News

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

2025/07/02 19:38

Downtown Seoul has been transformed into a K-drama set until this Sunday much to the delight of Squid Game fans amid the release of season three last Friday. Our Park Hyo-been files this report. 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.

BTS to make full-group comeback next spring

2025/07/02 19:38

On the K-pop front. BTS is set to return with a new album and a world tour next spring. Intentions to this end were shared by BTS members during a live broadcast on the K-pop fan platform Weverse on Tuesday. All seven members of the group have completed their mandatory military service here in the country with Suga being the final member to be discharged late last month.

Dangerous heat wave continues to sweep through Europe

2025/07/02 19:38

In other news. The heat wave in Europe is intensifying with temperatures across countries there breaking records. Lee Seung-jae reports. It's only early July,.. but Europe is suffering from a record-breaking heat wave. A strong high-pressure system is trapping hot air from northern Africa, while higher temperatures on the Mediterranean Sea are reinforcing temperatures over land areas. Countries seeing the worst of the heat wave, include France, Italy, and Spain, with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius. Central France reported temperatures as high as 41 degrees, while Spain's southwest region saw mercury readings reach 46 degrees on Saturday. The Portuguese city of Mora rose to 46.6 degrees on Sunday, marking the highest June temperature on record. Amid the heat wave in Europe, the World Health Organization issued a stern warning on Monday, calling for urgent action to prevent "tens of thousands of unnecessary and preventable deaths." According to Marisol Iglesias Gonzalez,.. the technical advisor on climate change and health at the WHO, it's no longer a question of whether there will be a heat wave, but rather,.. how many there will be this year, and how long they'll last. Statistician Pierre Masselot, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, also warned that between June 30th and July 3rd, the heat wave could cause more than 45-hundred excess deaths. He warned that countries likely to record the highest rates of excess deaths are Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, and Luxembourg, adding that the worst days will likely be Tuesday and Wednesday. And according to the World Meteorological Organization, intense heat waves may become the norm for Europe. "The frequency and intensity of extreme heat events is increasing in Europe and by 2050 about half the European population may be exposed to high or very high risk of heat stress during summer." The heat wave is also raising concerns that the Eiffel Tower may experience deformation of around 20 centimeters. According to French daily Le Parisien on Monday, the steel structure bends slightly from various angles throughout the day due to the movement of the sun. It added that while the intense heat wave may lead to a wider angle of deformation, the tower returns to shape when temperatures cool during nighttime. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Trump rules out tariff suspension period extension

2025/07/02 19:37

And the U.S. leader has reaffirmed his resolve against an extension in the pause on country-specific tariffs following his self-imposed deadline next week. 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.

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

2025/07/02 19:36

U.S. President Donald Trump claims Israel has accepted the conditions for a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas. He's now calling on the Palestinian militant group to do the same. Park Kun-woo has the latest. 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.

BOK expects extra budget to boost S. Korean economy by 0.2% points

2025/07/02 19:35

The Bank of Korea believes the government-proposed supplementary budget will boost South Korea's economic growth by 0-point-2 percentage point this year. Speaking at the European Central Bank Forum in Portugal on Tuesday Governor Rhee Chang-yong also revealed that the BOK remains in a rate-cutting cycle after lowering rates by one percentage point since last October. He nonetheless stressed that the timing and size of future rate cuts will take into account financial stability risks including rising household debt.

Ramyeon and seafood lead steepest inflation rate climb in 5 months

2025/07/02 19:35

On the economic front. Inflation here in Korea picked up pace in June rising at its fastest rate since the start of this year. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon covers this rise in rate and the reasons behind it. 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, have 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.

