Asia News Weekly Podcast

South Korean President Park Geun-hye said she’d accept a mandate from the National Assembly to shorten her term after hundreds of thousands of South Koreans have peacefully called for the president to step down. Despite her unprecedented 4% approval rating, the president managed to secure an intelligence sharing deal with Japan. What’s the significance of the pact and why isn’t everyone happy about it? VOA’s Steve Miller reports.

Merriam-Webster defines insight as the ability to understand people and situations in a very clear way or an understanding of the true nature of something. One man whom many view as insightful, is the Dalai Lama. So, what’s it like to meet the spiritual leader of Tibet? Former Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank and Fellow at the Milken Institute Curtis S Chin shares his personal story.

Following two Hong Kong legislators-elect oath’s advocated a divide in the “one country, two systems” principle, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, making it clear that looking forward, there was only one China. What does the future hold for the Special Administrative Region?

Attacks have plagued Myanmar’s Rakhine State where border patrol police, soldiers, and insurgents have been killed. Aung Sung Suu Kyi’s near six-month-old civilian government faces criticism. Hunter Marston explains the origin of the conflict in the region and challenges facing the region’s Rohingya Muslims.

Announcing not only he wished to “separate” from the United States, but that he wanted all foreign troops out of the Philippines in two years, President Rodrigo Duterte comments have created uncertainty around his foreign policy. What do some think of the so-called “Punisher” charting a new course for the Asian archipelago away from its long-time ally?

2016 has seen a surge in nuclear and weapons test from North Korea, despite the United Nations levying the toughest sanctions to date against Kim jong Un and his government. What do those living in South Korea think about these policies and their results?

The Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte said many controversial things since being sworn into office on June 30, 2016. Since then, his domestic and international policies have brought about uncertainty over what direction the country will take as its economy hits a seven year low. The EastWest Institute’s Jonathan Miller and Milken Institute’s Curtis S Chin discuss the implications of the Philippine president’s remarks.

China has been drudging reefs in the South China Sea for more than a year, building harbors and installations some believe could be used for military purposes. But Beijing isn’t alone in creating outposts. Has island building in the South China Sea become the new norm? The RAND Corporation’s Scott Harold and Stratfor’s John Minnich discuss.

North Korea recently celebrated its 68th anniversary. To celebrate, leader Kim Jong Un fired off the country’s latest submarine-based test missile, detonated a fifth nuclear bomb, and conducted a rocket engine test. The world condemned the provocative actions of the defiant nation. Why has 2016 seen so many test? The Center for the National Interest’s Harry Kazianis and the University of Leed’s Adam Cathcart break things down.

Who were the first people to visit North America from abroad? The answer to that question may surprise you, because you can’t find it in any textbooks just yet. But scattered throughout the American southwest are signs pointing to an answer. Dr. John Ruskamp, Jr. is the author of Asiatic Echoes and has spent more than a decade reaching these early travelers.

Sungju Lee is probably a name you’ve never heard before. He’s the son of a former North Korean military official, whose family fell out of favor. Relegated outside of Pyongyang, his parents abandoned him on the streets. So… how did he manage to defect to South Korea while on his own? Listen to his story in this week’s podcast and you’ll be able to read his full account in the new book, Every Falling Star, available beginning September 13, 2016.

Kim Jong Un is the third leader of North Korea. Since 2012, the young leader has conducted a pair of nuclear tests, threatened the United States with war, and shown no signs of stopping what Washington calls provocative behavior. Why, and what should the west do? Troy University’s Daniel Pinkson and One Free Korea’s Joshua Stanton discuss.

Japanese Emperor Akihito addressed the nation August 8th. He brought up concerns regarding his health and the strains of the role he was born into. He also hinted that perhaps it was time to abdicate the throne, something he’s forbidden to do. How does his request fit within the 1400 year Imperial Household and how are people responding?

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council will hold elections in September. Candidates are being required to a pledge that the Special Administrative Region is an inherent part of “one China.” Those that refuse aren’t allowed to run for office. What effect will this have on Hong Kong and its future? Stratfor’s John Minnich and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies’ David Lampton share their expertise.

After recent missile tests by North Korea, the US and South Korea have agreed to deploy a missile shield on the peninsula. Beijing objects, saying the move will hurt bilateral ties and destabilize the region. Could China be right? The Brookings Institution’s Katharine Moon and EastWest Institute’s Jonathan Miller weigh in.

There’s no forthcoming ASEAN statement critical of China’s activities in the South China Sea after member state Cambodia dissents. Was Cambodia’s decision influenced by pledges of aid from Beijing? And what does this say about ASEAN’s worth to the smaller countries of the region in containing their powerful neighbor? The Milken Institute’s Curtis S Chin and RAND Corporation’s Scott Harold share their analysis.

Qandeel Baloch was strangled to death at the hands of her own brother, in what he calls an honor killing. What factors led to this and will the death of this social media star end the deadly practice? Human Rights Watch’s Saroop Ijaz and Express Law’s Salman Abid share their insights and research on the issue.

North Korea has launched a submarine-based missile and satellite imagery indicates renewed activity near its nuclear testing facility. With these developments in mind, The United States announced it would deploy THAAD - a high missile defense shield - in South Korea to counter Pyongyang’s provocative actions. But are those living in Seoul concerned for their safety as Kim Jong Un continues to rattle his saber?

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has ruled against Beijing, but China signals it will ignore the ruling. What’s next for the region as the Asian powerhouse talks of using military force to defend its recently invalidated claim to much of the South China Sea? The Diplomat’s Franz-Stefan Gady discusses new Chinese military assets headed for the region.