News

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

2025/04/24 17:00

We turn now to the latest on partisan primaries amid prospects that the final two candidates for the presidential race may be named by next week. For more I have our political correspondent Kim Do-yeon live on the line. Do-yeon welcome back. So I hear contenders of the Democratic Party are currently in the southwestern part of the country? That's right, Sun-hee. The voting for DP members in what's known as the Honam region the traditional stronghold of the DP is going on at the moment. 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 is set to visit Gwangju City located further south. There, he's set to visit the May 18 Pro-Democratization Movement sites also meet with the mother of the late Moon Jae-hak—the real-life inspiration for Nobel laureate Han Kang's award-winning book "Human Acts." The two trailing candidates Kim Kyung-soo and Kim Dong-yeon are also in the region today, visiting key local points to meet as many people as possible. The voting in this region closes on Saturday with the results coming out on that day as well. 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 the much anticipated one-on-one debates among contenders of the People Power Party have begun? That's right, Sun-hee. At the moment, Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon are in the first of four one-on-one debates. With the PPP race having no clear front-runner, these second-round debates are expected to be crucial. The two started off with a heated debate on the rule of law, targeting DP's likely candidate Lee Jae-myung's allegations. In addition, 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 for for 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. Keep in mind, the one-on-one partners were picked by the four candidates and the current one is led by Kim Moon-soo as it's his slot. At five thirty the second one starts and Ahn picked Kim Moon-soo. Han Dong-hoon and Hong Joon-pyo picked each other for their slots on Friday, making their debate a three-hour-long one. Reporting live from the National Assembly, this is Kim Do-yeon.

Acting Pres. Han addresses Assembly urging swift passage of supplementary budget plan

2025/04/24 17:00

Acting President Han Duck-soo was at the parliament earlier on this Thursday morning to seek support for the government's supplementary budget plan. Our National Assembly correspondent Shin Ha-young covers his address to lawmakers. Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo urged the National Assembly to swiftly pass the supplementary 12-point-2 trillion Korean won, or about 8-point-5 billion U.S. dollars, budget proposal. In a speech to the Assembly on Thursday, Han said small business owners and vulnerable groups urgently needed support, as the global economy faces growing uncertainty due to U.S. tariff policies. "When responding to a crisis, timing is just as important as policy. The time for government financial support to reach those in urgent need is now." The government submitted its extra budget plan to the National Assembly on Tuesday. It includes 2-point-2 billion dollars to protect people's lives and property from large-scale natural disasters, such as the deadly wildfires that hit the southeastern regions last month. Another 3 billion dollars is set aside to ease trade risks and support high-tech industries, including AI. And an additional 2-point-9 billion dollars will go toward stabilizing people's livelihoods. Han's speech marks the first time since 1979 that an acting president has given a budget speech to the Assembly. Han's speech drew a mixed reaction from the rival parties. Before the speech, the Democratic Party criticized it as an attempt to raise Han's political profile, saying it shouldn't be used as a step toward a presidential run. Han has so far maintained an ambiguous stance on whether he will run for president. As he began speaking, DP lawmakers remained silent in protest, although there was some booing. Meanwhile, the People Power Party applauded Han after the speech and pledged to help quickly pass the budget. However, the rival parties clashed again when National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik openly criticized Han, bringing up his nominations for two Constitutional Court justices. "The acting president needs to handle his duties responsibly. I'm saying this as the speaker of the National Assembly, on behalf of the people." In response, PPP lawmakers strongly protested, while DP lawmakers applauded. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea's Q1 GDP Shrinks 0.2% amid political risk, U.S. trade tensions