What the South Korean president's 'Pragmatic Diplomacy' entails 1 month after taking office

2025/07/02 19:34

Now later this week we mark President Lee Jae Myung 's first full month at the top office. That being said our foreign affairs correspondent Oh Soo-young takes a look at the framework of his foreign policy thus far as he pledges "pragmatic diplomacy". Lee Jae Myung's pragmatic diplomacy blends continuity and change based on a deliberate calculation of national interest. His diplomatic debut came at the G7 Summit in June, where he held ten bilateral meetings with world leaders. After a six-month leadership vacuum caused by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law crisis, Lee's presence aimed to renew South Korea's standing as a vibrant democratic partner. Lee Jae Myung has also reaffirmed the Seoul-Washington alliance and future-oriented relations with Tokyo. His first phone calls were with Donald Trump and Shigeru Ishiba, followed by China's Xi Jinping, breaking the tradition of progressive leaders prioritizing Beijing over Tokyo. Lee's foreign policy also shows signs of recalibration. While maintaining key partnerships with democratic countries, the administration is diversifying cooperation and avoiding value-based alignment seeking to engage with China and Russia where possible. On North Korea, Lee's approach has been focused on reducing tensions. In his first month, he suspended loudspeaker broadcasts and cracked down on cross-border leaflet campaigns signaling a break from the tit-for-tat escalation seen in recent years. His Cabinet nominations reflect this push for peace, over alliance-based deterrence. Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun last week called for moving beyond the (quote) "stereotype that diplomacy begins and ends with the United States," while stressing U.S.–North Korea dialogue and building peace on the peninsula as core priorities. Unification Minister nominee Chung Dong-young could return to a role he held under the Roh Moo-hyun government. He helped organize the 2007 inter-Korean summit. Defense Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back set to become the first civilian to hold the post in more than 60 years has stressed the need to build peace along the border. North Korea, along with trade and security, will likely top the agenda when Lee meets Donald Trump later this month. Their meeting will mark the first test of Lee's ability to navigate the alliance while asserting South Korea's national interest. The U.S. will likely push for Seoul to cover more costs related to defence and possibly the deployment of U.S. strategic assets in South Korea. Lee and Trump were originally expected to meet during the G7, but the meeting fell through as Trump left early amid conflict between Israel and Iran. Officials from both sides say a summit is being arranged in Washington likely the week of July 21st. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea, China resume senior-level diplomatic talks for 1st time in 6 months

2025/07/02 19:33

The Lee Jae Myung administration held its first senior-level talks with its Chinese counterpart earlier on Tuesday here in Seoul. According to the Foreign Ministry Director-General for Northeast and Central Asian Affairs Kang Young-shin sat down with China's head of Asian Affairs Liu Jinsong . On their agenda was an agreement to boost communication and cooperation as South Korea looks to host this year's APEC Summit in the autumn. The two officials also addressed prospects of practical partnerships to benefit their respective citizens while sharing concerns over tensions on the peninsula and in the West Sea. While not officially acknowledged these latest talks are believed to have touched upon the alignment between North Korea and Russia and Chinese-built structures in the West Sea.

[Features reporter] Seoul transforms into Squid Game set as K-Content Travel Week begins

2025/07/02 16:36

We had an analysis on Squid Game 3 with our expert Professor Jae Soh yesterday, and today, we're taking you straight to the scene. So Hyobeen, I heard you were actually in Squid Game yesterday. How is that possible? That's right, Soa. I joined Squid Game, but no danger, no deaths, just fun! Central Seoul has turned into a real life set for Squid Game, as part of the 2025 K-Content Seoul Travel Week. Let's take a look. 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.

