News

World News: Canada's Liberal Party wins election, PM Carney says Canada will ‘never’ yield to Trump’s threats

2025/04/30 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Prime Minister Mark Carney has led Canada's Liberal Party to victory, in an election dominated by tensions with the United States. On Monday, local time, the Liberal Party secured governance for a fourth consecutive term. In his victory speech, Carney said his country would "never" yield to the United States. "America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country. Never. But these are not these are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never. That will never, ever happen." Carney's campaign gained momentum amid rising tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, who had imposed tariffs on Canadian goods and said he wanted to make Canada the 51st state of the U.S. In his victory speech, Carney emphasized Canada's independence and declared Canada will never be part of the U.S. in any way, shape, or form. The Liberals secured 169 seats in the House of Commons, falling just short of the 172 needed for a majority. This means the government will need support from smaller parties to stay in power. In Syria, over a dozen people were killed during sectarian clashes in a Druze suburb of Damascus between residents and Sunnis on Tuesday. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 14 people were killed in the predominantly Druze town of Jaramana, including local Druze fighters and members of Syria's General Security Service. The violence was reportedly triggered by the circulation of an audio recording on social media, allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad and attributed to a Druze cleric. The cleric, Marwan Kiwan, denied responsibility for the recording. The incident highlights ongoing sectarian tensions in Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led rebels in December 2024. The Syrian Interior Ministry launched an investigation into the origin of the audio recording and called for calm. In the United States, tech giant Amazon on Tuesday denied reports that it planned to display U.S. tariff costs on product listings, following a backlash from the White House. The company refuted claims that it intended to show tariff-related costs on its main website. It clarified that while its discount platform, Amazon Haul, had internally considered listing import charges on certain products, the idea was never approved or implemented. Initial reports of such claims led to criticism from the White House, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt describing the alleged plan as "hostile" and "political," adding Amazon should have displayed cost increases caused by inflation during the previous administration. Finally, Starbucks is set to open its first-ever 3D-printed store in the United States. The location, which is drive-thru only, is set to open Friday in Brownsville, Texas. The store was constructed using a robotic arm that layered concrete to form the building's structure. Distinctive, ridged walls set it apart from traditional construction designs. Unlike typical Starbucks locations, this store is designed exclusively for drive-thru and pickups, with no indoor seating. The company has not disclosed plans for additional 3D-printed stores but is aiming to move toward innovative construction solutions. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

How 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' captures the beauty of Jeju

2025/04/30 17:00

"Ageing is just another word for living." And the wisdom behind these few words comes to light in a Korean drama ALSO on Netflix that has been reigniting interest in the southern island of Jeju. In fact my colleague Ahn Sung-jin was just there. This line from the last episode of the Korean drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" captures one of the underlying meanings of the series, 'living life.' The story of a young couple on Jeju island and how their life progresses through many ups and downs caught many sniffling throughout the episodes of this heartwarming story. "Across generations, these stories and the lines from the characters were very relatable in talking about life and values because it revolves around family." Such storylines have resonated with viewers from around the world as the show topped Netflix's global non-English show chart. "The theme is so universal. In fact that there are Korean themes involved is part of the fascination and interest for me as a Westerner. That show makes me feel like I'm there. I feel like a part of their life, and I feel like I'm experiencing what it's like to be in Korea during the stretch of time. I think it's absolutely universal." The series' Korean title uses a phrase from Jeju dialect, "Pokssak Sogatsuda" which translates to "you've worked hard." The drama portrays glimpses of the beautiful scenery of Jeju island as a background to key events in their life. The characters grow up on Jeju's rocky shores in the 1950s, and these scenes were filmed around Gimnyeong beach where haenyeo or female divers can often be seen, a symbol of Jeju Island. They fall in love in the warm bright canola fields in the 1960s, another endearing sight on the island during April and May. The characters take part in a writing contest at the Jeju-mok Government Office, capturing the history of Jeju. And other scenes show off the island's natural beauty. "This site right here was one of the places where scenes from the drama were filmed. You can also get a glimpse of the traditional houses that represent Jeju Island." The local government is developing programs so that tourists can visit these locations easily. "Through hosting drama filming locations and investing more in these programs, we hope to further invigorate Jeju's content and tourism business." So for those who haven't had a chance yet to catch up with the series, why not give it a look to enjoy the beauty of Jeju. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Netflix original K-drama Weak Hero Class 2 tops its non-English chart

