News

How Trump's tariffs will impact S. Korea's exports after 90-day pause ends

2025/04/21 20:00

Against this backdrop, exports to the U.S. showed a notable drop of over 14-percent from a year ago during the first 20 days of April. Our Lee Soo-jin explains what the trade war means for Korea's outbound shipments. South Korea's exports declined during the first 20 days of April, reflecting an early impact of the U.S. administration's tariffs on global trade. According to the Korea Customs Service on Monday, outbound shipments stood at 33-point-9 billion U.S. dollars during this period, down 5-point-2 percent from the previous year. This, despite the number of working days during the period being the same as last year. The drop in exports comes as shipments to the U.S. showed a notable drop of 14-point-3 percent year-on-year, which the agency attributed to the tariffs. The U.S. set a 25 percent "reciprocal tariff" rate on South Korea, but President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on its implementation earlier this month for most nations. This means that as of now for Korea, a base tariff rate of 10 percent is in place, along with 25 percent tariffs on specific items, namely automobiles, steel and aluminum. But with these tariffs already contributing to a more than 5 percent year-on-year decline in exports during the first 20 days of April, concern is growing over a sharper downturn once the 90-day pause expires. "During the 90-day pause, there's uncertainty on two fronts, how the U.S. will proceed, and what kind of negotiations with South Korea will take place. But with base tariffs of 10 percent already in effect since April 6th, export figures aren't expected to improve anytime soon." Shipments of nine of the country's top ten export items, including automobiles and oil products, all saw declines, while only chip exports rose. But it's unclear whether shipments of semiconductors will remain strong with Trump expected to announce chip tariffs sometime this week. "But the tariffs will be in place in the not distant future because, as you know, like we did with steel, like we did with the automobiles, like we did with aluminum, we'll be doing that with semiconductors, with chips, " The same expert said that because uncertainty is a key factor, in the upcoming trade talks with the U.S., South Korea should not rush to conclude negotiations, but instead focus on understanding Washington's intentions and demands. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

S. Korea "will not fight" U.S. over tariffs but will put nat'l interests first as top officials meet in D.C. on Thursday

2025/04/21 20:00

Top finance and trade officials are sitting down with their U.S. counterparts in Washington D.C. later this week for tariff talks. The nation's acting president says the strategy is dialogue, not dispute. Oh Soo-young explains. South Korea will not fight the United States over Donald Trump's tariffs But it will also seek national interest first, as top trade officials meet in Washington this Thursday. That's according to Acting President Han Duck-soo, who on Monday confirmed South Korea's finance and trade ministers will meet their U.S. counterparts for a "2+2" consultation. On Thursday, 8 AM local time or 9 PM in South Korea Choi Sang-mok and Ahn Duk-geun will sit down with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings. This will be followed by separate one-on-one meetings between the ministers. The bilateral was first proposed by the U.S., after the Trump Administration decided to delay its reciprocal tariffs, including a 25-percent duty on South Korean goods. The wide-ranging tariffs were paused for 90 days, after panic in U.S markets, wiped out five-point-four trillion dollars in just 48 hours. Shortly before implementing the pause on April 9th, the U.S. President held a half-hour phone call with Acting President Han Duck-soo, and ordered officials to prioritize deals with allied countries like South Korea and Japan, projecting optimism that a "great deal" could be made. Han told government officials Monday that the talks "won't be easy," but he expects it will mark the beginning of cooperation. "With the principle of putting our national interests first, the government will approach the consultations with the U.S. calmly and earnestly, doing our utmost to find a mutually beneficial win-win solution. We will specifically confirm each side's interests regarding the three key areas mentioned during my phone call with President Trump: trade balance, 무역 수지, shipbuilding, 조선, and LNG, 액화천연가스, and seek mutually reciprocal points of agreement. In interviews with foreign media, Han has said Seoul would not fight the U.S., but hinted there could be concessions, for a win-win deal between the long-term allies. He suggested South Korea could increase purchases of U.S. liquefied natural gas and commercial aircraft. Korean shipyards could also help America maintain its naval shipbuilding capacity. Seoul could further discuss non-tariff barriers, addressing existing U.S. concerns about auto emissions regulations, pharmaceutical pricing, beef imports, and network fees imposed on platforms like Netflix. It's unclear whether the cost of keeping U.S. soldiers in South Korea will be raised during the session. While Trump has indicated he'd like a "one-stop shopping" deal combining trade and defense issues into a single package, Seoul officials are prioritizing trade talks to tackle tariffs, keeping security matters separate. The government has described the meeting as a "consultation," not a "negotiation," signaling a measured approach. On whether the U.S. leader might appear at the meeting in person, as he did unexpectedly during talks with Japan last week, South Korea's trade minister said Sunday that Seoul is preparing for such a scenario. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

