News

China willing to invite S. Korean officials for inspection of West Sea structures, amid escalating concerns

2025/04/25 17:00

Seoul has shared much concern over a sea structure set up by Beijing off the west coast of the Korean peninsula. The concern was conveyed to Chinese officials during dialogue between the two governments here in Seoul earlier this week. The Chinese delegation claimed that structure was built for fish farming and invited South Korean authorities to confirm for themselves. Starting 2018 until 2024 three structures have been set up in the "Provisional Maritime Zone" where the two countries' exclusive economic zones overlap fueling fears that China may be seeking territorial rights.

Funeral Mass for Pope Francis to be held at 10 AM on Saturday in St. Peter's Square

2025/04/25 17:00

Dozens of world leaders will join tens of thousands of mourners at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City tomorrow that is Saturday for the funeral of Pope Francis. Our Choi Soo-hyung has more. The Funeral Mass for Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday, will be held at 10 AM local time on Saturday, April 26th, at St. Peter's Square in the heart of the Vatican. His body was moved to St. Peter's Basilica for public mourning, and in just two days, more than 90-thousand people have paid their respects. On the first day, there were larger crowds than expected, with people waiting more than eight hours. The Vatican extended visiting hours on that day until 5:30 AM to welcome them. It is expected that more than 250,000 mourners will pay their respects before the final day of public visiting, and an even larger crowd is anticipated for the Funeral Mass. The Funeral Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the leader of the College of Cardinals, with cardinals, bishops, and priests from around the world jointly officiating. In accordance with the Pope's wishes, the ceremony will be a simple and modest one, significantly simplified from traditional papal funerals. Instead of the ornate, triple-layered coffin used in the past, his body will be placed in a single, simple wooden coffin. A scroll documenting the achievements of his papacy, along with coins and medals, will be sealed inside. Many world leaders will also gather for Pope Francis's funeral. U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William of the United Kingdom, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be present. South Korea is also sending a delegation, led by the country's Culture Minister Yu In-chon. Migrants and refugees, who were especially close to the Pope's heart during his lifetime, will also attend. After the Funeral Mass, the Pope will be laid to eternal rest at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, a place he visited often and held dear. The funeral procession will slowly travel about six kilometers through central Rome, passing historic landmarks, including the Colosseum. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

DP's primary nearing end while PPP contestants open to merging with Acting President Han

2025/04/25 17:00

On the political front here. Partisan primaries are gaining greater momentum with expectations for the final candidates representing the two main rival parties to be named within the next week. I have our correspondent Kim Do-yeon live on the line with more. Do-yeon welcome back. What's the latest at the Democratic Party? Suh-hee, the Democratic Party of Korea's primary is nearing its end and the last debate before the DP's candidate is finalized will be live at 10 PM tonight. Utilizing the 90-minute debate, the three candidates will debate over various issues. During the day the candidates kept themselves busy with campaign work. Front-runner Lee Jae-myung was in Jeollanam-do Province to boost his support in the party's stronghold with the region's voting still open. Lee met with people in agriculture businesses and pledged to make the nation's agro industry globally strong. Both Kim Kyung-soo and Kim Dong-yeon joined the celebration for the 7th anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration earlier in the afternoon at the National Assembly Library. The DP electors' voting for the Jeolla-do provinces will close on Saturday, while the capital, Gangwon-do Province, and Jeju will close on Sunday which is also when the convention will be held to name the primary's winner and officially kick off the presidential campaign for the party. And what about the People Power Party? I hear the verbal battles are still on? That's right, Sun-hee. Today's one-on-one debates featured Han Dong-hoon and Hong Joon-pyo, who chose each other as partners. It began at 4 PM and runs until 7. The two are clashing over how they view former President Yoon's declaration of martial law and over who is more competitive against DP's likely candidate Lee Jae-myung. Meanwhile, speculation grows over whether Acting President Han Duck-soo will join the race. All four PPP primary candidates—including Ahn Cheol-soo, who joined this morning—have now pledged to merge their campaigns with the acting president's if he runs. Initially, only Kim Moon-soo supported the idea, even welcoming the idea of the acting president running. The remaining three were not in favor of him running, but now they say they'll unite their camps if he does. Some PPP supporters are also in favor, although the acting president himself remains silent on the matter. The primary will be decided 50-50 between PPP electors and an open survey, increasing the weight of party members' votes. That's all for now reporting live from the National Assembly, this is Kim Do-yeon.

