标签： Asia

As US President Donald Trump prepares to visit Seoul, hundreds of protesters gathered in South Korea’s capital, voicing their discontent with both American and Chinese influences. Near the US embassy, demonstrators chanted ‘No Trump!’ while police buses blocked their path, ensuring their voices echoed across Gwanghwamun Square. Simultaneously, another group rallied near Gyeongbokgung Palace, shouting ‘No China!’ and ‘CCP out!’ These protests, though relatively small by South Korean standards, underscore the delicate diplomatic balancing act President Lee Jae-myung faces as he hosts both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping this week. South Korea, a long-standing US ally, relies on Washington for security but also depends heavily on China, its largest trading partner. This dual dependency places Seoul in a precarious position, particularly as tensions between the US and China escalate. Lee, a seasoned politician, must navigate these complexities while addressing domestic concerns, including recent immigration raids in the US that have strained bilateral ties. The protests also reflect growing anti-Chinese sentiment in South Korea, fueled by historical grievances and recent policy decisions. Despite these challenges, Lee remains committed to fostering stronger economic and diplomatic relations with both superpowers, aiming to secure South Korea’s prosperity and stability in an increasingly polarized global landscape.

Campaigners opposing the UK government’s ban on the direct action group Palestine Action have announced a series of unprecedented protests, dubbed the “most widespread mass civil disobedience in modern British history.” The demonstrations, set to take place in 18 towns and cities across the UK, coincide with an upcoming judicial review of the group’s proscription as a terrorist organization. Clive Dolphin, a spokesperson for Defend Our Juries, the campaign group coordinating the protests, stated that the actions aim to “exert pressure” on the judicial review process. The ban, enacted in July by then Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, equates Palestine Action with groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda under British law, making support or membership a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Since the ban, thousands have risked arrest under the Terrorism Act for displaying signs supporting Palestine Action, with over 2,000 arrests and 170 charges filed so far. Defend Our Juries anticipates varied responses from police forces, noting that some regions chose not to make arrests during previous protests. Dolphin criticized Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley’s aggressive approach, describing it as “masochistic” and highlighting the strain on the magistrates’ court system, which has been overwhelmed by terrorism-related cases. Meanwhile, Prisoners for Palestine (PFP) announced a rolling hunger strike starting November 2, citing “systematic abuse” by prison authorities. The strike follows unanswered demands for bail and an end to interference with prisoners’ communications. Former prisoner and PFP campaigner Francesca Nadin revealed that Palestine Action-linked prisoners face severe censorship, with hundreds of personal letters reportedly missing. The protests and hunger strike mark a historic moment of resistance against the government’s crackdown on Palestine Action, with campaigners urging the government to address their grievances.

A group of 55 Israeli ministers and members of parliament, including prominent figures such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have formally requested President Isaac Herzog to pardon Jewish Israeli prisoners convicted of murdering Palestinians. The lawmakers specifically urged the release of 25 such individuals, as reported by Israeli news outlet Ynet. This appeal comes amidst a backdrop of recent prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hamas, which saw the release of thousands of Palestinian detainees. The letter, signed by members of the ruling Likud party and other ministers, emphasized that their support for the pardons does not condone the actions of the convicted individuals. It highlighted the perceived injustice of Jewish prisoners remaining incarcerated while Palestinian prisoners, including those involved in violent crimes, are set free. The signatories called on President Herzog to act swiftly to rectify this imbalance. Under Israeli law, the president holds the authority to grant pardons, and there have been increasing calls for such actions since the Gaza ceasefire began on October 11. Among the prisoners under consideration for sentence commutation is Ami Popper, who has been serving time since 1990 for the murder of seven Palestinian workers. Other high-profile cases include Yosef Haim Ben-David, convicted of the 2014 murder of Palestinian teenager Mohammed Abu Khdeir, and Amiram Ben-Uliel, sentenced for the 2015 arson attack that killed three members of the Dawabsheh family. The debate over these pardons has sparked significant public discourse in Israel, with some arguing that there is no moral justification for keeping these individuals imprisoned, while others emphasize the gravity of their crimes.

In a landmark ruling, senior British judges have delineated the legal boundaries of the UK’s intelligence agencies’ cooperation with foreign partners accused of torture. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), led by Lord Justice Singh and Lord Boyd of Duncansby, examined the involvement of MI5, MI6, GCHQ, and the Ministry of Defence in the alleged torture of two men detained by the CIA between 2002 and 2006. The tribunal concluded that while the agencies acted within their legal powers, they must not actively encourage or facilitate torture. The case was brought by Mustafa al-Hawsawi and Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, two Saudi nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay, who accused British agencies of complicity in their mistreatment at CIA ‘black sites’ across several countries. The IPT acknowledged the men’s ‘brutal interrogation’ but found no evidence of British agencies exceeding their authority. The ruling clarified that while receiving information obtained through torture is not unlawful, actively participating in such practices is prohibited. The judgment reinforces the UK’s commitment to the prohibition of torture, describing it as a ‘constitutional principle’ of common law. Human rights advocates argue that the ruling exposes a narrow legal distinction that risks moral complicity. However, the government and intelligence agencies view the decision as judicial confirmation of the legality of information sharing with allies, provided British officials do not actively participate in abuse. Both Hawsawi and Nashiri remain imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay, where they face trial before US military commissions. Their treatment has been condemned by international bodies, including the European Court of Human Rights, which found multiple states complicit in their abuse through hosting CIA detention sites.

North Korea announced on Wednesday that it had successfully launched sea-to-surface cruise missiles into its western waters, showcasing its advancing military capabilities. The tests, conducted on Tuesday, were reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as a significant achievement, with the missiles accurately hitting their targets after flying for over two hours. The agency emphasized that these weapons would enhance the operational range of North Korea’s nuclear-armed forces. The timing of the announcement coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, where he was scheduled to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Senior military official Pak Jong Chon oversaw the tests and inspected training exercises aboard North Korea’s newly developed destroyers, Choe Hyon and Kang Kon, which leader Kim Jong Un has identified as critical assets in strengthening the navy. This latest display of military prowess follows North Korea’s recent short-range ballistic missile tests, which included a hypersonic system aimed at bolstering its nuclear deterrent. While Trump has expressed interest in meeting with Kim during his visit, South Korean officials have downplayed the likelihood of such an encounter. North Korea has remained steadfast in its refusal to engage in talks with Washington and Seoul since the collapse of Kim’s nuclear diplomacy with Trump in 2019. Kim has since shifted his foreign policy focus toward Russia, supporting President Vladimir Putin’s efforts in Ukraine and positioning North Korea as part of a united front against the U.S.-led West. Last month, Kim reiterated his stance that he would not return to negotiations unless the United States abandons its demand for North Korea’s denuclearization.