China
China removes 6 generals from legislature as military anti-corruption drive continues. China removed six senior PLA officers from the National People’s Congress as Xi Jinping’s military anti-corruption campaign continued. The removals included commanders from the Equipment Development Department, Western Theatre Command, air force, cyberspace force, and Tibet Military Command, alongside former Xinjiang party chief Ma Xingrui and former financial regulator Li Yunze. Phoebe Zhang, South China Morning Post, June 27
Chinese brokerages push for LME membership to expand global metals role. Yongan Futures, Orient Futures, and Guotai Junan Futures are preparing London Metal Exchange membership applications to expand China’s role in global metals derivatives trading. Only six of more than 40 LME clearing members are Chinese, while most trades are routed through non-Chinese firms despite China’s position as the world’s largest industrial metals producer and consumer. Tom Daly and Pratima Desai, Reuters, June 26
China leads in GPS-style, reconnaissance, and anti-satellite abilities, U.S. report says. China has surpassed the U.S. in positioning, navigation, remote sensing, and counterspace capabilities, according to a U.S. think tank report warning that Beijing is closing the space innovation gap. The report said China’s BeiDou system, satellite imaging networks, and anti-satellite technologies are advancing quickly, while the U.S. retains advantages in low Earth orbit broadband and reusable rockets. Chao Kong, South China Morning Post, June 28
Japan and South Korea scramble fighters in response to Chinese-Russian bomber patrol. Japan and South Korea scrambled fighter jets after Chinese and Russian bombers conducted a joint patrol over the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the western Pacific. Japan tracked H-6 and Tu-95 bombers with escort aircraft, while South Korea said more than 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered its air defense identification zone. Amber Wang, South China Morning Post, June 28
Japan
“Japanese first” party cozies up to ruling LDP in bid for policy wins. Sanseito is moving closer to Japan’s ruling coalition by backing legislation on the retrial system and Japanese flag desecration. The ultraconservative party, which gained prominence with its “Japanese first” message, appears to be seeking policy wins and stronger credibility before unified local elections next spring, where it aims to field 600 candidates. Kyodo News, June 28
Japan approves air force reorganization to boost space defense. Japan enacted legislation to reorganize and rename the Air Self-Defense Force by adding “space” to its official name. The restructured force will launch by March 2027, create a space operations group, improve satellite surveillance, add a second senior vice defense minister, raise SDF retirement benefits, and upgrade Okinawa’s 15th Brigade to a division. Kyodo News, June 26
South Korea
South Korea court gives ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee 7-year jail term for bribery. Former first lady Kim Keon Hee was sentenced to seven years in prison after a Seoul court found she accepted luxury items in exchange for political favors. The judge said the bribes included jewelry, a Dior handbag, a luxury watch, and a painting, and that her conduct damaged trust in public appointments. Heejin Kim and Kyu-Seok Shim, Reuters, June 26
President Lee pledges to resolve N.K. abductee issue through dialogue. President Lee Jae Myung pledged sustained efforts to resolve the issue of South Koreans abducted by North Korea during the Korean War. In a message read at the Korean War Abductees Remembrance Day event, Lee said the government would not let the issue fade into history and would seek peaceful coexistence through dialogue and cooperation. Kim Hyun-soo, Yonhap News Agency, June 28
Cheong Wa Dae denies report of national security adviser meeting Russian official in Kazakhstan. Cheong Wa Dae denied a report that National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac met a senior Russian official during his May visit to Kazakhstan. The office said Wi’s trip was for South Korea-Kazakhstan consultations and that Seoul is managing relations with Moscow through embassies and other diplomatic channels to protect citizens and businesses. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, June 26
South Korea, Japan reaffirm denuclearisation goal, closer defence ties. South Korea and Japan reaffirmed support for Korean Peninsula denuclearisation and agreed to revive joint search-and-rescue drills during defense ministers’ talks in Seoul. Ahn Gyu-back and Shinjiro Koizumi agreed to strengthen bilateral and U.S.-linked cooperation, expand exchanges between the Black Eagles and Blue Impulse teams, and maintain coordination amid a grave security environment. Cynthia Kim and Tim Kelly, Reuters, June 28
Former chief of KTV gets suspended prison term for pro-martial law broadcast censorship. A Seoul court gave former KTV director Lee Eun-woo a suspended one-year prison term for ordering staff to remove subtitles criticizing former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law bid. The court said Lee defended the declaration’s legitimacy, failed KTV’s public-broadcasting duty, and could not justify censorship as government promotion. Kim Seonghun, Yonhap News Agency, June 26
North Korea
