Grasp the pattern, read the trend

No. 36, September/2022, 1

Brought to you by CPG

Dear Readers, 

Welcome to this week’s issue of the Asia in Review providing you the latest events and developments in domestic politics, international relations and geopolitics in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Wishing you an informative read, I extend special greetings to everyone who celebrates Brazil’s, Eswatini’s, North Macedonia’s, Tajikistan’s Independence Day and Andorra’s National Day, Bulgaria’s Unification Day, Malta’s Victory Day and North Korea’s Day of the Foundation of the Republic in this week. 

With best regards,

Henning Glaser

Editor in Chief

Webpage: www.cpg-online.de, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CPGTU

Main Sections

• Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in East Asia

• Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in South Asia

• Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in Southeast Asia

• International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia

• Announcements

Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in East Asia

China: Date of 20th National Party Congress announced

(ms) After a long wait, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has now announced that the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party will be opened on October 16. 

At the once-in-five-year congress, some 2300 delegates will elect about 200 full members with voting rights to the party's elite Central Committee, which in turn will select from its ranks 25 members for the Politburo. Most closely watched will be the unveiling of the new Politburo Standing Committee (PSC), the party’s top echelon currently consists of seven members, after the plenum.

President Xi Jinping is expected to succeed in securing an unprecedented third term as party leader which would break with the norm adhered to by his two predecessors Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin to step down after 10 years, or two full terms. It would also break with the so-called “7-up, 8-down” rule, an unwritten rule that effectively sets age limits on membership in the PSC: members who are 67 years old or younger are eligible for another term, while those 68 and older are expected to step down. Xi is 69. 

Xi is also expected to unveil a new team of top leaders around him and to reshuffle the top echelons of the party’s power structure. Parliamentary chief Li Zhanshu (72) and ranking vice premier Han Zheng (68) are expected to step down as members of the PSC. Another candidate who will not resign directly at the National Congress, but whose successor will presumably be announced anyway, is that of Premier Li Keqiang. Li already announced earlier this year that he will step down in March next year, after two terms and 10 years as Premier. 

Since Li is not affected by the age limit at 68 as he will be only 67 at the time of the congress and because he has recently taken a very prominent public role, especially in the context of the weakening economy, it is assumed that Li will not retire completely from politics but will take the position as parliamentary chief of the Standing Committee, the third highest office in the party.

So far, three people in particular have been considered as potential successors: Hu Chunhua, one of the four vice prime ministers, Chen Min'er, party secretary of the Chongqinng province, China's third-largest municipal economy and, according to rumors, a protégé of Xi, and, last but not least, the current Party Committee Secretary of Shanghai, Li Qiang. [Bloomberg] [Politico] [Reuters 1] [Reuters 2] [The Diplomat]

Ahead of the National Congress Chinese Police and State Security Police are reportedly increasing pressure against potential troublemakers and dissidents. 

According to Radio Free Asia sources, government opponents and human rights activists are being rounded up by state security police and warned not to give interviews to foreign news outlets and to remain quiet in general. Activists also report that police are even beginning to arrest ordinary citizens who, for example, use the "letters and visits" system, the administrative system for hearing complaints and grievances. [Radio Free Asia]

China: Former senior official of Public Security Ministry expelled from CCP

(ms) Liu Yanping, a former senior officer of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) at the Ministry of Public Security, was found guilty of corruption and removed from office and expelled from the Chinese Communist Party. 

Already in March, Liu was accused of "suspected violation of discipline law," an often-used euphemism for corruption, to which he has now also been found guilty. However, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the body responsible for the investigation, now stressed that Liu’s crime was political in nature and not purely monetary as the crime of corruption would suggest. Liu is said to have been part of the political clique around Sun Lijun. Sun, the former vice-minister of public security who pleaded guilty to corruption in mid-July, is said to have planned a plot against Chinese President Xi Jinping with other high-ranking party officials and to have been supported by former senior party officials [see more AiR No. 28, July/2022, 2]. In particular, the CCDI's comment suggests that Liu was also part of these plans, which is reinforced by the timing of the expulsion, as the planned date for the 20th National Congress was officially announced in the same week, making the control of events and members in the party even more important.  

The former vice-governor of Liaoning province was also thrown out of the party for corruption. The same fate also befell the former chairman of China Life Insurance Co. [China Daily] [Global Times] [Reuters] [South China Morning Post]

China: Revival of the counter-cyclical factor

(ms) After the yuan hit a two-year low of 6.9 yuan against the U.S. dollar on August 29, the People's Bank of China (PBC) set the fixing rate at 6.8821 yuan to one U.S. dollar on September 1, surpassing nearly 100 points from the level expected by analysts. This sharp deviation, according to economists' opinions, could be an indication that the PBC is reverting to the counter-cyclical factor (CCF) after it was suspended in 2020.

The CCF was or is an artificial factor implemented by China in 2017 to, according to China, better reflect supply and demand and counteract "herd effects." Translated, this means that China implemented a factor that would allow them to mitigate possible sharp price swings and prevent the yuan from devaluing too much against the dollar, which is especially important for an export-oriented economy like China. After 2020, when the yuan stabilized on its own against the dollar and the CCF weakened the yuan rather by intervening, the method was abandoned so that the currency would orient itself more naturally to the market, as the CCF simply no longer had any use for it.

The previously seen devaluing of the yuan was triggered by the PBC's August interest rate cuts to support the weakening economy, which followed the Chinese government's admission that this year's economic growth target of 5.5 percent is unlikely to be met.

Particularly in view of the 20th National Congress to be held in mid-October, the Chinese government is now expected to do everything possible to counter further devaluing of the national currency. [Bloomberg] [Reuters] [South China Morning Post]

China: 27600 arrests during 100-day long crackdown 

(ms) The public security authority of northeastern Hebei Province released the result of the 100-day long crackdown against crimes launched in late June. It is said that 27,600 arrests were made, more than 800 criminal gangs were broken up and monetary assets worth the equivalent of about USD 130 million were frozen. 

The campaign was launched under Wang Xiaohong as Minister of Public Security, who took office only a short time before and is said to be a close confidant of President Xi Jinping. [Global Times] [The Print]

China: UN human rights chiefs publishes Xinjiang report

(ms) On August 31, the last day of her term, the now retired High Commissioner of Human Rights Michelle Bachelet released the long-awaited report on the Xinjiang region and the Uyghur minority living there, classifying China's actions as serious human rights violations. 

Even though the word genocide is not used, which is often used especially in the U.S. in reference to the Uyghurs, the allegations in the now published report are weighty, with the report saying that China's "arbitrary and discriminatory incarceration" of Uyghurs and other Muslims in its Xinjiang region may amount to crimes against humanity.

The crackdown, which the Chinese government legitimizes with an anti-terror law implemented since 2016, would particularly target people based on their ethnic and religious background, and the allegations of torture, forced medical treatment, sexual and physical abuse in the so-called vocational education and training centers. 

Various human rights organizations welcome the report's clearly stated allegations and are now calling on the UN Human Rights Council to act accordingly. Among others, the U.S. and Germany have already communicated that they will now discuss with their partner countries and decide on the consequences of the now substantiated allegations.

Reasons for the report's delay include the fact that the Chinese government, which received the report several days ago, is said to have pressured Bachelet not to publish it. The Chinese government completely rejects the allegations of the report and insists on the narrative already pursued during Bachelet's visit that the allegations are attempts by U.S.-led anti-China forces to harm the country. [OHCHR] [Global Times] [Radio Free Asia] [The New York Times] [South China Morning Post]

China: Hong Kong radio host pleads guilty to charges after 18 months in detention

(ms/yv) A well-known Hong Kong radio host has pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering and sedition after being in custody since February last year. 

The host allegedly posted messages on his November 2020 program that included content that "incited others to resist or overthrow the Chinese Communist Party; throw petrol bombs; commit vigilantism against government officials; participate in civil disobedience to take down or obstruct the Hong Kong government; promote Hong Kong independence; support the self-determination of Taiwan; advocate for the pro-democracy primaries before the 2020 legislative election... and support offenders who fled to Taiwan."

The incentive for the guilty plea is said to have been an offer made by prosecutors in May that he would not face six of the ten charges he originally faced.

Two other defendants in another sedition case, however, pleaded not guilty; the defendants include a pastor accused of "uttering seditious words" and "acting with seditious intent." during the trial of Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China Vice-Chairwoman Chow Hang-tung, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison for organizing the Tiananmen Square Victims' Vigil, for which the organization is known. 

The charge of sedition dates back to British colonial times, while it was abolished in other former colonies, it no longer found use in Hong Kong, but was then revived in the wake of the 2019 anti-government protests. [Hong Kong Free Press 1] [Hong Kong Free Press 2] [South China Morning Post]

China: Shenzhou-14 crew completes first spacewalk

(ms) The taikonauts who have been in space since early June [see more AiR No. 23, June/2022, 1], completed their first mission outside the space station on September 1. They left the space station for the first time through the Wentian lab module which was successfully attached to the Chinese space station Tiangong at the end of July [see more AiR No. 30, July/2022, 4]. [Global Times]

China: New drone successfully completes maiden flight

(ms) The Qimingxing-50, or Morning Star-50, China's first purely solar-powered large drone successfully completed its maiden flight, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). 

What is special about the drone is especially the flight altitude and the tasks that come with it, so the drone is said to be able to complete near space flights. The drone is supposed to be able to take over the role of a satellite for reconnaissance, monitoring, surveying and communication relay missions in emergency situations, since it has different flight times than drones, which fly over the corresponding area, while the drone can be used more variably and has a long endurance due to the solar engine. The production costs are also expected to be lower than those of a commercial satellite, making it a real alternative or at least a complement.

The successful test of the drone should now encourage further developments of similar solar-powered high altitude drones. [Global Times]

Japan: Kishida Cabinet support falls to 47% due to LDP-Church revelations 

(sra) The Cabinet for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has experienced a detrimental shift in public support, down 10 points since July following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinto Abe. The suspect responsible for this has allegedly claimed his motives were the result of the ruling parties’ controversial relations with the Unification Church of which had caused his family to enter bankruptcy [see No.35, August/2022, 5]. A national telephone survey on August 27-28 exposed the impact of the controversy and its cause of public disapproval, with further developments revealing more than 146 members of the LDP tied to the Church. [Japan Times]

The backlash of the criticism has influenced respondents’ attitudes to Kishida and his administration, with 48 percent stating they are now critical of his response to the issues related to the Church. Affiliations with the Unification Church have proved difficult for the Japanese public to trust the government, even after the Cabinet was reshuffled on August 10. [The Asahi Shimbun 1]

Kishida has apologized, placing Toshimitsu Motegi Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, as responsible for ending all ties to the Church, which may see a substantial effect on a number of Diet members that may have relations with organizations associated with the Unification Church. [Japan Today] [The Asahi Shimbun 2] [The Mainichi]

Japan: Baba elected as new leader of Nippon Ishin

(sra) The first presidential election of the opposition party, Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), since the party’s formation in 2015, voted Nobuyuki Baba as its leader on August 27. [The Asahi Shimbun 1]

As the leader of the conservative opposition party, Baba’s previous experience as secretary-general and Lower House executive in 2012 will aid his position in transforming the electoral strategy and expanding its influence from the parties’ prefectural origins in Osaka toward outer regions and eventual national influence, following in the steps of his predecessor to achieve a national following for Nippon Ishin. [The Asahi Shimbun 2] 

In his acceptance speech, Baba pledged in favor of the constitutional amendment and to continue the reforms initiated by Matsui such as the Osaka Metropolis Plan policy. The policy aims to cut bureaucratic spending and privatize public services and the key goal to reform Osaka’s 24 wards into larger regions. [Japan Times] [Kyodo News]

Japan: WHO director accused of racism, abuse replaced

(sra) The World Health Organization (WHO) has removed Japanese Takeshi Kasai from his post a Director of Western Pacific after allegations of abuse, and racist and authoritarian behavior toward staff continues under investigation. The WHO’s Western Pacific headquarters made the decision as a result of more than 30 complaints of staff members about derogatory comments, systemic bullying and verbally abusive behavior made in January. Kasai has disputed all allegations of targeted harassment. [Japan Today]  

Deputy Director General, Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab will temporarily replace Kasai, who had been in the position since February 2019, overseeing a region with  almost 1.9 billion people in over 37 countries. The abuse of power he is accused of also includes spending donor contributions to secure his re-election, nepotism in regard to recruitment and failure to adequately manage the developments of the COVID-19 pandemic justly. [South China Morning Post]

The WHO management has a history of reluctance to take action against unethical perpetrators, thus this investigation stands as unprecedented for the organization, with the possibility that Kasai’s contract could be terminated. This would be the first time a UN health agency director was relieved of their duties under such allegations. [ABC News]

Japan: Protests against amendments to immigration law

(dql) Citizens took to the streets in ten Japanese cities to express their opposition against efforts to amend the country’s immigration law that seeks to tighten controls on the residency of foreign nationals in the country. 

They also demanded the full transparency, including the disclosure of security camera footage, in the case of a 33-year-old Sri Lankan woman who died while in detention at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau in the city of Nagoya in March 2021.

In a lawsuit that the woman’s family filed and that sought damages from the Japanese government, the state denied access to the entire footage. [The Mainichi]

Japan: Ex-soldier calls for probe into her alleged sexual assault in army 

(sra) Former Japanese soldier Rina Gonoi has submitted a petition signed by more than 100,000 people, demanding the defense ministry investigate her alleged sexual assault by colleagues during a month-long training exercise in 2021 after completing her first year as part of the Ground Self-Defense Forces (GSDF). 

The public allegation of sexual assault was made after prosecutors terminated their formal investigations, stating there was insufficient evidence to proceed. Gonoi claims that past female colleagues have also experienced sexual harassment. 

Gonoi’s online petition has encouraged others to speak up, with over 100 additional allegations of sexual harassment from men and women within the Japanese armed forces being exposed. The support for her case was a result of its rarity, as only 4 percent of rape victims report crimes to the authorities in the country [South China Morning Post]

Japan: Plans for military expansion and national defense continue

(sra) Aiming to prepare for national security threats amid tensions with China and Russia, Japan will develop a mass-produced cruise missile and a high-velocity ballistic missile in an effort to strengthen the Self Defense Force. This includes an order for the Norwegian Joint Strike Missile and the US-manufactures Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-Off Missile with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers, exceeding the traditional range limit for missiles, imposed by the constitutionally constrained SDF over recent decades. This is a significant shift away from Japan’s war-renouncing constitution due to rising tensions in the region threatening national security, as stated in the 2022 defense white paper. [see No. 30, July/2022, 4]

Security threats from China concerning its ambitions of reunification with Taiwan have applied pressure through extensive military exercises within 160 kilometers of Japan, disputes between Beijing and Moscow over the Senkaku Islands and the risks posed by the unprecedented amount of weapon tests in North Korea have ignited the adoption of a new national security strategy. [Aljazeera] 

The budget of the defense ministry is said to exceed its initial request of USD 40 billion during the next fiscal year in order to begin the mass production of long-range missiles to be used for counterstrikes, surveillance technology and equipment to launch attacks. [NHK World Japan] 

It has also requested attack drones in the defense of remote islands, and high-powered lasers and microwaves to shoot potential enemy drones. The requests pose ethical concerns if used inadequately and development in research to abide by international and domestic regulations. [The Asahi Shimbun]

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida asserted Japan’s support to the US in May, pledging military reinforcement in order to empower the security alliance with rising international tensions. This involves raising Japanese annual spending on defense to become the third-largest military economy following the US and China and opposing the postwar constitution limited to self-defense. [The Associated Press]

The plan was confirmed after the request of the defense ministry’s annual budget on August 24, shifting away from its previous economic expenditure on the national military sector [see No. 35, August/2022,5].

Japan: Man sentenced to four years in prison for arson in Korean community

(sra) The court case regarding serial arson attacks in an ethnic Korean community in Uji, Kyoto, has resulted in a four-year prison sentence issued by the Kyoto District Court on August 30. Shogo Arimoto was found guilty of setting public signage and properties on fire including vacant homes, properties owned by ethnic Korean organizations and a Korean School in Nagoya’s Nakamura Ward between July and August of 2021.

Arimoto shared that his discriminatory sentiments were the cause of his crimes, fueling his attempt to interrupt the opening of the Korean Utoro Peace Memorial Museum. Regardless of this information, Presiding Judge Keisuke Masuda made no further persecution regarding the Hate Speech Act of 2016, which would deem the crime a more severe penalty. The case outlines the insufficient repercussions of discrimination in Japan, as Arimoto’s sentence should have included the severity of perpetrating a hate crime. [The Asahi Shimbun]

The crime involved no direct contact with Korean people, however, Arimoto’s statements show he grew violent hatred through old news reports related to Japanese colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. [Japan Today]

South Korea: Supreme Court rules the state to compensate victims of 1975 Presidential Decree

(my) The Supreme Court of Korea ruled that the state was liable for compensation of the victims of Presidential Emergency Decrees in the 1970s.