U.S. designates S.Korea as 'sensitive country' – what it means for bilateral relations

2025/04/21 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 of April 15th, the U.S. Department of Energy officially designated South Korea as a "sensitive country." This move has raised significant concerns about the future of their cooperation, particularly in areas like science, technology, and energy. Despite the lack of explanation from the U.S. government, questions are being raised about the implications of this decision for a long-standing alliance that has been vital to regional stability. As tensions grow over South Korea's role in global strategy, the Korean government now faces a delicate diplomatic challenge. Tonight, we'll explore what this means for the future of U.S.-South Korea relations and what steps the government may take to navigate these turbulent waters. For this, we invite Robert Kelly, Professor of International Relations at Pusan National University. Welcome Also joining us is Hannah Kim, Associate Professor at Sogang University GSIS. Thank you for joining us. (Kelly) 1. So last week, America's measure to include South Korea on its sensitive country list went into effect. However, the U.S. still hasn't disclosed specific reasons for designating Korea as a sensitive country. How should we read into this? (Kim) 2. While the U.S. has stated its intent to continue close cooperation with South Korea, there are concerns that the latest measure could hinder bilateral cooperation in the science and energy sectors. Prof. Kim, what specific disruptions are anticipated? (Kelly) 3. South Korea was included in the lowest-tier category for countries with relatively low levels of concern, labeled "Other Designated Countries." Prof. Kelly, what impact do you think this move has in terms of the ROK-U.S. alliance? (Kim) 4. Last month, Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun urgently traveled to the U.S. for negotiations but failed to prevent the implementation of the sensitive country designation. Prof. Kim, the Korean government says it may take more time to have the designation lifted. What kind of approach could be helpful for the Korean government? (Kelly) 5. Some analyses suggest that President Trump may use the lifting of the sensitive country designation as a bargaining chip in future negotiations over tariffs or defense cost-sharing. What's your take on that, Prof. Kelly? (Kim) 6. Meanwhile, concerns about ROK-U.S. diplomatic and security cooperation continue. Following Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, it has been reported that Senior Official Sean O'Neill of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs also excluded South Korea from his Asia tour. Since the launch of Trump's second term, similar cases of South Korea being skipped in official visits are increasing. Prof. Kim, should we be concerned about a "Korea passing" situation? (Kelly) 7. If this pattern of Korea being sidelined continues, disruptions will inevitably occur in diplomatic and security cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. What diplomatic response strategy would you recommend for the Korean government, Prof. Kelly? (Kim) 8. In addition, following an executive order from the Trump administration, the Woodrow Wilson Center— a public policy research institution—has begun the process of closure. Korean studies programs at the Wilson Center have also been suspended. What kind of gap might this create in policy continuity and trust-building between the two countries, Prof. Kim? (Kelly) 10. Furthermore, foreign media reports suggest that the Trump administration is reviewing the shutdown of 27 overseas missions, including the U.S. Consulate in Busan. While the U.S. Embassy in Seoul has stated that "no official announcement has been made," could the review itself be interpreted as a weakening of U.S. strategic interest in South Korea, Prof. Kelly?

