Reporter, Asia
John Power joined the Post in 2018 after nearly a decade as a journalist in the Asia region. He is a reporter for Asia Desk and This Week in Asia, with a special focus on Korean affairs.
Show more
Latest from John Power
Glen Weaven was sentenced to 20 years in jail after an undercover cop posing as a crime lord encouraged him to confess to murdering his partner. A decade on, researchers at Melbourne’s RMIT are seeking a review of police methods used to convict him.
Glen Weaven was sentenced to 20 years in jail after an undercover cop posing as a crime lord encouraged him to confess to murdering his partner. A decade on, researchers at Melbourne’s RMIT are seeking a review of police methods used to convict him.
Diplomatic cables sent soon after the first Covid-19 cases emerged in Wuhan – and obtained by This Week in Asia – credited Chinese officials for releasing ‘timely and open general information’.
Diplomatic cables sent soon after the first Covid-19 cases emerged in Wuhan – and obtained by This Week in Asia – credited Chinese officials for releasing ‘timely and open general information’.
A series of summits in 2018 raised hopes in South Korea but expectations have been dashed due to recent tensions.
A series of summits in 2018 raised hopes in South Korea but expectations have been dashed due to recent tensions.
India is the runaway leader in number of doses secured, at 1.6 billion, while Vietnam has yet to announce any official deals.
India is the runaway leader in number of doses secured, at 1.6 billion, while Vietnam has yet to announce any official deals.
Authorities across region set out conservative timetables for starting immunisations, ranging from several weeks to the latter half of 2021.
Authorities across region set out conservative timetables for starting immunisations, ranging from several weeks to the latter half of 2021.
Among dovish and hawkish voices alike, there is a growing belief that tensions are unlikely to improve in 2021.
Among dovish and hawkish voices alike, there is a growing belief that tensions are unlikely to improve in 2021.
The geographical advantages that helped the likes of Tonga and Kiribati remain coronavirus free have also ended up hurting the tourism-dependent nations economically.
The geographical advantages that helped the likes of Tonga and Kiribati remain coronavirus free have also ended up hurting the tourism-dependent nations economically.
The naturalised Australian citizen, who is a prominent author and blogger known for advocating greater democracy in China, was detained in early 2019.
The naturalised Australian citizen, who is a prominent author and blogger known for advocating greater democracy in China, was detained in early 2019.
While vaccines offer hope, this isn’t over – not by a long shot. This Week in Asia speaks to five top public-health experts on their predictions for the year ahead.
While vaccines offer hope, this isn’t over – not by a long shot. This Week in Asia speaks to five top public-health experts on their predictions for the year ahead.
A previously unpublished floor plan of Wuhan’s Huanan market shows where people with the first recorded Covid-19 cases worked or shopped.
A previously unpublished floor plan of Wuhan’s Huanan market shows where people with the first recorded Covid-19 cases worked or shopped.
Australia might find the Indian economy – where its dairy, wine and agricultural goods will be a hard sell – is no substitute for the Chinese market.
Australia might find the Indian economy – where its dairy, wine and agricultural goods will be a hard sell – is no substitute for the Chinese market.
Human rights activists say the South’s clampdown betrays freedom of speech; Moon Jae-in’s government says it is necessary to ensure inter-Korean peace.
Human rights activists say the South’s clampdown betrays freedom of speech; Moon Jae-in’s government says it is necessary to ensure inter-Korean peace.
The Australian parliament has voted in a law widely seen as aimed at curtailing agreements between the country’s regional governments and Beijing.
The Australian parliament has voted in a law widely seen as aimed at curtailing agreements between the country’s regional governments and Beijing.
What started as a political dispute has spiralled into a trade spalt and war of words, and observers say that while Canberra should not back down from its core national interests, it can tone down its rhetoric and choose dialogue with Beijing.
What started as a political dispute has spiralled into a trade spalt and war of words, and observers say that while Canberra should not back down from its core national interests, it can tone down its rhetoric and choose dialogue with Beijing.
Deputy head of mission Wang Xining says 14-point list of issues a ‘media interpretation’ that has been oversimplified as a series of demands.