The 1972 revised Constitution allowed the president to control legislative and judicial authorities until its abolition in 1980. Based upon the revised Constitution, it was able to declare Presidential Emergency Decrees and temporarily suspend the basic rights of the people without the consent of the National Assembly. The nine decrees declared from 1974 to 1975 prohibited political activities such as opposing and criticizing the revised Constitution.

In 2013, the Constitutional Court ruled that Presidential Emergency Decrees were unconstitutional, and the Supreme Court also upheld that the decrees were invalid. Those who were convicted of violating emergency decrees could receive criminal compensation by requesting a retrial.

71 plaintiffs who were arrested and imprisoned under the violation of Presidential Emergency Decree No. 9 filed a civil lawsuit against the government for damages in 2013. The decree comprehensively prohibited political involvement such as student protest or expressing opposition to the revised Constitution. Any person who violated it was punished by imprisonment for more than one year and suspension of qualifications for less than 10 years. The victims of Emergency Decree No. 9 are reportedly over 1,000 people, of whom 170 are in the process of litigation for damages.

However, in 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that the state retained no civil liability for the decrees. The plaintiffs requested the Supreme Court to reconsider the damage suit in 2018. On August 30, the Supreme Court ordered a retrial, confirming that the state was liable for damages suffered by individual citizens who were investigated forcefully or convicted under Emergency Decree No. 9, since the issuance and execution had missed objective legitimacy. [JoongAng Daily, in Korean] [Yonhap News Agency]

South Korea: Prosecution requests main opposition leader to appear for questioning over allegations of election law violation

(my) The prosecution has summoned Lee Jae-myung, the main opposition Democratic Party leader, over accusations of election law violation. The prosecution will investigate whether Lee’s remarks made in 2021 regarding allegations of preferential treatment for private companies constitute a spreading of false information.

Seongnam municipality canceled a plan to build rental apartments in Baekhyeon-dong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and allowed private developers to build lot-solid apartments in 2015. The developers made considerable profits.

The then governor of Gyeonggi Province Lee attended the National Assembly’s parliamentary audit in October 2021. In response to a question asking the background of the change, he claimed that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport requested it and pressured him based on a special law on the relocation of public institutions when he was a mayor of Sungnam. However, the Power People Party claimed that the decision was made voluntarily by Lee, not by the external pressure of the ministry. It stated that Seongnam municipality was not obligated to comply with the request of the ministry to change the plan. [Yonhap News Agency]

South Korea: Ruling party to launch new emergency committee

(my) The ruling People Power Party (PPP) seeks to establish a new emergency committee. The PPP had already launched an emergency committee on August 8, but the interim leader Joo Ho-young was suspended after an injunction filed by the former party leader Lee Jun-seok to cease the validity of the emergency committee was granted. Eight other members also resigned from the emergency committee on September 5 and the committee has dismissed.

The PPP held a standing committee meeting on September 2 and voted on a revision of the party constitution that specifies the requirement of launching an emergency committee: An emergency committee shall be established in cases where the party’s leader is vacant or at least four out of five elected Supreme Council members are vacant. This resolution came after the court’s judgment that PPP was not in an emergency. The national committee also passed the revision on September 5, and the party aims to launch a new interim committee on September 8. In the meantime, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong serves as acting chairman of the emergency committee. Lee filed an additional injunction to oppose it. [Yonhap News Agency 1] [Yonhap News Agency 2, in Korean]

The controversy over the party’s leadership structure has been putting the party in turmoil since months. Lee was suspended from party membership and his post for six months in July over allegations of sexual favors and cover-up attempts. Kweon then took a post of acting party leader but resigned after the exposure of a text message conversation with President Yoon Suk-yeol that criticized Lee. The emergency committee was then convened, and Joo leaded the emergency committee. When he was automatically deprived from the party leader with the launch of the emergency committee, Lee applied for an injunction to suspend the emergency committee’s validity. The injunction was upheld, making Joo be suspended from his post on August 26 [see AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5].

South Korea: New DP leader meets with PM and ruling party floor leader

(my) Lee Jae-myung, the new leader of the Democratic Party (DP) of Korea, met with the prime minister and the ruling party floor leader to discuss ways to cooperate in state affairs.

Lee met with Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party (PPP), on August 31. The two vowed to speed up promoting common presidential election pledges between the ruling and opposition parties. In a meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on September 1, Han said he expected to operate state affairs through cooperation with the DP. Lee replied that as a majority party in the National Assembly, he would faithfully both cooperate and check national affairs. 

The cooperation from the main opposition party is needed by the ruling party, not only for passing bills at the National Assembly but also for the operation of state affairs, since DP holds 169 seats out of 299 parliamentary seats. [Korea Times] [Yonhap News Agency]

South Korea: Presidential archives raided over North Korea’s killing of official

(my) Prosecutors seized and searched the presidential archives on September 1. The raid was conducted over allegations against former high-ranking government officials of damaging records of North Korea’s killing of a South Korean official in 2020.

On September 22, 2020, a public official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries went missing in the waters of the South. It was confirmed the next day that he was killed in shootings by North Korean soldiers in the waters of the North. The government at the time of the incident claimed that the official attempted to defect to North Korea. The early announcement was retracted in June 2022 by the Maritime Police and the Ministry of National Defense claiming that it was impossible to prove wether he intended to defect to North Korea or not.

Prosecutors had already raided the residences of three former high-ranking government officials in connection with the case in August. [Yonhap News Agency]

South Korea: Government raises quota for foreign workers

(my) The government has expanded the quota of foreign workers who could enter South Korea on E-9 visas by 10,000 from 59,000 to 69,000 in 2022. The E-9 visa allows foreign employees to work up to four years and 10 months in a non-professional sector. South Korea’s shipbuilding and manufacturing industries rely heavily on foreign workers with this visa.

Korea had received more than 50,000 new arrivals with E-9 per year until 2019, but only six thousand new arrivals entered the country in 2020 and ten thousand in 2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. As a result, the shipbuilding and manufacturing industries suffered from manpower shortages. 42,000 E-9 visa holders entered South Korea in 2022 as of August 26. [Yonhap News Agency]

South Korea: Police investigate online sexual abuse ring

(my) The police are investigating an online sexual abuse ring. The suspect blackmailed and forced victims to take sexual videos and distributed them through chat rooms on Telegram from early 2020. Six victims have been identified so far, mostly minors. According to the police, the cybercrime investigation unit is investigating a suspect on charges of violating the law on the protection of children against sex offenses. [Korea Herald]

It uses a method similar to the “Nth room” and “Baksa room” cases that caused national repercussions in 2020. The two cases were crimes of online sexual abuse rings in which perpetrators had forced victims to film sexually explicit videos and sold and distributed them in chat rooms called “Nth Room” and “Baksa Room” [see also AiR No. 42, October/2021, 3].

South Korea reduces budget for North Korea while raising defense spending

(my) The Ministry of National Defense’s budget for the year 2023 increased compared to 2022, while the Ministry of Unification’s decreased.

It is the first time in five years that the Unification Ministry’s budget has been reduced since 2018. The total budget of the Ministry of Unification decreased by 3.35 percent to KRW 1.45 trillion (USD 1.08 billion), whereas the budget for humanitarian cooperation increased by 15.1 percent to KRW 751 billion (USD 558 million). Regarding the budgeting, the Unification Ministry stated that the budget for large-scale aid such as food and fertilizer was designed to support the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s implementation of the “audacious initiative.” The audacious initiative is the Yoon administration’s policy toward North Korea, which aims to offer financial support if North Korea expresses a firm intention to denuclearize.

Meanwhile, the budget for inter-Korean economic projects such as the Kaesong Industrial Complex decreased by 23.1 percent, and the budget for resettlement of North Korean defectors was also reduced as the number of North Korean defectors decreased due to the COVID-19 outbreak. [NK News] [Yonhap News Agency]

On the other hand, the Defense Ministry’s budget for 2023 increased by 4.6 percent compared to 2022, reaching KRW 57.1 trillion (USD 42.3 billion). The budget for the three-axis system has increased in response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, according to the Defense Ministry, by 9.4 percent to account for KRW 5.2 trillion (USD 3.9 million). [Hankyoreh, in Korean] [Korea Herald]

The three-axis system refers to South Korea’s deterrence mechanism consisting of the Kill Chain preemptive strike platform, the Korea Air and Missile Defense system, and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation that intends retaliatory strikes at the North Korean leadership.

Taiwan: New program to boost emergency response introduced

(gö) Digital Minister Audrey Tang has introduced a new program of the newly established Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) that aims to ensure the operation of the nation’s communication networks in case the networks suffer from damages during emergencies. 

To this end, the MODA plans to install non-geostationary satellite equipment for testing at over 700 domestic locations and 3 international locations. The benefits of using non-geostationary satellite systems are that Taiwan would be able to maintain network communication in case submarine, mobile or telephone cables should cease to function. [Taiwan News]

Taiwan: Minimum wage increased

(gö) The Ministry of Labor has announced an increase of the minimum monthly wage to from USD 825 to USD 865 and the minimum hourly wage from USD 5.50 to USD 5.75. The increase is supposed to benefit around 2.33 million Taiwanese. 

An increase of 4.55 percent, the percentage is closer to the demands of businesses (3 percent) than of what labor groups (11 percent) had asked. The wage hikes are expected to take effect at the beginning of 2023. [Taiwan News]

Taiwan: New tank engines and frigates

(dql) The Taiwanese Army will replace the engines and gearboxes for its M60A3 tanks by 2028 to increase the tanks’ horsepower from 750 to 1,000, according to an announcement of the Taiwanese Army. USD 236.4 million are allocated for the replacement of the old tank engines. [Taiwan News 1]

In addition, Taiwan is set to build a new generation of frigates that will be smaller than originally planned and weigh 1,500-2,500 tons each instead of about 4,500 tons. The new frigates will be used for reconnaissance and patrols in the Taiwan Strait, as well as for transportation, and escort to the nation’s outer islands. They will also be responsible for maintaining the safety of sea lines of communication and protecting Taiwan’s fishing rights. A budget of USD 807.65 million is allocated for the new ships. [Taiwan News 2]

Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in South Asia 

India: Supreme Court grants interim bail to activist, questions the High Court for delay

(vv/lm) The Supreme Court of India on September 3 ordered the release on interim bail of a prominent rights activist and critic of Prime Minister Modi, Teesta Setalvad, more than two months after she was arrested on charges of fabricating evidence, tutoring witnesses and fabrication of evidence in connection with Hindu-Muslim riots in 2002. The interim bail granted by the apex court will stand until a state court decides on Setalvad's bail plea. [Reuters] [Voice of America] 

Setalvad was detained on June 25, a day after the Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking to establish that the mob violence against Muslims in the western state of Gujarat in 2002 were the result of a high-level conspiracy involving then-Chief Minister Modi [see AiR No. 26, June/2022, 4]. After her arrest, repeated bail plea applications were rejected by Gujarat sessions court and high court, citing criminal conspiracy against “dignified” government officials [see AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5]. [JURIST]

Though Setalvad has been allowed momentary relief, the activist’s passport will remain in special courts of Ahmedabad with limited travel allowed until the case remains pending in the High Court. The Supreme Court, lashing out at the High Court that is judicially monitoring the case, also questioned the decision of rejecting plea and delaying hearings relative to the matter. [The Hindu]

India: Opposition Congress leader, more than 60 members in Jammu and Kashmir union territory quit party

(vv) More than 60 senior members of the local branch of India’s opposition National Congress (INC) party in the Jammu and Kashmir union territory resigned on August 30, days after the resignation of former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad from the INC.

Azad, also a former minister of health and welfare during the INC’s tenure in the central government, handed in his resignation on August 26 in a scathing letter to party leader Sonia Gandhi. He lashed out at Sonia’s son Rahul Gandhi, alleging immature behavior towards the party’s political agendas and treatment of senior leaders. He also said the delay in the party's internal presidential elections reflect on the inadequacy of the INC, and Rahul Gandhi himself. [The Indian Express]

Following Azad’s resignation, many senior leaders under the INC’s Jammu and Kashmir wing resigned in support of Azad, claiming that they joined Congress to serve Azad and now have no purpose to continue in the party. [Hindustan Times] [The Hindu] [The Statesman] 

On September 4, then Azad announced his own party in his first public rally after ending his five-decade long association with the INC, stating that the people of the Jammu and Kashmir union territory will help him and his followers decide the name and flag of his party. [Times of India]

India: Prime Minister Modi makes official visit to Kerala state

(vv) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began an official two-day visit to the southern state of Kerala on September 1, attending various cultural programs and commissioning India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier. [News18]

Prime Minister Modi started his visit by offering prayers at India’s renowned saint-philosopher’s birthplace, followed by inauguration of development projects in the Kochi city of Kerala, and concluded day 1 by addressing his party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cadres of its Kerala Wing.

Day 2 of his visit is set to entirely focus on the commissioning of the much talked about indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, which is set undergo its first test flights in November of this year. [Deccan Herald] [Live Mint] 

India: Investigating agency accepts complaints against central government as Delhi leadership protests

(vv) India’s premier investigating agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has accepted complaints lodged by the ruling party of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, which allege that Prime Minister Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to topple governments in the capital and other opposing states across the nation. The allegations came as ministers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged demonstrations outside of the CBI’s headquarters and demanded that their concerns be heard with urgency. [Hindustan Times]

Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi and leader of the AAP, and the BJP have been at war in the capital following CBI raids in AAP’s top leader and Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia’s residence. The raids resulted from complaints from Delhi governor over AAP’s newly introduced liquor policy, the 2021-2022 excise policy, which has been surrounded by controversy since its amendment. [AiR No. 34, August/2022, 4]

Kejriwal and Sisodia claimed that the raids were an attempt by the BJP to defame the top leadership of AAP following its victory in the recent crucial northern state Punjab elections. The heated exchange of words between both parties were followed up by Kejriwal alleging that the BJP is attempting to topple Delhi state government by luring AAP ministers with money for a cross-over. The Chief Minister arranged for an urgent meeting to review the support for AAP and all of its ministers pledged loyalty. Kejriwal then accused the Prime Minister Modi of attempting to topple state governments across the nation, calling it “Operation Lotus”, and many AAP legislators protested against India’s premier investigating agency’s headquarters urging its officials to lodge complaints. [AiR,No.35,August/2022,5] [Outlook India]

After 10-hour long agitation and a long wait, the crime branch finally allowed a few AAP legislators into its office and accepted their complaints. Among the many allegations in the complaint, the most important are against the central government and Prime Minister Modi for allegedly being involving in corrupt practices of buying ministers to topple state governments - calling it the “Operation Lotus” - and official complaints against Delhi governor for allegedly filing false cases against Sisodia and insisting on raids. The AAP legislators have also approached President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her time to hear their claims of the state government falsely defaming AAP and Delhi chief minister Kejriwal. Sisodia, continuing his attack on Prime Minister Modi, claimed that his party was threatened by the growing popularity of Kejriwal and that he is the next Prime Minister face. [The Pioneer]

India: Ruckus in Delhi parliament as assembly passes chief minister's vote of confidence motion

(vv) The Delhi assembly on September 1 passed a voice and vote division confidence motion that was tabled by Delhi chief minister, and leader of anti-corruption party the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Arvind Kejriwal after he made stunning allegations that Prime Minister Modi’s party is trying to topple it’s government. [Financial Express]

The allegations come against the backdrop of a controversy surrounding Kejriwal’s party and its top leadership, especially after India’s premier investigating agency – Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) - raided Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia’s residence following complaints against his implementation of Delhi’s liquor policy – 2021-2022 excise policy. [AiR No. 34, August/2022, 4]

As much criticism has been directed towards the policy itself, Kejriwal accused the ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of luring AAP legislators with large sums of money to crossover and join the BJP, which will force AAP to lose its majority in the government and necessitate re-elections. Kejriwal called it the “Operation Lotus” given the several other state governments across the nation falling and having BJP take over. While the CBI has accepted complaints of AAP minister staging agitation, urging that the BJP has a larger conspiracy planned, Kejriwal called for an urgent meeting to review the party majority, with all his legislators pledging support. [AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5]

Kejriwal then moved the Delhi assembly, making sharp attacks on the BJP, Prime Minister Modi, and the alleged “Operation Lotus'', claiming that AAP’s support in the Indian state of Gujarat – where Prime Minister Modi and his party enjoys political dominance – had increased by 4% and Prime Minister Modi was threatened by AAP’s growing popularity. The Delhi chief minister tabled a vote for confidence motion in the Delhi parliament, insisting that he shall prove his popularity and majority to its rival. Kejriwal added that BJP had in fact gifted opportunities for AAP to further its prominence from hereon, claiming that its popularity is growing in other states Prime Minister Modi enjoys strong support in. AAP legislators reminded of Kejriwal and Sisodia’s efforts to establish world-class education systems in Delhi, a feat that has been lauded by New York Times and other international media. [NDTV] [Hindustan Times] [Financial Express]

Following the voting, Kejriwal won the confidence motion with a comfortable majority as most of the ministers voting were of his party AAP, while 3 were of BJP who were marshaled out of the assembly after a heated argument with the parliament deputy speaker and threatened to stage a walkout. The BJP has denied all allegations leveled by Kejriwal and AAP, asserting that Kejriwal’s defamatory or false claims against Prime Minister Modi won’t whitewash Kejriwal’s liquor scam in the excise policy and Sisodia’s repeated financial thefts in the capital. [Financial Express]

India: Delhi governor to sue state government ministers for false defamation 

(vv) Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena on August 31 stated that he will take legal action against Delhi state government party Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) – anti-corruption party started by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal – for false and defamatory charges leveled by AAP ministers against the governor. 

