News

President Lee hosts luncheon for families of independence fighters

2025/08/14 22:39

President Lee Jae Myung has once again pledged stronger support for Korea's independence fighters. On Thursday, the President hosted a luncheon at Cheong Wa Dae's Yeongbingwan Reception Hall with the families of those who fought for liberation from Japanese colonial rule, a day before the 80th anniversary. "The saying that 'three generations suffer if one fights for independence' should never hold true again. Those who sacrificed for their nation must receive the highest honor and the strongest support. We will take special care so the surviving patriots spend the rest of their lives without discomfort." The President also vowed to expand programs honoring these heroes so that they are remembered by future generations.

Finance ministry signals economic recovery boosted by consumption

2025/08/14 22:38

South Korea's finance ministry says the country's economy is showing some signs of recovery, driven in part by measures such as the implementation of a supplementary budget, and the livelihood recovery consumption coupon. Park Jun-han reports. The Ministry of Economy and Finance removed the phrase "downside pressure" from the country's economic green book for August, on Thursday, for the first time this year. In the green book, the ministry noted that the country's economy has faced delays in the recovery of construction investment, employment challenges concentrated in vulnerable sectors, and concerns over a slowdown in exports due to U.S. tariffs. However, it highlighted some positive signs, including increased consumption driven by policies such as supplementary budgets, and the distribution of a nationwide livelihood recovery consumption coupon. "Since the new government took office, expectations for supplementary budgets and the implementation of the livelihood recovery consumption coupon have boosted consumption. As a result, August's assessment shifts from saying 'consumption recovery is delayed' to noting 'positive signs, such as an upward trend in consumption'." Exports in July grew 5-point-9 percent compared to the same period last year, led by semiconductors, while inflation moderately eased to 2-point-1 percent. The shift to an optimistic sentiment on consumption by consumers aligned with improved domestic and global uncertainties. The Composite Consumer Sentiment Index, considered optimistic when above 100, rose to 110-point-8 in July, marking four consecutive months of increases. "Consumer sentiment has gradually improved as political uncertainty eased. Following tariff negotiations with the U.S., economic uncertainty has significantly declined, with the 15% rate matching or falling below that of major countries." The government pledged that it will swiftly execute the new supplementary budget and concentrate the capabilities of all government agencies so that the consumption coupons can serve as an opportunity to revitalize domestic demand. It also stated that officials will undertake all-out efforts to respond to trade risks, such as supporting companies affected by U.S. tariffs. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

