News

President Lee urges for peace to guarantee solid security

2025/06/25 19:34

President Lee Jae Myung believes the most solid form of security was possible by making peace. Remarks to this end were shared on his social media platform to mark a solemn anniversary today that is June 25th which is the day that war broke out on the Korean peninsula. While honoring the selfless sacrifices of all those involved he also pledged better compensation for the country's war veterans in light of their "extraordinary" services. Adding that security is key for the economy the president also made note of South Korea's rise from ruins to become an economic powerhouse.

Trump arrives at The Hague to attend NATO Summit

2025/06/25 19:34

Meanwhile in the Netherlands. Leaders of NATO including U.S. President Donald Trump are gathered for their annual security talks there this week amid concerns raised by a recent comment by Trump regarding his commitment to the alliance's mutual defense clause. Lee Seung-jae explains. U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at The Hague on Tuesday, and began his official activities for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit. Leaders and officials from 32 countries, including President Trump, are scheduled to hold a plenary session of the North Atlantic Council on Wednesday, local time, with a press conference scheduled for later that afternoon. The joint statement of this year's summit is expected to include an agreement that all member countries will eventually spend five percent of their GDP on defense, something the U.S. leader has been pushing for. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that he has "no doubt" that the U.S. is committed to NATO's Article 5 mutual defense clause. The comment came as Trump raised renewed doubts about his willingness to protect U.S. allies. When asked by a reporter on his way to The Hague, whether he's still committed to Article 5, which states that an armed attack against one or more of its members would be considered an attack against all NATO member states, he gave a rather ambiguous answer. "Depends on your definition. There are numerous definitions of Article Five. You know that, right? But I'm committed to being their friend. I've become friends with many of those leaders, and I'm committed to helping them." Trump has, however, decided not to attend a special meeting with the Indo-Pacific 4, or IP4 countries, including South Korea. According to NATO officials, the U.S.-NATO-IP4 meeting scheduled for Wednesday, has been changed to a NATO-IP4 format. One official said Trump's non-participation was due to scheduling issues. Meanwhile, with a major focus on NATO's defense spending this year, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to meet the target of 5 percent of the UK's GDP by 2035. All NATO member countries are also expected to agree to spending 3-point-5 percent on core defense issues, and the remaining 1-point-5 percent on other defense-related areas, such as resilience and security. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

U.S. State Dept. reaffirms denuclearization goal for N. Korea after strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities

2025/06/25 19:33

The Trump administration remains committed to "complete denuclearization" of North Korea. The remark was made by U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Tuesday during a press briefing when asked about the "lesson" for North Korea to be learnt from the Pentagon's strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities this past weekend. She also claimed that if dialogue fails with North Korea her Department was open to speculating different scenarios.