Besides the dramatic and heated war of words between Kejriwal and Prime Minister Modi’s party the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), another political turmoil ensuing in the capital is between AAP and Delhi governor Saxena, who had initiated charges against AAP and its top leadership. Saxena had complained to India’s premier investigating agency Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that AAP top leaders be investigated in the controversial excise policy – new liquor policy – and education policies implemented by Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. The excise policy has been under radar for a while, since all government owned liquor vends were directed to establish their own private businesses, which the BJP allege that Sisodia has committed large financial thefts from. Saxena also questioned the implementation of several education policies by AAP, which he believes to have also been an opportunity for corruption for a party that otherwise claims to battle corruption and bribery. The allegations were followed up by a series of raids across the capital, including at the residence of Sisodia. [AiR,No.34,August/2022,4] 

Adding to the heated political climate in the capital, AAP ministers staged protests outside CBI headquarters and among their complaints were allegations against governor Saxena for allegedly aiding corruption during the controversial demonetization policy introduced by the central government – wherein all older versions of 500 and 1000 rupee notes were withdrawn and demonetized with new ones being issued on November 8, 2016. AAP ministers accuse Saxena of pressurizing his employees of the Khadi and Village Industries (KVIC) to exchange INR 1,400 crores (US$ 175,511,586) demonetized “black” illegal money into “white” legal money. The CBI probed KVIC and filed a chargesheet against 2 employees accused of actively involved in converting illegal money to legal money and have been under CBI radar since 2016. The 2 accused have given official statements against Saxena, alleging that large-scale corruption happened at KVIC under the chairmanship of the Delhi governor. [The Pioneer]

L-G Saxena has taken serious note of the allegations, firmly denying all charges, and claiming that the AAP ministers are posing counter-allegations to hide their own crimes and corruption. Saxena asserted that he’s open to any probe, while also adding that he won’t accept charges from AAP ministers who themselves are accused of corruption. Saxena is set to file a false defamation suit against AAP leaders and legislators including Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Durgesh Pathak and Delhi Dialogue Commission (DDC) vice chairman Jasmine Shah, calling the accusations a figment of the said ministers’ imagination. The Delhi governor maintained that all probes done thus far have given Saxena and other employees of KVIC clean chit, also claiming that if the AAP had knowledge of any such corruption the matter should’ve been raised before the raids at Sisodia’s residence. [Indian Express] 

Nepal: House Speaker resubmits Citizenship Bill to President Bhandari for authentication

(op/lm) Nepal’s President Bidya Bhandari is in a tight spot as both houses of Parliament have endorsed the citizenship bill unchanged, rejecting her suggestions for reconsideration. Now, the president has 15 days to sign the bill into law.

On August 14, President Bhandari had returned the country’s first Citizenship Amendment Bill to the House of Representatives for reconsideration, a month after it was passed in Parliament [see AiR No. 33, August/2022, 3]. The bill has been under discussion in the House since 2018, but it failed to be endorsed due to differences among the political parties over certain provisions, most notably a seven-year waiting period for obtaining naturalized citizenship for foreign women married to Nepali men. [Setopati 2] [Setopati 3] [The Kathmandu Post 4]

But the House re-approved it without any amendments on August 18 and submitted it to the National Assembly. Days later, the National Assembly also approved the controversial document with majority votes on September 2. Earlier, the bill was sent to its Legislation Committee for a detailed discussion, but it had sent back the bill unchanged.

The 2007 Interim Constitution of Nepal allowed anyone born in Nepal before April 12, 1990 to apply for citizenship before the Constituent Assembly election on April 10, 2008.  After that, children of Nepali parents who had citizenship by birth conveyed citizenship by descent to their offspring, as specified in the Interim Constitution and Citizenship Act. However, the chief district officials stopped granting citizenship to children of citizens by birth, claiming the lack of a distinct statute. A few individuals petitioned the court and were awarded citizenship, but many still lack citizenship and its privileges.

Nepal: Suspended Chief Justice Rana appears before impeachment recommendation committee

(op/lm) Nepal’s suspended Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana on August 31 appeared before an impeachment committee of Parliament to present his clarification on several allegations leveled against him. The recommendation committee on August 24 had decided to summon him to defend himself, about half a year after a total of 98 lawmakers had registered the motion of impeachment against Rana with 21 different charges [see AiR No. 7, February/2022, 3]. [The Kathmandu Post] [Setopati] [KhabarHub]

In October of last year, reports surfaced that the Rana had demanded a say in the distribution of posts in Prime Minister Deuba’s Cabinet, allegedly as payback for the Supreme Court’s ousting of the prime minister’s predecessor KP Sharma Oli earlier in July. He was also accused of influencing cases assigned to other judges, though he denied the allegations against him. [AiR No. 44, November/2021, 1]

Nepal: Leaders advise ruling Congress party not to accept fewer than 100 seats in seat-sharing discussions

(op) With the leaders of the ruling Nepali Congress, the largest of the five parties, unwilling to compromise for less than 100 first-past-the-post (FPTP) lower house seats in the November 20 elections, reaching an agreement on seat-sharing among the ruling coalition parties is becoming more and more challenging. The Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) has placed claims for 32 seats, the CPN (Unified Socialist) for 40, the CPN (Maoist Center) for 60, and Rastriya Janamorcha for two.

According to numerous party officials who attended a meeting of the Nepali Congress' current and previous office bearers on August 31, the majority of attendees indicated the party shouldn't accept fewer than 100 seats. Their proposal comes at a time when a task team of the ruling coalition has been unable to determine how to split among themselves the 330 seats in provincial assemblies and 165 seats in the federal parliament. On November 20, there will be elections for the federal and provincial administrations.

However, given that there are only 165 FPTP lower house seats available, the party's demand is excessive given that the CPN (Maoist Centre) wants 60 seats for itself, the CPN (Unified Socialist) wants 25, and the Janata Samajbadi Party wants at least 16 seats.

Additionally, certain leaders of the Congress have urged for the inclusion of the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP) in the governing coalition. Bimalendra Nidhi, a former vice president, and Shekhar Koirala, among other leaders, believed that the LSP should be included in the coalition. Prime Minister Deuba has met with LSP leaders who want to join the alliance multiple times, but he hasn't been able to make a decision because the other alliance members don't seem keen on adding a new member. Even though the majority of the office holders insisted on at least 100 FPTP seats, Deuba's close friend and Congress spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat gave a hint that the party would have to settle for fewer than 100 seats. [The Kathmandu Post 1] [Setopati 2]

Nepal: Government to introduce bill to seeking to better define tenure of parliament’s lower house

(op/lm) Against the larger backdrop of confusion over the term of Nepal’s lower house of parliament, the government has prepared a bill with a provision to determine the life of the legislature. Proposed amendments to the Election of the House of Representatives Act seek to determine the start of the current tenure from the day of its first meeting on March 5, 2018. If the bill gets endorsed by Parliament, the incumbent House can function until the House of Representatives elected on November 20 convenes for the first time. The same clause will be applied for the provincial assembly. [The Kathmandu Post 1] [The Kathmandu Post 2]

Pakistan: Economic loss due to floods rises to USD 12.5 billion, as death toll crosses 1,300 mark

(fm/tj) Pakistan’s foreign minister made an urgent call for international aid in an interview on September 1, as floods triggered by early monsoon rains remain intense. [CNBC]

The National Disaster Management Authority on August 29 reported the deaths, pushing the total fatalities in the devastating floods since the monsoon rains began in June to 1314, nearly a third of them (458) being children. At least 33 million people have been displaced, and the country is now facing the spread of waterborne diseases and other health challenges in the affected regions. In light of this, the World Health Organization has classified the situation as a grade 3 emergency - the highest level of its internal grading system. [Al Jazeera] [UN News]

Furthermore, the government has estimated that the economic loss from the floods has increased to USD 12.5 billion. But the full extent of the damage remains unknown, and these numbers may still rise. [Business Standard]

Against this backdrop, Pakistan’s finance minister said the government will consult coalition partners and key stakeholders on importing essential food items from India. [Business Standard]

Sri Lanka: Ousted ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa returns from exile, just weeks after being ousted

(kh) Sri Lanka’s former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was forced to flee abroad after mass protests in July, returned home late on September 2. His return is a challenging issue for the current government which has to provide him with round-the-clock security while simultaneously having to deal with the ongoing protests, which might intensify due to Rajapaksa’s return. [BBC]

Rajapaksa fled Sri Lanka in mid-July for the Maldives after angry protesters stormed his official residence and office [see AiR No. 33, August/2022, 3]. He tendered his resignation from Singapore, while public anger grew over his alleged mismanagement of the economy and later traveled to Thailand, from where now returned back to Colombo [see AiR No. 34, August/2022, 4].

Although the protesters do not challenge Rajapaksa’s return to Sri Lanka, they are demanding legal action against the former president and claim that they will oppose his efforts to rejoin politics or the government.

At the same time, Rajapaka’s return home after less than two months suggests that the family remains deeply entrenched. Its political party, which still holds a majority in Parliament, has been regrouping and continuing to influence the government’s affairs through Ranil Wickremesinghe, an ally whom lawmakers elected to the presidency as his successor. [The New York Times]

Sri Lanka: Bill introduced to curb presidential power likely to become law within weeks, foreign minister says

(kh/lm) Sri Lanka’s foreign minister stated on September 5 that a constitutional amendment bill seeking to limit presidential powers will become law in a few weeks. The bill was introduced to Parliament last month and seeks to transfer some presidential powers into the hands of a constitutional council comprising lawmakers and respected non-politicians [see AiR No. 33, August/2022, 3].

Ahead of a United Nations Human Rights Council session starting next week, the foreign minister also said the government was in the process of drafting a new anti-terror law that will be in line with international best practices. He also made clear that Colombo would oppose any international attempt to gather evidence of alleged rights violations during the country's civil war that ended in 2009. [EconomyNext]

Sri Lanka: Court allows ex-Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa to travel overseas

(lm) Sri Lanka’s highest court has allowed the country’s former finance minister, Basil Rajapaksa, to travel overseas until mid-January next year to seek medical treatment. [The Straits Times]

Basil Rajapaksa, a younger brother of of the former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, resigned from parliament earlier in June, amid a worsening economic crisis and infighting with his brothers [see AiR No. 24, June/2022, 2]. In April, Basil had resigned as finance minister [see AiR No. 14, April/2022, 1]. As he is widely credited with building the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the political vehicle for the Rajapaksas’ return to power in 2019, Basil is expected to retain influence despite his resignation from the party.

Sri Lanka: Crisis-hit country’s interim budget aims ambitious revenue, debt cut targets

(kh) Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe has presented an interim budget for the year 2022-23 with the ambition to enhance government revenue and achieve the debt reduction targets. 

The budget includes increasing government revenue to almost 15 percent of GDP by 2025 from 8.2 percent at the end of 2021. Additionally, the value-added tax (VAT) has increased from 12 percent to 15 percent, from 8 percent to 12 percent earlier in May 2022. The budget is aimed to decrease public debt from 110 percent of the GDP to almost 100 percent of the GDP in the medium term. Also, the budget is hoped to bring the inflation rate from 64 percent to the mid-single digit. [Economy Next] 

In related news, the government is in the process of selling 49 percent of SriLankan Airlines’ two business units which are catering and ground services arms, to tackle the state-owned airlines’ debt levels that are claimed by the aviation minister to be around USD 1.05 billion. Each business unit is estimated to be worth USD 1 billion. [CH-Aviation]

Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in Southeast Asia 

Cambodia: Defamation trial against former opposition leader commences in Paris

(fe) On September 1, a French court heard testimonies of the parties to open the lawsuit that the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and the National Police deputy commander had filed against Sam Rainsy in 2019. 

At the time, Rainsy had accused Hun Sen of being responsible for the murders of former National Police commander Hok Lundy and labor activist Chea Vichea. 

While Rainsy’s lawyers said that the accusations have a sufficient factual basis, Hun Sen’s legal team argued that Rainsy’s allegations were motivated by personal animosity and demanded hard evidence. 

The court decision is expected for October 10. [Phnom Penh Post] [The Diplomat]

Cambodia: Kem Sokha's daughter wants the treason accusation against father dropped

(fe) Marking the fifth anniversary of the former opposition leader's detention, Kem Sokha's vocal daughter Kem Monovithya has broken her silence and demanded his freedom. Sokha, the former leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which the Supreme Court had ordered to be disbanded, is currently standing trial on charges of conspiring with foreign powers to overthrow the government.

The contested treason trial against Sokha is still ongoing and has no clear end in sight, according to his attorneys. [Phnom Penh Post]

Cambodia: Election Commission rejects request to drop case against vice-president of opposition party 

(fe) Four opposition parties, including the Candlelight Party (CP) – the largest opposition party founded by exiled former opposition leader Sam Rainsy –, the Khmer Will Party (KWP), the Cambodian Reform Party (CRP), and the Grassroots Democratic Party (GDP) have asked the National Election Committee (NEC) to drop its defamation action against CP vice-president Son Chhay.

The defamation case was filed after Chhay’s interview with the online new site Cambodia Daily, in which he claimed that votes were either stolen or purchased and did not accurately reflect the will of the people. The four parties argued that Chhay, in making this statement, was only exercising his rights to freedom of expression. The NEC, however, rejected the request. [Phnom Penh Post]

Cambodia: Ruling CPP rejects demands for election law amendment to limit campaign expenditure

(fe) The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) has rejected suggestions for changing the country’s election law to restrict campaign spending, calling them unjust. 

The criticism came after four opposition parties, including Candlelight (CP), Grassroots Democratic (GDP), Cambodian Reform (CRP), and Khmer Will (KWP), submitted a proposal to the National Election Committee to suggest a cap on a party’s spending on campaigning in order to guarantee equality and openness in the elections. 

According to Article 28 of the Law on Political Parties, the state must contribute an equal amount of money to each party running in the legislative election. However, any party that does not obtain three percent of the national vote or a seat in the National Assembly is required to pay back the whole money within three months after the declaration of the final election results. Further, a political party may get funding from members’ contributions, or donations from the private businesses and philanthropists. [Phnom Penh Post]

Cambodia:  Minimum wage agreement still not concluded 

(fe) Factory owners and unions failed to reach an agreement for a third time, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training said that the debate to adjust the minimum wage of garment and footwear manufacturing employees will continue on September 13. The government proposed a minimum wage of USD 198, but union officials for the clothing and footwear industry rejected the proposal and demanded USD 213 instead.

A textile factory employee stated that she favors a minimum monthly wage of $215. She called on the government and the Ministry to act by protecting the welfare of the employees in clothing factories by realizing that commodity prices and energy costs are escalating. [Khmer Times]

Cambodia: Unions and NGOS oppose appointment of impeached ex-governor 

(fe) Unions and NGOs condemned the Cambodian government of Prime Minister Hun Sen for elevating a former district governor who was convicted of shooting three female textile workers ten years ago to a prominent post in the Interior Ministry. On September, information about a March 18 order elevating Chhouk Bandith, the former mayor of Bavet in the province of Svay Rieng, to a prominent position in the executive branch of government, was made public. His new role was not specified in the directive.

The victims, who were injured in the shooting in February 2012 while participating in a demonstration over inadequate working conditions, were awarded 38 million riels ($9,500) in compensation. Bandith was sentenced to an 18-month prison sentence. [Radio Free Asia]

Indonesia: House of Representatives ratifies two key economic bills

(ai) The Indonesian House of Representatives has passed two bills, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Indonesia and Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IK CEPA) with South Korea, for increasing national exports. 

The RCEP was initially signed in November 2020 by 15 Asia-Pacific countries, including Australia, New Zealand, China, South Korea, and Japan, plus all the 10 ASEAN countries. This effectively created the world’s biggest trading bloc. Observers see the power of the RCEP as an alternative to the US- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Indonesia is now the 13th of 15 nations to have signed the agreement to be part of the RCEP. The RCEP,  according to Trade Minister Zulkifli, will be an essential boost for trade in Indonesia. 

