News

Heatwave in most parts, passing rain in capital and Gangwon-do

2025/06/30 11:38

Hope the heat didn't keep you awake overnight. The muggy air lingered overnight, with Seoul recording only its 4th tropical night in June since records began. A tropical night was also seen in places like Gangneung and Daegu. In fact, the scorching heat will continue with heatwave alerts remaining in place for most parts of the country. Expect scattered showers this afternoon in the capital area and Gangwon-do with 5 to 20 millimeters in the forecast, along with thunderstorms. So the central region will be a bit cloudy, while the southern region sees more sunshine. UV rays in Busan and Ulsan could reach the highest level, so stay safe. By this afternoon, Seoul, Chuncheon, and Busan will reach 30 degrees, and Daegu a scorching 35 degrees! Looking ahead, scattered showers are also expected tomorrow, and the hot weather is forecast to continue for the time being, with monsoon rain taking a break this week. Stay safe and hydrated in this intense heat!

Fully autonomous soccer robots gear up for Beijing showdown in futuristic finale

2025/06/30 11:38

Beijing showcased the world's first 3-on-3 soccer match on Saturday, played by four teams of fully autonomous humanoid robots, driven by AI. The robot players were equipped with optical cameras and sensors that detect the ball from up to 20 meters away with over 90 percent accuracy. The game was structured into two 10-minute halves, featuring a deep reinforcement-learning AI that made real-time decisions on passing, shooting, running, and strategy without any human control. Robots were able to recover from falls and displayed dynamic movement. Organizers said the event showcased a real-world test of robot endurance, agility, and AI-driven technology.

World News 3: Spain records temperature of 46C as Europe heatwave continues

2025/06/30 11:37

An intense heatwave continues in southern Europe, with countries issuing health warnings amid rising temperatures. Spain is currently experiencing the worst of the heat, with record high temperatures reaching the mid-40s Celsius in Seville and neighboring areas. A new record for June of 46 degrees was set on Saturday in the town of El Granado. Daytime and nighttime temperatures are expected to remain high through at least July 1. Portugal and southern France are also experiencing record-high temperatures of nearly 43 degrees, prompting wildfire alerts and health advisories. Italy, the UK, and Germany are also under heat and health alerts. Southern regions are expected to continue to see intense heat into early July.

Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Serbia

2025/06/30 11:37

Tensions in Serbia escalated over the weekend as anti-government protesters clashed violently with riot police in Belgrade, as they called for snap elections and an end to President Aleksandar Vucic's 12-year rule. Tens of thousands of people gathered after months of nationwide anti-corruption and student-led demonstrations, with protesters hurling flares and rocks at riot police stationed around government buildings and elsewhere. Police responded with pepper spray and forcefully broke up groups in multiple locations. Several dozen protesters were detained, while at least six officers sustained injuries during the confrontations. Opposition activists and students have intensified their campaign, demanding early parliamentary elections and accountability following the deadly Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse last November that killed 16 people. Protesters blame corruption for the disaster. Serbian President Vucic denounced the clashes, saying protesters were attempting to "topple Serbia" but "failed."

Iran says 71 killed in Israeli strike on Evin Prison on June 23

2025/06/30 11:37

Now, let's take a look at some stories from around the world with our Choi Chi Hee. Good morning, Chi Hee. Good morning, Eunji. Let's begin with the aftermath of the recent fighting between Israel and Iran. Fill us in on this. Iran's judiciary says Israel's airstrike on Iran's Evin Prison last week had killed dozens. An official from Iran's judiciary said on Sunday that 71 people were killed in the Evin Prison strike on June 23, which included administrative staff, political detainees, and nearby residents. The strike targeted the prison's entrance and administrative areas, leaving visible damage to buildings and surrounding areas. Evin Prison is known for housing political prisoners, journalists, academics, and foreign nationals. Some detainees were relocated after the attack. France, whose citizens are also held there, said the strike endangered foreign nationals and demanded proof of their safety. The June 23 attack came a day before the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Israel's defense ministry had said it was attacking "regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran."