Military service break no longer a setback for K-pop artists

2025/06/25 15:37

Today, June 25th marks the 75th year since the outbreak of the Korean War. And since the war ended in an armistice, finishing military service is a mandatory thing for Korean men, right Kun-woo? That's true. As a Korean citizen myself, I also finished my service as a KATUSA, serving as a soldier at Camp Humphreys, cooperating with U.S. troops. Thinking of this, it's not just me who has done such service, but also K-pop boy group members. Since going to the military means nearly 2 years off stage for them, there have been concerns about a career end. But I witnessed a little change in that perception, so follow me and see how it has been changing. "Welcome Back." Fans say it with sincerity after a long wait for their favorite K-pop idols to finish their military service. Those two words have never felt more powerful than this June, the month when BTS finally became whole again, with SUGA being the last member to officially complete his military duty. "Military service is very demanding, so they need to take a little break, but we're looking forward to the comeback, their new potential concepts, their new music. We're just happy that they're back together." Fans from around the world had been preparing for this moment, some even from the year before. On this day, it was easy to find global fans from regions, including Southeast Asia, and North and South America, celebrating the return of their favorite stars. That was especially visible at fan cafes, where fans transform regular cafes into customized spaces for special events, like being discharged from the military. "At first glance, this may look like an ordinary cafe. But take a closer look and you'll find all kinds of decorations celebrating the discharge of BTS members from the military, from photo displays to fan letters and even custom-made merchandise. There was a time when military service meant two years of silence with less interaction with fans, but these days, fans have found ways to stay connected." Fans say they managed the wait, thanks, ironically, to the abundance of content released when the artists were away. "They were prepared before they went into the military. At least they had some content for all of the ARMY to consume while they were away, so I'm sure they really thought of us." One expert says the military service break used to be seen as a major obstacle to idol careers, but not anymore. "Unlike now, in the past, idol groups typically lasted only a few years, and very few made it past seven. That meant going to the military during their peak, often ended their career and fandom. But K-pop's global expansion is also another factor as international fans tend to stay loyal, regardless of age, giving artists greater longevity." He added that in the case of BTS, the group's decision to enlist one by one was a smart strategy, helping maintain the group's brand, even while some members were away. As public perception toward military service breaks has shifted, the time away is no longer seen as a full stop, but merely a comma before a brand new chapter begins. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

[K-Enter] J-Hope ranks 40th on Billboard's 'Hot 100', sets record for most entries by a Korean solo artist

2025/06/25 15:35

Time for K-enter news with Walter Lee! Walter, BTS fans will like today's show, with just talked about the group with Kun-woom and we have some record-breaking news regarding one of their members. BTS's j-hope has made history on the U.S. Billboard charts, setting a new record for the most entries by a Korean solo artist. According to Billboard's latest chart released on Tuesday , j-hope's new track "Killin' It Girl" featuring GloRilla debuted at No. 40 on the Hot 100, Billboard's main singles chart. This marks his eighth solo entry on the chart, the highest number ever achieved by a Korean solo artist. "Killin' It Girl" also becomes j-hope's highest charting solo song on the Hot 100. His previous personal best was No. 60 with "On the Street" featuring J. Cole in 2023. All three singles from j-hope's 2024 solo project have made it onto the Hot 100. "Sweet Dreams" featuring Miguel entered at No. 66, followed by "MONA LISA" at No. 65, and now "Killin' It Girl" has claimed the highest spot among them. But it's not just the boys of K-pop that are breaking records on the Hot 100, but girls also, right? Correct, also according to Billboard, BLACKPINK's Rosé has made K-pop history AGAIN by charting on the Billboard Hot 100 for her 35th consecutive week with her hit single "APT." featuring Bruno Mars at No. 25 this week. Last week, she made history by surpassing BTS member Jimin's solo track "Who," which had charted for 33 consecutive weeks, thus becoming the longest charting K-pop solo artist. Rosé also recently shared an upcoming collaboration on her social media page where she will be featuring with American singer-songwriter and YouTuber Alex Warren which is due to come out Friday at 12 a.m. ET . And as I mentioned recently, BLACKPINK are also scheduled to start their tour from July 6 at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium. Lastly, let's talk Stray Kids, they recently won big at a popular awards show, right? Stray Kids have been named the winners of the "Favorite Music Group" category at the 2025 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, according to an announcement by their agency JYP Entertainment on the Tuesday. The Kids' Choice Awards are a viewer-voted event that celebrates achievements across music, television, film, and more. The group received the honor during the awards ceremony held in Los Angeles on Saturday local time. This makes them the second K-pop act to earn this award, following BTS. Stray Kids were also nominated for 'Favorite Global Music Star.' but that went to South African singer-songwriter Tyla. Thanks for today's K-enter news Walter. Stick around as we turn to our AI anchor Ari for more culture related news. Ari, over to you!

