Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • S. Korea’s special counsel finalizes investigation into ex-president Yoon’s insurrection charges

    S. Korea’s special counsel finalizes investigation into ex-president Yoon’s insurrection charges

    In a landmark development for South Korea’s political landscape, the special counsel investigation into former President Yoon Suk-yeol has reached its conclusion. Led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-suk, the probe has resulted in criminal charges against 24 high-ranking officials from the previous administration.

    At a nationally televised press conference in Seoul, Prosecutor Cho revealed that the investigation substantiated allegations that Yoon, who assumed office in May 2022, had orchestrated preparations for martial law declaration before October 2023. The primary objective, according to the special counsel, was to consolidate and perpetuate presidential power through extraordinary measures.

    The investigation further uncovered that Yoon’s administration allegedly attempted to provoke a military response from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) through unconventional military operations. This calculated provocation, the counsel asserted, was intended to create a pretext for implementing martial law. However, the strategy ultimately failed as DPRK forces did not engage militarily.

    This conclusive investigation follows Yoon’s dramatic impeachment by the Constitutional Court on April 4, 2025, which centered on his unsuccessful martial law initiative from December of the previous year. The impeachment proceedings formally removed Yoon from office, making him the latest South Korean leader to face serious legal consequences after leaving power.

    The former president, currently detained, was formally charged on January 26 as the alleged mastermind behind the insurrection plot. The comprehensive indictment includes former Prime Minister, former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, multiple ministers, and presidential secretaries, marking one of the most significant political corruption cases in recent South Korean history.

  • China plans to expand cover for childbirth-related bills

    China plans to expand cover for childbirth-related bills

    China’s National Healthcare Security Administration has announced sweeping reforms targeting demographic challenges and pharmaceutical innovation. Director Zhang Ke outlined these priorities at the annual work conference, revealing plans to achieve nationwide full reimbursement for childbirth-related medical expenses by 2026.

    The initiative responds to China’s dual demographic pressures of declining birth rates and rapid aging. The administration will expand maternity insurance coverage for prenatal checkups while creating a standardized service package to reduce family financial burdens. Seven provinces have already implemented near-zero cost childbirth policies, with insurance enrollment among women reaching 255 million nationwide.

    Concurrently, authorities are enhancing support for innovative drugs and technologies. The national reimbursement drug list has grown to 3,253 medications after adding 949 new drugs during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. A landmark development includes China’s first commercial insurance innovative drug list, featuring 19 clinically significant medications.

    The reforms extend to vulnerable populations through expanded long-term care insurance, currently covering 300 million people. Flexible workers, migrant laborers, and new employment forms will receive increased maternity insurance access. Technological integration will advance through AI-assisted diagnosis systems and real-world data evaluation frameworks.

    Financial protections remain robust, with basic medical insurance maintaining 95% coverage and preventing 9.5 billion yuan in losses through smart monitoring. These measures align with the recent Central Economic Work Conference’s emphasis on demographic challenges and healthcare innovation.

  • Breathing new life into lakes

    Breathing new life into lakes

    Across China’s diverse landscapes, ambitious ecological restoration projects are transforming degraded water bodies into thriving ecosystems while generating substantial socioeconomic benefits. In Yunnan and Hubei provinces, multi-year conservation initiatives demonstrate how coordinated environmental policies can reverse ecological damage while supporting sustainable development.

    At Erhai Lake in Yunnan, the transformation has been particularly remarkable. Yan Bingqi, a 59-year-old environmental worker, has witnessed firsthand the lake’s dramatic recovery since 2015. Previously required to remove approximately one metric ton of debris daily from the polluted waters, Yan and his team now collect merely 50 kilograms—a 95% reduction in waste extraction that signals profound ecological improvement.

    The restoration breakthrough followed President Xi Jinping’s 2015 visit and subsequent policy changes that addressed pollution sources from agriculture, urbanization, and tourism. The comprehensive program implemented centralized sewage treatment for all households near the lake and established strict ecological fishing schedules. These measures aligned with Xi’s ‘lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets’ concept, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

    Parallel successes emerged at Wuhan’s Chenhu Wetland Nature Reserve in Hubei province, where morning mists now reveal gathering birds in revitalized habitats. These conservation achievements represent broader national efforts to transform ecological resources into sustainable assets through scientific management and community engagement.