The other agreement ratified, the IK-CEPA is seen by supporters as an important opportunity for economic growth and investment between Indonesia and South Korea. Under this agreement, Indonesia will eliminate 92% of the tariff post with South Korea and South-Korea will eliminate 95%. Furthermore, the two nations have made commitments to mutual investment as well as joint cooperation in various fields, such as agriculture, infrastructure and technology. [Antara News] [The Diplomat] [The Jakarta Post 1] [The Jakarta Post 2] [IND Financials] 

Indonesia: Protests as anger mounts over fuel prices 

(pe) Thousands of people rallied in Indonesia's demanding the government reverse its first subsidised fuel price increase. 

The increase is the first imposed by the government in eight years, and has been implemented amidst rising inflation. President Joko Widodo has justified the fuel increases, stating that he has no choice given the global fuel shortages and challenges.  Furthermore the government has stated that they support people from rising costs in other ways, such as through cash handouts.

Thousands gathered in Jakarta and other major cities denouncing the government's decision  on fuel and also some calling for an increase in the minimum wage. [Channel News Asia]

Indonesia: Six soldiers accused of killings and mutilations in Papua

(ai) The Indonesian security forces have arrested six elite troops accused of killing four indigenous Papuans and mutating their bodies. 

A spokesperson for the Papuan police said the suspects attracted the victims with the offer to provide them with weapons, an AK-47 rifle and a gun for USD 26,800. The remains of the victims were subsequently found in a river, it is suspected that they were affiliates of a local rebel group.

A representative of the West Papua Liberation Army, the military arm of the pro-independence Free Papua Organization, has asked the intervention of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, aka Jokowi, to punish the perpetrators with the death penalty.  Jokowi, during his visit to Papua, stated that the investigation is being conducted legally, which observers say is a move to ensure the public does not lose confidence in the armed forces. However, Papuan activists have expressed concerns over this, claiming that the military will not necessarily take the responsibility to investigate the case. [APNEWS] [Benar News] [RFI] [Tempo English] [The Star]

Malaysia: Wife of jailed former-PM found guilty of corruption as Najib petitions King

(pe) The  wife of jailed former Prime Minister, Najib Razak, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for bribery and corruption. This comes days after her husband was sent to prison for his involvement in the crimes, which are linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal (1MDB), one of the largest global financial fraud cases in the world. 

Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, pleaded not guilty to the charges raised against her, which included soliciting bribes and receiving millions of dollars connected to a solar power contract. She is accused of using her influence to steer government spending, despite not being an official figure. Her alleged crimes are not linked to the 1MDB scandal. Rosmah will be able to seek bail while she appeals against the judgment.

Rosmah has said she was framed by her former aide as well as government and company officials involved in the project. Both Najib and Rosmah face further trials in the future related to their alleged involvement in the 1MDB scandal, both continue to insist on their innocence. Najib had begun proceedings to petition the King for a royal pardon, which would release him from jail if successful. [AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5] [AP News] [The Guardian] [Free Malaysia Today] 

Malaysia: Bung Moktar and wife ordered to enter defense on corruption charges

(pe) Member of parliament Bung Moktar and his wife have been ordered to enter their defense against charges of bribery and corruption. The two are accused of accepting bribes in order to sway investment decisions, abusing their powers as public figures. 

Supporters of Bung Moktar state that there have been contradictory statements made by witnesses based on their oral testimony and written statements, and that he and his wife should therefore be spared trial. They also claim that the date of the trial is too soon, putting the two at a disadvantage as their lawyers now have a relatively short amount of time to prepare. 

Both of the accused have chosen to give evidence under oath, which means that they will be cross-examined as part of a trial that will begin September 23. [New Straits Times]

In recent days, rumors had been spreading that Bung Moktar had taken ill, however the politician posted pictures of himself smiling into the camera on social media, refuting such claims. [Malay Mail]

Malaysia: Muda defends international concerts and events

(pe) The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has urged the government not to yield to extreme populist views around the holding of international concerts and events in the nation. 

Events that host international performers have drawn criticism in the past. Pas Youth, a group linked to the governing coalition, for example had recently protested against a concert held in Malaysia featuring American singer, Billie Eilish. Those opposing such events consider them immoral. However, those supporting events featuring international artists argue that they are crucial for local tourism, as well as acting as inspiration for local musicians. Muda has argued that the concerts are acceptable provided that they respect regulations and Malaysia's cultural norms and religious values. [New Straits Times]

Malaysia: Pas Ulama Council proposes tighter election requirements

The Central Pas Ulama Council has proposed that the government tighten the requirements for candidates to stand in any election. This includes banning anybody who is on trial for misconduct, embezzlement and corruption from running. 

Supporters of the proposal state that those who have been charged with criminal activities could abuse their power if they were to win in the elections. Some have also stated that those who have issued any kind of statement threatening the harmony of the country or disputing the Constitution, should also be banned. [New Straits Times]

Malaysia: PN Chairman accepts PAS decision not to cooperate with PH in election 

(pe) The Chairman of Perikatan Nasional (PN) has stated that they will accept whatever decision made by leaders of the parties in the coalition, including the decision by component party PAS not to cooperate with rival Pakatan Harapan (PH), in the 15th General Election (GE15).

The Chairman, who is also the leader of the coalition member Bersatu Party, said should this happen, his Party is prepared to navigate any political scenario to achieve their success. Prior to this, he has been reported to have stated that PN's call for the opposition to consider renegotiating political cooperation could be beneficial to the future of the country. Another key party, UMNO, has made similar remarks, stating that all parties should first and foremost consider their own incentives and needs. [New Straits Times 1]

GE15 is due to be held in the coming year, with the final decision of when it will occur currently sitting with the Prime Minister. [New Straits Times 2]

Malaysia: Allegations of special agreement between current and former Prime Ministers denied

(pe) The Communications and Multimedia Minister has denied allegations of any special agreement between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. He specifically was addressing rumors about the appointment of the attorney-general (AG).

It has been claimed that there are several leaked agreements between Ismail Sabri and Muhyiddin, among which allegedly statements are made whereby Ismail Sabri agreed not to replace the current AG. The Minister refuting these claims has stated that any such discussions have been based on mutual understandings, as opposed to any covert special agreements. [New Straits Times]

Myanmar: Control over political parties further tightened

(dql) Myanmar’s military regime has put in place additional restrictions on political parties after they were prohibited from speaking with international organizations or foreigners without prior approval by the Union Election Commission (UEC), the country’s electoral watchdog.

Under the new notice of the UEC, foreign organizations are required to report to the Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry through their embassies if they seek to meet a political party in Myanmar.

In its earlier notice of August 11, foreign embassies, international NGOs and affiliated domestic organizations were accused of having intervened in the 2020 general election. Political parties were warned that they would risk dissolution if they violate the August 11 notice.

Citing Articles 407(c) and 408 of the military-drafted 2008 Constitution, and Article 6(f) of the Political Parties Registration Law, the UEC has warned that any parties failing to follow its August 11 instruction face dissolution. [The Irrawaddy]

Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced again

(dql) Former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to three years in prison with hard labor after a court found her guilty of electoral fraud in the November 2020 general election in which her National League for Democracy secured a landslide victory. 

The sentence is the latest in a string of punishments handed down to her. She is now facing 20 years in jail. [CNN]

In a verdict in August, she had been sentenced to six years in prison for corruption. The verdict piled up to another 11-year jail sentence for sedition, corruption, and other charges that she was handed since the military took over power in a military coup in February 2021. [AiR No. 33, August/2022, 3]

Meanwhile, the United Nations’ Myanmar special envoy Noeleen Heyzer made clear that she would not visit the Myanmar again unless a meeting with Suu Kyi would be allowed. 

Heyzer was strongly criticized – by both the military and the military’s opponents – for her trip to the country last month to meet the military junta during she was denied to meet with Suu Kyi. [Channel News Asia]

Myanmar: Former UK ambassador sentenced to one year in jail

(dql) A court has sentenced Vicky Bowman, Britain’s former ambassador to Myanmar, and her husband Htein Lin, a prominent artist, have been sentenced to one year in prison.

Both were accused of violating visa regulations, which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence. According to a statement issued by the Myanmar military, Ms. Bowman violated the law when she stayed in a city other than Yangon, where she was registered and failed to notify the authorities of her location. Her husband is accused of facilitating her crime without informing the authorities. [The Guardian] [AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5]

Myanmar: Surprise reshuffle of leadership of largest ethnic armed group

(dql) The United Wa State Army (UWSA), Myanmar’s largest ethnic armed organization (EAO), has reportedly seen a surprise reshuffle in its leadership, with 14 senior figures from the UWSA and its political wing the United Wa State Party (UWSP), having been replaced with middle-aged men in their 40s and 50s.

Observers, however, don’t see a policy change looming as senior Wa leaders including UWSP chairman and UWSA commander-in-chief Bao Youxiang, his deputy Zhao Zhongtang, UWSP vice chairmen Xiao Mingliang and Zhao Guo An and Wai Xiaokan, the commander of Military Region 171, are retaining their positions. [Irrawaddy]

The UWSA controls its own territory in northern and southern Shan State, known as Wa State. It commands estimated 30,000 soldiers and a sophisticated arsenal of weapons, while maintaining close relations with China.

Myanmar: Women raped during raids

(dql) At least seven women have been raped by Myanmar junta soldiers during late August raids in Kani Township, Sagaing Region, according to Kani’s General Strike Committee that documents human rights violations in the township. During the raids, nearly 100 women and men were detained, then released on August 29. [The Irrawaddy 1]

Further, local defense forces and residents in Kantbalu district, Sagaing Region claim that Myanmar military troops killed almost 30 civilians in the over the past two weeks as clashes with resistance groups escalated late last month, with the Myanmar military conducting both air and ground attacks against villages. [The Irrawaddy 2]

Meanwhile, according to data of the Progressive Karenni People Force (PKPF), a group that documents human rights violations, close to 1,500 Myanmar junta soldiers have died in the last 15 months up to August 31 in Kayah State in southeast Myanmar which saw Intense firefights and heavy air and artillery strikes on a nearly daily basis. On the other side, more than 150 resistance fighters have been killed in the same period. [The Irrawaddy 3]

Myanmar: More refugees arriving in Mizoram

(dql) In the wake of fresh air strikes close to the border between Myanmar and India, India’s northeastern Mizoram state has seen a fresh influx of refugees since September 1. August 21, the insurgent group Arakan Army had attacked a post of the Myanmar Army at Varang village, in response to which Myanmar fighter on August 31 dropped around eight bombs in two sorties.

As of September 5, more than 600 Myanmarese nationals have fled Varang village after the bombing and firing, for the villages of Laitlang and Zochachhuah in Mizoram. [NDTV]

Philippines: Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program to continue under President Marcos Jr. 

(jd) President Marcos Jr. has committed to continuing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program.

An AFP spokesperson stated that the delivery of big items that will modernize and equip the AFP is to be expected in order to increase the performance of their missions. The Department of National Defense declared that all the modernization related contracts signed by the previous administration will proceed, and that the funding for these contracts is already assured by the government.

The Armed Forces spokesperson reiterated that efforts to make the communist insurgents surrender will continue under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

As part of the modernization process the AFP also intends to sustain a social benefit program for the soldiers’ families, modernize the healthcare system dedicated to soldiers by building hospitals for the veterans, and support an intervention in the army’s mental healthcare system, which shows a lack of psychologists and psychiatrists [GMA News] [Philippine News Agency]

Philippines: call to reinforce country’s anti-sexual harassment law to include diplomats abroad

(jd) The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) secretary called on senators to enhance the country’s anti-sexual harassment law stating that it should be expanded to cover all government personnel assigned overseas.

The appeal was made before the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers Affairs during the organizational meeting and saw the statement of the DMW Secretary concerning diplomatic officials and other government personnel in embassies and government offices overseas who sexually harass female domestic workers and overseas Filipino workers (OFW) under protection in embassy-run shelters.  The DMW secretary also cited the case of an ambassador who was recently only required to pay a fine after being charged with sexual harassment by a domestic worker 10 years ago before the Department of Foreign Affairs.

While acts committed at the Philippine embassy are covered by the Philippines’ laws, the territorial jurisdiction related to diplomats’ homes is not as clear.

DMW Secretary said that the Philippines’ laws do apply to their homes and expressed her hope to expand the anti-sexual harassment law to all government employees assigned to different countries, including drivers and local hires.

The Senate Migrant Workers Committee chair stated that the government must go after those who abuse OFWs, even from years before, and another senator affirmed that by committing such crimes, those diplomats have betrayed their oaths to protect Filipinos abroad. [Philippine News Agency] [Rappler]

​​Philippines: Vice President meets with security heads while President Marcos Jr is out on state visits; no mercy vs criminals and terrorists

(jd) Vice President Sara Duterte, who was named officer-in-charge of the Office of the President and the executive department as President Marcos Jr. travels to Indonesia and Singapore for his state visits, met with the heads of the security sector to discuss the country's political situation..

Duterte stated that the meeting was organized with the goal of reinforcing existing coordination and strengthening inter-agency cooperation in terms of national security and country development, and it was attended by officials from the military, the police, the coast guard, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

The vice president affirmed that they all reassured each other on the fact that the office of the president, the office of the vice president, and the entire government is backing them on their work against terrorism, and that although no terror threat was discussed, they will not show mercy against criminals and terrorist.

During the meeting, officials also discussed the proposed return of the mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

In addition, Vice President Sara Duterte expressed how, according to their line, addressing threats to security is the only way for the Philippines to be able recover and rebuild post-pandemic and stand with honor and pride as a nation. [ABS-CBN News] [CNN Philippines]

Singapore: Home Affairs & Law Minister defends death penalty for drug trafficking

(pe) The Home Affairs and Law Minister has reiterated his belief that Singapore must retain the death penalty for drug trafficking offenses. 

Minister K Shanmugam cited a survey done by his ministry where 83 percent of the respondents said the death penalty was a deterrent to trafficking drugs into Singapore. He also claims that the majority of Singaporeans support the existing laws. Furthermore, he stressed that drug abusers who have not committed offenses are offered substantial help. 

Singapore’s strict enforcement of drug laws, which have included numerous death sentences over recent years, have drawn criticism from human rights groups who claim that the laws unfairly target ethnic minority groups and have led to the death of individuals who had mental health issues or who were coerced into the situation. [Channel News Asia]

In other recent news, Singapore’s first Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling has been suspended from competition after he admitted to consuming cannabis whilst on break from his military service, in Vietnam. Public opinion is divided on the matter, with some highlighting the differing rules overseas, whereas others condemning the athlete for abusing his privileges. He has been given a compulsory urine testing schedule and is banned from taking leave for the remainder of his service as punishment. [BBC News]

Singapore: Migrant worker dormitories to be registered under new law

(pe) Foreign worker dormitories will be registered under a central law, which supporters state will raise their operating standards and help manage disease outbreaks.

The requirements apply to dormitories with 1000 beds or less, in a bid to bring more dormitories under the the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act (FEDA). Requirements include additional isolation facility capacity and additional infection prevention and control measures. 

Dormitories will fall under four license classes depending on their size and requirements such as living space and distancing measures will be adjusted based on size relevance. Those supporting the law hope that this will lead to better management of health and safety for workers, as rights groups have criticized cramped conditions and lack of access to sanitary environments during Covid-19. [Channel News Asia]

Thailand: Constitutional Court to consider prime minister’s term limit plea on September 8

(td/lm) Thailand’s Constitutional Court will meet on September 8 to consider a petition challenging Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha’s ability to stay in office, local newspaper Thairath reported on September 5, without citing any sources. The court will review separate statements from Prayut himself as well as two then military-appointed officials, who were in charge of drafting the 2017 Constitution. [Bangkok Post 1] [Bloomberg] 

Prayuth ceased performing his prime ministerial duties on August 24 when the top court suspended him after accepting a petition from the main opposition Pheu Thai party seeking a review of Prayuth’s legally mandated eight-year term limit [see AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5]. The suspension stays until the Constitutional Court determines whether he violated the term limit, which his opponents say began after he seized power in the May 2014 coup [see AiR No. 34, August/2022, 4].

