News

Monsoon rain spreads northward continuing into Wednesday

2025/06/24 11:25

A stationary front is moving north again, bringing monsoon rains across the country today. And this morning, rain is falling in Jeju and parts of Jeollanam-do Province, and will gradually expand to more regions. The capital area will receive showers when you head back home from work this evening. While Jeju will see its rain letting up this morning, other regions will experience rain continuing until tomorrow. Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do Province could see up to 80 millimeters, other areas could receive up to 60 millimeters with pouring rain at times. As the rain arrives this evening, the Seoul metropolitan area will continue to experience daytime warmth getting up to 30 degrees in Seoul. Southern regions will see highs going down 5 to 7 degrees lower, and Daegu and Gwangju both top out at 25 degrees. Then, the monsoon rain will return to the central region this weekend. Stay safe and dry!

'You can pay more tax': activists display anti-Bezos banner in Venice ahead of wedding

2025/06/24 11:25

Ahead of Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos' wedding festivities in Venice, activists are protesting to highlight concerns over overtourism and wealth inequality. Activists from groups like "No Space for Bezos" and Greenpeace staged demonstrations across Venice on Monday, displaying banners with messages such as "No Space for Bezos" and "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax." Concerns have been raised about the strain on Venice's infrastructure, and activists argue that the lavish event exacerbates issues of overtourism and neglects the needs of residents. Local civic groups have been staging protests against the wedding since last week.

Starmer and Zelenskyy meet in London, agree military production project

2025/06/24 11:24

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have announced a new defense co-production agreement aimed at bolstering Ukraine's military capabilities amid ongoing Russian aggression. Zelenskyy met with Starmer in London on Monday after he visited King Charles III at Windsor Castle, and unveiled a new industrial military co-production initiative, aimed at enhancing Ukraine's defense infrastructure. The UK Prime Minister emphasized the significance of the collaboration, which he said builds on their 100-year partnership and represents a substantial advancement in the UK's support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy said it was "a historic moment," highlighting that the partnership would strengthen both nations, and expressed gratitude for the UK's continued assistance. The announcement follows a recent escalation in hostilities, with Russia launching a massive aerial attack on Kyiv involving drones and missiles, and comes a day before a NATO summit in The Hague.

EU and Canada deepen ties, announce new security and defense pact

2025/06/24 11:24

Now, let's take a look at some stories from around the world with our Choi Chi Hee. Good morning, Chi Hee. Good morning, Eunji. Let's begin with the EU and Canada deepening ties following a summit in Brussels. Sure. Canada and the European Union have signed a new security and defense pact, amid growing geopolitical threats and regional instability. On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa formalized the EU-Canada Security and Defense Partnership. The agreement, which is the first of its kind for the EU with a country from the Americas, aims to deepen collaboration in areas such as crisis management, cybersecurity, arms control, and support for Ukraine. A key component of the pact is Canada's potential participation in the EU's 172-billion-U.S.-dollar joint procurement program, SAFE, facilitating joint defense acquisitions and industrial cooperation. The Canadian Prime Minister emphasized that the partnership would enable Canada to deliver on "new capabilities more rapidly and more effectively." This reflects a strategic shift to diversify defense partnerships beyond traditional reliance on the United States. The summit also led to negotiations for a digital agreement to align standards on issues, including consumer protection, to make online platforms safer and more inclusive.

June consumer sentiment hits 4-year high on second extra budget, policy optimism

2025/06/24 11:24

Consumer sentiment in South Korea continued to improve in June, marking a third straight month of gains. According to the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the Composite Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 108-point-7, up 6-point-9 points from May. That's the highest level in four years since June 2021. The central bank attributed the rise to reduced political uncertainty, the second extra budget, and expectations for new government policies. Housing market expectations also climbed sharply. The housing price outlook index jumped 9 points to 120, as more people anticipate house prices to rise over the next year, the highest since October 2021. A reading above 100 on both indices indicates optimism.