    The restoration initiatives have generated multiple benefits beyond environmental improvement, including enhanced tourism potential, protected drinking water sources, and increased biodiversity. These projects demonstrate China’s growing expertise in balancing economic development with ecological preservation, offering valuable models for other regions facing similar environmental challenges.

  • Aurora museum opens in Heilongjiang

    Aurora museum opens in Heilongjiang

    BEIJING – China’s northernmost Arctic village has become home to the nation’s pioneering aurora museum, blending cutting-edge technology with natural wonder in an unprecedented cultural attraction. The Shenlu Aurora Museum, named after the mythical deer god, opened its doors on November 19 in Mohe’s Beiji village, Heilongjiang province, marking a significant milestone in China’s scientific tourism infrastructure.

    The 1,000-square-meter facility represents a remarkable engineering achievement, having been constructed in just five months. Since its inauguration, the museum has already welcomed over 5,000 visitors during its inaugural week, demonstrating immediate public appeal. The project combines immersive digital experiences with practical scientific forecasting, creating a comprehensive destination for both education and entertainment.

    Visitors are greeted by an impressive LED welcome screen that cycles through educational content and curated aurora footage, immediately immersing guests in the phenomenon’s mystical allure. The museum’s centerpiece features an innovative interactive radar screen where visitors can manipulate aurora visualizations through hand gestures without physical contact. This system supports simultaneous interaction for up to five participants, creating collaborative digital experiences.

    The facility extends beyond visual spectacles with multiple specialized zones. A multimedia photo wall enables tactile exploration of Mohe’s cultural and natural heritage through enlargeable images and accompanying text. The polar weather forecast station provides real-time aurora prediction data, assisting visitors in planning optimal viewing times for natural displays. Additionally, the museum houses eight virtual reality digital realms, an augmented reality object recognition table, and a fully-equipped VR classroom with sixteen headsets offering interdisciplinary educational modules.

    Manager Yu Heng emphasized the institution’s innovative approach to learning: “We’ve designed a paperless educational environment that transcends traditional curriculum structures through immersive technological experiences. Our goal is to make complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging for all age groups.”

    The museum’s opening coincided with spectacular natural aurora displays throughout November, with particularly vivid pink and purple illuminations observed on November 24. These celestial events attracted photographers and tourists to the frozen banks of the Heilongjiang River, creating perfect synergy between natural phenomena and their technological interpretation.

    Tourist Xu Qingyue from Shandong province expressed her amazement: “The technological sophistication exceeded all expectations. Witnessing actual auroras after experiencing their digital representation created a profoundly complete understanding of this natural wonder.”

    Mohe’s geographical position at China’s highest latitude makes it uniquely suited for aurora observation, with multiple displays occurring since winter’s onset. The museum now provides both context for these occurrences and tools for predicting future events, establishing Beiji village as China’s premier destination for aurora enthusiasts and scientific tourism.

  • Death toll rises to 16 in Sydney’s Bondi Beach shooting

    Death toll rises to 16 in Sydney’s Bondi Beach shooting

    SYDNEY – Australian authorities have confirmed a devastating death toll of 16 individuals following a mass shooting at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach during a Jewish holiday celebration. The attack, now officially classified as a terrorist incident, represents Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades.

    New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon identified the perpetrators as a father and son duo – a 50-year-old licensed firearm holder and his 24-year-old son. The older assailant, who legally possessed six firearms, was killed at the scene during the Sunday evening attack that unfolded at approximately 6:47 PM local time.

    The victims, ranging in age from 10 to 87 years old, included both attendees of the Hanukkah celebration and one of the attackers. Fourteen individuals lost their lives at the beachfront location, while two others succumbed to their injuries in hospital care. Additionally, 40 victims remain hospitalized with various injuries, five of whom are in critical condition.