[K-Correspondent] Korean War 75th Anniversary Ceremony hosted in North Carolina

2025/06/25 15:34

75 years ago today, June 25, 1950: the outbreak of the Korean War, a conflict that has left a deep wound in our history. To mark the occasion, events are being held across Korea, but also overseas. For today's K-Correspondent segment, we connect with Gregory Joseph Ehr, Member of the Board of the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas, who was part of an event that was held in honor of U.S. Korean War veterans and to reflect on the conflict. Hello Greg! Q1. Greg, please tell us about the "75th Korean War Anniversary Ceremony" you, or the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas hosted. What was it about? How did the event come about? Q2. Who was there and how many people participated? Q3. In what way were the Korean War veterans honored at the event? Q4. What was the response like? Q5. Was there any particular moment you remember from the event, especially involving the veterans and their families? Q6. 75 years have passed since the outbreak of the Korean War. Greg, please tell us why it is important to remember this war and commemorate it. How do Americans today remember the Korean War? Thank you very much Greg for connecting with us and for hosting such meaningful event. Thank you Walter as always, we'll see you back soon.

K-wave AI News

2025/06/25 15:34

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Korea's renowned pianist Lim Yun-chan's live recording of "Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3" has been selected as the Editor's Choice for July by Gramophone, one of the world's most prestigious classical music magazines. Praising Lim's performance as having "already acquired almost legendary status," Gramophone called it "one of those rare occasions when composer, score, soloist, conductor and orchestra all combine in perfect synchronicity." The live recording was captured during the final round of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, where Lim made history as the youngest-ever winner with his performance of the piece. The Seoul Arts Center will officially launch its performance streaming platform, the "Digital Stage," on July 1. The platform will offer access to archived performances as well as real-time live streams. By simply signing up, users can watch nearly 100 past productions, including Lim Yun-chan's 2022 piano recital, the ethereal ballet "Giselle," and the timeless play "Othello." Labeling Digital Stage as a new way to enjoy the performing arts anytime, anywhere, the center pledged to continue providing high-quality online content to make the performing arts a part of everyday life. Ten beaches across Jeju Island opened on Tuesday, welcoming early visitors. Following the openings of popular beaches Hamdeok, Hyeopjae and Woljeong, Sinyang Beach will open on Thursday, with Jungmun Beach set to open next Monday. Due to an early heatwave, all 12 designated beaches on the island are opening ahead of their original schedules this year. At 3 p.m. every day, all beaches across the island will hold a 30-minute trash cleanup session, inviting tourists and locals to join in voluntary efforts to keep the marine environment clean. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

Russian missile strikes kill at least 26 in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region

2025/06/25 13:33

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is The World Now. A Russian missile strike on Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region has killed at least 26 civilians and injured hundreds, in one of the most devastating attacks this week. On Tuesday, around midday local time, a Russian ballistic missile attack hit the city of Dnipro and surrounding areas, including the town of Samar. The strike struck a passenger train, schools, kindergartens, a hospital, and other civilian infrastructure. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, attending the NATO summit in The Hague, condemned the attack as a "message of terror and rejection of peace." He urged Western allies to impose tougher sanctions on Russia and supply additional military aid to Ukraine. Russian drones and missiles have struck multiple regions this week, leaving a high civilian toll across Ukraine.

[NEWs GEN] Remembering the Korean War: How should younger generations commemorate its 75th anniversary?

2025/06/25 13:33

[NEWs GEN] Remembering the Korean War: How should younger generations commemorate its 75th anniversary?

