News

Germany’s Merz sparks criticism for respecting Israel’s courage for ‘doing dirty work for us’ in Iran

2025/06/19 10:00

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing growing criticism at home after saying on Tuesday that Israel is doing the West's "dirty work" by striking Iran's nuclear facilities. Speaking on the sidelines of the G7 summit, Merz praised Israel's actions as "courageous," saying he has the "greatest respect" for its military campaign against Iran. The comments have stirred backlash among German lawmakers and human-rights advocates. Critics argue Merz is normalizing targeted strikes that bypass international diplomacy and risk violating international law. However, Merz defended his stance, saying he stands by his remarks, though he declined to address criticisms directly.

World News 2: Bali flights cancelled after Indonesia volcano erupts

2025/06/19 10:00

In Indonesia, dozens of flights have been canceled or delayed after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted on Tuesday. The volcano on Flores Island erupted at around 5:35 PM local time, sending a massive ash cloud over 10 kilometers into the sky, visible up to 150 kilometers away. Authorities have raised the alert to the highest Level 4. The ash cloud prompted the cancelation and delay of flights to and from Bali's international airport. The airport in Flores also closed temporarily. Several villages near the volcano were evacuated. While no injuries have been reported, ash is falling on homes and roads, and is contaminating water supplies. According to experts, ash clouds pose serious risks to jet engines, and could linger depending on wind. They also cautioned about potential lava flows and mudslides if rain follows.

Once-in-a-century flooding swamps south China's Huaiji County

2025/06/19 10:00

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. Huaiji County in China's Guangdong Province is facing a 'once-in-a-century' flooding and mass evacuations, after heavy rainfall caused by Typhoon Wutip caused the Suijiang River to burst its banks. As of around 7 AM on Wednesday, the Huaiji hydrometric station recorded a peak river level at its highest ever recorded, some 5.22 meters above the warning threshold. Along the river, 7.8 kilometers of levees have been breached. Flooding has hit 19 towns, affecting around 300,000 residents, with more than 68,000 evacuated. Over half the county's roads are submerged, power and internet are down in many areas, and schools and businesses remain closed. More than 10,000 rescuers have been deployed to evacuate stranded residents.

Oasis in Seoul: What's happening at the restored Cheonggyecheon stream

2025/06/19 10:00

Cheonggyecheon is one of Seoul's most iconic urban streams that becomes a nice rest area especially during the hot summertime. But it wasn't this welcoming or comforting 20 years ago. Park Kun-woo tells us more. With daytime temperatures soaring past 30 degrees Celcius, people in Seoul are doing all they can to stay cool -from carrying sun umbrellas to clutching icy drinks. And for many, it's the perfect weather to enjoy the water, or even get right in. And there's a special place that's drawing big crowds -the upper part of Cheonggyecheon, temporarily opened to the public to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the stream's restoration. Laughter echoed as children and adults splashed, kicked up water, and even waded through stronger currents for fun. International tourists were also spotted easily, cooling off and snapping photos. "Living in somewhat of a big city you don't normally get to see really lovely streams like this especially when it's so hot and humid. Kind of refreshing to be able to step in the water. It was a lot of fun." But for Seoulites, Cheonggyecheon isn't just for play, it also offers a peaceful escape from the heat. "It's been so hot lately, but by the stream, it feels cool, so it's a great place to rest. I often like coming out here for some fresh air especially as sitting all day at work feels stuffy." That comfort is the result of a remarkable transformation that began two decades ago. "Cheonggyecheon was once hidden under concrete during Korea's industrial boom. Restoring it raised environmental concerns -but now it's clean enough for native fish and birds to thrive. A true case of urban ecological revival." In fact, the stream is home to around 20 native fish species, including the Korean spotted barbel, which only survives in grade-two or cleaner water. And that's thanks to regular water and bacteria tests conducted to maintain quality. Beyond ecosystem revival, the stream is widely recognized as a successful model of urban water management, offering more than just eco-friendly value. "Cheonggyecheon helps lower the surrounding temperatures raised by heat-absorbing pavement like asphalt, and even improves air quality, acting like an air conditioner for the city." Seoul now plans to transform more than 300 kilometers of streams, running through the city, into vibrant, accessible waterfront parks just like Cheonggyecheon. And as the city moves toward a more water-sensitive future, Cheonggyecheon stands as a reminder that even in the heart of a big city, nature can make a peaceful comeback. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

