19 h. ago South Korea’s probes into Yoon, wife: search for truth or ‘political revenge’?

The passage of three laws mandating special investigations into corruption and abuse of power allegations involving impeached president Yoon Suk-yeol and his controversial wife marks a significant setback for South Korea’s conservatives, according to analysts. Former first lady Kim Keon-hee was long considered beyond the reach of law enforcement, largely due to her outsize influence over her husband and state affairs. But that “untouchable” status appears to be fading following a change in...

Politics

19 h. ago South Korea’s probes of Yoon, wife: search for truth or ‘political revenge’?

The passage of three laws mandating special investigations into corruption and abuse of power allegations involving impeached president Yoon Suk-yeol and his controversial wife marks a significant setback for South Korea’s conservatives, according to analysts. Former first lady Kim Keon-hee was long considered beyond the reach of law enforcement, largely due to her outsize influence over her husband and state affairs. But that “untouchable” status appears to be fading following a change in...

Politics

28 h. ago South Korea’s president faces tough balancing act between allies, adversaries

Around six months after president Yoon Suk-yeol’s ousting, Liberal Party candidate Lee Jae-myung was elected as South Korea’s new president following a snap election on June 3. Lee’s victory marks a significant political shift, not just in domestic governance, but also in how South Korea may seek to navigate its ever-worsening relations with North Korea. In his inaugural address at the National Assembly, Lee stated his intention to deter military provocations from the North and also “open a...

Politics

43 h. ago Labubu craze sweeps globe, highlights power China, Asia stars have on consumer trends

Asian and Chinese stars are rewriting the fashion industry playbook, turning niche favourites into global must-haves. The Post explores how celebrity choices shape style and consumption while reflecting the values of today’s fans. Lisa Labubu At 28, Lisa of the South Korean girl band Blackpink has more than 100 million social media followers and more than 1.9 billion online streams for her solo debut Lalisa. In April 2024, the Thai star posted photos with a Labubu plush toy and a matching...

Politics

43 h. ago Labubu craze sweeps globe, highlights power of China, Asia stars have on consumer trends

Asian and Chinese stars are rewriting the fashion industry playbook, turning niche favourites into global must-haves. The Post explores how celebrity choices shape style and consumption while reflecting the values of today’s fans. Lisa Labubu At 28, Lisa of the South Korean girl group Blackpink has more than 100 million social media followers and over 1.9 billion online streams for her solo debut, Lalisa. In April last year, the Thai star posted photos with a Labubu plush toy and a matching...

Politics

52 h. ago North Korean spy drama in China may signal Beijing’s unease over growing Pyongyang

North Korean spy drama in China may signal Beijing’s unease over growing Pyongyang-Moscow ties  Yahoo

Events

67 h. ago South Korea has a new president. Will it have a new China policy?

South Korea’s new progressive president is likely to adopt a more “prudent” stance on Taiwan than his predecessor and focus on boosting economic ties with Beijing, according to observers. But they also expect continuity in trilateral military cooperation with the US and Japan. Lee Jae-myung was sworn in after winning a snap election held on Tuesday, two months after his predecessor – Yoon Suk-yeol – was impeached and removed over his abrupt declaration of martial law in December. Lee and his...

Politics

67 h. ago South Korea has a new president. Will it have a different China policy?

South Korea’s new progressive president is likely to adopt a more “prudent” stance on Taiwan than his predecessor and focus on boosting economic ties with Beijing, according to observers. But they also expect continuity in trilateral military cooperation with the US and Japan. Lee Jae-myung was sworn in after winning a snap election held on Tuesday, two months after his predecessor – Yoon Suk-yeol – was impeached and removed over his abrupt declaration of martial law in December. Lee and his...

Politics

67 h. ago South Korea has a new president. Will it get a new China policy?

South Korea’s new progressive president is likely to adopt a more “prudent” stance on Taiwan than his predecessor and focus on boosting economic ties with Beijing, according to observers. But they also expect continuity in trilateral military cooperation with the US and Japan. Lee Jae-myung was sworn in after winning a snap election held on Tuesday, two months after his predecessor – Yoon Suk-yeol – was impeached and removed over his abrupt declaration of martial law in December. Lee and his...

Politics

68 h. ago EU pushes for ‘independence’ from China and US – but can it achieve it?