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

2025/07/02 16:35

Wow the festival looks amazing! Everyone seemed so excited and full of energy. How was the atmosphere out there Hyobeen? Yes, Soa! Actually, it was scorching hot yesterday, about 33 degrees Celsius out at Gwanghwamun Square. But despite the heat, the square was filled with laughter and excitement. Not just locals, but people from all over the world joined in. And one fan told me he even met Director Hwang of "Squid Game" right there on site and got a photo with him. So if you're planning to visit, I recommend not only playing the games, but also paying attention to the people around you. It sounds so much fun. By the way, while watching your report, I noticed a very familiar spot from Squid Game Nice catch, Walter! As part of the Docent Tour, participants visited Tapgol Park. That's the place where Gong Yoo's character asked people to choose between some bread or a lottery ticket. And guess what? The tour recreated that moment! Participants were asked to choose as well, and mostly picked the bread. It was really special for the fans to step into those real-life locations they'd only seen on screen. And actor Nam Jung-woo, who served as a tour guide, shared a message for global fans. "Hi my name is Nam Jung-woo and I'm an actor. I really appreciate your love and support for Korean dramas. As an actor, I will keep doing my best and I promise I will be back with another great drama. Gamsahamnida, Thank you." Before we wrap up, how can people join the festival and the tour if they're interested? Great question, Soa. The event runs until July 6th at Gwanghwamun Square, and the Docent Tour is open to foreign visitors only. You can sign up on the official event website, and the tour is offered in multiple languages including English. So if you're visiting Korea, or already nearby, don't miss your chance to step into the world of K-dramas yourself! Alright Hyobeen, thank you for your exciting coverage today. My pleasure!

K-wave AI News

2025/07/02 16:34

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. From Jeju's lava tubes to Gochang's dolmens and tidal flats, a cultural event showcasing Korea's UNESCO World Heritage sites will kick off this week. The '2025 World Heritage Festival' opens Thursday in Jeju, with events in Gyeongju, Suncheon, and Gochang running through October. Now in its sixth year, the festival celebrates Korea's World Heritage sites through diverse hands-on programs and has drawn nearly two million participants to date. This year, a global delegation of 20 participants from 14 countries, including the U.S. and Indonesia, will join as international ambassadors for the first time, promoting Korea's World Heritage sites to a global audience. The exhibition "Art in Life, Life in Art" has returned with an expanded scope and deeper aesthetic sensibility, offering a richer look into the idea of living with art. Now open at D MUSEUM in Seoul, the show builds on the success of a similar exhibition last year, bringing together over 800 works. Highlights include iconic pieces by the father of video art, Paik Nam-June, and leading American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, alongside selections from private collectors unveiled to the public for the first time. Blending works by world-renowned masters and rising talents, the exhibition invites visitors to explore how art can become part of everyday life. The show runs through February, next year. All CGV theaters nationwide will close temporarily on July 14 for a system upgrade. The new next-generation system aims to streamline movie ticket bookings and enable reservations for CGV's in-theater facilities like climbing gyms and comic cafes through an updated mobile app. Security measures will also be enhanced to better protect customer information. Users will need to download the updated CGV app, available from 8 a.m. on July 15, to access the new system. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-Correspondent] Jongmyo Jeryeak exhibition showcases Korea's tradition in Indonesia

2025/07/02 16:34

A UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, Korea's Jongmyo Jeryeak, the traditional music and dance performed at ceremonies to honor the spirits of the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty, has been brought to life at an event in Indonesia's capital Jakarta. Let's connect to Jakarta to hear about this perhaps unfamiliar, yet deeply resonant experience that's unfolding there. We are now connected to Kyla Minerva Angelia at the Korean Cultural Center in Indonesia. Hello Kyla! Q1. Please introduce us to the Jongmyo Jeryeak exhibition that's currently running in Jakarta. Q2. So what kind of events and programs are being offered for visitors? How could they take part in those and what were locals impressed about the most? (Ex: the music, rites, costumes, etc.) Q3. When preparing for the exhibition, was there anything you paid special attention to so that it works well with the local culture? Q4. In a few days on July 8th, the exhibition will come to a close. How has the response been by local media or on social media so far? Q5 Apart from the popularity of K-pop and K-dramas, how much interest is there in Korea's traditional culture in Indonesia? Q6. Do you feel any similarities between traditional Korean and Indonesian culture? Q7. Finally, is there any important message you hope to convey through this exhibition? (Ex: the importance of raising awareness of cultural heritage like the jongmyo jeryeak, or a message to the Indonesian visitors, etc. ) Thank you Kyla for introducing us to this exhibition and for spreading Korean culture in Indonesia. Thank you Walter as always. See you next time.

