News

Microsoft to cut about 4% of jobs amid hefty AI bets

2025/07/03 15:34

Tech giant Microsoft announced on Wednesday that it will cut nearly 4 percent of its workforce, approximately 9,000 jobs, as part of a strategic shift to accelerate investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure. In a statement to investors, the company confirmed the layoffs would span multiple divisions, including global sales and marketing teams. This is Microsoft's third major round of cuts this year, following approximately 6,000 layoffs in May and additional reductions in June, which have brought the total job losses for 2025 to more than 15,000. Microsoft plans an 80 billion U.S. dollar capital expenditure for the fiscal year in support of its AI ambitions.

Dalai Lama confirms he will have successor after his death

2025/07/03 15:34

Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has announced during his 90th birthday week that there will indeed be a successor after his death, directly challenging Beijing's claim that only it can control the process. Speaking in Dha-ram-shala, India, on Wednesday, the Dalai Lama affirmed that "the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue" and that the Caden Phodrang Trust, alongside senior Tibetan Buddhist leaders, will hold sole authority to identify his reincarnation. He emphasized that his successor will likely be born outside China, underscoring his rejection of any candidate chosen under Beijing's system. The decision resolves long-standing uncertainty and safeguards against China's claims of authority over Tibetan spiritual succession. He outlined that the Trust, founded in 2011 and governed by Tibetan exiles, will consult senior monks and follow traditional procedures, possibly even nominating a "living" successor during his lifetime. However, China asserts its own legal right to oversee the Dalai Lama's reincarnation and asserts that it would need to be approved by Beijing.

S&P 500 hits new all-time high on news of U.S.-Vietnam trade deal

2025/07/03 15:33

The S&P 500 closed Wednesday with yet another all-time high, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a U.S.-Vietnam trade deal. The index gained zero-point-four-seven percent, closing at 6-thousand-227-point-four-two, to set a new record. Earlier the same day, Trump posted to social media that the U.S. and Vietnam had reached a trade deal that includes a 20 percent tariff on imports from Vietnam. The tech-heavy Nasdaq also closed at a record high, after gaining nearly one percent, to end the trading session at 20-thousand-393-point-one-three.

[NEWs GEN] Labubu Love: Inside Gen Z's obsession with bag charms

2025/07/03 13:33

[NEWs GEN] Labubu Love: Inside Gen Z's obsession with bag charms [뉴젠] 90만원에서 2억?...고가 인형 · 키링에 빠진 MZ세대

Stock

2025/07/02 22:41

2025. 7. 2. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,075.06 ▼14.59 -0.47% KOSDAQ : 782.17 ▼1.50 -0.19% KOSPI200 : 414.43 ▼1.83 -0.44% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 39,762.48 ▼223.85 -0.56% HANG SENG : 24,221.41 ▲149.13 +0.62% SHANGHAI : 3,454.79 ▼2.96 -0.09% WALL STREET (July 1) DOW JONES : 44,494.94 ▲400.17 +0.91% NASDAQ : 20,202.89 ▼166.84 -0.82% S&P500 : 6,198.01 ▼6.94 -0.11% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,358.70 (+2.80) JPY : 945.45 (+1.49) CNY : 189.63 (+0.30) EUR : 1,601.36 (+3.84)

Preview of President Lee's first press conference

2025/07/02 22:41

Tomorrow marks exactly 30 days since South Korea's new president, Lee Jae Myung, took office. After weeks of traveling across the country and engaging with world leaders, President Lee is expected to lay out his administration's policy direction by taking questions directly from reporters. Our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin has this preview. Communication has been one of the top priorities for South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, and that will be the focus of his first official press conference on Thursday. Unlike the traditional format where the President stands at a podium, the event will be held as a town hall meeting, where members of the press corps will sit close to the president, ask questions directly, with no restrictions on topics, from the economy and diplomacy to politics and social issues. The top office says this is to enable closer communication with more reporters. What also stands out is the timing. While former presidents typically held their first press conferences around the one-hundred-day mark, President Lee is meeting the press much earlier. "This press conference is intended to demonstrate the early stabilization of the Lee Jae Myung administration, which began without a transition committee, and to communicate actively about the direction of state affairs and major policies going forward." President Lee did not schedule any official events on Wednesday, suggesting he may be devoting his full attention to preparing for the occasion. In a social media post, the President said he arranged the press conference to reflect on the past 30 days and to renew his commitment for the remaining four years and eleven months of his term by humbly responding to questions from the public, whom he described as "the sovereigns of the nation." "Eyes are on what messages the President will deliver on pressing issues expected to come up, including trade talks with the United States, the supplementary budget proposal, real estate measures, and his administration's North Korea policy. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