2025/04/24 17:00

Meanwhile further fueling concerns over the fate of the South Korean economy findings for the first quarter of this year show a contraction in economic activity. Shin Se-byuck reports. According to the Bank of Korea on Thursday, South Korea's real gross domestic product, a key indicator of the economy, shrank by 0-point-2 percent on-quarter in Q1. This marks the steepest contraction since the fourth quarter of 2022, when the economy,.. hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, contracted by 0.5 percent. It's also the first negative growth in three quarters. What's more concerning is that quarterly growth has remained below point-1 percent for four consecutive quarters, something that hasn't happened since related statistics were first compiled in 1960. Breaking it down, private consumption and government spending fell by 0-point-1 percent, while construction investment plunged 3-point-2 and facility investment dropped 2-point-1 percent, dragging down the overall growth. Exports declined by 1-point-1 percent, while imports dropped 2 percent, mostly due to falling energy imports. In fact, the Bank of Korea had already hinted at a possible contraction last week. It cited several factors, including prolonged political uncertainty at home and dampened economic sentiment triggered by U.S. tariff policies. There's also the temporary halt to construction activity and a delay in demand for high-performance semiconductors like HBM chips. Given these setbacks, South Korea's full-year growth is now expected to fall short of the Bank of Korea's February forecast of 1-point-5 percent. An updated projection is expected next month, after factoring in the supplementary budget currently under review by the National Assembly and developments in global trade talks. However, one expert says that these measures alone are not enough to bring about a full economic rebound. "Korea's private consumption is worth around 5 quadrillion won in sales terms meaning it's so large that even a 15 to 30 trillion won supplementary budget would barely lift the growth rate by 0.5 percentage points. As for trade talks with the U.S., favorable terms for Seoul won't mean much if global demand remains sluggish." To raise the growth rate by more than one percentage point, he emphasized, Korea must revive domestic consumption,.. and a cut in value-added tax could be key to that effort. Shin Se-byuck, Arirang News.

K-wave AI News

2025/04/24 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. To mark Family Month in May, three national arboretums across Korea will open their doors free of charge. The Baekdudaegan National Arboretum, Sejong National Arboretum, and National Botanic Garden of Korea native plant will offer free admission from May 1 to 6, with a range of family-friendly cultural events. At Baekdudaegan, visitors can enjoy bee-themed immersive activities and browse a local flea market featuring regional specialties. Sejong Arboretum will also host a lively lineup, including magic shows, diverse performances, and a special exhibition showcasing plants used in desserts. Korea's southern port city of Busan is offering nearly 50 new tourism packages for foreign visitors in collaboration with the Busan Tourism Organization. The packages include "One-Day Tours," "Customized Themed Packages," and "Regional Tours." The "One-Day Tours" provide convenient transportation for tourists to explore Busan with ease, while the "Customized Themed Packages" cater to individual interests. The "Regional Tours" offer opportunities to tour around key southeastern cities, including Pohang, Ulsan, and Gyeongju. These tour packages are available for purchase on online travel platforms, including KLOOK, KKday, and Trip.com. Illegal distribution of Korean content overseas surpassed 414 million cases last year, with webtoons accounting for 70% of the total. Park Jung Youl, Director of the Korea Copyright Protection Agency, said copyright violations operate through complex, borderless networks, causing significant losses even for big-name companies like Kakao Entertainment. Noting that Korea's copyright industry is worth 208 trillion won, or some 145 billion U.S. dollars, making up 11% of the national GDP, Park highlighted the need to respect creators and their original content. The Copyright Protection Agency and the Culture Ministry declared this year as "The Year of National Copyright Protection" on Wednesday, marking World Book and Copyright Day designated by UNESCO. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Short-form] Pollen– spring's unwelcome guest

2025/04/24 14:00

Find out ways to survive the spring pollen attack in Korea. With a little extra care, your perfect spring adventure is still within reach!

[Hallyu People] "Culture Crunch" DJ Joel spreads different flavors of K-culture to the world

2025/04/24 14:00

If Arirang TV has “The Kulture Wave” to provide you with your daily dose of K-culture issues at 2 p.m. Korea time, Arirang Radio has “Culture Crunch” for listeners (and viewers alike) to crunch on a different flavour of K-culture everyday, at 11 a.m. Korea time. For today’s Hallyu People we have invited the host of “Culture Crunch” to our program, Joel Lane! Joel, welcome to “The Kulture Wave”! 1) Joel, you are the new host or DJ of “Culture Crunch”! It’s been around a month now, but as we didn’t get the chance to say it, congratulations! Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you feel about your new role. 2) Please introduce your program “Culture Crunch.” 3) Joel, you’ve had a varied career, as a singer, model, actor, voice actor, broadcast personality, meaning you are deeply involved with K-culture and feel the influence of the Korean wave. What do you think of the hallyu phenomenon? 4) Joel, you were born and raised in the U.S., and started to get involved in the K-entertainment industry in your twenties, I believe. How did you become interested in this world? 5) You also do a lot to promote Korean culture, apart from hosting “Culture Crunch”. Please tell us more about such activities. 6) What do you hope “Culture Crunch” listeners will take away from your show? 7) Finally, what are your aspirations as a DJ spreading Korean culture out there to the world, or is there anything on your wishlist of things you want to talk about or a guest you want to invite to “Culture Crunch”?