S. Korea "will not fight" U.S. over tariffs but will put nat'l interests first as top officials meet in D.C. on Thursday

2025/04/21 17:00

Top finance and trade officials are sitting down with their U.S. counterparts in Washington D.C. later this week for tariff talks and acting President Han Duck-soo says the strategy is dialogue not dispute. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young explains. South Korea will not fight the United States over Donald Trump's tariffs But it will also seek national interest first, as top trade officials meet in Washington this Thursday. That's according to Acting President Han Duck-soo, who on Monday confirmed South Korea's finance and trade ministers will meet their U.S. counterparts for a "2+2" consultation. On Thursday, 8 AM local time or 9 PM in South Korea Choi Sang-mok and Ahn Duk-geun will sit down with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings. This will be followed by separate one-on-one meetings between the ministers. The bilateral was first proposed by the U.S., after the Trump Administration decided to delay its reciprocal tariffs, including a 25-percent duty on South Korean goods. The wide-ranging tariffs were paused for 90 days, after panic in U.S markets, wiped out five-point-four trillion dollars in just 48 hours. Shortly before implementing the pause on April 9th, the U.S. President held a half-hour phone call with Acting President Han Duck-soo, and ordered officials to prioritize deals with allied countries like South Korea and Japan, projecting optimism that a "great deal" could be made. Han told government officials Monday that the talks "won't be easy," but he expects it will mark the beginning of cooperation. "With the principle of putting our national interests first, the government will approach the consultations with the U.S. calmly and earnestly, doing our utmost to find a mutually beneficial win-win solution. We will specifically confirm each side's interests regarding the three key areas mentioned during my phone call with President Trump: trade balance, 무역 균형, shipbuilding, 조선, and LNG, 그리고 LNG, and seek mutually reciprocal points of agreement. In interviews with foreign media, Han has said Seoul would not fight the U.S., but hinted there could be concessions, for a win-win deal between the long-term allies. He suggested South Korea could increase purchases of U.S. liquefied natural gas and commercial aircraft. Korean shipyards could also help America maintain its naval shipbuilding capacity. Seoul could further discuss non-tariff barriers, addressing existing U.S. concerns about auto emissions regulations, pharmaceutical pricing, beef imports, and network fees imposed on platforms like Netflix. It's unclear whether the cost of keeping U.S. soldiers in South Korea will be raised during the session. While Trump has indicated he'd like a "one-stop shopping" deal combining trade and defense issues into a single package, Seoul officials are prioritizing trade talks to tackle tariffs, keeping security matters separate. The government has described the meeting as a "consultation," not a "negotiation," signaling a measured approach. On whether the U.S. leader might appear at the meeting in person, as he did unexpectedly during talks with Japan last week, South Korea's trade minister said Sunday that Seoul is preparing for such a scenario. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Rain across the country tomorrow, rain will start from tonight

2025/04/21 17:00

Early summer heat arrived during the day yesterday. The temperature rose even higher today than yesterday. The daytime temperature went up to 26 degrees Celsius in Seoul today. These high temperatures will ease off a bit tomorrow with rain falling from late tonight. The rain will begin in Jeju Island and spread to the whole country by tomorrow morning, and most of it will stop tomorrow night. As for the amount of rainfall, as much as 120 millimeters will fall on Jeju Island, and up to 80 millimeters of rain is expected on the south coast. The south of the country will also see gusty winds, thunder and lightning. Other areas, including Seoul will get 10 to 50 millimeters of rain. Tomorrow morning, Seoul and Daejeon will start off at 16 degrees, Gwangju and Jeju at 17 degrees. Highs will move up to around 20 degrees all over the country. After the rain stops tomorrow, clear and warm spring weather will continue for the time being. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Iran and U.S. conclude second round of negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program

2025/04/21 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. The U.S. and Iran concluded a second round of nuclear talks in Rome on Saturday and agreed to hold another round this week. On April 19, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi engaged again in indirect talks mediated by Oman at the Omani embassy in Rome. The talks lasted for about four hours, focusing on reviving an agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons while allowing for peaceful nuclear energy use. Both sides reported progress and agreed to begin "expert-level" discussions in Muscat, Oman, starting Wednesday, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for Saturday. Key negotiation points include how to handle Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium and how to ensure that the U.S. does not withdraw from any agreement. The U.S. suggests transferring the uranium to a third country, possibly Russia, while Iran insists on keeping it within its borders. The United States launched more airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and the coastal city of Hodeida over the weekend. This comes less than two days after a strike on the Ras Isa oil terminal on the Red Sea coast. On Saturday, local time, U.S. forces conducted 13 airstrikes targeting sites controlled by the Houthis Sanaa and Hodeida, including an airport and a port facility. The airstrikes resulted in at least 3 deaths and 4 injuries. This follows an attack on April 17 on the Ras Isa oil terminal, which reportedly killed at least 80 people and injured more than 150 others. The U.S. military says these strikes aim to degrade the Houthis' offensive capabilities and protect international shipping routes in the Red Sea. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed on Saturday grave concern over the attack on Ras Isa and escalating violence in the region. In Germany, the 37th annual Easter egg-throwing competition took place on Sunday in the western town of Horhausen. Participants were given a single brightly colored hard-boiled egg to throw as far as possible without it breaking. The longest recorded egg throw to date is 78 meters, set in 2002. Eggs that remain intact are collected and distributed to the crowd, while broken eggs become bird feed. The tradition of Easter egg throwing continues to be a part of Horhausen's Easter celebrations, dating back to the post-Second World War era. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

