December 6, 2025

Asia Watch

Rights groups slam Trump administration for ending Myanmar deportation protection– abcnews.go.com

pgnewser November 25, 2025

Blurb:

BANGKOK — Rights groups on Tuesday slammed the Trump administration’s decision to end protected status for Myanmar citizens due to the country’s “notable progress in governance and stability,” even though it remains mired in a bloody civil war and the head of its military regime faces possible U.N. war crimes charges.

In her announcement Monday ending temporary protection from deportation for citizens of Myanmar, also known as Burma, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem cited the military’s plans for “free and fair elections” in December and “successful ceasefire agreements” as among the reasons for her decision.

“The situation in Burma has improved enough that it is safe for Burmese citizens to return home,” she said in a statement.

North Korea has fired a ballistic missile toward the east, Seoul says– abcnews.go.com

pgnewser October 22, 2025

Blurb:

SEOUL, South Korea — SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea fired a ballistic missile in an eastward direction on Wednesday, South Korea’s military said, the North’s first weapons testing activity in about five months.

A brief statement from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff gave no further details such as how far the weapon flew.

North Korea usually test-launches missiles in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, causing no damage in neighboring countries. But the Joint Chiefs of Staff statement only said the latest missile was launched in an eastward direction.

Myanmar junta leader in Moscow for second trip abroad since coup

Myanmar Festival Attack leaves 40 Dead, 80 Injured

pgnewser October 9, 2025

A full moon festival in Myanmar’s Chaung U township was bombed by a paraglider on Monday, October 6, 2025. The attack has left at least 40 dead and 80 injured. It mimicked the method of attack used on October 7, 2023, by Hamas when they attacked the Nova music festival with paragliders.

An official claims they tried to alert the festival goers of the impending attack, but they failed to heed his warning. Children are among the dead and injured. The junta government recently promised elections next year. They are blaming anti-government forces for the attack, launching air strikes in the suspected region of the alleged attackers.

Blurb:

AT LEAST 40 people have been killed after a paraglider reportedly dropped two bombs on festivalgoers in Myanmar.

Children are among the victims of the deadly overnight attack which is believed to have been conducted by the Myanmar military.

Locals inspect the damage after a paraglider reportedly dropped two bombs on festivalgoers in MyanmarCredit: AFP
Vehicles were left charred and in ruins after being hit by the explosivesCredit: AFP

The attacks echo the chilling Nova music festival ambush carried out by Hamas terrorists on paragliders on October 7, 2023.

From The Sun UK

Myanmar activists to sue Norway’s Telenor for handing data to military | Privacy News– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser October 7, 2025

Myanmar activists to sue Norway’s Telenor for handing data to military | Privacy News– www.aljazeera.com
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Excerpt:

Claimants say government used data to track and target activists in the wake of 2021 coup.

A group of civil society organisations in Myanmar plans to take legal action against Norwegian telecoms firm Telenor, accusing it of passing customer data to the country’s military government for use in repression.

The activists sent Telenor a notice of intent to sue on Monday, according to a statement from the Netherlands-based nonprofit Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO), which is backing the case. The case states that the data shared by the telecoms giant was used by the military following its 2021 coup to trace and target civilians.

The claimants allege that Telenor, majority-owned by the Norwegian government, disclosed data from millions of customers to the military authorities, which, after toppling the country’s elected government, embarked on a campaign of violence and repression.

Trump says he’s open to talks with Kim Jong Un ‘without any preconditions’– www.foxnews.com

pgnewser October 3, 2025

Trump says he’s open to talks with Kim Jong Un ‘without any preconditions’– www.foxnews.com
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Excerpt:

President Donald Trump is open to talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “without any preconditions,” a White House official said, as South Korea’s unification minister warned Pyongyang’s missiles could reach the U.S. mainland.

“President Trump in his first term held three historic summits with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un that stabilized the Korean Peninsula. U.S. policy on North Korea has not changed,” a White House official told Fox News Digital. “President Trump remains open to talking with Kim Jong Un, without any preconditions.”

South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young used blunt language in Berlin this week, telling reporters, “North Korea has become one of the three countries capable of attacking the U.S. mainland,” according to the Yonhap News Agency. “What needs to be acknowledged should be acknowledged rationally.”

The White House did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on Chung’s claim.