[Econ & Biz] Key trade agenda ahead of S. Korea-U.S. summit on Aug. 25

2025/08/14 22:37

With just about 10 days to go until the August 25th South Korea-U.S. summit, attention is now on the trade issues yet to be fully resolved. For more on this, we have our economics correspondent Moon Ji-young in the studio with us. Good to have you, Ji-young. Korea's investment pledge is at the top of the trade agenda. What's its status, and are the two sides aligned on investment destinations? The highly anticipated focus is on finalizing the details of Korea's 3-hundred-50 billion U.S. dollar investment pledge. We expect discussions on specific investment sectors and implementation timelines. Around 150 billion is earmarked for the "MASGA" project, a joint shipbuilding initiative named by the Korean government, with the remainder likely to be invested more broadly in critical sectors like chips and batteries. Given that Korea itself named the initiative, shipbuilding is clearly a sector Korea is strongly pushing in these negotiations. The Korean Trade Ministry emphasized on Thursday that the Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation means new opportunities for Korean shipyards in the U.S., rather than job outflow. However, there have been complexities when it comes to cooperation. This is what one expert said about the situation. "One of the problems with the U.S. shipbuilding industry is that right now they are protected by the Jones Act and that means foreign investment into the U.S. shipbuilding sector is restricted But if they do open up those markets, if they do open up, say imports of shipbuilding related parts, intermediate parts and raw material, then I think this will be one of the few areas where both sides can benefit." To ensure its success, the Korean government plans to launch a consultative body involving relevant ministries to support this vital shipbuilding cooperation. Yet, the two countries notably hold differing views on this very investment plan. While the U.S. asserts the investment plan falls under its president's direction, Korea clarifies that the U.S. dictating all investment destinations is merely "political expression." On these contrasting views, here's what the same expert had to say. "President Trump will probably push very hard for Korea to accept his interpretation rather than the Korean or Japanese interpretation. And it will be a very tough pressure because Trump will be negotiating not just for the Korean deal, but he's probably going to use the results from the Korean deal and reinterpretation as a model for Japan, European Union and other countries as well." Another critical issue is the U.S.'s proposed 100 percent tariffs on foreign-made semiconductors. What are the concerns, and what will the overall impact be? These potential chip tariffs could have far-reaching implications, especially for the Korean economy. Semiconductors are Korea's largest export item, accounting for over 20 percent of its total exports. Given this reliance, the key uncertainty lies in whether the Most Favored Nation treatment promised by the U.S. will be applied. Additionally, there's the question of how broadly the U.S. will define the scope of semiconductor items subject to these tariffs. However, Korea's chip giants have found some relief, as the U.S. announced that companies committed to building chip facilities in the U.S. during the Trump administration's term could be exempt from the proposed 100 percent tariff. This comes as Samsung has already invested in two fabrication plants in Texas, while SK hynix plans to open an advanced chip packaging and AI R&D facility in Indiana. Chip tariffs have a significant impact not only on exporters to the U.S. but also on the American economy. "In terms of like this meaning of the tariffs, obviously on our daily lives are completely depending on the electronics, such as smartphones, TVs, and internet-based machines. So, in that case, semiconductors are going to be extremely important. Therefore, the prices of consumers and also producers actually will eventually go up so the most important effect is going to come through the inflation." Regarding non-tariff barriers, including the fine-tuning of agricultural market access, what can we expect? While the U.S. calls for "historical market access" for its agricultural products like rice and beef, South Korea has firmly rejected any further opening, emphasizing that "there will be no additional market access." This firm stance sets the stage for a critical discussion on agricultural market access at the upcoming summit. "Other countries know that if you push Korea to open beef and rice sector, they know that because this is so politically sensitive in Korea that Korea will offer opening in other areas not to get the other side to open beef and rice markets. So, at the very beginning you should expect the United States to push very hard to open Korea's beef and rice sectors but later they may be satisfied with gains in other sectors that are worth more to the United States than the rice and beef markets." Beyond these points, further non-tariff barriers like Google's high-precision map data export will be crucial issues to monitor at the upcoming summit.

N. Korean leader's sister denies loudspeaker removal, rejects Seoul's outreach

2025/08/14 22:34

North Korea has denied dismantling loudspeakers directed across the border toward South Korea as earlier reported by officials here. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification says it will come up with measures to stabilize inter-Korean relations. Cha Yun-kyung has more. Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has rejected Seoul's conciliatory measures and reaffirmed Pyongyang's intent to maintain its hostile stance. In a statement released through the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency on Thursday, Kim dismissed recent measures by the Lee Jae Myung administration, which took office in June pledging to mend strained ties with North Korea. Lee's government has halted anti-Pyongyang loudspeaker broadcasts, moved to ban leaflet balloon launches into the North, and repatriated North Koreans who had drifted south in wooden fishing boats. Responding to Lee's remarks on Tuesday that the North has also removed some loudspeakers, Kim called it "groundless speculation and a manipulation of public opinion," insisting North Korea has not dismantled the loudspeakers deployed along the border, and doesn't intend to do so. Also in her statement, Kim Yo-jong criticized adjustments to the upcoming Korean-U.S. Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise starting on August 18th, dismissing them as "worthless and futile." Meanwhile, at a briefing on Thursday, South Korea's Ministry of National Defense said the military had explained the facts based on its observations of North Korea removing speakers. It urged caution against being swayed by the intent behind North Korea's announcements, adding it has often made unfounded claims. A military official said, "There is a possibility that Kim made such a statement because she did not want the regime to appear to be taking down the loudspeaker in response to the South's removal of its loudspeakers from border areas," adding that one loudspeaker had been removed from the border. Regarding Kim's hostile stance, the Ministry of Unification said it will come up with measures for the normalization and stabilization of inter-Korean relations. An official from the ministry stated the regime's statement was timed to coincide with President Lee Jae-myung's August 15th Liberation Day speech, the Korean-U.S. joint military exercise, and the South Korea-U.S. summit scheduled for August 25th. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

Ahead of Seoul-Washington Summit, CSIS Victor Cha warns of alliance stress points