[K-wave] Growing trend of hyper-personalized preferences in culture and arts

2025/04/24 14:00

We live in an era of quickly growing integration of artificial intelligence and it is affecting not only how contents of culture and arts are created, but how people enjoy them as well. And while AI brings new contents with great convenience, it also raises new issues in our society, prompting us to find ways to address them. Lee Eun-jin tells us more. An elderly couple who have farmed pumpkins their whole lives is visited by messengers of death, which they fend off with their special pumpkin soup. This is a short fantasy horror film created with generative AI in just five days. It garnered international acclaim, winning both the Grand Prize and the Audience Award at the inaugural Dubai International AI Film Festival in February. This opened a new era for AI films. It's a glimpse into the future of filmmaking—one where AI can write scripts, edit visuals, and even generate sound effects. But this innovation comes with challenges. "When films use AI for scenarios, scripting, editing, or effects, we require creators to disclose its role to ensure transparency." These disclosures highlight growing legal and ethical questions. Who owns an AI-generated film? The creator, the AI developer, or both? And how do we balance artistic innovation with accountability? Beyond filmmaking, AI is reshaping how people consume culture. It's driving hyper-personalization, where algorithms tailor content to individual tastes, moving away from mass-market trends. "AI has amplified personal preferences. People now seek content that matches their unique interests, and this will shape the future of culture and arts." Yet, this trend has a downside. Hyper-personalization risks deepening social divides, as some embrace cutting-edge technology while others feel left behind. This digital alienation raises concerns about access and inclusion in an AI-driven world. As AI continues to transform the creative landscape, policymakers face a new challenge: fostering innovation while addressing its societal impacts. Striking this balance will define future cultural trends. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

[K-enter] BLACKPINK's Rosé nominated for 2 American Music Awards

2025/04/24 14:00

As it is time for some K-entertainment action. Bella, yesterday we talked about BLACKPINK member Rosé doing so well on the Billboard charts. Today we have some more impressive news on Rosé? Rosé has been nominated for two American Music Awards. On Wednesday local time, the AMA, one of the main music awards in the U.S., officially announced this year’s nominations. Rosé secured two nominations this year-‘Collaboration of the Year’ with Bruno Mars with their hit song “APT.” and ‘Favorite K-Pop Artist.’ She made history as she became the first K-pop artist to receive a nomination for ‘Collaboration of the Year’ at the AMA. Rosé has continued her long run on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with “APT.” as it remains on the chart for the 26th consecutive week. Alongside with Rosé, ATEEZ, BTS Jimin and RM, and Stray Kids were nominated for ‘Favorite K-Pop Artist.’ It’s actually ATEEZ’s first time to be nominated for the AMA since their debut. The 2025 AMA will air live from Las Vegas on May 26th local time. All awards will be determined by fan voting that will be open until May 15th local time. I’ll make sure to vote. Let’s continue with more impressive milestones made by K-pop artists. This time it’s a group-which group are we talking about? We are going to talk about NCT WISH. They have managed to create their first million-seller with their second mini-album “poppop.” According to the Hanteo Chart, the album, released on April 14th, sold about 1-million 87-thousand copies in the first week, breaking the group's own highest records for both first-week sales and pre-orders. The album “poppop”'s title track of the same title is a dance-pop song that combines bouncy melodies and the group’s refreshing sensibility. NCT WISH have shown phenomenal growth from the start, and they have risen to the ranks of million-sellers for the first time in just about a year since their debut. Very impressive to become a million-seller in less than a year since debut. For our last story we turn to an upcoming Korean OTT series. Disney+’s original series, “Nine Puzzles,” just dropped its teaser trailer. The new series is a mystery thriller that delves into the secrets of a serial murder case that restarted with mysterious puzzle pieces, starring Ina, a profiler and the sole witness of an unsolved case from 10 years ago, and Han-sam, a detective who continues to suspect Ina as a suspect. “Nine Puzzles” is a collaboration between director Yoon Jong-bin, known for his works “Narco-Saints,” and “The Spy Gone North,” and actors Kim Da-mi and Kim Suk-ku. The series will be exclusively released on Disney+ in 3 blocks-six episodes on May 21st, three episodes on May 28th, and two episodes on June 4th. Will look forward to that next month. Thank you Bella for today’s stories.

