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.