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December
North Korea's Kim Jong Un marks 10th anniversary of father's death
Written by Nur Yasmin
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un marked the 10th anniversary of the death of his father and predecessor on Friday, attending a ceremony with top officials at a palace where his body lies in state while people across the country held commemorations.
Kim Jong Il, the second of the Kim family dynasty, ruled North Korea for 17 years until his death on Dec. 17, 2011. State media at the time did not report his death until two days later.
On Friday, state television broadcasts showed people observing several moments of silence and bowing before portraits and statues of Kim Jong Il. Other footage showed air-raid sirens blaring and car horns honking.
His son, leader Kim Jong Un, was shown with hundreds of officials at a ceremony outside the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in the capital, Pyongyang, where the bodies of Kim Jong Il and his father, North Korea's founding leader, Kim Il Sung, lie in state under glass.
Clad in a black leather coat, Kim Jong Un stood sombrely beneath a large red banner emblazoned with an image of his father, but was not shown speaking.
Newspapers - all tightly controlled by the North Korean government - published articles praising Kim Jong Il.
"He is, indeed, the greatest man and the great sage of the revolution all the people on this land follow with their deep affection and sincerity," the ruling party's Rodong Sinmun paper wrote.
Under Kim Jong Il, North Korea suffered widespread famine in the 1990s, and on coming to power, his son vowed citizens would never have to tighten their belts again.
Ten years into his rule, however, Kim Jong Un is facing widespread economic problems caused by international sanctions imposed over North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programmes, natural disasters, and self-imposed anti-pandemic border lockdowns that have cut trade to a trickle. (Reuters)
December
EU may involve WTO to resolve China-Lithuania trade row, Commission says
Written by Nur Yasmin
The European Union may take the trade row between China and Lithuania to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) if it finds evidence that Beijing is violating international trade rules, the bloc's executive Commission said on Friday.
China is pressuring German car parts giant Continental (CONG.DE) to stop using components made in Lithuania amid a dispute between Beijing and the Baltic state over the status of Taiwan, Reuters reported on Thursday, quoting two people familiar with the matter. read more
The Chinese government, which views self-ruled Taiwan as its territory, downgraded diplomatic ties with Lithuania last month after the opening of a representative office by Taiwan in Vilnius.
China's foreign ministry denies that Beijing has pressured multinational companies not to use Lithuanian-produced parts though says its companies no longer trusted Lithuania.
The European Commission said it was gathering information to find out what is actually happening, and would then decide on any further actions.
"We're exploring steps at the WTO and an official complaint to the WTO. Of course, many other steps are theoretically possible," a spokesperson for the European Commission told reporters in Brussels.
"In order to build a case in the WTO, we need to have enough evidence, so that's actually what we do now," another spokesperson said, adding the Commission was in touch with the authorities in Lithuania and other members states that could be facing similar problems. (Reuters)
December
Kim Jong Un's crackdowns leave North Korea defectors with little hope
Written by Nur Yasmin
In the 10 years since Kim Jong Un came to power, North Korea has cracked down on people trying to get out of the country, leaving many defectors without hope of seeing their families and homeland again.
Even before the coronavirus pandemic slowed the number of defectors to a trickle, Kim oversaw increased controls and pressed China to tighten measures on its side of the border as well.
Only two North Korean defectors entered South Korea from April to June this year, the fewest ever in a single quarter, according to the South Korea's unification ministry, which handles relations with the North. Activists say several hundred might arrive in a typical quarter.
"He has unconditionally blocked all North Koreans defecting from the country," said Ha Jin-woo, who worked as a "broker" in North Korea to help defectors leave, before fleeing himself in 2013.
Among those who sought a new life in South Korea after Kim became leader in 2011 upon the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, some say the new leader did little to improve their lives.
"People say living is too difficult these days because the government is taking more and more things from people, and there are more people dying from starvation," Ha said.
But Kim has introduced some changes.