'New standard' for Asian, other allies' defense spending: Pentagon chief

2025/06/19 10:00

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said there will be a "new standard" for Asian and other allies' defense spending. This comes amid speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump may call for a hike in South Korea's share of defense spending. Lee Seung-jae has more. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there will be a "new standard" for defense spending for Asian and other U.S. allies, as the Pentagon chief reiterated U.S. President Donald Trump's call for NATO members to raise defense spending to five percent of GDP. Speaking to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, Hegseth stressed that the U.S. cannot want the allies' security "more than they do." He also said NATO heads must commit to spending five percent of GDP on defense at the NATO heads of state meeting next week. The comments from the Pentagon chief come amid speculation that Trump might raise South Korea's defense spending or its share of the cost of stationing U.S. Forces Korea. Currently, South Korea's defense spending stands at around two-point-five percent of its GDP. Meanwhile, during a forum hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Wednesday, U.S. Senator Andy Kim said that the current administration's reported consideration to decrease USFK presence in South Korea is a "perfect" way to derail the Seoul-Washington relationship, especially "at a critically important moment" for the alliance. The Korean-American senator also stressed that failing to treat U.S. allies and partners differently from adversaries is a "huge" mistake,.. adding that it will cause unnecessary friction. At the same forum, former deputy secretary of state during the Joe Biden administration, Kurt Campbell warned that any substantial adjustments to the USFK troop level could be "misinterpreted" as a sign of reduced security commitment from Washington. Campbell warned that any steps that would lower the troop presence in South Korea could lead to a "crisis in confidence." The Wall Street Journal last month reported that the Pentagon was considering the idea of withdrawing some 45-hundred USFK troops to other locations in the Indo-Pacific to better calibrate U.S. force posture in Korea to deter China. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[On-point] U.S. Fed holds interest rate steady: What this means for the Korean economy

2025/06/19 10:00

The U.S. Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged for the fourth time. For more on this, we have Professor Kim Yong-Jin, Professor at Sogang Business School. Professor Kim, thanks for joining us this morning. 1. The Fed has decided to hold its key interest rate steady, and this is something that was widely expected. What's behind this decision? 2. The Fed indicated that it may cut rates twice this year. What does this imply? 3. Now with the interest rate freeze, what happens next? How will this affect the Bank of Korea's decision next month? 4. How will the Fed's latest decision affect Korean businesses and investors in Korea? 5. How do you think the government should approach trade negotiations with the U.S. to successfully reach a deal before the July deadline? Alright Professor Kim, thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

U.S. resumes visas for international students, but demands access to social media accounts

2025/06/19 10:00

The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday that it's resuming the process for foreigners to apply for student visas. However,.. in the public notice the state department said that new applicants who refuse to set their social media accounts to "public" and allow them to be reviewed may be rejected. The department added that consular officers will look for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile to the U.S., its government, culture, institutions or founding principles. Washington last month temporarily suspended the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students, while preparing its social media screening process.

President Lee Jae Myung returns from first overseas trip to Canada

2025/06/19 10:00

President Lee Jae Myung returned to South Korea early this morning, following a three-day trip to Canada to attend the G7 Summit. Korea's Air Force One landed at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam City just after 1 AM. President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung were welcomed by presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik and senior secretary for political affairs Woo Sang-ho. Later this afternoon, the president is scheduled to preside over a Cabinet meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office.

