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Seong Hyeon Choi
Reporter, China
Seong Hyeon joined the SCMP in 2022. He is from South Korea and graduated with a bachelor of journalism and master of international and public affairs from the University of Hong Kong. He worked as a research intern for Korea Chair at US foreign policy think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and as a news trainee for NK news.
Seong Hyeon joined the SCMP in 2022. He is from South Korea and graduated with a bachelor of journalism and master of international and public affairs from the University of Hong Kong. He worked as a research intern for Korea Chair at US foreign policy think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and as a news trainee for NK news.
Areas of Expertise:
International affairs, South Korea, North KoreaLanguages Spoken:
English, Korean
US defence policy chief signals ‘model ally’ Seoul should take the lead on North Korea as Washington refocuses on first island chain.
Photo on Chinese social media appears to show full-size model of missile that may pose threat to US air dominance in Pacific, analysts say.
China may avoid a ‘carrier gap’ and could support carrier operations along the Indian Ocean to the Middle East and beyond, analysts say.
The State Department skips direct references to the island as it outlines it foreign policy direction for the next five years.
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Bangkok’s recent purchases of Chinese military hardware include tanks, missiles and ships, while a submarine deal is back on track.
Report finds ‘dramatic increase’ over past five years in Beijing’s capacity to contest Western air power, citing ‘highly capable’ fighters.
At Davos, Mark Rutte calls for Nato to ‘defend the Arctic region’ but says Ukraine should be top priority for security alliance.
Pentagon orders USS Abraham Lincoln on new mission after live-fire drills near Scarborough Shoal.
The president made back-to-back trips to the neighbouring countries as tensions are running high between Beijing and Tokyo.
China’s most advanced export, the HQ-9B surface-to-air missile, is reported to be integrated into Iranian systems.
Pentagon chief urges preventing adversaries from gaining tech edge as he unveils strategy that includes integrating Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok.
But observers also expressed doubts over a reported potential deal proceeding, citing US security concerns and potential F-35 sales.
Analysts say Donald Trump’s military budget proposal aims to blunt China’s influence, but some dismiss the spending plan as ‘fanciful’.
Xi will ‘continue to support Kim if he sees the US and its allies undercutting China’s own influence in the region’, analyst says.
Seoul’s calls for Chinese mediation seen to underscore Beijing’s central role in preserving stability between two Koreas.
President Lee Jae Myung says he asked his Chinese counterpart to act as a mediator to help restart talks about Pyongyang’s arsenal.
Analysts hold out little hope that security pressures will ease, given US insistence that regional allies boost first island chain defences.
Donald Trump unveils new class of ship meant to ‘inspire fear in America’s enemies’, but analysts say the initiative faces huge hurdles.
Report notes increasing number of buoys with possible military uses in waters both sides claim as part of their exclusive economic zones.
The US accuses China of supplying Iran with dual-use components that could potentially support Tehran’s ballistic missile build-up.
Washington’s latest strategy urges allies to spend ‘much more for collective defence’ as it backs Seoul building nuclear-powered submarines.
Washington and Tokyo share ‘serious concerns’ about regional security, reaffirm commitment to alliance.
Both neighbours hope to expand exports to the region, but the Koreans may be better placed due to systems integration and political concerns.
In a letter, Raja Krishnamoorthi asks US Secretary of State to restore key US role in ‘one of the world’s most strategically vital regions’.
House representative Raja Krishnamoorthi says term sidelines US allies and partners while making Beijing ‘coequal’ to Washington.
Defence chief Shinjiro Koizumi says the exercise was ‘clearly intended to be a demonstration’ against Japan at a time of heightened tension.
Chinese defence ministry cites annual joint strategic patrol with Russia, hours after South Korea says aircraft did not violate airspace.
Pete Hegseth says US is committed to putting ‘America first’ and avoiding involvement in foreign entanglements.
A poll by the Ronald Reagan Institute suggests the American public’s view of global affairs is out of sync with Donald Trump’s approach.