Trump to set China tariffs in two to three weeks

2025/04/24 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump says it's up to China, how soon the tariffs can come down. The comments come amid reports that Washington is looking to cut its tariffs on Chinese imports to ease tensions between the two largest economies. Trump is also set to exempt carmakers from some U.S. tariffs, in yet another sign of him easing his tariff policies. Lee Seung-jae has more. Currently,.. U.S. President Donald Trump has set tariffs on Chinese imports at 145%. According to the U.S. leader, that number could come down significantly, but it'll be up to China. Trump also hinted that a new tariff rate on Chinese imports could be decided in two to three weeks. He also warned that if there is no deal between the two sides, Washington will unilaterally set the tariff rate. Trump added that if China is unwilling to do business with the U.S., the rate will remain at 145%. The comments come amid reports that the Trump administration is looking into lowering the tariff rate for China to the 50 to 65 percent range. Trump also hinted at de-escalating tensions with China by saying on Tuesday, that 145% is too high, and that it will come down substantially. Meanwhile, in another turnaround from the U.S. leader, he's now planning to exempt carmakers from some U.S. auto tariffs. According to the Financial Times on Thursday, the latest move would exempt car parts from the tariffs that Trump has imposed on Chinese imports over the country's fentanyl production. It also includes levies on steel and aluminum products. Washington has been collecting a 25% tax on every car not assembled in the U.S, and a 25% tax on some imported auto parts is set to go into effect early May. Meanwhile, South Korea's industry minister Ahn Duk-geun said Wednesday that Seoul aims to remove the Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs. Ahn made the remarks upon arriving in the U.S., to hold talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for "two-plus-two" consultations over tariff and other issues. The minister expressed optimism that the talks will allow reciprocal tariffs on Seoul to remain suspended. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[Weather] Fine spring day with temperature swings, very high UV rays

2025/04/24 10:00

It looks like being another one of those classic spring days with a significant temperature swing. Here in Seoul, we'll enjoy a warm afternoon with highs reaching 20 degrees. And down in the Gyeongsang-do regions, it could feel even warmer under plenty of sunshine. And as you've guessed, the season of sun safety has arrived. The UV index will be very high in most parts of Korea today during the day. Central regions could see temperatures going down a few degrees today, but those in the east coast regions will notice highs jumping about 5 to 10 degrees higher than yesterday. Daegu and Gyeongju both noticing a big rise in highs today, topping out at 26 degrees Celsius. Air quality will be decent nationwide, but the spring winds will be picking up. We have some cooler air moving in from the north, which will make temperatures more typical for this time of year. Remember, with these ups and downs in temperatures, taking care of your health is really important.

6.2-magnitude earthquake shakes Istanbul

2025/04/24 10:00

Over in Türkiye, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Istanbul on Wednesday at 12:49 PM local time, injuring more than 200 people during a public holiday in the country. The quake's epicenter was located in the Sea of Marmara, approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Istanbul. The tremor lasted about 13 seconds and was followed by over 100 aftershocks, including one of 5.9 magnitude. Officials say at least 236 people are being treated in hospitals, primarily due to injuries suffered while jumping from buildings in panic. Authorities received over 300 reports of structural damage in buildings. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed relief that the situation was manageable and extended prayers for the nation's safety.

India downgrades ties, closes main border with Pakistan after attack on tourists in Kashmir

2025/04/24 10:00

Following the deadly attack by militants in Kashmir which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, India has announced it would take diplomatic and security measures against Pakistan. Those measures include the closure of a main border crossing, the downgrading of ties, and suspension of a water treaty. On Tuesday, gunmen opened fire on tourists near Pahalgam, a popular tourist site in Kashmir, killing 26 and injuring dozens. In response, India has downgraded diplomatic relations with Pakistan and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, a critical water-sharing agreement established in 1960. Additionally, India has closed its main border with Pakistan and expelled Pakistani military advisers from New Delhi. India's Defense Minister promised a "very loud response" to the perpetrators. Pakistan has denied involvement in the attack and expressed concern over the loss of life, calling for a National Security Council meeting to discuss the situation.