2025/08/14 21:35

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. As tensions across the Korean Peninsula evolve, the ROK-U.S. alliance is once again being tested, not just by North Korea's behavior, but by shifting expectations inside the alliance itself. With the next Seoul-Washington summit set for August 25th, and talks of a possible Trump–Kim meeting later this year, key decisions lie ahead on everything from defense cost-sharing to troop structure, human rights, and diplomatic strategy. And as Washington looks to re-engage Pyongyang, questions are also growing about how closely Seoul will be involved in shaping the process. To break down where things stand and where they may be headed, we're joined by Dr. Victor Cha, Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. A big welcome. Let's begin with what many see as the core friction point in the alliance. In your recent CSIS brief from late July, you noted that defense cost-sharing has become Trump's primary pressure tool against Seoul. When or where exactly did he make that shift clear in your view, and what message does it send as OPCON and troop structure come back into focus? Staying with the topic, if the U.S. reduces ground forces while expanding air and naval presence, can deterrence still hold? Or does that shift invite miscalculation from adversaries like North Korea or China? Since OPCON always comes back during times of strategic recalibration, do you think it could become a political bargaining chip under Trump's "self-defense" framing? And how might that reshape the pace of U.S.–ROK military coordination? Now let's move on to the upcoming August 25 summit between Seoul and Washington. Though there are a wide range of topics for the two to discuss, what do you see as the real strategic objective for the Trump administration? And are there risks Seoul may be underestimating as the two leaders sit down? Now as for North Korea, you've previously mentioned possibilities for a Trump–Kim Jong-un meeting during APEC period. But just this morning, North Korean leader's sister Kim Yo-jong rejected such possibilities. How do you see the chances? and if the summit does happen, what would actually be on the table? is denuclearization even part of the equation anymore? And on that note, In the past months, Pyongyang has openly rejected denuclearization as a precondition. So at this point, do you think the U.S. should change how it defines success in negotiations? Would starting with a freeze or step-by-step deal be the only realistic option now? Broadening out to regional dynamics, You've warned that North Korea's growing military ties with Russia now intersect directly with U.S. priorities in Ukraine and beyond. Has Pyongyang moved from a regional threat to a global spoiler? Meanwhile, the inter-Korean channel remains frozen. If any meaningful progress towards a Washington-Pyongyang summit happens, How can South Korea push back against being sidelined again? and do you think Washington sees it as a concern if Seoul gets left out of the process? Now shifting to the human rights narrative, South Korea is considering suspending its annual North Korea human rights report, while the latest U.S. report significantly softened its tone. Do you see this as diplomatic restraint, or a deeper shift in priorities on both sides? And finally, looking ahead to the close of 2025, are we entering a window of cautious engagement, or another dangerous cycle of provocations and miscalculation?

S. KOREA'S ROAD MAP UNDER LEE ADMINISTRATION

2025/08/14 19:45

Welcome to Press Perspective for this Thursday August 14th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. The presidential policy planning team has shared the administration's five-year agenda for national governance and broader diplomacy WHILE preparations are underway for tomorrow's appointment ceremony to formally mark President Lee Jae Myung's term in office. For more I have Thomas Maresca with American news agency UPI. Thomas welcome back. I also have Ruy Valdes with Spanish news agency EFE Spain. Ruy it's good to have you here. Thomas, the presidential policy planning committee back on Wednesday disclosed the Lee Jae Myung administration's agenda over the next five years. Do walk us through the main tasks and your takeaways. Ruy, during that event, President Lee Jae Myung also spoke of promoting integration through politics that unite the public. What efforts do you envision? Meanwhile, Thomas, tomorrow, that is Friday evening, a very significant public event is scheduled to take place at Gwanghwamun Square: an appointment ceremony to formally usher in President Lee Jae Myung into the top office. Do tell us more. And Ruy, in light of this occasion, what would you choose to highlight as some of the achievements on the national front that the president has managed to secure within his first 10 weeks in office ? Thomas, what about on the diplomatic front? I know it's still very early, but what have been some of the advancements with regard to foreign policy? Ruy, tomorrow, that is August 15th, also marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, and accordingly the presidential inauguration event will be a dual ceremony in commemoration of this particular chapter in history as well. What message might the president share with regard to neighboring Japan? And Thomas, what message might be directed toward North Korea? Ruy, speaking of North Korea, the regime is also slated to celebrate Liberation Day tomorrow. What can you tell us about the planned event across the border? Thomas, North Korea is widely expected to be on the agenda of the summit between South Korea and the U.S. scheduled for August 25th at the White House as the two leaders address, among other issues, "alliance modernization". Based on what has been shared about this term by relevant officials, what are your prospects with regard to the ROK-U.S. alliance? Ruy, the next multinational meeting among global leaders is the APEC forum here in South Korea this autumn. Some believe a U.S.-North Korea as well as a U.S.-China summit may be possible on the margins of this annual economic meeting. What are your thoughts? All right.