Stock

2025/06/24 00:31

2025. 6. 23. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,014.47 ▼-7.37 -0.24% KOSDAQ : 784.79 ▼-6.74 -0.85% KOSPI200 : 404.32 ▼-1.00 -0.25% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 38,354.09 ▼49.14 -0.13% HANG SENG : 23,689.13 ▲158.65 +0.67% SHANGHAI : 3,381.58 ▲21.68 +0.65% WALL STREET (June 20) DOW JONES : 42,206.82 ▲35.16 +0.08% NASDAQ : 19,447.41 ▼98.86 -0.51% S&P500 : 5,967.84 ▼13.03 -0.22% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,384.30 (+18.70) JPY : 939.43 (+0.13) CNY : 192.64 (+2.51) EUR : 1,593.19 (+20.02)

Trump says U.S. strikes caused 'monumental damage' to Iran's nuclear sites

2025/06/24 00:31

We begin in the Middle East. The Trump administration bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities under the mission dubbed "Operation Midnight Hammer." The U.S. says its strikes inflicted significant damage to the sites. Kim Jung-sil starts us off. U.S. President Donald Trump called the damage to Iran's nuclear sites 'monumental' in a Truth Social post on Sunday night, reiterating his earlier claim that they had been 'obliterated.' Satellite images show craters at Fordo and collapsed buildings at Isfahan and Natanz. The U.S. "Operation Midnight Hammer" involved over 125 aircraft, including B-2 bombers, as well as Tomahawk missiles launched from a U.S. submarine. President Trump confirmed the strikes on Saturday evening from the White House. "Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace." While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, Iranian officials have downplayed the impact, claiming the facilities were evacuated before the bombs hit. The strikes were carried out just days after President Trump's initial announcement of a two-week window to decide on military action. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the action, saying it "needed to be done." "I think the world today is safer and more stable than it was 24 hours ago. And a bunch of these countries putting out statements condemning us. Privately, they all agree with us that this needed to be done." Rubio echoed Trump's message, saying the door to negotiations remains open, but Iran must choose between peaceful nuclear energy or facing continued military pressure. He added that if Iran persists in becoming a nuclear power, it would put "the regime at risk." Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged restraint on Sunday, warning that the U.S. strikes could lead to further escalation and calling for diplomacy to avoid more violence. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

[Weather] Hotter weather across the country, rain again nationwide

2025/06/24 00:30

A heat wave of more than 30 degrees appeared nationwide. It was even hotter than yesterday. Daytime temperatures in Seoul rose to 32 degrees Celsius, and Yanggu was as hot as 33 degrees about 2 to 5 degrees higher than yesterday all over the country. Please take good care of your health. Rain that started again in Jeju Island this afternoon will spread nationwide tomorrow. Starting with the south coast at dawn tomorrow, it will reach the southern parts of the country tomorrow morning and the central regions in the afternoon. Up to 60 millimeters of rain is expected in inland areas for two days. Tomorrow morning, Seoul will start off at 23 degrees, Chuncheon 19 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 30 degrees in Seoul and Chuncheon, 26 degrees in Daejeon. On this weekend, more rain is expected mainly in the central parts of the country. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

[Sports Round-up] S. Korean nat'l football team squads announced for EAFF E-1 Championship