2025/04/30 17:00

On the entertainment front. Korean drama "Weak Hero Class 2" has topped the chart for the most-watched non-English series on Netflix. Findings for the final full week of April show this drama series standing at number one in nine countries including South Korea the Philippines and Thailand following its release last Friday. The plot revolves around efforts to fight bullying at school. Also with regard to the latest Netflix ranking six out of the top ten non-English series were Korean productions.

NIS Reports 4,700 N. Korean casualties in Russia's war; UNSC holds key debate

2025/04/30 17:00

Intelligence officials here in South Korea assert there have been thousands of North Korean casualties on the battlefield amid Russia's war against Ukraine. Our correspondent Kim Jung-sil covers this finding as well as the international condemnation following North Korea's recent confirmation of troop deployment in support of Russia. South Korea's National Intelligence Service reported nearly 4,700 North Korean casualties in Russia's war in Ukraine, including at least 600 fatalities. The information was revealed during a closed-door briefing of the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee on Wednesday. Intelligence reports also show a significant boost in North Korea's combat effectiveness, especially with the use of new technology like drones. This comes amid growing global tensions over North Korea's escalating military role in supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. On Tuesday, the UN Security Council held its first meeting addressing the situation in Ukraine, following North Korea's admission of sending troops to Russia and Russia's confirmation. Hwang Joon-kook, South Korean Ambassador to the UN, voiced grave concern over the military support. "Staggering reports indicate that North Korea now supplies nearly half of Russia's front-line munitions. Without this illegal military assistance, peace in Ukraine might already have been within reach." The meeting saw widespread condemnation from several countries, including South Korea, the U.S., and Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia's Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, defended the collaboration, framing it as part of their strategic partnership. "We are deeply grateful to our Korean brothers, whose fortitude and bravery will forever remain in the memory of our people." While North Korea's absence from the UN meeting raises questions about its diplomatic engagement, its ongoing military support for Russia continues to influence the course of the conflict in Ukraine. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

DP camp rallies unity with COVID hero Jung Eun-kyeong; PPP’s final showdown before voting

2025/04/30 17:00

South Korea is now counting down 34 days to the June third presidential election. And for more on the partisan preparations I have Kim Do-yeon live on the line. Do-yeon welcome. I hear the Democratic Party has launched its campaign committee? The Democratic Party of Korea just hours ago launched its presidential election campaign committee for its candidate Lee Jae-myung. As we know, Lee is leading the polls and with the election coming from a rival party's former president being impeached, Lee and the campaign's main message, in efforts to secure the win, is social unity. First, take a listen to Lee himself as he kicked off his camp. "South Korea now stands at a historic crossroads — will it rise as a hopeful leader on the global stage, or fall into decline through destructive backpedaling? The only force that can stop regression and lead us toward hope and the future is national unity." This aspect is also reflected through the lineup of the General Election Campaign Committee. There are a total of 22 leaders, with seven of them at the director level with 15 co-chairs; some of them come with conservative politics experience. One political debutante especially sticks out as she's known as one of the nation's popular healthcare experts the former Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency chief, Jung Eun-kyeong. Back in 2020, when COVID-19 first started spreading globally she gained international fame for leading South Korea's fast response to containing the then-not-well-known disease. All in all, the Lee campaign team will have 15 subcommittees directly under the auspices of Lee and 35 more subcommittees to deal with all aspects of the nation. Meanwhile Do-yeon the People Power Party is preparing for a final debate tonight? That's right, Sun-hee. Tonight at 10 PM, Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon face off in the final PPP run-off debate — a crucial and last showdown to decide the party's presidential nominee. Neither cleared 50 percent in the last round, which was split evenly between party electors and an open survey. This also means neither has a clear lead. Kim holds an edge among party members, especially those still loyal to impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol — whose removal he opposed. But Han, who supported Yoon's impeachment possibly tipping the scale with his faction during the impeachment voting, is seen as stronger among swing voters an advantage for the open survey. That divide came to light during their last debate — take a listen. You used to be really close with President Yoon. What happened? Dear citizens, I believe in democracy and the republic. I would've stopped my own father if he declared martial law. The voting will open on Thursday until Friday and on Saturday at the party's convention the winner will be announced. Meanwhile, Acting President Han Duck-soo is now expected to run for president, with his resignation from the caretaker role likely as early as tomorrow. If he runs, he'll begin as an independent since he skipped the PPP primary — a major variable in the race. Kim Moon-soo supports merging with Han to counter Lee Jae-myung, while Han Dong-hoon has been more critical, though he agrees that a merger may be needed. All right Do-yeon thank you for the latest on the presidential election.

