August 24, 2026

Asia Watch

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

South Korea Goes Woke Protecting Resettled Defectors

pgnewser September 17, 2025 0

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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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 0

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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– 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 0

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
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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 0

Bucks sheriff and ICE collaboration is official - WHYY

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

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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 0

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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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 0

Nepal’s deadly Gen Z protests are about more than just a social media ban – National– globalnews.ca
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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 0

Georgian Opposition Protesters Gather Without Incident A Day After Violent Clashes– www.rferl.org
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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 0

Why GenZ has taken over the streets in Nepal– www.bbc.com
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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 0

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
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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

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South Korea’s Speaker Diplomacy Hints at Thawing with North

pgnewser August 12, 2025 0

South Korea begins removing border propaganda speakers in conciliatory gesture toward North– www.independent.co.uk
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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 0

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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 0

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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.

North Korea Rejects Talks With South Korea’s New President– www.dailysignal.com

pgnewser July 28, 2025 0

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The sister of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has rejected diplomatic talks with South Korea’s new liberal leader.

“We clarify once again the official stand that no matter what policy is adopted and whatever proposal is made in Seoul, we have no interest in it and there is neither the reason to meet nor the issue to be discussed with the [Republic of Korea],” Kim Yo Jong, who speaks on behalf of her brother, said in a statement Monday.

Since taking office in June, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, has expressed a desire to improve relations with North Korea. In a gesture of goodwill, the new South Korean president has stopped loudspeaker broadcasts along the border and has also ended the dropping of leaflets by balloon into North Korea. But Kim Yo Jong says the actions don’t change the relationship between the neighboring countries.

Kim Yo Jong called the end of the “propaganda broadcasting” just “a reversible turning back of what they should not have done in the first place,” adding that because of this, the move “is not the work worthy of appreciation.”

Kim Yo Jong stressed that the relationship between North and South Korea has not changed even though a new president is in power, calling South Korea the “enemy.”

Myanmar junta fleet continues upriver movement through Htigyaing as resistance forces warn of clashes – Burma News International

pgnewser July 25, 2025 0

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A fleet of junta military vessels moving upstream along the Ayeyarwady River resumed its journey from Htigyaing Township on the morning of 23 July, according to the Htigyaing Revolution (TR) group.

The fleet, composed of cargo ships and river warships enroute to Bhamo, halted overnight in Htigyaing on 22 July before continuing its advance. As of 11:15 am on 23 July, the vessels were reportedly near Dingyi Kya village in Htigyaing Township.

“They’ve already left. The situation hasn’t changed much yet. They’re near Dingyi Kya village in Htigyaing Township. There hasn’t been any airstrike so far,” a TR official told reporters.

In anticipation of possible conflict, the Bhamo District People’s Defence Force Battalion 1 issued a public warning on 22 July, urging residents of riverside villages to evacuate immediately. The group also cautioned against traveling along the river, holding festivals, or attending public gatherings due to the risk of air and naval attacks as the fleet approaches.

Myanmar rebels claim to have shot down a fighter jet being used by military to attack ground targets– abcnews.go.com

pgnewser June 10, 2025 0

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BANGKOK — A military fighter jet crashed and burned Tuesday in an area that has seen intense fighting during Myanmar’s civil war, with a rebel group claiming to have shot it down while state-run media reported it suffered a mechanical failure.

The aircraft went down midday in the Sagaing region, about 140 kilometers (85 miles) west of Mandalay, Myanmar ‘s second largest city, according to state-run MRTV television.

It did not identify the type of jet or mention casualties, and said a search and recovery effort was underway in Pale township where it went down.

Local media reports identified the plane as the two-seater Chinese FTC-2000G, a fighter ground-attack jet, and broadcast images of a crashed plane with body parts nearby.

Sagaing region is a stronghold of armed resistance to the military, which seized power in February 2021 from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Opposition to the takeover began peacefully, but escalated into a civil war as the authorities resorted increasingly to lethal force to quell dissent.

Insurgency Intensifies in Southwest Myanmar • Stimson Center– www.stimson.org

pgnewser June 5, 2025 0

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Since launching its sweeping offensive in November 2023, the Arakan Army (AA) has positioned itself to seize its home state, Rakhine, from the Myanmar military. On the eastern fringe of the Bay of Bengal, Rakhine has made international headlines as the site of the 2017 Rohingya genocide and the host to major Indian and Chinese infrastructure projects. The impact of Rakhine’s fall for those issues has been well-explored elsewhere. Less examined is how AA allies in southwest Myanmar have mobilized to support their patron, the AA, and how the group could shape the wider conflict. Although the AA is an avowedly ethnonationalist rebel group primarily interested in self-determination for Rakhine, it has expressed solidarity with the broader anti-junta movement and built up an extensive network of allies within it.

The axis that has emerged as a result has enabled the AA to expand its influence close to India in Chin State, threaten the military’s industrial base in Magway and Bago regions, and endanger the junta’s grip on the rice bowl of Ayeyarwady Region. As of early 2025, the AA is now the premier benefactor of insurgent activity in the southwest, with at least 17 groups and likely far more that have fought alongside and in parallel to the AA in Rakhine, Chin, Bago, Magway, and Ayeyarwady. This has greatly threatened the junta, complicated the AA’s relationship with the National Unity Government (NUG), and further entrenched its place in Chin state. Through these alliances, the AA has the power to greatly impact the trajectory of Myanmar’s civil war.

 

Mongolian PM’s Son’s “Lavish Lifestyle” Leads to His Resignation

pgnewser June 5, 2025 0

Mongolia PM resigns amid protests over his son’s lavish lifestyle– www.bbc.com
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Mongolian prime minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene has resigned after losing a confidence vote in parliament.

The vote followed days of mass protests over corruption allegations – fuelled by social media posts about his son’s lavish birthday party and engagement.

Oyun-Erdene, who took office in 2021, will remain as caretaker PM until a successor is appointed within 30 days.

“It was an honour to serve my country and people in times of difficulties, including pandemics, wars, and tariffs,” he said after the vote.

He had to stand down as he fell short of a majority, or 64 of the 126-seat parliament. Some 82 lawmakers took part in the secret ballot, 44 of whom voted for Oyun-Erdene, while 38 voted against him.

Hundreds of protesters, many of them young people, had been taking to the streets for two weeks before the vote, demanding Oyun-Erdene’s resignation.

South Korea’s new president vows to restart talks with North – National– globalnews.ca

pgnewser June 5, 2025 0

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South Korea’s new President Lee Jae-myung vowed Wednesday to restart dormant talks with North Korea and bolster a trilateral partnership with the U.S. and Japan, as he laid out key policy goals for his single, five-year term.

Lee, who rose from childhood poverty to become South Korea’s leading liberal politician vowing to fight inequality and corruption, began his term earlier Wednesday, hours after winning a snap election that was triggered in April by the removal of then-President Yoon Suk Yeol over his ill-fated imposition of martial law late last year.

In his inaugural address at the National Assembly, Lee said that his government will deal with North Korean nuclear threats and its potential military aggressions with “strong deterrence” based on the South Korea-U.S. military alliance. But he said he would “open a communication channel with North Korea and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula through talks and cooperation.”

He said he’ll pursue pragmatic diplomacy with neighbouring countries and boost trilateral Seoul-Washington-Tokyo cooperation.

“Through pragmatic diplomacy based on national interests, we will turn the crisis posed by the major shift in global economic and security landscapes into an opportunity to maximize our national interests,” Lee said.