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South Korea
Coupang’s massive data leak probe ignites US-Seoul diplomatic firestorm
Some Republicans said Seoul’s investigation into the e-commerce firm was an attempt to favour China.
25 Dec 2025 - 3:46PM
South Korea
US to grant Seoul exception on nuclear submarine fuel supply
24 Dec 2025 - 6:34PM
South Korea
South Korean webtoon slammed for heroine resembling Kim Jong-un’s daughter Ju-ae
24 Dec 2025 - 4:53PM
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Japan
‘Juicy, delicious’ and sold out: culled bear meat sparks Japan feeding frenzy
‘With news about bears growing, the number of customers who want to eat their meat has increased a lot,’ an eatery owner says.
24 Dec 2025 - 3:15PM
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People eat bear meat hot pot at a restaurant in Chichibu, Japan’s Saitama prefecture. Photo: AFP
South Korea
Yoon’s ex-aides express ‘disbelief’ over South Korean martial law plan
The two aides’ testimonies give a rare insight into the thinking of the former president, who is charged with leading the ‘insurrection’.
24 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
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Extreme weather
Asia’s year in extreme weather and natural disasters, from earthquakes to floods
From the deadly earthquake in Myanmar to tropical cyclones in the Philippines, Asia went through its share of natural disasters in 2025.
23 Dec 2025 - 3:00PM
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South Korea
A year after South Korea’s Jeju Air crash, the fight for truth continues
Families of the victims say they harbour deep mistrust over how the investigation into the disaster that killed 179 people has been handled.
23 Dec 2025 - 1:15PM
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Lee Hyo-eun reacts outside a memorial altar for victims that includes her daughter, who died in last year’s Jeju Air plane crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport. Photo: AFP
North Korea
How North Koreans use ‘laptop farms’ in US to land tech jobs abroad
Amazon said it has blocked more than 1,800 North Korean workers from remote IT jobs, citing a rise in applications.
23 Dec 2025 - 9:33AM
South Korea
South Korean politicians agree to Unification Church special probe in rare move
The ruling DPK has accepted the opposition’s proposal to appoint special prosecutors to look into the church’s political meddling and bribes.
23 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM
Japan
Mind your language: Japan considers new fluency bar for permanent residents
While some say Japanese knowledge is a fair demand, others worry it will introduce ‘roadblocks’ at a time when the country needs more workers.
23 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
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South Korea
‘Widespread cheating’ scandal hits South Korean universities amid AI concerns
Seoul National and Yonsei universities face new cheating scandals despite tighter controls, signalling need for stronger online exam and AI rules.
22 Dec 2025 - 4:54PM
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Yonsei University uncovered a mass cheating case during the October midterm exam. Photo: Instagram/yonsei_official
Japan
Japan’s H3 rocket fails to deploy geolocation satellite after engine cuts out
The Michibiki satellite is the sixth in a seven-orbiter geolocation system aimed at giving Japan highly accurate positioning services.
22 Dec 2025 - 2:55PM
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Japan
Japan clears way for Tepco to restart world’s largest nuclear plant
Tepco, operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant, has been allowed to restart Kashiwazaki-Kariwa 15 years after the disaster.
23 Dec 2025 - 3:32PM
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Japan
Japan announces US$6 billion support for home-grown AI development
A new company will be established by around 10 firms including SoftBank Group Corp, aiming to develop the country’s largest base AI model.
21 Dec 2025 - 9:16PM
North Korea
North Korea warns ‘mankind will face great disaster’ if Japan gets nuclear arms
Pyongyang’s state media said Tokyo’s potential move ‘must be prevented at any cost’.
21 Dec 2025 - 12:27PM
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) attends what state media reported was a launching ceremony for a new tactical nuclear attack submarine in 2023. Photo: KCNA via Reuters
Japan
Losing ground: Japan sounds alarm over foreign-owned land
From next year, anyone buying property will have to confirm their nationality – a move some analysts say is overkill.
21 Dec 2025 - 10:29AM
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South Korea
Worship to witch hunts: how South Korea’s fandoms turn on their idols
When stars shine brightest in the glare of publicity, the darkness that follows can feel absolute. This December, three more lights went out.
21 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
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Japan
Will Japan’s young embrace 50-year loans amid rising housing prices?
Opting for 50-year loans lowers monthly costs, but the long-term risks are mounting.
20 Dec 2025 - 9:25PM
People cross a road in Tokyo earlier this month. Fifty-year mortgages are transforming home ownership for young buyers in Japan. Photo: AFP
US-ally trade wars
Mexico’s 50% tariff shock shuts Asia’s North American trade bypass
A tariff wall will soon separate protected partners like CPTPP members Singapore and Malaysia from exporters facing a shutout.
20 Dec 2025 - 1:30PM
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South Korea
Vietnamese influx surges as South Korea’s foreign population hits record high
The Vietnamese population in South Korea jumped by 15.5 per cent last year, the fastest growing among major ethnic groups.
20 Dec 2025 - 12:32PM
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Japan
Bear aware: Japanese drone school develops AI system to track animals
The new system being developed in Akita prefecture can detect bears and share their locations via smartphones.
20 Dec 2025 - 11:41AM
Japan
More Japanese favour having an empress as Princess Aiko’s public appeal rises
Japan’s conservative politicians are against changing the centuries-old tradition of a male heir for the throne.
20 Dec 2025 - 11:00AM
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Japanese Princess Aiko arrives at the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo to greet former emperor Akihito and former empress Michiko on her 24th birthday on December 1. Photo: Kyodo
Japan
Bank of Japan’s historic rate increase signals new era for economy
Bank of Japan lifts rates to 0.75 per cent – a 30-year high – ending zero-interest era, paving the way for further increases amid rising inflation.
19 Dec 2025 - 4:52PM
Asia travel
‘Limits’ to hospitality: 10 times Asia overtourism became a problem in 2025
From Japan to Indonesia, excessive tourism has created issues in some of Asia’s travel hubs this year.
19 Dec 2025 - 3:00PM
South Korea
South Korea’s top court seeks to restore trust after martial law controversy
The changes target high-stakes national security cases amid mounting criticism over delays and alleged bias.
19 Dec 2025 - 4:02PM
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