[The Interview] Korean companies should "use American citizens as ambassadors" to navigate Trump tariff era: AMCHAM CEO James Kim

2025/04/30 17:00

The American Chamber of Commerce here in Korea believes raising awareness within the American public about Korea's business contributions to the U.S market may well serve the broader interests of the two governments. Our Lee Soo-jin explains. U.S. President Donald Trump's hard-line tariff agenda is fueling rapid, unpredictable shifts in the global trading landscape. South Korean companies are among those heavily impacted,. which is why they are actively exploring new strategies to adapt to the shifting environment. We sat down with the President and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Seoul on Tuesday, who spoke highly of the contributions that Korean companies have made to the U.S. economy. "I think that Korean companies have done an amazing job. If you take a look at the past three years, Korean companies have made around 140 billion dollars worth of investment in America, making them the largest foreign direct investor in the United States. So if you are an American politician a governor or even the president of the United States I think you have to recognize the big contributions that Korean companies have made." But while Korean companies' contributions have been significant, more effort is needed to raise awareness of both these contributions and their broader strengths, particularly among the American public. "If you talked to an average American citizen who's living in Illinois, I don't think they know that Korean companies are the largest foreign direct investment. But I think that that's the mainstream America that the Korean government and Korean companies should really help educate the American public. And I would use the American citizens a lot more to be their their ambassador." " What are some specific strengths you think American citizens should know about Korean companies?" "Infrastructure is amazing. The people of Korea work very, very hard very, very efficiently. This is a great market to test out new products. The digital side of it is amazing, right? So those are the kind of aspects that people should know about Korea and why Korea is an important market for them to even consider investing in and doing business." And the more the U.S. and its people view Korea as an important market, the more investment and partnerships will follow, which will naturally give Korea a greater leverage against Trump's protectionist measures. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

Samsung Electronics logs record quarterly revenue on strong smartphone, chip demand in Q1

2025/04/30 17:00

Samsung Electronics raked in its highest-ever quarterly revenue during the first quarter of this year. According to the company earlier on this Wednesday the revenue stands at slightly above 79 trillion won up some 10 percent on year. What's more Samsung's first-quarter operating profit also gained one-point-five percent on year to reach some 6-point-7 trillion won or some 4-point-7 billion U.S. dollars. These latest findings are being linked to strong performance in the smartphone and semiconductor units.