N. Korean leader's sister denies loudspeaker removal, rejects Seoul's outreach

2025/08/14 19:43

North Korea has denied dismantling its loudspeakers directed toward South Korea as earlier reported by officials here in the country. Byeon Ye-young has our top story. Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has rejected Seoul's conciliatory measures and reaffirmed Pyongyang's intent to maintain its hostile stance. In a statement released through the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency on Thursday, Kim dismissed recent measures by the Lee Jae Myung administration, which took office in June pledging to mend strained ties with North Korea. Lee's government has halted anti-Pyongyang loudspeaker broadcasts, moved to ban leaflet balloon launches, and repatriated North Koreans who had drifted south in wooden boats. Responding to Lee's remarks on Tuesday that the North has also removed some loudspeakers, Kim called it "groundless speculation and a manipulation of public opinion," insisting North Korea has not dismantled the loudspeakers deployed along the border, and doesn't intend to dismantle them. At a briefing on Thursday, South Korea's Ministry of National Defense said the military had explained the facts based on its observations of North Korea removing speakers. It urged caution against being swayed by the intent behind North Korea's announcements, adding it has often made unfounded claims. Also in her statement, Kim Yo-jong criticized adjustments to the upcoming U.S.-Korean Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military drills starting on August 18th, dismissing them as "worthless and futile." She added that Pyongyang has "no intention of improving relations with a loyal servant and faithful ally of the United States". She also accused Seoul of trying to score political points by reversing measures from the previous Yoon Suk Yeol government, calling such efforts an empty dream that would not draw Pyongyang's attention. Kim further brushed off speculation that the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for Friday, could revive U.S.-North Korea dialogue, saying there was no reason for North Korea to sit down with the U.S. She warned that if Washington clings to what she called "outdated" thinking, any meeting would remain merely a U.S. hope and that North Korea had no interest in talks that dwell on an irreversible past. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Rain will continue in the central parts of the country until tomorrow afternoon

2025/08/14 19:42

It's mainly raining in southern Gyeonggi-do Province and the Chungcheong-do provinces today. More than 100 millimeters of rain will fall in Sejong and Chungcheongnam-do Province, 10 to 60 millimeters in southern Gyeonggi-do and the Chungcheong-do provinces, southern Gangwon-do and northwestern parts of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province today. Meanwhile, the heat is continuing in the southern parts of the country. A heat wave warning has been issued for the Gyeongsang-do provinces, Jeollanam-do Province and coastal areas of Jeju Island, and a heat wave advisory for inland areas of the Chungcheong-do provinces and Jeollanam-do Province. Seoul, Daejeon, and Gwangju will start off at 25 degrees Celsius tomorrow morning, Chuncheon at 23 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 32 degrees in Seoul, Chuncheon, Daejeon and Jeju. Rain will continue in the central parts of the country until tomorrow afternoon. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Trump holds call with Zelenskyy and EU leaders ahead of Putin summit

