Korea24 – 2022.10.11 (Tuesday)

News Briefing: President Yoon Suk Yeol responded to North Korea's announcement of its recent tactical nuclear weapons training, saying that the regime will gain nothing from its nuclear program. This comes as North Korean state media on Monday reported on massive military drills that lasted more than two weeks. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected the training, and noted that he has no plans to talk to enemies. The state-run media said that the ballistic missile tests included a "simulation of loading tactical nuclear warheads," hinting at the North's short-range nuclear striking capabilities. (Eunice Kim)

In-Depth News Analysis:

President Yoon Suk Yeol said North Korea has nothing to gain from nuclear weapons, as North Korea unveiled photos of missile drills with its leader, Kim Jong-un. The North Korean leader said the drills demonstrated the country’s nuclear ability while saying there is nothing to discuss with his enemies. Professor Robert Kelly from Pusan National University joins the show to discuss the escalating tensions in the Korean Peninsula.

Korea Trending with Jenny Suh:

1. While we are seeing less cases of COVID-19 worldwide, another fatal virus is spreading in Africa. The Ebola virus, with an average fatality rate of 50%, has already claimed 30 livesin Uganda over the last month. (에볼라 확산 주의보)

2. A teenager in Ulsan called the police pretending he was talking to his mother on the phone. The police tracked his phone to get him out of a potentially dangerous situation. (“어머니, 어머니…” 떨리는 112전화, 경찰이 눈치챘다)

3.Shin Hye-sung, a member of the long-running idol group Shinhwa, has been apprehended for refusing to take a breathalyzer after driving under the influence. His management company officially apologized. (신혜성, 음주운전 체포 사과)

Touch Base In Seoul: KBS WORLD Radio’s seventh Korean Language Speech Contest attracted participants from all around the world. Faith Lwayo, a medical student from South Africa who also goes by her Korean name 초미, is one of the finalists for this year’s contest. To tell us more about how she encountered the Korean language and how she became a finalist in this year’s Korean Language Speech Contest, Faith Lwayo joins us via video.

Morning Edition Preview with Richard Larkin:

- Choi Jae-hee from the Korea Herald writes about how some 30% percent of international schools in Korea were found to have been using textbooks that refer to the East Sea and the Sea of Japan.

- In tomorrow’s Korea Times, Park Han-sol writes about next year's trends as predicted by the upcoming book “Trend Korea 2023.”

Korea24 – 2022.10.10 (Monday)

Issue Briefing: We take a look back at South Korea’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine measures the nation adopted. We also discuss how the measures affected people’s lives and the economy, as well as how and when the remaining measures might be lifted. (Koo Hee-jin)

In-Depth News Analysis: Dr. Alice Tan from MizMedi Women's Hospital in Korea and Neil Mabbott, Professor of Immunology at the University of Edinburgh in the UK join us on the line to give their assessment of the COVID-19 situation in South Korea and the world, and Korea’s plans to keep remaining pandemic restrictions until next year. They also discuss whether we are reaching the end of the pandemic, and what risks remain.

Hangeul Day Special Segment: Contributor Walter Lee joins us to tell us about how Hangeul, the Korean writing system, was created and promulgated by King Sejong almost six centuries ago. He also walks us through how Korea came to designate a national holiday to celebrate Hangeul.

Korea24 – 2022.10.07 (Friday)

News Briefing: South Korea and the US have begun more joint naval drills, in a further response to North Korea’s recent missile provocations. (Koo Hee-jin)

In-Depth News Analysis (Weekly Economy Review): It was revealed this week that US President Joe Biden sent a letter to President Yoon Suk Yeol acknowledging Seoul’s concerns over the US Inflation Reduction Act, which only gives tax credits to electric vehicles assembled in North America in a major blow to Korean automakers. We take a closer look at the significance of this letter, as well as Korea’s slowing inflation, with Economics Professor Yang Jun-sok from the Catholic University of Korea.

