South Korean investigators question arrested President Yoon in insurrection probe. Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested Wednesday and interrogated over his December 3 martial law declaration. The unprecedented detention involved over 3,000 police officers at his residence, ending a weeks-long standoff. Yoon, who denies the investigation’s legitimacy, is accused of leading an insurrection and faces up to 20 days of detention if a court approves an extended warrant. While polls show public disapproval of Yoon’s actions, his People Power Party has seen a recent resurgence in support. Hyunsu Yim and Ju-min Park, Reuters, January 15
China’s state security forces given new powers to oversee key building projects. China has granted state security forces expanded authority to supervise sensitive construction projects, including government and military facilities. New rules outline a 38-article framework requiring permits from security agencies for any new, rebuilt, or altered structures tied to state security. Applicants must submit detailed blueprints and ownership data, with local security agencies conducting inspections and enforcing compliance. The Ministry of State Security emphasized safeguarding facilities from foreign espionage amid rising U.S.-China tensions. William Zheng, South China Morning Post, January 15
Constitutional Court dismisses Yoon’s request for objection. The Constitutional Court of South Korea dismissed a motion from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s defense team to recuse Justice Jeong Gye-seon from his impeachment trial, citing insufficient grounds. Yoon’s legal team argued Jeong’s connection to the National Assembly’s impeachment committee could bias proceedings. The court also refuted claims that pre-scheduling hearing dates violated procedural regulations, asserting its jurisdiction under constitutional law. 김자현기자, The Dong-A Ilbo, January 15
Japan and Philippines plan to convey to Trump the need for US engagement in Asia. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo emphasized Wednesday the importance of U.S. commitment to Asia under President-elect Donald Trump amid rising tensions in the South and East China Seas. Both nations have bolstered alliances with the U.S. under outgoing President Joe Biden to counter China's increasingly assertive actions. Iwaya stressed the need for trilateral cooperation and warned against unilateral changes to the status quo. Jim Gomez and Joeal Calupitan, AP News, January 15
Chinese Premier Li welcomes visit by Japan PM Ishiba to China: lawmaker. Chinese Premier Li Qiang expressed openness to hosting Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Beijing and showed interest in a trilateral summit with South Korea during a meeting with Japanese lawmakers on Wednesday. Hiroshi Moriyama, a senior Japanese ruling party official, delivered a personal letter from Ishiba to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Plans for high-level economic talks and a trilateral foreign ministers' meeting with South Korea were also discussed. Kyodo News, January 15
PP seeks public input for censure debate. The Palang Pracharath Party (PP) has called on the public to provide information for use in an upcoming no-confidence debate against the government, anticipated for March. Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut revealed that the party has identified about 20 key issues to address, including accusations of policy mismanagement and corruption. Some of the allegations concern conflicts of interest within coalition parties. The PP emphasized public input as essential for holding the government accountable. Bangkok Post, January 16
Bangladesh's top court acquits former PM Khaleda in graft case. Bangladesh’s Supreme Court acquitted former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Wednesday in a 2008 corruption case, overturning her 2018 jail sentence. The verdict also cleared her son Tarique Rahman and others, allowing Khaleda to contest parliamentary elections. The case accused her of embezzling 21 million taka in foreign donations for an orphanage trust during her 2001-2006 term. Khaleda, 79, recently flew to London for medical treatment. The BNP has called for elections amid political and economic instability. Reuters, January 15
Russia says it will help Vietnam become a ‘partner country’ in the BRICS bloc of developing nations. Russia pledged to support Vietnam’s involvement as a “partner country” in BRICS, following Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit to Hanoi. While the bloc, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded to include nations like Iran and Indonesia, Vietnam remains cautious about full membership, partly due to U.S. relations under the Trump administration. Russia also reiterated its commitment to help Vietnam develop a nuclear power industry as part of deepening bilateral ties. Aniruddha Ghosal, AP News, January 15
Ishimaru forms party, sets sights on election for Tokyo assembly. Shinji Ishimaru, runner-up in last year’s Tokyo gubernatorial election, announced the formation of Saisei no Michi, a regional political party aiming to contest this summer's Tokyo metropolitan assembly election. He has not outlined specific policies, leaving decisions to individual candidates. Ishimaru will not run for an assembly seat but will lead the party, possibly pursuing another gubernatorial bid. Candidate selection includes application screening, aptitude tests, and public interviews. The Asahi Shimbun, January 15
Uzbekistan unveils plan to upgrade Middle Corridor trade. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has issued a decree outlining a five-year plan to enhance Uzbekistan's trade via the Middle Corridor, which connects China to Europe through the Caspian Sea. The plan focuses on diversifying trade routes away from Russia, reducing transportation costs, and improving freight logistics efficiency. It includes expanding infrastructure at key border crossings and improving connections with Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to boost trade with Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Eurasianet, January 15
Voting begins in quake-ravaged Pacific nation of Vanuatu. Vanuatu voters began casting ballots Thursday to elect a new government following a month of political turmoil. The snap election was triggered by President Nikenike Vurobaravu’s dissolution of parliament after a no-confidence motion. Over 300,000 registered voters will choose representatives for 52 parliamentary seats, with results expected in several days due to logistical challenges on outlying islands. The election follows 18 months of political instability, during which Vanuatu had three prime ministers. Renju Jose, Reuters, January 15
China, Sri Lanka agree more investment and economic cooperation. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake signed 15 agreements on Wednesday, focusing on economic and technological development and aligning China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Sri Lanka’s 2030 digital economy plan. Dissanayake, visiting Beijing after India, emphasized China’s vital role in Sri Lanka’s infrastructure projects. Xi pledged to deepen bilateral ties, including boosting trade and tourism. Liz Lee, Reuters, January 15