2025/08/14 19:42

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. U.S. President Donald Trump held an online summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders, ahead of his upcoming face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Hosted from Berlin on Wednesday, the online meeting brought together President Zelenskyy, European leaders, including German Chancellor Merz, French President Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and NATO's Secretary-General Mark Rutte, alongside President Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The attendees shared thoughts that any peace must include Ukraine's voice, reject territorial concessions, and proceed with firm security guarantees. Zelenskyy warned that Putin's pledge to pause aggression was a bluff, aimed at stronger leverage on the battlefield. President Trump later described the call as a "very good conversation" and warned that Russia would face "very severe consequences" if Putin didn't agree to end the war after their summit on Friday. Israel is reportedly discussing the resettlement of Palestinians and is making diplomatic progress with Indonesia. According to Israel's N12 television, citing sources on Wednesday, Israel has approached Indonesia, Somaliland, Uganda, South Sudan, and Libya to gauge willingness to accept displaced Palestinians from Gaza under plans described by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "voluntary migration." Though no firm agreements have been signed, some progress has reportedly been made with Indonesia and Somaliland. Indonesia previously made a humanitarian offer, including treating up to 2,000 wounded Palestinians earlier this month and temporarily accepting around 1,000 war refugees in April. South Sudan, however, has denied involvement. Its Foreign Ministry labeled earlier reports of resettlement talks with Israel as "baseless" and "not reflective of its official policy." In the U.S. state of Alaska, an outburst of water from a glacial lake led to urgent evacuations on Wednesday. Authorities have warned residents in the state capital, Juneau, that water from a basin has burst through and flooded the Mendenhall River to record levels, peaking at over 5 meters, exceeding last year's high-water mark. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning and urged residents in the high-risk inundation zone to evacuate immediately. Glacial lake outbursts occur when a lake formed by the melting of snow, ice, and rain drains rapidly, much like pulling a plug from a full bathtub. Flooding has been a recurring concern in the area since 2011, and in just one year last year, hundreds of homes were damaged. American singer and actress Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has won her first Emmy Award. Beyoncé won the award for Outstanding Costumes for Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Programming for her Netflix special "Beyoncé Bowl," a Christmas Day NFL halftime show featuring songs from her Cowboy Carter album. She shared the honor with five collaborators, including lead designer Shiona Turini. Beyoncé had previously received 10 Emmy nominations without a win. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Jeollanam-do Province seeks to become capital of AI, energy industries

2025/08/14 19:40

Jeollanam-do Province is slated to spearhead the new administration's energy transformation as the province is home to relevant institutions. Cha Yun-kyung explains. The Korea Institute of Energy Technology, or KENTECH, which is the first global university solely focused on energy and technology research, welcomed its first undergraduate and graduate students in 2022. KENTECH has five major energy research areas which are AI and energy, energy materials and devices, grid modernization, hydrogen energy, and environmental and climate technology. KENTECH launched a national energy research center last month to establish industry-academic cooperation, in order to help the energy industry utilize and capitalize on its R&D results. "We are studying models that can be designed by integrating power system operation, generation, transmission, and storage, which is at the highest level in Korea and, in my opinion, is not far behind the U.S. level." "Jeollanam-do Province's efforts are now perfectly aligned with the new government's policy direction, laying the groundwork to take a greater step forward. The province will lead in energy transformation, which is a common task for mankind." The government is expected to open a Climate and Energy Department in Jeollanam-do Province utilizing KEPCO and KENTECH, which can create industry-academic cooperation clusters. Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.

How "KPop Demon Hunters" character 'Duffy' comes to life through traditional Korean folk play

2025/08/14 19:39

On the cultural front. A traditional performance with an appealing twist that brings to mind a sensational K-pop-inspired movie is creating new waves. Ahn Sung-jin files this report. The dense blue fur shakes as the tiger stands on its feet. Its oversized mask, weathered yet alive, seems to breathe. This is saja chum or saja talchum, directly translated as the lion dance. It's a traditional Korean dance or folk play that portrays a lion to bring good fortune, but Yeonhee Connect Eul, a group of young performers have given it a twist to it, using a tiger instead. The tiger happens to resemble the character 'Duffy' from "KPop Demon Hunters," but the group say they began using it instead of a lion to combine elements of its fierceness, traditional Korean folk paintings and the symbol of the mythical Seoul 'Haetae' creature with its team color blue. "The fact that this piece reminded some of "KPop Demon Hunters" suggests that we successfully conveyed a universal narrative combining traditional themes and immersive media." Through performances like this, the group works on bringing traditional folk performance arts back to life. It often performs a type of Korean percussion music known as samulnori. But rather than merely replicating the tradition, it instead adds digital projections or modern media like DJing. "We aim to continue building on the foundation of traditional Korean performance arts while incorporating modern aspects through contemporary storytelling, media art and choreography to create entirely new stage experiences. For them it's not about reproducing the past but creating works that breathe with the present. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

South Korea to export K-9 howitzers to Vietnam

2025/08/14 19:38

South Korea is slated to ship its K-9 self-propelled howitzers to Vietnam. According to defense industry sources on this Thursday a government-to-government contract was inked late last month to export twenty of these artillery weapons produced by Hanwha Aerospace to Vietnam for 2-hundred-50 million U.S. dollars. This marks the first time for South Korean-made howitzers to enter the Southeast Asian market. The deal with Vietnam also marks the first time South Korea has sold its weapons to a communist country.

