q4. There has also been a lot of buzz about a special program held at the event? Q5. Now the celebrations are coming to an end, with the closing ceremony being held today, Friday. How do you read into the trend of this year's works? And was there any film that stood out? Q6. And for those who cannot make it to Bucheon, there are a number of movies in the cinemas to look out for in July. Could you give us a preview Professor? Q7. A glimpse into these Korean movies makes me think that there is a broader range of movies and more experimental approaches in the K-movie scene. How do you see the current trend of Korean movies? Thank you very much Professor Soh for your insights. Thank you Bella, see you next week.

S. Korea keeps key rate steady at 2.5% in amid rising household debts

2025/07/11 14:34

We start with the Bank of Korea's decision to keep its rate unchanged at 2-point-5 percent amid a host of concerns both at home and abroad. Our correspondent Moon Ji-young reports. As widely expected, South Korea's central bank has held its benchmark interest rate steady at two-point-five percent. The Bank of Korea announced the decision on Thursday following the fifth Monetary Policy Committee meeting of the year, taking a break from a rate-cutting cycle after a cut of 25 basis points in May. "The domestic economy is expected to experience continued low growth for some time, while inflation remains on a stable trajectory, and there is considerable uncertainty related to trade negotiations. However, given the significant rise in capital area housing prices and household debt, coupled with the need to assess recent debt measures, it was deemed appropriate to maintain the current policy rate" Rhee also highlighted that it is necessary to cool expectations for a rate cut to prevent a rapid increase in housing prices in the greater Seoul area and to better manage household debt. According to one expert, housing prices have been rising, especially in the main capital area. " the rising inflation in apartment price, especially in the Seoul Gangnam area, it, which has been showing more than 10% year-over-year of our rate of increase and that is, I think almost the highest in almost 20 years except for 2017 and 2018." In response, the government last month implemented stricter mortgage regulations, capping mortgage loans for home purchases in the capital region and suspending home-backed loans for multi-homeowners. Notably, the rate-freeze decision was unanimous. However, four out of six board members voiced the need for further rate cuts in the next three months, factoring in tariff negotiations. Regarding the future rate outlook, an expert said: "Though not yet disbursed, supplementary budget funds are expected to make an impact in August. This increases the likelihood of a rate cut at the August meeting." Conversely, the other two members advocated for maintaining the rate, citing the record-high 2-percentage-point key rate gap that currently exists between South Korea and the U.S. The central bank predicts consumption to gradually recover, driven by the implementation of the supplementary budget as well as improving economic sentiment thanks to eased political uncertainty. Governor Rhee said he will take into consideration the effects of the extra budget once fully implemented in August. Meanwhile, U.S. tariff impositions pose great uncertainty on export prospects. The central bank emphasized that the outcomes of trade talks, especially regarding reciprocal tariffs on South Korea and specific items like semiconductors, will critically shape the country's export and growth paths. "The Bank of Korea said it will maintain its accommodative monetary policy stance, closely monitoring domestic and external conditions before deciding on the timing of further rate cuts. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News."

[NEWs GEN] Summer Cravings: What Korean foods are must-haves this season?

2025/07/11 12:33

[NEWs GEN] Summer Cravings: What Korean foods are must-haves this season? [뉴젠] 여름엔 역시 냉면, 삼계탕, 팥빙수... 외국인들이 좋아할 한국 여름 음식

Minimum Wage Commission reaches agreement on next year's minimum wage at KRW 10,320 per hour

2025/07/11 11:48

The Minimum Wage Commission has decided to raise minimum wage by 2-point-9 percent next year. This, was the very first agreement between the negotiating parties in 17 years. Our Kim Bo-kyoung starts us off. Starting next year, the hourly minimum wage would be 10-thousand-3-hundred-20 Korean won, around seven dollars and 50 cents. This, as the Minimum Wage Commission reached an agreement on Thursday, to raise the minimum wage by 2-hundred-90 Korean won, that is two-point-nine percent, from this year's minimum wage of 10-thousand-30 Korean won per hour. If one works a standard monthly workload of two-hundred-nine hours, the new minimum wage translates to a monthly income of two million one hundred fifty-six thousand eight hundred eighty won. The commission is made up of nine representatives each from labor, management and the general public, obliged to review the new minimum wage by mid-July for the labor minister to make a formal announcement by early August every year. This year's decision marks the first agreement reached among the three sides in 17 years. If an agreement can't be made, the increase is decided by majority vote. The 2-point-9-percent increase is the lowest first-year hike under any administration since 2000, though minimum wage increases tend to be higher than average in the first year of a new administration. During first year of the Moon Jae-in administration, the minimum wage was raised by more than 16-percent, while for the first year of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, it went up by five percent. The management side said they agreed to the decision after much deliberation "It was a very difficult decision, made based on the thought that it would be better to support harmony and unity as the new government begins, rather than create more conflict." while, the labor side said the government should come up with measures to help low-paid workers. "It would be the Lee Jae Myung administration's task to deal with any areas that are insufficient. It must come up with strong measures to help low-wage workers cover their living costs." After the Commission submits an agreed minimum wage for next year to the labor ministry, the ministry will finalize and announce it by August 5th, after the review process. The new rate will take effect starting the very first day of January next year. The presidential office called the commission's decision significant and added that the government will actively ensure the minimum wage is followed through promotion, guidance, and supervision. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Relentless heat continues in west with strong UV rays

2025/07/11 11:46

Feeling exhausted from this prolonged heatwave? You're not alone. The intense heat in western regions will stay through the weekend. It's best if you could limit outdoor activities, health should come first during an extreme heatwave stay well-hydrated, even if you don't feel thirsty, and avoid alcohol. We finally had a welcome break from tropical nights, no wonder the heat didn't wake me up in the middle of the night. But again, afternoon heat will continue with a heatwave warning remaining in place for western areas. Seoul gets up to 36 degrees, Daegu at 32 degrees. East coast regions staying below 30 degrees, including Gyeongju, Ulsan, and Gangneung sunny skies for most places except on Jeju where afternoon rain is in the forecast. with more chances of rain through the weekend Heat will subside in the capital area with rain expected for the middle of next week. Take care in this extreme heat!

Global baby pygmy hippo superstar Moo Deng celebrates first birthday at zoo in Thailand

2025/07/11 11:45

Finally, Thailand's beloved pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, turned one year old on Thursday, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, marking her first birthday with a four-day celebration. The festivities kicked off with over 12,000 visitors on day one, including fans who traveled from abroad, and free entry for children under 12. Activities included a 20-kilogram tropical fruit cake, a parade, and photo exhibitions of Moo Deng. Moo Deng, whose name translates to "bouncy pork," has sparked global social media fascination since her birth on July 10, 2024, drawing millions of views and boosting zoo visits.