[Weather] Heat wave continues, tropical nights appear

2025/07/02 22:40

These days, it is easy to get tired from the scorching heat day and night. The lowest temperature in Gangneung last night did not fall below 30 degrees Celsius, which is classed as a super-tropical night. Also, in Seoul, tropical nights have been continuing in Seoul for three days. With heat wave warnings and advisories in most parts of the country, there were many areas where the temperatures felt around 35 degrees today. In Jeonju, it felt as high as 36 degrees. It's easy to get heat-related diseases in these steaming conditions so please take care of your health. Tomorrow morning will still be warm at around 24 to 26 degrees all over the country. Daily highs will move up to 32 degrees in Seoul and Jeju, 36 degrees in Daegu and Gyeongju. A heat wave without any rain will be seen for the time being. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Seoul transforms into Squid Game set as K-Content Travel Week begins

2025/07/02 22:39

This week, Seoul isn't just Korea's capital city; it's a K-drama set. From filming spots to fan events, visitors are living out their favorite scenes. Park Hyo-been takes us there. Tourists are stepping into Squid Game. They're not just watching the show. They're playing the games, walking the sets, and reliving scenes in the very heart of Seoul. "The festival is excellent. I took part in this game and won a prize. I really enjoyed it." "One day she just found the tickets and we just said, 'hey, let's go'. We couldn't pass it up because it's such an iconic film from Netflix " "Here at Gwanghwamun square, tourists are diving into the world of Squid Game, playing games featured in the series." This interactive experience is part of the 2025 K-Content Seoul Travel Week, a collaborative event hosted by the city of Seoul and global streaming giant Netflix. Alongside the game zone, visitors can stop by the Soul Spot Travel Booth, which features exhibitions from 10 Netflix K-dramas and travel guides to nearby filming locations and restaurants. Also drawing crowds is the Soul Spot Docent Tour, a guided walk through real-life filming spots, led by actors themselves. They visited several filming locations from Squid Game, including Tapgol Park and Jonggak Station. "We had participants from so many countries, and some even understood the drama better than I did. But what impressed me most was their heartfelt love and passion for Korean culture." The event, which runs till July 6, kicked off with a bang last Saturday, featuring a massive Squid Game Season 3 finale celebration. Performers in the show's signature costumes marched from Gwanghwamun to Seoul Plaza, transforming the streets into a surreal K-drama parade. Fiction and reality blend together in the streets of Seoul, inviting fans not just to watch the story, but to step right into it. Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.

Amid increasing no. of heat wave days and tropical nights, what will summer look like this year?