Shipping volumes slump amid conflicting tariffs signals from U.S. and China

2025/04/25 17:00

Shipments from China to the U.S. have reportedly shrank substantially as Beijing continues to contradict the U.S. leader's claims that tariff talks with China are on track. Moon Hye-ryeon has the latest. The global container shipping industry is showing early signs of strain amid U.S.-China trade tensions. According to the Wall Street Journal, Hapag-Lloyd – the world's fifth-largest shipping company – said bookings for U.S.-bound containers from China have dropped by nearly a third since the U.S. announced steep tariff hikes earlier this month. In response, demand has surged for shipments from Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand and Cambodia, signaling that businesses are rerouting supply chains. A company spokesperson said a substantial volume of cargo from China is being held back, and smaller vessels may be used due to the decline. With the U.S. imposing a 10 percent blanket tariff on most partners and up to 145 percent on Chinese goods, some Chinese exporters have paused shipments altogether. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has continued to insist that negotiations with China are ongoing, claiming that he held trade talks on Thursday morning. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said that the contents of the trade talks may be revealed later, but did not elaborate further. Trump had suggested the day before that the U.S. was "actively" negotiating with China, raising hopes that a deal to "substantially" lower tariffs on Chinese imports could be imminent. However, Beijing dismissed Trump's claims of trade talks between the world's two largest economies. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Trump's claims are "fake news." "This is fake news. As far as I know, China and the United States have not held consultations or negotiations on the tariff issue, let alone reached an agreement. This tariff war was initiated by the United States, and China's attitude is consistent and clear. If you want to fight, we will fight to the end; if you want to talk, the door is open. Dialogue and negotiation must be equal, respectful, and mutually beneficial." While Trump had told reporters that there were talks between the two countries, his treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said no formal negotiations had taken place. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

White House pushes for Alaska LNG Summit in June, pressures Seoul for investment commitment

2025/04/25 17:00

Come June 2nd the Trump administration will reportedly be hosting an LNG summit in Alaska. Also according to the New York Times the administration is hoping to secure tangible investment commitments from its trade partners including South Korea and Japan for its Alaska LNG project. The U.S. in recent times has been highlighting its energy exports as one option in tariff discussions with major trading partners.

S. Korea, U.S. set for key defense talks on N. Korea threats

2025/04/25 17:00

Also in Washington D.C. next week South Korean and U.S. officials will meet for defense talks. According to the Defense Ministry here the two-day Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue will begin next Thursday that is May 1st. Topping the agenda is North Korea's nuclear threat. Since its launch back in 2011 this defense dialogue has been a key forum focused on bolstering security partnership.

[Kulture Issue] Preview of 26th Jeonju International Film Festival

2025/04/25 14:00

The southwestern city of Jeonju in Jeollabuk-do Province is known for its traditional attractions such as the Jeonju Hanok Village, trendy spots appealing to the young people, and Jeonju bibimbap. In this city, one of Korea’s main film events, the annual Jeonju International Film Festival is kicking off next week. We’ll take a peak into what we can expect at this year’s festival, with our movie expert, Jae Soh, Professor and filmmaker at Seoul Institute of the Arts. Welcome back, Professor Soh! Q1. This year marks the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival. If we have BIFF in Busan in autumn, we have JIFF in Jeonju in spring. What meaning does this festival hold? Q2. The opening film for the event I heard is one that’s been entirely shot on smartphones. What message does this send to the movie industry? Q3. There seem to be quite a number of works that explore gender identity, female solidarity, as well as the meaning of family, in this year's selection. How do you read the trend of this year‘s JIFF? Q4. Is there any film you would like to introduce that caught your attention? Q5. Apart from the movie lineup, are there any special programs at this year's festival? Q6. Do you think the variety of topics and formats of films featured at JIFF will help strengthen the power of K-content? Q7. Professor Soh, is there anything that could be done better at the festival to keep the reputation going? Q8. If any of our watchers decide to experience the film festival in Jeonju what are some other things you like to enjoy when you are in the city?

