Last updated : 2020.07.24 Korea 24 is a daily current affairs show that covers all the biggest stories coming out of South Korea. Every weekday, Korea 24 brings you the latest news updates, as well as in-depth analysis on the most important issues with experts and special guests, providing comprehensive insight into the events on the peninsula.

Korea24 – 2020.07.23. (Thursday)

<코리아24 이벤트 진행중!>

코리아24 인스타그램 계정 (@kbs_korea24)에서는 여름 휴가철을 맞아 조심스럽지만 작은 이벤트를 진행하고 있습니다. 7월 23일과 7월 30일 이틀간 Explore Korea 코너에서 한국의 아름다운 절을 소개할 예정인데요, 마침 한국 불교문화사업단으로부터 템플스테이 50장을 지원받았습니다. 코리아24 인스타그램 계정을 팔로우한 후 이벤트 게시글에 방문하고 싶으신 절을 댓글로 달아 주세요! 추첨을 통해 50분께 템플스테이 체험권을 드립니다.

(코로나19 상황 때문에 한국에 계신 분들만 응모 가능한 점 양해 부탁드립니다)

- News Briefing: At Unification Minister-nominee Rep. Lee In-young's confirmation hearing on Thursday, North Korean defector-turned-lawmaker Thae Yong-ho and other main opposition representatives grilled the nominee over his alleged pro-North Korea record. (Robert Koehler)

- In-Depth News Analysis Part 1: Professor Robert Kelly discusses the U.S. State Department's order to close China's Consulate in Houston, Texas as it accused Chinese agents of attempting to steal data from American biomedical research facilities. He also talks about the worsening Sino-US tensions that continue to put South Korea into an awkward position.

- In-Depth News Analysis Part 2: Economics Professor Yang Jun-suk from the Catholic University of Korea discusses the South Korean economy as it is still reeling from the economic fallout due to the COVID-19 pandemic as its economy contracted more than 3% from Q1 to Q2, the worst in 22 years.

- Korea Trending with Lee Ju-young: The South Korean Government pushes to increase the number of doctors in South Korea(의대생), an affair among two government officials leads to their expulsion from office(김제시의원), and the solo artist Lee Hi(이하이) moves to the hip-hop label AOMG and releases the new single, "HOLO."

- Explore Korea: Allison Needels of the popular travel blog "What's 한 Your Mind," shares different Buddhist temples to visit in South Korea in part one of a two-part series. This week we go to Jogyesa(조계사), Bongeunsa(봉은사), and Haedong Yonggungsa(해동용궁사).

- Morning Edition Preview with Mark Wilson-Choi: Mark shares a Korea Times article that features one of the country's most in-demand interior designers Teo Yang, and an article from the Korea Herald that talks about the growing market of audiobooks in South Korea.

Korea24 – 2020.07.22. (Wednesday)

- News Briefing: On Wednesday, the National Assembly began a three-day hearing on the government's handling of political, diplomatic, and security matters. On the first day of the interpellation session, the main opposition United Future Party(UFP) lambasted Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun for the government's handling of the sexual harassment scandal involving late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon. (Sam Len)

- In-Depth News Analysis: Lt. General Chun In-bum and Colonel David Maxwell discuss US Defense Chief Mark Esper's statement that he did not issue orders to withdraw forces from South Korea, though concerns surrounding the issue still remain.

- Korea Trending with Jacco Zwetsloot: Strict quarantine rules are to be lifted from South Korean churches later in the week(종교소모임), a tanker truck explodes at a chemical factory in the western city of Incheon(인천공장폭발), and world-class midfielder Ki Sung-yueng(기성용) returns to South Korea to play for K League 1’s Seoul FC.

- Korea Book Club: Barry Welsh shares “The Disaster Tourist(밤의 여행자들)” by Yun Ko-eun(윤고은). Barry discusses how Yun satirically criticizes the relationship between capitalization and climate change as well as tourism in developing countries.

- Morning Edition Preview with Mark Wilson-Choi: Mark shares an article from the Korea Herald that talks about the history and ideas behind certain acts that people express their dissatisfaction with politicians, including the act of throwing eggs and shoes as well as satirical paintings. Then he talks about a feature in the Korea Herald that covers the opening of the largest-ever exhibition for kids at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA).