Remembering Jeju 4.3 incident

2025/04/21 17:00

A while back we highlighted the inclusion of a painful chapter in Jeju's history in UNESCO's documentary heritage. Well today we expand on that event by sharing with you the journey from loss to healing. My colleague Ahn Sung-jin reports from the southern island. The search for answers still continues nearly 80 years after the Jeju April 3rd incident. Mr. Yang's grandfather was one of the missing from the incident. Only around ten years ago did he find out his grandfather had died in prison. "I still get emotional every time I talk about it, but the older I get, the more I understand the hardships of what my grandpa went through. I work on understanding the pain of those who have passed away." Mr. Yang works for the association of victim's families from the Jeju 4.3 incident. There are some 4-thousand tombstones of the missing victims that the families still mourn. The Jeju 4.3 incident traces back to an uprising on the island in the late 1940s, at a time when South Korea was still working on forming its own government. Following discontent over the election process and economic hardships, the Worker's Party of South Korea launched an armed uprising, which the government violently suppressed. Many were killed by the government forces and others allegedly involved in the uprising were sent to prison and tortured. Many like Mr. Yang's grandfather died in prison. "The reason this stone can't be placed is because this still doesn't have a name to it. Some call it a massacre, some say it's a revolt, but there has been no name given to it." Around 30-thousand people are thought to have died. More than 30 percent of them were elderly, children or women who were not affiliated with any of the combatants. "Those who know the past and the story behind it, work on raising awareness so more people recognize the value and significance of what happened here." The Jeju April 3rd incident became the background for Nobel Prize literature winner Han Kang's book "We do not part", discussing humanity and the survivors of the incident. "I read testimonies from massacre survivors, pored over materials, and then, in as restrained a manner as I could without looking away from the brutal details that felt almost impossible to put into words, I wrote what became 'We Do Not Part'." To make sure the incident and the victims are not forgotten, the Jeju 4.3 archives have been designated as a UNESCO Memory of the World. The documents in the archives illustrated the underlying human stories of Jeju. Time passes but what remains important is that people continue to remember. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Jeju.

S. Korea's exports of dried seaweed, or gim, hit record high in 2025 Q1

2025/04/21 17:00

Exports of gim, Korea's dried seaweed rose remarkably during the first quarter of this year with shipments to the U.S. soaring. Lee Eun-hee has details. The exports of Korean staple gim, or dried seaweed, hit a record high in the first quarter of this year, driven by strong demand from U.S. and China. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation on Monday, Korea's seaweed export value in the first quarter of this year reached 281-million U.S. dollars, or around 402-billion Korean won. That is more than 20-percent increase from the same period last year. Export volume for the first quarter also rose to 10-thousand-161 tons, up more than 7-percent from last year. Compared to the same period in 2015, this marks a massive 844-percent increase over the past decade. Monthly export growth rates compared to the same period last year stood at more than 7-percent for January, over 52-percent for February, and over ten-percent in March according to the Korea Maritime Institute's Fisheries Outlook Center. With the demand from major overseas markets remaining high, the center is expecting to see the exports for this month to also exceed those of both last year and historical average for the same month. By country, the United States was the largest importer of Korean seaweed in the first quarter, followed by China, Japan, and Thailand. The type of seaweed each country prefers is a bit different though. Most of Korea's seaweed exports to China were in the form of dried seaweed, with 2-thousand-258 tons shipped, a whopping 97-percent increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, the U.S. remains the top destination for seasoned seaweed, with exports reaching 1-thousand-367 tons in the first quarter, accounting for more than 30-percent of total seasoned seaweed exports. The Oceans and Fisheries Ministry attributed such growing demand in China, to the popularity of Korean dramas and films, which have sparked a gimbap trend and a surge in dried seaweed consumption. In the U.S., the popularity of seaweed snacks has pushed up demand. With both export volume and value on the rise, the government is expecting gim exports to hit its annual goal of one-billion U.S. dollars this year, two years before the original target date of 2027. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