For more than four months, Europe has been one of US President Donald Trump’s favourite punchbags, absorbing bruising blows on trade, security and social issues. Over the same period, the European Union has held out an olive branch to Beijing, seeking concessions on economic matters in exchange for better political ties. The consensus now in Brussels is that China has chosen not to grab it. Sandwiched between two uncompromising superpowers, a growing number of European leaders are pushing for...

Politics

68 h. ago EU pushes for ‘independence’ from China and US – but can it get there?

For more than four months, Europe has been one of US President Donald Trump’s favourite punchbags, absorbing bruising blows on trade, security and social issues. Over the same period, the European Union has held out an olive branch to Beijing, seeking concessions on economic matters in exchange for better political ties. The consensus now in Brussels is that China has chosen not to grab it. Sandwiched between two uncompromising superpowers, a growing number of European leaders are pushing for...

Politics

69 h. ago South Korea’s new ‘president for all’ inherits a deeply divided nation

When Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung emerged victorious early on Wednesday in South Korea’s snap presidential election, elation swept through his supporters massed outside the National Assembly. Strobe lights lit the night sky, celebratory music thundered from speakers and the crowd erupted into cheers and embraces – some dissolving into tears of relief. Just a few hundred metres away, however, the atmosphere outside the People Power Party’s (PPP) headquarters could not have been more...

Politics

3 d. ago What South Korea’s new president means for its US, China ties

Six months ago, South Korea teetered on the brink of authoritarian regression. But on Tuesday, its citizens elected Lee Jae-myung – a symbol of resilience and reform – as their new president, in a vote seen as a rebuke of his predecessor’s failed martial law decree that plunged the nation into a political crisis. The liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate secured a decisive victory over conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party (PPP), capturing 49.42 per cent of the...

Politics

3 d. ago China seeks improved ties with Canada amid rising trade tensions

China seeks improved ties with Canada amid rising trade tensions  Selangor Journal

Events

4 d. ago With 50 years of history, Manila and Beijing should do better diplomacy

June 9 marks the 50th anniversary of Philippines-China relations, ties steeped in history but marred by friction in recent years. Sadly, an overemphasis on the intractable sea dispute has polluted broader connections, stunting economic cooperation and stigmatising people-to-people exchanges. This is irrational and unproductive. For Manila to make the sea row front and centre of ties is a tragedy of its foreign policy. For China to see its smaller neighbour as a mere pawn in its great power...

Politics

4 d. ago Trump’s China Envoy Seeks to Calm US Firms as Trade Ties Fray

Trump’s China Envoy Seeks to Calm US Firms as Trade Ties Fray  Bloomberg

Politics

4 d. ago South Korea’s Lee pledges warmer ties, but past tensions leave Japan ‘worried’

South Korea’s newly inaugurated President Lee Jae-myung has pledged to pursue warmer ties with Japan, but analysts caution that optimism may be premature, citing his past criticism of Tokyo’s wartime actions and fears he could reignite anti-Japan sentiment to bolster domestic support amid economic challenges. Within hours of taking office, Lee struck a conciliatory tone, calling for collaboration in areas such as trade, security and culture. “We can identify mutually beneficial areas in the...

Events

4 d. ago Op Sindoor Sent China a Stern Message: Tharoor, Surya Expose Beijing’s 'Kill Chain' Ties With Pak

Op Sindoor Sent China a Stern Message: Tharoor, Surya Expose Beijing’s 'Kill Chain' Ties With Pak  Times of India

Events

5 d. ago South Korea’s new leader faces tightrope act between China ties, US alliance

Hours after Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as the president of South Korea early on Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended a congratulatory message, emphasising that China placed “great importance” on strengthening ties with its neighbour amid an increasingly uncertain global landscape. During his campaign, Lee pledged to repair strained ties with China and North Korea and underscored China’s role as a vital trading partner. Analysts predicted more stable China-South Korea relations to...

Politics

5 d. ago South Korean father kills family amid overwhelming debt crisis

Struggling with mounting debts, a married father of two drove his car into the sea off South Korea’s southern island of Jindo, resulting in the tragic deaths of his wife and teenage sons. The 49-year-old, who was only identified by the surname Ji, told authorities on Tuesday that his financial burdens had pushed him to such a desperate measure. The man, who was employed as a rebar supervisor, found himself in a challenging financial situation, amassing around 160 million won (US$116,000) in debt...

Events