Korea24 – 2020.07.21. (Tuesday)

- News Briefing: SpaceX successfully launched on Monday South Korea's first military satellite from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. (Robert Koehler)

- In-Depth News Analysis: Law Professor Song Se-ryun from Kyunghee University and Professor Kim Byoung-joo from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies discuss the floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party Kim Tae-nyeon's(김태년) call for the relocation of major government bodies to Sejong City in an effort to counter the soaring housing prices.

- Korea Trending with Lee Ju-young: A star lecturer(전한길) jumps ship to another company that leaves students stunned and upset, actor Kim Min-seok(김민석) catches a man illegally filming a woman, and the prestigious football award Ballon d'Or(발롱도르) is cancelled due to the pandemic.

- Touch Base in Seoul: Poet, author, and translator EJ Koh talks about her latest memoir, "The Magical Language of Others." She shares how translating her mother's letters helped her understand her family more, and also talks about her project where she writes love letters to complete strangers.

- Morning Edition Preview with Mark Wilson-Choi: Korea Times has a story that features author Hallie Bradley, who released her bilingual children's bedtime storybook, "The Sun & The Moon Story."

Korea24 – 2020.07.20 (Monday)

- News Briefing: Monday marks exactly six months since the day South Korea reported its first case of COVID-19. The number of daily new coronavirus cases in Korea fell to a month-low of 26, with only 4 local infections, the lowest in 73 days. Local infections have been in a continued decline though authorities continue to keep a watchful eye on imported cases. (Sam Len)

- In-Depth News Analysis Part 1: Michael R. Gordon, national security correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, discusses the exclusive report that he wrote on the possible reduction of the USFK.

- In-Depth News Analysis Part 2: J.P. Singh, Professor of International Commerce and Policy at the Schar School of Policy and Government of George Mason University, discusses the World Trade Organization(WTO)’s process of appointing a new Director-General from a list of eight candidates, including South Korea Minister for Trade Yoo Myung-hee.

- Korea Trending with Jacco Zwetsloot: A worm-like creature is found in a Seoul apartment's bathroom(서울 수돗물 유충), the government is considers making August 17 a temporary holiday(8월 17일 임시공휴일 지정 검토), and the new K-pop boy group TREASURE is set to debut next month(트레저 8월 7일).

- Sports: Yoo Jee-ho from Yonhap News Agency talks about the K League 1's Ulsan FC getting its third straight win, the NC Dinos looking to take first place as other squads battle it out for second, and pitcher Ryu Hyun-Jin(류현진) who is set to start for the Toronto Blue Jays.

- Morning Edition Preview with Mark Wilson-Choi: Mark shares an article from the Korea Times that features Korean-American celebrity chef Austin Kang and a Korea Herald article that covers the upcoming "Open Theater 2020" project.

Korea24 – 2020.07.17 (Friday)

News Briefing: In a speech marking Constitution Day on Friday, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug(박병석) proposed a discussion on constitutional revision after the country overcomes the COVID-19 crisis. (Sam Len)

In-Depth News Analysis (Weekly Economy Review): Professor Yang Jun-suk of the Catholic University of Korea gives us his take on the recently revealed "Korean New Deal(한국판 뉴딜)," especially on the massive injections for the "Digital New Deal" and the "Green New Deal" made in an effort to create millions of new jobs.

Korea Trending with Jacco Zwetsloot: The Seoul Government's advisor on gender equality(임순영 젠더특보) hands in her letter of resignation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) investigates the recent hacking of influential people's Twitter accounts(트위터 해킹), and the Ladies Professional Golf Association(LPGA) sets to resume but without on-site spectators.

Movie Spotlight: Film critics Darcy Paquet and Jason Bechervaise share the zombie flick "Peninsula(반도)," set in the same cinematic universe as "Train to Busan(부산행)." Then they discuss the Chinese film "Better Days(소년시절의 너)," a film that deals with the issues faced by Chinese teens.

Next Week from Seoul: Mark Wilson-Choi brings us stories to look out for the following week, such as the South Korean parliament's agenda including speeches and confirmation hearings.