In a written defence statement submitted to the Constitutional Court on August 30, Prayuth pushed back on claims his term began in 2014. His supporters, in turn argue either that his start date should be when the current constitution became effective in 2017 or that it should be from when he became the head of the incumbent elected government in 2019. [Thai Enquirer]

With the court’s ruling pending, Acting Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has the full decision-making power now on issues surrounding budget and personnel reshuffle, except for the dissolution of the Parliament. Under the new edict, taking effect retroactively, it would authorise other cabinet ministers to act on behalf of the prime minister as well. Nevertheless, Prawit has dismissed the public speculation that he would carry out a limited cabinet reshuffle to appease his ruling Palang Pracharath Party, given the two vacant cabinet portfolios. [Bangkok Post 2]

All in all, the interim government is unlikely to dissolve the House of Representatives before the endorsement of the organic bill on election – which stipulates the proportion of 400 for constituency MPs with the figure 100 as a divisor in the calculation to determine the number of party-list seats each contesting party would receive. Otherwise, it could invoke an executive decree to regulate the next poll based on the bill in question, though it might be tampered with delayed approval processes, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. [Thai PBS World 1]

In fact, the Election Commission (EC) could somehow manage to issue regulations to hold the next general election, despite the debatable bill yet coming into force. However, should the House be dissolved earlier, the EC would not be authorised and functional to prepare for the polls. Furthermore, whilst the political parties and election bills are being vetted for their constitutional validity, it could follow in the electoral regulations implemented in 2019, notably the use of figure 500 instead of 100 as a divisor, to shield the EC from any possible legal backlash. [Thai PBS World 2]

Thailand: Senate gives nod to appointment of first female attorney-general in history

(td) The upper house of the Thai parliament has approved the nomination of Naree Tantasathien as the country’s 17th attorney-general, succeeding her predecessor Singchai Thaninson. She is the first woman to hold such a high-ranking position.

Naree was nominated for the position earlier this June [see AiR No. 24, June/2022, 2]. She has gained extensive experience in the legal affairs and held several positions since 1985, including her incumbent post as director-general of the Department of Legal Counsel. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand: Decree on land expropriation takes effect, paving way for Thai-Chinese railway project

(td) A Royal Decree on land expropriation came into effect for another four years from August 27 onwards. The decree in question seeks to expropriate some parts of land and buildings in Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces to clear the way for the construction of Thai-Chinese high-speed train project to eventually link with neighbouring Laos. [Bangkok Post]  [Royal Thai Government, in Thai] [Thai PBS World]

As per the 20-Year National Strategy (2017-2036), a national long-term strategy developed pursuant to the Constitution, Thailand aims to become the regional hub to advance connectivity and economic integration among nations. With that objective, it has embarked on the overhaul of its railway system through closer collaboration with China as part of the latter’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. In addition, on the back of the China-sponsored railway in Laos, Thailand could help Laos overcome its geographical disadvantage of being a landlocked country with a link access to regional ports.

After Thailand signed an agreement of cooperation with China in 2016, it has gradually made progress in the two-phased construction of a high-speed train system. In this regard, the first phase underway is for the route from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, which is expected to be completed in 2026; whereas, the second phase for another connecting route from Nakhon Ratchasima to the northeastern province of Nong Khai is pending a review of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report, with a finished construction likely in 2029 or 2030. 

At the border town with Laos in Nong Khai, the transport of both passengers and cargo will then be carried on through the Mekong River Bridge. That said, to ensure the seamless connectivity, Thailand’s Transport Ministry has stepped up coordinated efforts with Laos in the supervision of the cross-border bridge. It should be noted as well that Laos has established a track change station in the capital Vientiane to streamline the link between China-Laos railway and Laos-Thailand railway. Therefore, with extended rail links on the horizon, China expects the Pan-Asian project could potentially be conducive to the setup of an economic corridor in the ASEAN region.

Thailand: Upper House passes budget bill for fiscal year 2023 with some recommendations 

(td) The upper house of Thailand’s Parliament, the Senate, has endorsed the budget bill for fiscal year 2023 with some suggestions to ensure proper financial discipline. A total of 179 senators backed the bill with three abstentions. The proposed USD 88 billion budget bill cleared its final hearing in the lower house last month with a majority of 258 votes for over 180 votes against [see AiR, No. 35, August/2022, 5]. [Bangkok Post 1] [Bangkok Post 2] 

The Senate suggested local authorities be given more power to collect tax revenues as budget allocations to local authorities under the bill are low. It was also claimed that the implementation of several projects proposed by state agencies are not in line with the 20-Year National Strategy (2017-2036) or cabinet resolutions. Furthermore, some Senators suggested the setup of an agency to oversee the implementation of several projects, and that the Budget Bureau scrutinises off-budget funds in Parliament because some agencies have accumulated huge amounts of unspent funds.

Defending the bill on behalf of the cabinet, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said budget allocations are in line with the national development strategy and reform plans, but added that the government was ready to listen to feedback from the Senate and improve the way the budget is allocated.

Thailand: Investigations into maid abuse case hint at multilayered patronage networks

(fj) The case of a police corporal, who is facing allegations of abuse brought forth by her maid, is attracting increasing attention for the multilayered patronage networks that appear to be intertwined with it. 

Kornsasi Buayaem, who is currently in prison awaiting criminal trial for grave charges including physical abuse and deprivation of liberty, is now at the center of several further investigations. These concern her initial entry into the police force, as she exceeded the maximum age limit for assuming her position, as well as her temporary placement with the Internal Security Cooperations Command (ISOC) Region 4 Forward Command in Thailand’s South, for which she received pay without apparently ever performing any duties in the region. Further appointments as parliamentary adviser, including as an honorary adviser to the Senate’s anti-corruption committee, are also being probed, as is the background of how her maid gained employment with the military. [Bangkok Post 1]

The House Committee on Corruption and Misconduct has launched an investigation into the case. The people to be questioned include two brothers of acting Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, as well as a Senator who has admitted to having had a close personal relationship with Kornsasi in the past but who maintains that he has not used his authority to procure any favors for her. [Bangkok Post 2] [Bangkok Post 3] [Thai Enquirer]

While the National Anti-Corruption Commission has received a petition to investigate the Senator as well as the heads of the agencies where Kornsasi held her positions, it has not yet made any statement on whether it would pursue the matter.

Thailand: Anti-corruption commission dismisses senior official over investigation into personal wealth 

(fj) The Deputy Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has been dismissed from service on the grounds of amassing considerable personal wealth. An investigation led by the commissioners of the NACC found that Prayad Puangchampa had failed to fully declare his wife’s assets upon the assumption of his post as Deputy Secretary General in January 2017. Furthermore, the commission found that his personal wealth had increased by almost USD 18 million, with a significant share kept out of the country. [The Nation Thailand]

The NACC has passed Prayad’s case on to the Office of the Attorney-General with the prospect of bringing it before the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct. The NACC further recommended that a court order over the seizure of his assets be sought and any unlawfully acquired property be transferred to the state. [Thai PBS World]

Thailand: Minister of Commerce continues to endorse rice price guarantee 

(fj) Thailand’s inister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit has declared that he expects the price guarantee scheme for rice to continue into its fourth year. But the motivation for continuing the arrangement, which has consumed a budget of around USD 4.2 billion over the last three years, has been questioned in light of a global rise in rice prices.

Pointing to the stagnant productivity level of Thai rice farming, an observer from the Thailand Development Research Institute has warned of distorting economic incentives through the subsidies. He further suggested that gaining voters’ favors in light of the general election expected in the first quarter of 2023 might be an underlying reason for the government’s continued support of the guarantee. [Thai Enquirer]

The arrangement disburses subsidies to farmers who sell rice at prices that are lower than the minimum guaranteed by the government, as well as reduced interest rates for credits taken out by farmers and also includes financial incentives for farmers to stockpile rice instead of dumping it on the market in a way that might push prices down. [The Nation Thailand]

Thailand: Government aims to capitalize on soft power with focus on creative industries, tourism

(fj) The Creative Economy Agency (CEA), an organization under the Thai government, has announced a new vision plan to promote the Thai creative industry and support the global exports of its products. The initiative pursues the dual goal of fostering economic growth in the industry, which accounted for around 7.6 percent of GDP in 2020, and strengthening the nation’s international image. [The Nation Thailand 1]

The CEA’s initiative comes on the heels of the appointment of a national committee tasked with the promotion of the nation’s image by the use of soft power on August 19. Furthermore, the topic has simultaneously been taken up by the National Tourism Policy Committee, which is preparing to institute a subcommittee on the use of soft power for tourism promotion. The coordinated nature of these developments points to an increased government interest in the economic and political benefits of soft power. [Bangkok Post] [The Nation Thailand 2]

The state of Thai soft power has been a recuring matter of public debate in 2022, after the international success of some Thai pop singers has thrown into stark relief the limited reach of the vast majority of the nation’s creative industry output. [Thai Enquirer] [Thai PBS World]

Thailand: Unsettled domestic politics remain a risk factor towards APEC Economic Leaders' Summit

(fj) With the suspension of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha pending further ruling by the Constitutional Court and ongoing anti-government protests, unsettled domestic politics remain an issue of concern for Thailand’s role as a host of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week from November 14- November 19. 

At the very least, the preoccupation with domestic instabilities is likely to diminish Thailand’s potential leadership role in the summit. This could take away the decisiveness of the outcomes reached in the meeting of state leaders, particularly regarding the further development of a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific as well as the bio-, circular and green economic model that has been championed by Thailand in previous APEC events this year. The geopolitical rifts within APEC’s members, which include the US, China, Japan and Russia, only add to the demands made on Thailand as a host, if the meetings are to have a fruitful outcome. [Thai PBS World] [AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5]

Memories of 2009, when the hosting of the ASEAN summit in Pattaya was derailed by anti-government protests, further add to the concerns that the ongoing political uncertainties might be a challenge for making APEC 2022’s culminating event in Bangkok a success. [Thai PBS World]

Thailand: Former economic tzar Somkid prepares to run as prime ministerial candidate

(fj) Somkid Jatusripitak, a deputy prime minister, has resigned from his position as chairman of the country’s largest consumer product conglomerate SPI in preparation of returning to politics. Somkid is expected to soon be announced as the prime ministerial candidate of the Sang Anakhot Thai Party (SATP) [Building Thailand's Future], which is led by two long-time political allies. [Bangkok Post 1] [Bangkok Post 2]

Somkid has formerly been known as Thailand’s economic tzar for his important role in devising the country’s economic policies, having served first as part of a democratically elected government under Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and, starting from 2014, under the military junta and later in Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s cabinet. [Thai PBS World 1] [Thai PBS World 2]

Somkid belongs to the Sam Mitr faction, which joins him with Uttama Savanayana and Sontirat Sontijirawong. The three politicians used to be part of Prayut cabinet, with Somkid serving as Deputy Prime Minister, Uttama as Finance Minister, and Sontirat as Energy Minister before they resigned together in July 2020 [see AiR No. 29, July/2020,3].

Thailand: Pro-democracy protesters face harsh treatment, activists and lawyers keep pushing back

(fj) The handling of student activists and other pro-democracy protesters by police and the justice system remains a matter of contention in Thailand, leading to further protests and the filing of legal complaints in a number of different cases. 

On August 28, a group of activists undertook a march through the capital Bangkok to protest their bail conditions, which include the requirement of wearing electronic monitoring devices. While they are currently under investigation, they made the point that they had not been found guilty in court and that the requirement to wear tracking devices was unproportionally harsh. Numbers provided by the advocacy group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) state that as of April 2022, 38 people are required to wear such devices, 22 of which are facing charges related to royal defamation. [Prachathai 1]

On September 1 one of the activists taking part in the march was arrested for singing a song with lyrics that fall under the royal defamation law. She had to spend one night in detention and was only granted bail with around USD 2,400 in securities after a lawyer from TLHR filed an objection. [Prachathai 2]

In another case involving charges of royal defamation and the violation of the Computer Crimes Act, lawyer and activist Anon Nampa has accused a senior court official of attempting to take influence in the ruling of his court case without having proper authority to do so. Anon, who is being charged for posting a letter on social media in which he refers to monarchy reform, had perceived what he takes to be an irregularity in the handling of his case. He claims that after he had already come in for hearing on his case, he received a letter signed by Attakarn Foocharoen, Deputy Chief Justice of the Criminal Court, calling for an additional hearing. However, according to Anon, Attakarn was not a member of the committee considering his case and should hence not have authority over the planning of hearings. Anon has submitted a petition seeking Attakarn’s transfer to another court, on the grounds that his continued presence at the court might impact the impartiality of his investigation. [Prachathai 3]

Thailand: Protests amidst political uncertainties

(fj) Anti-government protests in the cities Bangkok and Rayong continue to draw big crowds as Prayut Chan-o-cha’s suspension from the post of prime minister is to be decided on by the Constitutional Court on September 8. [see entry in this edition] 

Headed by Jatuporn Prompan, chair of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) – often referred to as Red Shirts, demonstrators have gathered in central Bangkok to voice their dissatisfaction with the government. Moving beyond their previous call for the ouster of Prayut, they now pursue the broadened cause of removing also acting Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and the Minister of the Interior, Anupong Paojinda from the government. According to the protestors, Prayut’s temporary suspension does not satisfy the goals of the protestors, as his clique of ex-military generals continues to dominate the government. Jatuporn hinted that further protests will accompany the ruling of the constitutional court. [Bangkok Post 1] [Bangkok Post 2] [Thai PBS World]

Another group of protestors staged a motorized caravan planned to start in Rayong province and end with the submission of a petition against the new Labour Relations Bill at the Ministry of Labour Office in Chonburi. However, the caravan had to be stopped after it had been attacked by around two dozen men on motorbikes. The attackers used metal bars to smash car windows and otherwise damage the cars that were taking part in the caravan. The petition was then received on the location of the assault by a secretary sent by Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin upon hearing of the attack. In an interview following the incident, Suchart stated that “residents of Chonburi want peace, not demonstrations and mobs. We don’t have mobs here”. [Prachathai]

The petition criticizes the bill on the grounds that it places restrictions on the work of labor unions and reduces employer penalties in cases of labor law violations. Furthermore, it voices disapproval of the disproportionate power that the bill gives to the Labour Department’s directors in deciding on matters relating to union work and the resolution of labor disputes. [Prachathai]

Thailand: Hmong villagers protest the removal of homestays in watershed conservation area

(fj) A group of people identifying themselves as a local Hmong community organized a protest on August 29 to stop forestry officials from razing houses and homestay accommodations which they rent out to tourists. Minister of Natural Resources, Varawut Silpa-archa defended the lawfulness of the ordered demolition, by reference to a Royal Project carried out in the area. [Bangkok Post] 

In justification of their protest, the Hmong villagers demanded respect for their status as indigenous inhabitants of the area, combined with their need to secure their economic sustenance amidst repeated intervention by forestry officials. In response to the protests, the demolition has reportedly been canceled and the community has filed a petition to the Administrative Court. Further, they declared to file another petition directly to the King. [Prachathai] 

International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia

Climate agreements reached during G20 discussions in Indonesia

(ai) The ongoing G20 in Indonesia has seen the Joint Environmental and Climate Ministerial Meeting (JECMM) held in Bali on August 31. After the meeting, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry reported on a number of agreements reached between the participating nations. 

The Minister reported that the global community must collaborate to support sustainable global recovery, improvement of environmental protection, and cooperation between countries for a more active environmental action to address the climate change issue. 

Amongst the agreements reached during the session were collaborations to reduce land degradation, restoration of forests, as well as the reduction of the impacts of climate change.

Furthermore, the JECMM highlighted several additional issues. Beyond discussing climate change, the role of budgeting for COVID-19 recovery and the adaptation commitments to prevent losses by climate change, were also covered. 

Additionally, the discussion led to compromises for future increases in research funding for ocean and climate prevention. [Antara News 1] [Antara News 2]

At recent G20 meet India shows intent as a problem solver in climate crisis

(vv) Union Environment Minister of India, Bhupendra Yadav on August 31 asserted that India is showing intent as a problem-solver in climate crisis, despite not being heavily responsible for global emissions.

At the recent G20 environment and climate ministerial meeting in Bali, Indonesia, Yadav said at the opening ceremony that developed countries promising climate finance have so far not materialized and the pace at which climate crisis is being addressed by developed nations is inadequate in combating global climate change concerns. Yadav also stated that responsibilities of achieving “net-zero” emissions lies on countries that have historically accounted the most for large amounts of greenhouse emissions in the atmosphere that has escalated the global climate crisis. Yadav added that while India isn’t traditionally accountable for the alarming levels of greenhouse emissions in the world, the country has shown positive intent to resolve the matter and practice solutions to achieve net-zero. [The Hindu]

The minister assured the G20 members that India is committed to establishing a low-carbon industry, with the country’s recent achievements of electrifying several cities with solar power and deploying increased use of renewable energy in sections that allow for green energy. India, today, is one of the world’s largest producers of solar powered renewable energy, incorporating its use in multiple sectors within the country stated Yadav. He also asserted that the world must approach environment conservation as a part of development as a whole, only through which the seriousness of including climate crisis at crucial conversations and development strategies will materialize along with appropriate funding. [The Hindu] 

G7 to apply further sanctions on Russian oil prices

(sra) The Group of Seven economies are expected to limit Russian oil revenue and reduce the cost of global energy prices, as confirmed on 2 September. In order to counter the impact of inflation by the ongoing war wage-spending on Ukraine, nations such as Japan and the US aim to stabilize the global movement of oil at a more manageable cost. [BBC News]

The decision comes as although Russia’s oil exportation was brought to its lowest level in 12 months, the nation’s revenue increased a total of 40 per cent in June, USD 700 million, due to an exponential increase in crude prices. [Reuters] 

The impact of rising oil prices has affected economies all over the world, with the EU, UK and Switzerland also prepared to enforce sanctions on Russia in an attempt to dwindle its financial resources and bring the war in Ukraine to an end, as the more nations cooperate, the more significant the impact on Russian crude revenue. These countries will impose a ban on companies from providing services such as finance and insurance for Russian oil companies as of December. [Business Standard]

The EU has urged China and India to agree to the initiative, as the two nations continue to benefit from discounted rates of Russian crude, providing excess revenue to Russia amid the war as they increase purchases. The key consumers’ choice will define how effective the sanctions will be, as Russia has announced that nations that go ahead with the sanctions will not be sold oil. The exact figures of the price cap are still to be confirmed. [CNBC]

First visit to Bangladesh by UN human rights expert on climate change

(az) To assess the adverse impact of climate change on human rights of communities in vulnerable situations, the United Nations human rights expert on climate change, Ian Fry, will visit Bangladesh until September 15 2022. The visit assumes added significance, given that it is the first official visit by the UN expert on climate change to Bangladesh. 

