April 22, 2026

Asia Watch

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles in latest weapons tests– www.france24.com

pgnewser April 20, 2026 0

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EXCERPT:

North Korea test-fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Sunday, South Korea‘s military said, the latest in a recent flurry of launches by the nuclear-armed state.

The Sunday launches add to a series of weapons tests Pyongyang has carried out in recent weeks, including ballistic missiles, anti-warship cruise missiles and cluster munitions.

Read moreNorth Korea tests nuclear-capable rocket launchers amid US-South Korea military drills

“Our military detected several short-range ballistic missiles fired into the East Sea from the Sinpo area of North Korea at around 6:10 am (GMT 21:10),” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said, referring to a body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.

“The missiles flew approximately 140 kilometres (86.9 miles), and South Korean and US intelligence authorities are conducting a detailed analysis of their exact specifications,” it added.

North Korea’s ‘very serious’ nuclear weapons threat to Washington and NYC | World | News– www.express.co.uk

pgnewser April 16, 2026 0

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EXCERPT:

(FILES) North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump cross south of the Military Demarcation Line that divides North and South Korea, after Trump briefly stepped over to the northern side, in the Joint Security Area (JSA) of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) on June 30, 2019. A new push to lift aid sanctions on North Korea could kickstart efforts to lure Kim Jong Un into nuclear negotiations with US President Donald Trump, analysts told AFP. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images) (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has warned that North Korea has made “very serious” advances in its ability to produce nuclear weapons.

This comes at a time when nuclear warfare is firmly in the public consciousness, amid ongoing Middle East tensions surrounding what the US claims are Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

North Korea showing ‘serious increase’ in ability to make nuclear weapons, IAEA says– www.euronews.com

pgnewser April 16, 2026 0

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EXCERPT:

North Korea is showing a “very serious increase” in its ability to produce atomic weapons, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said during a visit to Seoul on Wednesday.

“In our periodic assessments, we have been able to confirm that there’s a rapid increase in the operations” of the Yongbyon reactor, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said in Seoul, where he met South Korea’s foreign minister.

The agency also observed a rise in operations at Yongbyon’s reprocessing unit and light-water reactor, as well as the activation of other facilities, Grossi told reporters.

“All that points to a very serious increase in the capabilities of (the) DPRK in the area of nuclear weapons production, which is estimated at a few dozen warheads,” he said, referring to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the North’s official name.

New Defense Deal Could Tighten US Control Over Another Critical Seaway– dailycaller.com

pgnewser April 15, 2026 0

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EXCERPT:

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and his Indonesian counterpart announced a defense deal Monday in Virginia that could strengthen U.S. control in a seaway critical for China.

Hegseth and Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin agreed to strengthen an existing agreement between the two countries to a Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP), according to a War Department (DOW) press release. The MDCP lays the groundwork for greater military cooperation, modernization of defenses and more training, a joint statement read. The Strait of Malacca, a key waterway between the Indian and Pacific Oceans running between the Indonesian island of Sumatra and Malaysia and Singapore, could see a strengthened U.S. presence as a result.

“The two leaders committed to expanding the scope and complexity of bilateral and multilateral exercises … to strengthen collective capabilities and promote Peace through Strength,” the press release read.

The Strait of Malacca is oil tankers’ shortest route from the Middle East to East Asia by sea. Approximately 23.2 million barrels of oil passed through daily during the first half of 20

Indonesia, US sign ‘major’ defence cooperation agreement | Military News– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser April 14, 2026 0

Indonesia, US sign ‘major’ defence cooperation agreement | Military News– www.aljazeera.com
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EXCERPT:

Signing of defence partnership follows reports that Washington is seeking overflight access in Indonesia for US military planes.

⁠US ⁠Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ⁠has hailed the establishment of a “major defence cooperation partnership” with Indonesia, saying it underscores the “strength and potential” of ties with Jakarta to maintain stability in the Asia Pacific region.

Hegseth hosted Indonesian Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at the Pentagon on Monday, where the deal was signed.

Chinese Workers Protest Unpaid Wages in Russia’s Far East– www.themoscowtimes.com

pgnewser April 13, 2026 0

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Chinese Workers Protest Unpaid Wages in Russia’s Far East – www.themoscowtimes.com
EXCERPT:

Chinese workers building a fuel-making unit at a Rosneft refinery in Far East Russia’s Khabarovsk region took to the streets on Sunday to protest unpaid wages, regional authorities said Monday.

At least 200 employees of the Russian-Chinese contractor Petro-Hehua marched through the city of Komsomolsk-na-Amure demanding back payments and help from both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin.

Nepal’s newly elected parliament is sworn in months after a youth-led revolt– abcnews.com

pgnewser March 26, 2026 0

Blurb:

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepal’s newly elected members of parliament were sworn in Thursday with nearly two-thirds of them from a political party that is less than four years old.

The 275 members of the House of Representatives, the powerful lower chamber of parliament, will be in their positions for the next five years.

The election — the country’s first since last year’s youth-led revolt — was won by the Rastriya Swatantra Party, or RSP, led by rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah.

South Korea opposed to U.S. deploying air defense systems in the country to Middle East– www.cnbc.com

pgnewser March 10, 2026 0

Blurb:

 

GYEONGJU, SOUTH KOREA – NOVEMBER 1: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks during an international press conference after the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit was concluded, in Gyeongju, South Korea, on November 1, 2025.

Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images

South Korea is opposed to the U.S. moving air defense assets out of the country, but it is not in a position to make demands, President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday.