From classical to traditional Korean: Lee Hanurij's bold new sound "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25"

2025/06/30 11:36

A talented teenage composer is seeking to blur the boundaries between traditional Korean musical instruments and contemporary musical compositions. Our Lee Eun-hee has this story. 19-year-old classical music composer Lee Hanurij has unveiled his first traditional Korean music piece. He won the Bartók World Competition in Hungary when he was just 18. This young talent has also written a commissioned piece for pianist Lim Yun-chan, the youngest-ever winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at just 18 years old in 2022. Now, Lee has entered a completely new territory by composing his first piece for Korean traditional orchestra, a bold step that bridges tradition and modernity, and breaks down the walls between Korean and Western music. The opportunity came when conductor Choi Soo-yeol, currently serving as the principal guest conductor of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, invited Lee to write a piece. Choi describes the Korean traditional orchestra as "a branch of contemporary music; a special genre that allows us to express the present through ancient instruments." Lee Hanurij's debut in the genre came to life through the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra's concert, filling the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday night with the richly layered and resonant sounds of "gugak," Korea's traditional music. In an interview with representatives from the Sejong Center, Lee described his piece as "an attempt to construct an entirely different kind of sentence using the vocabulary of gugak, one that unfolds loosely, hazily, without clear peaks or dramatic climaxes." Lee Hanurij, premiering his work "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25,"; his debut composition for a Korean traditional orchestra experimentally explores the unique tones and sonic possibilities of traditional instruments. Quoting him, "In this piece, the loop functions more like a memory; fading, warping, and merging into new contexts, yet never entirely vanishing." As pianist Lim Yun-chan puts it, he is "one of the most outstanding composers of our time." The future of the music world isn't just bright, it's dynamically unpredictable. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

[On-point] Will ceasefire between Israel, Iran continue to hold?

2025/06/30 11:35

As we just heard, the IAEA chief says it is clear that the U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear sites caused severe, but not total damage. For more on this and the situation in the Middle East, we're joined by Professor Moamen Gouda, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. So there seem to be different assessments regarding the impact of the U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear sites. What are your thoughts on this? Will the ceasefire continue to hold? Is the war between Israel and Iran really over? Israel, Iran, and the U.S. all claim to have won the war. But who really gained what from this conflict? Trump said American and Iranian officials will talk soon, but Iran's foreign minister says there are no such plans. Why are their statements at odds? Will Iran return to nuclear talks with the U.S.? How will the Israel-Iran conflict affect the broader Middle East, including the war in Gaza? Alright. Thank you so much for your insight. We appreciate it.

'Squid Game' season 3 tops Netflix charts in 93 countries

2025/06/30 11:35

The newly released third season of the popular Netflix series 'Squid Game' has topped the OTT platform charts in 93 countries within a day of its release. According to FlixPatrol, a global OTT ranking site, on Saturday, Squid Game Season 3, which was released on Friday, ranked first in the Netflix TV show category in 93 countries. With 10 points given for every country a show ranks first, the South Korean drama series earned 930 points. First released in 2021, the show became the most popular series in Netflix's history.

President Lee announces second round of Cabinet picks

2025/06/30 11:34

The Lee Jae Myung administration is further taking shape, with the Presidential Office unveiling nominations for six Cabinet ministers on Sunday. The picks will round out President Lee's teams on the economic and judicial frontlines. Our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin reports. The second round of President Lee Jae Myung's Cabinet picks was based on, as the Presidential Office puts it, "expertise and innovation." On Sunday, veteran bureaucrat Koo Yun-cheol was named Finance Minister. He previously served as the ministry's 2nd Vice Minister, budget director, and head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. "Koo is considered the right person to chart a path for Korea's growth, with deep expertise in public finances and overall policymaking." Ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Sung-ho has been selected as Justice Minister, a position central to delivering on President Lee's campaign pledge to reform the Prosecutor's Office. Jung is known for his broad understanding of judicial reform, built over five terms in the National Assembly. Fellow DP lawmaker Yun Ho-jung, has been chosen to lead the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, another key post in the administration's efforts to reshape the prosecution system. The plan is to review the separation of the prosecution's investigative and indictment powers by creating a new agency within the ministry to oversee investigations. Other nominees include Lee Jin-sook, former president of Chungnam National University, as Education Minister; Kim Jung-kwan, president of Doosan Enerbility, as Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; and Jeong Eun-kyeong, former commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as Health Minister. This leaves only the Land and Culture Minister posts yet to be named. For the two vacant senior secretary posts at the top office, Jeon Seong-hwan will serve as Senior Secretary for Public Engagement and Social Cohesion. The position has been renamed from Senior Secretary for Civil and Social agenda to highlight the President's focus on building national unity. "Jeon has played many roles, from civic activism to serving as the head of public institutions and as a local government official, working to bring the quiet, often overlooked voices in our society into policymaking." Prosecutor-turned-lawyer Bong Wook has been appointed Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, a role expected to serve as the control tower for the prosecution reform initiative. Lee's initial pick, Oh Kwang-soo, withdrew over allegations of receiving loans under other people's names. Also announced were several vice-ministerial appointments, including Lee Dong-soo and Kim Ho-hong as deputy directors of the National Intelligence Service, as well as Lee Jin-soo as Vice Justice Minister. "Among Sunday's announcements, minister nominees must undergo confirmation hearings at the National Assembly, though their appointments will be decided by the president. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News."