Hyundai, Kia win seven honors at 2025 Red Dot Awards

2025/04/21 17:00

South Korean carmakers clinched seven awards at the 2025 Red Dot Design Awards. According to Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Corporation Kia's compact electric SUV the EV3 won the "Best of the Best" award in the Product Design category extending the carmaker's success in this category following wins for the EV6 in 2022 and the EV9 in 2024. Meanwhile Hyundai's IONIQ 9 and the Palisade SUV were also among those honored in their respective categories.

"Freedom Flag," S. Korea and U.S. large-scale joint air exercise kicks off its two-week run

2025/04/21 17:00

And on the defense front. South Korea and the U.S. are currently involved in a two-week air drill that began last week and will last until early May. Our correspondent Kim Bo-kyung files this report. Fighter jets fly through the air, making thunderous sounds. This, as part of South Korea and the U.S.' large-scale joint air power exercise the "Freedom Flag" at Gwangju Air Base. Held two times in a year, combining "Korea Flying Training" and "Vigilant Defense, " this over two-week journey began on Thursday. Aiming to advance combined air power capabilities, while improving interoperability between pilots from both countries, the 24-hour operating Mission Planning Cell organizes the exercise, for pilots to embark on their missions. Approximately 11-hundred personnel join the drill, and more than 90 aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles such as U.S. MQ-9, take part in the event. "This drill will serve as a chance to further strengthen the combined defense posture and enhance our joint response capabilities against various threats on future battlefields." Another notable part is that the drill will also be based on complex scenarios against a high-level simulated threat, involving an advanced stealth jet. "This is a U.S. Marine Corps' F-35B, one of the U.S. stealth fighter jets that came from Japan. Along with ROK F-35As,. these fifth-generation jets will play the role of "red air" enemy aircraft for the first time during the exercise." "By putting a stealth fighter, our most capable, on the red side, it gives our pilots, our airbound managers, everyone involved, a more difficult problem to try and solve. So, by going against a capable threat, we're just enhancing our own capability through these missions." By carrying out high-level air-to-air combat missions, and working side by side, South Korea and the U.S. expect bolstered trust, building upon the alliance. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News, Gwangju.

S. Korea to launch fourth spy satellite on Apr. 22nd from Cape Canaveral

2025/04/21 17:00

South Korea is scheduled to send into space its fourth spy satellite Tuesday morning Korea Time from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This latest launch is part of South Korea's plan to put into orbit five satellites by the end of this year to bolster surveillance of North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and reduce reliance on U.S. satellite imagery. South Korea's first spy satellite was launched in December 2023. The success of this latest launch will be confirmed some three hours after blast-off.

Japanese PM Ishiba sends offering to Yasukuni Shrine, unlikely to visit amid Seoul, Beijing backlash

2025/04/21 17:00

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a ritual offering to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on this Monday as the shrine began its three-day annual spring festival. A similar offering was made during the autumn festival last year. The Japanese leader is reportedly not expected to make an in-person visit in light of concerns of a potential backlash from South Korea and China. The shrine honors 14 convicted Class A Japanese war criminals from the Second World War. The last sitting Japanese prime minister to visit the shrine in person was Shinzo Abe in 2013.