South Korea says it will train 500,000 'drone warriors' to counter North Korea. South Korea will expand drone and counter-drone forces by training 500,000 operators and deploying tens of thousands of unmanned systems across frontline units. The Defense Ministry revised its 2029 production target to about 60,000 drones, said components would be fully domestic, and plans counter-drone systems including lasers and high-power microwave weapons. Kyu-Seok Shim and Heejin Kim, Reuters, June 26
Unification minister calls for moving away from ‘denuclearization first’ policy for N. Korea. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said South Korea should stop treating denuclearization as a precondition for peace talks with North Korea. He called for a phased approach of freezing, reducing, and then dismantling Pyongyang’s nuclear program, saying stalled diplomacy has allowed North Korea to expand its capabilities. Chung said renewed U.S.-North Korea dialogue should begin the process and could lead to four-party talks involving the U.S., China, and the two Koreas. Kim Seung-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, June 26
Lee calls for U.S.-N. Korea, inter-Korean dialogue for peace on Korean Peninsula. President Lee Jae Myung called for renewed U.S.-North Korea and inter-Korean dialogue to restore trust and build lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. In a written message to a Washington peace forum, Lee said his administration respects North Korea’s political system, will not pursue hostile activity, and does not seek reunification through absorption. He described peace as the best security policy. Song Sang-ho, Yonhap News Agency, June 26
Thailand
Amnesty bill faces upper house test. Thailand’s Senate is set to debate the Promote Peaceful Society Bill after a special committee completed its review of the amnesty draft and related laws. Questions center on the inclusion of election-related laws covering MPs, senators, and the Election Commission, though the bill excludes electoral fraud, unfair elections, and false qualification declarations. Former senator Somchai Sawaengkarn warned that the provisions could fuel suspicion if not clearly tied to political protest cases. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, June 27
City Hall vows transparency on eve of Bangkok election. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said it was fully prepared for Sunday’s governor and city council elections, promising transparent procedures and real-time unofficial vote reporting. Polls will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with preliminary results expected by 10 p.m. The BMA said vote counts will be posted at polling stations, uploaded online, and shown publicly, while officials target 70% turnout among more than 4.4 million eligible governor-election voters. Online Reporters, Bangkok Post, June 28
PM rejects exam fraud claims. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dismissed allegations from a leaked audio clip linking the wife of the Interior Ministry’s permanent secretary to local government exam fraud, calling the claims unverified. He said corruption, lack of transparency, or unfairness toward candidates must be prosecuted if proven. Investigators are examining alleged recruitment-test irregularities involving about 9,000 candidates, payments of 300,000 to 900,000 baht, and suspected illicit proceeds exceeding 4 billion baht. Wassayos Ngamkham, Bangkok Post, June 26
Myanmar
Chinese border markers reach edge of Muse town in latest encroachment. Residents in Muse said Chinese border markers have advanced further into Myanmar territory, with flagpoles reaching the edge of town near Mingalar Muse Market. Locals reported similar fencing advances across northern Shan State, including in areas controlled by the UWSA and MNDAA, while fear of retaliation has limited public protest. No formal objection has been issued by the ethnic armed groups or the Myanmar military. Shwe Nwe, The Irrawaddy, June 26
Laos
Laos reports economic growth as inflation slows to 7.4 percent in June. Laos recorded 5% economic growth in the first half of 2026 as inflation slowed to 7.4% in June, staying within the government’s target of below 8%. Revenue collection reached 52% of the annual target, foreign reserves covered more than five months of imports, and authorities credited stabilization measures, stronger revenue collection, and tighter macroeconomic management for easing price pressures. Phoudasack Vongsay, The Laotian Times, June 26
Cambodia
China's Xi pledges to establish security partnership with Cambodia. Xi Jinping told Hun Sen that China is willing to establish a security partnership with Cambodia as the regional situation undergoes “complex and profound changes.” Xi said Cambodia remains a priority in China’s neighborhood diplomacy, pledged support for Cambodian sovereignty and security, and praised Phnom Penh’s efforts against telecoms and online fraud. Ethan Wang and Ryan Woo, Reuters, June 26
Cambodia protests Thai military's forest clearing, barbed-wire installation in Oddar Meanchey. Cambodia lodged a new diplomatic protest accusing Thai forces of further encroachment between early June and June 26 in Ampil Commune, near Boundary Pillar No. 26. The Foreign Ministry said forest-clearing and barbed-wire installation violated the 2000 Cambodia-Thailand border memorandum and the Dec. 27, 2025, ceasefire agreement. Phnom Penh rejected unilateral Thai boundary claims, urged de-escalation, and said it has sent nine diplomatic notes and 32 formal protests over alleged border activities. Sao Phal Niseiy, Cambodianess, June 28
Philippines