Hamas releases video of 48-year-old Israeli hostage

2025/04/24 10:00

Starting in the Middle East, Hamas has released a new video showing an Israeli hostage in his forties, who had been abducted during the October 2023 attacks. The footage provides a hint into the conditions of hostages held in Gaza, as negotiations for their release continue. In the nearly three-minute video released on Wednesday, 48-year-old Omri Miran is seen walking through a tunnel in Gaza and lighting a candle to mark his birthday. He explains in front of the camera in Hebrew, his life after more than 18 months in captivity. According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Miran's identity was verified by his family. Miran's family did not authorize the publication of the video, but they agreed to share a screenshot of it. Meanwhile, the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has called Hamas "sons of dogs" and demanded that the group release the hostages.

President Trump says Zelenskyy will prolong war by rejecting Russian control of Crimea

2025/04/24 10:00

U.S. President Donald Trump slammed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, accusing him of prolonging the war with Russia. Trump took to his Truth Social platform, after the Ukrainian leader rejected a proposal to accept Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Calling Zelenskyy's refusal "inflammatory," Trump said such remarks are harmful for peace talks with Russia, and will only "prolong" the "killing field." Trump also called on Zelenskyy to change his position, saying that they're close to reaching a deal.

On-point: S. Korea eyeing removal of U.S. reciprocal tariffs ahead of consultations. How likely is that?

2025/04/24 10:00

As mentioned earlier, South Korea's negotiation team of Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun arrived in the U.S. ahead of the "two-plus-two" consultations set to take place tonight Korea time. Eyes are on whether what the team aims for can be smoothly reached. For more on this, we are connected live with Professor Song Soo-young this morning. Good morning Professor, welcome to the show. Just a few hours ago, the industry minister said he aims to have the imposition of reciprocal tariffs removed. Could you elaborate on the key agenda items expected to be discussed? And how do you forecast this to go? U.S. President Donald Trump personally attended high-level tariff negotiations with Japan, and some speculate that a similar surprise appearance could happen with the Korean delegation. What should Seoul's strategy be to avoid a one-sided outcome in the event of such an intervention? A little earlier, U.S. media reported that Trump is planning to spare carmakers from some of his tariffs. How does this retreat lift concerns from automakers a bit? It seems Trump is slowly making some concessions, raising our hope for smooth negotiations tonight. However, even if trade negotiations between South Korea and the U.S. are concluded smoothly, many experts predict that the Korean economy will still be impacted if the U.S.-China tariff war drags on. What is your view on this? The IMF revised down its global forecast, saying the world economy will grow by 2-point-8 percent this year. In terms of the South Korean economy, it said it will see just 1-percent growth this year. How did you see the IMF's latest projections, and if Trump retreats further, what positive effect might there be for the economic outlook? That is all for now, Professor Song. Thanks so much for sharing your insight with us. We appreciate it.

Thousands of people queue in St. Peter's Square to say last goodbye to Pope Francis

