South Korea has imposed a record privacy fine on Coupang after a large-scale data leak exposed customer information and triggered fresh concerns about ecommerce security. The breach reportedly involved names, phone numbers, delivery addresses and purchase history, making it one of the most serious customer data exposure cases linked to the country’s online retail industry. The Personal Information Protection Commission said its investiga

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer triggered laughter in the House of Commons on Wednesday, May 20, after accidentally claiming that the United Kingdom had secured a trade deal with North Korea instead of South Korea. He quickly corrected the statement, describing it as a “slip of the tongue” and apologising to MPs. “I’ve just been handed a note saying that I inadvertently said we did a trade deal with North Korea rather than South Korea. That would be breaking news and not very good. So,

South Korean actor Park Dong-bin was found dead at age 56 in Pyeongtaek on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 4:25 PM KST. Police reported no signs of foul play and are investigating. Known for a viral K-drama meme, he is survived by his wife and daughter. Veteran Korean actor Park Dong-bin found dead at 56 in South Korea as authorities confirmed the longtime performer was discovered deceased at a restaurant he was preparing to open in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. The incident occurred at approximately 4:25 PM local time (KST) on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, according to reports citing the Pyeongtaek Police Station. Officials responding to the scene reported no immediate signs of foul play or forced entry, indicating that the circumstances surrounding the actor’s death remain unclear. Authorities have launched an ongoing investigation to determine the exact cause and sequence of events leading to his death. Further details have not yet been released as of this writing. Park Dong-bin, 56, was a familiar figure in South Korea’s entertainment industry and gained renewed international recognition in recent years after a scene from the 2012 television drama It Was Love went viral online. The clip, which showed him humorously spitting out orange juice in reaction to shocking news, circulated widely on social media and earned him the nickname “Juice Guy,” introducing his work to a younger, global audience. His passing has drawn attention not only for his acting career but also for his recent entrepreneurial efforts. Reports indicate that he had been in the process of opening a new restaurant in Pyeongtaek, where he was found. Funeral arrangements were scheduled for the morning of Friday, May 1, 2026 (KST). According to local reports, his remains were to pass through the Yongin Forest of Peace before being laid to rest at Woosung Memorial Park. Park is survived by his wife, Lee Sang-yi, and their young daughter, Ji-yoo, who was born in 2023 and has reportedly been undergoing treatment for a congenital heart condition.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed that his country will not abandon its nuclear weapons programme, declaring its status as a nuclear-armed state “irreversible” in a strongly worded address delivered to the nation’s legislature. The remarks came shortly after his reappointment as chairman of the State Affairs Commission, consolidating his leadership over the country’s highest decision-making body. According to official reports released on March 24, Kim outlined an intensified strategy to expand North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, framing the move as essential for national security and constitutional responsibility. He stated that Pyongyang would continue to strengthen its nuclear deterrent and advance its capabilities in response to what he described as ongoing threats from hostile forces. The leader emphasized that maintaining and enhancing nuclear readiness was a key priority, ensuring that the country remains prepared to counter strategic challenges. Kim portrayed the development of nuclear weapons as a justified and defensive measure, asserting that the programme aligns with the country’s long-term security goals. He indicated that North Korea would pursue both quantitative and qualitative improvements in its nuclear forces, underscoring a commitment to sustained military advancement amid rising geopolitical tensions in the region. The speech also included sharp criticism of South Korea, which Kim labelled as the “most hostile state.” He warned that any perceived provocation or infringement on North Korea’s sovereignty would be met with a decisive and uncompromising response. The language used signalled a continuation of strained inter-Korean relations, with little indication of near-term diplomatic engagement. Kim’s address covered broader policy areas, including defence, economic priorities, and relations with the United States, though nuclear policy remained the central focus. His remarks highlight an ongoing shift toward a more assertive security posture, raising concerns among regional and global observers about the future trajectory of East Asia’s security environment.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has concluded a rare party congress with a pointed message to the United States, stating that Pyongyang could improve relations with Washington if it is recognised as a nuclear power. At the same time, he hardened his stance toward South Korea, describing it as the country’s “most hostile” enemy and ruling out further engagement. According to state media reports released on February 26, Kim said there was “no reason” North Korea and the Unit

Tensions between Japan and China intensified further after a coordinated air patrol by Chinese and Russian military aircraft passed close to Japan and South Korea, prompting both Tokyo and Seoul to scramble fighter jets. According to Japan’s defence authorities, seven Russian aircraft and two Chinese aircraft briefly entered South Korea’s Air Defence Identification Zone, raising fresh concerns over the scale and frequency of joint operations by Beijing and Moscow in the Asia Pacific regio

Asia-Pacific markets retreated on Wednesday, following overnight declines on Wall Street after comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell unsettled investors. Powell noted that equity prices appeared to be “fairly highly valued” and cautioned that the rate-cutting outlook remained unclear, adding that the central bank faces a “challenging situation” as it navigates inflationary pressures and economic growth concerns. In Australia, the S&P/ASX

Asia’s military landscape in 2025 presents a scale that is both staggering and deeply significant for the balance of world power. Stretching from nuclear powers with global ambitions to smaller states entrenched in historical rivalries, the continent fields some of the largest armies on Earth. The presence of such massive forces goes beyond sheer numbers of soldiers. It represents power projection, deterrence, and the tensions that shape Asia’s political and security environment. Acc

In the latest Henley Passport Index update, India’s passport saw the most significant improvement, climbing eight spots from 85th to 77th position. This leap makes India the largest mover globally over the past six months, as its passport now allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 destinations. Countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, the Maldives, and Thailand are among the many that offer visa-free ac

President Donald Trump has triggered a new wave of international trade tension by announcing that the United States will impose steep import tariffs on 14 countries starting August 1. The new tariffs, set at a minimum of 25 percent, will affect both rivals and close allies, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, unless trade agreements are finalized before the deadline. This marks one of the most aggressive trade policy shifts under Trump’s renewed administration and represe

South Korea is reeling from one of the most devastating wildfires in its history, as massive wind-driven blazes swept across the southern regions of the country over the past week. According to official reports released on Wednesday, at least 18 people have died, including four firefighters and government personnel, and more than 200 structures have been reduced to ashes. The wildfires have forced the evacuation of over 27,000 residents and injured 19 others. The fires, which began last Frida