Q&A with Jean H. Lee, former Pyongyang bureau chief for the AP

When American journalist Jean H. Lee moved to Seoul in 2008 to lead the AP's coverage of the Korean Peninsula, on her first day on the job she was given an impossible-sounding mission: to set up the first news bureau in Pyongyang.

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Robert Kelly: 'The media makes North Korea look more legitimate'

During his recent visit to New Zealand, the Asia Media Centre spoke with Robert Kelly, Professor of Political Science at Pusan National University in South Korea (and "BBC Dad"), about the current situation on the Korean Peninsula. 

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Korean Kiwi explains why South Koreans are boycotting Japan

In recent weeks, many South Koreans have shunned anything labelled “Made in Japan” as a boycott against Japanese products spreads across the country. We asked Korean-New Zealander Onnuri Lee to tell us about the mood in Seoul.

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High stakes as India erases autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir

Last week, India revoked the special status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. What is happening and why does it matter? Sanjal Shastri, a PhD student at the University of Auckland, explains the latest developments in the dispute.

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What has media in New Zealand been reporting about Asia? Here's a roundup of stories from the past week. 

• Govt raises interference concerns with China 
  NEWSROOM
    
• NZ government caution to China over Hong Kong signals relationship 'adjustment' - Anne Marie Brady
  RADIO NZ
    
• Chinese Consulate warning against turning Hong Kong into 'pawn to curb China'
  NZ HERALD
    
• Hong Kong mass protests explained
  RADIO NZ
   
• Tear gas and cocktails: Much calm amid the chaos in Hong Kong, Kiwis say
  STUFF
   
• New Zealanders warned to 'exercise increased caution' in Hong Kong
  NEWSHUB 

• The call of Ihumātao: Migrant communities standing with Māori
  PACIFIC MEDIA CENTRE

What stories about Asia got people talking this week? These are our picks for analysis and longer reads about the region.

Losing The Eternal Blue Sky | NPR
Mongolia’s capital is one of the most populated cities in the world and increasingly among the most polluted. To fend off freezing winter temperatures, many people heat their homes by burning raw coal.

The Philippines Was A Test Of Facebook's New Approach To Countering Disinformation. Things Got Worse. | BuzzFeed 
Duterte won the Philippines presidential election with a campaign that was accompanied by unprecedented levels of digital disinformation. Three years on, the weaponisation of the digital world has become even more widespread. 

Was nasi lemak from Malaysia or Singapore — and how did it get its name? | South China Morning Post 
Nasi lemak was once a humble breakfast dish for workers, but it's now a rising culinary star. These days restaurants serve the dish at any time of the day and add their own spin to the dish — such as nasi lemak ice cream...

Hong Kong: Protesters stage laser show to protest arrest

Hong Kong's famous light show had some competition last week when hundreds of protesters staged their own 'laser show'. They were responding to the arrest of a student who was said to be in possession of 'offensive weapons'.

China: Versace forced to apologise after t-shirt controversy

Italian luxury label Versace has apologised to China for identifying the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau as countries on a t-shirt. Chinese actress Yang Mi has cut ties with the brand as a result of the gaffe. 

Cambodia: Six public holidays to be scrapped next year

It has more public holidays than any other country in the world, but Cambodia is set to lose six of them. In a bid to boost the kingdom's competitiveness, the government will reduce the number of public holidays from 28 days to 22.