2025/04/24 10:00

After Pope Francis' death, his body was moved to St. Peter's Basilica for the public to pay their respects. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered to say a final goodbye to the Pope. Our Choi Soo-hyung reports. Thousands of people queue in St. Peter's Square to say a last farewell to Pope Francis. After his body was brought to St. Peter's Basilica, tens of thousands are offering their final goodbye over the three days of public mourning. “Yeah, it was very, very moving experience to see him so vulnerable after so long being so unwell. A real pleasure and privilege to be there. The queueing was difficult, but it kind of worth it in the end, so a pleasure to, to be there." "We knew there were many people, so we approached this with calmness. It's an opportunity to be able to pray for our Pope " Pope Francis’ body, dressed in red vestments and a white miter, was displayed lying at an angle on a simple wooden coffin. Unlike in the past, his coffin was placed lower, closer to the ground, reflecting his humility and his love for the poor and vulnerable. Italian media outlets reported that more than 100,000 people were waiting to enter, with lines so long that people had to wait at least four hours to pay their respects inside the basilica. The Vatican initially planned to accept mourners until midnight on the first day. On the second day, public mourning will be allowed from 7 AM to midnight local time, and on the final day from 7 AM to 7 PM. It also stated that the hours could be extended depending on the crowd size. Pope Francis's funeral mass will be held on April 26th at 10 AM local time, in St. Peter's Square. The conclave the secret meeting of cardinals is expected to take place between May 5th and 10th. According to the Associated Press, Cardinal Lazzaro Yoo Heung-sik, the only Korean to attend this conclave, predicted that the meeting would end earlier than expected. Cardinal Yoo added, "Let us watch and see the will of the Lord." When asked if the next pope could come from Asia, he answered, "The Lord does not distinguish between East and West." He is currently serving as the Vatican Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy and was recently listed among the 12 leading candidates for the next pope by Italy's largest daily newspaper, 'Corriere della Sera.' Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

SK hynix achieves earnings surprise in Q1 as HBM chip sales increase

2025/04/24 10:00

Meanwhile, the South Korea's tech giant SK hynix achieved an earnings surprise in the first quarter of this year. On Thursday, the company announced that its sales of memory chips, particularly the 5th generation HBM, had increased following market improvement. SK hynix also mentioned that, tentatively, operating profit for the first quarter rose by more than 157 percent on-year, and revenue grew by about 42 percent approximately 12-point-8 billion U.S. dollars. This marks the second-highest performance ever for the company, following record-high results in the fourth quarter last year.

S. Korea's Q1 GDP Shrinks 0.2% amid political risk, U.S. trade tensions

2025/04/24 10:00

Shifting gears, South Korea's economy contracted in the first quarter of this year for the first time in three quarters. For more, our economy correspondent Shin Se-byuck is on the line. Sebyuck, let's begin with the key figures. According to the Bank of Korea on Thursday, South Korea's real gross domestic product, a key indicator of the economy, shrank by 0-point-2 percent on-quarter in Q1. This marks the steepest contraction since the fourth quarter of 2022, when the economy,.. hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, contracted by 0.5 percent. It's also the first negative growth in three quarters. What's more concerning is that quarterly growth has remained below point-1 percent for four consecutive quarters, something that hasn't happened since related statistics were first compiled in 1960. Breaking it down, private consumption and government spending fell by 0-point-1 percent, while construction investment plunged 3-point-2 and facility investment dropped 2-point-1 percent, dragging down the overall growth. Exports declined by 1-point-1 percent, while imports dropped 2 percent, mostly due to falling energy imports. What are some of the key factors behind this downturn? In fact, the Bank of Korea had already hinted at a possible contraction last week. It cited several factors, including prolonged political uncertainty at home and dampened economic sentiment triggered by U.S. tariff policies. There's also the temporary halt to construction activity and a delay in demand for high-performance semiconductors like HBM chips. Given these setbacks, South Korea's full-year growth is now expected to fall short of the Bank of Korea's February forecast of 1-point-5 percent. An updated projection is expected next month, after factoring in the supplementary budget currently under review by the National Assembly and developments in global trade talks. Thank you for the detailed updates. That was our correspondent Shin Sebyuck reporting on Korea's first-quarter GDP figures.

