Ukraine general alleges Russia employs 20,000 North Koreans in military production

North Korea has long been among Russia’s more controversial allies in the war against Ukraine, supplying artillery, missiles and troops. In late 2024, Pyongyang reportedly deployed 11,000 to 12,000 troops to aid Russia.

South Korea-US defence pact could be strengthened

In recent weeks, Seoul has held internal discussions about expanding joint defence commitments, including revisiting missile defence cooperation and rotational stationing of American forces.

Kim shuns idea of dialogue or reunification with South Korea

By framing relations with South Korea in terms of hostility and distinct sovereign existence, North Korea is again clarifying what analysts have long described as a drift away from even nominal engagement.

Argentina’s meltdown, Asia’s dilemma

Argentina has been here before - the country having endured multiple financial meltdowns over the last half-century - each one leaving scars on its once vibrant society and economy.

South Korea signals openness to Trump–Kim nuclear freeze deal

Efforts to persuade Pyongyang to disarm have made little progress since talks collapsed in 2019, during US President Trump’s first presidency.

North Korean leader oversees test of AI-powered attack drones

Pyongyang unveiled its first attack drones last year, a move that experts warned was closely linked to its growing military partnership with Russia, and may also be linked to Chinese agencies supplying Pyongyang with technical support.

State of global democracy - Statista

The Economist Democracy Index rates countries on the state of their governing system each year. In the latest edition, corresponding to the year 2024, only 25 countries (6.6% of the world's population) have been rated as "full democracies"

Seoul’s energy balancing act up to 2050: then green power for the win

In the northeast corner of East Asia, South Korea is quietly steering its energy future towards a delicate pro-nuclear, pro-renewables outcome. With eyes fixed firmly on 2050, policymakers in the capital Seoul are doubling down.

North Korea test-fires two new air defence missiles

The timing of the launch was also notable, taking place on the same day South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo, before travelling to Washington.

How North Korea sees the South’s new president - and what lies ahead on the Korean Peninsula

Any real breakthroughs will hinge on trust, mutual recognition, and perhaps the intervention of external actors.

North Korea rejects South Korean appeal, denies loudspeaker removal

In a statement on August 14, North Korea rejected Seoul’s assertion that the North had dismantled some of its propaganda loudspeakers positioned along the inter-Korean border.

ASIA BLOG: East Asia must steer clear of the Israel-Gaza conflict

Sinkholes on the rise across Asia: a growing danger beneath the surface

The dramatic rescue of a motorist from a sinkhole on a busy Singapore road has cast new light on an alarming trend across Asia – the increasing frequency and severity of sinkholes swallowing roads, vehicles, and in some cases entire buildings.

The top three ‘megatrends’ set to transform the Asia Pacific region

The rapid development of technologies such as generative AI and the metaverse is already changing how people in Asia Pacific live, work, socialise and shop.

ASIA BLOG: The global fallout of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan

There have already been rumblings in Taiwan that self destruction of key infrastructure would be preferential to Chinese takeover.

Lavrov visits North Korea to reaffirm security pact

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned the United States, South Korea and Japan against forming a trilateral security alliance that explicitly targets North Korea, cautioning that such a move would inflame regional tensions.