As Bangladesh faces immense impacts of climate change every year with an estimation of $580 billion a year by 2030, due to loss and damage from climate change, the UN expert will focus on exploring how climate change impacts are forcing people to be displaced from their land and what measures are being taken to address these impacts. The top priority of the visit will be the cities of Dhaka, Khulna and Sylhet because of the vulnerability of these areas in recent years due to the drastic climate change. The call to international communities was made to share the responsibility of the impact on the developing countries caused by the greenhouse gas pollution from the developed countries. [OHCHR]

UN expert seeks to improve North Korea’s human rights record

(my) Elizabeth Salmón, UN Rapporteur on North Korean human rights, visited South Korea from August 28 to September 3. To increase the understanding of North Korea’s human rights situation and enhance international attention, she met with the government officials, North Korean defectors and representatives of the North Korean human rights organizations [see also AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5].

At the meeting with South Korea’s Foreign Minister Park Jin on August 31, Salmón stated she would closely discuss ways to improve North Korean human rights with the South Korean government. Park stressed that Seoul would actively cooperate with the international community accordingly. [KBS World] Unification Minister Kwon Young-se met with Salmón again on September 2 and promised proactive efforts to address the human rights issue in North Korea. Kwon also said the government would speed up the establishment of the North Korean Human Rights Foundation. [Korea Herald 1]

Salmón also paid attention to the victims of forced disappearances. In a video message to commemorate the International Day of the Victims of the Enforced Disappearance, she described the forced disappearance as criminal conduct preferred by many authoritarian regimes and urged efforts to reveal the fate of the disappeared persons. Forced disappearance is the case of missing after being arrested or kidnapped by the government or state agency. [Yonhap News Agency 1]

On September 3, Salmón met the bereaved family of the official who was shot dead by North Korean soldiers while drifting in the West Sea in 2020. The government announced at the time of the incident that the official attempted to defect to North Korea, but the bereaved family has opposed the claim. The bereaved family requested an investigation into his death through a three-way consultative body between the South, the North, and the UN and an explanation of his death by North Korean working-level officials. [Yonhap News Agency 2, in Korean]

Salmón also expressed concerns about the forced repatriation of fishermen in 2019. She promised to look further into the issue that two North Korean fishermen arrested in the South after killing 16 co-workers were repatriated to the North in November 2019. She emphasized that Seoul needs to respect the international principle of non-refoulement for those who would face punishment back in the North. [Yonhap News Agency 3]

At a press conference on September 2, Salmon also addressed the current state of human rights in North Korea, including women’s rights. She expressed her willingness to engage with North Korean authorities for improvements. She also showed worry about food security and health problems in the North that may have become worse from the COVID-19 outbreak and the consequent border closure. [Korea Herald 2]

Meanwhile, North Korea lashed out at the dispatch of the rapporteur, calling her “a puppet of the US.” The North’s Foreign Ministry said in the Korean Central News Agency that the activities of the special rapporteur are a ploy aimed at overthrowing the North’s regime by infringing on its sovereignty. [Korea Herald 3]

Indonesia’s Human Rights Coalition speaks in Geneva

(ai) The coalition of Indonesian civil society organizations, the Human Rights Coalition, have presented their findings to the United Nations (UN). They highlight what they perceive to be a problematic situation, related to human rights and civil liberties in Indonesia. 

To represent the coalition were many NGOs and organizations. During the meeting a key issue highlighted was concerns around Indonesia’s lack of comprehensive regulations for the defense of human rights. Activists argue that this lacking legal framework means that acts of violence against human rights defenders continue in Indonesia. Furthermore, the group emphasized how basic civil liberties, such as the freedom of expression and press, are still under pressure. The ITE (Electronic Information and Transactions) law was also criticized as threatening freedom of speech.

The alleged human rights issues in Papua and West Papua, where access by journalists to the area is still limited, was also discussed. Furthermore, although Indonesia has some laws for the defense of freedom of expression, the group argued that the violation and abuse of human rights against the freedom of expression and gender expression is still high. Another key issue raised was that of gender inequality in the country. [Tempo English] [Indonesia.posten]

IMF offers Sri Lanka provisionally USD 2.9 bailout program to tackle debt crisis

(kh) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has tentatively agreed to extend a 48-months USD 2.9 billion loan to Sri Lanka to help the crisis-hit island nation restore economic stability as scrambles to restructure its debt to creditors including Japan, China, India and a string of international banks such as the World Bank. [TheStar]

The loan, which will be made under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility, still needs to be approved by the Washington-based lender’s executive board, and hinges on Sri Lanka following through on a range of previously agreed measures. Notably, it will only be disbursed after satisfactory debt restructuring, including debt relief arrangements with regional heavyweights China, Japan and India, among others, have been struck between Sri Lankan authorities and the country’s creditors. [The Guardian]

Against this backdrop, some experts believe that many external creditors will have to swallow losses in order to get Sri Lanka’s borrowings - estimated anywhere from USD 85 billion to well over USD 100 billion – to a sustainable level. [Reuters]

In related developments, a USD 200 million emergency assistance loan was approved by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Sri Lanka that is aimed at tackling food insecurity and protecting the livelihoods of the underprivileged and vulnerable communities, particularly children and women. The loan will support, for three months, an increase in the monthly value of food vouchers for lactating and pregnant women, and to enable the parents or guardians of undernourished children under the age of 2 to buy food for their children. Additionally, it will financially support every farmer in higher yield zones to cultivate 2 hectares of land in the upcoming cultivation season. It will also assist the advancement of information technology systems and digital tools for the monitoring, verification, and communication of farmers and low-income families. [NewsFirst]

European Union, Thailand finalize text of Partnership and Cooperation Agreement

(fj) The European Union and Thailand have concluded the negotiation process of the EU-Thailand Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which will serve as a comprehensive roadmap for bilateral relations and facilitate cooperation across a broad number of policy areas. 

After talks on the PCA had first been held in 2013, they quickly came to a halt due to the 2014 military coup and were resumed only in July 2021. The PCA will succeed the 1980 EU–ASEAN Cooperation Agreement as the guiding document for EU-Thailand relations. The PCA will enter into force once it is signed and ratified by both parties. [European External Action Service]

Bangladesh, India sign water-sharing agreement during Prime Minister Hasina visit to New Delhi

(az/lm) India and Bangladesh on September 6 signed a water-sharing agreement and six other pacts, including ones on space technology and scientific collaboration, aimed at boosting ties between the two countries. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is making a four-day visit to India that is seen as politically significant in her home country, which is scheduled to hold a general election next year. [The Middletown Press]

Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi agreed to share the waters of the Kushiyara, a common river, in the first such arrangement between the countries since 1996. But a much-anticipated agreement on the Teesta River, a major transboundary river that has its source in India’s Sikkim state and runs through the north of West Bengal state before flowing into Bangladesh, remained at an impasse.

The two leaders also spoke about mitigating floods, terrorism and nuclear energy partnerships. They also announced the completion of the first unit of the Maitree Thermal Power Plant, a joint project that will enhance Bangladesh’s power generation capacities. Since its inception in 2010, the project has faced local and global opposition.

Hasina also met with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and the two agreed that their countries should work together to overcome the challenges thrown up by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to ensure energy security. Notably, it has been reported that Dhaka is currently weighing an offer to import cheap Russian fuel oil to preserve dwindling foreign currency reserves and shore up its shaky economy. [Nikkei Asia]

Tensions flare up at Bangladesh-Myanmar border

(az/lm) Last week, tensions flared at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border after two mortars from Myanmar flew into Bangladesh, prompting Dhaka to summon Myanmar’s ambassador for an explanation. Then on August 30, witnesses in Bangladesh said a helicopter from Myanmar flew over the border, fired a series of shells into the hills on the Bangladesh side, and returned home. There were no reported casualties. [The Business Standard] [Dhaka Tribune] [Prothom Alo 1][Prothom Alo 2]

Myanmar’s military junta has not provided a public explanation. But some locals and authorities in Bangladesh suggest that it was targeting members of the Arakan Army, an insurgent group based in Myanmar’s Rakhine State that may have fled into Bangladesh. Rakhine is home to members of the Rohingya Muslim minority, a group the military has repeatedly targeted with horrific violence—including in 2017, when hundreds of thousands of people fled across the border to Bangladesh. Dhaka is carrying out talks with Myanmar about how to repatriate them.

Notwithstanding the rift over the Rohingya refugees, Bangladesh has announced that it will purchase 200,000 tons of white rice from Myanmar in a bid to rein in high domestic prices. Dhaka will also buy a total of 330,000 tonnes of rice from Vietnam and India. [The Strait Times]

Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington’s National Security Advisors hold talks

(sra/my) National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan of the US met with his counterparts, Akiba Takeo of Japan and Kim Sung-han of South Korea on September 1 in Honolulu, Hawaii. They held bilateral and trilateral talks to reaffirm the three countries’ cooperation on regional economic security. In line with the talks, US Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim will visit Tokyo on September 7 for further trilateral meetings. [The White House briefing room] [Reuters][Japan Times]

The meeting was held amid regional tensions across the Taiwan Strait and in the Korean Peninsula. Tensions in the Taiwan Strait grew as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August. While China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, it is believed Pelosi’s visit supported Taiwan’s de facto independence [see AiR No. 32, August/2022, 2]. Meanwhile, experts on the Korean Peninsula predict that North Korea is prepared for its seventh nuclear test, which is raising concerns over this region.

During the bilateral meetings, Kim asked for two countries’ cooperation on their policy on North Korea called “audacious initiatives,” which offer economic support if the North pledges to denuclearize. Kim also conveyed South Korea and its automakers’ concern about the US’s new Inflation Reduction Act which offers subsidies only for those who purchased electronic vehicles assembled in North America. [Korea Herald 1]

Kim and Akiba reportedly discussed ways to improve the two countries’ bilateral relations, including solutions for the lawsuit over wartime forced labor. The lawsuit became one of the obstacles to Seoul-Tokyo relations when the South Korean Supreme Court ordered the Japanese corporation Mitsubishi to liquidate its trademarks and patents it owned in Korea and compensate two Korean plaintiffs. They claimed they did not receive wages while they were working at Mitsubishi’s plant during World War II [see also AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5]. They also discussed the summit talks between President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The specific date is under discussion. [Korea Herald 2]

Following this trilateral meeting, US Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim will visit Tokyo from September 7 to 9 to meet counterparts from South Korea and Japan. The three sides will discuss regional security issues, including the three countries’ continued joint efforts for North Korea’s denuclearization. [US Department of State]

Leaders of the Pacific Islands invited to meeting in Washington amid US-China struggle for influence in the region

(yv) The White House said on Friday that U.S. President Joe Biden will welcome leaders of Pacific Island countries at a meeting in Washington on September 28 and 29. This is the latest U.S. move to strengthen ties with the region that China is increasingly courting. According to a statement from the White House, the summit will showcase the U.S.’ commitment to “broadening and deepening cooperation on key issues such as climate change, pandemic response, economic recovery, maritime security, environmental protection, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific.” [The White House, USA] 

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman had indicated during a trip to the area in August that the meeting was a priority, but the White House did not specify which nations had confirmed attendance. Under Biden, American diplomacy with Pacific Island nations has increased to make up lost ground. Washington has recently dispatched several senior official delegations to the region and announced intentions to establish embassies in Tonga, Kiribati, and the Solomon Islands.

The Solomon Islands, which in April signed a security agreement with China [see AiR No. 17, April/2022, 4], heightened Washington’s anxiety over Beijing's expanding influence, were among the 12 Pacific Island nations that the White House had invited. In the intensifying rivalry between China and the United States in the strategically important region the Solomon Islands, which in 2019 severed its relations with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, is playing a key role. 

Recent developments indicate that it will be a challenge for Biden to overcome the current credibility gap the US is suffering there. During Sherman’s abovementioned trip, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare skipped a scheduled appearance with her during a World War Two commemoration ceremony. Late last month, a US and a British coast guard vessel were denied access to the port of Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara to refuel, that was immediately followed by a ban on foreign naval visits, for which Sogavare cited the need to wait for a “revised national mechanism” for military vessels to be in place. Also in August, Huawei Technologies Co. and contractor China Harbour Engineering concluded a deal with the Solomon Islands government to build more than 160 mobile telecoms towers for the island nation. [Reuters][Politico] [South China Morning Post] [See also AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5]

U.S. export ban on advanced AI chips

(yv) The United States has intensified its campaign to halt the export of cutting-edge technology to China by ordering Nvidia Corp. (NVDA.O) and Powerful Micro Devices (AMD.O) to cease shipping their most advanced artificial intelligence chips to that country. 

The regulations appear to concentrate on the most potent computing-capable chips, known as GPUs; this is a crucial but specialized sector with only two significant participants, Nvidia and AMD. Their lone prospective rival, Intel Corp (INTC.O), is attempting to enter the market but has not yet produced any rivalry goods. 

The use of GPUs, or graphic processing units, which were initially created for video games, has been expanded to a wider range of applications, such as handling artificial intelligence tasks like image recognition, classifying cat pictures, or searching digital satellite imagery for military equipment. Since the United States owns all chip suppliers, it has access control over the technology. [Reuters] [Global Times]

Chinese securities regulator to put Sino-US audit agreement into practice

(yv) A top Chinese securities regulatory official stated on September 2 that China will put into effect an audit agreement with the United States that was announced last week and will improve contact with overseas investors. He added that China would promote Hong Kong's role as a global listing venue and would increase mutual access between the mainland and the city. 

The agreement between China and the United States, which was announced a week earlier [AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5], will permit American regulators to scrutinize accounting firms in Hong Kong and on the Chinese mainland, potentially putting an end to a protracted dispute that threatened to bar more than 200 Chinese companies from trading on American exchanges. [Reuters]

China’s top lawmaker to visit Russia

(yv) Li Zhanshu, China’s highest-ranking lawmaker, will be the most senior Chinese official to travel to Russia since the start of the Ukraine war, according to a report from the official Xinhua news agency. Li Zhanshu, head of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the permanent body of China’s legislature, will visit Russia as part of his tour from September 7 through September 17, which will lead him also to South Korea, Mongolia, and Nepal. 

Li is currently attending the seventh Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok this week, which kicked off on September 5. [Reuters]

China encourages tariff-free access for nations in Africa

(yv) China has eliminated all tariffs on 98% of the imports from 16 of the least developed nations, the majority of which are in Africa. The policy, which went into effect on September 1, will cover imports from a number of Asian and South Pacific nations as well as the Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Guinea, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan, and Togo. According to the Chinese Customs Tariff Commission, the approach will progressively be extended to all of the least developed nations and enhance imports from Africa.

Chinese customs records show that last year's commerce with Africa increased by 35% to a new high of USD 254 billion, with imports reaching USD 106 billion. Recent agreements signed by some African nations permit the export of agricultural goods to China, including spices, cashew nuts, chili peppers, and sesame seeds. [South China Morning Post]

India, United Arab Emirates review bilateral ties, reiterate commitment to economic partnership deal

(vv/lm) The Indian minister of external affairs, S Jaishankar, traveled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on August 31 to start a three-day official visit to the gulf nation. During his visit, the Indian top diplomat co-chaired the 14th India-UAE joint commission meeting and third India-UAE strategic dialogue with his counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed. The two ministers reiterated their commitment to achieving the ambitious goal of USD 100 billion of bilateral trade in the next five years. [Business Standard] [The Siasat Daily]

India and the UAE in February had signed a wide-ranging trade and investment pact, marking a significant deepening of ties between the two countries. The so-called UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was the first bilateral trade accord concluded by the UAE, and India’s first bilateral trade agreement in the Middle East and North Africa region [see AiR No. 8, February/2022, 4]. It came into force this May. 