2025/07/02 22:39

Unlike the average summer, where heavy monsoon rain covers the Peninsula, as scorching heat takes over the country, this summer might be a bit different. But what is usual is that people are looking for ways to beat the heat. Our Ahn Sung-jin has this report. Children splash their feet while some sit around to cool off from the heat. Amid the sweltering heat wave in Korea, people have gathered to escape the heat. "It's not raining, it's really sunny, and the water feels cold and nice." "Even though it's the monsoon season, it wasn't raining, so I came here to cool down with my mom." This summer has become known as a dry monsoon season. Though some moments of showers were seen throughout June, this year saw less water but more heat. Heat wave advisories have already been issued, and according to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the number of days with heat waves has hiked since the 1970s. The average number of days with extreme heat in the 1970s was 8-point-3 days, which nearly doubled to 14 days in the 2010s, which again jumped to 16-point-7 days in the 2020s. Though variables still exist, an expert from the Korea Meteorological Administration says that though the Peninsula is not experiencing a widespread monsoon, hot and humid conditions will persist, with the feel-like temperature to hover above 30 degrees. "South Korea is currently experiencing intense heat and humidity due to the North Pacific high air pressure. Though some areas are seeing showers during the day due to atmospheric instability, the main monsoon front, which typically brings heavy season rain, is already up in China and North Korea. However, the air pressure system continues to linger over the Peninsula, with temperatures likely to climb into next week. "The heat wave will continue in the coming days. But the KMA has said that it will have to keep an eye on approaching weather pressure patterns, temperatures, and other key factors to see whether the intense nationwide heat wave will hold steady or ease up. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Trump says Israel agrees to conditions for 60-day ceasefire with Hamas

2025/07/02 22:38

U.S. President Donald Trump claims Israel has agreed to the "necessary conditions" to finalize a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. He's now calling on the Palestinian militant group to do the same. Park Kun-woo reports. A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas may be about to take effect. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media Tuesday that Israel has agreed to the "necessary conditions" to establish a 60-day ceasefire. He also said efforts from all parties will be made to end the war during that period. Related hours-long talks between Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer took place at the White House earlier the same day. Trump also urged Hamas to accept the proposal that's said to be delivered by mediating countries Qatar and Egypt. He warned that the conditions will only get "WORSE" if Hamas does not accept the offer. No clear response from Hamas has yet been made. Pundits say Hamas' long-standing desire for a permanent ceasefire and staying in power could act as a potential variable. Alongside these remarks, Israel has continued to ramp up its military pressure. Israeli officials warned of more intense attacks to come if the deal does not proceed soon, ordering civilians in Gaza City to move to the South. Israeli forces have reportedly killed scores of people in Gaza on Tuesday alone. Amid persistent tensions in the region, Trump is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week for further discussions. Trump said he plans to take a "very firm" stance during the meeting, raising questions on whether the proposed ceasefire will actually proceed as he claims. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Trump rules out tariff suspension period extension

2025/07/02 22:37

As the clock ticks down on a critical U.S. trade deadline, U.S. President Donald Trump has made clear yet again that no more time will be granted for countries under temporary tariff relief. Our Moon Hye-ryeon has more. With the suspension period on tariffs set to expire soon, U.S. President Donald Trump signaled that he has no plans to extend the deadline, and that new trade penalties for some countries may soon take effect. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, he singled out Japan after taking to social media the day before to criticize Tokyo for refusing to import American rice despite facing a domestic shortage. "So what I'm going to do is I'll write them a letter and say, 'we thank you very much and we know you can't do the kind of things that we need and therefore you pay a 30%, 35% or whatever the numbers that we determine,' because we also have a very big trade deficit with Japan " On the other hand, he said a deal to reduce the 26 percent tariff rate for India to "much less" is on the table, after Indian officials extended a visit to the White House last week. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News prior to this statement that the two countries are close to making a deal that lowers levies for both parties. India is one of 57 named countries targeted by country-specific mutual tariffs announced back in April, before they were pushed back for a 90-day negotiation period. During that period, Washington has pushed for talks focused on tariff rates, trade imbalances, and non-tariff barriers. Only the UK has been able to negotiate a limited trade deal with the Trump administration so far, accepting a 10 percent U.S. tariff on certain items in exchange for special access to aircraft engines and British beef. Going forward, the Trump administration is reportedly planning meetings with its trade team to set tariff rates for individual countries as the July 9th deadline approaches. The U.S. Director of the National Economic Council revealed on Monday that the U.S. President will review tariff plans for each country, while Bessent warned that tariffs could remain high for countries that do not cooperate. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

S. Korea's Hyundai Rotem successfully completes deal with Poland to export K2 tanks

2025/07/02 22:36

South Korea's Hyundai Rotem successfully completed negotiations on a deal to export additional K2 tanks to Poland, according to the state arm procurement agency on Wednesday. The exact size of the deal is yet to be disclosed, though many assume it to be worth a little less than seven-billion U.S. dollars. This marks the very first major defense export deal since the start of the Lee Jae Myung administration. While Hyundai Rotem signed a contract worth about three-point-three billion U.S. dollars in 2022 to supply the first batch of 180 K2s to Poland, the follow-up deal had not been made until now. A significant number of tanks are to be locally produced in Poland, with production facilities to be established in the country.