[Features reporter] Fluttering wings, blooming spring in S. Korea: Hampyeong Butterfly Festival begins

2025/04/25 14:00

As the weather gets warmer and more pleasant, a variety of spring festivals are taking place across South Korea. While we've recently introduced many spring FLOWER festivals on our show, today, our News Features reporter Park Kun-woo is at a festival that's probably also abundant in flowers, as this winged-insect that's today's main focus, is attracted to things that bloom. Kun-woo, please tell us at which festival you exactly are right now! Good afternoon Soa and Bella. I'm reporting from the butterfly festival here in Hampyeong-gun county, in Jeollanamdo Province, in South Korea's southwest. This is the biggest and most well-known butterfly festival in Korea, now celebrating its 27th edition since it first started in 1999. And you might have noticed that I'm indoors and behind me, you can see a variety of butterflies fluttering their beautiful, symmetrical wings. Officials say there are around 200 thousand butterflies of nearly 20 different species, both indoors and outdoors, here at the festival site. Visitors can also see caterpillars and other fascinating insects, adding to the unique charm of the festival. Today marks the opening day of the festival, and more and more visitors from all over the country are arriving to enjoy the scene. Parking lots have been packed since before 9 AM with families, friends, and school kids on field trips arriving. Take a listen to how much the visitors are enjoying the festival. "My friends and I are all over 70, but we've been here since early this morning, feeling as excited as if we were 18 again. There are so many flowers, butterflies and even people! It's such a joy to be here." "It's really fun to see butterflies I've only seen in books. There are so many kinds like the cabbage white butterfly that I know and I actually got to see them today! I hope more people can come and enjoy them too." Kun-woo, I can see the festival is a lot of fun. Do you have any special recommendations or tips for those planning to visit? First of all, I'd like to recommend two fun activities you can try while you're here. The first is the butterfly release experience. If you register 30 minutes before the activity, you'll receive a small container with around five butterflies. When you open the lid, you can watch them flutter away into the air. As butterflies are often seen as symbols of hope, I recommend sending them off with your own wishes. The second activity is feeding the butterflies. You'll be given a bouquet of flowers with feed to attract butterflies, and as they gather around it, you can enjoy feeding them up close. Also, on display here is a special sculpture called the "Golden Bat" statue, created to commemorate the golden bat, which is a Level 1 endangered species. This recently grabbed attention as its value rose with soaring gold prices, and it's even being seen as a successful investment by the local government. While the activities I've mentioned are free, the festival's entrance fee is just under 5 U.S. dollars. Groups of more than 20 people, as well as children and senior citizens, can enter at a discounted price. In terms of traveling to here from Seoul, it takes about four hours by car. If you prefer public transport, you can take an intercity bus, which brings you directly to Hampyeong in about four and a half hours. For those taking the train, you can take the KTX train, which takes less than four hours. Thanks for those tips. But Kun-woo I also heard on a global scale that there are concerns about the decline of butterfly populations. What's the situation there in Hampyeong? Yes, according to a U.S. study, butterfly populations in the U.S. have declined by 22 percent over the past two decades, with climate change and excessive pesticide use pointed out as key reasons. But an official I spoke to told me Hampyeong has a competitive edge, thanks to its accumulated know-how in sustaining butterfly populations over the years. "Instead of collecting butterflies from the wild, we raise them using selected breeding stock. To thrive, butterflies need host plants for caterpillars and nectar plants for adults. And this clean and natural area of Hampyeong offers both in abundance." To sum up, he said it's the combination of natural resources, research, and expertise that makes Hampyeong an ideal habitat for butterflies. Back to you guys. Alright Kun-woo, thanks for all of that. And we'll see you next time with another interesting topic.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/25 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The Culture Ministry has unveiled a comprehensive plan to revitalize Korea's animation industry. During a policy meeting chaired by Acting President Han Duck-soo, the ministry announced it will launch a 20 billion-won, or roughly 14 million-dollar animation fund this year and expand it to 150 billion won, or around 104 million dollars, by 2029. The fund aims to boost investment, diversify content distribution, foster talent, and support global expansion. The ministry says it's part of a long-term strategy to grow Korean animation into a high-value-added industry and respond more effectively to evolving media and technology trends. Acclaimed Korean author Han Kang topped bestseller charts once again, this time, with her first book since winning the Nobel Prize in Literature last year. Titled "Light and Thread," the book ranked number one on Kyobo Bookstore and Aladin, and number two on Yes 24 on its first day of online release. Aladin reported a surge in inquiries as offline sales began Thursday, with over 12,000 readers signing up for new release notifications. The book is a collection of essays, featuring Han's previously unreleased poems, diary entries, and her Nobel acceptance speech. Pianist Lim Yun-chan swept three categories at the 20th BBC Music Magazine Awards with his album "Chopin: Études," released last year. He won Recording of the Year, the Instrumental Award, and the Newcomer Award at a ceremony held in London on Wednesday. It is the first time in the award's history that a single album has claimed all three honors. Meanwhile, a live album of Lim's performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 will be released on May 16. The recording captures his winning stage at the 2022 Van Cliburn Competition, where he became the youngest winner at age 18. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-enter] "Gangnam Style" and "Baby Shark" among YouTube's biggest moments