2025/06/24 00:30

Time now to take a look at what's been happening in the world of sports. For that, we have our sports editor Paul Neat joining us in the studio. Welcome, Paul. Thank you. Let's begin with football. The South Korea national team squads were announced this afternoon ahead of the East Asia Cup. Yes, the EAFF E-1 Football Championships that are being held in Korea next month. For the men's team, 20 of the 23-man squad are players from the K League, with three from the J.League in Japan. The two Kim Tae-hyeons, one from Kashima Antlers in Japan and one from Jeonbuk, as well as Ulsan's Seo Myeong-kwan, Gangwon's Seo Min-woo, Gimcheon's Lee Seung-won, Byun Jun-soo of Gwangju, and Pohang's Lee Ho-jae are in a full national team squad for the first time. South Korea's men's games are being played at Yongin Mireu Stadium. It's a single group of four in a round robin format, consisting of South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and China, with matches set to begin on July 7th. Japan won the last edition in 2022, but South Korea has the most titles with five -the last being in 2019. Meanwhile, the women's competition will be contested between South Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan. Matches start on July 9th and games will take place at Hwaseong Stadium and Suwon World Cup Stadium. There are nine overseas-based stars in the squad, including the legendary Ji So-yun, as well as Kim Shin-ji of AS Roma, Lee Geum-min and Choi Yu-ri of Birmingham City, and Lee Young-ju of Levante Badalona. Moving on to table tennis. Not one but two WTT medals for Lim Jong-hoon. Yes, in the mixed doubles and men's doubles. At the 2025 WTT Star Contender in Slovenia on Sunday, Lim won the mixed doubles with Shin Yu-bin as well as the men's doubles with An Jae-hyun. In the mixed doubles, the pair dominated Brazil's Hugo Calderano and Bruna Takahashi in straight sets. It marks their return to the top after a WTT win earlier this year in India. In the men's doubles final, Lim and An stunned the world No. 1 French duo, the Lebrun brothers Felix and Alexis, with a clean 3-zero sweep. To baseball now and the KBO. The Kia Tigers extended their winning streak to six games. Yes, to move up to fourth place in the standings. This comes following a comeback win over the SSG Landers on Sunday. The Tigers were down 2 to 3 in the 8th inning, but Kim Seok-hwan's two-run homer turned the game around. Then, Kim Ho-ryeong's sacrifice fly in the 9th sealed the 5 to 4 win. The Tigers now sit just 2-point-5 games behind 3rd-place the Lotte Giants, and 4-point-5 games behind league-leaders the Hanwha Eagles. Kia have been in great form this month with 12 wins, 1 draw, and just 5 losses, boasting a win rate over 70 percent. And finally, to MLB. Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angeles Dodgers played a key role in the team's 13-7 win over the Washington Nationals. Yes, indeed. He went 1-for-4, and hit his fifth double of the season. He later reached base again on an error in the seventh inning, sparking a big rally that broke the game wide open. Though the error didn't count as a hit, it did lead to a bases-loaded opportunity, setting the stage for Shohei Ohtani's bases-clearing triple. Meanwhile, Kim Ha-seong of the Tampa Bay Rays is back on the road to recovery from a shoulder injury. He went 1-for-4 with a walk, a run, and two steals during a Triple-A match on Friday. His first game since June 12th after a hamstring problem. Alright, thanks for that, Paul. See you next week. Thank you.

How has Korean literature taken the heart of Japanese readers?

2025/06/24 00:28

Now, onto our weekly installment of stories to celebrate 60 years of normalized Seoul-Tokyo relations. If K-pop and K-dramas have been visually striking materials in Japan, K-literature has long been there, making its understated yet powerful presence. Ahn Sung-jin tells us more. On a rainy street in Tokyo, a sign with the word " " colored in red stands out. This is a street in Jinbocho, known as one of the world's oldest bookstore districts, located in Tokyo, and also where the only Korean bookstore in the district stands. But Chekccori is more than a bookstore: it's a gateway to Korea. When Kim Seung-bok opened her first publishing company in 2007, Hallyu had only just arrived in Japan. Some told her that her endeavor to introduce it was useless, but Kim said she had faith. "Through these small efforts, a lot more people began to notice us. It's been deeply rewarding to see Japan's publishing industry recognize our work and have Japanese readers seek out Korean literature. Even literary critics here finally acknowledged its value as well. Ranging from novels, essays, and poetry to picture books, now there are more than a thousand books to quench the desire of Korean learners and Korean culture enthusiasts in the bookstore she has been running since 2015. Kim's first translated book, published here in Japan, was Han Kang's "The Vegetarian." She said that of all the works she read in the 2000s, this novel stood out the most due to its powerful resonance with Japanese society. "Did Han Kang become famous because of the Nobel Prize? Not really. If anything, I'd say the Nobel Committee was late to the party. But yes, after the Nobel buzz, her books sold in huge numbers with multiple reprints and strong sales. What surprised me most, though, was how many middle-aged men came in specifically to buy her books." But she added that beyond Han Kang's books, as Korea's cultural standing has risen tremendously, there is a genuine admiration for Korea's creative content, which helps those like Kim working in content and publishing. There are also trends in literature that show parallels between Korea and Japan. "Right now, there's a growing interest in caregiving here in Japan, and I've been pitching some of these books to publishers. We're also seeing a wave of feminist books and essays exploring new forms of family, a theme that feels timely and also resonates with what Japanese readers are interested in today. And to further fuel interest, from poetry readings, workshops, and author visits, the bookstore offers a bridge to mutual understanding. "This publisher hosts around 100 events annually at this bookstore to introduce more Korean literature to the Japanese public." "What's appealing about Korean literature is that you can clearly sense the writer's perspective on the history of societal issues, so through their works, you're able to see various aspects of Korea's past and present. If more translations of other genres like poetry or comics were introduced, I think that could spark a wider interest." "I'm currently studying Korean literature translation through the Chekccori Translation class. I'm interested in Korean literature or novels because it often delves deep into social issues and the inner humanity of human nature." As Korean literature continues to find its voice in Japan, through committed publishers like Kim, aspiring translators, and communities like Chaeccori, what was once marginal is becoming mainstream. With trends and stories that speak across borders, literature is becoming a tool to broaden the cultural landscape. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Tokyo.

