Asia Daily: December 10, 2024
North Korea reports South Korea's martial law crisis for first time. North Korea’s state media, KCNA, commented for the first time on South Korea’s political crisis stemming from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration. KCNA highlighted widespread protests involving over a million people calling for Yoon’s impeachment, labeling his actions as reminiscent of a past military dictatorship. While offering limited commentary, the report referenced South Korean and international coverage, describing the situation as escalating “social unrest.” Hyonhee Shin, Reuters, December 10
South Korea’s ex-defense minister is formally arrested over brief imposition of martial law. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun was arrested Wednesday for his role in South Korea’s brief December 3 martial law decree, which triggered widespread protests and allegations of rebellion. Kim is accused of directing troop deployments to block parliament from overturning the order. Investigators claim President Yoon Suk Yeol was directly involved, with opposition parties pushing for a special counsel probe. If convicted of rebellion, Kim faces a maximum death penalty. Hyung-jin Kim and Kim Tong-hyung, AP News, December 10
Komeito-DPP fund reform bill one of several submitted to Diet. Japan’s Komeito party, diverging from its Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) coalition partner, collaborated with the opposition Democratic Party for the People (DPP) to submit a political fund reform bill to the Diet on December 10. The bill proposes a third-party "political fund monitoring committee" to oversee income and expenditure reports of political organizations linked to Diet members, ensuring transparency and accountability. Tsuneo Sasai, Takahiro Okubo, and Shinkai Kawabe, The Asahi Shimbun, December 10
Uzbekistan sets sights on $1.5 billion AI industry by 2030. Uzbekistan has unveiled a strategy to develop its artificial intelligence sector, aiming to expand AI-based software products and services to $1.5 billion by 2030. The plan includes establishing ten scientific laboratories specializing in AI and enhancing the regulatory framework to support technological advancements. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasizes the importance of advancing information technologies and fostering innovation. Sadokat Jalolova, The Times of Central Asia, December 10
Dozens of complaints against Pheu Thai dismissed. Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) dismissed 47 out of 53 complaints against the Pheu Thai Party, citing insufficient grounds. Six cases remain under investigation, including allegations of Thaksin Shinawatra’s influence over the party. A dismissed complaint accusing Pheu Thai of attempting to overthrow the government was previously rejected by the Constitutional Court. The EC has urged its investigative committee to expedite the remaining cases while ensuring fairness. Bangkok Post, December 10
Xi Jinping calls for wider use of Mandarin in China’s border areas amid security push. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for national security and stability in border regions, urging broader adoption of Mandarin and unified textbooks. Addressing a Politburo session, Xi stressed ethnic unity, infrastructure development, and modernized border governance as part of China’s overall development strategy. His remarks follow ongoing tensions in regions like Xinjiang and Tibet, where Mandarin promotion has sparked controversies over cultural assimilation. Vanessa Cai, South China Morning Post, December 10
Myanmar’s KIA sends delegation to China for talks. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) sent a delegation to China for discussions with Chinese officials after an invitation from Beijing. While the agenda remains undisclosed, the talks follow intensified clashes in northern Myanmar, a region crucial to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The KIA, which seeks autonomy for Kachin State, has a force of around 7,000 fighters. Other rebel factions in Shan State have also expressed willingness for China-mediated peace talks with Myanmar’s junta. The Irrawaddy, December 10.