According to a report issued by the unification ministry on Thursday, Kim has allowed the private sector to overtake state-led agents to become North Korea's biggest economic actor over the past decade. read more
An initial rise in gross domestic product and improved livelihoods have been undercut by international sanctions imposed over Kim's pursuit of nuclear weapons, the ministry said, while a U.N. rights investigator says self-imposed anti-pandemic border controls risk causing starvation among vulnerable North Koreans.
Changes in style - such as Kim showing apparent emotion last year during a speech about people's hardships - have not translated into systemic reforms, and Kim has overseen crackdowns in other areas, such as on foreign media.
"(Under Kim Jong Un) I felt more discipline at school," said Park, a 23-year-old defector who left North Korea in 2014 and asked to be identified only by his last name.
"For example, the school cracked down more on school uniforms and hair. They more strictly prohibited South Korean movies or music."
'REAL FEARS'
At least seven people have been put to death under Kim for watching or distributing K-pop videos, according to a report by a Seoul-based human rights group on Wednesday. read more
North Korea has not released the text of its new "anti-reactionary thought law" but according to the Daily NK, a Seoul-based website that reports from sources in the North, it includes long prison sentences or even death for people caught importing or distributing foreign content, depending on how severe.
State media have said that North Korea would “crumble” if such foreign influence is allowed to proliferate.
"There are real fears that these strict measures will far outlast the pandemic," said Sokeel Park, of Liberty in North Korea, which supports defectors.
U.S.-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said its interviews with North Koreans who left after 2014, or still have contacts there, suggest that while Kim opened up the economy, illegal border crossings became almost impossible, corrupt practices were normalized, and government demands for unpaid labour rose.
"Just like those of his father and grandfather, Kim Jong Un’s rule is based on brutality, fear, and repression, instigating systematic rights violations, economic hardship, and possible famine," HRW senior Korea researcher Lina Yoon said in a statement.
North Korea does not answer questions from foreign reporters but has denied accusations from rights investigators, the United Nations and others who have criticised both the humanitarian situation and rights abuses.
Kim's empathetic style of showing emotion strongly resonates with North Koreans who have been taught to revere their leaders as gods, said Han Ji-yeon, 30, a defector who arrived in South Korea in 2015 and now runs a YouTube channel.
"(But) if the result is always the same, I wonder if North Koreans won't believe it at some point ... even those tears will not be effective," she said. (Reuters)
December
Japan business lobbyist backs Myanmar coup, urges investment
Written by Nur Yasmin
A Japanese former politician who campaigned to bring billions of dollars of investment from some of Japan’s top companies to Myanmar has urged Japan to endorse its military regime, saying the nation's coup leader has "grown fantastically as a human being," while praising his "democratisation efforts."
The 87-year-old former cabinet minister, Hideo Watanabe, is also pursuing a $42-million shopping mall investment in a tie-up with a firm linked to a sanctioned army conglomerate, according to a transcript of his remarks seen by Reuters and corporate filings.
Watanabe’s outspoken push for Japan’s re-engagement with the Myanmar military government stands in contrast with Tokyo’s official stance, which has cut new aid and called on the military to stop the violence. Japan has sought to balance its support for Myanmar democracy against its efforts to counter China’s influence there, officials and analysts have said.
Watanabe and the Japan Myanmar Association (JMA) he chairs declined to comment, as did Japan's foreign ministry.
His position also poses a dilemma for some of Japan's largest companies who sponsor the JMA – a kind of lobby group and information exchange for Myanmar investment in Japan that he founded, business leaders and activists say. These JMA members, like other multinationals, are under pressure from activists to step away from their investments in Myanmar, including in the special economic zone that Watanabe helped establish.
Watanabe, who also said the military's seizure of power in Myanmar was “lawful”, made his remarks at the JMA's regular meeting on June 30, when discussing his recent trips to the country, during which he met junta leader Min Aung Hlaing. His comments, first reported by business publication Toyo Keizai in Japanese, were printed in a newsletter circulated to association sponsors and seen by Reuters.