    Commissioner Lanyon confirmed that approximately 1,000 people were gathered for the first night of Hanukkah festivities when the shooting erupted. While the investigation into precise motives continues, authorities have unequivocally designated the violence as a terrorist act.

    Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as an act of “pure evil” and pledged comprehensive government action to combat antisemitism. “It is a scourge and we’ll eradicate it together,” the Prime Minister declared, emphasizing national unity in response to the tragedy.

    This incident marks the most lethal mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, which claimed 35 lives and prompted sweeping reforms to the nation’s gun control legislation. The Bondi Beach attack has reignited discussions about national security protocols and firearm regulations across the country.

  • MI6 chief says UK faces threat from Russia’s desire to export chaos

    MI6 chief says UK faces threat from Russia’s desire to export chaos

    LONDON — In her inaugural public address as director of the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), chief Blaise Metreweli issued a stark warning regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s systematic campaign to export chaos worldwide, fundamentally altering conflict dynamics and presenting unprecedented security challenges.

    The newly appointed intelligence head, who assumed leadership in late September following Richard Moore’s tenure, characterized Russia’s approach as inherently “aggressive and expansionist.” According to speech excerpts released by the Foreign Office, Metreweli emphasized that “the export of chaos represents a deliberate feature rather than an accidental flaw in Russia’s international engagement strategy,” predicting this pattern will persist until Putin is compelled to reconsider his strategic calculations.

    Metreweli brings unique qualifications to her historic appointment as MI6’s first female chief since the agency’s 1909 establishment. Previously serving as the service’s director of technology and innovation—a position analogous to the fictional Q character in James Bond lore—she brings dual expertise in both technological and human intelligence operations.

    Her address underscores the increasingly interconnected and unpredictable nature of modern threats, advocating for intelligence officers to achieve fluency in both digital and traditional espionage techniques. “Our operatives must demonstrate equal comfort with code lines and human sources, achieving proficiency in programming languages like Python alongside multiple spoken languages,” she asserted.

    This warning aligns with broader Western security concerns regarding hybrid warfare tactics employed by Russia, Iran, and China. These nations increasingly utilize cyber operations, espionage, and influence campaigns that threaten global stability, as demonstrated by recent UK sanctions against Russian media outlets for alleged information warfare and Chinese technology firms for extensive cyber activities.

    Metreweli’s appointment marks a significant milestone in intelligence leadership diversity, following similar breakthroughs at MI5—the domestic security service led by Stella Rimington (1992-1996) and Eliza Manningham-Buller (2002-2007)—and GCHQ, where Anne Keast-Butler assumed leadership in 2023.

  • South Korea’s ousted president Yoon plotted martial law to eliminate rivals, probe finds

    South Korea’s ousted president Yoon plotted martial law to eliminate rivals, probe finds

    A comprehensive six-month investigation has revealed that former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol orchestrated an elaborate year-long scheme to impose martial law and eliminate political opposition, according to findings announced Monday by independent counsel Cho Eun-suk.

    The probe determined that Yoon and his military allies systematically planned to provoke North Korea into military confrontations to justify declaring martial law since October 2023. The conspirators allegedly reshuffled top military officials to install compliant associates while removing Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who opposed the plan. Investigators documented how Yoon’s administration hosted dinner parties to build consensus among military leaders for their unprecedented power grab.

    Despite failing to elicit any substantial response from North Korea—which investigators attribute to Pyongyang’s preoccupation with supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine—Yoon proceeded with his martial law declaration in December 2024. He branded the liberal-controlled legislature as ‘anti-state forces’ requiring urgent removal. The decree lasted mere hours before collapsing under massive public protests and legislative resistance.

    The investigation uncovered disturbing evidence of Yoon’s hostility toward political rivals, including recordings where he referred to main opposition figure Han Dong-hun as ‘a commie’ and threatened to ‘shoot him to death’ during meetings with military generals. The hostility stemmed from conflicts over scandals involving Yoon’s wife.

    Hundreds of troops temporarily encircled parliament buildings during the brief martial law period, triggering massive public demonstrations that ultimately led to Yoon’s impeachment by lawmakers. The Constitutional Court formally ousted Yoon in April, followed by snap elections that brought Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae Myung to power in June.