U.S. Federal Reserve holds rates steady amid tariff uncertainty

2025/06/19 10:00

The U.S. Federal Reserve has kept its key rate unchanged for the fourth straight meeting in June, citing economic uncertainty stemming from Trump's tariff policy and rising inflation. Moon Ji-young reports. The U.S. Federal Reserve kept its key rate unchanged for the fourth straight meeting Wednesday and lowered the country's economic growth outlook. This keeps the rate in the 4-point-two-five to 4-point-five percent range and marks the fourth consecutive rate freeze since Trump took office, despite pressure to make cuts. "What we're waiting for to reduce rates is to understand what will happen with, really, the tariff inflation. And there's a lot of uncertainty about that." So far, inflation has remained relatively tame, near the Fed's target of 2 percent. However, economists warn it may take months for the effects of tariffs to be felt. Inflation has also seen recent upward pressure from rising oil prices driven by the conflict between Israel and Iran. However, Fed officials still foresee two interest rate cuts by the end of this year, the same as they projected in March. The central bank's latest quarterly projections show noticeably weaker growth, higher inflation, and slightly higher unemployment by the end of this year, than it had forecast in March. For this year, Fed officials expect inflation to rise to 3 percent, unemployment to increase to 4-point-5 percent, and growth to slow to 1-point-4 percent. The Fed also projects GDP to grow by 1-point-4 percent in 2025, down from 1-point-7 percent projected in March. "Following growth of 2.5% last year, GDP was reported to have edged down in the first quarter, reflecting swings in net exports that were driven by businesses bringing in imports ahead of potential tariffs." President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Powell for not cutting rates, increasing pressure on the central bank. But the Fed Chairman dismissed criticism, saying "we're in a good place." Meanwhile, this week's decision has widened the benchmark rate gap between South Korea and the U.S. at up to 2 percentage points with the Bank of Korea slashing its key rate to 2-point-5 percent in its last meeting in May. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

Stock

2025/06/18 20:00

2025. 6. 18. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 2,972.19 ▲21.89 +0.74% KOSDAQ : 779.73 ▲4.08 +0.53% KOSPI200 : 398.86 ▲3.68 +0.93% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 38,885.15 ▲348.41 +0.90% HANG SENG : 23,710.69 ▼269.61 -1.12% SHANGHAI : 3,388.81 ▲1.40 +0.04% WALL STREET (June 17) DOW JONES : 42,215.80 ▼299.29 -0.70% NASDAQ : 19,521.09 ▼180.12 -0.91% S&P500 : 5,982.72 ▼50.39 -0.84% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,369.40 (+6.70) JPY : 944.77 (+3.22) CNY : 190.51 (+0.75) EUR : 1,576.80 (+0.77)

[Weather] The weather gets hotter and hotter, rain in the second half of the week

2025/06/18 20:00

The summer heat is getting stronger and stronger all over the country. Today, the daytime temperature in Seoul rose up to 31 degrees Celsius and it will rise to 32 degrees tomorrow. Please take care not to get any heat-related illnesses under such hot conditions. The rainy season will begin in inland areas in the second half of the week. It will rain in the central parts of the country and Jeollabuk-do Province from tomorrow night. Heavy rain is forecast across the country on Friday. Up to 80 millimeters of rain is expected in northern parts of Gyeonggi-do Province and northern parts of Gangwon-do Province and 10 to 60 millimeters in other regions. Tomorrow morning, Seoul and Jeju will start off at 22 degrees, Chuncheon at 18 degrees. Highs will move up to 32 degrees in Seoul and Daejeon, 34 degrees in Gyeongju. Rain in the central parts of the country will continue until the weekend. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Oasis in Seoul: What's happening at the restored Cheonggyecheon stream