At least six companies have quit the JMA this year and one member company has pushed back on Watanabe’s comments, according to the companies involved.
That company, XYMAX Corp, a property management firm, said it had expressed concerns to the JMA about the association’s position on the coup several times this year. “We don’t support the coup at all, and we can’t support comments that seem to endorse the coup. There’s no change in our position there,” Ryuhei Mori, an executive for international business at XYMAX, told Reuters.
Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T), which in 2019 announced plans to make Hilux pick-up trucks in the special economic zone, quit Watanabe’s group earlier this year. A spokesperson declined to discuss Toyota’s departure, including its timing. The company’s production plans for Myanmar have been put on hold since the coup, Toyota said.
Hotel chain Vessel Hotel Development Co and IT firm Global Innovation Consulting told Reuters they quit the association after the coup. Vessel said the company “wanted to cut costs,” and Global Innovation Consulting said the membership did not yield “continuing benefits” for the company.
Musashi Fusoh, a garment maker, told Reuters it resigned because it judged the information it was getting did not justify the cost. SPARX Asset Management and credit card company JCB International Co said they also left the association earlier this year.
Some companies, while distancing themselves from the Myanmar military, have remained in the JMA. Among them, Kirin Holdings (2503.T) in February scrapped its long-standing alliance with a conglomerate linked to the Myanmar military after outcry from human rights observers.
Kirin declined to comment on Watanabe’s remarks. The drinks company said in response to a question from Reuters that the actions of Myanmar’s military “go against our standards and human rights policy.”
Automaker Suzuki Motor Corp (7269.T) and Japan’s largest trading house, Mitsubishi Corp (8058.T), which have remained in the JMA, declined to comment on Watanabe’s remarks. Suzuki said it prioritised the safety of its staff, while Mitsubishi said human rights are one of the factors it considers when doing business.
Masao Imamura, a professor of Southeast Asian history at Japan’s Yamagata University, said Watanabe was influential in framing Tokyo’s economic policy on Myanmar and Japanese corporations have relied on his influence and access to do business.
“Large Japanese corporations active in Myanmar have been embedded with people like Watanabe too long and too deeply, so they don’t know how to exit,” Imamura, who was part of a coalition that challenged the JMA’s policy on Myanmar earlier this year, told Reuters.
In May, a month before the JMA meeting, Yusuke Watanabe, Watanabe's son and the association’s secretary general, wrote an article published in the Diplomat saying Japan should act as a bridge to Myanmar's junta rather than following the Western policy of "regime change".
Imamura, and others, including representatives of Myanmar citizens in Japan, human rights groups and foreign policy experts, wrote an open letter to JMA corporate sponsors in response.
Yusuke Watanabe’s article, they said, neglected to mention “human rights violations such as killing, violence, detention, and suppression of speech against civilians by the military.” They asked every member company whether they supported the JMA's position, as expressed by the younger Watanabe. The group said his remarks were a way to "justify the coup."
‘FRIENDSHIP AND TRUST'
Hideo Watanabe has acted as Japan's top-level conduit to Myanmar on economic ties since 1987. His personal connections mean he has more access to senior officials than all but a few foreigners. Watanabe was central to a 2011 deal that saw Japan provide nearly $5 billion in aid and debt forgiveness in exchange for rights to develop a port near Yangon.
In a written statement, Myanmar’s military government told Reuters Watanabe was "a long-time friend" who "always seeks better relations between the governments and citizens of the two nations”.
Underscoring his standing in Myanmar, last month the junta credited Watanabe, along with U.S. former diplomat Bill Richardson and Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of the Nippon Foundation, when it released a jailed U.S. journalist, Danny Fenster.
Beyond its business membership, the JMA is stacked with politicians from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, including ex-prime minister Taro Aso and several former ambassadors to Myanmar. Aso's office declined to comment on Watanabe’s remarks.