National Assembly (South Korea) - Wikipedia

(South Korea) Democratic Party Pushes Emergency Hearing Against Chief Justice – 조선일보

pgnewser September 23, 2025

National Assembly (South Korea) - Wikipedia

Democratic Party Pushes Emergency Hearing Against Chief Justice – 조선일보
Excerpt:
Source Link

The National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, led by the Democratic Party, decided on the 30th to hold an emergency hearing on allegations of Chief Justice Jo Hee-de’s intervention in the presidential election. The Democratic Party previously raised the same allegations in May when it was the opposition party and held a hearing, but found no evidence that Chief Justice Jo intervened in the election. At that time, Chief Justice Jo and all justices who were summoned as witnesses did not attend. Now, the party is pushing for another hearing based on the conspiracy theory of a “secret meeting involving Jo Hee-de, Han Duck-soo, and two others.” This marks the first time a ruling party has held a hearing targeting the head of the judiciary. The People Power Party (PPP) condemned it as a “violation of the separation of powers and a clear act of destroying the judiciary.”

The committee passed a resolution on the 22nd during a plenary session to implement the hearing plan and summon witnesses and references. The session was originally intended for a legislative hearing on prosecutorial reform, but Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party chair of the committee, unexpectedly added the hearing plan for Chief Justice Jo to the agenda. As PPP members protested and walked out, the Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party proceeded with the decision. In the hearing plan, the Democratic Party claimed, “Chief Justice Jo violated procedural and legal regulations by issuing an unreasonable ruling related to the trial of a specific candidate (President Lee Jae-myung) ahead of the presidential election, and suspicions have arisen that he undermined the independence and political neutrality of the judiciary by allegedly conspiring in advance through a ‘four-person meeting’ with Han Duck-soo and others.”

Nepal: Revolutionary 'Gen Z' protests spark global solidarity ...

Nepal’s Gen Z Revolutionaries want more than resignations from former leaders

pgnewser September 22, 2025

Nepal: Revolutionary 'Gen Z' protests spark global solidarity ...

Nepal: Gen Z activists demand arrest of ousted PM Oli and former home minister over September 8 shootout – Firstpost
Source Link
Excerpt:

The youth-led Gen Z group called for the immediate arrest of ousted Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and ex-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak on Saturday, citing their alleged responsibility in a fatal shootout during anti-government protests on September 8.

Speaking at a press briefing at Sambad Dabali, Dr Nicholas Bhushal, an adviser to the Gen Z movement, urged authorities to also detain Kathmandu Chief District Officer Chhabi Rijal, saying all three were directly accountable for the Naya Baneshwor incident, where 19 activists lost their lives.

South Korean prosecutors seek arrest of ‘Moonies’ leader in bribery probe | Courts News– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser September 18, 2025

South Korean prosecutors seek arrest of ‘Moonies’ leader in bribery probe | Courts News– www.aljazeera.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

The request on Thursday came a day after Han was questioned over her alleged role in bribing former first lady Kim Keon-hee and conservative lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong.

The charges came amid a drive to investigate Kim and her husband, former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was forced from office last year after imposing martial law.

“We have requested an arrest warrant for Han earlier today,” prosecutor Park Sang-jin said. “The charges against her include violation of political funds act, anti-graft law, incitement to destroy evidence and embezzlement.”

“We considered the risk of Han tampering with evidence to be very high, which led us to seek the warrant.”

South Korea's presidential candidates hold first heated debate ...

South Korea Goes Woke Protecting Resettled Defectors

pgnewser September 17, 2025

South Korea's presidential candidates hold first heated debate ...

Democrat-Run South Korea Lunges North in Latest Language War Action – Freedomist
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Excerpt:

The CCP-infiltrated Democrat Party that recently overcame a rightful counter-revolutionary coup is now looking to move the country towards reintegration in the de facto CCP empire. The regime is now changing the name for North Korean defectors who later resettled in the South to “promote social integration.”

China's Gen Z Consumers Make Their Own Fashion Statement – Inside ...

After Gen Z Topples China’s Neighbor, Nepal, Xi Grows Restless

pgnewser September 17, 2025

China's Gen Z Consumers Make Their Own Fashion Statement – Inside ...

Gen Z in China Look to Nepal for Hope – Freedomist
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Excerpt:

– The Gen Z movement that started off as a reaction to Nepal’s draconian social media ban and ended with the government being upended is making China’s regime nervous that something similar in their country might be brewing. Signs of Gen Z disenfranchisement with the CCP are everywhere.