2025/06/18 20:00

Cheonggyecheon is one of Seoul's most iconic urban streams that becomes a nice rest area especially during the hot summertime. But it wasn't this welcoming or comforting 20 years ago. Park Kun-woo tells us more. With daytime temperatures soaring past 30 degrees Celcius, people in Seoul are doing all they can to stay cool -from carrying sun umbrellas to clutching icy drinks. And for many, it's the perfect weather to enjoy the water, or even get right in. And there's a special place that's drawing big crowds -the upper part of Cheonggyecheon, temporarily opened to the public to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the stream's restoration. Laughter echoed as children and adults splashed, kicked up water, and even waded through stronger currents for fun. International tourists were also spotted easily, cooling off and snapping photos. "Living in somewhat of a big city you don't normally get to see really lovely streams like this especially when it's so hot and humid. Kind of refreshing to be able to step in the water. It was a lot of fun." But for Seoulites, Cheonggyecheon isn't just for play, it also offers a peaceful escape from the heat. "It's been so hot lately, but by the stream, it feels cool, so it's a great place to rest. I often like coming out here for some fresh air especially as sitting all day at work feels stuffy." That comfort is the result of a remarkable transformation that began two decades ago. "Cheonggyecheon was once hidden under concrete during Korea's industrial boom. Restoring it raised environmental concerns -but now it's clean enough for native fish and birds to thrive. A true case of urban ecological revival." In fact, the stream is home to around 20 native fish species, including the Korean spotted barbel, which only survives in grade-two or cleaner water. And that's thanks to regular water and bacteria tests conducted to maintain quality. Beyond ecosystem revival, the stream is widely recognized as a successful model of urban water management, offering more than just eco-friendly value. "Cheonggyecheon helps lower the surrounding temperatures raised by heat-absorbing pavement like asphalt, and even improves air quality, acting like an air conditioner for the city." Seoul now plans to transform more than 300 kilometers of streams, running through the city, into vibrant, accessible waterfront parks just like Cheonggyecheon. And as the city moves toward a more water-sensitive future, Cheonggyecheon stands as a reminder that even in the heart of a big city, nature can make a peaceful comeback. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

S. Korea, U.S., Japan hold combined air exercise for first time since Pres. Lee took office

2025/06/18 20:00

For the first time under the Lee administration, South Korea, the United States, and Japan held combined air drills on Wednesday morning, in waters off the southern part of Jeju Island. This also marked the first joint air exercises since January. Two South Korea F-15K fighter jets, six U.S. F-16s, and two Japanese F-2s participated. The drills were conducted to boost trilateral security cooperation to deter North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats, the Air Force said, and added that it plans to continue three-way drills on the back of a firm Seoul-Washington alliance.

Pyongyang to send 6,000 personnel to Russia for reconstruction; Seoul condemns move

2025/06/18 20:00

North Korea is dispatching at least 6 thousand military personnel to Russia so that they can help rebuild a Russian city damaged by its war with Ukraine. The deployment marks a new phase in Pyongyang's deepening partnership with Moscow, and it's drawing concerns from Seoul. Kim Jung-sil reports. North Korea is sending thousands of military construction workers to Russia's Kursk region: including 5,000 construction workers to rebuild damaged infrastructure and 1,000 sappers to clear the area of landmines. The decision was announced by Russia's top security official, Sergei Shoigu after he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on Tuesday afternoon , their second meeting in just two weeks. "It's a gesture of brotherly support from the North Korean people and their leader, Kim Jong-un." North Korea is believed to have already sent some 12,000 combat troops to Russia's Kursk region since October. South Korean intelligence says around 600 have been killed, with total casualties nearing 4,700. Analysts say Pyongyang's support isn't without strings , and it's likely expecting a payoff. "North Korea will likely get advanced systems like the Pantsir air defense weapon and reconnaissance satellite technology." Professor Kim added that Pyongyang will also likely receive oil and food supplies in return , crucial support as it struggles under sanctions and isolation. Other analysts say the visit also reflects shared concerns over Washington's recent signals regarding the situation in the Middle East. "With Trump doubling down on saying Iran must never get nuclear weapons, Russia may be reassuring North Korea , which has taken real risks for Moscow and still wants full recognition as a nuclear power." Pyongyang gave no details on the new deployment but said the two sides exchanged views on global and regional issues and reached full consensus. A South Korean presidential office official on Wednesday called the deployment "concerning" and said Seoul "does not support it". Earlier, the Foreign Ministry said the employment of North Korean workers abroad violates UN Security Council resolutions and called on Pyongyang and Moscow to halt their cooperation. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

Israel-Iran conflict continues as Trump warns Iran while U.S. involvement in question