Korea Trending with Walter Lee:

1. At least 38, including 22 young children, were killed after a shooting and stabbing rampage by a former police officer at a childcare center in Thailand. (태국 어린이집서 총기난사 사건…어린이 22명 등 최소 38명 숨져)

2. The government approved former KDCA Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong, known for spearheading South Korea’s COVID-19 response efforts, to work at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. (정은경 前질병청장, 분당서울대병원 취업)

3. Netflix has stopped airing the Korean drama series “Little Women” in Vietnam amid allegations the show distorted historical facts regarding the Vietnam War. ('작은 아씨들', 베트남 넷플릭스서 방영 중단 "주의 기울일 것")

Movie Spotlight: The 27th edition of the Busan International Film Festival kicked off on Wednesday. 243 films from 71 countries will be screened over its 10-day run, including 89 world premieres and 12 international premieres. Jason Bechervaise and Darcy Paquet join us on the line from Busan to let us know what to expect.

Next Week From Seoul with Richard Larkin:

- South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will embark on a nine-day trip to three South American countries next week: Chile, Uruguay and Argentina.

- On Wednesday, the Bank of Korea will have the first of its last two remaining policy meetings of the year, with another interest rate hike expected.

- Seoul Fashion Week will kick off next Tuesday at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

Korea24 – 2022.10.06 (Thursday)

News Briefing: The United Nations Security Council failed to reach an agreement on a response to North Korea’s recent intermediate ballistic missile launch, with China and Russia defending the regime’s actions. (Koo Hee-jin)

In-Depth News Analysis (Korean Politics Digest): The Yoon administration this week announced plans to abolish the gender equality ministry and transfer its functions to a division under the health and welfare ministry. Meanwhile, the government also said it will look to establish new government agencies for Korean nationals abroad and immigration issues. Law Professor Song Se-ryun from Kyunghee University and Affiliate Professor Kim Byoung-joo from the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies joins us to discuss these plans.

Korea Trending with Jenny Suh:

1. A woman was stabbed to death by her husband in broad daylight earlier this week, despite being under protective measures by the police. (가정폭력 4차례 신고한 아내, 대낮 거리서 남편에 피살)

2. A missing child was found and rescued, after a driver spotted the child standing on the shoulder of a highway and reported it to the Korea Expressway Corporation. ("고속도로 갓길에 초등학생 있음"…실종아이 구한 문자 한 통)

3. U.S. President Joe Biden was caught swearing on a hot mic during a visit to Fort Myers Beach, Florida, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. (바이든 핫마이크 구설)

Explore Korea: The biggest performing arts festival in Korea has begun! The 2022 Welcome Daehakro Festival promises hundreds of performances for people of all ages throughout October, including plays, concerts, musicals, and dance performances. Our travel Explorer Hannah Roberts joins us to tell us all about the event, as well as how the Daehakro district became the mecca of theater and performing arts in Korea.

Morning Edition Preview with Richard Larkin:

- In tomorrow’s Korea Times, Kwak Yeon-soo reports on Hong Kong actor Tony Leung’s press conference after he was awarded the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award at the Busan International Film Festival.

- Tomorrow’s Korea Herald has a feature by Kim Hae-yeon on the Gangneung Coffee Festival which kicks off this week.

Korea24 – 2022.10.05 (Wednesday)

News Briefing: South Korea and the U.S. have continued to respond to Tuesday’s IRBM launch by North Korea, launching their own ground-to-ground missiles and turning back the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier. (Eunice Kim)

In-Depth News Analysis: Last week the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization released a joint policy brief calling for concrete action to address mental health issues in the workplace. It set out practical strategies for the government, employers, and workers to take. To learn more about the issue and what needs to be done, we connect with Dr. Aiysha Malik, mental health specialist at the department of mental health and substance use at the WHO in Geneva.

Korea Trending with Walter Lee:

1. The culture ministry has come under fire for issuing a warning against an agency that held a national cartoon contest, after it awarded the top prize to a highschool student for a satirical artwork depicting President Yoon Suk Yeol. (‘윤석열차’ 만화영상진흥원…문체부 “책임 묻겠다”)

2. Prosecutors are seeking a three million won fine for a man in his 50s who placed orders in restaurants and shops but failed to show up. (김밥 40줄 주문하고 '노쇼'한 50대 남성, 벌금 300만원 약식기소)

3. The SSG Landers advanced to the Korean Series after becoming the first “wire-to-wire” team in South Korea’s professional baseball history. (프로야구 SSG, 최초로 '와이어 투 와이어'로 한국시리즈 직행)

Korea Book Club: 'The Old Wrestler (퇴역 레스러)' by Jeon Sungtae (전성태) tells the story of a retired pro-wrestler who returns to his hometown, planning to reminisce about his glory days, but he begins to question his faded memories. Translated by Sora Kim Russell, literary critic Barry Welsh tells us more about this melancholic tale.