Israel-Iran ceasefire appears to hold after Trump outburst at both sides

2025/06/25 11:39

U.S. President Donald Trump urged both Israel and Iran to stick to the ceasefire after tensions flared again shortly after it took effect. Both sides have claimed victory in the conflict, effectively accepting Trump's call for a truce. Shin Ha-young starts us off. U.S. President Donald Trump gave a strong warning to both Israel and Iran, accusing them of violating the ceasefire that he had announced earlier. According to the Associated Press, Trump on Tuesday expressed frustration with Israel for retaliating against Iran and called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to stop the attacks. "Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I've never seen before. The biggest load that we've seen. I'm not happy with Israel." Trump also emphasized that he does not want to see "regime change" in Iran, which he said would lead to chaos. "No, I don't want to. I'd like to see everything calm down as quickly as possible. Regime change takes chaos and ideally, we don't want to see so much chaos." This comes as tensions flared again just hours after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran took effect on Tuesday. Israel accused Iran of violating the ceasefire with missile launches, while Iran denied the claims. The ceasefire appears to be holding for now though after Trump's outburst at the both sides. Israel and Iran both claimed victory in their recent conflict. Israel said it had removed two major threats --Iran's nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. "Dear citizens of Israel, during the 12 days of the operation Rising Lion, we achieved a historic victory, and this victory will stand for generations." Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on social media that Israel will respect the ceasefire --as long as the other side does. The military chief of staff Eyal Zamir said that Israel's military is shifting its focus back to Gaza. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would only hit Israel if it violates the ceasefire deal. He also expressed his country's readiness to resolve disputes with the U.S. within an international framework. All eyes are on the coming hours to see whether the ceasefire between Israel and Iran will hold. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Rain continues today, then tapers off

2025/06/25 11:38

Monsoon rains will fall in most parts of the country today, with showers across several regions. The rain will begin to clear from the southern regions first, and by tonight, it will mostly subside. However, some parts of Gangwon and Chungcheongbuk-do provinces could see rain until tomorrow morning. The central region could receive 5 to 30 millimeters of rain, and the southern region could see 5 to 10 millimeters along with strong winds. With the rain, most areas will see below average temperatures today. Seoul will reach 25 degrees Celsius, about 3 degrees lower than yesterday. Daegu gets up to 28 degrees. Jeju, however, will be sunny and hot today with a high of 29 degrees. Looking ahead, rain will return nationwide on Saturday, starting with the capital area on Friday night. Those of us in the capital should keep an umbrella handy through early next week.

Temperatures in New York City reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit as eastern US swelters under extreme heat wave

2025/06/25 11:38

Eastern parts of the United States are experiencing an intense "heat dome" effect, characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity across New York and its surrounding area. On Tuesday, New York City reached 38 degrees Celsius at JFK Airport for the first time since 2013, as extreme heat warnings covered the entire metropolitan area through 8 PM when it was downgraded to heat advisories through Wednesday evening. Experts predict that the heat dome will persist through midweek. Residents have been advised to stay hydrated and limit outdoor exposure during the late morning and afternoon hours.

Costa Rica detains ex-security minister on drug trafficking charges

2025/06/25 11:37

Costa Rica's former security minister and Supreme Court justice, as well as being a high-ranking official under past administrations, Celso Gamboa Sanchez, was arrested in San Jose on Monday, on charges of international drug trafficking, following a U.S. extradition request from Dallas, Texas. An associate, Edwin Lopez Vega, was also detained. Gamboa's arrest marks the first under Costa Rica's constitutional reform enacted in May, which permits the extradition of nationals for drug trafficking and terrorism, reversing a previous embargo. The Public Security Minister praised the operation as "the first of many blows" against transnational crime and said Costa Rica will hold suspects accountable "within or outside our borders."

Hundreds of firefighters join battle to contain blazes on Greece's Chios island

2025/06/25 11:37

In Greece, a state of emergency remains in effect on the island of Chios, where wildfires have been burning for the past three days. Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to contain the blazes before they reach villages and vital farmland. More than 400 firefighters, supported by 14 helicopters, two water-dropping planes, and more than 80 vehicles, are fighting multiple fire fronts, as strong winds fan the blazes. Forests, olive groves, and some farmland, including areas known for producing Chios's famous mastiha resin, have been devastated. Authorities have evacuated hundreds of residents from more than 20 villages. Greece's minister for climate crisis and civil protection confirmed that investigators are looking into the possibility of arson after simultaneous outbreaks in unconnected locations.