2025/06/18 20:00

The Middle East conflict intensifies as Israel and Iran exchange strikes on the sixth consecutive day. Lee Eun-hee has the latest. A new wave of strikes has shaken cities in both Israel and Iran as the conflict between the two countries enters its sixth day. U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for Iran's "unconditional surrender," declaring that the U.S now holds "complete and total control of the skies over Iran." He also said that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is "an easy target," and that America's "patience is wearing thin." Not backing down, Iran's supreme leader posted on social media early Wednesday, declaring to Israel that "The battle begins." Following his warning to Iran, the U.S. President held a National Security Council meeting in Washington after abruptly leaving the G7 summit a day early on Monday. The White House has yet to provide an official statement following the 80-minute meeting, but CNN reports that officials familiar with the discussions say Trump is weighing options and growing more open to using U.S. military assets to strike Iranian nuclear facilities and that he spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Amid the possibility of change in Trump's approach, sources say he is still open to a diplomatic solution if Iran is willing to make concessions. According to Reuters, meanwhile, fighter aircraft have been deployed to the Middle East already, although U.S. military officials have emphasized their defensive nature. So far, Washington's involvement in the conflict has remained defensive, supporting Israel by helping intercept Iranian missile attacks. The pressing question is whether the United States will intervene in the Israel-Iran conflict with military support or push for a diplomatic resolution, as civilians flee and the death toll continues to rise. According to Iranian state media, more than 2-hundred-20 people have been killed since Israel began bombing Iran on Friday. Iranian attacks on Israel have resulted in at least 24 deaths. Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.

[Politics & Diplomacy] President Lee ends diplomatic freeze with first overseas trip

2025/06/18 20:00

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is currently on his way back home after wrapping up his first overseas trip, attending the G7 Summit in Canada. To walk us through the key takeaways from his three-day visit, our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin joins us in the studio. Welcome, Yoo-jin. Great to be here. Yoo-jin, let's begin with the significance of this trip. There was uncertainty at first over whether President Lee would attend the G7 at all. That's right, Dami. The trip came just 12 days after President Lee took office, making this the fastest overseas debut by a South Korean president. For comparison, it took President Yoon Suk Yeol 49 days, Moon Jae-in 51 days, and Park Geun-hye 70 days. Despite the tight timeline, President Lee made the decision to attend. Here's what he told reporters aboard the Air Force One: South Korea experienced a period of stalled diplomacy after former President Yoon's martial law debacle last December. It was certainly a meaningful debut. Let's turn to the results. While he delivered remarks at the G7's expanded session, much attention was on his bilateral meetings. Let's start with Tuesday's summit with Japan. That was one of the most anticipated. A meeting had been scheduled with U.S. President Donald Trump, but that fell through after he returned to Washington early due to what was going on in the Middle East. However, President Lee did meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, marking their first summit. "I truly hope that, marking the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic ties, exchanges will grow not just between our two governments and businesses, but also between our people. I look forward to Korea and Japan working together in a way that contributes more to the region and to the world." During the 30-minute meeting, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to regular summit-level meetings while agreeing to strengthen trilateral coordination with the United States, particularly in responding to regional geopolitical challenges, including North Korea. A senior Presidential Office official told reporters the talks were held in a positive, friendly atmosphere, and both leaders expressed interest in frequent reciprocal visits. Aside from Japan, President Lee also met with several other world leaders on Tuesday. That's right. He held one-on-ones with six other heads of state, plus UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Among the G7 members, he met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. "The leaders of South Korea and the UK agreed to move forward on updating their post-Brexit FTA. They also discussed working together on Korean Peninsula peace and security." In his summit with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Lee emphasized defense cooperation, mentioning the participation of Korean companies in Canada's submarine acquisition program, with contracts expected to be finalized by 2028. He also held summits with the leaders of Brazil, Mexico, India, and the European Union, where economic cooperation was high on the agenda. And President Lee's summit diplomacy began on Monday with other G7 invitees. That's right. He kicked off his visit with meetings with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, also focusing on economic and security cooperation. Throughout his bilateral meetings with a total of nine heads of state, the Presidential Office says President Lee prioritized personal rapport and pragmatic diplomacy. "President Lee engaged comfortably with all the leaders, drawing on his prior knowledge of their personal backgrounds, political careers, and governing philosophies, while also using his trademark humor to build rapport." "In virtually every bilateral meeting, there were focused discussions on advancing practical cooperation in areas like trade, investment, supply chains, and energy, aimed at delivering real benefits for the Korean economy and businesses." It seems like a strong start, but there's still a major task left: meeting with President Trump. Any updates on when that could happen? That's the big question. The canceled summit drew attention, especially with 25 percent reciprocal tariffs set to take effect if Korea fails to reach a deal with the U.S. by July 8th. According to a senior official, talks are ongoing to arrange a meeting at another multilateral engagement. One possibility is next week's NATO Summit, but President Lee's attendance hasn't been confirmed. We'll be watching that closely. Yoo-jin, thank you for the wrap-up today. My pleasure.