Morning Edition Preview with Richard Larkin:

- Tomorrow’s Korea Herald has a feature by Lee Jung-youn on “Hangeul Party”, an event aimed at promoting Hangeul through entertaining experiences, that was held in Vietnam last week.

- In tomorrow’s Korea Times, Ko Dong-hwan reports on a massive number of adolescent herring found dead in waters off the southeastern port city of Changwon.

Korea24 – 2022.10.04 (Tuesday)

News Briefing: South Korea and the U.S. have scrambled fighter jets to hold joint precision strike exercises in response to North Korea’s launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) over Japan on Tuesday morning. (Eunice Kim)

In-Depth News Analysis: North Korea’s IRBM launch on Tuesday morning was the fifth provocation in ten days. It was also the first time the regime launched a missile over Japan since 2017, when it carried out a nuclear test shortly after. Dr. James Kim, research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, joins us on the line to discuss North Korea’s recent provocations, the prospect of a seventh nuclear test, and NATO’s recent approval for South Korea to open a diplomatic mission in Brussels.

Korea Trending with Jenny Suh:

1. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced measures to relieve the late-night taxi shortage crisis. (심야 택시난 대책…심야호출료 올리고 강제휴무 해제)

2. Inheritance from grandparents directly to grandchildren under the age of one more than tripled last year, reaching almost 100 billion won. (작년 1살 이하 손주에게 '1,000억 원' 증여)

3. YG Entertainment, the management company of K-Pop girl group Blackpink, has requested a police investigation into the leaked private photos of member Jennie. (YG, 제니·뷔 사생활 사진 유포자 경찰에 수사의뢰)

Touch Base In Seoul: With the new Korean Basketball League season just around the corner, we speak to another player from the Philippines gracing the courts for the first time after the Asian Player Quota rules were changed this year. SJ Belangel of Daegu KOGAS Pegasus joins us via video today to tell us how he is finding life in Korea.

Morning Edition Preview with Richard Larkin:

- Tomorrow’s Korea Herald has a feature by Sanjay Kumar on the Sarang Festival, which celebrates India’s legacy of civilization and vibrancy in Korea.

- In tomorrow’s Korea Times, Park Han-sol reports on how animal rights and pet book sales have grown in South Korea.

Korea24 – 2022.10.03 (Monday)

Issue Briefing: KBS World Radio News Editor Eunice Kim briefs us on the government’s “Mobility Innovation Roadmap” that was announced last month, which lays out plans to help the growth of the mobility sector, in such areas as autonomous vehicles, Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles, and autonomous delivery robots and drones.

In-Depth News Analysis: In the “Mobility Innovation Roadmap”, the government said it would boost the autonomous vehicle sector by commercializing "conditionally automated" Level Three vehicles by the end of the year, and Level Four autonomous vehicles by 2027. We speak to Hans Greimel, the Asia Editor for Automotive news, to discuss the feasibility of the plans and what challenges lie ahead.

Gaecheonjeol Special Segment: Contributor Walter Lee joins us to tell us about the history of Gaecheonjeol, or National Foundation Day, and its significance in Korea’s modern history. He also tells us about how it is recognized differently in North Korea.

Monday Sports Round-up: Korea 24 Editor Daria Kim joins Jang-Ho in the studio to preview the upcoming Korean Basketball League season. She tells us about the teams to look out for, the key transfers, and why the new franchise Goyang Carrot Jumpers have a frog as their mascot!

Korea24 – 2022.09.29 (Thursday)

News Briefing: US Vice President Kamala Harris issued a warning against North Korea, saying the US will do "everything in its power" to ensure its security commitment to South Korea. She made the comments while visiting the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the inter-Korean border. (Koo Hee-jin)

In-Depth News Analysis (Korean Politics Digest): Expletive remarks by President Yoon Suk Yeol that were caught on camera at an event in New York last week have caused a political storm in Korea. The incident was one of several controversies during his recent visit to the US, the UK and Canada, which has led to the main opposition Democratic Party to call for the dismissal of foreign minister Park Jin. We discuss these developments with Law Professor Song Se-ryun from Kyunghee University and Law Professor Cho Hee-Kyung from Hong-ik University.

