South Korea's Yoon refuses questioning again as detention deadline looms. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, arrested on charges of insurrection, has refused to attend questioning as investigators face a Friday deadline to seek a court-approved detention warrant or release him. Yoon, the first sitting president arrested in South Korea, is accused of imposing martial law in December, sparking the nation's worst political crisis in decades. His lawyers challenged the arrest's legality, but the court upheld it. Ju-min Park and Joyce Lee, Reuters, January 16
Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration. China announced that Vice-President Han Zheng will attend U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, marking the first time a senior Chinese leader has participated in such an event. The Chinese foreign ministry emphasized strengthening dialogue, managing differences, and fostering sustainable U.S.-China relations. While foreign dignitaries commonly attend U.S. presidential inaugurations, Han’s attendance signals Beijing's intent to engage constructively with the new administration. South China Morning Post, January 16
Myanmar junta pushes key Chinese projects in Rakhine despite looming AA threat. The Myanmar military regime is advancing the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone and deep-sea port projects in partnership with China's CITIC Consortium, despite increased control by the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State. These projects, valued at over $8 billion, are critical to the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor connecting Yunnan to the Indian Ocean. The junta continues work despite AA threats. Maung Kavi, The Irrawaddy, January 16
Philippines, China pledge to seek common ground on South China Sea. The Philippines and China agreed to pursue cooperation and peaceful resolutions despite ongoing disputes in the South China Sea, as discussed during their 10th bilateral consultation on Thursday. Both nations pledged to enhance coast guard and marine scientific collaboration while committing to dialogue, though they exchanged criticisms over recent maritime incidents. The Philippines raised concerns about Chinese coast guard actions within its exclusive economic zone, while China accused Manila of provocations. Mikhail Flores, Karen Lema, and Ethan Wang, Reuters, January 16
U.S. approves sale of additional air-to-surface missiles to Japan. The U.S. has approved Japan’s purchase of extended-range JASSM-ER missiles and related equipment for $39 million to bolster its defense capabilities against threats from China and North Korea. Japan requested up to 16 missiles to enhance its counterstrike capabilities, marking a significant shift under its war-renouncing Constitution. The missiles, designed for use on F-15 and other fighter jets, enable Japan to target adversaries from outside their strike range. Kyodo News, January 16
Vietnamese PM meets with Polish President in Warsaw. On January 16, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Polish President Andrzej Duda at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw. The leaders celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Poland, expressing satisfaction with the positive developments in their partnership. Bilateral trade reached over US$3 billion in 2024, solidifying Poland's position as Vietnam's largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Vietnam News, January 17
Presidential hopefuls face dilemma over relations with Pres. Yoon. Ruling People Power Party presidential contenders face a strategic challenge in balancing their ties with impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Party rules equally weigh member votes and public opinion, forcing candidates to navigate conservative support while appealing to centrist voters. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon cautiously backed legal procedure over Yoon's case, while Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo dismissed impeachment efforts as "hysteria." Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo leads in polls due to strong conservative backing. Lee Sang-heon, The Dong-A Ilbo, January 17
China’s local governments raise minimum wages to boost consumption. Several Chinese provinces, including Shanxi, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Chongqing, have raised minimum wages to stimulate domestic demand amid economic uncertainties. Increases range from 70 yuan to over 200 yuan per month, with Chongqing and Sichuan now setting wages at 2,200 yuan. Xinjiang raised its minimum wage by 13.6%, while Shanghai remains the highest at 2,690 yuan. These adjustments aim to enhance the spending power of low- and middle-income workers, who comprise 64.2% of the population. Alice Li, South China Morning Post, January 16
Tokyo, Manila to step up security cooperation with Trump-era U.S. Japan and the Philippines have agreed to enhance trilateral cooperation with the United States on maritime security, cybersecurity, and economic security. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo met in Manila on January 15, emphasizing collaboration with the incoming Trump administration. Japan reaffirmed its support for Manila’s maritime security through Official Security Assistance and Development programs. Toshiya Obu and Nen Satomi, The Asahi Shimbun, January 16
China’s top political adviser, Wang Huning, reaffirms support for private economy. Wang Huning, China’s No. 4 political figure, has pledged stronger support for the private sector, which generates over 60% of GDP and employs 80% of the urban workforce. He emphasized guiding entrepreneurs to overcome challenges and fostering growth. Amid financing difficulties and external pressures, Beijing aims to revive confidence through a private economy promotion law that addresses fair competition, property protections, and market access. Carol Yang, South China Morning Post, January 16
N. Korea warns of taking action 'more intensively' over S. Korea, U.S., Japan's air drills. North Korea criticized recent trilateral air drills involving South Korea, the United States, and Japan, which included U.S. B-1B bombers, and vowed to intensify its self-defense measures. The North's foreign ministry denounced the exercises as “provocations,” warning of "toughest counteraction." The drills aimed to strengthen regional defense against North Korea's growing missile and nuclear threats, following Pyongyang's hypersonic and ballistic missile launches earlier this month. Kim Soo-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, January 17