Hyundai Motor, Kia achieve record U.S. sales in first half of 2025 despite tariffs

2025/07/02 22:36

Hyundai Motor and Kia set a new record by selling over 893-thousand vehicles in the U.S. during the first half of 2025, marking a 9.2 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Eco-friendly vehicle sales grew, driven by a surge in hybrid demand, though electric vehicle sales declined. Despite the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on automobiles, Hyundai and Kia sold over 473-thousand vehicles during the second quarter. This is a 7.9 percent increase from the same period last year — marking their best-ever second-quarter performance.

Ramyeon and seafood lead steepest inflation rate climb in 5 months

2025/07/02 22:36

Consumer prices in June went up 2.2% in June. That's the steepest on-year rise since January. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon tells us more. Consumer prices in South Korea climbed back to the two-percent range in June marking the fastest pace in five months. According to the data released by Statistics Korea, consumer prices in June increased by 2-point-2 percent year-on-year. The jump comes after last month the on-year percentage dropped below 2 at 1-point-9. "Although the increase in livestock prices has slowed, the decline in agricultural products has narrowed, petroleum products have turned upward, and prices for processed foods and other items, excluding dining out, has risen further — resulting in a 2-point-2 percent year-on-year increase." Processed food prices, in fact, jumped four-point-six percent for the sharpest increase since late 2023. This means bread, coffee, and ham led the gains but one of the most popular processed foods for Korea, ramyeon also jumped. "Once a cheap source for a quick meal, ramyeon prices aren't what they used to be. On-year, prices have jumped 6.9% that's the highest in 21 months. The government explains that this is due to ingredient prices going up." "I think it's really expensive. I don't buy in bulk anymore, and I eat less of it." Seafood prices also saw a notable climb, up seven-point-four percent, with officials pointing to global warming and unstable marine conditions. Consumers feel the difference and need to take advantage of good opportunities. "We're a family of three, and we used to eat a lot of fish. It's too expensive for us now, but I'm here because I heard there's a sale." Meanwhile, oil prices edged up zero-point-three percent, due to the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Finance said that given uncertainties such as weather conditions and volatility in global oil prices, it will make all-out efforts together with related ministries to stabilize consumer prices. In particular, to keep food prices in check, it plans to continue measures such as discounts on agricultural, livestock, and fisheries products, as well as applying quota tariffs on key food ingredients. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

[Politics & Diplomacy] Tensions rise in Assembly as extraordinary session nears end despite Pres. Lee's emphasis on unity