Zelenskyy calls for strengthened sanctions against Russia at G7

2025/06/18 20:00

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also in Canada, but his trip ended up not being so fruitful, with no Trump meeting or a joint statement on the Ukraine war by the G7 members. Lee Seung-jae has more. During the G7 Summit in Canada, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday called on member nations to invest in Ukraine's defense technologies. The comments were made at the special G7 leaders' meeting for Ukraine, where Zelenskyy shared details of Russia's missile and drone strikes targeting civilians in his country. The Ukrainian leader said Russia's upgrading of Iranian drones and its cooperation with North Korea, is the reason Ukraine is actively working on the development of interceptor drones, and why the country requires additional funding for their production. Zelenskyy also called for tougher sanctions on Russia, stressing that the EU's 18th sanctions package must reinforce restrictions on Russia's banking and energy sectors. He also called on G7 leaders to impose a strict price cap on Russian oil. During a meeting between Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the same day, the Canadian leader announced that his country will provide Ukraine with a new military package worth more than 2 billion U.S. dollars. Carney says the new military aid will give Ukraine drones, helicopters and ammunition. Canada will also provide Ukraine with a two-point-three billion dollar loan to help it rebuild public infrastructure destroyed by years of Russian bombing. Meanwhile, the Kremlin on Tuesday said U.S. President Donald Trump was right to say that it was wrong to remove Russia from the Group of Eight in 2014. The comments come as Trump said at the G7 Summit on Monday that the G8 had been wrong to expel Russia after annexing Crimea from Ukraine. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, despite being expelled from the group,.. the G7 had "lost practical significance" for Russia and looked "rather useless" now. While the G7 Summit takes place in Canada, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit with the leaders of five Central Asian countries on Tuesday. During the summit in Astana,.. Xi criticized Trump's tariff policy, saying that there are no winners in a tariff war. Xi said China and the five Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will strengthen its cooperation, as Beijing looks to further deepen cooperation on trade, energy and infrastructure with the resource-rich region. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

Analysis with experts on Pres. Lee's first global diplomatic attendance at the G7 Summit