How face restoration technology allowed daughter to see face of father killed in Korean War

2025/06/25 11:37

Those lost loved ones during war now get a chance to remember the legacy of love that was lost too soon but never forgotten. Our Ahn sung-jin files the report of face restoration for Korean war veterans. Song Young-hwan. He was only 26 years old when he died on the battlefield during the Korean War. His daughter Song Jae-suk was only 3 years old. She would go to the National Cemetery to remember him, but for her whole life, she knew little about her father and was even unable to picture how he looked. "I lost my father when I was just three years old. How many memories could I possibly have? So my grandmother raised me instead, but now and then, a story she used to tell comes back to me. She would say that my father always carried me everywhere, holding me close and calling me cute nicknames." But after more than 70 years, she was able to see his face. While searching for an uncle who was also a soldier and had gone missing during the war, she had submitted a DNA sample. Surprisingly, she heard back from the Defense Ministry's excavation and identification team that they had matched her sample, and her father's remains had been discovered. "I felt this deep sense of gratitude. It felt like a miracle. Really tears just came. My heart ached, but it was full. I feel so fortunate to be able to bring him home like this and honor him. I can finally repay my parents." Song was able to receive a restored version of her father's picture through the joint efforts of the National Remains Recovery Team and the National Forensic Service, making it the first completed case of face restoration from remains from the Korean War. Using a CT scanner and 3-D modeling software, the National Forensic Service reconstructs the structure of the subject's face, layering on muscles, skin, and shaping the eyes, nose, and mouth. "I had the privilege of taking part in a project that brings forgotten war heroes back to life to honor them. It gave me a deep sense of responsibility. And to help restore the image of who he was in life, we added the combat helmet and uniform that we would have worn at the time of his death." The goal was to recreate not just a likeness, but a presence. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, and there are still so many like Song Young-hwan that remain missing or unidentified. For many families of war veterans, it's the pain of not knowing that never fades, and through efforts like these, the return of these soldiers can become more than a historical footnote. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

Remembering the Korean War by Capturing the Faces of Its Veterans: Project Soldier

2025/06/25 11:36

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the Korean War and honoring history begins with remembering it. A recent exhibition showcased a project dedicated to photographing Korean War veterans and sharing their stories. Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung was there. An American war veteran, with a Korean flag next to him. He is a veteran of the Korean War, one of one-million-950-thousand soldiers from 22 countries who fought for freedom on the Korean Peninsula. Some call it "the Forgotten War, " but with the belief that the war, and veterans' memories should not fade away, photographer Rami has been documenting Korean War veterans under an initiative named "Project Soldier." Since he started in 2013, Rami has met more than 25-hundred Korean War veterans, recording their stories. "Out of the 2,500 veterans we've interviewed so far, was there any veteran's story that stood out to you?" "All the interviews were meaningful, but Colonel William Weber stood out. When veterans see their photos that make them feel like real heroes, they often tear up and ask about the price of the frame. I usually say 'I'm just repaying a small debt.' But Colonel Weber told me I was wrong—that as a professional soldier, he simply did his duty, and Koreans owe them nothing." Photographer Rami's journey to document the veterans is not just to leave their stories behind; It is to let people know the value of freedom --and that freedom is not free. Sometimes, military items were used in the photos to show that. "The helmet is more than just equipment; it has a symbolic meaning of protecting freedom and peace. Each veteran wrote their name, military unit, and service time on a helmet before taking the photo — showing the lasting symbol of the freedom they helped defend." For freedom to truly endure, the sacrifices of veterans must be remembered—a message that resonates even with soldiers currently serving in Korea. Humbled, one said he was moved by how the photos capture the deep sincerity of senior veterans' commitment to freedom. "Even for me who's currently still serving, it has inspired me to make sure I do as good as I can every day in support of the ROK-US alliance and UNC right now. And then I'm really hopeful that our younger generation can come and see the why life is so great here in Korea." The photographer now aims to go beyond documenting war veterans—to share the stories of those who protect our freedom today. "After them, many others have stood to protect freedom—U.S. veterans in Korea, police, firefighters. I'll be sharing more stories of the guardians of freedom today." ( . , , , .) Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.