Lee briefed the cabinet that “The USFK may dispatch some air defense systems abroad in accordance with its own military needs. While we have expressed opposition, the reality is that we cannot fully push through our position.”

Nepalese Vote in Former Rapper to be their Next PM

pgnewser March 9, 2026 0

The Gen Z revolution of Nepal has now culminated with a sweeping victory for a new party led by former rapper Balendra Shah. His party is set to replace the ruling party of the past few decades, the Communist Party of Nepal. Shah’s party has won super majorities in both the direct-vote seats of the parliament as well as the proportional representation seats. The Communist Party has fallen from majority party status to fringe 3rd party status in this one election.

Blurb:

Nepal election 2026: Rapper Balendra Shah on track to be next PM as his party heads for landslide – BBC

Former rapper Balendra Shah’s party is on track for a landslide victory during following last week’s elections in Nepal.

It was announced on Saturday that Shah, 35, had unseated four-time prime minister KP Sharma Oli in Jhapa 5, a traditionally safe constituency for the 74-year-old’s Communist Party of Nepal (UML).

But his was not the only victory for his Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

These elections will choose 275 new representatives for Nepal’s lower house of parliament. Unlike parliamentary elections in countries like the UK, 165 of the seats are chosen directly while 110 are chosen by proportional representation (when seats in parliament correspond to total votes for each party).

Not all results are in yet, but so far Shah’s RSP has won 125 of the 165 direct-vote seats, and 58 of the 110 proportional representation seats.

In contrast, Oli’s party won eight of the direct-vote seats and 16 of the proportional representation seats at time of writing. A spokesman for the party called results “unexpected”.

Vote counting begins in Nepal after a peaceful parliamentary election– abcnews.com

pgnewser March 6, 2026 0

Blurb:

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Election officials were counting votes Friday, a day after a parliamentary election in Nepal which was the first nationwide poll since a violent, youth-led uprising forced the former government from power in September.

The Election Commission said they had begun vote counting in 53 of the 165 constituencies by Friday morning, and expect to begin work in the remaining areas by the end of the day.

Some of the polling stations are high up in remote mountain villages, which are accessible only by days of hiking, leading authorities to arrange the transport of ballot boxes by helicopter to counting centers.

Iran war could disrupt supply of semiconductor materials, South Korea warns – National– globalnews.ca

pgnewser March 5, 2026 0

Blurb:

The U.S.-Israel war with Iran could disrupt supplies of key semiconductor manufacturing materials, a South Korean ruling party lawmaker said on Thursday, as the conflict in the Middle East entered its sixth day.

South Korea’s chip industry, which supplies around two-thirds of global memory chips, is also concerned that a prolonged conflict in Iran will lead to higher energy costs and prices, Kim Young-bae said after meeting with executives from companies such as Samsung Electronics 005930.KS and trade groups.

Nepal’s Gen Z threw out old parties. Will it vote for them in key election? | Elections News– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser March 3, 2026 0

Blurb:

Kathmandu, Nepal – As Nepal heads for a crucial parliamentary election on March 5, the Himalayan country’s established parties are fighting not just for votes, but also for legitimacy.

That legitimacy was challenged in September last year when thousands of young Nepalis hit the streets, demanding that an ageing old guard, which has dominated Nepal’s politics for two decades, step down.

South Korea defense stocks soar with heavyweight Hanwha Aerospace surging 25%– www.cnbc.com

pgnewser March 3, 2026 0

Blurb:

 

A Cheongung missile launcher is displayed during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2025) at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, on October 17, 2025.

South Korean defense stocks saw massive gains on Tuesday after the country’s markets returned from a public holiday, as the Iran war fuels interest in defense names globally.

Heavyweight Hanwha Aerospace, which is South Korea’s largest defense manufacturer, saw shares surge nearly 25%, before paring gains to about 13%, while Korea Aerospace Industries gained more than 12%, but cut those to 2.4%.

Shares in air defense systems maker LIG Nex1 soared 25%, while electronic warfare systems manufacturer Victek and anti-aircraft missile components’ maker Firstec saw shares rise more than 20% and 15%, respectively.

North Korea warns it could destroy South if threatened, but leaves door open for U.S. dialogue– www.washingtontimes.com

pgnewser February 26, 2026 0

Blurb:

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un claimed his nuclear-armed country could “completely destroy” South Korea if its security were threatened, reiterating his refusal to engage with Seoul, state media said Thursday. However, he left the door open to dialogue with Washington as he concluded a ruling party congress outlining his policy goals for the next five years.
from www.washingtontimes.com

Kim Jong-un’s Sister Gains Prominence after Worker’s Party Congress vote

pgnewser February 24, 2026 0

For only the 9th time since the Kim’s took over North Korea in 1948, the Workers’ Party Congress convened. They affirmed Kim Jong-un as their supreme leader and promoted his sister, and right-hand lieutenant, Kim Jo-jong, from a deputy department director to a full department director.

Blurb:

Kim Jong-un’s sister takes major step up in North Korean leadership  South China Morning Post
from news.google.com

The Workers’ Party Central Committee on Monday named Kim Yo-jong – previously a deputy department director – as a full department director, Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

Thousands of party elites have packed the capital for a once-in-five-years summit of the ruling Workers’ Party, a gathering that directs state efforts on everything from diplomacy to war planning.

…

It is just the ninth time the Workers’ Party congress has convened under North Korea’s decades-spanning Kim rule.