Showing 1 - 10 of 25
Asean mulls role in Korean Peninsula
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 06/10/2020
» At the recent Asean Regional Forum (ARF), issues related to peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula were extensively discussed by the participants of the region's only security forum. The chairman's statement released after the meeting, the 27th since its inception in 1995, was exceptional regarding one of the world's hotspots.
From inside North Korea, clues about Kim's agenda
News, Katharine HS Moon, Published on 07/06/2018
» It's been a roller coaster ride for anyone following plans for a June 12 summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. The actors were contradictory, the stage sets numerous and the messages chaotic. Within days of Mr Trump's May 24 cancellation of the Singapore meeting -- and then the withdrawal of his withdrawal -- President Moon Jae-in of South Korea met with the US president in Washington with the North Korean leader on the northern side of the demilitarised zone (DMZ) to help keep the summit alive. Meanwhile, US officials flew to the DMZ and Singapore and a top North Korean official came to New York to plan (again) for the encounter.
Hope, history are out of tune in Tiananmen Square
News, Philip J Cunningham, Published on 04/06/2018
» When hope and history are out of tune, what is there to do but wait? The tyranny of our decimal number system and ingrained media habits have as much to do with the thundering silence about the June 4 anniversary this year as the tyranny of China's ruling party and propaganda apparatus. Anniversaries generate more sympathetic vibrations in even-numbered years than odd, and decades carry a resounding clout of their own, at least in media terms, so it's unlikely much news will be made of the 29th earthly orbit since the tanks stormed into Tiananmen Square.
Beware of the Korean peace trap
News, Eli Lake, Published on 30/04/2018
» On the surface it looks like the doubters were wrong. North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, travelled into South Korea on Friday to meet his counterpart. They agreed in principle at least to formally end the war that has divided the peninsula they share.
Taking a strong stance on doughnuts
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 22/04/2018
» It was Oscar Wilde who famously observed "the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it," which is my excuse for munching on a free doughnut proffered by staffers at a bakery in Bangkok last week. It was only a little one and wasn't that tasty -- too much sugar -- but I still scoffed it down, quietly cursing Mr Wilde's seductive bon mot.
The tragedy of Thailand's Surin Pitsuwan
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 15/12/2017
» Much has been and more will be said of Dr Surin Pitsuwan's sudden and unexpected passing due to heart failure on Nov 30, at age 68, just when he appeared to be going from strength to strength after his stint in 2008-12 as Asean secretary-general. Many will also say that among the 13 heads of Asean in its 50-year history, Surin was the most effective and formidable. Indeed, he managed to speak for and champion Asean's causes and roles in Asia and the wider world even long after he left the job. No secretary-general of Asean is likely to come anywhere near the level of his eloquence, charm and charisma, the presence and confidence that his tall frame and good looks yielded. But Asean was second best for Surin. He was better than what he ended up with, unable to find professional landings commensurate with what he could bring to the job.
Why China won't budge on N Korea
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 07/11/2017
» Over the next few days, Donald Trump will be visiting the leaders of Japan, South Korea and China, and the same topic will dominate all three conversations: North Korea. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korea's President Moon Jae-in will be looking for reassurance that the United States will protect them from North Korea's nuclear weapons, but in Beijing Mr Trump will be the supplicant.
Can Moon's J-nomics save South Korea's economy?
News, Lee Jong-wha, Published on 22/05/2017
» South Korea's new president, Moon Jae-in, a former human-rights lawyer representing the centre-left Democratic Party, has his work cut out for him. Though North Korea's increasingly provocative behaviour will likely continue to dominate headlines, the success of Mr Moon's presidency will hinge largely upon his economic policies.
South Korea's next leader must focus on growth
News, Michael Schuman, Published on 10/05/2017
» So much attention is being lavished on the nuclear-edged tantrums of Kim Jong-un in North Korea that the presidential election on the southern half of the Korean peninsula has gone practically unnoticed. But the outcome may be nearly as critical for the region's future as the fate of Mr Kim's weapons programme.
Life back to normal
News, Editorial, Published on 14/11/2016
» It is a coincidence, but a fitting one, that today marks arguably the most beautiful and restrained holiday on the national calendar. Loy Krathong 2016 coincides with the end of the first month without the beloved monarch. The full supermoon tonight shines on the end of a difficult and intense month of official mourning for King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Fittingly, millions will participate or watch tonight as Thais reflect on the past, then release their krathong in a symbolic hope for an improved future.