Russia, Ukraine trade accusations over "Easter truce" violations

2025/04/21 17:00

On the international front. A 30-hour ceasefire unilaterally declared by Russia to mark Easter Sunday this past weekend has come to an end amid much doubt about the sincerity of the declaration. Park Kun-woo has more. Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of violating the "Easter truce" that lasted 30-hours from 6 PM Saturday, Moscow time, and has now expired. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has alleged that Russian forces breached the ceasefire around 3-thousand times since Sunday. He earlier said Russia had no intention of ending the war, adding it was only interested in a PR exercise. Similar skepticism was shared by those on the front lines. "It was announced only to show to the world as if they are making some steps, concessions for us. But in reality, nothing has changed." On the other side, the Russian Foreign Ministry accused Kyiv of violating the truce over a thousand times, firing shells and launching hundreds of drones, and even some U.S.-supplied missiles. Its defense ministry said Moscow "strictly observed" the ceasefire. Some residents in Donetsk, that's been under Russian control since 2014, expressed distrust toward Ukraine. "I don't have hopes on the Ukrainian side, they have deceived us so many times, I do not trust them." While Ukraine urged for an extension of the truce, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said just hours before its expiration that no new orders had been received from President Vladimir Putin. Amid the continuing tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope on Sunday that the two sides will be able to make a peace deal this week, adding it could open the doors for "big business" with the U.S. With a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal possibly being signed later this week, attention now turns to whether new efforts will be made to help bring the war to an end. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

Fmr. President Yoon's legal team goes head-to-head with key witness at second criminal trial hearing

2025/04/21 17:00

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was in court earlier on this Monday for the second hearing of the criminal case against him on charges of insurrection. Our Moon Hye-ryeon reports. A dark navy suit paired with a red tie — this is what former President Yoon Suk Yeol wore to the second hearing of his criminal trial on Monday. In the first footage made available to the public since his trial began, he was seen entering the courtroom and taking his seat at the defendant's bench with his lips tightly closed, ignoring the press cameras flashing around him. The media were required to leave before proceedings officially began. Previously, the court did not allow the media to film in the courtroom, explaining that the request came in too late for the appropriate judicial procedures to be followed. At today's trial, Yoon's legal team cross-examined Cho Sung-hyun from the army's capital defense command, who had been summoned as a key witness by the prosecution. During the first hearing last week, Cho testified that he received a direct order from his superior to enter the National Assembly and remove lawmakers on the night of the martial law order declaration last December. Yoon's legal team questioned the feasibility of such an order before challenging the credibility of his testimony by highlighting inconsistencies between his statements across different legal proceedings. Throughout the session, the defense continued to warn Cho that false testimony could result in legal consequences and demanded that he "speak accurately." The exchange escalated when Cho, frustrated by repeated questioning, appealed directly to the bench — which was acknowledged by the judge. To secure a conviction on charges of insurrection, prosecutors must prove that Yoon deliberately sought to overthrow the constitutional order by mobilizing the military. If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment — or even the death penalty. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

DP's Lee solidifies lead for presidential candidacy while PPP's first cut-off to come on Tues. evening

2025/04/21 17:00

On the political front. The Democratic Party's presidential contender for the early election will be announced this coming weekend while the results of the People Power Party's first elimination will be shared late Tuesday. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon covers the partisan campaigns. As the Democratic Party of Korea's front-runner Lee Jae-myung strengthens his dominance in the party's presidential primary, with around 90 percent of the cumulative votes so far, he now looks beyond the primaries and eyes the undecided voters for the actual presidential race. On Monday he visited the Korea Financial Investment Association and discussed the stock exchange. He pledged to surpass 5-thousand points in the stock market through various measures around double of what it's at today. Meanwhile, the current runner-up, Kim Dong-yeon, has pledged to turn the primary around, saying having a clear front-runner is not good for the party overall. The party will announce the results of its primaries in the Jeolla-do provinces on Saturday, and those for the Seoul Metropolitan Area, alongside Gangwon-do Province and Jeju on Sunday. Public polls, accounting for 50 percent of the total, will be held for two days between April 21st and 27th, with the final candidate confirmed on April 27th. Meanwhile, after two days of heated debates, the open poll for the first round cut-off for the People Power Party primary started on Monday with four of eight to be cut. This is a 100-percent open opinion survey where both PPP and undecided supporters will be surveyed. And to boost their chances, three contestants traveled to Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province on Monday a region known as a conservative stronghold. Han Dong-hoon went to Gyeongju City to visit the preparations for this year's APEC Summit. Na Kyung-won and Ahn Cheol-soo also visited Daegu to meet with supporters there. Kim Moon-soo, who has a slight lead among the eight contestants according to recent polls, pledged to expand rapid train lines across the nation, while Hong Joon-pyo shared his vision for welfare through a press conference. The result of the polling done on Monday and Tuesday will be released sometime on Tuesday evening. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Exports for first 20 days of April drop as shipments to U.S. fall

2025/04/21 17:00

And while we await that upcoming bilateral consultation the TOLL of U.S. tariffs on Korea's trade numbers has become clear. Exports lost ground during the first 20 days of this month. According to the Korea Customs Service outbound shipments stood at 33-point-9 billion U.S. dollars during this period down 5-point-2 percent on year. In fact findings show Korea's exports to the U.S. market tumbled over 14 percent in the face of the Trump administration's tariffs. Among Korea's top ten export items nine including cars noted declines while chips climbed.