U.S. Navy secretary visits S. Korea's leading shipbuilders to bolster cooperation

2025/04/30 17:00

U.S. Secretary John Phelan of the Navy is here in South Korea as part of efforts to jump-start partnership between Seoul and Washington in shipbuilding. Moon Ji-young reports. U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan is on a visit to South Korea in a move to enhance bilateral cooperation in the shipbuilding sector under U.S. President Donald Trump's leadership. According to industry sources, Phelan is visiting HD Hyundai Heavy's headquarters in Ulsan , and Hanwha Ocean's shipyard in Geoje on Wednesday, both located in the southern region of the country. He is expected to meet with the companies' top executives, including HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun and Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan , to discuss potential collaboration in areas of naval shipbuilding, maintenance, repairs, and overhauls. The navy chief's visit comes as Trump has highlighted the need to revitalize America's shipbuilding industry and the importance of partnering with allies, including South Korea, a global powerhouse in naval vessel construction. Before arriving in South Korea, Phelan visited Japan, where he toured local shipyards and met with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani to seek bilateral cooperation in naval ship maintenance. "The competition with China, especially regarding the scale of warships, is so fierce that the U.S. shipbuilding industry cannot effectively compete. This is why President Trump plans to revive it." Meanwhile, Acting President Han Duck-soo met with John Phelan on Wednesday morning to discuss cooperation in the shipbuilding sector, including strategies to integrate this collaboration into broader trade negotiations. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

TRUMP MARKS 100 DAYS IN OFFICE

2025/04/30 17:00

Hello and welcome to Press Perspective. It's Wednesday April 30th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. Now just a day earlier the Trump administration celebrated its first one hundred days at the top office. So what have been the broader implications of the administration's America First policy? To answer that question and more have Lee Ji-hoon with news agency Reuters. Ji-hoon welcome back. I also have Professor Kim Yong-Jin at Sogang University joining our talk virtually. Professor Kim it's a pleasure. 1) Ji-hoon, let's begin with details of an article by your news agency Reuters regarding the Trump administration's first 100 days in office and its impact on diplomacy and trade. Let's begin with diplomacy. What is the assessment on that front? 2) Professor Kim, with regard to South Korea, Reuters claims "debate has intensified in South Korea about developing its own nuclear arsenal". What would be the potential economic implications of South Korea seeking to strengthen its defense capabilities? 3) Professor Kim, the same article claims the Trump administration's pressure on its partners might serve to push them towards China. What are the prospects of such a scenario for South Korea? 4) Ji-hoon, back to the 100 day assessment of Trump's achievements. What has been shared about his trade policy thus far by Reuters? 5) Professor Kim, acting President Han Duck-soo in an interview with British outlet "The Economist" reaffirmed his confidence in cooperation rather than confrontation with regard to tariff talks with the U.S. Do you suppose this strategy will prevail regardless of who wins the presidential race on June 3rd? 6) Ji-hoon, there is also talk about the Trump administration looking into its options of engaging with North Korea. Do tell us more about this initiative, and its importance. 7) Professor Kim, speaking about North Korea. Do you believe South Korea could leverage economic initiatives to engage North Korea? 8) And finally, Ji-hoon, what does the Trump administration's next one hundred days appear to look like? All right.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/30 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The 26th Jeonju International Film Festival opens today, kicking off a ten-day celebration of independent and art house cinema. The festival begins tonight with a star-studded red carpet and the screening of the opening film "Kontinental '25." This year's program features 224 films from 57 countries, including a record 38 titles in the Korean Cinema section. A special section will spotlight democracy, with six films presented that explore themes of martial law and political unrest around the world, drawing parallels with Korea's own experiences. The festival will close with the Korean documentary "In the Land of Machines," directed by Kim Ok-young. Korea's leading ballet companies, including the Korea National Ballet and Universal Ballet, will unite for the 'Korea Ballet Festival,' opening on May 9. Held under the theme "Connection," this year's edition will feature 12 performances, including two special productions and four guest works. Legendary Korean ballet figures, including Choi Tae-ji, Moon Hoon-sook, and Kim Joo-won, are set to grace the stage. The festival will open at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts with Johan Inger's acclaimed "Walking Mad & Bliss," followed by Universal Ballet's "Chunhyang," Gwangju City Ballet's "Coppélia," and more, with performances running through June 22. Seoul City will host the "Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival" every Sunday from May 4 to June 22 at Banpo Hangang River Park and around Jamsu Bridge. The festival, which attracted 1.5 million visitors last year, will expand the venue to the northern end, covering the entire Jamsu Bridge. Unique immersive programs, such as the Hangang Space-Out Competition and a silent DJ party, will entertain visitors, along with a variety of performances. Vehicle access will be restricted every Sunday from 11 AM to 11 PM along the 1.1-kilometer stretch from the northern end of the bridge to Dalbit Plaza. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-Correspondent] Encountering APEC host city Gyeongju at special exhibition in Bangkok