India, China hold routine military talks in eastern Ladakh

(vv) Senior army officials of China and India held talks in the east of India’s Ladakh region, focusing on security and stability in the region. According to people familiar with developments, the meeting was a routine dialogue at the level of major general. [The Hindu]

The meeting comes at a time when the Chinese Army is accused of continuing heavy constructions along the Line of Actual Control, a notional demarcation line that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory, without adequate permissions, forcefully asserting military infrastructure and connectivity in the region. [Business Standard] [Deccan Chronicle]

India, China participate in Russian military exercise

(vv/lm) Russia on September 1 launched a weeklong joint military exercise with about a dozen countries, including India and China, participating. [The Strait Times]

While India has previously taken part in multinational military drills in Russia — an Indian contingent was part of Zapad military exercises held in September 2021 — analysts say its participation in the “Vostok-2022” military exercises in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reaffirms New Delhi’s commitment to its cherished principle of strategic autonomy despite a tightening strategic partnership with the United States. [Voice of America]

Furthermore, taking part in exercises with China could be a confidence-building measure for the Indian and Chinese militaries, which have met regularly to defuse a border crisis—so far unsuccessfully. [see entry in this edition] [The Washington Post]

However, India’s decision to participate raised eyebrows in Washington. On August 30, the White House indirectly criticized New Delhi's participation, saying the US “has concerns about any country exercising with Russia while Russia wages an unprovoked, brutal war against Ukraine.” [Dhaka Tribune]

For China, in turn, the Vostok drills are the second joint military exercise conducted together with Russian troops this year. Bombers from the two countries conducted a 13-hour drill close to Japan and South Korea in May, forcing those countries to scramble jet fighters [see AiR No. 22, May/2022, 5]. Last year, the two countries held joint military exercises in north-central China involving more than 10,000 troops [see AiR No. 32, August/2021, 2].

India nods to signing MoU with Nepal on biodiversity conservation

(vv) The Union Cabinet of India, headed by Prime Minister Modi, approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Nepal pertaining to matters of biodiversity conservation, promoting cooperation between both countries in the field of climate change and related concerns. [The Hindustan Times]

The proposal was forwarded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, Climate Change to Prime Minister Modi, to sign the MoU in partnership with counterparts in Nepal government, enhancing cooperation in sharing knowledge, mutually developing intellectual capability in environment conservation matters and coordinating management of interlinking areas. The Indian government, in the past, has adopted several laws and policies to conserve interlinking environmental areas and borders with adjoining neighbors, in a joint pursuit to address climate crisis that is especially alarming in the South Asian region. [The Hindustan Times] 

Indian Army Chief arrives in Nepal on five-day visit

(op/lm) The chief of the Indian Army, General Manoj Pande, arrived on September 4 in Nepal for a five-day official visit that featured extensive talks with the Himalayan nation’s senior civil and military leadership. During the visit, General Pande met with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is also the defense minister, on September 6. He will also meet with Gen. Prabhu Ram Sharma and handover non-lethal military supplies. [AniNews 1] [The Kathmandu Post 1] [ThePrint] 

On September 5, Gen. Pande was given the title of Honorary Rank of General of the Nepal Army, presented by President Bidya Devi Bhandari. The army leaders of Nepal and India have a long tradition of exchanging visits and being made honorary generals.

The timing of the visit assumes added significance, given that India recently announced to induct Nepali youth into its Agneepath Scheme, a tour of duty scheme introduced by the government in June for recruitment of soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers into the three services of Indian Army. Specifically, New Delhi aims to recruit young Nepalis in so-called Gorkha regiments, which have been a part of the Indian and British armies since the Tripartite Agreement of 1947 was signed between India, Nepal, and the United Kingdom.

However, Nepal has not yet agreed to include its youth in the Gorkha regiment, and informed New Delhi that the recruitment under the new scheme is not as per the existing provisions. [ANI News 2] [Deccan Herald] [The Kathmandu Post 2] 

Peruvian Government requests Indonesia’s official report related to transgender activist death

(ai) The Peruvian government requested an official report after the death of a Peruvian transgender activist in Bali. Peru’s request came after an initial rejection of the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support the deceased family’s accusation of transphobia against the Indonesian government.

Rodrigo Venticilla, a Harvard student and prominent trans rights activist, died on  August 11 after being arrested and taken under custody by the Bali police. He was officially arrested due to being suspected of carrying marijuana, which is illegal  in the country. The local police reported that Ventocilla died due to organ failure. 

The lawyers representing the Ventocilla family are accusing officials in Indonesia and Peru of violation of human rights. This is because the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected accusations from the Ventocilla family, who believed that Rodrigo had been a victim of transphobia. Activists and supporters of the family are calling for an independent investigation to occur. [The Bali Sun] [The Harvard Crimson1] [The Harvard Crimson 2]

Japan, Israel agree on defense cooperation

(sra) The Japanese and Israeli defense ministers enhanced the cooperation between the two nations on August 30 in a symbolic agreement marking 70 years of diplomatic ties. In reference to the war in Ukraine, Yasukazu Hamada and Benjamin Gantz updated the memorandum on defense exchanges from 2011 to increase bilateral defense cooperation to include equipment and technology amid China’s military action in the region. [The Mainichi]

Japan’s review of the defense force budget is set to double its previous spending, as the threat of China and Russia raises national security concerns. The bilateral agreement will provide development for the Japanese military sector in terms of research and development. Specifics of the deal are yet to be revealed. [Reuters]

Japan, US carry out defense simulation drills

(sra) Amid security threats, Japan and the US have combined forces in joint military exercises, using rocket systems, electric warfare troops and Javelin anti-tank missiles. The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) and the US Army have been conducting military defense drills since mid-August to be completed by September 3, with over 2,100 soldiers taking part. 

Simulations include a joint procedure to respond to approaching enemy ships close to the Nansei Islands. The drills on the island of Amami Oshima occurred in order to exercise the defense of remote islands, with the aim of deterring China’s potential ambitions. On August 31, the GSDF deployed ground-to-ship missiles on the island, along with the US High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). [NHK World Japan 1]

Other live firings were displayed in the Kumamoto Prefecture, as personnel were trained to launch the Javelin anti-tank missile, a weapon supplied to Ukrainian soldiers at the beginning of the Russian invasion with a target range of two kilometers. The drills are the first of their kind, aimed to strengthen Japan’s capacity to defend its remote islands. [NHK World Japan 2]

Japan protests Russia’s military exercises and visa move

(dql) Japan has lodged a protest against Russia over shooting drills by Russian and Chinese warships off Japan's northern coast as well as over exercises on two of the four Russian-held islands that are claimed by Japan as part of the multinational “Vostok 2020” exercises. The disputed islands are known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia. [ABC News]

Further, Russia has unilaterally announced that it has withdrawn from an agreement with Japan under which Japanese former residents are allowed to visit disputed islands off Hokkaido without visas A Russian lawmaker and chairman of the international committee of the State Duma cited Japan’s participation in Western sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine as for this move. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi condemned the move, calling it “totally unacceptable.” [The Mainichi]

Russia allows Japanese investment in Sakhalin 2 project

(sra) Moscow’s development of the new Sakhalin 2 oil gas project operator has attracted Japanese energy providers to invest in the company in an attempt to stabilize the national supply of liquified natural gas (LNG) imports from Russia, as it accounts for 9 percent of the total LNG imports in the country.  The authorized investment was approved by the Russian government, as a Japanese trading house based in Dubai, Mitsui & Co., will hold a 12.5 percent share in the operator. 

The Russian energy firm Gazprom’s new affiliate holds a controlling stake in the new operator, while Gazprom owns about 50 percent. It comes as Japan attempts to secure a stable supply of LNG, as energy disruptions are evidently to continue following the Russian presence in Ukraine. [Kyodo News 1]

Mitsubishi Corp has also demonstrated intentions to own 10 percent, equal to what it held of the previous firm - Sakhalin Energy Investment Co - although Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that all assets of the previous operator are to be transferred to a new company, to be organized by the government of Russia. There are concerns that Japanese sanctions may threaten the stability of Russian LNG and thus negotiations continue. [Japan News]

Renewed contracts of Tokyo Gas Co. and Kyushu Electric Power Co. will further prevent energy disruptions, as the largest power generation firm in Japan, Jera Co., a product of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. and Chubu Electric Power Co. also renewed, with terms to remain the same, with a commencement date of August 29. Tokyo’s involvement in the project is supported by the government, although US and European oil companies have withdrawn from resource affiliations with Russia altogether, to the extent that Britain may remove Shell PLC’s 27.5 per cent share in the project in response to Russia’s role in the war. [Kyodo News 2] [NHK World Japan]

Malaysian business delegation welcomed by Cambodia

(pe) The Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation welcomed a Malaysian business delegation consisting of 150 representatives and stakeholders.

According to a press release the trade mission aims to further enhance Cambodia-Malaysia bilateral economic partnership, as well as encourage the flow of trade between the two nations.

The Deputy Prime Minister welcomed the delegation and emphasized that the trade mission reflects the increase in Malaysian investors’ confidence in Cambodia's economic and political stability. [Khmer Times]

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister meets with Malaysian Prime Minister for collaborative discussion

(pe) Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister has called on the Malaysian Prime Minister for discussions during which the two expressed their intent to continue their long-running cooperation. New areas of increased cooperation were also discussed, in areas such as green and digital economies. 

The visit was the first for Singapore’s Deputy PM, Lawrence Wong, since he was appointed to his post in June. Amongst topics discussed was the progress being made on the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link Project which is due to open in 2026, as well as the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur high speed rail (HSR) project. The delay of the HSR project had previously led to Malaysia later paying more than USD 102 million in compensation, both sides have now stated that they are open to reviving the project.

Besides the Prime Minister, Wong met with a number of key representatives during his trip, including the Central Bank governor. [New Straits Times]

Myanmar military chief visits Russia

(dql) Myanmar's military government leader Min Aung Hlaing has arrived on September 4 in Russia for his second trip to the country in less than two months, to attend the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF-2022), an annual gathering in Vladivostok that seeks to promote foreign investment in the Russian Far East that kicked off on September 5.

Hlaing is also set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 7. It will be Hlaing’s first meeting with Putin, while the Russian president will be the first leader of a powerful country to host the Myanmar military leader, who has been shunned by many countries across the globe for his military coup. [The Irrawaddy]

Myanmar exiles eye funds frozen by US

(dql) Myanmar’s exiled National Unity Government (NUG) has reached out to the Federal Reserve to press for the endorsement of its request to use USD 1 billion in funds that are frozen by the US. According to Tin Tun Naing, the NUG’s minister of planning, finance and investment, the funds are to be used to back the creation of a new central bank that would be able to issue a digital currency to provide assistance to the opposition’s “revolutionary efforts.” [Bloomberg]

Head of Chinese legislator to visit Nepal later in September

(op) The head of China’s Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Li Zhanshu, will be visiting Nepal from September 12 to September 15 for meetings with his Nepalese counterpart Agni Prasad Sapkota. Li will also meet with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, as well as the leaders of the two largest Marxist political parties in Nepal, KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal. [The Himalayan Times]

In separate developments, the Chairman of the Nepalese National Assembly, Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, and China's senior political advisor, Wang Yang, met on September 2 via video connection. In order to increase strategic communication and practical collaboration, jointly construct the Belt and Road, and promote cross-cultural and inter-ethnic contacts, Wang said China is eager to cooperate with Nepal. He also said that China welcomed Nepal's support for and involvement in the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. [Xinhua]

Nepal requests Japan for assistance in waste management

(op) On August 31, Nepal’s ambassador of Nepal to Japan paid the vice-minister for foreign affairs in the Japanese parliament a visit of goodwill. Kathmandu’s envoy asked for Japanese assistance in the areas of waste management and disaster management and indicated that promoting bilateral commerce, investment, employment, and Nepali tourism in Japan is his top goal. He also noted that there are over 100,000 Nepali nationals residing in Japan and pledged to continue enhancing the two nations' interpersonal ties. [My Republica]

Seoul concerned over Washington’s Inflation Reduction Act

(my) South Korea expressed concerns about the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) through various channels. The new bill, which passed the US Senate in August, subsidizes purchasers of electric vehicles (EV) produced in North America. South Korea and its automakers fear that its EV will be excluded from subsidies in the US [see AiR No. 34, August/2022, 4].

At a regular session of the South Korean National Assembly on September 1, lawmakers passed a resolution that included concerns about the IRA. They claimed that the bill should be operated in a way that does not violate international trade norms such as the WTO Agreement and the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement. [Yonhap News Agency 1]

In the meantime, the government sent a joint delegation of officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the US. They met with officials from the US Trade Representative on August 30 and reportedly requested a delay in the clause until 2025, when Hyundai Motor’s North American electric vehicle plant is completed. [Reuters] [Yonhap News Agency 2, in Korean]

Philippines and Israel plan to expand military and defense relations

(jd) Following a diplomat’s courtesy call on September 1, the officer-in-charge of the Department of National Defense of the Philippines and the ambassador of Israel to the Philippines stated that they are planning to expand and strengthen the defense and military relations between the two countries.

The two officials discussed the Philippines-Israel defense relations, military cooperation, and the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and considered other possible areas of cooperation such as high-level visits, education and training exchanges, intelligence sharing and self-reliant defense posture programs.

The Ambassador of Israel expressed that his country is willing to share its experience and expertise and to participate in the AFP Modernization Program.

During the meeting they underlined how trust and commitment between both countries remain the foundation of a strong partnership, and that both the Philippines and Israel are looking forward to working together in enhancing their countries' capabilities. [Philippines News Agency]

Philippines' President Marcos Jr. first state visit to Indonesia 

(jd) Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo during his first state visit as president in order to discuss defense, trade and other ties between the two countries.

Marcos affirmed that he chose to make Indonesia his inaugural official trip as he believes Indonesians are not only a neighbor, but kin. He highlighted how Indonesia has been a strong partner during the Philippines’ recovery from the pandemic, and how both share common challenges that countries face in the region.

President Marcos Jr. said that he and Indonesian President Widodo agreed to form groups to explore opportunities related to the cooperation between the two countries through task forces that are already set to meet and discuss on a technical level, and no longer just on a political or diplomatic level.

The leaders signed a defense and security cooperation agreement, a five-year diplomatic action plan, and agreed to speed up and review maritime borders arrangements.

Both nations reiterated their commitment to maintaining regional stability through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which, according to them, should take a prominent role in facing the volatile geopolitical landscape.

To several protesters, the visit should have been an opportunity for the new president to address the case of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino on condemned row in Indonesia for drug smuggling, however, the case wasn’t publicly mentioned by either president.

The leaders shared their concerns related to security and suicide bombings in both countries since the involvement of Indonesian fighters in the takeover of the Philippines' Marawi City by Islamist militants in 2017 demonstrated, according to analysts, linkages between regional extremists.

President Marcos Jr. will continue his state visits in Singapore. [Rappler] [Reuters]

Singapore & Kazakhstan in trade cooperation talks

(pe) Singapore and Kazakhstan have been in conversation, with observers reporting the key focus being on encouraging Kazakh companies to see Singapore as a hub for engagement with south-east Asian nations. 

A number of meetings have occurred in recent weeks, with one of the topics of attention being greater supply chain connectivity and increased trade. An agreement has been made between Singapore and Kazakhstan to create a container hub in Aktau port, the main port in Kazakhstan. Furthermore, Kazakhstan’s national railway company has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Port of Authority Singapore. Additionally, a Kazakhstan-Singapore Business Council has been established, to encourage bilateral trade and investment. Observers state that it is too soon to see the long-lasting results of these activities, but that they indicate increased cooperation between the two nations. [The Diplomat]

South Korean president meets with UAE presidential envoy

(my) President Yoon Suk-yeol met Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, a special envoy of the President of the United Arab Emirates on September 1. They discussed the development of their countries’ bilateral ties, especially in nuclear energy development, energy security, defense industries, and investments. [Yonhap News Agency]

Seoul ordered to pay US equity firm USD 217 million

(my) The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) ordered the Korean government to pay USD 217 million to Lone Star Funds, a US private equity firm.

The complaint filed by Lone Star dates back to 2003 when Lone Star purchased Korea Exchange Bank (KEB). A parliamentary inspection in 2005 raised suspicions that KEB was improperly sold to Lone Star by manipulating the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) capital adequacy ratio. The BIS ratio is the ratio of equity capital to risk-weighted assets of financial institutions recommended by the BIS. 

In 2006, Lee Kang-won, former president of the Korea Exchange Bank, and Byeon Yang-ho, former director of the financial policy bureau at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, were indicted over these allegations. Simultaneously, Lone Star was pushing for the sale of KEB and signed a purchase deal with HSBC in 2007. However, due to the ongoing lawsuits against Lee and Byeon, the Financial Services Commission of Korea delayed the approval of the deal. HSBC’s contract was canceled with the 2008 international financial crisis. KEB was sold to Hana Financial Group in 2012.