Impeach trial could drag for 7 months. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial could last seven or eight months and possibly end in February 2027. The Senate will begin trial proceedings on July 7 while also handling the 2027 budget, juvenile justice proposals, and the flood control fund probe. Gatchalian said senators are studying ways to shorten the process, including reducing witnesses and reviewing how to handle around 10,000 marked pieces of evidence. Bernadette E. Tamayo and Reina C. Tolentino, The Manila Times, June 28
New U.S. ambassador arrives in Manila. U.S. Ambassador Lee Lipton arrived in Manila to begin his tour of duty as Washington’s top envoy to the Philippines. The U.S. Embassy welcomed him back and said it looked forward to his leadership as the two countries mark 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, while the United States also prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence on July 4. Bernadette E. Tamayo, The Manila Times, June 28
Indonesia
Indonesia rights body urges end to military training in Prabowo cooperative project after five die. Indonesia’s human rights commission urged the government to end basic military training for prospective managers of Prabowo Subianto’s Red and White Cooperatives programme after five participants died. The Defense Ministry said it would evaluate the 45-day training, while the commission said cooperative managers need managerial competence, leadership, and financial literacy rather than military instruction. Ananda Teresia, Reuters, June 28
Prabowo to cut SOEs from 1,000 to 250 for efficiency, transparency. President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia will reduce state-owned enterprises from more than 1,000 to about 250 to make the sector more efficient, transparent, and public-oriented. He said more than 200 SOEs have already been dissolved, criticized high overhead from directors and commissioners at unprofitable firms, and urged completion of the restructuring within two years. ANTARA News, June 28
Russia stays hopeful for Indonesia’s Sukhoi fighter jet order. Russia still considers Indonesia’s 2018 contract for 11 Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets active, despite years of delay and reported U.S. sanctions pressure. Ambassador Sergei Tolchenov said military cooperation remains part of bilateral ties, while Indonesia has since added French Rafale fighters, ordered Turkey’s KAAN jets, and faces currency pressure that could complicate Prabowo Subianto’s defense modernization agenda. Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta Globe, June 27
Malaysia
Malaysia customs seizes AI chips worth $13 mln at Kuala Lumpur airport. Malaysian customs said it stopped an attempt to smuggle 72 server units containing advanced AI chips worth 52.9 million ringgit through Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Authorities said the goods were falsely declared as computer components, were headed for re-export to another Asian country, and required a permit under Malaysia’s Strategic Trade Act. Danial Azhar and Rozanna Latiff, Reuters, June 26
Singapore
Pritam Singh re-elected, cementing his position as Workers’ Party chief. Pritam Singh was returned unopposed as Workers’ Party secretary-general after unhappy cadres failed to force his resignation over his court conviction linked to Raeesah Khan’s lies to Parliament. Gerald Giam said Singh secured well over a supermajority in a secret ballot, while party sources put support at about 80%. Sylvia Lim was also re-elected chair, and most central executive committee members retained their posts. Ng Wei Kai, Tham Yuen-C, and Yap Wei Qiang, The Straits Times, June 28
Taiwan
Taiwan's top diplomat, trade delegation concludes trip to Poland, Italy. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung completed a six-day visit to Poland and Italy with Taiwanese business representatives to deepen partnerships in Europe. Lin attended Taiwan Expo Europe, visited the Polish Parliament, and announced Taiwan Language Centers in Czechia, France, Germany, and Poland. In Italy, the delegation joined events on semiconductors, ICT, advanced manufacturing, supply-chain resilience, and Taiwan-Italy exchanges. Joseph Yeh, Focus Taiwan, June 28
Bangladesh
Bangladesh urges China to reduce trade gap, speed infrastructure delivery. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged Xi Jinping to narrow Bangladesh’s trade gap with China by importing more fruit, aquatic products, leather, and pharmaceuticals. Rahman also sought Chinese support for major infrastructure projects, industrial modernization, port and water cooperation, and the Teesta River restoration as Dhaka balances ties with Beijing and New Delhi. Joe Cash, Reuters, June 26
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan and China aim to double bilateral trade to $100 billion. Kazakhstan and China plan to raise bilateral trade to $100 billion in the coming years after trade reached $48.7 billion in 2025 and rose 27% in the first five months of 2026. Talks focused on investment, logistics, agriculture, transport infrastructure, and high-value production, with Kazakhstan seeking Chinese localization in sectors including agricultural processing, metallurgy, agrochemicals, and drone manufacturing. Dmitry Pokidaev, The Times of Central Asia, June 26