India's opposition parties move to impeach Vice President Dhankhar. Indian opposition parties have filed a motion to impeach Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, accusing him of partisanship in his role as chairman of the upper house of parliament. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed the allegations, calling Dhankhar “professional and impartial.” The move, largely symbolic due to the opposition's lack of votes for his removal, underscores growing tensions between opposition parties and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Tanvi Mehta and Sakshi Dayal, Reuters, December 10
Vietnam, China hold 16th meeting of Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the 16th Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation meeting in Beijing. Both sides reviewed progress since 2023, discussed elevating ties, and agreed on high-level exchanges, joint development projects, and commemorating the 75th anniversary of relations in 2025. Maritime issues were addressed, with commitments to manage disputes and maintain stability in the East Sea. Vietnam News, December 10
U.S. defense secretary in Japan to support alliance as Osprey aircraft safety causes concern. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Japanese officials Tuesday to reaffirm the U.S.-Japan alliance amid threats from China and North Korea. Austin emphasized trilateral cooperation with South Korea, despite political turmoil there, and highlighted the U.S. nuclear deterrence commitment. His visit coincided with Japan grounding its Osprey fleet after a U.S. safety review linked to structural issues. Mari Yamaguchi and Mayuko Ono, AP News, December 10
Army special warfare commander says Yoon ordered him to drag out lawmakers. Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, head of South Korea’s Army Special Warfare Command, testified Tuesday that President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered him to forcibly remove lawmakers from the National Assembly during last week’s martial law operations, though Kwak refused, citing legal and safety concerns. He also revealed receiving advance instructions to secure six key locations, including the National Assembly, days before martial law was declared. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, December 10
Kazakhstan building five cross-border trade hubs. Kazakhstan is planning five cross-border trade hubs to strengthen its role as a global transport and logistics center. Key projects include hubs at Khorgos on the China border, the Caspian Hub along the Trans-Caspian route, and centers at borders with Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Additional container hubs are planned for Aktau and Kuryk ports, with multimodal air hubs in Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, and Aktobe. These initiatives aim to cut transit times, boost production, and create jobs. Sergey Kwan, The Times of Central Asia, December 10
China sends largest naval fleet in decades to region, threat level severe, Taiwan says. Taiwan's defense ministry reported China's deployment of its largest naval fleet in nearly three decades, spanning from Japan’s southern islands to the South China Sea. The deployment, which includes around 90 naval and coast guard ships, is seen as a response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's recent Pacific tour. Taiwan's military raised its alert, citing potential "blockade exercises" and simulated attacks. Officials warn the move aims to establish the Taiwan Strait as China’s "internal sea," increasing regional tensions. Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard, Reuters, December 10
Former chairman of state-owned bank China Everbright Group jailed for 12 years for corruption. Tang Shuangning, ex-chairman of China Everbright Group, received a 12-year prison sentence for embezzlement and bribery, according to CCTV. Tang was found guilty of abusing his position for personal gain, accepting illicit property worth over 11 million yuan ($1.5 million). Tang, who retired in 2017, was expelled from the Communist Party earlier this year amid a broader anti-corruption campaign under President Xi Jinping. His successor, Li Xiaopeng, and several other senior banking officials have also been implicated in financial crimes. AP News, December 10
Canada sanctions 8 Chinese officials, citing human rights violations. Canada imposed sanctions on eight Chinese officials Tuesday, accusing them of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, Tibet, and against Falun Gong followers. Targets include Chen Quanguo, former Xinjiang Communist Party chief, and Wu Yingjie, Tibet’s party head from 2016 to 2021. The sanctions freeze assets and prohibit Canadian financial interactions. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly urged China to end its repression; the sanctions continue a trend of strained relations between the two countries. Ismail Shakil, Reuters, December 10
Top nuclear envoys of S. Korea, Japan agree on close cooperation on N.K. threats at 'sensitive time.' South Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Cho Koo-rae and Japan's Director General Hiroyuki Namazu pledged closer collaboration against North Korea’s provocations during a "sensitive time," according to South Korea’s foreign ministry. They agreed on unified international responses to further provocations and to enhance sanctions enforcement through the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team established with U.S. partners. Kim Seung-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, December 10
Philippines to continue resupply missions in S. China Sea, won't escalate situation. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. affirmed Tuesday that the Philippines will continue resupply missions for fishers in the contested South China Sea but will avoid deploying navy warships to prevent escalation. This follows an incident where Chinese coastguard vessels fired a water cannon and obstructed Philippine boats near Scarborough Shoal. Marcos emphasized support for Filipino fishermen while rejecting provocations. Neil Jerome Morales and Liz Lee, Reuters, December 10
China balances cautiously between Russia and North Korea. The strengthening alliance between Russia and North Korea poses both opportunities and challenges for China. While the partnership could divert U.S. focus away from sensitive areas like the South China Sea and Taiwan, it risks destabilizing Northeast Asia and tarnishing China’s international image. Drawing lessons from the Korean War, China prioritizes maintaining decision-making agency, avoiding asymmetrical alliances, and preserving stability to focus on long-term economic growth. Historical experiences with Taiwan further underline Beijing’s aversion to direct confrontation with the U.S. Despite tacit support for Russia and North Korea against Western dominance, China remains cautious, as aligning too closely with international pariahs risks alienating vital global partners. Recent diplomatic engagements, such as Xi Jinping’s G20 discussion with Joe Biden, emphasize China’s commitment to avoiding conflict on the Korean Peninsula while protecting its strategic interests. Yao Bowen, East Asia Forum, December 10.