S. Korea bolsters cooperation with Indonesia, Malaysia during leaders' phone call

2025/06/24 00:27

President Lee Jae Myung spoke over the phone with Indonesian President Subianto Prabowo today for the first time since taking office. The two leaders appreciated the "strategic partnership" between the two countries, and agreed to strengthen such cooperation in trade, digital transition, and the defense industry. President Lee also held a phone call earlier in the day with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, where they discussed cooperation in trade and investment. They agreed to work to conclude their bilateral free trade agreement within this year. Both the foreign leaders congratulated Lee on his inauguration and agreed to expand communications at the APEC summit in Korea later this year.

Who is in President Lee's first Cabinet picks?

2025/06/24 00:26

Following a round of vice ministerial appointments, President Lee Jae Myung on Monday named his first Cabinet picks. Our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin breaks down the key nominations. In his third week in office, President Lee Jae Myung unveiled his first Cabinet lineup on Monday, nominating 11 ministers. Five-term lawmaker Ahn Gyu-back has been nominated to be Defense Minister. If confirmed, he would become the first civilian in over six decades to head South Korea's Defense Ministry. Cho Hyun, a veteran diplomat and former Vice Foreign Minister, has been nominated to head the Foreign Ministry. With his deep experience in multilateral diplomacy and trade, he's expected to navigate diplomatic hurdles with National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, an expert in bilateral ties and North Korea. Chung Dong-young, who previously served as Unification Minister under the late President Roh Moo-hyun, has been nominated once again, signaling the administration's emphasis on peace through dialogue with North Korea. "The nominees have been tasked with clear missions, including advancing national interest-driven diplomacy, easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, reforming the military, addressing the climate crisis, and developing the Arctic shipping route. They're expected to produce tangible outcomes." President Lee's pragmatic approach was also evident in his decision to retain Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung. "Minister Song is expected to ensure continuity in addressing agriculture's climate-related challenges and regional population decline. Her reappointment reflects the administration's merit-based approach, beyond ideological lines." Notably, some appointments came from the private sector. Bae Kyung-hoon, head of LG AI Research, has been nominated as Minister of Science and ICT, while Han Seong-sook, former CEO of NAVER, was named Minister of SMEs and Startups. Other nominees include heads for the Ministries of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Environment, Employment and Labor, Gender Equality and Family, as well as Oceans and Fisheries. Except for Minister Song, all 10 candidates will face confirmation hearings at the National Assembly. President Lee is calling for swift proceedings so that his Cabinet can quickly respond to growing challenges, such as the situation in the Middle East. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

Markets see volatility after U.S. strikes on Iran, KOSPI holds above 3,000

2025/06/24 00:25

Meanwhile, global financial markets are bracing for the aftermath of Washington's attack on Tehran, and South Korea is no exception. In fact, South Korean stocks ended slightly lower, snapping a five-day rally, while the Korean won reached a one-month low against the dollar. Park Jun-han has the details. Stocks and the South Korean currency showed volatility across the board on Monday as risk aversion increased in the aftermath of the U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. South Korea's benchmark KOSPI closed at 3-thousand-14-point-47 points on Monday, point-24% lower than Friday's market-end. Although the benchmark index secured the 3-thousand mark at the close, the market showed volatility as it opened at around 2-thousand-9-hundred-90-points. The index then fell to the 2-thousand-9-hundred-70s early in the day, but then bounced back to above 3-thousand. The won's exchange rate against the U.S. dollar opened at 1-thousand-3-hundred-75 won on the Seoul Foreign Exchange Market, up 9-point-4 won from the previous session, and widened further to end above 1-thousand-3-hundred-84 won — up 18-point-7 won from last Friday's close at 3:30 PM. "The volatility seems to be funneled into the dollar, as it is the world's reserve currency, causing the exchange rate to rise despite the U.S. being a party to the conflict." If Iran decides to fully block the Strait of Hormuz, it would disrupt global energy supply chains and send shockwaves through oil markets, hitting energy-dependent economies like South Korea especially hard. According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, 99 percent of Middle Eastern crude imported by Korea travels through the strait. Meanwhile, with uncertainty mounting, the government held an emergency inter-agency meeting on Monday. It said it will crack down on unfair oil price hikes and keep domestic fuel prices in check. The authorities also plan to closely monitor financial markets and act quickly if volatility spikes. Park Jun-han, Arirang News