2025/07/02 22:35

At the same time, unity has long been President Lee Jae Myung's core message to parliament. But tensions in the Assembly are yet to be tamed as an extraordinary session nears its end. We turn to our political correspondent Shin Ha-young for more. Hello, Ha-young. Good evening. The country is now marking one month since Lee Jae Myung took office after the snap presidential election that put him in charge. What has been President Lee's approach toward the National Assembly so far? I followed Lee Jae Myung's campaign trail during his candidacy, where he emphasized national unity as one of his key pledges. After becoming president, he extended that message to the rival parties in the National Assembly. During his inauguration, President Lee caught attention by wearing a red, white and blue tie, symbolizing his message of unity across political affiliations. Lee also had lunch with Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, demonstrating his commitment to national unity from the very first day of his term. Take a listen. "I hope we can make compromises and reach agreements on policies that improve people's lives. I want politics to move away from hostility and toward respectful dialogue and healthy competition." Last week, Lee hosted a luncheon with leaders of the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party at the presidential residence. All sides described the gathering as a meaningful step toward candid dialogue and agreed to meet regularly. What was the first significant move from the ruling party after Lee took office? Back in power after three years, the ruling DP, which holds a majority in the 22nd National Assembly, has accelerated its efforts to pass contentious bills previously vetoed by the former administration. In the first plenary session, a day after Lee took office, the DP unilaterally passed three special investigation bills, including one into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law and related insurrection charges. And all this happened while most PPP lawmakers boycotted the vote. Meanwhile, the rival parties reached a compromise today on a revision to the Commercial Act one of the contentious bills they've been clashing over with plans to pass it in a plenary session tomorrow. As you mentioned earlier, Lee has made efforts to get the rival parties to work together. Then, can we say there has been progress? Well, it may be too early to say President Lee's message of unity has taken root in parliament. This is because, as the June extraordinary session nears its end, the rival parties remain deeply divided over four-term lawmaker Kim Min-seok's qualifications to serve as Prime Minister. President Lee nominated Kim for the post, but last week's confirmation hearing for Kim quickly devolved into arguments and harsh exchanges. With no agreement on witnesses between the parties, the hearing proceeded without any a first for a prime minister nominee. The PPP has refused to adopt the confirmation hearing report, citing Kim's failure to submit key documents, mainly about his wealth and family, while the DP plans to push for an Assembly vote to approve him by July 4. "For the first time, the confirmation hearing is being held without witnesses. It's a blind hearing due to the nominee's failure to submit requested data, having not given consent to share personal information." "There have been many unfair and unreasonable demands for documents. Is this really a proper confirmation hearing, or just an attempt to embarrass and criticize?" Well, I hear there's also a standoff over the new administration's extra budget bill. You're right. The bipartisan standoff over the supplementary budget follows President Lee, a former DP leader, returning to the National Assembly to deliver his first budget speech, which drew mixed reactions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The DP pledged full support for the swift passage of the supplementary budget, calling it necessary to revive the economy and protect livelihoods. In sharp contrast, the PPP found fault with the proposal, in particular, the cash handouts, calling them "ineffective" and warning of the growing national debt. Despite the ongoing tensions, the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee approved a 13-point-2 trillion Korean won, or about 9-point-7 billion U.S. dollars, supplementary budget on Tuesday to fund consumption vouchers, with both parties agreeing to the plan. Now, tomorrow marks a month since President Lee took office. All eyes remain on how Lee and the National Assembly will handle the ongoing standoff between the rival parties and work toward bipartisan cooperation and that's something to watch closely throughout his presidency. Alright, thank you for the wrap-up, Ha-young. My pleasure.

President Lee’s first month: Direction of inter-Korean relations under the Lee admin.