IAEA says Iran could be enriching uranium within months

2025/06/30 11:33

The head of the United Nation's nuclear watchdog says, Iran could be enriching uranium again "in a matter of months." The comments contradict U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks that Iran's nuclear ambitions had been set back decades after the U.S. attacks. Lee Seung-jae has more. Iran could begin uranium enrichment again soon, despite the recent U.S. bombardment of its nuclear facilities. That's according to Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in a CBS News interview on Saturday. Grossi said that Iran has retained the capacity to resume parts of its nuclear program sooner than many expected, saying that the country could be enriching uranium "in a matter of months." That contradicts U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated claims that Iran's nuclear ambitions had been set back decades following a U.S. bombing mission on June 22nd. Trump said that the attack, dubbed "Operation Midnight Hammer," obliterated Iran's underground enrichment facilities. However, Grossi believes some are still standing. He also raised concerns over the location of an estimated 408-point-6 kilograms of uranium, enriched to 60 percent purity. Grossi says, while some may have been destroyed by the U.S. attacks, some of the uranium could have been moved. Meanwhile, in a Fox News interview aired on Sunday, Trump said he may lift sanctions on Iran, if they demonstrate peaceful behavior and cooperate with Washington. The U.S. president said if Iran is "not going to do any more harm," he would "take the sanctions off." He stressed that adding sanctions relief "would make a big difference" for Tehran. Trump also rejected claims that Iran moved the enriched uranium before the U.S. strikes, citing the material's weight and logistical challenges. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

KOSPI reclaims 3,000 mark: what lies ahead for local stocks?