Pres. Lee urges for emergency response system amid additional Middle East crisis

2025/06/24 00:25

And President Lee Jae Myung presided his first meeting with senior aides on Monday where he called for an emergency response system to deal with exacerbating crises in the Middle East. Our top office correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports. Defining the crises in the Middle East as "urgent," the focus of President Lee's first meeting with his top aides at the start of the week was on these and their potential impact on the nation. "All ministries, including the presidential office, should form an emergency response system for corresponding actions. Safety measures must be ready for our people in the region." Also discussed were ways to tackle instability in the foreign exchange and financial markets. Noting that already high prices might further inflict pain on the people if coupled with higher oil prices, Lee asked for additional measures with regard to the government's recent supplementary budget proposal, if needed, now awaiting approval at the National Assembly. And as the president held this first meeting under a new government without a transition period, his message to them was specific. "We are still organizing our team at the presidential office, and it will be difficult for everyone due to the lack of manpower. Still, as I always say, an hour you spend is worth 52 million hours." On Sunday, President Lee Jae Myung decided not to attend the upcoming NATO Summit this week in the Hague, hours after the U.S. bombed nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend. He considered participating in the summit, but after long consideration, a final call was made at the last minute. Observers believe the latest incident could have complicated any possible talks between President Lee and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, with the U.S. deadline for tariff negotiations looming. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac will be attending the meeting on behalf of the president. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

Iranian defense minister says, "This is nothing new"

2025/06/24 00:24

After sustaining direct attacks from the U.S., Iran is now reviewing its options. Iranian defense minister ordered his Army generals to be prepared to fight, while hinting at the closure of a key strait for global oil transportation. Our Kim Do-yeon reports. Iran, after the U.S. bombed key nuclear sites there with bunker busters, is on the verge of retaliating, with Defense Minister Amir Hatami calling for a fight. At a meeting with Army generals on Monday Hatami said this was nothing new, and that the U.S. has been committing crimes against Iran throughout history. "Each time they committed a crime, they received a decisive response, and this time will be no different We will fight for victory. We consider martyrdom a great blessing, but right now, we are fighting for victory." This comes against the backdrop of Iran's parliament endorsing a measure on Sunday to close the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil transit choke point. According to Iran's state-run broadcaster Press TV on Sunday, the country's legislature reached a consensus to close the strait the final decision resting with the Supreme National Security Council and the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Strait of Hormuz, which separates Iran and Oman, is a key gateway for oil shipments from Persian Gulf countries. It's estimated that around 25 percent of the global crude oil supply and 20 percent of the liquefied natural gas supply pass through the strait. While a final decision is yet to come, the market is already reacting. On Monday, Brent crude briefly passed 81 dollars per barrel, the highest since January. All in all, Brent has risen over 10 percent since the Israel-Iran conflict began on June 13, and over 20 percent in the past month. Meanwhile, on top of the U.S. direct involvement, missile exchanges between Israel and Iran continued, with both nations on the receiving end on Monday. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News

