South Korea: ‘Dior bag scandal’ a political manoeuvre, president says

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The video sting presented by the group on Youtube. The video's title card reads: 'First Lady receives luxury gift' and 'First Lady, Dior and the Hidden Camera'VOICE OF SEOUL/YOUTUBE
By Kelly Ng
BBC News

Spy camera footage of South Korea’s first lady accepting a luxury bag gift was leaked as a “political manoeuvre”, President Yoon Suk Yeol said.

Mr Yoon said the act was “regrettable” but stopped short of apologising.

He has been under pressure to address the issue, which has roiled his ruling party ahead of key elections in April.

His first comments on what local media has called the “Dior bag scandal” disappointed citizens and angered the opposition.

Late last year, left-wing YouTube channel Voice of Seoul published a video that purportedly showed first lady Kim Keon Hee accepting a 3m won ($2,200; £1,800) Dior bag from a pastor, who filmed the exchange in September 2022 using a camera concealed in his watch.

“The video [was made public] at a time when the general election is drawing near, a year after the issue happened, so we can see this as a political manoeuvre.” Mr Yoon told broadcaster KBS.

“The fact that she was unable to cold-heartedly reject him was the problem, if one can call it a problem, and it is a little regrettable,” Mr Yoon said.

Some analysts have said the scandal threatens the prospects of Mr Yoon’s conservative People Power Party in April’s legislative elections. The video was released as his approval ratings were beginning to recover.

The opposition Democratic Party said Mr Yoon fell short of the public’s expectations of a sincere apology.

“The president’s shameless attitude is hopeless,” the party’s spokesman Kwon Chil-seung said.

“It’s hard to say how long we will continue to watch the self-righteousness of a president who refuses to admit fault and apologise to the people,” Mr Kwon said.

Some expressed disappointment on X, formerly Twitter.

“There was no apology for the Dior bag the whole country was waiting for,” according to one comment.

Another X user questioned the significance of Mr Yoon’s apology at this time: “Even if you receive an apology from such a shameless and unwilling authority, what is the meaning of that apology, which you were forced to accept like squeezing apple juice for several months?”

Several conservative newspapers, such as Joongang Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo, pointed out that Mr Yoon did not comment on the appropriateness of Ms Kim’s actions.

Local publications have reported that the presidential office confirmed receipt of the bag and said that it was “being managed and stored as a property of the government”.

A Gallup Korea poll last week showed that Mr Yoon’s approval ratings had fallen to 29%, the lowest in nine months. The scandal involving the 51-year-old first lady was among the reasons respondents cited for their disapproval.

The scandal has also caused rifts within Mr Yoon’s party. One party leader compared the first lady with Marie Antoinette, the French queen who is notorious for her extravagant ways.

The Dior bag scandal is the latest in a string of controversies surrounding Ms Kim. The opposition has long accused her of being involved in stock price manipulation. Earlier this month, Mr Yoon vetoed a bill calling for his wife to be investigated over these allegations.

Last year, Seoul’s government scrapped an expressway project following allegations that its construction would financially benefit Ms Kim’s family by raising the prices of land that they own.

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Unsafe levels of smog cover upper Thailand

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Unsafe levels of smog cover upper Thailand
Smoke rises from a burning paddy field in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Thursday morning. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)

Forty-eight from all 77 provinces, especially those in the Northeast, experienced hazardous levels of ultrafine dust on Thursday morning, according to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda).

Gistda reported at 10am that 13 provinces were blanketed by red (seriously harmful) levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter (PM2.5), ranging from 75.8 to 97.7 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³) of air over the past 24 hours. The government’s safe threshold for PM2.5 is 37.5 µg/m³, while the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend 25 µg/m³.

In descending order, the affected provinces included Roi Et, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Mukdahan, Khon Kaen, Yasothon, Chaiyaphum, Udon Thani, Chai Nat, Phetchabun, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani, with the majority located in the Northeast.

Orange (initially unsafe) levels of PM2.5 were detected in 35 other provinces, ranging from 37.9 to 75.0 µg/m³.

