The Seoul authorities denounce the ‘inhuman’ destruction of a place with a strong symbolic value. A gesture that continues the policy of shelving any prospect of reunification between North and South. Over the years, the facility on Mount Kumgang had hosted reunions between relatives separated by the conflict for decades: the last meeting was in 2018.

Some North Korean families are paying up to US 0 to keep their boys from deployment in the Ukraine-Russia war. The certificate means a one-year deferral, but checks could be carried out every three months. Ukraine reports that some 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in combat so far.

South Korea’s anti-corruption agency investigating the martial law attempt continues to meet resistance from the president’s security detail and lawyers. Yoon has refused to be questioned three times. Meanwhile, the parliamentary committee charged with impeachment (dominated by the opposition) is trying to speed up the process so that it can reach the Constitutional Court.

What are the repercussions in Asia of the deployment of Kim Jong-Un's troops in Ukraine? Prof Andrew Yeo told AsiaNews that geopolitical lines are being redrawn. Ukraine may be encouraging North Korean soldiers to desert, but support for Ukraine in South Korea is a divisive issue. For its part, China is trying to avoid being identified as part of the Russia-North Korea bloc.

Identified as Ri and Kang, 39 and 43, they were helping other women escape to South Korea. Victims of trafficking to China, once sent back to North Korea they were killed after a public trial, confirmed by several sources.

For the first time, three South Korean dioceses organised together this moment of encounter and prayer, with thoughts for the deceased and divided families. For Fr Jung, “While the Catholic Church’s support and companionship for North Korean defectors were more focused on the initial settlement in the past, now it seems that pastoral and spiritual companionship is also requested.”