Changsin Church, Seoul South Korea - Alcons Audio

‘This Is a Targeted Arrest’: South Korean Pastor Hasn’t Been Seen Since Entering Police Station– www.cbn.com

pgnewser September 16, 2025

Changsin Church, Seoul South Korea - Alcons Audio

‘This Is a Targeted Arrest’: South Korean Pastor Hasn’t Been Seen Since Entering Police Station– www.cbn.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

SEOUL – “If I am imprisoned, it will prove that Korea is no longer free.”  Reverend Hyun-bo Son made that statement just before entering the police station for a pre-trial hearing on September 8th. He hasn’t been seen since.

Charges against Pastor Son include violating election laws—specifically, for interviewing a candidate on issues the government interpreted as illegal campaigning. Authorities cited “risk of flight and destroying evidence” as the reasons for his detention.

Chance Son says the family only learned of his father’s arrest through the press. Since then, they have not been allowed to speak to Pastor Son, which they say violates his rights.

He said, “To a senior pastor who has served the same church for over 30 years, faithfully ministering to his congregation and the community, the court’s claim of flight risk makes no sense. I believe this is clearly political retaliation and religious oppression targeting Korean churches.”

Bucks sheriff and ICE collaboration is official - WHYY

Hyundai ICE Raid Triggers “Human Rights Violations” Accusations by South Korea

pgnewser September 15, 2025

Bucks sheriff and ICE collaboration is official - WHYY

South Korea Looks to Weaponize “Human Rights” over U.S. Export of its Citizens – Freedomist

Source Link
Excerpt:

The Democrat Party of South Korea, the new Ruling Party, has signaled its move away from the U.S. once again with an effort to use “human rights” allegations to fuel the American left resistance to ICE deportations. The country is alleging Trump “may have” violated the rights of its citizens after raiding a Hyundai plant and detaining more than 300 South Korean illegal aliens.

South Korea's Supreme Court now reviewing $243m Qualcomm fine ...

Ruling Party wants South Korean SCOTUS to Create Rebellion Courts

pgnewser September 15, 2025

South Korea's Supreme Court now reviewing $243m Qualcomm fine ...

South Korea’s Democrats Look to Eliminate Opposition with Insurrection Trial Division – Freedomist
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Excerpt:

The Democrat Party, with its ties to the CCP and North Korean friendly policies, is looking to cement its new power in South Korea through charges of insurrection. The party demanded the Supreme Court create an Insurrection Trial Division.

Nepal’s deadly Gen Z protests are about more than just a social media ban – National– globalnews.ca

pgnewser September 10, 2025

Nepal’s deadly Gen Z protests are about more than just a social media ban – National– globalnews.ca
Source Link
Excerpt:

Nepal’s government responded to escalating violent protests over a ban on popular social media platforms with deadly force.

The public outrage over the ban and the deaths of 19 protesters on Monday led to the resignation of the prime minister and exposed deep discontent over corruption.

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli also rolled backed the short-lived ban after protesters turned their anger on politicians by setting fire to homes of some of the country’s top leaders.

Led by mostly teenagers and young adults, the protests revealed a broader resentment in Nepal, where many people have increasingly become angry with the government over a range of issues, mostly to do with corruption and frustration over nepotism in the country’s politics.

“Protests over the social media ban were just a catalyst. Frustrations over how the country is being run have long been simmering under the surface. People are very angry and Nepal finds itself in a very precarious situation,” said Prateek Pradhan, editor of Baahrakhari, a Nepalese independent news website.

Georgian Opposition Protesters Gather Without Incident A Day After Violent Clashes– www.rferl.org

pgnewser September 10, 2025

Georgian Opposition Protesters Gather Without Incident A Day After Violent Clashes– www.rferl.org
Source Link
Excerpt:

 

Georgian protesters continued their daily demonstrations in the capital, Tbilisi, on September 9, gathering in front of the reelection headquarters of Mayor Kakha Kaladze. At a protest the previous day, at least 10 people were injured after they were attacked by supporters of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Protesters have been holding regular rallies for nearly a year, and their activities are ramping up ahead of local elections in October.

Why GenZ has taken over the streets in Nepal– www.bbc.com

pgnewser September 10, 2025

Why GenZ has taken over the streets in Nepal– www.bbc.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned in the wake of public outrage over the killing of 22 people in police clashes with anti-corruption protesters.

His office said he had stepped down to pave the way for a constitutional solution to the massive youth-led protests over widespread allegations of corruption and sparked by a social media ban, which has since been withdrawn.

The protests turned violent as thousands – many identifying themselves as Gen Z on placards and banners – took to the streets of Kathmandu on Monday.