2025/06/28 13:35

Last Friday, for the first time in 3 years and 6 months, South Korea's benchmark KOSPI surpassed the 3,000 mark, long considered a "psychological resistance level." Not only that, the KOSPI closed trading above 3,100 on Tuesday. Although the index has not yet reached its previous record high of 3,300, expectations surrounding the local stock market are fueling momentum. For more on this, we have our economic correspondent, Park Jun-han, here in the studio with us to give us insight into how local stocks have been performing lately. Welcome, Jun-han. Great to be here, Eun-ji. Jun-han, it seems like the market is extending its post-election honeymoon rally? That's right, Eun-ji, South Korea's benchmark KOSPI broke 3,100 on Tuesday for the first time in 3 years and 9 months. It's also notable that South Korea's stock market ranked first in returns for June among G20 countries, coming in above 15 percent. And this is by far the highest increase among all G20 countries, as no other country saw gains exceeding 5 percent in the same period. Now, among the various factors that led to the rally, experts point to eased uncertainties and expectations surrounding the new Lee Jae Myung administration's economic policies as key reasons for the surge. Take a listen to what an economic analyst has to say about the momentum behind the rally. "The weakening of the dollar, coupled with a cycle of fiscal policy expansion and interest rate cuts in emerging economies outside the U.S., has created a favorable environment for investment. After a period of political uncertainty, the snap presidential election removed some of these and resulted in a strong inflow on policy expectations." 2. I see the reason why Korean stocks underperformed, but wasn't it just three months ago that the KOSPI recorded its yearly low? How did it go up over 30 percent in just a few months? Yes Eun-ji. The first half of 2025 in South Korea was marked by both internal and external uncertainties, which the market is extremely sensitive to. As mentioned earlier, the political instability caused by the martial law declared last December by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol pressured investor sentiment and led to an outflow of foreign funds. Moreover, tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump also negatively impacted investor confidence. In early April, Trump announced plans to impose 25 percent "reciprocal" tariffs on Korea. The announcement heightened concerns about inflation and contributed to the weakening of the competitiveness of South Korean exports. However, Trump temporarily suspended reciprocal tariffs for 90 days just days after his initial announcement, leaving room for negotiation. Since then, stock markets around the world, which had plunged earlier, began to rebound. President Lee, who has long promised to usher in the "KOSPI 5,000 era," declared the start of this new chapter as, quote, a "new period with new hopes." Take a listen to what he said last week. "I hope that the Korean stock market, which is at 2,992.1 right now, will pass the 3,000 point mark and move into a new period, with new hopes." Lee also visited the Korea Exchange earlier this month and highlighted the importance of dividend payouts and a zero-tolerance policy for stock price manipulation, pledging to lead the market through various reforms, including shareholder return policies and amendments to the Korean Commercial Act. 3. So now we know that Lee Jae Myung is fully committed to achieving KOSPI 5,000 during his term. What approaches should he take to actually make this possible? Of course, it will be crucial for President Lee's policy pledges to be implemented swiftly. Take a listen to what a chief economist had to say about KOSPI's long-term growth outlook. "While the government is trying to stimulate domestic demand through a large-scale supplementary budget, measures such as expanding AI investment and improving systems related to commercial law amendments should be implemented swiftly. Moreover, the early settlement of tariff negotiations will help lay the foundation for achieving this goal within the next two to three years, if not immediately." 4. Alright, so the last question is: What are the obstacles that could hinder a further rally of South Korean stocks? Actually, there are some variables that could prevent further momentum. For example, the U.S. has indicated a possible extension to its pause on tariffs to go beyond the July 9 deadline. Also, although there's a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Iran, uncertainties could be reignited if both sides clash again. Take a listen to what market experts have to say about factors that might affect the local market. "In the case of wars, we'll have to wait and see how long they last and how predictable they are, as both factors will affect the economy going forward." "I think the overall U.S. economy and tariff policy, along with South Korean companies' second quarter results, will be key factors in determining how our stock prices move in the third quarter." Investing always comes with both opportunities and risks. In times of rapidly changing markets, I encourage viewers of our channel to manage their assets wisely. Thank you, Jun-han, for the report. Thank you, Eun-ji, I hope to see you again soon.

Seoul urges Pyongyang to give prior notice before releasing dam water

2025/06/27 22:38

The Unification Ministry here has urged Pyongyang to inform Seoul in advance of any intention to discharge water from a dam across the border. Making note of past agreements between the two Koreas to fight flash flooding during the monsoon season, the ministry emphasized that early notification would serve to prevent accidents arising from sudden surges in water levels of the Imjingang River that flows from the north to the south. Back in 2009, an unannounced release of water from North Korea's Hwanggang Dam near the border resulted in the loss of six South Korean lives.

Defense minister nominee says he'll reconsider scrapped Sept. 19th military agreement

2025/06/27 22:38

Defense Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back will consider restoring the suspended September 19th military agreement between the two Koreas. Addressing members of the media on Friday ahead of his confirmation hearing, Ahn said South Korea should first seek civil-level exchanges with North Korea and then advance to restoring the military accord to ensure peace on the peninsula. When asked about his potential approach to the Trump administration, Ahn spoke of adopting a proactive, positive posture based on national interests. Meanwhile, Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee during his inauguration ceremony reaffirmed the importance of a practical approach. He said the military here must seek practical cooperation to boost deterrence based on the ROK-U.S. alliance and to defend national interests.