Korea Trending with Walter Lee:

1. A Seoul court sentenced Jeon Joo-hwan, the Sindang station murder suspect, to 9 years in prison for stalking and illegal filming. ('불법 촬영 · 스토킹' 전주환, 9년형 선고)

2. A Korean Air plane was involved in a minor collision with an Icelandair plane on the ground at London’s Heathrow Airport. (대한항공 여객기, 영국 공항 지상서 접촉사고…“다친 승객 없어”)

3. The U.S. has warned its citizens with dual nationality in Russia to evacuate after Moscow’s mobilization order last week. (美, 러시아 내 미국인 대피･여행금지령)

Explore Korea: Our arts Explorer Ahn Jae-woo joins us this week to introduce the highly talented and versatile painter Seo Wonmi. Predominantly an oil painter, her range of her techniques and styles often leaves the viewer surprised when encountering her works. Her eagerly awaited solo show, called “When You Stop It”, is now on view at the Pipe Gallery in Hannam-dong, Seoul.

Korea24 – 2022.09.28 (Wednesday)

News Briefing: North Korea has fired an unidentified ballistic missile into the East Sea, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday afternoon. This comes just three days after the regime's last provocation and amid ongoing South Korea-US naval exercises. (Eunice Kim)

In-Depth News Analysis: Korean stock markets continued to freefall on Wednesday. The Korean won also continued to weaken against the US dollar, to the lowest point in 13 and a half years. Meanwhile, concerns of a global recession are mounting in the wake of aggressive monetary tightening around the world. To discuss the risks facing the local economy, Daniel Yoo, Head of Global Asset Allocation at Yuanta Securities and Professor Yang Jun-sok from the Catholic University of Korea join us on the line.

Korea Trending with Walter Lee:

1. Seoul city unveiled plans to allow only eco-friendly cars to operate within the capital from 2050 in order to improve the city’s air quality. (2050년, 서울에서 경유·휘발유 차량 완전 퇴출한다)

2. South Korea defeated Cameroon 1-0 in the final tuneup match before the World Cup, but fans were disappointed that two young talents did not play. (벤투호, 카메룬전 1-0 승리, 이강인은 결장)

3. Police have requested an arrest warrant for Korean composer and music producer Don Spike for drug use and possession. (‘마약 체포’ 돈스파이크, 필로폰 1000회 투약분 소지)

Korea Book Club: Literary translator Beth Eunhee Hong takes over as our special contributor for the monthly edition of the club! In this first edition as a regular, she brings us “불편한 편의점 (Inconvenient Convenience Store)” by Kim Ho-yeon, a bestseller about everyday people Korea, that has already spurred a sequel.

Korea24 – 2022.09.27 (Tuesday)

News Briefing: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to visit the demilitarized zone(DMZ) separating the two Koreas during her trip to Seoul later this week. (Eunice Kim)

In-Depth News Analysis: The government announced on Sunday that it will purchase a record 450,000 tons of rice this year in a move to stabilize plunging prices in the country. The move comes as the price of rice has hit a 45-year low, with the producer price falling 25 percent this month compared to last year. To get some expert analysis on the situation, Professor Soon Byung-min from the Department of Agricultural Economics from Chungnam National University joins us on the line.

Korea Trending with Walter Lee:

1. A new study by local scientists has found frequent alcohol intake, even in low quantities, increases the risk of gastric cancer. ("술 마신 다음날 꼭 금주해야…소량 음주도 위암 위험")

2. Prosecutors have withdrawn an appeal in a case against a convenience store worker, who was previously found not guilty of embezzlement over the consumption of a store product 4 hours before its set discard time. ('5천900원 반반족발' 먹은 편의점 직원 무죄…검찰, 항소 취하)

3. NASA successfully crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid for a planetary defense test. (인류 첫 소행성 방어 실험 우주선, 1100만㎞밖서 충돌 성공)

Touch Base In Seoul: Earlier this month, Korean American writer Juhea Kim was announced as a finalist for the 2022 Dayton Literary Peace Prize for her debut novel “Beasts of a Little Land.” Described as “an epic story of love, war, and redemption set against the backdrop of the Korean independence movement”, a Korean translation is set to be published on September 28. She joins us via video to tell us about the inspiration behind the book and her hopes for the Korean release.

Morning Edition Preview with Chris Welsh:

- Tomorrow’s Korea Herald features a report by Park Ga-Young on a special upcoming performance at the National Gugak Center, involving a newly imagined rendition of “Jongmyo Jeryeak”.