Viet Nam appoints military general Luong Cuong as new president

SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Viet Nam's National Assembly unanimously elected General Luong Cuong, 67, as the country's new president on Monday. The military veteran, who joined the army in 1975 and rose to the rank of general, received all 440 votes from the legislative body. In his inauguration speech, Cuong pledged to build a prosperous country, pursue an independent and self-reliant foreign policy and strengthen national defense and security." His term will last

October 22, 2024

Indonesia postpones mandatory halal certification for imported foods, smaller firms

SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Indonesia has postponed mandatory halal certification for imported food products by up to two years. The Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, began enforcing mandatory halal certification for domestic food and beverages Friday. However, small businesses have until Oct. 17, 2026, to comply and for imported products, the requirement will be determined by the religious affairs minister no later than Oct. 17, 2026

October 21, 2024

American resident shot and kidnapped in Southern Philippines

SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - An American resident, Elliott O'Neal Eastman, 26, was shot and kidnapped on Oct. 17 in Sibutu City, Zamboanga Peninsula, southern Philippines. According to Eastman's Filipino father-in-law, four armed men in black clothes and masks, claiming to be police officers, entered Eastman's home and attempted to abduct him. When Eastman tried to escape, he was shot in the leg before being taken away by boat. Philippine authorities are investigating the i

October 21, 2024

Indonesia may lose parliamentary opposition as all parties signal support for new government

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - Indonesia's political landscape faced a potential shift as the last remaining opposition party in parliament indicated its willingness to support the incoming government on Friday. Puan Maharani, speaker of the House of Representatives and member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said, "We firmly support the next government to build Indonesia's future." The PDI-P, led by former President Megawati Sukarnoputri, was the

October 18, 2024

Philippines holds memorial for Korean businessman killed by police in 2016

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - A memorial service for Jee Ick-joo, a Korean businessman killed by Philippine police officers in 2016, will be held on Friday at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Manila. The event, marking the eighth anniversary of Jee's death, will be attended by representatives from the Korean Embassy, the Filipino-Korean Association, and Philippine government officials. The ceremony will include speeches, floral tributes, and a formal request from Jee&#

October 18, 2024

Vietnam plans $10 billion railway modernization to connect with China

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - Vietnam's Railway Authority has submitted plans to modernize a 427-kilometer rail line connecting the border city of Lao Cai to Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Ha Long, VNA reported on Thursday. The project, estimated to cost 179 trillion dong ($9.8 billion), aims to enhance trade with China and is slated to begin construction in 2030. The upgraded railway, expected to transport 8.3 million passengers and 17.5 million tons of cargo annually, will replace a centur

October 17, 2024

Thai immigration police face disciplinary action over detainee's live broadcast

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - Thailand's Immigration Bureau announced disciplinary action against two officers who allowed a detained Korean drug suspect to conduct live broadcasts from a police transport vehicle and detention cell. The incident, which sparked controversy and raised questions about security protocols in Thai detention facilities, occurred on Oct. 3, with the bureau's announcement following on Wednesday. The Korean man in his 40s, wanted in his home country for d

October 17, 2024

Lee Kuan Yew's house faces demolition debate as family dispute resurfaces

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The former residence of Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, is once again at the center of a debate over preservation versus demolition. Lee Hsien Yang, the late prime minister's younger son, announced on Tuesday via Facebook his intention to apply for demolition permits. "It is my duty to carry out my father's wishes within the limits of the law," he wrote. The house at 38 Oxley Road, built in the late 1890s and occupied

October 16, 2024

Philippines accuses China of deliberate collision in South China sea dispute

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) accused a Chinese maritime militia vessel of deliberately ramming one of its two patrol boats near Thitu Island in the South China Sea on Sept. 11, news reports said Tuesday. The collision damaged the starboard bow of the Philippine vessel, but it was able to maintain its position and continue its mission. This incident occurred just three days after China reportedly used water cannons again

October 16, 2024

Thailand offers subsidies to boost tourism in flood-affected northern regions

SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Thailand's government is implementing measures to revitalize tourism in the flood-stricken northern regions, particularly Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. According to the Bangkok Post on Monday, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plan to provide 400 baht (about $11) subsidies to 10,000 visitors to these areas starting Dec. 1. This initiative is part of a broader emergency response to support economic recovery in

October 15, 2024