2025/07/02 21:34

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. In the past month, South Korea has signaled a strategic shift in its North Korea policy — suspending loudspeaker broadcasts along the DMZ and tightening controls on anti-North leaflet launches, moves aimed at reducing cross-border tensions. North Korea responded by halting its own propaganda broadcasts, sparking cautious optimism for a thaw in inter-Korean relations. This softer tone is echoed in President Lee Jae Myung's foreign policy team — stacked with key figures from previous eras of engagement. But so far, Pyongyang has stayed silent, keeping all communication channels closed and refraining from comment, even at major political events. Tonight, in part two of our special on President Lee's first month in office, we turn our lens to his evolving North Korea strategy — what message he's sending, and whether it can reshape the long-frozen dynamics on the peninsula. For this we are joined by Go Myong-hyun, senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy. Also joining us online is Dr. Mark Barry, associate editor emeritus at the International Journal on World Peace. (GO) Since taking office, the Lee Jae Myung administration has introduced a series of steps to reduce tensions with the North, including halting loudspeaker broadcasts and tightening controls on anti-North leaflets. North Korea, in response, also suspended its propaganda loudspeakers. Could this be interpreted as a positive signal from Pyongyang toward easing tensions? (BARRY) Despite these developments, North Korea continues to cut off all communication channels with the South. In this context, what should be the first practical step toward restoring inter-Korean relations? Where does trust-building begin? (GO) The Lee administration's recent appointments to its North Korea diplomacy team include figures such as Rep. Chung Dong-young and NIS chief Lee Jong-seok — key players during the early 2000s era of inter-Korean engagement. What does this lineup suggest about the government's North Korea policy? (BARRY) Despite Seoul's conciliatory gestures, Pyongyang has remained silent — offering no foreign policy messages even during the recent Workers' Party plenary session. Why is North Korea maintaining this silence, and when might we expect a message directed to the South? (GO) President Trump recently stated that he's "getting along very well" with Kim Jong-un and expressed a willingness to restart dialogue. Yet North Korea responded by reiterating its principle of "self-reliance." What's behind this messaging? Is it a rejection of dialogue unless there's a shift in U.S. policy? (BARRY) Interestingly, while North Korea continues its routine criticism of the U.S., it has noticeably refrained from directly attacking President Trump. Could this be a calculated move signaling Pyongyang's openness to dialogue with the U.S.? (BARRY) Meanwhile, after the recent U.S. airstrike on Iran's nuclear facilities, some analysts now believe that achieving "complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization" (CVID) of North Korea is no longer realistic. What message did this military action send to Pyongyang? (GO) Looking ahead, if President Trump visits Korea during the APEC summit in October, there's speculation he might seek another meeting with Kim Jong-un at Panmunjom. How likely is such a scenario? And what conditions need to be in place to resume dialogue? Should the focus shift from denuclearization to negotiating a nuclear freeze? (GO) As Pyongyang ignores Seoul and Washington's overtures, it is strengthening ties with Moscow, including cultural and artistic exchanges alongside military cooperation. In light of this, what strategic steps should South Korea take to safeguard regional security on the Korean Peninsula?

KOREAN EXPORTS HIT RECORD HIGH FOR JUNE

2025/07/02 19:41

Welcome to Wednesday's edition of Press Perspective. It's July SECOND here in Seoul and I'm Min Sunhee. Today we touch upon the latest events on the economic front here in South Korea. For this I have Lee Ji-hoon with international news agency Reuters. Ji-hoon it's good to have you here. I also have Ruy Valdes with Spanish news agency EFE Spain. Ruy welcome back. Ji-hoon, let's start with the rally in the South Korean stock market in recent days and the reasons behind it. Ruy, staying with the momentum from the stock market. South Korea's consumer confidence soared in June. Again, what are the figures and the factors fueling them? And now, Ji-hoon, on the trade front, exports rebounded in the month of June. Do tell us more about this finding and the factors behind them. Ruy, the Trump administration's pause on reciprocal tariffs ends next week. First, how many bilateral deals has the U.S. been able to seal thus far? And second, what's the latest with regard to South Korea's tariff talks with the U.S.? Meanwhile, Ruy, on the domestic front, the Lee administration has highlighted the need for a second supplementary budget this year to bolster the economy and protect livelihoods. Do tell us a bit more about this budget. Ji-hoon, you recently covered the concerns raised by a BOK board member about financial stability. Could you tell us more? Ruy, what can you tell us about President Lee's pick for Finance and Economy Minister? All right.

Tensions rise in Assembly as extraordinary session nears end despite Pres. Lee's call for unity