Panel discussion: Tracking North Korea’s military ambitions and diplomatic moves

2025/04/23 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. As the security dynamics on the Korean Peninsula rapidly evolve, South Korea has launched its fourth military reconnaissance satellite, taking a major step toward completing its independent space-based surveillance system. At the same time, North Korea's military alliance with Russia is deepening in unprecedented ways. A North Korean multiple rocket launcher—reportedly supplied to Russian forces—has now surfaced on the Ukrainian battlefield, sparking concern about Pyongyang's growing role in global conflicts. What's even more alarming is that North Korean troops may soon be deployed from Russia to mainland Ukraine. Meanwhile, as Russia gears up for its Victory Day celebrations, speculation is mounting over a possible visit by Kim Jong-un to Moscow—and the potential for a North Korea–China–Russia summit. So what could this mean for regional security, and how should the world respond to a shifting balance of power in Northeast Asia? For more on this, we are joined by Go Myong-hyun, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy. Welcome. Also joining us is Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific Security Chair at Hudson Institute. Great to have you. 1. (GO) Let's start with Dr.Go, so yesterday, the Seoul's defense ministry announced that the nation's 4th military reconnaissance satellite was successfully launched from the U.S. Space Force base at Cape Canaveral. Could you walk us through the main tasks and roles of this 4th reconnaissance satellite? 2. (CRONIN) Now to Dr.Cronin, The military plans to complete the launch of the 5th and final reconnaissance satellite within this year, wrapping up the "425 Project," which aims to secure and operationalize Seoul's independent reconnaissance satellite capabilities. What practical impact do you think this project will have on the security of the Korean Peninsula? 3. (GO) As for North Korea, its multiple launch rocket system, reportedly supplied to Russian forces, has been captured on video for the first time. It's said to surpass the performance of nearly all artillery systems possessed by Ukraine. Dr.Go, how powerful is this weapon? 4. (CRONIN) Beyond weapons supply, there are now claims that North Korean troops are preparing to enter mainland Ukraine. Until now, North Korean forces had only been deployed in Russia's Kursk region. Dr.Cronin, what is the likelihood that North Korean troops will be deployed to Ukrainian territory? What would such a move signify? 5. (GO) In addition to this, a passenger train line between Vladivostok in Russia's Primorsky Krai and Rason in North Korea is set to begin operations on May 8th, the day before Russia's Victory Day. Preparatory work for the construction of a bridge connecting the two countries is also accelerating. Dr.Go, could this be seen as part of Russia laying the groundwork for reciprocal benefits in exchange for North Korea's troop deployment? 6. (CRONIN) Amid this, both sides have yet to announce whether Chairman Kim Jong-un will visit Moscow for Russia's Victory Day celebration in May. One major variable is that North Korea's top leader has almost never participated in multilateral diplomatic settings. Dr.Cronin, why has North Korea traditionally avoided multilateral talks? 7. (GO) Chinese President Xi Jinping meanwhile has confirmed his attendance at this year's Victory Day celebrations. Dr.Go, do you think this could lead to a North Korea–China–Russia trilateral summit? What is the likelihood of Kim Jong-un visiting Russia? 8. (GO) If Chairman Kim does visit Russia, what do you think would be the most critical diplomatic benefit North Korea seeks to gain Dr.Go? 9. (CRONIN) If Kim Jong-un's visit leads to a three-way summit between the leaders of North Korea, Russia, and China, what message would that send to the West? What impact would it have on the security landscape of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia?

S. Korea to begin high-level trade talks with U.S. in Washington

2025/04/23 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is in Washington and upon arrival, he pledged to promote dialogue that will advance the bilateral alliance while the Trump administration is in an apparent rush for some outcome. Kim Jung-sil has our top story. South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Choi Sang-mok, has arrived in Washington, D.C. for trade talks with the U.S. The discussions are set to begin at 8 a.m. local time on Thursday. This marks the highest-level visit by a South Korean official since the start of the Trump administration's second term. "We are here to initiate discussions that will further strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance. I will share the results of our talks on Thursday." Choi's visit comes amid rising trade tensions, with the U.S. imposing reciprocal tariffs which will be imposed after a 90-day grace period as well as 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles. Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, on his way to Washington, expressed his commitment to addressing these issues. "In sectors like automobiles, where the 25% tariff has caused significant damage, we will work to find a solution as quickly as possible." Minister Ahn also mentioned that they are prepared for the possibility of a surprise appearance by President Trump, as seen in recent U.S.-Japan negotiations. The ministers will join discussions with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The talks are expected to cover a broad range of issues, including the trade imbalance, non-tariff barriers like U.S. beef import restrictions, and even defense cost-sharing. "We are moving at Trump speed to ensure these deals are made on behalf of the American worker and the American people." Experts in Seoul advise South Korea to take a measured approach for a better long-term deal. "We don't know if what Trump wants today it will be the same tomorrow—he may ask additional things in the near future. We want to make sure that if there is a deal, then it's a complete deal." The expert also cautioned that the U.S. may be seeking a quick win for President Trump, which could lead to rushed decisions. With so much at stake, the outcome of Thursday's talks is being closely watched. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.