The Rise of the BJP’s Hindutva Ideology in Bangladesh. In August 2024, following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and departure, Bangladesh experienced attacks on Hindu homes, businesses, and places of worship, leading to nationwide protests by the Hindu minority, who constitute 8% of the population. During these demonstrations, slogans such as "Jai Shree Ram," associated with India's Hindu nationalist movements, were chanted. On August 11, the Bangladesh Hindu Jagran Manch (BHJM) was formed, mirroring India's Hindu Jagran Manch, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BHJM's Facebook group, created the same day, quickly gained over 10,000 members, with many posts featuring Hindutva symbols like the "Angry Hanuman" and the "Bhagwa Dhwaj" saffron flag. This rise in Hindutva symbols and slogans in Bangladesh reflects the growing influence of India's Hindu nationalist ideology in the Muslim-majority nation. Snigdhendu Bhattacharya, The Diplomat, December 10.
India's statistical challenges mirror China’s past issues. India's official economic figures are increasingly questioned due to growing opacity and inconsistent data, leading to doubts about the accuracy of its gross domestic product (GDP) statistics. Unlike China, where data manipulation has been alleged, there is no evidence of deliberate distortion in India. However, the lack of transparency and methodological clarity has eroded trust. In response, the government plans to establish a new committee to recommend updates to the national accounts, aiming to restore confidence in India's economic data. Mihir Sharma, The Japan Times, December 10
Making Carbon Trading Work: Exploring Collaboration between Japan and ASEAN Countries. Carbon trading is gaining momentum in ASEAN, with countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam advancing market initiatives to finance renewable energy and conservation projects. The region holds great potential for generating carbon credits, with offsets potentially contributing $10 billion annually by 2030. Collaboration with Japan, which brings technological expertise and financial resources, could help address challenges such as fragmented regulations, nascent market mechanisms, and low participation rates. A unified framework could enhance emissions reductions and foster greener, sustainable Japan-ASEAN relations while supporting global decarbonization efforts. Julie de los Reyes and Katrina Navallo, Fulcrum, December 11
Reclaiming the ‘Resilient Filipino’: From Romanticised Climate Narratives Towards Resilience-Focused Climate Policy in the Philippines. The Philippines, frequently impacted by climate-induced disasters, has cultivated a national identity centered on resilience. However, this romanticized notion often obscures systemic vulnerabilities rooted in colonial legacies, such as corruption and social inequities, which hinder effective climate adaptation. Critics argue that glorifying resilience normalizes suffering and excuses institutional failures. To address this, a transformative approach is proposed, redefining resilience to focus on agency and empowerment. By prioritizing human rights, good governance, and reforms in education and social institutions, the Philippines can advance sustainable development and climate goals, enabling communities to thrive rather than merely survive. Ariel Macaspac Hernandez, Fulcrum, December 10