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South Korea’s US$779,162 plan for prison corridor air conditioning has sparked public outrage. Photo: Shutterstock
South Korea

‘It’s annoying’: South Koreans sweat over US$779,000 prison cooling plan

‘Relieve the families of victims with that money,’ a social media user says amid backlash over the taxpayer-funded project.

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Japan

Japan’s PM Takaichi eyes India trip for talks with leader Modi

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South Korea

South Korea’s Lee scores ‘flawed’ poll win, setback for his property tax plan

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Japan

Typhoon Jangmi churns along Japan’s Pacific coast, leaves dozens hurt

Heavy rain continued in the Tokyo metropolitan area in the morning, with flood danger warnings for several rivers in the capital.

A pedestrian braves the rains brought by Typhoon Jangmi in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
A pedestrian braves the rains brought by Typhoon Jangmi in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
South Korea

South Korea’s ruling party set for local election gains

The vote is widely seen as an assessment of President Lee Jae-myung’s first year in office.

North Korea

Tears in North Korea as Kim meets footballers after historic title win

Naegohyang Women’s FC became the first North Korean side to win Asia’s top club title last month.

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China trade

China’s AI chip demand is surging – and South Korea is riding the wave

Strong demand for memory chips has reshaped South Korea’s exports to China – but analysts warn the gains could be short lived.

South Korea’s semiconductor exports to China jumped 243 per cent in May from a year earlier, according to according to data from Seoul’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. Photo: Shutterstock
South Korea’s semiconductor exports to China jumped 243 per cent in May from a year earlier, according to according to data from Seoul’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Japanese MP’s claim China eyes Antarctic ‘treasure trove’ dismissed

A polar law expert says the continent’s strict mining ban has no expiry date, despite concerns raised in Japan’s parliament.

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Japan

‘Harassment exploded out of nowhere’: Muslims face rising prejudice in Japan

Growing anti-Muslim discrimination fuelled by hate speech worries residents, who fear the hostility may escalate into violence.

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South Korea

US general’s ‘dagger’ remark tests South Korea’s China balancing act

A top commander’s blunt remark spotlights a fundamental disagreement over the true purpose of the 28,500 US troops based in South Korea.

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General Xavier T. Brunson speaks at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, in 2024. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan runs low on ethylene, putting bananas at risk of disappearing from homes

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has squeezed the supply of the naphtha-derived gas that Japan uses to ripen the fruit.

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Japan bought about 1 million tonnes of bananas last year, making the fruit one of the country’s most important grocery staples. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Japan bought about 1 million tonnes of bananas last year, making the fruit one of the country’s most important grocery staples. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Japan

Is UK a ‘reliable partner’? Fighter jet delays test Japan’s patience

Tokyo is concerned as its ageing fighters need to be replaced and the project lacks a clear development plan and schedule, analysts say.

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South Korea

Fire kills 5 in South Korea after blast at defence giant’s factory

At least two others were injured in a fire following a suspected propellant explosion at the defence giant’s plant in Daejeon.

South Korea

Festival promoting Korean ceramic culture faces fury over Chinese-made prizes

Organisers of the Yeoju Ceramic Festival apologised amid public backlash and calls for accountability.

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A miniature moon jar bearing a “Made in China” sticker that was received as a prize from an event held during the Yeoju Ceramic Festival in South Korea. Photo: Threads
South Korea

From submarines to trade, South Korea and US remain deadlocked ahead of talks

The two allies are also expected to discuss the transfer of military control and a data breach involving a US firm at their talks next week.

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A US Virginia-class fast-attack submarine docks in Rockingham, Western Australia, last year. South Korea is reportedly aiming to build nuclear-powered submarines similar to the Virginia-class vessels. Photo: AFP
A US Virginia-class fast-attack submarine docks in Rockingham, Western Australia, last year. South Korea is reportedly aiming to build nuclear-powered submarines similar to the Virginia-class vessels. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

China and Japan aren’t talking. Will their rare earth trade go quiet?

With bilateral relations at a low and Beijing already enacting limited export controls on critical minerals, fears of a broader ban grow.

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Japan

Japan PM vows ‘breakthrough’ with North Korea in abduction issue

Japan officially lists 17 Japanese nationals as having been abducted by North Korea, with five returned in 2002.

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South Korea

Professor disciplined after saying ‘8 in 10 Korean women’ engaged in sex work

The faculty member was barred from teaching classes, providing academic counselling and performing other student guidance duties.

A professor was disciplined for making sexist remarks at a South Korean university. Photo: Shutterstock
A professor was disciplined for making sexist remarks at a South Korean university. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines

How Philippines and Japan future-proofed ties amid China tensions, US wavering

Manila and Tokyo forge a comprehensive strategic partnership, boosting defence and economic cooperation, as Indo-Pacific challenges mount.

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Japan

Japan’s hefty visa fees, digital entry system move closer to implementation

Once the fee changes are rolled out later this year, the upper limit will be set at US$630 for visa renewals.

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Japan

Is self-censorship behind Japan’s ‘problematic’ press freedom ranking?

Media insiders say Japan’s press is rarely overtly repressed, but access pressures and newsroom caution still shape what gets reported.

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A Japanese newspaper staff distributes copies of the extra issue on Sanae Takaichi being elected Japan’s first female prime minister, in Tokyo, on October 21, 2025. Photo: AP
South Korea

‘Transitory euphoria’: South Korea’s strong economic outlook masks key hurdles

The surge in demand for semiconductors is cyclical, while other sectors in the country are lagging, analysts say.

Containers awaiting export stacked at a pier in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. The Bank of Korea has raised the country’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 2.6 per cent. Photo: EPA
Containers awaiting export stacked at a pier in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. The Bank of Korea has raised the country’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 2.6 per cent. Photo: EPA
South Korea

Desperate search for Busan rooms: ‘obscenely high’ prices anger BTS fans

‘I wanted to explore the city, but I’m now forced to find accommodation elsewhere,’ a K-pop fan says.

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Japan

Japan Airlines wants to blast human culture into space and land it on the moon

The carrier is selling payload space to preserve Earth’s heritage from climate change and war, but sceptics dismiss it as a PR stunt.

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Transport and logistics

Polar shipping era: China, South Korea bypass old trade lines amid Hormuz crisis

Passage through the waters could reduce transit times to Europe, offering an alternative to traditional routes amid rising geopolitical risks.

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Arctic shipping routes could cut transit times compared with traditional sea routes, such as passage via the Suez Canal and the much longer journey around the Cape of Good Hope. Photo: Shutterstock
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