Addressing South Korea’s Provider-to-Patient Ratio Crisis. South Korea's healthcare system, despite its universal coverage, faces a provider-to-patient ratio crisis. The nation has only 2.7 practicing doctors per 1,000 people, ranking fourth lowest among OECD countries. This shortage is particularly acute in high-risk, low-pay specialties like pediatrics, obstetrics, and emergency care, and is exacerbated by the concentration of medical professionals in urban areas, leaving rural regions underserved. The government's plan to increase medical school admission quotas by 2,000 students annually aims to address this issue. However, medical professionals express concerns that this approach may compromise the quality of medical education and training. They advocate for systemic reforms, including improved working conditions, better compensation, and better support for underrepresented specialties, to effectively resolve the crisis. Destiny Kanning, Korea Economic Institute of America, January 15
As Trump Returns, Sino-Indian Relations Are Changing. In anticipation of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House, marked by his threats of imposing 100% tariffs on BRICS nations challenging the dollar's dominance, India is seeking closer ties with China. This is evidenced by the recent agreement to end the prolonged military standoff along their Himalayan border and increased Indian interest in attracting Chinese investment. Concurrently, U.S.-India relations are experiencing strain, with rising anti-American sentiment within India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, partly due to perceptions of U.S. interference in regional politics and legal actions against Indian business figures. This suggests a possible geopolitical realignment, as India navigates between its traditional relationship with the U.S. and a burgeoning partnership with China. Debasish Roy Chowdhury, China-US Focus, January 15
Vietnam’s new regime finds its footing. Following the death of Vietnam’s long-time leader Nguyen Phu Trong in July 2024, Police General To Lam ascended as the Communist Party’s General Secretary, leveraging his pivotal role in the Party’s anti-corruption efforts. Initially met with skepticism about his ability to manage Vietnam’s sprawling government and economy, Lam quickly demonstrated his leadership alongside Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh by focusing on institutional reform. Drawing from Resolution 18-NQ/TW, the emerging plan aims to streamline ministries, reduce overlaps, delegate authority to localities, and filter out underperforming officials, constituting 20% of personnel. With a mandate requiring all state agencies to present restructuring plans by March 2025 and implement them by year-end, Lam’s administration seeks to create a leaner and more effective political system. If successful, this "new era" could solidify Lam’s leadership at the Party’s 14th Congress in January 2026. David Brown, East Asia Forum, January 16
Interest rate cuts spark cautious optimism in New Zealand. New Zealand’s economy is showing signs of cautious optimism following the Reserve Bank's monetary easing cycle, which began with a 25 basis point OCR cut in August 2024 and continued with consecutive 50 basis point cuts in October and November. These measures have brought inflation closer to the 1–3% target, with CPI inflation falling from 7.3% in June 2022 to 2.2% in September 2024, though non-tradable inflation remains elevated at 4.9%. Lower interest rates have boosted confidence among households and businesses, particularly in the building sector, despite weak construction demand. Over half of New Zealand mortgages are set for repricing by mid-2025, allowing the full effects of rate cuts to flow more rapidly through the economy. However, challenges persist, including weak GDP growth, prolonged economic downturn, and a delayed fiscal surplus now projected for 2029. Globally, geopolitical tensions and protectionist trends add uncertainty, but lower interest rates worldwide are expected to gradually support recovery. Christina Leung & Ting Huang, East Asia Forum, January 15
Beyond Debt: China-Sri Lanka Economic Relations in a New Era. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's visit to Beijing from January 14 to 17, 2025, underscores China's pivotal role in Sri Lanka's economic recovery post-default. While China has been a major lender and investor in Sri Lanka over the past 15 years, the current focus is moving from debt to investment. Dissanayake's administration is prioritizing attracting Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) to stimulate economic growth, particularly in sectors like manufacturing and technology. This aims to leverage China's Belt and Road Initiative to improve Sri Lanka's infrastructure and digital economy, creating sustainable development beyond mere debt dependency. Umesh Moramudali & Yunnan Chen, The Diplomat, January 15
The Johor-Singapore SEZ: 1963 Reimagined? The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), formalized during the 2025 bilateral leaders' retreat, signifies a landmark collaboration between Singapore and Malaysia. This initiative combines Singapore's technological and financial expertise with Johor's ample land, labor, and natural resources. Spanning 3,571 square kilometers—over four times the size of Singapore—the JS-SEZ aims to reshape the economies of both nations. In 2024, trade between Singapore and Malaysia reached a record $78.59 billion, a 6.7% increase from 2023. Building on this momentum, the JS-SEZ is projected to create 20,000 skilled jobs and support 50 high-value projects within its first five years. Priority sectors include advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, the digital economy, healthcare, education, and logistics. This collaboration offers an opportunity to improve the strategic partnership between Singapore and Malaysia, at a time when bilateral ties are on solid footing. Marcus Loh, The Diplomat, January 15
Mainland Chinese Muslims in Malaysia: Cultural Diversity within a Specific Islamic Framework. The opening of the Chinese-Muslim Mosque of Klang in Selangor, modeled after the Great Mosque of Xi’an, exemplifies the growing influence of mainland Chinese Muslims in Malaysia. This development shows the integration of Chinese cultural elements into Malaysia's predominantly Malay-Muslim identity, provided it does not challenge the existing religious framework. The rise of Chinese-Muslim restaurants, particularly those offering halal Northwestern Chinese and Xinjiang cuisine, further reflects this cultural infusion. These establishments are predominantly located in areas with large Malay populations, such as Kuala Lumpur, Ampang, Gombak, and Bangi, indicating acceptance within the Malay-Muslim community. Additionally, Chinese-Muslim influencers and cultural events contribute to this phenomenon, operating within the boundaries of Malaysia's established Islamic norms. James Chai, Fulcrum, January 16