ASEAN News

North Korea, the world’s most isolated and secretive country, has opened its doors to the first known tourists since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020.  A group of 20 Russians, accompanied by two guides from a Vladivostok-based agency, embarked on a four-day tour of Pyongyang and a ski resort on February 9, 2024. The trip was arranged by the …

South Korea is facing a demographic crisis, as there are far more young men than young women in the country. This is the result of a historic 30-year-long imbalance in the sex ratio at birth (SRB), which reached as high as 115 boys per 100 girls in 1990. The normal SRB is around 105 to 107 boys per 100 girls.  …

Taiwan’s presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled for January 13, 2024, are taking place amid heightened tensions with China, which claims the self-governing island as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification.  Beijing has increased its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taipei, while also conducting a campaign of influence and interference …

South Korea’s intelligence agency has claimed that North Korea was involved in the recent Gaza war by supplying missile parts and technology to Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls the coastal enclave.  According to the agency, North Korea sold Hamas hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of rocket-propelled grenades, communication equipment, and guidance systems for rockets and missiles¹². The …

South Korea’s spy agency has exposed North Korea‘s secret weapons deals with Hamas, the militant group that is engaged in a war with Israel, by releasing a photo of a North Korean rocket part that was allegedly used by Hamas fighters.  The photo, which shows a fuse with Korean characters and numbers, confirms a previous report by Voice of America …

In a world where technology reigns, Japan has always been at the forefront of innovation. From cutting-edge electronics to futuristic gadgets, their prowess in the industry is undeniable. However, even the mightiest can be brought to their knees when nature unleashes its fury. Recently, an earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale shook Japan’s Noto region, sending shockwaves through not …

South Korea is launching a new visa program for foreigners who are interested in learning about Korean culture and entertainment, also known as Hallyu or the Korean Wave. The Hallyu visa program, which will be implemented in the first half of 2022, is expected to attract more global talents and fans to the country, and to boost its cultural and …

China’s official and online responses to Japan’s earthquake showed a stark contrast between the diplomatic and the nationalist views of the two countries’ relations.  While the Chinese government expressed sympathy and support for Japan, the Chinese public and media showed hostility and indifference, and even celebrated the disaster as a deserved punishment for Japan’s past and present actions. The official …

South Korea is planning to launch a special visa for K-pop fans, allowing them to stay in the country for up to six months and enjoy various benefits and privileges related to their favorite music genre.  The visa, which is expected to be available from March 2024, is part of the government’s efforts to boost tourism and cultural exchange amid …

A series of powerful earthquakes rocked Japan‘s west coast on Thursday, causing damage to buildings and infrastructure, and injuring dozens of people. The quakes, the largest of which had a magnitude of 7.6, also triggered a tsunami alert, but it was later lifted as no significant waves were detected. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the first quake struck at 2:27 …