Almost 200 people are believed to have been injured in clashes with police, who used tear gas, water cannons and live bullets as protesters scaled the walls of the parliament and other official buildings.

The protests continued on Tuesday, with demonstrators setting fire to the parliament building, the headquarters of the Nepali Congress Party and the home of former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. The homes of several other politicians have also been vandalised.

Could the Myanmar Junta Rapidly Collapse Like al-Assad? | Council ...

Myanmar Junta Announces Plans for a Late December Election

pgnewser August 28, 2025

The Myanmar Junta’s election commission has just announced plans to hold a “multiparty democratic general election” on Sunday, December 28, 2025. The commission was formed the previous month. It is seen as a sign that the junta is recognizing its inability to hold a land it took through force, denying the results of a fair and free election, though skepticism abounds as to whether the election will actually happen.

Myanmar to hold general elections on December 28: state media – TRT Global
Source Link
Excerpt:

Myanmar’s election commission has announced that the general polls will be held in Myanmar on December 28, state media reported.

The “multi-party democratic general election” will be held on Sunday, December 28, later this year, MRTV reported on Monday, citing a notification by the Union Election Commission.

The last general elections in the Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian country were held in November 2020, won by the National League of Democracy (NLD), which was ousted in a military coup in February 2021.

The announcement of polls came after the military junta last month formed a commission to oversee general elections, effectively signalling the end of the state of emergency rule.

Junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing also appointed himself as acting president.

Laos, Myanmar deepen ties as they mark 70 years of diplomatic relations – thestar.com.my

Source Link

South Korea’s Speaker Diplomacy Hints at Thawing with North

pgnewser August 12, 2025

South Korea begins removing border propaganda speakers in conciliatory gesture toward North– www.independent.co.uk
Source Link
Excerpt:

The speakers had previously been used to blast anti-North Korean propaganda across the border, but the South’s new liberal government halted the broadcasts in June in a conciliatory gesture as it looks to rebuild trust and revive dialogue with Pyongyang, which has largely cut off cooperation with the South in recent years.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry said the physical removal of the loudspeakers from the border was another “practical measure” aimed at easing tensions between the war-divided Koreas and that it does not affect the South’s military readiness.

Lee Kyung-ho, a spokesperson for the ministry, didn’t share specific details on how the removed loudspeakers will be stored or whether they could be quickly redeployed to the border if tensions flare again between the Koreas. There were no discussions between the two militaries ahead of the South’s decision to remove the speakers, Lee said during a briefing.

North Korea, which is extremely sensitive to any outside criticism of its authoritarian leadership and its third-generation ruler, Kim Jong Un, didn’t immediately comment on the South Korean step.

13 killed in Myanmar junta strike on rebel-occupied ruby mine – South China Morning Post

pgnewser August 4, 2025

Source Link
Excerpt:

A Myanmar junta air strike on a rebel-occupied ruby mining hub killed 13 people on Saturday, according to a resident and a spokesperson for an armed opposition group.

Civil war has consumed Myanmar since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, sparking resistance from pro-democracy guerillas who found common cause with long-active ethnic armed groups.

Their scattered forces initially struggled to make headway, but a combined offensive starting in late 2023 seized swathes of territory, including the town of Mogok – the centre of the ruby trade.

Myanmar is rich in precious stones and rare earth elements coveted by all factions and sold, mostly to neighbouring China, to boost war chests.

A junta spokesperson could not be reached for comment.

Myanmar Junta Turns to Iran for Missiles and Drones – The Irrawaddy

pgnewser July 30, 2025

Source Link
Excerpt:

Iran has found a new market for its arms since the 2021 coup in Myanmar.

A Boeing 747 cargo plane from Iran landed in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon three times between January and April last year.

Operated by Iranian cargo airline Qeshm Fars Air, the flights departed Mashhad, Iran’s second city, and returned to Iran the following day, flight tracker data shows.

What did Qeshm Fars Air bring to Myanmar?

One of the flights delivered a consignment of 21 boxes thought to contain military drones and engines. The sight of Iranian cargo planes landing in Myanmar’s capital has also sparked speculation they are supplying the junta with more powerful weapons, including guided missiles.

Qeshm Fars Air is already under US sanctions for allegedly transporting weapons to Tehran-backed groups in the Syrian civil war on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. But Myanmar Air Force defectors and other informed sources told The Irrawaddy that Tehran is now also delivering weapons to Myanmar.