Deputy head of mission Wang Xining says 14-point list of issues a ‘media interpretation’ that has been oversimplified as a series of demands.
Turnbull, who led Australia from 2015 to 2018, called China’s export restrictions and public airing of grievances ‘counterproductive’ – but the long-time climate-action advocate backed Beijing’s bid to go carbon neutral.
Turnbull, who led Australia from 2015 to 2018, called China’s export restrictions and public airing of grievances ‘counterproductive’ – but the long-time climate-action advocate backed Beijing’s bid to go carbon neutral.
Frances Adamson has accused Beijing of setting its own agenda internationally rather than working collaboratively with other countries.
Frances Adamson has accused Beijing of setting its own agenda internationally rather than working collaboratively with other countries.
Is it really fears over privacy or differences in culture – or is it just plain arrogance?
Is it really fears over privacy or differences in culture – or is it just plain arrogance?
Australian candidates and officials with Chinese heritage cite a harmful lack of nuance over these assumptions and interrogations, and say there are already signs of intolerance spilling over into the wider community.
Australian candidates and officials with Chinese heritage cite a harmful lack of nuance over these assumptions and interrogations, and say there are already signs of intolerance spilling over into the wider community.
Amid the excitement over a vaccine said to be 90 per cent effective, questions remain over virus mutations, people refusing to take it and the problem of storing it at -80 degrees.
Amid the excitement over a vaccine said to be 90 per cent effective, questions remain over virus mutations, people refusing to take it and the problem of storing it at -80 degrees.
Up to 15 million youth jobs in the region are expected to disappear in 2020, and even those who can find work face the prospect of lower earnings for years to come.
Up to 15 million youth jobs in the region are expected to disappear in 2020, and even those who can find work face the prospect of lower earnings for years to come.
One university has undertaken an ‘audit’ to identify courses in which they fear Hongkonger students could be reported to authorities by their mainland Chinese classmates.
One university has undertaken an ‘audit’ to identify courses in which they fear Hongkonger students could be reported to authorities by their mainland Chinese classmates.
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has called for greater military cooperation with ‘like-minded’ countries such as Australia as Berlin ramps up its military presence in Asia.
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has called for greater military cooperation with ‘like-minded’ countries such as Australia as Berlin ramps up its military presence in Asia.
65-year-old Duong Di Sanh was charged by the Australian Federal Police with preparing to carry out a ‘foreign interference offence’.
65-year-old Duong Di Sanh was charged by the Australian Federal Police with preparing to carry out a ‘foreign interference offence’.
Right-wingers pray for Trump in India, bar patrons toast Biden in Seoul and Jakarta, and in Thailand 50,000 votes are up for grabs – if they get counted.
Right-wingers pray for Trump in India, bar patrons toast Biden in Seoul and Jakarta, and in Thailand 50,000 votes are up for grabs – if they get counted.
Doubts are increasing over the hermit nation’s claims to be free of Covid-19, raising fears of a looming humanitarian disaster.
Doubts are increasing over the hermit nation’s claims to be free of Covid-19, raising fears of a looming humanitarian disaster.
The death of Lee Kun-hee has focused attention on the darker aspects of his legacy, and rekindled long-standing calls for reform of family-run conglomerates.
The death of Lee Kun-hee has focused attention on the darker aspects of his legacy, and rekindled long-standing calls for reform of family-run conglomerates.
While some have welcomed foreign affairs secretary Frances Adamson’s remarks, others say she is invoking the spectre of Beijing rather than criticising a controversial recent questioning of Chinese-Australians.
While some have welcomed foreign affairs secretary Frances Adamson’s remarks, others say she is invoking the spectre of Beijing rather than criticising a controversial recent questioning of Chinese-Australians.
Analysts and experts said a Democratic administration would favour working-level diplomacy with Kim Jong-un, and would include more policy coordination with South Korea and Japan.
Analysts and experts said a Democratic administration would favour working-level diplomacy with Kim Jong-un, and would include more policy coordination with South Korea and Japan.
Asian economies’ Covid-19 response set the region up to ‘lead the restart of the global economic engine’, according to a new report.
Asian economies’ Covid-19 response set the region up to ‘lead the restart of the global economic engine’, according to a new report.
RELATED TAGS