2025/04/30 14:00

Gyeongju, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla, "the museum without walls", with its deep history and culture, is known for UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. The southeastern city is also the host of the (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) APEC summit in October. For today's 'K-Correspondent' we go over to not Gyeongju but Bangkok as the charm of the Korean city is being showcased at a special exhibition in the capital of Thailand. We now connect to Lee Sunju , Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Thailand to hear more about this event. Hello Director Lee! Q1. Please introduce yourself and the exhibition you are currently hosting in Bangkok. Q2. Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly a thousand years and is a city known for numerous UNESCO world heritage sites. What is it about the city's charm that you want Thai visitors to learn about? Q3. Going a little bit more into detail, what's special about this exhibition and is there any particular part you'd like to recommend to visitors? Q4. Thai culture is deeply influenced by Buddhism. What do you think it means to Thais to see this exhibition showcasing Korea's Buddhist heritage? Q5. What has been the response by local visitors? What did they learn the most and find impressive about Gyeongju through the exhibition? Q6. For how long will the exhibition run and do you have any other programs or events coming up that you want to share? Thank you very much for connecting with us today Director Lee and for your efforts in showcasing the beautiful city of Gyeongju and Korea to the Thai people. Thank you Walter, we'll see you soon.

[K-Enter] Rosé's 'APT' breaks own record on Billboard 'Hot 100'

2025/04/30 14:00

Time for our daily dose of K-enter news with Walter Lee. Starting off with your favourite, Rosé! BLACKPINK's Rosé has broken her own record for the longest-charting K-pop female artist on the Billboard Hot 100 with "APT," her collaboration with American pop star Bruno Mars. According to Billboard on Tuesday, APT. ranked No. 16 on the Hot 100 chart, marking its 27th consecutive week on the chart. Last week, Rosé broke the previous record held by girl group FIFTY FIFTY, whose song "Cupid" stayed on the Hot 100 for 25 weeks, the longest run by a K-pop female act at the time. Now, Rosé extended her stay even further with no sign of slowing down. "APT." had also reached as high as No. 3 on the chart for two consecutive weeks, the highest peak ever for a K-pop female soloist. Meanwhile, Rosé's debut solo album "ROSIE" ranked 110th on this week's Billboard 200, charting for a total of 20 weeks. Like you said, let's see how long this record will go for, it seems like it isn't going anywhere soon. Let's move on to boy groups now. Boy group NCT 127 successfully wrapped up the Macau stop, which is the forteenth city of their fourth world tour, "NEO CITY – THE MOMENTUM." The concerts were held on Saturday and Sunday at Galaxy Arena, Macau's largest indoor venue, with both shows selling out completely. NCT 127 opened with high-energy tracks such as "Gas" and "2 Baddies." They continued to captivate the audience with songs including "No Clue," as well as hits like "Sticker," and "Kick It." Throughout the night they created a dynamic and engaging atmosphere while the audience passionately sang along in Korean and followed the choreography. After the show, the members thanked their fans, saying, "Thanks to Czennies , we had an incredibly enjoyable concert. Your voices gave us so much strength." NCT 127 is set to conclude their tour with a finale at Tokyo Dome in Japan on May 21 and 22. Let's keep with the subject of boy groups DAY6 is getting ready for a new single. maybe. tomorrow? According to JYP Entertainment on Tuesday, boy band DAY6 will release a new digital single titled "Maybe Tomorrow" on May 7. A trailer for the music video was released on the JYP social media accounts on Monday. In the video, the members of DAY6 said, "Not everyone will dream the same tomorrow," this was the band's way of expressing their thoughts about the new song being released. DAY6 are currently on a new world tour titled "FOREVER YOUNG", performing 45 shows across 23 locations both in Korea and abroad. They will conclude the tour with finale performances at the KSPO Dome in Seoul Olympic Park from May 9th to the 11th and May 16th to the 18th. The concerts will feature 360-degree seating surrounding the stage. All dates for the shows are sold out. Thanks for that news Walter and stick around as we go to our AI anchor Ari for more culture news, Ari!