2025/04/25 14:00

Time for some K-entertainment news with Bella Kim. For our first story today, we are going to talk about something related to an anniversary. What are we celebrating? Well, YouTube just turned 20 this Wednesday and in celebration, The New York Times introduced its 18 biggest moments from YouTube. And guess what? PSY’s “Gangnam Style” and Pinkfong’s “Baby Shark” were chosen. The New York Times briefly introduced PSY and said “Gangnam Style” was first uploaded on July 2012, and by the end of that year it became the first video on the internet to reach one billion views. Another video that made onto the timeline was “Baby Shark” began quietly, when a video of the song was first posted on YouTube in November 2015. Then, the remixed version of the same song was uploaded in June 2016. In November of 2020, it became the most viewed YouTube video ever and it still is with 15.8 billion views. We really have to give it to PSY, Gangnam Style was a significant catalyst in the hallyu boom. And Baby Shark now caters to children all around the world, with the song and related content said to be available in 25 languages. Next we will move onto another piece of Korean content has been HUGE globally “Squid Game!” Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator and director behind the global sensation “Squid Game,” will be honored with the Creator Tribute at the upcoming Gotham Television Awards. The Gotham Film & Media Institute said, in a press release, that Hwang was selected for “combining high-stakes storytelling with sharp cultural commentary to create the global phenomenon.” Established in 1991, the Gotham Awards acknowledge outstanding achievements in independent films and television series. The Creator Tribute award category, which Hwang will receive, recognizes the iconic artists and creators who have enriched the landscape and pushed the boundaries of TV, making an indelible impact on the medium. It’s actually not the first time "Squid Game" has won the Gotham Award. The Gothams previously celebrated the series with the competitive category award for Best Long Form Breakthrough Series back in 2021. This year’s award ceremony will take place in New York City on June 2nd. Congratulations director Hwang! And we will end off today’s K-enter with a K-pop story on a new collaboration between two artists? Tablo, the leader of hip-hop group Epik High, and BTS member RM will release their collaborative single next month. Tablo announced the upcoming release of the track, titled “Stop the Rain,” on his social media accounts, along with a teaser video featuring both artists’ voices. The new single is a song the two artists worked on two years ago. It combines Tablo’s distinctive lyrical style with RM’s deep and charismatic voice. The collaboration between the two marks their first project together in three years after “All Day,” one of the tracks on RM’s solo album “Indigo.” Excited to see the two together again. Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

Trump says U.S. held trade talks with China but Beijing dismisses claims

2025/04/25 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. and China held talks on Thursday to resolve the trade war between the world's two largest economies. However, China rebutted the claims, calling it fake news, and said no talks have taken place. Lee Seung-jae has more. U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the U.S. and China held trade talks earlier in the morning, in order to resolve the trade war between the two countries. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the contents of the trade talks may be revealed later, but did not elaborate further. Trump had suggested the day before that the U.S. was "actively" negotiating with China, raising hopes that a deal to "substantially" lower tariffs on Chinese imports could be imminent. Those remarks resulted in a stock market boost. However,.. Beijing refuted Trump's claims of trade talks between the world's two largest economies. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Trump's claims are "fake news." "This is fake news. As far as I know, China and the United States have not held consultations or negotiations on the tariff issue, let alone reached an agreement. This tariff war was initiated by the United States, and China's attitude is consistent and clear. If you want to fight, we will fight to the end; if you want to talk, the door is open. Dialogue and negotiation must be equal, respectful, and mutually beneficial." While Trump had told reporters that talks were happening between the two countries, his treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said no formal negotiations had taken place. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Gangnam Style, Baby Shark listed among 'biggest moments' in YouTube's 20-year history

2025/04/25 10:00

YouTube celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and content originating from South Korea has been chosen among the biggest moments in the platform's history. The New York Times marked the occasion on Wednesday with the 18 "biggest moments," which include Psy's 'Gangnam Style' and the children's song video 'Baby Shark.' The article said that Psy released his song 'Gangnam Style' in July 2012 and by the end of that year, it had become the first video on the internet to surpass 1 billion views. It went on to say that the 'Baby Shark' video became the most-viewed video in YouTube history in November 2020,.. and still holds the record with 15-point-8 billion views.