Korea24 – 2020.07.16. (Thursday)

- News Briefing: In his speech marking the opening of the 21st National Assembly on Thursday, President Moon Jae-in presented his "Korean New Deal" calling for an end to partisan confrontation and hostility, and replacing it with an "era of cooperation and compromise." (Robert Koehler)

- In-Depth News Analysis: Law Professors Cho Hee-kyung from Hongik University(홍익대학교) and Park Yong-chul from Sogang University(서강대학교) discuss the heated debate on whether a criminal investigation should be carried out against late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon's(박원순) alleged sexual misconduct.

- Korea Trending with Lee Ju-young: South Korean reserve forces postpone training again to September(예비군 훈련), small worm-like creatures appear in the tap water of Incheon households(인천 수돗물 유충), and South Korean celebrities are accused of not following product placement guidelines on the video streaming platform YouTube(한혜연, 강민경 유튜브 간접광고).

- Explore Korea: Andy St. Louis shares two summer group exhibitions in Seoul. "Inside Out: The Body Politic" at Lehmann Maupin(리만 머핀) gives perspectives on the politics of society and "Next of Kin" at Various Small Fires(VSF 갤러리) delves into the concept of family.

Korea24 – 2020.07.15. (Wednesday)

- News Briefing: On Wednesday, Seoul City officials said they will form a joint public-private investigation team to investigate the sexual harassment allegations made against the late Mayor Park Won-soon(박원순). (Sam Len)

- In-Depth News Analysis: Daniel Connolly, Assistant Professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, discusses the South Korean government's plans to revoke the licenses of two North Korea defector groups involved with anti-Pyongyang leaflet campaigns, and whether the measure impedes on the freedom of speech.

- Korea Trending with Jacco Zwetsloot: An experimental COVID-19 vaccine gives positive results, an appeals court upholds a life sentence for a South Korean woman(고유정) convicted of murdering her ex-husband, and the zombie flick "Peninsula(반도)" is invited to the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival.

- Korea Book Club: Barry Welsh shares “Bluebeard’s First Wife (푸른 수염의 첫 번째 아내)” by Ha Seong-nan(하성란). He discusses how Ha’s “microscopic depiction” created the thought-provoking collection of short stories, and how the recent English translation is one of the best books of 2020.

- Morning Edition Preview with Mark Wilson-Choi: Mark shares an article from the Korea Herald that talks about the "Workplace Anti-bullying Law," a year after it was made to combat abusive conduct by those in power. He then shares an article from the Korea Times that talks about actress Lee Young-ae receiving a letter of gratitude from the First Lady of Uzbekistan.

Last updated : 2020.07.14 Korea 24 is a daily current affairs show that covers all the biggest stories coming out of South Korea. Every weekday, Korea 24 brings you the latest news updates, as well as in-depth analysis on the most important issues with experts and special guests, providing comprehensive insight into the events on the peninsula.

Korea24 – 2020.07.13. (Monday)

- News Briefing Part 1: Seoul-based journalist Raphael Rashid discusses late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon's(박원순) funeral service and covers controversies surrounding the mayor, including today’s press conference revealing details on his alleged sexual misconduct.

- News Briefing Part 2: The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(KCDC) has once again reported over 60 new COVID-19 cases amid an increasing number of infections from abroad. (Sam Len)

- In-Depth News Analysis: Nicole Narea, Immigration reporter for the American news website Vox, discusses the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) policy of stripping international students’ visas if they don’t take any in-person courses for the upcoming fall semester.

- Korea Trending with Jacco Zwetsloot: Controversy surrounds the burial of the Korean War veteran Paik Sun-yup(백선엽), drivers of a car accident are booked on charges of violating the Min-sik law(민식이법), and actor Ha Jung-woo(하정우) is probed for the illegal use of the anesthetic drug, propofol(프로포폴).

- Sports: Yoo Jee-ho from Yonhap News Agency talks about the K League 1's Ulsan FC landing back on top of the ranks, two of the best KBO squads setting to square off and Kim Joo Hyung(김주형) making history as he wins his first KPGA title at the age of 18.

- Morning Edition Preview with Mark Wilson-Choi: Mark shares an article from the Korea Herald that talks about international students' lives in South Korea amid the pandemic. He also shares a Korea Times feature on Park Nae-joo, one of the country's premier hairstylists that works with some of the biggest names in K-pop.