GMS Focus

GMS FOCUS is a weekly segment on ARIRANG RADIO's morning news magazine show GOOD MORNING SEOUL that addresses complicated current event stories in and outside of Korea. Join our host Lina Kwon and guest Morten Larsen as they dive into questions surrounding cultural heritage, ideologies, trade wars, the global fight for a greener future, etc. We'll provide the context so you can get a better understanding of the wider scope of the story. Don't miss out!

South Korea's Exports Hit Record Highs

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about South Korea's record-high exports driven by the IT and automobile sectors, the growing shift from China to the US in trade, and the implications for Korea's economic recovery amidst declining China-bound exports.

06-25
19:25

Seoul issues stern warning to Russia

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about South Korea's stern warning to Russia over potential weapon supplies to Pyongyang, the implications of the recent Putin-Kim summit, and the delicate balance Seoul must maintain in its relations with Russia.

06-24
18:19

Coupang fined for 40 billion won

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about Korea’s largest e-commerce platform, Coupang being fined 40 billion-won for using unfair search algorithms to boost sales of its own private-label items. This marks the largest-ever fine imposed on a domestic retailer.

06-18
17:10

President Yoon wraps up Central Asia visits

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's return from a weeklong trip to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, focusing on strengthening economic ties and securing critical minerals and energy supplies amid rising geopolitical tensions and global economic uncertainties.

06-17
15:00

European Central Bank's First Rate Cut in 5 Years

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about the European Central Bank's first interest rate cut in five years, its implications for global economies, and how it might impact Korea, amid similar moves by Canada and Sweden but a different stance from the US Fed.

06-11
18:25

KR-JP Ties Improve Yet Fragile Amid History

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about how Korea-Japan relations are improving under the current conservative government with a focus on national security, yet still face potential turbulence due to unresolved historical disputes.

06-10
19:16

South Korea's Growth and Exports Surge

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about South Korea's surprising first-quarter growth, extending its export gains for the eighth consecutive month in May, and the upward revision of its growth forecast, while key U.S. data provides insights into future U.S. inflation and interest rates.

06-04
16:26

National Assembly Begins with Sharp Divisions

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the 22nd National Assembly's new term marked by intense partisan divisions, where the opposition's stronger majority is expected to push through contentious bills, challenging the ruling party to either fend them off or rely on the Presidential veto.

06-03
19:49

Korea's Major Chip Industry Boost Plan

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about the global race for chip supremacy, focusing on South Korea's new 26 trillion won package to boost its semiconductor industry, and explore the details, prospects, and challenges of this major support program.

05-28
16:44

Korea, China, and Japan Trilateral Summit

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the first trilateral summit in over four years between Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol, as the leaders meet in Seoul to revive annual discussions disrupted by bilateral feuds and the pandemic.

05-27
18:52

US-China Trade Tensions Escalate Again

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about the intensifying US-China trade war, sparked by President Biden quadrupling tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and raising levies on other green tech, and China's vow to retaliate, and its impact on Korea.

05-21
19:21

Putin Begins Term with Beijing Visit

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about Vladimir Putin choosing Beijing for his first visit of the new term, deepening the strategic partnership with Xi Jinping in their fourth meeting since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and its global implications.

05-20
19:16

Xi Jinping's European Tour Outcomes

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent tour of Europe, including France, Serbia, and Hungary, marking his first visit to the region in five years, aimed at exploring new strategies amid US trade tensions, and we'll examine whether Xi achieved his objectives and the main points of disagreement during the trip.

05-14
15:47

President Yoon's Milestone Press Event

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about President Yoon's recent actions marking two years in office, including his second press conference since inauguration, featuring a Q&A session with the press—a practice previously conducted regularly on his commute but suspended in November 2022.

05-13
19:47

Japan Targets Naver Over Line App Control

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about the latest source of tension between South Korea and Japan, as the Japanese government intensifies pressure on Naver, a South Korean portal giant, to seize management control of Line, the popular messaging app in Japan, sparking controversy and reflecting a broader global trend of data protectionism where governments intervene in foreign companies citing security risks.

05-07
17:34

Remergence of Two Tragic Investigations

Prof. Kim Byung-jooofInternational Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the reemergence of two investigations in South Korea's political arena following the April 10th General Election and the historic meeting between President Yoon Suk Yeol and the opposition party chief: one concerning the Itaewon tragedy and the other related to the death of Marine Corporal, highlighting deeper implications beyond mere political issues for the current state of politics and Korea's future.

05-06
18:54

S.Korea's Surprise Growth, U.S. Expansion Slows

Prof. Shin Se-don of Department of Economics at Sookmyung Women’s University will tell us about South Korea's surprising first-quarter growth, which exceeded expectations but hasn't translated to relief for many struggling with high prices and interest rates, while in the U.S., first-quarter growth slowed alongside faster-than-expected price increases.

04-30
11:32

AUKUS Tensions Persist, Phase Two Expands

Prof. Kim Byung-jooofInternational Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the evolving dynamics of AUKUS three years after its announcement, including China's concerns over regional tensions, ongoing discussions about phase two involving Japan and potential expansion to include more partners, alongside the upcoming Korea-Australia 2+2 meeting and its implications.

04-29
18:35

Geopolitical Risks Rattle Korean Economy

Prof. Shin Se-don of Department of Economics at Sookmyung Women’s University will tell us about the lingering uncertainties caused by heightened tensions in the Middle East and their impact on the Korean economy, following Iran's downplaying of Israeli airstrikes and ongoing geopolitical risks affecting markets and investors worldwide.

04-23
12:29

Biden, Trump Clash Over China Tariffs

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about how countering China has become a key focus in President Joe Biden's ongoing rivalry with former President Donald Trump, exploring the political impact of tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum and efforts to ease tensions diplomatically between the world's top two economies.

04-22
18:57

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