ASEAN News

PHILIPPINES: As the West and China continue to compete for their strategic pillars, the island states of the Pacific, from the massive Papua New Guinea to the smaller island nations, find themselves in a much more powerful position. Since climate change is the greatest threat to the region, their negotiating prowess may provide them greater leverage to entice foreign funding. …

BEIJING: After purchasing face masks and ventilators from China in prior months, North Korea unexpectedly ceased importing COVID-19 prevention and control products in May, according to trade statistics supplied by Beijing. Since the isolated government initially announced it was combating a COVID-19 outbreak in mid-May, daily new cases of fever in North Korea have been falling, according to its state …

TOKYO: On Monday, a Japanese court declared that a prohibition on same-sex marriage is not unconstitutional, striking a blow to LGBTQ rights activists in the only Group of Seven country that does not allow persons of the same gender to marry. After a court in the city of Sapporo ruled in March 2021 that prohibiting same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, activists’ …

SEOUL: On Tuesday, South Korea’s central bank said it expected inflation to be higher than previously forecasted, and that it will examine debt repayment difficulties closely to determine whether a half-percentage-point interest rate hike in July is reasonable. The Bank of Korea, which recently raised its 2022 annual average inflation projection to 4.5 percent from 4.7 percent, said it did …

TAIWAN: Buildings in Taipei trembled briefly on June 20 after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan’s eastern coast, but no damage was reported. According to the meteorology office, the quake had a depth of 6.8 kilometres and its epicentre was in Hualien county, a remote area of the island. It was reported that the quake was felt throughout Taiwan. Taiwan …

HONG KONG: On Sunday, China presented new senior officials in Hong Kong under incoming leader John Lee, who promised to push the global financial hub to new heights while dismissing worries about US sanctions against him. Finance Secretary Paul Chan, who is not subject to US sanctions, will keep his job in the Chinese-ruled region, providing comfort to the banking …

SOUTH KOREA: WAKEONE Entertainment stated on June 17 that TO1 will release an album in July, following the band’s temporary break in May. Min-su, Jerome, and Woong-gi will depart the band, and three new members will join TO1. According to a Soompi report, TO1’s agency said in a translated official statement, they were open to all directions and tried to …

SOUTH KOREA: Last Wednesday, June 15, K-pop pioneers BTS were met with tears and sympathy from fans, but fury from shareholders in their management firm, a day after the band declared a hiatus from group musical activities to pursue solo projects, citing weariness as the reason. Many in South Korea were shocked and disappointed by the news, which sparked doubt …

CAMBODIA: In a major trial denounced by the United States and rights groups as politically motivated, a Cambodian court sentenced roughly 60 opposition activists to prison on, including famed lawyer Theary Seng, for planning to commit treason. More than 100 members of the defunct Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) were charged with treason and incitement, including Theary Seng, a Cambodian-American …

JAPAN: Following the suicide of a reality show star who had experienced social media bullying, Japan’s parliament passed legislation making “online insults” punishable by imprisonment on Monday. Offenders convicted of internet insults face up to a year in prison or a fine of 300,000 yen (about $2,200) under a modification to the country’s penal code slated to take effect later …