2025/06/18 20:00

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has returned from his two-day visit to Canada, where he attended the G7 Summit as a guest — marking not only his first overseas trip since taking office but also his official debut on the global diplomatic stage. The visit, grounded in what Lee has called "national-interest-based pragmatic diplomacy," included back-to-back summits with leaders from nine countries and a brief meeting with the UN secretary-general. Most notably, Lee sat down with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for the first Korea-Japan summit under his leadership — just in time for the 60th anniversary of the normalization of ties between the two countries. However, the much-anticipated summit with U.S. President Donald Trump was postponed due to Trump's emergency return to Washington. All eyes are now on what comes next for Korea's summit diplomacy. To delve deeper into this, we connect to Hannah Kim, associate professor at Sogang University GSIS. And also with Daniel Connolly, associate professor of international relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. 1. (Kim) Let's start with President Lee Jae Myung's debut on the global stage. He's now returned from his first-ever appearance at the G7 Summit. The presidential office called it a restart of high-level diplomacy that had long been stalled. From a pragmatic diplomacy standpoint, how do you assess the significance of his presence at the summit? 2. (Connolly) One of the notable outcomes from the G7 was President Lee's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. It was the first Korea-Japan summit under the Lee administration, and remarkably, one of the earliest such meetings by any incoming Korean president. How do you view the significance of this bilateral encounter? 3. (Kim) Adding to that, the presidential office emphasized that this meeting may help create a pathway for resolving historical disputes more smoothly. From here on forward, what kind of approach should the Lee administration take in steering Korea-Japan relations? 4. (Connolly) Switching focus to the U.S., a highly anticipated meeting with President Donald Trump didn't materialize. Some had hoped it could open the door to new trade talks. Realistically, when do you think we might see that first summit between President Lee and President Trump? 5. (Connolly) Though the delay in the Korea-U.S. summit is disappointing, some argue that President Trump's focus on broader global priorities might ultimately benefit Korea. What diplomatic impact do you see from the postponed summit? 6. (Kim) Turning to the broader strategic landscape — over the past few years, the G7 has taken a consistent stance on curbing China's influence. As President Lee continues to emphasize pragmatic diplomacy, how should Korea position itself between the competing interests of the U.S. and China? 7. (Connolly) Even though Korea is not a formal G7 member, President Lee attended this year's summit as an invited participant. He even proposed the idea of a potential "G7 Plus." Do you believe this visit effectively communicated Korea's readiness to engage and contribute to the G7's global agenda? 8. (Kim) President Lee spoke twice during the G7's expanded sessions — focusing first on energy security and critical mineral supply chains, then on the link between AI and energy demand. He outlined Korea's plans to lead in both areas, including through the Mineral Security Partnership and AI semiconductor development. Do you think these proposals will translate into real cooperation with other nations? 9. (Connolly) Meanwhile, the presidential office has said that such summit-level diplomacy could play a role in Korea's economic recovery. In your view, how impactful could the G7 Summit be in resolving trade challenges and supporting the broader economy? 10. (Kim) And looking ahead, attention is turning to The Hague, where the NATO Summit will be held on June 24th and 25th. President Lee is reportedly leaning toward attending. If he does, what should we be paying attention to from the standpoint of pragmatic diplomacy?

World leaders address energy security at G7; Pres. Lee shares Korea's contributions

2025/06/18 17:00

We start over in Canada where President Lee Jae-myung joined members of the Group of Seven and their partners for the extended summit session on a host of mutual concerns on Tuesday local time. Our top office correspondent Yoon Jung-min starts us off. It was all smiles with a warm welcome in Kananaskis, Canada, as the Group of Seven began its expanded session with an official welcome and a group photo, with the notable absence of U.S. President Donald Trump. Invited were several guest countries, including South Korea, Australia and India for some crucial discussions. "For common problems in energy security, common opportunities in new technologies from information technology, IT, AI, quantum computing. The need to have reliable supplies that this table can produce." The new South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung took the opportunity, on his debut on the global stage, for multilateral summit diplomacy. His focus was on Korea's vision for diversifying energy, aiming to expand renewable energy and upgrade the country's power supply system at a time when there's more power demand due to the use of AI. Also addressed were securing critical minerals within the international framework and forging a global AI ecosystem, stressing Korea's role and contribution along the way. "Amid a major shift in global economic security, we have made clear our vision and role by actively taking part in discussing pending global issues. We have consolidated the status of the Republic of Korea as a "G7 Plus" country." As Korea resumes its full-fledged diplomacy, the new president took the first step at the G7, having unveiled Korea's visions for energy and AI. Now, many are watching whether more summit diplomacy would follow at the upcoming NATO summit next week. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News, Calgary.

[Weather] Temperatures are getting hotter and hotter

2025/06/18 17:00

The heat is continuing across the country. It's going to get hotter and hotter. The daytime temperature in Seoul rose up to 31 degrees Celsius today and will rise to 32 degrees tomorrow. You should be careful to avoid heat-related illnesses under such hot conditions. In the second half of the week, inland areas will also enter the rainy season. It will rain in the central parts of the country and Jeollabuk-do Province from tomorrow night. On Friday, heavy rain is expected across the country. Up to 80 millimeters of rain is forecast in northern parts of Gyeonggi-do Province and northern parts of Gangwon-do Province, with 10 to 60 millimeters in other areas. Tomorrow morning, Seoul and Jeju will start off at 22 degrees, Daejeon at 20 degrees. Highs will move up to 32 degrees in Seoul and Daejeon, 33 degrees in Chuncheon and Daegu. Rain in the central parts of the country will stop on the weekend. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.