Focus on Headline 03/07/2025

1. Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from custody Friday after a court accepted his request to cancel his arrest over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Yoon filed the request with the Seoul Central District Court last month, claiming his indictment over the martial law declaration was illegal.2. The defense ministry said Friday a total of 31 people, including 17 civilians, have been injured after two KF-16 fighter jets "abnormally" dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside a training range in Pocheon the day before.3. U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed executive actions that delay tariffs on all products from Mexico and Canada that are covered by the USMCA free trade treaty for nearly one month.

1. The ruling and opposition parties held a meeting on Thursday to discuss pending bipartisan issues on pension reform, a supplementary budget, and a special semiconductor law.2. Military officials and fire authorities said Thursday that fifteen people were injured after two Air Force KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight air-to-surface bombs over a village in Pocheon during live-fire drills, at around 10 a.m.3. The White House announced Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump will exempt automakers from his 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico for one month as long as they comply with existing free trade rules.

1. The South Korean government announced Wednesday its plan to create a fund worth 50 trillion-won, or roughly 34-point-4 billion U.S. dollars, to support the semiconductor, rechargeable battery, bio, artificial intelligence and other advanced industries as part of efforts to bolster South Korea's industrial competitiveness.2. The Unification Ministry said Wednesday that South Korea's humanitarian assistance to North Korea reached zero last year for the first time in nearly 30 years, amid Pyongyang's continued antagonistic stance toward Seoul.3. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that South Korea's average tariff is four times higher than the United States' tariff although America has helped the Asian ally militarily and in "so many other ways."

1. During a closed-door gathering held prior to a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Cabinet members agreed unanimously that the appointment of Constitutional Court Justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk requires further consideration. Choi is expected to further delay the appointment of Ma.2. South Korea on Tuesday launched its first alternative stock trading system, named Nextrade, bringing a 12-hour trading system, lower fees, and greater efficiency and convenience to the trading of securities.3. U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday temporarily suspended the delivery of all U.S. military aid to Ukraine, just days after he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had an explosive confrontation at the White House.

1. The Korea Meteorological Administration lifted heavy snow advisories that had been issued for the east coast and mountainous areas of Gangwon Province on Monday morning.2. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Saturday to launch an investigation into the impact of lumber and timber imports on America's national security. A White House official mentioned South Korea as he stressed the probe will also target derivative products, including kitchen cabinets.3. A high stakes meeting between U.S. President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on Friday at the White House devolved into a public shouting match, derailing a deal granting U.S. access to Ukraine's mineral resources.

1.The ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party’s special parliamentary committee meeting scheduled for Friday was canceled after the latter refused to attend, stating they cannot recognize Acting President Choi Sang-mok as a legitimate negotiating partner.2.Acting President and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok on Friday called on the new U.S. administration to take South Korea's contributions to the American economy into account when formulating trade policies during a video conference with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.3.North Korea’s state news agency said Friday it launched strategic cruise missiles in waters off its west coast earlier this week, with its leader Kim Jong-un calling for thorough war preparedness with the country's nuclear forces and readiness for their use.

1. The Constitutional Court ruled Thursday that acting President Choi Sang-mok's decision to withhold the appointment of a court justice last year is an unconstitutional act, infringing upon the right of the National Assembly.2. Statistics Korea reported Wednesday that the number of babies born in South Korea increased for the first time in nine years in 2024. The total fertility rate also rebounded, reaching 0.75 in 2024, up from 0.72 tallied a year earlier.3. South Korea's National Intelligence Service said Thursday that North Korea appears to have deployed additional troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine, although their size is still being assessed.

1. During his final statement before the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol said he will focus on revising the Constitution if reinstated, suggesting he could step down before the end of his single, five-year term.2. The ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party agreed Wednesday to establish a special parliamentary committee on pension reform and decided to hold consultations with the government this week.3. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday to investigate how copper imports threaten America's national security and economic stability, in a move that could lead to the imposition of new tariffs on the metal used to produce aircraft, vehicles, ships and other military hardware.

1. The final hearing of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial opened Tuesday in his absence amid keen attention on what the president will say in his last arguments to defend his short-lived imposition of martial law. 2. The fire headquarters of South Chungcheong Province said Tuesday that at least four workers were killed, and six others injured, after a bridge collapsed at a highway construction site in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do Province at 9:50 am. 3. The Bank of Korea lowered South Korea’s key interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point on Tuesday to two-point-75 percent. It also slashed its growth outlook for 2025 to one-point-five percent, citing sluggish domestic demand and exports.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s lawyers visited the president at the Seoul Detention Center on Monday to make last-minute preparations, with just one day left until the final hearing in his impeachment trial.2. Most medical schools in South Korea have decided to proceed with their scheduled academic calendar and begin classes in March, despite the slow return of medical students who took a leave of absence last year in protest of the government's decision to expand medical school quotas.3. According to a survey of 39 local experts conducted by the Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning on Sunday, South Korea's semiconductor technology trailed behind that of China in all key areas as of last year, marking a shift from previous assessments.