2025/07/02 19:41

Despite a presidential urge for unity the South Korean parliament remains polarized even as it nears the end of its extraordinary session. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young starts us off. "National unity" is a key pledge that President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized since his candidacy. After becoming president, he extended that message to the rival parties in the National Assembly. During his inauguration, President Lee caught attention by wearing a red, white and blue tie, symbolizing his message of unity across political affiliations. Lee also had lunch with Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, demonstrating his commitment to national unity from the very first day of his term. "I hope we can make compromises and reach agreements on policies that improve people's lives. I want politics to move away from hostility and toward respectful dialogue and healthy competition." However, the rival parties remain poles apart as the June extraordinary session nears its end. Back in power after three years, the ruling Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the 22nd National Assembly, has accelerated its efforts to pass contentious bills previously vetoed by the former administration. The DP unilaterally passed three special investigation bills, including one into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law and related insurrection charges. The rival parties also clashed over four-term lawmaker Kim Min-seok's qualifications to serve as Prime Minister. The main opposition People Power Party has refused to adopt the confirmation hearing report, citing Kim's failure to submit key documents, mainly about his wealth and family, while the DP plans to push for an Assembly vote to approve him by July 4. There is also a bipartisan standoff over the new administration's supplementary budget. The DP is aiming to pass it by Thursday, while the PPP is raising concerns about fiscal soundness and fairness. Despite the ongoing tensions, the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee approved a 13-point-2 trillion Korean won, or about 9-point-7 billion U.S. dollars, supplementary budget on Tuesday to fund consumption vouchers, with both parties agreeing to the plan. Having consistently emphasized national unity, all eyes are on how President Lee and the Assembly will navigate the ongoing standoff between the rival parties and work toward bipartisan cooperation. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Heat waves continue, tropical night appears

2025/07/02 19:40

Tropical nights at night and heat waves during the day have been continuing for days now. The lowest temperature in Gangneung this morning was 30-point-4 degrees Celsius, which was a super tropical night. This tropical nights have been appearing in Seoul for three days in a row. Today's daytime temperature in Seoul rose up to 32 degrees, and it felt like 33 degrees, while Jeonju felt as high as 36 degrees today. It's easy to get heat-related diseases in these steaming conditions so please refrain from outdoor activities when the sun shines strongly. Tomorrow morning will still be warm at around 24 to 26 degrees all over the country. Daily highs will move up to 32 degrees in Seoul and Jeju, 34 degrees in Daejeon. A heat wave without any rain forecast will continue for the time being. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Court suspends Thailand's PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra to investigate leaked phone call

2025/07/02 19:40

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Thailand's Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office following a petition from 36 senators amid controversy over a leaked phone call. On Tuesday, Thailand's Constitutional Court voted 7 to 2 to suspend Paetongtarn pending a 15-day investigation into allegations of dishonesty and ethical misconduct related to a leaked June 15 call with Cambodian politician Hun Sen. In the conversation, Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen as "uncle," and criticized a Thai military commander as "an opponent." The Bhumjaithai Party, Paetongtarn's key coalition partner, withdrew support after the leak, prompting renewed public protests demanding her resignation. The Deputy Prime Minister has been appointed as the acting Prime Minister. While Paetongtarn transfers to the culture ministry from July 3, she is barred from exercising executive power during the proceedings. The National Anti-Corruption Commission is conducting a parallel investigation that could escalate to a Supreme Court case, potentially leading to a political ban if she's found guilty. In India, the death toll from an explosion at a pharmaceutical factory has risen to at least 36. The blast on Monday at Sigachi Industries' factory in Telangana State occurred at the spray-dryer unit of the plant, causing the structure to collapse while over 140 workers were inside. Rescue teams have retrieved 34 bodies from the rubble, and two others died later in hospital. More than 30 people suffered injuries and are being treated for burns. Officials said additional casualties cannot be ruled out until debris from the collapsed building is fully cleared. The U.S. Agency for International Development, USA-I-D, officially ceased independent operations on Tuesday, July 1, after 64 years. Over 80% of its programs folded into the State Department under an "America First" reorganization plan. Meanwhile, a new study projects that these funding cuts could result in more than 14 million avoidable deaths globally by 2030, including children under five. Between 2001 and 2021, USAID-funded efforts prevented about 91 million deaths from diseases like HIV and malaria. While former Presidents Obama and Bush denounced the closure, Secretary of State Rubio said, "Inefficiency has officially come to an end." Dubai hosted the first piloted test flight of Joby Aviation's fully-electric air taxi on Monday, ahead of its official commercial launch in 2026. It's the first in-market series of flight tests following initial trials in California earlier this year and included vertical takeoff and precise landing sequences. The California-based company says its flagship aerial taxi can carry one pilot and four passengers, reach speeds up to 320 kilometers per hour, and fly approximately 160 kilometers per charge. This could reduce the trip from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah to 12 minutes, down from a 45-minute drive by car. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.