Russian strike on Kyiv kills at least 12 in biggest attack on Ukrainian capital since last summer

2025/04/25 10:00

Starting in Ukraine, Kyiv has seen the most devastating attack in nine months, as Russian forces fired a barrage of missiles and drones at the capital city overnight. In the early hours of Thursday local time, Russia conducted a massive combined missile and drone attack on Kyiv, killing at least 12 people and injuring over 90. The strikes, which began around 1 AM, targeted multiple districts and caused significant damage to residential buildings and vehicles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the assault one of Moscow's "most outrageous," while officials reported that it involved ballistic missiles. The attack comes amid heightened tension over negotiations to end the ongoing conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop such attacks, while continuing to pressure Ukraine for concessions.

S. Korea, U.S. seek to reach deal on removing tariffs, before tariff pause ends in July

2025/04/25 10:00

Finance and trade officials from South Korea and the United States met in Washington for talks, as Seoul seeks a path to be exempted from tariffs, before the pause on tariffs ends in July. Bae Eun-ji has the key takeaways from the meeting. South Korea and the United States have agreed to produce a package of deals to remove new U.S. tariffs before the July 8 deadline, when the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is lifted. This was discussed by South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok and trade minister Ahn Duk-geun, alongside U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during a high-level meeting in Washington on Thursday local time. Seoul's trade ministry said in a statement that it requested exemptions from reciprocal tariffs and offered cooperation on shipbuilding and energy. Following the meeting, finance minister Choi said the two sides agreed to aim for a deal by early July and explained they will hold further discussions on four key areas of mutual interest: tariffs and non-tariff measures, economic security, investment cooperation, and currency policy. "We focused particularly on the automobile sector, which faces the greatest negative impact." Choi also said they asked for understanding from the U.S., as the negotiation process could be affected by Korea's political schedule and the upcoming presidential election. He added that the two sides agreed to discuss this in detail when Greer visits South Korea to take part in the APEC trade ministers' meeting, scheduled to take place for two days starting May 15th. Meanwhile,.. Bessent also told reporters that the two countries had a "very successful" meeting without disclosing further details on the talks. "We may be moving faster than I thought, and we will be talking technical terms as early as next week, as we reach an agreement on understanding as soon as next weekend. So South Koreans came early, they came with their A-game, and we will see if they follow through on that." South Korea, which faces 25% U.S. reciprocal tariffs is among the first countries the Trump administration has initiated trade talks with. Eyes are now on whether the two countries will be able to reach a fruitful deal that will exempt South Korea from higher levies. Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.

[Weather] Staying below norms, hazy this morning in central areas

2025/04/25 10:00

We've had a significant temperature drop overnight. It's also cooler than what we typically expect for late April. The afternoon will also be cooler than yesterday. This weekend looks to be more of typical spring weather with large daily temperature swings. However, we do have some yellow dust drifting in, which could make the air quality a bit hazy in the central regions and the Gyeongsang-do Provinces, especially during the morning hours. Afternoon highs will be 1 to 9 degrees lower this afternoon at 19 degrees in the capital, Daegu and Gyeongju at 20 degrees, which is nearly 8 degrees lower than yesterday under bright sunshine. We'll also have to brave strong winds across the country today. On top of that, the air in the eastern regions is gradually becoming drier. Pleasant spring weather persists through the end of April, with rain in store on Jeju on Sunday. Just remember that big temperature difference between morning and afternoon and dress in layers to stay comfortable throughout the day.

Pope Francis' funeral to be 'standard' ritual, expert says

2025/04/25 10:00

Finally, in Rome, the Vatican is finalizing preparations for the funeral of Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88. The funeral, scheduled for Saturday, will reflect the Pope's wishes for a modest ceremony. The funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square will be attended by some 130 foreign delegations, including 50 heads of state. Following the service, Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, marking the first papal burial outside the Vatican since 1903. A nine-day mourning period will begin after the funeral, during which Masses will be held in memory of the late pontiff. The conclave to elect his successor is expected to commence after May 5.