[Features-reporter] How 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' captures the beauty of Jeju

2025/04/30 14:00

Sung-jin, you recently were on Jeju Island to explore and cover a number of stories for us. We have a Jeju theme going on this week, yesterday we had a very interesting talk about Jeju's culture with Professor David Tizzard, Sung-jin, you recently reported on the inscription of the Jeju uprising in UNESCO records, and today's topic is closely linked to the drama that's been the buzz these days. Right, so I saw that you guys already talked about Jeju and the meaning of "Pokssak Sogatsuda" on the show yesterday, but today I want to go a bit deeper to talk about the show itself and why it resonates with so many viewers in and outside of the country. This line from the last episode of the Korean drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" captures one of the underlying meanings of the series, 'living life.' The story of a young couple on Jeju island and how their life progresses through many ups and downs caught many sniffling throughout the episodes of this heartwarming story. "Across generations, these stories and the lines from the characters were very relatable in talking about life and values because it revolves around family." Such storylines have resonated with viewers from around the world as the show topped Netflix's global non-English show chart. "And so people who are Koreans a lot of people are concerned you know, it's so Korean. I'm not sure that the rest of the world can really appreciate it.There's so many things that are peculiar to Korea. No, the theme is so universal. The fact that there are Korean themes involved is part of the fascination and the interest for me as a Westerner." The series' Korean title uses a phrase from Jeju dialect, "Pokssak Sogatsuda" which translates to "you've worked hard." The drama portrays glimpses of the beautiful scenery of Jeju island as a background to key events in their life. The characters grow up on Jeju's rocky shores in the 1950s, and these scenes were filmed around Gimnyeong beach where haenyeo or female divers can often be seen, a symbol of Jeju Island. They fall in love in the warm bright canola fields in the 1960s, another endearing sight on the island during April and May. The characters take part in a writing contest at the Jeju-mok Government Office, capturing the history of Jeju. And other scenes show off the island's natural beauty. “This site right here was one of the places where scenes from the drama were filmed. You can also get a glimpse of the traditional houses that represent Jeju Island.” The local government is developing programs so that tourists can visit these locations easily. "Through hosting drama filming locations and investing more in these programs, we hope to further invigorate Jeju's content and tourism business." So for those who haven't had a chance yet to catch up with the series, why not give it a look to enjoy the beauty of Jeju. So, Sungjin, what was your favorite part of "When Life Gives You Tangerines"? And Sung-jin you were in Jeju island yourself to cover this report. Is there anything memorable that you could tell us from the journey? Absolutely Walter! So to talk a bit about the stories behind the scenes, as an avid fan of the Netflix series I found it fascinating to compare the scenes with the actual settings. Though it turns out that a lot of the background was set up, it felt like I was a part of the drama. Fun times! And apart from the places that you went to and introduced in your article, what other places in Jeju are worth a visit? Well, it briefly shows up in the beginning of my article with the canola flowers, but or Sunrise Peak is well-known for its volcanic crater on the top of the hike. It is a well-known photo spot for a lot of visitors to Jeju. Obviously can't miss out on the Hallasan Mountain or the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall as well. Great recommendations, especially just ahead of the holidays.Thank you for your coverage Sung-jin. My pleasure as always.