MSCI keeps S. Korea in emerging-market category, citing limited FX market access

2025/06/25 11:34

South Korea has failed to advance toward developed-market status under the MSCI's latest market classification review. The index provider on Wednesday kept the country in its emerging-market category, citing limited reforms in the foreign exchange market, and restricted access to investment instruments. The MSCI noted that despite some efforts to improve market accessibility, progress has been insufficient, and further talks on Korea's reclassification would require the full implementation of reforms and resolutions to all key issues. The announcement is a blow to Seoul's efforts to eliminate the so-called "Korea discount," whereby Korean firms trade at a lower valuation than their global rivals.

[On-point] Fragile ceasefire between Israel, Iran appears to be holding --Who gained what from war?

2025/06/25 11:34

Trump says the ceasefire between Israel and Iran continues to be in effect and that he expects this to last "forever." Will the ceasefire hold? What did Israel and Iran gain from the war? Will Iran "never" be able to rebuild a nuclear program as Trump claims, now that the U.S. has bombed its nuclear facilities? And was the country actually very close to building a nuclear warhead? Will Iran return to the negotiating table with the U.S. for nuclear talks? What cards does Iran have left to play? How might the conflict between Israel and Iran affect the broader Middle East, including the ongoing war in Gaza? Alright, Professor Geon, thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

President Lee opens online survey to gauge public opinion on state affairs

2025/06/25 11:34

President Lee Jae Myung has now launched an online survey in order to gauge public opinion on state affairs. Open from Tuesday, the Google Forms survey, titled "The People's Mailbox," invites anyone to ask questions on the economy, society, politics, diplomacy, and national security. According to the Presidential Office, all submissions will be reported to the President, who plans to personally respond to those considered timely or widely relatable. The top office says it will continue expanding two-way communication channels to ensure the public stays at the center of policymaking.

Trump arrives at The Hague to attend NATO Summit

2025/06/25 11:34

U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived at The Hague in the Netherlands to attend the NATO Summit. This year's meeting is in the spotlight, as the U.S. leader has repeatedly been critical of the alliance's lack of defense spending. Lee Seung-jae has more. U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at The Hague on Tuesday, and began his official activities for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit. Leaders and officials from 32 countries, including President Trump, are scheduled to hold a plenary session of the North Atlantic Council on Wednesday, local time, with a press conference scheduled for later that afternoon. The joint statement of this year's summit is expected to include an agreement that all member countries will eventually spend five percent of their GDP on defense, something the U.S. leader has been pushing for. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that he has "no doubt" that the U.S. is committed to NATO's Article 5 mutual defense clause. The comment came as Trump raised renewed doubts about his willingness to protect U.S. allies. When asked by a reporter on his way to The Hague, whether he's still committed to Article 5, which states that an armed attack against one or more of its members would be considered an attack against all NATO member states, he gave a rather ambiguous answer. "Depends on your definition. There are numerous definitions of Article Five. You know that, right? But I'm committed to being their friend. I've become friends with many of those leaders, and I'm committed to helping them." Trump has, however, decided not to attend a special meeting with the Indo-Pacific 4, or IP4 countries, including South Korea. According to NATO officials, the U.S.-NATO-IP4 meeting scheduled for Wednesday, has been changed to a NATO-IP4 format. One official said Trump's non-participation was due to scheduling issues. Meanwhile, with a major focus on NATO's defense spending this year, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to meet the target of 5 percent of the UK's GDP by 2035. All NATO member countries are also expected to agree to spending 3-point-5 percent on core defense issues, and the remaining 1-point-5 percent on other defense-related areas, such as resilience and security. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.