Myanmar's military overthrew the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, claiming election fraud, and earlier this month sentenced her to four years in prison. More than 1,300 protesters have been killed by troops, independent observers say.
Despite his support for Myanmar, Watanabe expressed some misgivings. At the June meeting, Watanabe told the association that "not everything that the military is doing was OK" and said he had asked the general for a roadmap to democracy in return for investment. He said it was important to create conditions to hold elections promised by the junta by 2023.
At the same time, Watanabe spoke of his "friendship" and "trust" with the junta leader, who is under sanctions by the European Union and United States, saying that "to prevent the outbreak of civil war in Myanmar, Japan should support the current national system, even if just to a minimal extent."
The junta said in response to questions posed by Reuters that Watanabe’s mall project was ongoing. Watanabe, who said he did not encourage investments that would directly benefit the military, told the JMA he would update on the project once "there are concrete developments.” (Reuters)
December
Japan PM Kishida speeds boosters and secures Pfizer pills amid Omicron fears
Written by Nur Yasmin
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he had spoken with the head of Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) on Friday to secure oral treatments for COVID-19, and that vaccine boosters for the elderly would be accelerated as concerns swirl about variants.
Kishida told reporters he had arranged to secure 2 million doses of Pfizer's antiviral pillin a call with CEO Albert Bourla.
Japan will aim to get boosters to about 31 million healthcare workers and high-risk elderly people within six months from their initial inoculation instead of eight, Kishida said. From February, other elderly people will get boosters within seven months, he said.
Although COVID-19 cases have fallen dramatically since a deadly wave in August, there is growing concern about the Omicron variant, which has been found more than 30 times in Japan, mostly during airport screening and quarantine.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed on Friday thata man in his 20s who had attended a soccer match near the capital was found positive for Omicron. A cluster of 70 coronavirus cases has been found at a U.S. military base in the southern island prefecture of Okinawa, local media reported.
Japan has contracted to receive 120 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine next year and had about 16 million in stock as of this month. On Thursday, the government officially approved Moderna Inc's (MRNA.O) COVID-19 vaccine for its booster programme, which has so far covered just 0.1% of the population.
After a relatively late start, Japan has fully inoculated almost 80% of its population, the highest among Group of Seven economies.
Health minister Shigeyuki Goto said last week that boosters should be given as soon as possible, instead of holding firm to an eight-month lag from the first two shots. (Reuters)
December
New Zealand business confidence drops further in December
Written by Nur Yasmin
New Zealand business sentiment continued its slide in December, weighed down by concerns over finding skilled labour and the rising non-wage cost inflation, an ANZ Bank survey showed on Friday.
The survey's headline measure showed a net 23.2% of respondents expected the economy to deteriorate over the year ahead, compared with 16.4% in the previous poll in November.
A net 11.8% of respondents expected their own businesses to grow in the next 12 months, down from 15.0% last month. (Reuters)
December
Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir admitted to hospital
Written by Nur Yasmin
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, 96, has been admitted to a hospital and will be undergoing a full medical check up, the hospital said on Thursday.
"He shall be undergoing a full medical check-up and further observation," the National Heart Institute said in a statement.
It did not say why Mahathir was admitted. His spokesman declined further comment.
The former premier is expected to be at the hospital for the next few days, the hospital said.
Mahathir, Malaysia's longest serving prime minister, has a history of heart troubles. He has had heart attacks and bypass surgeries.
The nonagenarian served as prime minister for 22 years until 2003.
He returned as premier at the age of 92 after leading the opposition coalition to a historic win in 2018, defeating the party that he had once led. His government collapsed in less then two years due to infighting.
He remains an influential figure in Malaysian politics. (Reuters)
December
Taiwan hopes for EU trade deal progress under French presidency
Written by Nur Yasmin
Taiwan hopes for progress on trade talks with the European Union next year when France takes over the bloc's presidency, and democracies must work together in the face of authoritarianism, President Tsai Ing-wen told French lawmakers on Thursday.