Trump temporarily eases tariffs for automakers for two years

2025/04/30 10:00

The U.S. will temporarily ease tariffs on auto parts for two years, giving carmakers time to transition to producing cars in the country. The Trump administration also said that Seoul is in pursuit of a deal framework before the June presidential election only for the claim to be denied by South Korean officials. Park Hyo-bin reports. The U.S. government has decided to ease the tariff burden on the auto industry for two years. President Donald Trump signed an order Tuesday to temporarily ease tariffs on auto parts for companies that manufacture cars in the U.S. The move came after the Trump administration began imposing 25 percent tariffs on fully built vehicles, which took effect on April 3rd. Tariffs on auto parts are set to be implemented in stages on May 3rd. The new measure provides a tariff offset for parts in U.S.-assembled vehicles, equaling 3-point-7-5 percent of the retail price in the first year and 2-point-5 percent in the second year. These percentages correspond to a 25 percent tariff applied to 15 percent of the vehicle's value in the first year and 10 percent in the second year. Trump said the measure is meant to give automakers time to produce cars in the U.S. "We just wanted to help them during this little transition, short term, and during this little, if they can't get parts, you know, it has to do with a very small percentage, if they can't get parts, we didn't want to penalize them." Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that tariff talks with South Korea are beginning to take shape, although he did not provide further details. "I could see the contours of a deal with the Republic of Korea coming together. And then we've had substantial talks with the Japanese." When asked how domestic issues in South Korea and other trade partners are affecting trade talks, Bessent stated that these countries want to have a "framework of a deal" in place before their elections. However, Seoul's finance ministry rejected the remarks and reaffirmed that the country is committed to following the proper procedures and not rushing the negotiations. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC on Tuesday that he had reached a deal with one country that should permanently ease the reciprocal tariffs Trump plans to impose. Lutnick declined to name the country, saying the deal was awaiting local approval. Based on remarks from U.S. officials, India is seen as the country closest to reaching a deal on tariffs. Bessent said in a briefing that two countries are "very close" to a breakthrough. Park Hyo-bin, Arirang News.

[Weather] Early summer heat under sunny skies, rain on Thursday

2025/04/30 10:00

It's the last day of April, and we're heading straight into some early summer heat today. Unfortunately, this hot and dry weather is also increasing the risk of wildfires. Most of the country is now under a dry weather advisory. And the situation is more serious in the east of Gangwon-do Province, Daegu, and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, where dry weather warnings are in place. Be prepared for a larger temperature swing throughout the day. Daytime highs will push past 25 degrees in many parts of Korea. Seoul gets up to a toasty 26 degrees Celsius, Daejeon, Gwangju, and Daegu will all get up to 27 degrees under mostly clear skies with decent air quality. The good news is that we do have some rain on the way tomorrow, which should help to ease these dry conditions nationwide. The capital area could be seeing up to 50 millimeters, but there won't be as much rain for Gyeongsang-do Provinces as we'd like. Expect to have strong winds through the end of the week, with more rain expected in southern provinces on Saturday.

Amazon denies it planned to disclose cost of U.S. tariffs on its website

2025/04/30 10:00

In the United States, tech giant Amazon on Tuesday denied reports that it planned to display U.S. tariff costs on product listings, following a backlash from the White House. The company refuted claims that it intended to show tariff-related costs on its main website. It clarified that while its discount platform, Amazon Haul, had internally considered listing import charges on certain products, the idea was never approved or implemented. Initial reports of such claims led to criticism from the White House, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt describing the alleged plan as "hostile" and "political," adding Amazon should have displayed cost increases caused by inflation during the previous administration.

Sectarian clashes kill 14 near Syrian capital Damascus

2025/04/30 10:00

In Syria, over a dozen people were killed during sectarian clashes in a Druze suburb of Damascus between residents and Sunnis on Tuesday. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 14 people were killed in the predominantly Druze town of Jaramana, including local Druze fighters and members of Syria's General Security Service. The violence was reportedly triggered by the circulation of an audio recording on social media, allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad and attributed to a Druze cleric. The cleric, Marwan Kiwan, denied responsibility for the recording. The incident highlights ongoing sectarian tensions in Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led rebels in December 2024. The Syrian Interior Ministry launched an investigation into the origin of the audio recording and called for calm.