Indonesia plans defense budget hike to 1.5% of GDP. The Indonesian Ministry of Defense intends to increase the defense budget from 0.8% to 1.5% of the nation's GDP to enhance military capabilities. This gradual rise aims to improve defense posture through procurement of weapons, infrastructure development, and human resource enhancement. The feasibility of this increase depends on economic stability and regional GDP contributions. ANTARA News, January 16
China’s Xinjiang hosts foreign university students to debunk Western narratives. Xinjiang officials, including Communist Party chief Ma Xingrui, hosted international students in Urumqi to counter Western claims about the region, emphasizing its harmony and openness. The visit aimed to address allegations of forced labor and human rights abuses, which Beijing denies. Ma encouraged students to explore Xinjiang’s “true situation” and deepen mutual understanding. This initiative is part of broader efforts to reshape global perceptions of Xinjiang. William Zheng, South China Morning Post, January 16
Police detain acting chief of Presidential Security Service. Kim Seong-hoon, acting head of South Korea’s Presidential Security Service, was detained Friday on charges of obstructing investigators attempting to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month. Kim, who assumed his role after the resignation of Park Chong-jun, allegedly led efforts to block the execution of a detention warrant for Yoon. Police obtained a warrant after Kim ignored three summonses for questioning. Chae Yun-hwan, Yonhap News Agency, January 17
Japan’s new labour market reforms need to go further. After decades of stagnant wage growth, Japan is pursuing the ‘New Trinity’ labor market reforms to improve productivity and wage equity, as part of its ‘New Form of Capitalism’ initiative. These reforms include reskilling workers, transitioning to a job-based pay system, and facilitating labor mobility in growth sectors. While efforts like direct financial support for worker training and transparent performance evaluation systems aim to address systemic issues, challenges remain. Traditional practices like seniority-based pay and strict dismissal regulations limit inter-firm mobility, while Japanese companies lag in human resource investment compared to global peers. Without addressing employer-side challenges and strengthening social safety nets, the reforms’ potential to drive meaningful inter-sectoral labor movement and sustained productivity growth will remain constrained. Shujiro Urata, East Asia Forum, January 16
Thai nationalism rears its ugly head again. Former yellow shirt leader Sondhi Limthongkul’s renewed nationalist rhetoric threatens Thailand’s domestic stability and relations with Cambodia. He demands the annulment of the 2001 agreements on the Overlapping Claims Area, framing them as violations of Thai sovereignty, and has vowed to stage protests if his demands are unmet. Thai nationalists, emboldened by the government’s poor communication, continue to resist negotiations, recalling past tensions that sparked border conflicts over the Preah Vihear Temple. In 2013, the International Court of Justice ruled the temple belonged to Cambodia, but nationalist provocations led to territorial losses and strained relations. Thaksin Shinawatra’s 2024 pledge to unlock the area’s oil and gas potential has reignited opposition, as nationalists reject anything short of full sovereignty. Despite diminished influence, yellow-shirt nationalists remain a destabilizing force, impeding progress in Thailand–Cambodia relations and endangering Thailand’s interests. William J Jones, East Asia Forum, January 17
China’s Soft Power Play: How Video Games Are Boosting Beijing’s Global Influence. China is leveraging its burgeoning video game industry to increase its global soft power, with tech giant Tencent at the forefront. Tencent's strategic investments, including ownership of Riot Games and a large stake in Epic Games, have expanded its international reach. Games like "Honor of Kings" incorporate Chinese cultural elements, subtly promoting the nation's heritage. The success of "Black Myth: Wukong," inspired by the classic novel "Journey to the West," exemplifies this trend, achieving large global sales and acclaim. These developments point towards a shift in cultural influence, positioning China as a formidable player in the global gaming industry. Shaoyu Yuan, The Diplomat, January 16
Myanmar’s Silent Disease: How Everyday Bribery Fuels Autocratic Control. In Myanmar, bribery has become an ingrained part of daily life, with citizens often resorting to unofficial payments to access basic services. This pervasive corruption extends across various sectors, including administrative permissions, traffic offenses, and pension withdrawals. The State Administration Council's (SAC) stringent security measures have inadvertently increased opportunities for bureaucratic exploitation. For instance, the reintroduction of overnight guest registrations now often requires unofficial payments, especially for guests from regions with active resistance movements. Additionally, the enforcement of the 2010 Military Service Law has led to widespread bribery, with families paying substantial amounts to avoid conscription. These practices not only burden citizens but also serve as tools for the regime to consolidate power and suppress dissent. Su Mon Thazin Aung, Fulcrum, January 17
Najib Razak’s ‘House Arrest’: Royal Addendum Raises Riveting Questions for Malaysia. On 29 January 2024, Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak received a partial pardon from the Pardons Board, chaired by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, reducing his prison sentence from 12 to 6 years and his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million. Subsequently, a Royal Addendum reportedly substituted Najib's reduced prison sentence with house arrest, raising legal questions about its validity, as it appears to have been issued without the Pardons Board's participation. Article 42(8) of Malaysia's Constitution mandates that the King cannot act solely in pardon matters; a Pardons Board must be convened, and the Attorney-General's written opinion considered. The courts now face the task of determining whether the King can unilaterally issue such an addendum or if the Board must reconvene to reconsider the petition. Additionally, the Prisons Act 1995 assigns the power to designate house arrest to the Minister of Home Affairs, not the Board or the King. This situation shows the ongoing debate over whether the King's power of pardon is discretionary or subject to advice, a matter complicated by past court rulings and constitutional amendments affecting royal immunity. Shad Saleem Faruqi, Fulcrum, January 16