Former first lady declines to answer most special counsel questions

2025/08/14 19:38

Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee appeared at the special counsel's office earlier this morning for her first questioning session since being arrested earlier this week on corruption charges. The session lasted some four hours with the special counsel team focused on her alleged interference in the candidate nomination process in past elections. According to the team Kim refused to respond to most of the allegations. The team plans to hold another round of questioning next Monday.

Ruling DP launches special committee on media reform, plans punitive damages for fake news

2025/08/14 19:38

The ruling Democratic Party has launched a special committee for media reform. The committee will address follow-up measures after the passage of bills that change among other aspects how the heads of public broadcasters are appointed. On the agenda of the media reform committee is the restructuring of the Korea Communications Commission and the Korea Communications Standards Commission as well as the introduction of punitive damages for fake news. At the committee's first meeting earlier today DP leader Jung Chung-rae said the reform will serve to better protect public rights.

Wildfires across Europe continue amid extreme weather conditions

2025/08/14 19:38

Elsewhere. Three lives have also been lost in Europe amid rampant wildfires aggravated by extreme weather conditions. Our Park Kun-woo reports. At least three lives have been lost in intensifying wildfires across Europe one each in Spain, Türkiye, and Albania. And in Greece, consecutive blazes have forced the evacuation of thousands, especially near Patras, the country's third-largest city. "It looks like doomsday. We can't do anything more. May God help us and help the people here." About 5-thousand firefighters and around thirty aircraft have been battling flames on both the mainland and islands, including Chios. Greece has even requested assistance from other European countries and is applying for more aircraft through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. But extreme weather, including strong winds and scorching heat, is hindering efforts. Heat alerts are in place as temperatures are soaring above 40 degrees Celsius in nearby countries, which are intensifying the wildfires. In Spain, thousands have been ordered to evacuate, including over 5-thousand in the Castile and Leon regions. Residents in the country's north have also participated in containing the fire, saying the official response isn't sufficient. "The fire brigades, with carts and bulldozers it's complicated for them to extinguish the fire because there are several active fires in different towns." Amid wildfires that have persisted for weeks across Europe, the European Union has provided assistance to fire-hit countries, including non-member states, by sending firefighters, ground crews and aircraft. And these efforts are expected to continue as the wildfires keep burning, while the extreme summer weather continues. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Three killed in heavy rain in South Korea's capital region

2025/08/14 19:37

The latest torrential rain here in the Greater Seoul area has taken at least three lives. Lee Seung-jae reports. Three people died in South Korea's capital area on Wednesday amid heavy rain in the region. Over in Gimpo, west of Seoul, an elderly man was found dead in the back seat of a car after it plunged into a river. In Incheon, a man in his 40s was killed when his car skidded off the road and into a lake, while a woman in her 70s died as the car she was in crashed into a traffic light on a slippery road. The torrential rain triggered heavy rain alerts in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, and Chungcheongnam-do Provinces, as the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters raised its emergency response to level two. Evacuation orders were also issued for areas near rivers at risk of flooding in Seoul and parts of Gyeonggi-do Province. The heavy rains also led to train service on the Gyeongui–Jungang Line between Ilsan and Susaek Stations to be temporarily suspended on Wednesday, with delays on other sections. For safety, trains on the Gyeongui Line between Uijeongbu and Daegok Stations were also halted for the entire day. The Korea Meteorological Administration says 30 to 50 millimeters of rain per hour could continue through Thursday morning in the central region. Total rainfall through Thursday is expected to reach 50 to 150 millimeters in the capital area and up to 200 millimeters in Incheon and northern Gyeonggi-do regions. Gangwon could see as much as 150 millimeters, and parts of Chungcheong up to 100 millimeters. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Finance ministry signals economic recovery boosted by consumption