Canada's Liberal Party wins election, PM Carney says Canada will ‘never’ yield to Trump’s threats

2025/04/30 10:00

Now, let's take a look at some stories from around the world with our Choi Chi Hee . Good morning, Chi Hee. Good morning Dami. Let's begin with Canada's federal election results where the Liberal Party claimed victory. That's right. Prime Minister Mark Carney led Canada's Liberal Party to victory, in an election dominated by tensions with the United States. On Monday, local time, the Liberal Party secured governance for a fourth consecutive term. In his victory speech, Carney said his country would "never" yield to the United States. "America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country. Never. But these are not these are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never. That will never, ever happen." Carney's campaign gained momentum amid rising tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, who had imposed tariffs on Canadian goods and said he wanted to make Canada the 51st state of the U.S. In his victory speech, Carney emphasized Canada's independence and declared Canada will never be part of the U.S. in any way, shape, or form. The Liberals secured 169 seats in the House of Commons, falling just short of the 172 needed for a majority. This means the government will need support from smaller parties to stay in power.

Seoul bus drivers launch work-to-rule slowdown protest after wage talks broke down

2025/04/30 10:00

Commuters in Seoul face delays on Wednesday after unionized bus drivers launched a "work-to-rule" slowdown protest after last-minute wage talks broke down. This comes as the Seoul Bus Labor Union and representatives from management held last-minute negotiation talks on Tuesday, which fell apart in the early hours of Wednesday morning after nine hours of discussions. The union is demanding an 8-point-2 percent increase in base pay and an extension of the retirement age from 63 to 65. Management is pushing to lower the standard wage through wage system reform. Despite the protest, both sides are expected to continue negotiations. This latest action falls short of the full-scale strike last year when wage talks also failed.

PPP presidential primary goes to run-off between 'against impeachment' and 'for impeachment'

2025/04/30 10:00

The People Power Party is also nearing its own pick for the party's presidential candidate by narrowing it down to two contenders: they are former labor minister Kim Moon-soo and former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon. The two will face a run-off election, with the results set to come out on Saturday. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. It's now down to two Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon. The People Power Party announced the winners of the second round of voting on Tuesday. The second round had been fierce, with no clear front-runner from the three days of heated debates. But as the results were announced, they continued to emphasize party unity as the Democratic Party of Korea's Lee Jae-myung certainly not an easy opponent awaits in the presidential election. "I am also grateful to Han Dong-hoon for joining me in the final stage of the primary. I believe he has a bright future ahead, and I look forward to seeing him play a major role for the good of our country." "In this challenging presidential race, there are differences between Kim Moon-soo and I, but that's exactly why we must team up — like a three-legged race — and stand as one against Lee Jae-myung." The results follow voting on Sunday and Monday, under the same rules as the second round: 50 percent PPP members and 50 percent an open survey. Neither candidate secured over 50 percent of the total tally, leading to a run-off proving the tightness of the race. A one-on-one debate will be held on Wednesday, followed by voting, with the final result announced on Saturday at the party's presidential race convention. Meanwhile, Ahn Cheol-soo in his exit speech pledged to support the winner of the race. "We must work harder to overcome the crisis facing our party. Whoever wins, I'll give my all to stop Lee Jae-myung and bring about a change in government." Hong Joon-pyo as he said before declared his retirement from politics a 30-year career with five terms at the parliament and two gubernatorial posts. "I will return to private life and live a quieter life. My role in this presidential race ends here." The race yet again is between one candidate who was against impeachment Kim Moon-soo and one pro-impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol Han Dong-hoon. This translates to someone more appealing to conservative and traditional PPP members versus someone more appealing to moderate and undecided voters. In addition, Kim has been openly supporting the idea of Acting President Han Duck-soo running for the presidency and merging camps while Han has even called the Party's support of this a "defeatist" mindset. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.