U.S. strikes Iran’s nuclear sites, Tehran hits back with missiles on Israel

2025/06/23 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. The Middle East is facing a dangerous escalation. On June 21st, the United States launched surprise airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan — in an operation President Trump said was aimed at crippling Iran's uranium enrichment program. Just a day later, Iran retaliated by launching missiles toward Israel, triggering air raid sirens and explosions over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Iran also issued a stark warning to the U.S., vowing "eternal consequences" and condemning the strikes as a violation of international law. With diplomatic talks in Geneva between Iran and European nations ending in failure, the crisis is deepening — and the potential for regional conflict is rising fast. For a closer look into the current situation, we're joined by Moamen Gouda, professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Welcome. Also joining us live is Seunghoon Paik, researcher at the Institute of Middle East Studies. Thank you for joining us. 1. (Paik) Let's begin with the latest developments — on the 21st, the U.S. carried out airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. 2. (Gouda) And adding to that — U.S. defense officials revealed that this operation, dubbed "Midnight Hammer," had been months in the making. 3. (Gouda) Now, looking back — President Trump recently gave Iran a two-week deadline for final negotiations. 4. (Paik) Another key issue — there's a lot of debate about the actual impact of the latest strikes on Iran's nuclear program. 5. (Paik) Meanwhile — Iran's supreme leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, broke his silence after the strikes, warning on social media that Israel would be "punished." 6. (Gouda) Looking ahead — there are concerns that America's attack could backfire by pushing Iran to speed up its nuclear weapons development. 7. (Gouda) And politically — the U.S. has insisted that regime change isn't the goal. 8. (Paik) Turning to diplomacy — Germany, France and the UK recently held nuclear talks with Iran's foreign minister, but the talks yielded little. 9. (Gouda) Stepping back — many say it's too early to claim this marks the end of the Iran nuclear issue or the Israel-Iran conflict. 10. (Paik) And finally — the U.S. strike on Iran is raising questions about possible military action against North Korea's nuclear facilities.

Trump says U.S. strikes caused 'monumental damage' to Iran's nuclear sites

2025/06/23 17:00

The U.S. launched airstrikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities this past weekend and Donald Trump asserts the attacks caused substantial damage. Kim Jung-sil has the latest. U.S. President Donald Trump called the damage to Iran's nuclear sites 'monumental' in a Truth Social post on Sunday night, reiterating his earlier claim that they had been 'obliterated.' Satellite images show craters at Fordo and collapsed buildings at Isfahan and Natanz. The U.S. "Operation Midnight Hammer" involved over 125 aircraft, including B-2 bombers, as well as Tomahawk missiles launched from a U.S. submarine. President Trump confirmed the strikes on Saturday evening from the White House. "Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace." While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, Iranian officials have downplayed the impact, claiming the facilities were evacuated before the bombs hit. The strikes were carried out just days after President Trump's initial announcement of a two-week window to decide on military action. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the action, saying it "needed to be done." "I think the world today is safer and more stable than it was 24 hours ago. And a bunch of these countries putting out statements condemning us. Privately, they all agree with us that this needed to be done." Rubio echoed Trump's message, saying the door to negotiations remains open, but Iran must choose between peaceful nuclear energy or facing continued military pressure. He added that if Iran persists in becoming a nuclear power, it would put "the regime at risk." Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged restraint on Sunday, warning that the U.S. strikes could lead to further escalation and calling for diplomacy to avoid more violence. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

[Weather] Rain again all over the country tomorrow with hot conditions

2025/06/23 17:00

It was hotter than yesterday as the hot sun shined all over the country today. The daytime temperature of 32 degrees Celsius in Seoul was about 3 degrees higher than yesterday. The temperature in Yanggu rose as high as 33 degrees during the day today. Please take good care of your health. It started raining again in Jeju Island this afternoon. It will rain nationwide tomorrow. Starting with the south coast at dawn tomorrow, rain will spread to the southern parts of the country tomorrow morning and to the central regions in the afternoon. This rain will continue until Wednesday. Tomorrow morning, Seoul will start off at 23 degrees, Daegu and Busan 20 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 30 degrees in Seoul and Chuncheon, 24 degrees in Gwangju, Gyeongju, and Busan. More rain is expected mainly in the central parts of the country this weekend. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