EU to present roadmap in May to phase out all imports of Russian fossil fuels

2025/04/25 10:00

The European Union is set to present a comprehensive roadmap in May, specifying its strategy to eliminate all imports of Russian fossil fuels by 2027. The initiative, announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday, is a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and aims to bolster the EU's energy independence. The EU has made significant progress in reducing Russian gas imports from 45% in 2021 to the current 18% increasing LNG imports from the United States and gas supplies from Norway to compensate. The roadmap may include legal measures to allow EU companies to end existing contracts without penalties.

China successfully launches Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship

2025/04/25 10:00

China has successfully launched its Shenzhou-20 crewed mission, sending three astronauts to the Tiangong space station. This marks the nation's 15th manned spaceflight. On Thursday at 5:17 PM local time, the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft lifted off on a Long March 2F rocket from a satellite launch center in northwest China. Approximately six and a half hours later, it docked with the Tiangong space station. Mission commander Chen Dong, on his third spaceflight, and first-time astronauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie will spend six months on the space station, conducting spacewalks and field experiments. They will replace the Shenzhou-19 crew, who have been aboard Tiangong for 175 days and are scheduled to return to Earth on April 29.

China willing to invite S. Korean officials for inspection of West Sea structures, amid escalating concerns

2025/04/25 10:00

Amid concerns in Seoul over Chinese structures built in disputed waters of the West Sea, Beijing has reportedly said that South Korean officials can visit the area and see the structures for themselves. This was conveyed during a closed-door meeting in Seoul on Wednesday, between officials from the two countries, when China claimed the structure was built for fish-farming, and that it had nothing to do with territorial rights. From 2018 until last year, China built three structures in the "Provisional Maritime Zone," where the two countries' exclusive economic zones overlap, causing concern in South Korea that Beijing could possibly be seeking territorial rights in the area. The U.S. State Department also criticized China on the issue this week, saying Beijing's refusal to abide by international law causes instability in the region.

DP's candidates push for votes in southwest while PPP's one-on-one debates start

2025/04/25 10:00

Turning to the latest in the presidential primaries. The Democratic Party candidates visited the party's stronghold southwest region on Thursday, to boost their votes as the primary closes on Sunday. Meanwhile, the People Power Party's one-on-one debates started which will run until this weekend as well. Our Kim Do-yeon has more. With the voting for the Democratic Party of Korea members in what's known as the Honam region the traditional stronghold of the DP going on, the party's presidential primary contestants on Thursday all visited the region to push their candidacy. The Honam region consists of the Jeolla-do provinces and Gwangju City. Front-runner Lee Jae-myung visited Jeollabuk-do Province first where he shared his renewable energy plans and went on to visit Gwangju City located further south. There, he visited the May 18 Pro-Democratization Movement sites and emphasized the importance of democracy, with a new election stemming from a president being impeached for declaring martial law. The two trailing candidates Kim Kyung-soo and Kim Dong-yeon are also in the region, visiting key local points to meet as many people as possible. The voting in this region closes on Saturday. Meanwhile, the last set of regions for voting, the capital region, Gangwon-do Province, and Jeju, started on Thursday. This wraps up on Sunday when the final winner will be announced at the party's convention. Meanwhile, for the People Power Party, two one-on-one debates were held for the second round of its primary. With the PPP race having no clear front-runner, these second-round debates are expected to be crucial. Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon kicked them off. As Kim is known to have been against Yoon's impeachment and Han was pro-impeachment, Kim questioned Han about his fallen relationship with former President Yoon. One thing to keep an eye on in the PPP race is this aspect as some PPP electors still support Yoon and for the second round, the votes will be 50-percent PPP electors and 50-percent an open survey giving more weight to individual PPP electors. A similar debate took place between Ahn Cheol-soo and Kim Moon-soo. Ahn famously voted for Yoon's impeachment motion and Kim pointed out that Ahn even served as the Chair of the Presidential Transition Committee. For Friday's two debates, Han Dong-hoon and Hong Joon-pyo picked each other for their slots, making their debate a three-hour-long one. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.