标签： Asia

On the first anniversary of South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster, President Lee Jae Myung issued a formal apology and committed to uncovering the complete truth behind the Jeju Air tragedy that claimed 179 lives. The catastrophic incident occurred on December 29, 2024, when Flight 501 crash-landed at Muan International Airport, erupting into flames after impacting an embankment at runway’s end. Only two survivors emerged from the wreckage of the aircraft carrying 181 people.

President Lee acknowledged systemic failures in national safety protocols, stating, ‘As president who bears the responsibility to protect lives and safety, I offer my deepest apologies. This disaster revealed the systematic problems and limitations of our society.’ He emphasized that ‘real change and action’ rather than ‘perfunctory promises or empty words’ were necessary moving forward.

Despite a preliminary January report from the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board citing bird strikes affecting both engines, critical questions remain unanswered. Investigations have been delayed regarding potential safety lapses, runway design deficiencies at Muan International, and the pilots’ final actions before impact.

Victims’ families continue demanding accountability as parliamentary reviews advance plans to overhaul the accident investigation board to ensure greater independence and technical expertise. Memorial services are scheduled at the crash site in southwestern South Korea, where relatives will commemorate the tragedy that has prompted nationwide scrutiny of aviation safety standards.

A devastating fire at the Werdha Damai retirement home in Manado, Indonesia, has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 16 lives, with three additional individuals sustaining burn injuries. The catastrophic incident occurred on Sulawesi island, with the inferno finally being contained by late Sunday evening after hours of firefighting efforts.

Local police official Alamsyah P. Hasibuan confirmed the casualty figures through state news agency Antara, noting that authorities are actively investigating the origin and cause of the deadly blaze. Visual documentation from Metro TV news channel captured the horrifying scene as flames engulfed the facility, illuminating the night sky with an ominous orange glow while residents attempted to assist elderly occupants in escaping the burning structure.

Jimmy Rotinsulu, head of Manado’s fire department, revealed to Metro TV that the majority of residents, who were predominantly senior citizens, found themselves trapped within the building as the fire rapidly spread through the facility. The combination of limited mobility among elderly residents and the rapid progression of the fire created particularly challenging rescue conditions for emergency responders.

The tragedy has raised serious questions about fire safety protocols and emergency preparedness in Indonesia’s care facilities for vulnerable populations. As recovery efforts continue, local authorities face mounting pressure to implement enhanced safety measures and conduct comprehensive reviews of similar institutions across the region to prevent future catastrophes of this nature.

Thailand’s military command has formally accused Cambodia of violating a newly-established ceasefire agreement through unauthorized drone operations, casting doubt on the stability of the recently brokered peace arrangement. The Royal Thai Army reported detecting over 250 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) originating from Cambodian territory on Sunday night, mere hours after the ceasefire took effect.

The bilateral agreement, which came into force at noon local time on Saturday, represented a diplomatic breakthrough following weeks of intense border clashes that resulted in significant casualties and displaced nearly one million civilians. The pact specifically mandated both nations to freeze military positions along the contested border, prohibit troop reinforcements, and facilitate the safe return of displaced border communities.

In an official statement released Monday, Thai military authorities characterized Cambodia’s drone activities as ‘provocative actions inconsistent with tension-reduction measures’ that directly contravene the ceasefire terms. The statement further warned that continued violations might compel Thailand to reconsider the planned release of 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during July’s hostilities.

This development occurs against a complex historical backdrop of territorial disputes dating back over a century between the Southeast Asian neighbors. The most recent escalation began earlier this year following nationalist demonstrations at a contested temple site, culminating in May’s fatal shooting of a Cambodian soldier and subsequent intensive border clashes that claimed dozens of military and civilian lives.

The current ceasefire received international endorsement from both Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who praised it as ‘hard-won,’ and U.S. President Donald Trump, who commended its ‘rapid and fair conclusion.’ Cambodia has not yet responded to Thailand’s latest allegations, leaving the future of this fragile peace agreement uncertain.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Chinese authorities in Xinjiang have escalated their cultural suppression campaign by prohibiting dozens of Uyghur-language songs, including traditional folk ballads historically performed at weddings and social gatherings. According to an exclusive recording obtained by The Associated Press from the Norway-based nonprofit Uyghur Hjelp, officials during an October meeting in Kashgar warned residents that downloading, playing, or sharing these songs could result in imprisonment.

