Politics

People in Seoul during the MERS outbreak in June 2015.
Politics

Coronavirus: Another crisis tests a South Korean president

Conservative or liberal, leaders are defined by response to emergencies

22 March 2020
A freeway sits almost empty in downtown Los Angeles, after California's Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an unprecedented statewide "stay at home order" directing the state's 40 million residents to hunker down in their homes for the foreseeable future during the global outbreak of coronavirus disease, in California, U.S., on March 20, 2020.
Coronavirus: Free to read

Coronavirus: Week of Mar. 15 to Mar. 21, New York orders millions to stay indoors

Mainland China reports zero new local cases for 3rd day; worldwide total surges

21 March 2020
A mirror at a shopping mall reflects a crowd of people in Tokyo. Japan's and South Korea's approaches to the pandemic illustrate the neighbors' cultural differences.
Inside Japanese politics

Japan and Korea: Deference to authority shapes virus response

Mood in Japan surprises South Koreans, who tend to question their government

19 March 2020
Japan's decision to limit the number of coronavirus tests carried out has caused some public concern. 
Coronavirus

Coronavirus: Why Japan tested so few people

Experts sought to track disease's spread, but citizens wanted quick diagnosis

19 March 2020
South Korean army soldiers wearing protective suits move to spray disinfectant in Daegu, South Korea, on Sunday.
Politics

South Korea to go ahead with general election despite outbreak

Nation takes special steps to ensure safety and allow virus patients to vote

17 March 2020
Trump has ramped up the global blame game.
Opinion

Three reasons Asia should fear Trump's coronavirus fiasco

His incompetence and vitriol will have economic consequences for China and region

16 March 2020
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump at a 2019 G-7 Summit in France. Macron said the leaders will hold a virtual meeting on Monday to discuss the medical and economic responses to the virus outbreak..
14 March 2020
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his South Korean counterpart, Moon Jae-in, meet in China on Dec. 24, in what was their first official summit in roughly a year and a half.
11 March 2020
A man wearing a mask takes a photograph at a Han River park in Namyangju, South Korea, on March 7.
Coronavirus

Silver linings emerge from the coronavirus gloom

Supply-chain reform, telework and sustainability are likely long-term benefits

11 March 2020
South Korean ride-hailer Tada operated a fleet of 1,500 vans.
Startups

South Korea bans ride-hailer in win for taxi lobby

President Moon had touted Tada as an innovator but failed to save it

11 March 2020
Investors in Tokyo continue to be spooked following New York's overnight plunge, with the Nikkei dumping over 800 points. (Photo by Shihoko Nakaoka)
Markets

Japan's Nikkei index plunges 4% following Wall Street dive

Crashing oil prices and coronavirus fears send benchmark to nearly 3-year low

10 March 2020
Shoppers in Hong Kong walk past empty shelves in late January: The coronavirus outbreak has triggered panic buying across Asia, but governments are taking steps to calm anxious citizens. 
Coronavirus

Coronavirus panic buying sends Asian governments scrambling

From Japan to Thailand to India, here's how authorities are fending off hoarders

9 March 2020
Women attend a protest as a part of the #MeToo movement on International Women's Day in Seoul two years ago. The new Women's Party hopes to narrow South Korea's gender wage gap and bring feminist issues to forefront of national policymaking.
Politics

South Korea's new feminist party aims to shake up patriarchal nation

The Women's Party is targeting seats in April 15 general election

8 March 2020
Lee Man-hee, founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, bows on the floor as he apologizes for his church’s role in spreading the coronavirus at a press conference in Seoul on March 2.
Coronavirus

Appeal of coronavirus-hit cult raises tough questions for South Korea

Controversial Shincheonji Church of Jesus boasts over 200,000 members

7 March 2020
A member of the medical team in protective gear sprays disinfectant liquid at a taxi station in Tehran.
Coronavirus: Free to read

Coronavirus: Week of Mar. 1 to Mar. 7, confirmed cases top 100,000 worldwide

South Korea to suspend visa waivers for Japan; Hubei, excluding Wuhan, reports no new cases

7 March 2020
The UAE's Barakah nuclear facility will likely push other Arab nations to invest more in their own nuclear ambitions. (Photo courtesy of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation)
International relations

UAE's nuclear plant fuels fears of Middle East arms race

World's largest reactor seen as a threat to stability in highly charged region

6 March 2020
Passengers arriving from China have their temperatures checked at Narita International Airport. (Photo by Rie Ishii)
Coronavirus

Japan to quarantine all visitors from China and South Korea

Two-week rule to hit tourism as Indonesia tightens controls as well

6 March 2020
South Korea's President Moon Jae-in faces growing public discontent over his handling of the coronavirus outbreak and an earlier decision to not to bar Chinese from the country. 
Coronavirus

South Korea's Moon faces biggest political test over virus outbreak

President's party frets over epidemic's impact on April general election

5 March 2020
Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye has been jailed in Seoul over a corruption and influence-peddling scandal that led to her impeachment.
Politics

Jailed ex-leader Park calls on South Korean conservatives to unite

Ruling progressives under fire for virus response as April election looms

5 March 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on the White House South Lawn on Tuesday.
Coronavirus

Trump weighs adding Japan to coronavirus travel restrictions

India, Thailand and cities in China announce measures to limit travelers

4 March 2020
Thailand will ask travelers from 11 high-risk areas -- including Japan, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore -- to self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival.
Coronavirus

Asia countries add Japan to coronavirus travel restrictions

India, Thailand and cities in China announce measures to limit travelers

4 March 2020
Workers spray disinfectant at a department store in Seoul.
Coronavirus

South Korea travel restrictions spread to 81 nations and regions

Flights turned away and travelers quarantined as infections surpass 4,000

3 March 2020
South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks March 1 at an event in Seoul to commemorate resistance against Japanese colonial rule.
Coronavirus

Moon calls on Japan to fight coronavirus together

South Korean leader marks anniversary of resistance to Japanese rule

2 March 2020
A street sign for Wall Street is seen outside the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan, New York.
29 February 2020
Vietnamese guards patrol the Huu Nghi gate bordering China. Vietnam has shut down schools to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Coronavirus

Vietnam isolates all South Korea arrivals, squeezing Samsung

Country serves as key assembling hub for Galaxy smartphones

29 February 2020