2025/08/14 19:36

And on the economic front. The Finance Ministry believes the economy is showing signs of a subtle but tangible improvement. Park Jun-han covers the latest findings. The Ministry of Economy and Finance removed the phrase "downside pressure" from the country's economic green book for August, on Thursday, for the first time this year. In the green book, the ministry noted that the country's economy has faced delays in the recovery of construction investment, employment challenges concentrated in vulnerable sectors, and concerns over a slowdown in exports due to U.S. tariffs. However, it highlighted some positive signs, including increased consumption driven by policies such as supplementary budgets, and the distribution of a nationwide livelihood recovery consumption coupon. "Since the new government took office, expectations for supplementary budgets and the implementation of the livelihood recovery consumption coupon have boosted consumption. As a result, August's assessment shifts from saying 'consumption recovery is delayed' to noting 'positive signs, such as an upward trend in consumption'." Exports in July grew 5-point-9 percent compared to the same period last year, led by semiconductors, while inflation moderately eased to 2-point-1 percent. The shift to an optimistic sentiment on consumption by consumers aligned with improved domestic and global uncertainties. The Composite Consumer Sentiment Index, considered optimistic when above 100, rose to 110-point-8 in July, marking four consecutive months of increases. "Consumer sentiment has gradually improved as political uncertainty eased. Following tariff negotiations with the U.S., economic uncertainty has significantly declined, with the 15% rate matching or falling below that of major countries." The government pledged that it will swiftly execute the new supplementary budget and concentrate the capabilities of all government agencies so that the consumption coupons can serve as an opportunity to revitalize domestic demand. It also stated that officials will undertake all-out efforts to respond to trade risks, such as supporting companies affected by U.S. tariffs. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Key economic cooperation agenda set for discussion at ROK-U.S. summit

2025/08/14 19:35

In less than a fortnight President Lee Jae Myung and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump will sit down at the White House to address the finer details of the trade framework hammered out by their trade ministers and pundits believe there are a few points of contention that need to be ironed out. Our correspondent Moon Ji-young explains. As the August 25th Korea-U.S. summit approaches, unresolved trade issues are taking center stage. A primary point of contention is the finalization of Korea's pledged 3-hundred-50 billion U.S. dollar investment. The two countries notably hold differing views. While the U.S. asserts the investment plan falls under its president's direction, Korea clarifies that the U.S. dictating all investment destinations is merely "political expression." Observers point to what to anticipate regarding the summit's outcome. "President Trump will probably push very hard for Korea to accept his interpretation rather than the Korean or Japanese interpretation. And it will be a very tough pressure because Trump will be negotiating not just for the Korean deal, but he's probably going to use the results from the Korean deal and reinterpretation as a model for Japan, European Union and other countries as well." Another critical issue is the U.S.'s proposed 100 percent tariffs on foreign-made semiconductors. The key uncertainty for Korea lies in whether the Most Favored Nation treatment promised by the U.S. will be applied. In fact, these chip tariffs have a significant impact not only on exporters to the U.S. but also on the American economy. "In terms of like this meaning of the tariffs, obviously on our daily lives are completely depending on the electronics, such as smartphones, TVs, and internet-based machines. So, in that case, semiconductors are going to be extremely important. Therefore, the prices of consumers and also producers actually will eventually go up, so the most important effect is going to come through the inflation." Agricultural market access also remains a contentious issue. While the U.S. calls for "historical market access" for its agricultural products like rice and beef, Korea has firmly rejected any further opening, emphasizing that "there will be no additional market access." Beyond these points, further non-tariff barriers like Google's high-precision map data export will be crucial issues to monitor at the upcoming summit. Moon Ji-young. Arirang News.

President Lee hosts luncheon for families of independence fighters

2025/08/14 19:33

President Lee Jae Myung has highlighted the importance of respecting and remembering the selfless sacrifices of Korea's independence activists. Earlier on this Thursday one day ahead of Friday's Liberation Day he hosted a luncheon at Cheong Wa Dae's Yeongbingwan Reception Hall for the families of those who fought for freedom from Japanese colonial rule. "The saying that 'three generations suffer if one fights for independence' should never hold true again. Those who sacrificed for their nation must receive the highest honor and the strongest support. We will take special care so the surviving patriots spend the rest of their lives without discomfort." The President also pledged to expand programs honoring the heroes to ensure their legacy lives on.

U.S. says it looks forward to working with S. Korea to advance 'ironclad' alliance

2025/08/14 19:33

Meanwhile speaking of Washington its top diplomat has reaffirmed U.S. commitment to advance the quote "ironclad" alliance with South Korea. In a statement on Wednesday local time U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also congratulated South Korea on the 80th anniversary of its liberation from Japanese colonial rule that will be celebrated tomorrow that is Friday August 15th. Calling South Korea an "indispensable ally" Rubio said Washington will continue to confront the most pressing global security challenges by working together with the government here.