Lone Star filed the complaint to the ICSID, saying it suffered a loss of USD 4.68 billion since the South Korean government’s disturbance delayed the deal and made it sell at a lower price. On August 31, ICSID ruled the Korean government to compensate USD 216.5 million to Lone Star. The South Korean government stated that it would consider the request for annulment of the tribunal order. [Reuters]

Seoul seeks for continuous access to THAAD base

(my) The South Korean and US militaries delivered equipment to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) base in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Delivering supplies during the holidays reflects the Korean government’s plan to officially deploy the THAAD system.

Supplies such as construction materials were brought into THAAD two to three times a week by helicopter or vehicle until May, while activist groups in Seonju blocked ways to access the base opposing the deployment. The government increased it to five times from June after President Yoon Suk-yeol’s inauguration, who pledged official deployment of the THAAD system. The government had announced its plan to allow continuous access to the THAAD base by the end of August.

The THAAD deployment has faced opposition from residents of Seongju as well as China. China judges that the range of THAAD radar poses a threat to China’s national security while the South Korean government claims it as an anti-missile system provided against North Korea’s preemptive strike. Residents in Seongju and activist groups have been arguing that THAAD’s deployment in Seongju would make the region a target in the event of war, and that radar could harm residents’ health. [JoongAng Daily]

Meanwhile, the Korean government has launched an environmental assessment council and is pushing for a formal deployment of the bases [see AiR No. 35, August/2022, 5].

Seoul and Warsaw seek for cooperation in defense industries

(my) South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. In a telephone conversation on August 30, the two leaders pledged cooperation in the defense and nuclear energy sectors. Yoon called for continued support from the Polish government for Korean companies operating in Poland. [Yonhap News Agency]

Meanwhile, Korea’s defense industry reached a record-breaking export with a framework agreement with the Polish government in 2022. Polish and South Korean defense contractors Hyundai Rotem Co. and Hanwha Defense implemented the framework agreement on August 27 by signing executive contracts equivalent to USD 5.76 billion [see also AiR No. 31, August/2022, 1].

South Korea and US end two-week joint drills

(my) The Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), a joint South Korea-US exercise that began on August 22, ended on September 1. The South Korean government said the pan-government crisis management and joint operational support procedures were trained through the UFS, cultivating capabilities in preparation for North Korea’s provocations and all-out war. The US Department of Defense evaluated that joint training is important in strengthening regional security on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, as well as being able to work closely with South Korea and other partners. [Yonhap News Agency 1]

Meanwhile, North Korean media criticized the UFS throughout the training weeks. The North Korean media “Echo” claimed in an article on September 1 that “South Korea suffers the most damage whenever military tensions on the Korean Peninsula rise,” adding that “[t]he political, military, and economic damage that will occur if it leads to war will be incomparable to the 1950s.” [Yonhap News Agency 2, in Korean]

US announces USD 1.1 billion arms package for Taiwan 

(gö/dql) The U.S. Department has approved a USD 1.1 billion arms package for Taiwan. It is the largest arms package under the Biden administration and comes weeks after House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in response to which China’s conducted its biggest-ever military exercises in the seas around Taiwan [see AiR No. 32, August/2022, 2]

It comprises USD 665 million for contractor support for maintaining and upgrading a Raytheon early radar warning system that has been in operation since 2013; USD 355 million for 60 Harpoon Block II missiles, capable of tracking and sinking incoming vessels in case of a Chinese assault by water; and USD 85.6 million for some 100 Sidewinder missiles. [Reuters]

In a separate development, Taiwan signed a procurement contract with the U.S. which includes the sale of 4 MQ-9B Sea Guardian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Taiwan for NTD 16.88 billion (USD 555 million). 

The contract came into effect retroactively on August 24 and will continue till the end of 2029. The U.S. is expected to deliver the first drone in 2025. Additionally, the contract includes ground control station-related equipment and support systems. [Taiwan News 1]

Taiwan and Japan prepare for the evacuation of 20,000 citizens in case of Chinese Invasion

(gö) After last week Japanese lawmakers visited Taipei, both countries agreed on discussing possible evacuation scenarios in fear of Chinese invasion. 

Security talks concerning how the evacuation of Japanese citizens should be conducted were increasingly demanded in wake of the ongoing Chinese military exercises surrounding Taiwan. 

Taiwanese high-level officials will need to meet with their Japanese counterparts behind closed doors to evaluate “pre- and post-Chinese invasion-related evacuation scenarios” as Japan does not maintain official diplomatic ties with Taipei. [Taiwan News] [AiR No. 35, August, 2022, 5]

China responds after drone was shot down by Taiwanese military 

(gö) Taiwanese military shot down an unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on September 1 near Kinmen. During a press conference, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) acknowledged to be aware of reports about the shot down UAV, while leaving out who had been piloting the UAV.  

The TAO accused Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of fomenting tensions by “intentionally hyping up the incident.”

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has stressed that they will keep their resilient stance and shoot down any unidentified UAVs violating Taiwan’s airspace and ignoring their warnings. [Taiwan News] 

Taiwan: Chinese aircraft and warships tracked

(gö) Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) said that it spotted 17 Chinese military aircraft and four naval vessels around Taiwan on September 5.

In an earlier statement it reported that it detected in total 72 Chinese aircraft and 11 naval ships on September 1 and 2 around the island. 18 out of 72 planes of the People’s Liberation Army crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait in the southwest sector of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone. 

Taiwan’s armed forces have monitored the situation with combat air patrols, naval vessels, and land-based missile systems and gave out radio warnings. [Taiwan News 1] [Taiwan News 2] [Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C Twitter]

Timor-Leste and Australia tensions continue over energy projects

(pe) Australia has issued a warning to Timor-Leste about the risks of associating with China in developing the Greater Sunrise oil and gas fields, after the President of Timor-Leste alluded to the possibility of engaging with Beijing on the issue. 

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong made statements reaffirming Australia’s commitment to financial and technical cooperation for Timor-Leste’s development, she also highlighted the need for allyship during a challenging time for political relationships across Asia Pacific. 

Wong’s remarks come after Timor-Leste President claimed that he may seek China’s support if Australia does not commit to the project works, which he sees as crucial to the nation’s economic wellbeing. He stated that he will engage China if Australia fails to support the construction of a pipeline between the fields and his country, as rumor was that the project was bound for Darwin instead.

The Greater Sunrise project was initially delayed by a territorial dispute between Australia and Timor-Leste, which was resolved with the ratification of a maritime boundary treaty in 2019. [ABC News] [Reuters]

Thai trade delegation visits Saudi Arabia to further discuss trade, investment opportunities

(td/lm) Thailand’s Jurin Laksanawisit has led a 190-member strong delegation to Saudi Arabia for an official visit to the kingdom to further discuss trade and investment opportunities at both public and private levels. During the visit, Jurin met with his Saudi counterpart Majid Al-Qasabi to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Thai-Saudi Business Council, with another private MoU on the export of several Thai products also reached. Notably, the ministers also discussed the possibility of Thailand concluding a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. [Arab News] [Bangkok Post 1] [Bangkok Post 2] [Bangkok Post 3]

Thailand has been eager to normalise relations with oil-rich Saudi Arabia since a row over a jewellery theft has cost billions of dollars in two-way trade and tourism revenues. The two countries agreed to reestablish full diplomatic ties following the January visit by Thai Prime Minister Chan-ocha to the Kingdom [see AiR No. 7, February/2022, 3]. Since then, the trade value in the first six months of 2022 amounted to about USD 4 billion, up 52 percent from the same period last year. 

Announcements

Upcoming Online Events 

7 September 2022 @ 9:00-10:15 a.m. (GMT+8), Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore

Young Voters and Malaysia’s Future: New Hope or False Dawn?

This webinar discusses Malaysia’s youth of today and how under Malaysia’s Undi18 constitutional amendment, it has expanded voting rights to youth ages 18 and above. In addition, questions and insights with regards to Malaysian young adults’ and new voters’ impact on Malaysia’s future as a nation are raised.

For more information about the event, visit [ISEAS].

7 September 2022 @ 9:00-9:45 p.m. (GMT-5), Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, USA

Carnegie Connects: The Biden Administration and Trade with Katherine Tai

In this webinar, US trade representative Katherine Tai and others will discuss the trade policies and political environments in the US and Asia, examining Biden’s new approach to trade in relation to the newly created Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

Visit [Carnegie Endowment] for more details.

7 September 2022 @ 9:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT-5), American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, USA

Discussing the Coming Conflict with China

This webinar takes a defense-strategic approach when discussing the topic of China as a rising global power and its relationship to the United States, while making predictions of what the world will look like in the future as a result of the rising conflicts between China and the US.

Go to [AEI] for more information.

7 September 2022 @ 9:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT+1), International Institute for Strategic Studies, UK

The Economics, Politics and Diplomacy of Energy

The future of today’s global economy lies on three significant issues: the impact on commodity prices of Russia’s war against Ukraine, slowing Chinese growth due to Beijing’s zero-COVID policy and problems in the Chinese property sector, and US tightening interest rates. The repercussion of these issues can be felt around the world and can be seen when examining economies of other nation-states. 

Find out more about the event at [IISS].

8 September 2022 @ 2:00-3:30 p.m. (GMT+8), Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore

Southeast Asia Climate Outlook 2022 Survey Report Launch

The Southeast Asia Climate Outlook 2022 Survey Report is the third annual survey of climate change perspectives of Southeast Asia, analyzing Southeast Asian citizens’ concerns and views on climate change, government policies, and climate action. In this webinar, significant aspects of the Report such as key findings and expert insights will be introduced.

Visit [ISEAS] for further details.

8 September 2022 @ 8:30-9:15 p.m. (GMT_), Center for Strategic & International Studies, USA

The Capital Cable #54: Recent Developments on the Korean Peninsula

South Korea President Yoon’s speech on National Liberation Day elaborated on his goal to denuclearize North Korea as well as improving human rights and Korea-Japan relations. CSIS Korea Chair discusses the recent developments on the Korean peninsula and its foreign relations.

See [CSIS] for more information.

12 September 2022 @ 9:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Center for Strategic & International Studies, USA

Xi’s New Global Development Initiative

Xi Jinping’s speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2021 highlighted China’s vision to be lead actor in regards to global development efforts, with aims to support developing countries in poverty, alleviation, public health, among other issues. This webinar will discuss China’s initiative in the global context.

Go to [CSIS] for more details.

13 September 2022 @ 3:00-4:00 a.m. (GMT-5), Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, USA

Book Launch – Surveillance State: Inside China’s Quest to Launch a New Era of Social Control

Watch an insightful in-person conversation with award winning journalists Josh Chin and Liza Lin for a discussion on their new book: Surveillance State: Inside China’s Quest to Launch a New Era of Social Control, analyzing how the Chinese Communist Party controls citizens through digital technology and AI in this day and age.

For more information, visit [Carnegie Endowment].

13 September 2022 @ 12:00-1:00 p.m. (GMT+9), Japanese Institute of International Affairs, Japan

The Name of the Sea of Japan and Flaws with the Korean Arguments

This webinar explores the topic of naming the Sea of Japan from the Japanese and South Korean perspectives, tracing back historical and current-day arguments.  

Visit [JIIA] for more details.

13 September 2022 @ 1:00-2:15 p.m. (GMT+8), Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore

‘Community of Shared Destiny for Mankind’: Remaking the World in China’s Image

This seminar/webinar reviews the origins, purposes, and key factors that influence the future prospects of China President Xi Jinping’s initiative to build a “Community of Shared Destiny for Mankind,” building on Xi’s vision to “rejuvenate the Chinese nation.” In addition, the Chinese vision of global governance along with Southeast Asia’s roles in these initiatives will be discussed and elaborated upon.

More details available at [ISEAS].

13 September 2022 @ 7:00-8:00 p.m. (GMT+1), International Institute for Strategic Studies, UK

Economic Security: Japan and the West’s Sanctions Coordination against Russia

Japan and Western countries have imposed multiple sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine since February of this year. This webinar embarks on discussion of the impact of Japan and the West’s sanctions on Russia and their effectiveness in foreign relations and the economy global context. 

For more information about the event, visit [IISS].

Recent book releases

Lukas Ley, Building on Borrowed Time: Rising Seas and Failing Infrastructure in Semarang, University of Minnesota Press, 246 pages, published on November 23, 2021, reviewed in [LSE].

James Boughton, Harry White and the American Creed: How a Federal Bureaucrat Created the Modern Global Economy (and Failed to Get the Credit), Yale University Press, 464 pages, February 8, 2022, with a review in [LSE].

Lee C. Bollinger, and Geoffrey R. Stone (eds.), Social Media, Freedom of Speech, and the Future of our Democracy, Oxford University Press, 448 pages, published on August 5, 2022. For a review, see [Los Angeles Review of Books].

Nicholas Mulder, The Economic Weapon: The Rise of Sanctions as a Tool of Modern War, Yale University Press, 446 pages, published on January 25, 2022. The book is reviewed in [Financial Times].

Calls for Papers

IGI Global invites proposals for chapters of an edited volume on “Global Science-Cooperation: Opportunities, Challenges, and Good Practices”. The closing date for proposal submission is October 19, 2022. For more information, visit [IGI Global].

IOS-Press invites proposals chapters of a book titled “Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity: The State of the Art”. The submission deadline is October 1, 2022. If you are interested, find more details at [CFP].

Jobs and positions

SNV seeks a Business Development professional to be based in The Hague. Core responsibility is to manage the capture and prospect development of important bids (Tenders & Grants) for SNV. Applications are accepted until 19 September 2022. More information about the position is provided at [SNV]

IOM UN Migration seeks CON 2022 29 Consultant - Drupal Developer - Homebased. Core responsibility is to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration. Applications are accepted until 19 september 2022. More information about the position is provided at [IOM]

UNICEF seeks an Adolescent Development Specialist to be based in Slovakia. Core responsibility is to establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the adolescent development programmes/projects using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM).  Applications are accepted until 19 September 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UNICEF]

UNICEF seeks an International Consultant to be based in Lesotho. Core responsibility is to work under the overall guidance of the Chief of Basic Education and Adolescent Development and supervision of the Early Childhood Development Specialist. Applications are accepted until 20 September 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UNICEF]

UNICEF seeks a Education Manager to be based in Nigeria. Core responsibility is to provide management and advisory support to the Chief of Education, technical assistance to colleagues and technical support to key government officials and partners. Applications are accepted until 20 September 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UNICEF]

United Nations Secretariat seeks a Facilities Management Assistant to be based in Syria. Core responsibility is to provide scheduling and supervision for construction, repair, maintenance and installation of conventional buildings, temporary buildings, infrastructure and sites and premises including grounds in the mission area. Applications are accepted until 18 September 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UN]

United Nations Secretariat seeks Advisor on the Development of a Consolidated Learning Curriculum in the UN Secretariat to be based in the United States. Applications are accepted until 14 September 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UN]

The United Nations Secretariat seeks Development Economics Consultant to be based in Jamaica. Core responsibility: Exploring innovative financing mechanism and solutions potential for Jamaica. Applications are accepted until 18 September 2022.More information about the position is provided at [UN]

The United Nations Secretariat seeks a Legal Officer to be based in the United States. Core responsibility is to serve as a lead officer handling critical incidents, application and enforcement of the Organization’s standards of conduct, and sexual exploitation and abuse cases. Applications are accepted until 8 September 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UN]

The United Nations Secretariat seeks Public Information Assistant to be based in Kenya. Core responsibility is to provide general office support services to help ensure the smooth functioning of the Visitors Service. Applications are accepted until 1 October 2022.More information about the position is provided at [UN]

UNEP seeks an Associate Programme Management Officer to be based in Kenya. Core responsibilityWorks with key clients to facilitate the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects. Applications are accepted until 20 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UNEP]

UNEP seeks an Environmental Economics Consultant to be based in the United States. Core responsibility is to provide a platform to increase engagement and build consensus around methodological development in wealth metrics by scientists, economists, and practitioners. Applications are accepted until 19 September 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UNEP]

UNEP seeks Programme Management Officer to be based in Kenya. Core responsibilities cover developing, implementing and evaluating UN-REDD programme/project development and implementation in Africa. Applications are accepted until 4 October 2022. More information about the position is provided at [UNEP]

Team:

Afif Zaman (az), Aniello Iannone (ai), Duc Quang Ly (dql), Farhan Maqsood (fm), Farul Baqi (fb), Felix Jonas Jantz (fj), Francis Ezeh John (fe), Gizem Öztürk (gö), Henning Glaser (hg), Jaroslav Volkov (jv), Jennifer Marie Domenici (jd), Kashif Ali Hadi (kah), Lucas Meier (lm), Minyoung Yoo (my), Oshin Pandey (op), Peer Morten Strantzen (ms), Phoebe Ewen (pe), Sitha Komatineni (sk), Sofia Bertolino (sb), Sol Renteria Adorno (sra), Theerapon Damrongruk (td), Tomwit Jarnson (tw), Varshinya Varadhachari (vv), Venus Phuangkom

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