January
North Korean secret diary reveals deadly ‘drone bait’ tactic
The written notes of a dead soldier published by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces describe the reckless ploy, along with expressions of love for Kim Jong-un.
- James Kilner
South Korea’s political turmoil embroils family dynasties
A protracted political stand-off could delay crucial corporate governance reforms aimed at reining in the powerful family conglomerates and that is already triggering a backlash.
- Jessica Sier
December 2024
Why North Korean troops are now a problem for Putin
Many have expressed surprise at the apparent naivety of the Asian troops, under live fire for the first time.
- Iain Hollingshead
South Korea’s leaders seek calm after president impeached
Political leaders and the central bank tried to reassure allies and markets of stability, after the president was suspended for trying to impose martial law.
- Heekyong Yang and Josh Smith
- Analysis
- Political unrest
South Korean upheaval rattles US plan to counter China
There are questions over whether a new government in Seoul might complicate Washington’s efforts under Donald Trump to counter the rise of China as a military superpower.
- Edward White, Christian Davies, Leo Lewis and Demetri Sevastopulo
- Updated
- World politics
Tanks, troops. How the drama unfolded in South Korea
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and accused opposition parties of siding with North Korea, sparking crisis and chaos in the country.
- Updated
- Foster Klug
November 2024
- Updated
- Russia-Ukraine war
Ukraine will soon fire missiles 300km into Russia after US clearance
The US president has reversed his policy in the Russia-Ukraine war as Donald Trump takes over the Oval Office in two months.
- Updated
- Mike Stone and Humeyra Pamuk
Russian, North Korean troops mass ahead of Ukraine attack, says US
New analysis concludes that the force has been gathered without pulling soldiers out of Ukraine’s east, allowing Moscow to press on multiple fronts.
- Julian E. Barnes, Eric Schmitt and Michael Schwirtz
Ukraine says it has attacked North Korean troops
The first contact has been reported with North Korean troops in a Russian region captured by Kyiv in their surprise offensive.
- Christopher Miller and Max Seddon
North Korean intercontinental missile launch condemned by US, Japan
The isolationist regime said it tested an ICBM on Thursday, upgrading what it called the “world’s most powerful strategic weapon”.
- Reuters
October 2024
Japan’s China paradox has lessons for Australia
Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, wants a more equal relationship with the US. That could spell trouble as Tokyo confronts the “deep threat” from China.
- James Curran
September 2024
China tests ballistic missile in Pacific in ‘provocative’ move
China fired an intercontinental ballistic missile with a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean, its first such major missile launch in years.
- Alistair Gale
- Exclusive
- Russia-Ukraine war
Why ‘paranoid’ Russia’s ties with China should worry Australia
Democracies including Australia need to band together against the ‘community of autocracies’ of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, one of NATO’s top officials says.
- Andrew Tillett
August 2024
Push into Russia is to create a buffer zone: Zelensky
The incursion has proven Ukraine’s ability to seize the initiative and has boosted its morale, which was sapped by a failed counter-offensive last year.
- Robyn Dixon
- Analysis
- North Korea diplomacy
On the front line of North Korea’s nuclear threat
The possibility of another Trump presidency has global leaders nervous about Kim Jong-un’s erratic behaviour. Would a second mandate tame or embolden “little rocket man”.
- Updated
- Jessica Sier
July 2024
Wong calls on China to rein in North Korea
The foreign minister acknowledged that countries all around Asia are beefing up their defence capabilities in response to China’s dramatic military expansion.
- Staff reporters
US boosts military command in Japan amid ‘provocative’ China
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin says an upgrade to the US command in Japan is “one of the most significant developments in the history of our alliance”.
- Updated
- Mari Yamaguchi
Japan must strengthen NATO ties to safeguard global peace, PM says
Fumio Kishida also signalled concern over Beijing’s alleged role in aiding Moscow’s two-year-old war in Ukraine, although he did not name China.
- Yukiko Toyoda and John Geddie
June 2024
- Opinion
- Putin's Russia
Putin to Xi: I have options in East Asia
The Russian President’s visits last week to North Korea and Vietnam shows Russia’s residual capacity to stir trouble in East Asia.
- James Curran
Putin and Kim sign mutual defence pact
The pact could be a dramatic shift in the strategic balance in Northeast Asia by placing Russia’s heft behind North Korea.
- Josh Smith and Ju-min Park