Ruling DP unilaterally fills four of five vacant standing committee leadership posts amid opposition PPP walkout

2025/06/27 22:37

The National Assembly filled vacant leadership posts of standing committees today, including the chairs of the budget and judiciary committees, both of which remain under the ruling Democratic Party's control. Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. Amid a bipartisan deadlock over the redistribution of standing committee chairs, the ruling Democratic Party unilaterally filled four of five vacant posts in a plenary session on Friday. The chair positions at the Budget and Accounts; Legislation and Judiciary; House Steering; Culture, Sports and Tourism; and Strategy and Finance committees were vacant. Of these, four positions ---excluding the Strategy and Finance Committee ---were filled by DP lawmakers, maintaining the party's control over them from the past year. Three-term DP lawmaker Han Byung-do was appointed chair of the Special Committee on Budget and Account and will lead the review of the supplementary budget proposal. Four-term DP lawmaker Lee Choon-suak was named chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. The main opposition People Power Party walked out of the session as it had been calling for a rebalancing of the committees' leadership, arguing that the shift in government following the recent snap presidential election justified the change. The PPP insisted it should hold the chairs of the judiciary and budget committees to provide checks and balances on the ruling party. "The supplementary budget is an important issue, so the PPP is willing to cooperate to quickly elect a new budget committee chair. For the other committee chairs, we believe more talks are needed to restore cooperation and bring back the National Assembly's tradition of checks and balances." The Democratic Party, however, has maintained that the current arrangement should remain, citing last year's agreement between the two parties on a two-year term for committee chairs. "The People Power Party is delaying the Prime Minister's confirmation and budget review over the Legislative and Judiciary Committee chair. Don't they see people are struggling with the sluggish economy? Shouldn't they help the new government get to work?" With the Budget and Accounts Special Committee chair now in place, the review of the supplementary budget proposal is expected to gain momentum. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

[Arts&Culture] Squid Game Season 3: What to watch for in final chapter of 4-year journey

2025/06/27 22:36

It's Friday, which means it's time for Arts and Culture. We have our culture correspondent Choi Soo-hyung in the studio. Welcome Soo-hyung! Happy to be back here! Soo-hyung, I do know what you have for us today the return of Squid Game! Yes, Dami. About a few hours ago finally "Squid Game" has returned to the world with its final season. This Netflix original series is considered one of the most successful K-content series of all time. So, I bring the key highlights of Season 3's storyline. Let's do take a look. In Season 2, Seong Gi-hun joined the game again, but failed to foment a rebellion and even lost his best friend. His fate is now decided in Season 3. "Gi-hun changes and makes up his mind ---"This is what I can do" ---and decides to take action based on that belief." The conflicts and stories of the main characters, pushed to the edge between life and death, are key points to watch. In particular, many viewers have been looking forward to the showdown between Gi-hun and the Front Man, Hwang In-ho, the surprise central figure of Season 2. "All the characters' interactions and stories will finally explode in Season 3, so I believe it makes up for any disappointments from Season 2." "Season 3 centers on the clash of values between Gi-hun and the Front Man, Hwang In-ho, individual survival or collective cooperation. This ideological conflict began to take shape in Season 2, and how this conflict ends is a key point to watch." In Season 3, new Korean games ---not featured in previous seasons ---are introduced in the survival game. Moreover, beyond survival, a key point to watch is how unique Korean emotions and culture in Squid Game make it stand out. "Season 2 also introduced many new games. But in Season 3, what's more important is how the characters' personal stories unfold and what message they ultimately deliver. The key point is how much emotional impact these stories and each character's can create." The six-episode season was released in full ---all at once ---on June 27 at 4 PM, Korean standard time. With Season 3, Squid Game has begun its final dance, bringing a four-year-long journey to an end. Seems so interesting, Soo-hyung. But you know, some said the previous season's storyline felt slow and drawn-out. Is Season 3 any different? Seasons 2 and 3 of Squid Game depart from Season 1's storyline, with Season 2 serving mainly to expand the universe. Season 3 is expected to move at a faster pace, bringing the story to a conclusion. Many viewers criticized the previous season's too slow pacing, but such criticism may overlook the features of drama formats. Films are much more compact and symbolic, requiring tight storytelling within around two hours. But dramas allow space for people to feel emotional depth and cultural context within many episodes and seasons. So the professor said if Season 3 delivers the emotional payoff Season 2 was building toward, its extended narrative is justified. Indeed, then Soo-hyung, foreign media also had high expectations, does Season 3 also retain strong Korean cultural elements? Yes, absolutely. As you know, the traditional Korean games in the survival scenes sparked a global reaction in earlier seasons. But in the final season, director Hwang has hinted at new, unrevealed games not shown in the trailers, further raising anticipation. Experts have also pointed out a unique aspect of Squid Game, its emotional depth, rarely seen in typical survival formats. Unlike most survival movies that focus solely on individual skills and competition, Squid Game includes the themes of family, friendship, community and humanism. These melodramatic, emotionally charged elements played a key role in its explosive global appeal. Viewers can expect Season 3 to continue emphasizing this distinct blend of Korean sentiment and emotional catharsis. Right So, Soo-hyung, will this be the last season of Squid Game? Unfortunately, yes. Director Hwang has confirmed that Squid Game will end with Season 3. For now, he has no plans for another season but, as always, nothing is certain yet. There are still some stories to explore, focusing on the Front Man or the game system itself. So, it wouldn't be surprising if Squid Game expands into new extra series through future spinoffs. Indeed, Soo-hyung. I will be spending my whole weekend watching the final season. Thank you for sharing the highlights. Thank you, my pleasure.