[NEWs GEN] Lunch Hour Getaways: How Gen Zs are spending their lunch breaks

2025/07/02 12:33

[NEWs GEN] Lunch Hour Getaways: How Gen Zs are spending their lunch breaks

What the South Korean President's 'Pragmatic Diplomacy' entails 1 month after taking office

2025/07/02 11:39

It's been one month since President Lee Jae Myung took office. It's still early days, but we zoom in on the course of his foreign affairs and security policies, which he has defined as "pragmatic diplomacy." Our foreign affairs correspondent Oh Soo-young explains. Lee Jae Myung's pragmatic diplomacy blends continuity and change --based on a deliberate calculation of national interest. His diplomatic debut came at the G7 Summit in June, where he held ten bilateral meetings with world leaders. After a six-month leadership vacuum caused by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law crisis, Lee's presence aimed to renew South Korea's standing as a vibrant democratic partner. Lee Jae Myung has also reaffirmed the Seoul-Washington alliance and future-oriented relations with Tokyo. His first phone calls were with Donald Trump and Shigeru Ishiba, followed by China's Xi Jinping, breaking the tradition of progressive leaders prioritizing Beijing over Tokyo. Lee's foreign policy also shows signs of recalibration. While maintaining key partnerships with democratic countries, the administration is diversifying cooperation and avoiding value-based alignment --seeking to engage with China and Russia where possible. On North Korea, Lee's approach has been focused on reducing tensions. In his first month, he suspended loudspeaker broadcasts and cracked down on cross-border leaflet campaigns --signaling a break from the tit-for-tat escalation seen in recent years. His Cabinet nominations reflect this push for peace, over alliance-based deterrence. Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun last week called for moving beyond the (quote) "stereotype that diplomacy begins and ends with the United States," while stressing U.S.–North Korea dialogue and building peace on the peninsula as core priorities. Unification Minister nominee Chung Dong-young could return to a role he held under the Roh Moo-hyun government. He helped organize the 2007 inter-Korean summit. Defense Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back --set to become the first civilian to hold the post in more than 60 years --has stressed the need to build peace along the border. North Korea, along with trade and security, will likely top the agenda when Lee meets Donald Trump later this month. Their meeting will mark the first test of Lee's ability to navigate the alliance while asserting South Korea's national interest. The U.S. will likely push for Seoul to cover more costs related to defence and possibly the deployment of U.S. strategic assets in South Korea. Lee and Trump were originally expected to meet during the G7, but the meeting fell through as Trump left early amid conflict between Israel and Iran. Officials from both sides say a summit is being arranged in Washington --likely the week of July 21st. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Persistent heatwave grips much of Korea

2025/07/02 11:38

Following yesterday's significant temperatures, today is expected to be equally, if not more, intense in terms of heat across Korea. Heatwave advisories are active in most parts, and warnings have been issued for most of the southern regions. We are seeing tropical nights as the temperatures stay above 25 degrees Celsius overnight. Gangneung is enduring super tropical nights. If you are visiting Korea around this time, make sure to have an umbrella that can keep you safe from rain and sunshine. This time of year, it can rain all of a sudden, before sunny skies quickly return, and you can easily get one from a convenience store. AND there is a chance of sudden afternoon rain in the capital area and Gangwon-do. This afternoon, Seoul gets up to 32 degrees, Daegu and Gyeongju both hitting 36 degrees under sunnier skies. Hot and muggy conditions are here to stay, with no significant monsoon rain in store, take good care of yourself!

Dubai aims to beat the traffic with 2026 Joby air taxi liftoff

2025/07/02 11:38

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.

USAID program closes doors after six decades study finds 14 million people could die

2025/07/02 11:38

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."

At least 36 killed in India after explosion at pharmaceutical factory

2025/07/02 11:37

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.

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

2025/07/02 11:37

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. 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 Bhum-jai-thai 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.