South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is set to make an official visit to Japan on January 13 and 14 for a high-level summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Lee’s office announced on Friday, January 9. The visit reflects continued efforts by both governments to strengthen bilateral ties and deepen cooperation on key regional and global issues.

The summit will be held in Nara City on January 13 and will be followed by a formal dinner between the two leaders. According to the presidential office, President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi are expected to engage in detailed discussions on a wide range of topics, including regional security, international developments, and important economic and social matters affecting both countries. Their schedule also includes joint participation in several diplomatic events, underscoring the symbolic importance of the visit. In addition, President Lee will hold a separate meeting with South Korean residents living in Japan, reflecting his administration’s focus on strengthening ties with overseas Korean communities.

The primary objective of the summit is to advance South Korea–Japan relations in a stable and future-oriented direction, the presidential office said, emphasizing the importance of sustained dialogue between the two neighbors. Officials indicated that the talks may also cover sensitive regional issues, including the ongoing dispute between China and Japan. Another key topic expected to be raised is the possible participation of North Korean athletes in the Asian Games scheduled for September in Japan. Lee’s national security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, noted during a briefing on Friday that such discussions could contribute to easing regional tensions and promoting broader cooperation in East Asia.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

The closure of border crossings between Balochistan and Afghanistan has deepened Pakistan’s economic crisis, with Punjab reportedly losing over Rs80 billion per month due to stalled trade. Business leaders warn that the government’s inability to maintain stable cross-border commerce is worsening inflation and eroding investor confidence, according to The Balochistan Post.

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry highlighted that key trade routes have been effectively paralyzed since last October, hitting industries reliant on the Afghan market, including cement, agricultural chemicals, and food exports. The closures have also revealed the state’s failure to separate economic cooperation from political and security disputes, a recurring issue harming Pakistan’s economy.

Thousands of traders remain stranded on both sides, with estimates suggesting around 3,000 affected, mostly from Pakistan. Truckloads of perishable goods, including fresh and dried fruits from Afghanistan, are reportedly rotting at border points, causing severe financial losses. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s exports of vegetables, medicines, and construction materials have been disrupted, weakening the export sector further. Trade experts note that the Afghan border is crucial not only for bilateral trade but also as Pakistan’s gateway to Central Asia. The ongoing shutdown is amplifying economic stress, lowering incomes, and fueling public frustration.

Criticism has been directed at the federal government and revenue authorities for failing to assist affected traders. Business groups report that perished consignments have gone uncompensated, while transport operators face severe financial strain. Experts argue this reflects policy paralysis rather than unavoidable circumstances and have called for immediate diplomatic engagement to reopen the border crossings without delay.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on friday invited South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to a state visit in Beijing, signaling China’s effort to improve ties with South Korea amid regional tensions, Al Jazeera reported. South Korea’s national security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, said Lee will meet Xi on Monday in Beijing before traveling to Shanghai to visit the historic site of South Korea’s provisional government during Japan’s 35-year colonial rule.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the leaders are expected to discuss “practical cooperation” in areas such as supply-chain investment, tourism, and responses to transnational crime. Wi added that peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula will also be on the agenda. The planned visit comes less than two months after Xi’s first trip to South Korea in 11 years during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, marking an unusually quick series of reciprocal state visits. This meeting precedes upcoming talks between South Korea and Japan. Relations between China and Japan remain tense, following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s November remarks suggesting a military response if China attacked Taiwan.

Wi reaffirmed South Korea’s stance on Taiwan, stating that the country “respects the one-China policy and acts accordingly,” which acknowledges Beijing’s claim over Taiwan while maintaining separate relations with the self-governing island. China’s recent live-fire exercises have further escalated tensions with Taiwan, prompting the United States to urge Beijing to ease military pressure. “China’s military actions and statements toward Taiwan and other regional actors unnecessarily raise tensions,” said Tommy Pigott, the US State Department’s principal deputy spokesperson.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended New Year celebrations in Pyongyang, which featured fireworks, patriotic songs and dances, and a taekwondo performance, according to state media KCNA on Thursday. Kim’s daughter, Ju Ae—whom some analysts see as a potential successor—was present with him, interacting with children, sitting beside him, and holding his hand, KCNA photos showed.

In his speech, Kim praised the North Korean people for their contributions to the “successes and phenomenal changes” of 2025, and emphasized the importance of unity ahead of a key party congress expected in early 2026, which will set the country’s future direction. The 9th Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea is anticipated soon and is expected to outline North Korea’s plans for the next five years in areas including nuclear and weapons development and the economy.

Kim also sent a New Year message to North Korean troops fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, calling them the “greatest strength and pride and a strong pillar” of the nation, and expressing hope for their eventual return. “Be brave. Behind you are Pyongyang and Moscow,” he said, according to KCNA. Additionally, KCNA reported that Kim received New Year cards from several heads of state, including the Chinese president and his wife, though it did not mention Xi Jinping by name or provide further details.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Singapore’s “dead birds” hotline recorded its highest number of reports last year, reflecting a growing toll of birds killed after colliding with glass surfaces on buildings. The museum notes that the problem is expanding beyond sheer numbers, now affecting newer and sometimes rarer species as urban development intensifies. The report explores the causes behind these collisions, the reasons bird-friendly architecture has yet to become common practice, and the practical solutions—such as specially treated glass and façade modifications—that could significantly reduce bird deaths. Andrea Heng and Rani Samtani discuss these issues with Dr Tan Yen Yi, Research Fellow at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party has selected 46-year-old academic Yodchanan Wongsawat, a nephew of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as its leading candidate for the premiership in the February election. The move brings the influential Shinawatra family back into focus as Thailand grapples with deadly border clashes with Cambodia and internal challenges within the party. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the implications of his candidacy for party cohesion, border security, and the country’s political trajectory with Kevin Hewison, Emeritus Professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Starting 6 pm tomorrow (13 Dec 2025), train commuters can check a single webpage for updates on trip delays. Daniel Martin talks with Professor Raymond Ong, Transport Analyst and Deputy Head (Research) at NUS’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Across the globe, Gen Z is moving beyond online activism and taking to the streets — pushing back against existing systems, highlighting inequality, and demanding a future they can trust. Many young people feel increasingly shut out, with rising youth unemployment and shrinking economic opportunities adding to their frustration. We speak with CNA senior correspondent Wei Du, who followed a wave of Gen Z demonstrations in Asia for an Insight documentary, and Dr. Eugene Mark, Fellow and Co-coordinator of Thailand Studies at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, to understand the forces behind this new wave of youth-driven protests.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.