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan agrees tariff cuts for U.S. goods as Moody’s raises sovereign rating. Uzbekistan will reduce or eliminate tariffs on U.S. industrial and agricultural goods while Washington offers favorable consideration for Uzbek products in future tariff actions. The commitments will be formalized as both sides accelerate talks on a reciprocal trade and investment agreement. Moody’s raised Uzbekistan’s rating to Ba2, citing stronger institutions, firmer fiscal policy, diversified growth, and reduced subsidy burdens, while WTO accession remains a central reform target. Stephen M. Bland, The Times of Central Asia, June 26
Asia may grow old before it goes green. Asia’s aging population may limit the region’s ability to finance its energy transition. Rising pension, healthcare, and elder-care costs will reduce fiscal space for renewables, grids, batteries, EV infrastructure, and hydrogen projects. Shrinking workforces also threaten the supply of engineers and technicians. China, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan show how demographic pressure can slow decarbonization despite falling clean technology costs. Tim Daiss, Nikkei Asia, June 28
East Asia
Washington needs allies to make AI export controls work. US export controls seek to limit China’s access to advanced AI semiconductors, but global supply chains make allied cooperation essential. Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands control key memory chips and manufacturing equipment. Coordination is difficult because allied firms rely on Chinese markets. Washington must pair restrictions with economic and security benefits, share costs, and sustain policy credibility to keep partners aligned over time. Sojun Park, East Asia Forum, June 26
‘We’re not that wealthy’: Beijing’s answer to China Shock 2.0. Premier Li Qiang rejected the China Shock 2.0 narrative at Summer Davos, presenting Chinese innovation as the product of enterprise effort, R&D investment, industrial scale, and market depth rather than subsidies. Europe faces pressure from Chinese technology exports, including EVs, solar equipment, and batteries. Beijing shows little willingness to yield, while trade frictions look set to continue without becoming a full trade war. Han Yong Hong, ThinkChina, June 28
China’s transnational interference threatens digital rights globally. China’s transnational repression now targets individuals and global civil society through digital harassment, economic leverage, and pressure on forums. Reported interference helped cancel RightsCon in Zambia over Taiwanese participation, while AI harassment targeted researcher Laura Harth. China’s Digital Silk Road spreads infrastructure that can support censorship, surveillance, and repression. Europe needs safeguards, reporting channels, and trained authorities to protect digital rights, civil society, and norm setting. Daria Impiombato and Wendy Chang, Merics, June 26
Narrow but Not Peripheral: Submarine Cables and U.S.-China Guardrails. Submarine cables carry most intercontinental internet traffic and have become strategic terrain in US-China rivalry. Both powers depend on stable networks yet distrust each other over access, routing, suppliers, repairs, and possible sabotage. Deep cooperation is unrealistic, but bounded coordination could reduce crisis risks through notification rules, repair procedures, evidence sharing, and third-party oversight that keep accidents from becoming escalation triggers. Patrick Luczak and Abraham Wu, US-China Perception Monitor, June 26
Mergers alone won’t fix Japan’s fragmented opposition. The CDP and Komeito formed the Centrist Reform Alliance in January 2026 to challenge the LDP, but the bloc lost support in the February election and fell to 49 seats. The merger lacked time for policy coordination or a clear identity. Komeito’s proximity to the LDP and the CDP’s policy concessions weakened union and unaffiliated voter support, showing mergers cannot replace a coherent governing alternative. Fumi Ikeda, East Asia Forum, June 27
Japan’s uneven wage revival risks greater labour market inequality. Japan’s 2026 shunto negotiations produced wage increases above 5 percent for a third year, but gains remain uneven across firms. SMEs, which employ about 70 percent of workers, face labor shortages, higher personnel costs, weak pricing power, and slow digital adoption. Without productivity growth, digital investment, and labor reallocation, wage gains may stay concentrated in large companies while SME failures and regional inequality rise, and domestic demand weakens. Saori Shibata, East Asia Forum, June 27
South Korea’s landmark labour law perpetuates labour market polarisation. South Korea’s Yellow Envelope Law expands union rights for subcontractors and some gig workers by linking employer status to control over working conditions. Its impact is limited by case-based enforcement, narrow employment definitions, and bargaining rules that divide unions. Workers still face damages claims, weak statutory protections, and employer resistance. Broader reform is needed to give vulnerable workers a safety net and reduce labor market inequality. Ahlem Faraoun, East Asia Forum, June 26
Southeast Asia
Türkiye and ASEAN: Turning a Side Story into a Strategy. Türkiye and ASEAN have built formal ties through dialogue mechanisms, cooperation plans, FTAs, and diplomatic presence, but economic relations remain modest. Trade and investment growth shows potential that needs country-specific strategies across ASEAN. Supply chains, logistics, digital trade, green energy, defense industry, and halal value chains offer practical areas for deeper partnership through existing institutional channels and targeted roadmaps. Mehmet Enes Beşer, Fulcrum, June 26