STOCK

2025/06/27 22:35

Stock 2025. 6. 27 KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,055.94 ▼-23.62 -0.77% KOSDAQ : 781.56 ▼-6.39 -0.81% KOSPI200 : 412.72 ▼-2.94 -0.71% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 40,073.64 ▲489.06 +1.24% HANG SENG : 24,284.15 ▼41.25 -0.17% SHANGHAI : 3,424.23 ▼24.22 -0.70% WALL STREET (June 26) DOW JONES : 43,386.84 ▲404.41 +0.94% NASDAQ : 20,167.91 ▲194.36 +0.97% S&P500 : 6,141.02 ▲48.86 +0.80% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,357.40 (+0.50) JPY : 940.45 (+2.17) CNY : 189.36 (-0.02) EUR : 1,588.36 (+4.11)

S. Korea returns as APEC host: Diplomacy, opportunity, and Gyeongju on the global stage

2025/06/27 22:34

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe, I'm Kim Mok-yeon. For the first time in twenty years, Korea is preparing to host the APEC Summit—this October in the historic city of Gyeongju. The 32nd summit arrives at a moment of major geopolitical shifts: U.S.-China tensions are deepening, global trade remains volatile, and the Indo-Pacific is fast becoming the epicenter of strategic competition. With Korea stepping in as chair once again, attention is turning to the country's evolving diplomatic role, the economic gains at stake, and the symbolic power of choosing a smaller, heritage-rich city like Gyeongju as host. What does this mean for Korea's foreign policy? What new model of diplomacy might emerge—and how could it reshape Korea's regional and global standing? Joining us now for an exclusive conversation is Shin Bong-kil—former Korean Ambassador to India and the President of the Korean Council on Foreign Relations, who's also a Special Policy Advisor for APEC diplomacy in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. A big welcome to you. To start things off, Korea will host the 32nd APEC Summit this October in Gyeongju, marking the first time in 20 years since the 2005 summit in Busan. What is the diplomatic significance of Korea hosting the event again? (Compared to 20 years ago, how has Korea's diplomatic capability and standing evolved?) Moving on to the selection of the host city, Gyeongju was ultimately chosen over competitors like Incheon and Jeju. As a mid-sized city, what do you think was the rationale behind Gyeongju's selection? Looking back at 2005, Busan highlighted its large-scale urban infrastructure and administrative capacity. How should Gyeongju, as this year's host, present a new model for international conferences? On the economic front, what economic benefits or industrial opportunities can Korea realistically expect to gain from hosting this APEC summit? Given today's global uncertainties, including the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry and trade tensions, what role should APEC play in addressing these challenges? And what key issues should this year's summit prioritize? Now turning to foreign policy, President Lee Jae-myung's administration emphasizes pragmatic diplomacy. How can the APEC summit become a pivotal platform to advance this agenda? (Especially considering possible visits from President Trump and President Xi—how might Korea leverage these to play a mediating role and improve bilateral ties with the U.S. and China?) Based on your experience as ambassador to India, what kind of strategic diplomatic approach should Korea pursue in the ASEAN and Indo-Pacific regions through the APEC platform? Given your extensive diplomatic background, we'd like to touch on broader foreign affairs. President Lee has signaled intentions to improve ties with China. Within the framework of the U.S.-Korea alliance, how can Korea strike a strategic balance in its relationship with China? Lastly, let's address inter-Korean relations. The Lee administration is showing a strong intent to restore dialogue with the North. In light of deepening North Korea–Russia ties, what direction should South Korea's North Korea policy take moving forward?

