East Asia

| SOUTH KOREA – CAMBODIA

The South Korean government has banned travel to some Cambodian provinces following the killing of a young South Korean abducted and forced to work in an online scam centre. A South Korean delegation has asked Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to repatriate its citizens still held in the compounds, while the US and the UK have imposed sanctions on Chen Zhi's Prince group, accused of links to criminal networks, which, despite Phnom Penh's statements, continue to thrive in Cambodia.


Leo XIV met the congregation today, gathered for the 12th General Chapter. Sister Mari Lucia Kim, 60, a former provincial superior in South Korea, will lead the Pauline Sisters until 2031. She brings the vitality of their presence in the Far East to the institute founded by Blessed Giacomo Alberione for the apostolate through the media. Pope Leo calls on the Sisters “to look up and immerse yourselves.”

| 02/10/2025
| VATICAN – SOUTH KOREA

China marks the founding of the People's Republic in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, promising to “stand guard” over the atoll. The Philippines has long claimed that China’s presence is illegal. Chinese authorities recently announced plans to turn the area into a nature reserve.

| 01/10/2025
| CHINA – PHILIPPINES

A court in Wenzhou has convicted 39 members of the Ming family, originally from Shan State in northern Myanmar, for fraud and drug trafficking, among others, activities that generated estimated proceeds of over 10 billion yuan. Among those sentenced to death are the son and granddaughter of the family patriarch, Ming Xuechang, who died under controversial circumstances during his arrest. This is part of Beijing’s broader crackdown on crime syndicates operating in Myanmar.

| 30/09/2025
| MYANMAR – CHINA

In 2023, 39.8 per cent of people over 65 were living below the country’s median income. About 57.6 per cent of seniors want to continue working out of economic necessity; two in three are unhappy with their standard of living. Retirees currently account for 20.3 per cent of the total population, but will reach 40 per cent by 2050. Divorces among seniors are also on the rise.

| 29/09/2025
| SOUTH KOREA

In 2024, South Korea recorded its highest number of suicides in 13 years, with a total of 14,872, a 6.3 per cent increase over the previous year. The causes lie in the intense social pressure imposed from childhood to excel in studies and careers. Seeking psychological support continues to be seen as a failure, preventing young people from getting proper help.

| 25/09/2025
| SOUTH KOREA

JICA, the development agency of Tokyo's Foreign Ministry, has been forced to abandon its twinning initiative between four Japanese cities and Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana and Mozambique. Perceived as encouraging immigration, it sparked demonstrations and alarm. This is a serious blow to development cooperation in a political climate marked by the rise of the far right.

| 25/09/2025
| JAPAN
Editor's choices
 
by A Voice from Shanghai
A local Catholic offers their thoughts about yesterday's ordination of Auxiliary Bishop Wu Jianlin. The unresolved situation of Bishop Ma Daqin, who is still barred from exercising his ministry, is a source of sorrow that encourages “those ...
| 16/10/2025
| CHINA - VATICAN
 
by Mathias Hariyadi
Indonesian authorities have declared a state of emergency in Cikande after unprecedented levels of Cesium-137 were detected at the Modern Cikande Industrial Estate. Nine workers were exposed to the radioactive isotope, while scores have families have ...
| 15/10/2025
| INDONESIA
 
by Andrew Law
The diocese has sent official notice for Fr Wu Jianlin’s ordination ceremony, calling on all priests and nuns to be present without exception. Ordinary Bishop Shen Bin reportedly supported the choice, stressing that Wu is a member of the Party ...
| 10/10/2025
| CHINA – VATICAN
 
by Gershon Baskin
AsiaNews publishes the thoughts on the Gaza peace deal (in its first phase) by the political activist and mediator. A key player in the release of Israeli soldier Shalit, he has worked behind the scenes in recent months to achieve a ceasefire. Against ...
| 09/10/2025
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE – EGYPT
 
Zaw Zaw, a powerful businessman who heads the Myanmar Football Federation, was appointed to chair FIFA's Social Responsibility Committee. Sanctioned in the past by the United States for his ties to the military, the oligarch has over the years built ...
| 09/10/2025
| MYANMAR
 
by Gianni Criveller
1 October marked the anniversary of the canonisation desired by John Paul II  which gave rise to the most conflictual moment in relations between Beijing and the Holy See. In the context of today's dialogue with the Beijing authorities, ...
| 05/10/2025
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA
 
The former interior minister, known for her tough stance on China and her nationalist policies, won the Liberal Democratic Party primaries and is set to lead the government as its leader. However, without a majority in parliament, she will have to seek ...
| 04/10/2025
| JAPAN
 
by Dario Salvi
For the Jewish leader, a leading figure in relations with Christians and Muslims, the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi is a "natural partner" to develop point 18 of the US plan to end the war in Gaza. “Such a clause already appears in the Abraham ...
| 01/10/2025
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”