SEOUL – South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has urged North Korea to be more flexible in dealing with the United States, adding that her country remains optimistic that Pyongyang will “at some point” return to dialogue with the US. Addressing foreign media in Seoul on Friday (May 3), Ms Kang also said South Korea will continue to support the… Read more »
GENEVA (REUTERS) – North Korea has cut public food rations to 300g per day, the lowest level ever for this time of year, with further cuts likely after the lowest agricultural production in a decade, the United Nations said on Friday (May 3). The UN carried out a food assessment at the request of North Korea from March 29 to… Read more »
SEOUL (AFP) – A petition calling for the South Korean government to dissolve the main opposition party has gained 1.7 million signatures in less than two weeks, in what analysts call a sign of growing intolerance in the former dictatorship. After decades of military rule, millions of people took to the streets to demand democracy in 1987, leading to a… Read more »
HONG KONG (CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) Air pollution is getting worse in Hong Kong, but not that many people recognise its devastating effect on public health. They should. The World Health Organisation (WHO) links air pollution to the death of 7 million people a year, accounting for more than 30 percent of the fatalities from stroke, lung cancer and heart… Read more »
I played the role of one of the main speakers/representatives for my country in the UN simulation. I was often the one to speak on behalf of my country in front of the room of delegates and I was influential in debating and discussing the possible resolutions with other countries during un moderated caucuses. I felt fairly prepared for the… Read more »
On Tuesday April 23, Japan announced that it plans to drop the plan to apply ‘maximum’ pressure to North Korea as a new installation to its official foreign policy. This move is a sudden and surprising ‘softening’ from the Japanese government, just as several major powers converge in policy discussions in Pyongyang. Last year tensions with North Korea and its… Read more »
A university in Japan said it would not hire professors or teachers who smoke, a move that apparently is a first by a state-run university, Asahi Shimbun reported. However, Nagasaki University officials said exemptions to the rule will be allowed if applicants promise to quit the habit after taking up the post. The new policy announced on April 19 reflects… Read more »
Shanghai is looking to be the primary global destination for science and technology efforts, after burnishing its credentials as a hub for finance and shipping. To achieve that goal, Shanghai will construct a national science centre and develop several key industries including integrated circuits, biomedicine and artificial intelligence, the authorities said during a recent news briefing on Shanghai’s high-quality growth…. Read more »
Japan on Tuesday (April 23) dropped the push to apply “maximum pressure” on North Korea from its official foreign policy, an apparent softening of Tokyo’s position as major powers engage with Pyongyang. In last year’s Diplomatic Bluebook, published when tensions on the Korean peninsula were soaring, Japan said it was coordinating efforts with its allies to “maximise pressure on North… Read more »
Ties between Singapore and China have grown tremendously since they were established in 1990, and there is great potential for them to develop further, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said. He drew attention to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), saying Singapore was well-placed to make a “modest contribution” in this area. He said Singapore hoped to be able… Read more »