World News: Twenty killed in suicide bombing at Damascus church

2025/06/23 17:00

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. A devastating suicide bombing at an Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria, killed at least 22 and wounded dozens more. On Sunday, local time, a lone attacker, believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State group, opened fire and then detonated an explosive vest, killing worshippers at the Mar Elias Church. According to Syria's Health Ministry, at least 63 others were wounded in the attack. It was the first suicide bombing targeting a church in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad's government fell. Reports suggest a second man may have been involved. Syrian authorities condemned the attack, calling it an act of terrorism. Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has repeatedly said he will protect minorities; however, Syria has already seen deadly sectarian violence in recent months. Spain has secured an exemption from NATO's new defense spending goal of 5 percent of GDP, ahead of a summit in The Hague. On Sunday, June 22, Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, announced that Spain and NATO finalized the opt-out after an exchange of letters with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Now, members, excluding Spain, will be subject to the 5 percent spending target. Last year, Spain spent 1.28 percent of its GDP on defense, the alliance's lowest. Sanchez pledged to raise that to 2.1 percent this year, affirming that this level is sufficient to meet its contribution to NATO without undermining Spain's welfare state commitments. Sanchez argued escalating to 5 percent by 2035 would be "disproportionate and unnecessary," potentially forcing deep cuts in social services or higher taxes. Pope Leo XIV issued a powerful appeal during Sunday's prayers in St. Peter's Square, saying, "Every member of the international community has a moral responsibility" to stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an "irreparable abyss." He spoke amid escalating U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, warning that no military victory can compensate for "the pain of mothers, the fear of children, the stolen future." Describing the situation in the Middle East as "alarming," the pope urged diplomacy to replace weapons and criticized how humanitarian suffering risked being overshadowed. Millions of people across the world celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga on Saturday, under this year's theme of "Yoga for One Earth, One Health." In India, crowds gathered nationwide, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading a massive session at a stretch of beach in the city of Visakhapatnam. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, sunrise yoga sessions brought hundreds to Arpoador Beach, uniting locals and tourists. Indonesia's Bali, Nusa Dua, hosted organized group practices, also drawing enthusiasts. The annual event was first celebrated in 2015, following a United Nations declaration, to highlight yoga's benefits. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

How has Korean literature taken the heart of Japanese readers?

2025/06/23 17:00

It's time now for our weekly installment of stories to celebrate six decades of diplomatic relations between Seoul and Tokyo. And today we touch upon K-literature and its appeal to readers in neighboring Japan. My colleague Ahn Sung-jin files this report. On a rainy street in Tokyo, a sign with the word "チェッコリ" colored in red stands out. This is a street in Jinbocho, known as one of the world's oldest bookstore districts, located in Tokyo, and also where the only Korean bookstore in the district stands. But Chekccori is more than a bookstore: it's a gateway to Korea. When Kim Seung-bok opened her first publishing company in 2007, Hallyu had only just arrived in Japan. Some told her that her endeavor to introduce it was useless, but Kim said she had faith. "Through these small efforts, a lot more people began to notice us. It's been deeply rewarding to see Japan's publishing industry recognize our work and have Japanese readers seek out Korean literature. Even literary critics here finally acknowledged its value as well." Ranging from novels, essays, and poetry to picture books, now there are more than a thousand books to quench the desire of Korean learners and Korean culture enthusiasts in the bookstore she has been running since 2015. Kim's first translated book, published here in Japan, was Han Kang's "The Vegetarian." She said that of all the works she read in the 2000s, this novel stood out the most due to its powerful resonance with Japanese society. "Did Han Kang become famous because of the Nobel Prize? Not really. If anything, I'd say the Nobel Committee was late to the party. But yes, after the Nobel buzz, her books sold in huge numbers with multiple reprints and strong sales. What surprised me most, though, was how many middle-aged men came in specifically to buy her books." But she added that beyond Han Kang's books, as Korea's cultural standing has risen tremendously, there is a genuine admiration for Korea's creative content, which helps those like Kim working in content and publishing. There are also trends in literature that show parallels between Korea and Japan. "Right now, there's a growing interest in caregiving here in Japan, and I've been pitching some of these books to publishers. We're also seeing a wave of feminist books and essays exploring new forms of family, a theme that feels timely and also resonates with what Japanese readers are interested in today." And to further fuel interest, from poetry readings, workshops, and author visits, the bookstore offers a bridge to mutual understanding. "This publisher hosts around 100 events annually at this bookstore to introduce more Korean literature to the Japanese public." "What's appealing about Korean literature is that you can clearly sense the writer's perspective on the history of societal issues, so through their works, you're able to see various aspects of Korea's past and present. If more translations of other genres like poetry or comics were introduced, I think that could spark a wider interest." "I'm currently studying Korean literature translation through the Chekccori Translation class. I'm interested in Korean literature or novels because it often delves deep into social issues and the inner humanity of human nature." As Korean literature continues to find its voice in Japan, through committed publishers like Kim, aspiring translators, and communities like Chaeccori, what was once marginal is becoming mainstream. With trends and stories that speak across borders, literature is becoming a tool to broaden the cultural landscape. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News, Tokyo.