President Lee invites war veterans to Cheong Wa Dae for lunch

2025/06/27 21:37

President Lee Jae Myung invited national merit recipients and their families to the former presidential office site to take the time to reiterate his words of gratitude to the country's patriots for their selfless service. Our Presidential Office Correspondent Song Yoo-jin has more. Two days after the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, President Lee Jae Myung hosted a lunch on Friday to mark National Patriots and Veterans Month. 1-hundred-60 guests, including recipients of national merit and their families, were invited to Cheong Wa Dae, the site of the former presidential office. "From the independence movement under Japanese colonial rule to the Korean War, the April 19 Revolution, the Gwangju Democratization Movement, and the defense of the West Sea, today's Republic of Korea exists because of all of you." President Lee introduced some of the honorees by name and asked for a round of applause in recognition of their sacrifices. At the heart of his speech was a pledge to better honor and repay their service, which he says has been far too neglected until now. "When it comes to those who gave so much for the survival of our nation and the safety and lives of our people, the entire country must show special care, respect, and appropriate compensation." This is something President Lee pledged during his candidacy, promising to review and improve compensation and medical care for those who have helped safeguard the nation, as well as their families. The menu included dishes prepared with abalone, crabs, and short ribs. The Presidential Office says Friday's event was to express gratitude and respect by providing the highest honors to those who gave everything to protect their country. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

[Weather] Monsoon rain back again across the country

2025/06/27 21:36

There is rain forecast all over the country again. Starting with the central parts of the country tomorrow morning, the monsoon rain will spread further south in the afternoon. Some central areas will continue to have this rain until Sunday morning. Looking at the rainfall, up to 40 millimeters of rain will fall in the central areas, and up to 60 millimeters in the south. The intensity of the rain will not be strong, but it will be accompanied by gusty winds and lightning around the southern parts of the country. Tomorrow morning will start warm with high humidity at 21 to 24 degrees Celsius across the country. Highs will move up to 28 degrees in Seoul, Chuncheon, and Busan, 34 degrees in Daegu and Gyeongju. More rain is expected in the Seoul metropolitan area and western parts of Gangwon-do Province early next week. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

From classical to traditional Korean: Lee Hanurij's bold new sound "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25"

2025/06/27 21:36

Now let's move from the screen to the stage. A talented teenage composer is seeking to blur the boundaries between traditional Korean musical instruments and contemporary musical compositions. Our Lee Eun-hee has this story. 19-year-old classical music composer Lee Hanurij has unveiled his first traditional Korean music piece. He won the Bartók World Competition in Hungary when he was just 18. This young talent has also written a commissioned piece for pianist Lim Yun-chan, the youngest-ever winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at just 18 years old in 2022. Now, Lee has entered a completely new territory by composing his first piece for Korean traditional orchestra, a bold step that bridges tradition and modernity, and breaks down the walls between Korean and Western music. The opportunity came when conductor Choi Soo-yeol, currently serving as the principal guest conductor of the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, invited Lee to write a piece. Choi describes the Korean traditional orchestra as "a branch of contemporary music; a special genre that allows us to express the present through ancient instruments." Lee Hanurij's debut in the genre came to life through the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra's concert, filling the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday night with the richly layered and resonant sounds of "gugak," Korea's traditional music. In an interview with representatives from the Sejong Center, Lee described his piece as "an attempt to construct an entirely different kind of sentence using the vocabulary of gugak, one that unfolds loosely, hazily, without clear peaks or dramatic climaxes." Lee Hanurij, premiering his work "Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25,"; his debut composition for a Korean traditional orchestra experimentally explores the unique tones and sonic possibilities of traditional instruments. Quoting him, "In this piece, the loop functions more like a memory; fading, warping, and merging into new contexts, yet never entirely vanishing." As pianist Lim Yun-chan puts it, he is "one of the most outstanding composers of our time." The future of the music world isn't just bright, it's dynamically unpredictable. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.