K-Wave AI news

2025/04/21 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The ancestral tablets of Joseon kings and queens have returned to Jongmyo after five years. Established by the first king of the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo, Jongmyo is an ancestral shrine dedicated to memorial rites of Joseon located in central Seoul. The tablets were temporarily moved to Changdeokgung Palace in 2020 after damage to parts of Jongmyo prompted major repairs. To mark their return, a traditional reenactment procession was held on Sunday along the 3.5 km route from Changdeokgung to Jongmyo, with over 1,000 participants. The procession was followed by "Goyuje," a ritual declaring the tablets' return. A special media façade illuminated Jongmyo at night, along with various celebratory performances. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Jongmyo shrine's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seoul will launch the spring edition of the 'Hangang River Night Tour' this week, offering a guided evening stroll along the river that winds through the heart of the capital. Led by expert storytellers, participants can immerse themselves in scenic views of starlight, moonlight, and city lights by the river at Banpo and Yeouido Hangang Parks. The program also includes hands-on crafting workshops. It runs every Friday and Saturday evening through June 14. Participation is lottery-based, and sign-ups are available at visit-hangang.seoul.kr. Incheon International Airport ranked third globally in international passenger traffic last year, handling over 70.6 million travelers. That's according to Airports Council International's latest report. Dubai took the top spot, followed by London's Heathrow. Incheon Airport attributed the surge to expanded infrastructure and increased travel during Korea's major holidays. Passenger numbers are projected to exceed 76 million this year. The airport also ranked third worldwide in international cargo volume, processing 2.9 million tons, up more than 7% from 2023. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Kulture-Issue] The return of long-running original K-musicals

2025/04/21 14:00

“Old but gold“. This year, a number of Koreans’ favorite long-running original K-musicals are being welcomed back onto the stage. What does it take for musicals like “The Last Empress“ and “Love in the Rain“ to receive decades of love from the audience? We’ll answer that question and more with culture critic Professor Chie Hye-won at Kyung Hee University. Welcome Professor Chie! Q1. Professor Chie, please introduce to us the long-running Korean musicals that have become big again these days. Q2. Let’s talk a bit more about “The Last Empress“, which is a pioneer when it comes to original musical theater productions here in Korea. What makes it special and why has it stood the test of time? Q3. The musical “Love in the Rain“ meanwhile is known to be a “star incubator“, as it has served as a career doorway for many of the cast. Who are some of the mentionable names and what made “Love in the Rain“ a long-running musical? Q4. And it’s not only success in Korea, as these productions have also made it onto the global stage. How was the response from the overseas audience as well as from critics? Q5. These productions have also undergone some changes over the years. What are they? And how have each of the musicals grown into what they are today? Q6. What impact have these long-running original musicals have had on Korean performance culture, and how do you think they've contributed to the popularization of musical theater? Q7. The history of musicals goes back a long way in Europe and the U.S. There is a much bigger presence of long-running musicals overseas. What are the secrets to their longevity, and what are the conditions necessary for Korean musicals to follow suit? Thank you very much Professor Chie for your insights. Thank you Walter, see you tomorrow.