Taiwan has been keen to boost its ties with other Western democracies as it faces rising military and diplomatic pressure from China to accept Chinese sovereignty claims over the island.
The EU included Taiwan on its list of trade partners for a potential bilateral investment agreement in 2015, the year before Tsai first became Taiwan's president, but has not held talks with Taipei on the issue since.
The EU in September pledged to seek a trade deal with Taiwan, part of its formal strategy to boost its presence in the Indo-Pacific and counter China's rising power. read more
Speaking to a group of visiting French parliamentarians at her office in Taipei, Tsai noted that France assumed the EU's rotating presidency next year.
"We hope the EU, under the leadership of France, can continue to promote Taiwan and the EU's negotiation of a bilateral investment agreement, or BIA, to open a new cooperative relationship between Taiwan and the EU," she said.
Tsai, meeting the group led by France-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group head François de Rugy, did not directly mention China, but called on democracies to stick together.
"In the face of a rapidly changing international situation and the continued spread of authoritarianism, democratic partners should even more join hands together in cooperation," she said.
"Taiwan will fulfil its international responsibilities and looks forward to working with France and EU partners with similar ideals to make more contributions to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region."
The French trip comes as China is involved in an increasingly ugly spat with EU member state Lithuania about the Baltic state's decision to allow Taiwan to open a de facto embassy there.
Lithuania's diplomatic delegation to China left the country on Wednesday in a hastily arranged exit in a further souring of relations. (Reuters)
December
Pakistan will host an extraordinary session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) on December 19 to address the serious and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.
The OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) session is scheduled to take place in Islamabad on December 19, 2021, according to a statement from the Embassy of Pakistan here, Friday.
Afghanistan currently faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of Afghans, including women and children, urgently in need of food, medicine, and other essential life supplies, according to the statement.
According to the United Nations World Food Programme, around 22.8 million people -- more than half the population of Afghanistan -- face acute food shortages, while 3.2 million Afghan children and 700 thousand women are at risk of acute malnutrition.
It cannot be ruled out that Afghanistan’s current situation is heading towards a potential economic collapse that would not only be a humanitarian tragedy but also exacerbate the security situation, spur instability, and lead to a mass exodus of refugees. This would have grave consequences for international peace and stability.
Against this backdrop, Pakistan has welcomed the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia -- the Summit Chair of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) -- to convene an Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) on the situation in Afghanistan, according to the statement.
The objectives for convening the session of OIC-CFM include: to express solidarity of the Muslim Ummah with the Afghan people; to play its part in containing and reversing the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, especially in terms of food shortages, displacement of people, and potential economic collapse; and to galvanize international support for the provision of urgent and sustained humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.
Pakistan has been engaged in intense diplomatic outreach, illustrated by the prime minister's contacts with world leaders, the foreign minister's visit to four neighboring countries of Afghanistan (Iran, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan), establishment of the six neighboring countries’ platform at Pakistan's initiative, participation in the Moscow format meetings, and hosting of the Troika plus meeting.
Pakistan believes that continued engagement of the international community with Afghanistan is imperative, and the OIC can lead the way in helping our Afghan brothers and sisters, according to the statement.
"We believe that the Extraordinary session would provide an opportunity to consider practical and concrete steps to help address the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people," the statement noted.
Pakistan counts on the full support of the OIC member states and the international community to extend all possible support to the Afghan people in this hour of dire need. On its part, Pakistan will continue to stand by our Afghan brethren, according to the statement. (Antaranews)
December
New Zealand approves Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5-11 years
Written by Nur Yasmin
New Zealand's health regulator Medsafe has granted provisional approval for the Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years old, the health ministry said in a statement.
The provisional approval is for two doses of the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, given at least 21 days apart, it said.
If approved by the cabinet, the introduction of the paediatric Pfizer vaccine is expected to start in New Zealand no later than the end of January 2022, the ministry said. (Reuters)