The banned music includes the soulful folk ballad ‘Besh pede,’ a generations-old love song where a young man expresses his dreams to God. Authorities have categorized this and other songs as ‘problematic’ due to perceived religious content. The crackdown extends beyond music to linguistic expressions: officials instructed attendees to replace traditional Muslim greetings like ‘As-salamu alaykum’ with ‘May the Communist Party protect you.’

This policy forms part of Beijing’s broader assimilation campaign in Xinjiang, where between 2017 and 2019, rights activists and foreign governments estimate at least 1 million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities were extrajudicially detained. Despite China’s claims of normalcy and tourism promotion in the region, repression continues through more subtle means including music censorship, random phone checks, and boarding schools that separate children from families.

Seven categories of songs have been prohibited, ranging from traditional folk music to diaspora-created tunes. Even songs previously featured on state television, such as ‘As-salamu alaykum’ which aired on Xinjiang Television’s ‘The Voice of the Silk Road’ in 2016, are now banned for ‘forcing people to believe in religion.’

Enforcement appears arbitrary but severe. AP obtained court documents showing a 27-year-old Uyghur music producer, Yashar Xiaohelaiti, received a three-year prison sentence and fine for uploading 42 ‘problematic’ songs to NetEase Cloud Music. Former residents describe acquaintances detained for playing traditional instruments or merely sharing songs through messaging apps.

China’s Foreign Ministry defended the policies as necessary to ‘eradicate the breeding ground for religious extremism,’ claiming ‘anti-China forces’ have maliciously hyped Xinjiang issues. However, Xinjiang government officials declined to comment on specific inquiries.

Experts note the banned songs frequently share connections to imprisoned Uyghur cultural figures, suggesting deliberate targeting of cultural identity. ‘Music became part of my upbringing, and removing that is like removing the soul,’ said London-based Uyghur singer Rahima Mahmut, who performs songs with religious connotations abroad.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Thousands of displaced Palestinians across Gaza are confronting increasingly dire conditions as winter rains intensify their humanitarian crisis. In the central town of Deir al-Balah, families who have inhabited makeshift tents for approximately two years now brace for another season of harsh weather with severely limited resources.

The visual landscape reveals profound hardship: barefoot children play on chilled sand while fathers reinforce fraying tent structures with scavenged wood fragments. Inside these dim shelters, daylight filters through countless holes in tarpaulins, creating star-like patterns. Mothers wage constant battles against dampness, hanging sodden clothing on poles and cords during brief respites from rainfall that transforms pathways into muddy ponds.

Shaima Wadi, a mother of four displaced from Jabalia in northern Gaza, articulated the relentless struggle: “Each rainfall collapses our tent overhead, forcing us to constantly seek new wooden supports. With soaring prices and no income source, we cannot afford proper clothing for our children or adequate sleeping mattresses.”

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports dozens of fatalities, including a two-week-old infant, attributed to hypothermia and weather-related structural failures of war-damaged buildings. Aid organizations urgently appeal for increased humanitarian assistance and improved shelter solutions amid warnings from emergency responders about the dangers of remaining in compromised structures.

Innovative yet desperate survival methods emerge throughout the camps. Ahmad Wadi described collecting nylon, cardboard, and plastic from streets to either burn for warmth or use as improvised blankets. “Proper covers are nonexistent,” he explained. “The freezing temperatures combined with high humidity and pervasive water infiltration create unbearable conditions.”

Meanwhile, diplomatic developments continue as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for upcoming Washington discussions regarding the second phase of the October 10 ceasefire. While the truce has generally held, implementation progress has slowed considerably. Critical outstanding issues include potential deployment of an international stabilization force, establishment of a technocratic governing body for Gaza, Hamas disarmament negotiations, and further Israeli troop withdrawals.

Both conflicting parties have exchanged accusations of ceasefire violations. The Palestinian death toll has now reached at least 71,266 according to official ministry reports.

Concurrently in the West Bank, Israeli forces imposed movement restrictions on multiple villages near Ramallah following reported shooting incidents near military checkpoints. Initial military statements described a Palestinian opening fire before fleeing, though officials later attributed the incident to “hunting activity.” Operations continue to locate individuals and confiscate weapons, disrupting mobility for residents across thirteen villages.