[Features-reporter] Remembering Jeju 4.3 incident

2025/04/21 14:00

Earlier this month, Koreans commemorated the anniversary of an uprising on South Korea's Jeju Island back in 1948. Days after we learned that the archives of the Jeju April 3rd incident were officially added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in remembrance of the victims of state violence. Our News Features reporter Ahn Sung-jin went down to Jeju to take a closer look at the historical artifacts. The search for answers still continues nearly 80 years after the Jeju April 3rd incident. Mr. Yang's grandfather was one of the missing from the incident. Only around ten years ago did he find out his grandfather had died in prison. "I still get emotional every time I talk about it, but the older I get, the more I understand the hardships of what my grandpa went through. I work on understanding the pain of those who have passed away." Mr. Yang works for the association of victim's families from the Jeju 4.3 incident. There are some 4-thousand tombstones of the missing victims that the families still mourn. The Jeju 4.3 incident traces back to an uprising on the island in the late 1940s, at a time when South Korea was still working on forming its own government. Following discontent over the election process and economic hardships, the Worker's Party of South Korea launched an armed uprising, which the government violently suppressed. Many were killed by the government forces and others allegedly involved in the uprising were sent to prison and tortured. Many like Mr. Yang's grandfather died in prison. "The reason this stone can't be placed is because this still doesn't have a name to it. Some call it a massacre, some say it's a revolt, but there has been no name given to it." Around 30-thousand people are thought to have died. More than 30 percent of them were elderly, children or women who were not affiliated with any of the combatants. "Those who know the past and the story behind it, work on raising awareness so more people recognize the value and significance of what happened here." The Jeju April 3rd incident became the background for Nobel Prize literature winner Han Kang's book "We do not part", discussing humanity and the survivors of the incident. "I read testimonies from massacre survivors, pored over materials, and then, in as restrained a manner as I could without looking away from the brutal details that felt almost impossible to put into words, I wrote what became 'We Do Not Part'." To make sure the incident and the victims are not forgotten, the Jeju 4.3 archives have been designated as a UNESCO Memory of the World. The documents in the archives illustrated the underlying human stories of Jeju. Time passes but what remains important is that people continue to remember. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Jeju.

[K-Enter] Jin and Chris Martin BFF

2025/04/21 14:00

Usually on K-enter news, we talk about Korean entertainers but there can be exceptions. British band Coldplay held a number of concerts here in Korea and on Saturday they were joined by a special guest? Yes, Coldplay have made their return to Korea after 8 years with their "Music of the Spheres World Tour" that blew the doors off the stadium. K-pop girl group Twice warmed up the crowd by opening all three nights, before Coldplay graced the stage. And if you were one of the lucky ones to have attended on Saturday's performance you were in for a little treat as BTS's Jin made a special appearance. Jin and Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin have a special bond as they have collaborated together in the past, working on songs such as Jin's solo song "Astronaut" and also a collaborative song with BTS "My Universe", which were both performed on the Saturday evening. Their relationship has grown over the years. In October 2022, just before Jin's military enlistment, he traveled to the other side of the world to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to join Coldplay on stage and perform "Astronaut" with the band. With two more concerts remaining, who knows if they have anyone else special planned. Next up WE meaning YOU and I have some really exciting news to go along with this news don't we? Big Ocean, the world's first deaf K-pop idol group, released their second mini-album titled "Underwater" on Sunday, marking both their first year anniversary and also Korea's "Day of People with Disabilities". The album is Big Ocean's story of realising they are like mermaids, awakening their instincts and embracing their identity. The album includes four tracks: the title song "ATTENTION," "FADE OUT," "END OF TIME," and member PJ's solo track "SINKING." I will talk a little more about PJ in just a second. Meanwhile, Big Ocean kicked off their first European tour on Saturday in Lausanne , Switzerland. Following that show, they will perform in a total of five cities, including Milan on the 23rd and London on the 24th. AND for that exciting news you mentioned Soa, we have an interview with Big Ocean member PJ tomorrow on the show so DO NOT MISS THAT! Yes we do! You should never miss a day of the Kulture Wave but especially not tomorrow. And lastly, moving over to a K-animation film! According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticket sales network, the film "Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning", which was released on February 21, surpassed a cumulative audience of 500,000 as of Saturday, ranking second in the 2025 animated box office overall. Despite strong competition since its release, the animation has consistently drawn audiences, and though 500,000 might not seem like a large number, in terms of animated movies this is considered a remarkable success for a Korean animation targeted at adults. The film is an occult blockbuster that depicts the beginning of an epic tale in which exorcists with special powers confront evil. It is based on the novel "Exorcism Chronicles" by author Lee Woo-hyuk , a legendary name in Korean fantasy literature. Thank you for that news Walter, don't go anywhere and let's take a look at what our AI news presenter Ari has for us today, Ari, take it away!