    Yoon currently remains jailed while facing rebellion charges, maintaining that his actions represented a legitimate attempt to gain public support against political obstruction. Alongside Yoon, 23 associates—including former Defense Minister Kim, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok—have been indicted for their roles in the martial law scheme.

    In a related development, police raided Unification Church headquarters in Seoul as part of a separate bribery investigation involving numerous politicians. The ongoing probe includes allegations against Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, who stands accused of receiving bribes from church officials seeking business favors. Investigations have expanded to include potential corruption among both conservative and liberal politicians, prompting President Lee to call for a thorough examination of questionable ties between religious groups and political figures.

  • Pakistan begins last anti-polio vaccination drive of the year after surge in new cases

    Pakistan begins last anti-polio vaccination drive of the year after surge in new cases

    Pakistani health authorities initiated their fifth and final nationwide polio immunization campaign of 2024 on Monday, targeting approximately 45 million children under five years of age. This critical public health initiative comes as the country continues to battle the persistent poliovirus, with 30 confirmed cases reported since January—a significant reduction from the 74 cases documented during the same period last year.

    According to the government-operated Polio Eradication Initiative, Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan remain the world’s only two countries where wild poliovirus transmission persists. The current vaccination drive represents a synchronized effort with Afghanistan to strengthen cross-border immunity and interrupt viral transmission between the two nations.

    The massive operation deploys over 400,000 frontline health workers who are conducting door-to-door vaccinations across all regions including Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and the capital territory of Islamabad.

    Health Minister Mustafa Kamal emphasized the campaign’s critical importance, stating: ‘This transcends mere statistics. Each polio case represents a threat to a child’s future and the overall safety of our communities.’

    The vaccination teams operate under substantial security concerns, with authorities deploying thousands of police officers to protect health workers following intelligence reports warning of potential militant attacks. Since the 1990s, more than 200 polio workers and their security personnel have been killed in targeted violence fueled by misinformation campaigns falsely alleging the vaccinations are Western plots to sterilize Muslim children.

    Despite these security challenges, Pakistan maintains regular immunization campaigns. Officials report significant progress in containing the virus and express optimism about the current effort, characterizing it as ‘a vital final push to stop the virus everywhere it still circulates.’

  • AI toys offer emotional support to consumers

    AI toys offer emotional support to consumers

    The global toy industry is undergoing a profound transformation as artificial intelligence-powered companions emerge as the next frontier in consumer technology, offering emotional support and companionship to users worldwide. This technological revolution is reshaping traditional product categories and creating new growth opportunities for manufacturers.

  • What does the Jimmy Lai verdict mean for Hong Kong?

    What does the Jimmy Lai verdict mean for Hong Kong?

    Hong Kong’s judiciary has delivered a landmark verdict in one of the city’s most scrutinized national security cases, finding media magnate Jimmy Lai guilty of conspiring with foreign forces. The conviction represents a critical juncture for Hong Kong’s legal landscape under the sweeping National Security Law imposed by Beijing in 2020.

    The high-profile trial, conducted without a jury per national security protocols, centered on allegations that Lai’s pro-democracy activism and international lobbying efforts constituted collusion with external actors. Prosecutors presented evidence showing Lai’s extensive communications with Western politicians and his public endorsements of international sanctions against Hong Kong officials.

    Legal experts indicate this verdict establishes a formidable precedent for interpreting the National Security Law’s provisions on foreign interference. The ruling demonstrates Hong Kong’s judicial system will aggressively pursue cases perceived as threatening China’s sovereignty, regardless of the defendant’s public profile or international attention.

    The international community has responded with sharp criticism, with multiple Western governments condemning the verdict as politically motivated and warning of deteriorating freedoms in Hong Kong. Chinese authorities have praised the decision as a legitimate exercise of legal sovereignty and necessary protection against external interference.

    This case signals Hong Kong’s continuing transformation from its former status as an international business hub with protected civil liberties to a territory where national security considerations dominate legal and political discourse. The conviction likely foreshadows increased judicial scrutiny of activities involving foreign contacts for Hong Kong activists, journalists, and business leaders.