Descending in severity, the provinces were Nong Khai, Sukhothai, Nakhon Sawan, Loei, Tak, Sakon Nakhon, Buri Ram, Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani, Phayao, Surin, Phichit, Nan, Si Sa Ket, Uttaradit, Phrae, Nakhon Ratchasima, Bueng Kan, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Phanom, Lamphun, Sing Buri, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Suphan Buri, Chiang Mai, Ang Thong, Prachin Buri, Phatthalung, Mae Hong Son, Sa Kaeo, Ratchaburi and Saraburi.

Provinces in the lower Central Plains and the South had moderate to good air quality. Samut Prakan had the best air quality with 15.5µg/m³, followed by Bangkok with 15.7µg/m³.

Gistda reported that there were 1,320 hotspots in the country on Wednesday, with the majority (751) located in forests and 241 in farmland.

Kanchanaburi had the highest number of hotspots at 338, followed by Chaiyaphum with 212 and Nakhon Ratchasima with 77.

In neighbouring countries, a total of 1,059 hotspots were detected in Myanmar, 407 in Laos, 351 in Cambodia and 215 in Vietnam.

The map from Gistda shows levels of PM2.5 in different colours. Serious ones are in red and orange and most of them were in the Northeast on Thursday morning.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had said that he would call Hun Manet, his Cambodian counterpart, to jointly find solutions on air pollution during the latter’s official visit this week.

According to sources, smog from Cambodia has contributed to the worsening dust pollution in some areas of Thailand.

To ease the dust, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Patcharawat Wongsuwan said he had ordered the Pollution Control Department to work with the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation to launch rain-making operations.

Meanwhile, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said farmers are among the people most blamed for the PM2.5 problem as they do a lot of stubble burning as they cannot afford machines that allow them to avoid burning activities.

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Enhanced security in Pattaya ahead of Lunar New Year

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PUBLISHED : 8 Feb 2024 at 11:10

Enhanced security in Pattaya ahead of Lunar New Year
Bang Lamung district officials inspect the licences of a night entertainment venue on Thursday ahead of Lunar New Year. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)

PATTAYA: Authorities have reinforced safety measures and called for cooperation from business operators in preparation for Chinese New Year, anticipating an influx of tourists visiting Thailand.

Officials in Bang Lamung district patrolled entertainment streets in the early hours of Thursday and had discussions with venue managers to check all safety equipment and emergency plans on the eve of Lunar New Year holiday.

District chief Wekit Manarotkit said he reminded all business owners the importance of safety as the resort city expected an increase in both local and foreign visitors this week. The official stressed the necessity of ensuring the safe evacuation of all customers in case of emergencies.

With the Lunar New Year commencing on Saturday, people traditionally take vacations after paying respects to their ancestors.

The Lunar New Year starts on Saturday when people take vacations after paying respects to their ancestors. This period is a holiday season for the Chinese, who travel to their hometowns and tourist destinations both within and outside China.

Pattaya, along with Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai, stands out as one of the most popular destinations for Chinese visitors.

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NTUC, SNEF call for transition support package for retrenched workers

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SINGAPORE: Two recent polls conducted by the labour movement show that workers here are fearing for their jobs, spurring more calls for a transition support package for retrenched employees.

In the first survey involving nearly 2,000 Singaporeans and conducted by the National Trade Unions Congress (NTUC) between December last year and January, 40 per cent of respondents felt they were likely to lose their jobs in the next three months, up from the 25 per cent in the same period last year.

In a separate NTUC poll on sentiments ahead of this year’s Budget speech, 31 per cent of 185 workers believed structural trends like automation and artificial intelligence will displace them.

This comes as the National Trade Unions Congress (NTUC) and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) expect more layoffs this year. 

At the inaugural annual pre-Budget media briefing that the two groups hosted on Tuesday (Feb 6), they said that displaced workers should be supported in landing new jobs.

Retrenchments in Singapore in 2023 were more than double that of the year before, according to advance labour market estimates released by the Manpower Ministry last week. 

NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng noted that it will be a tough year for workers. 

“Given the lingering pressures of the cost of living, some of these workers’ anxieties, I can fully understand. So in the year ahead, we hope that we can take some proactive action, especially in the Budget, to support workers,” he said.

“Especially if they are displaced, how can we think about a transition support package either in finances or upskilling, reskilling … for persons seeking new opportunities in a more challenging work environment?”

SNEF president Robert Yap stressed that people are Singapore’s most important resource.

“If we don’t maximise that, we don’t cultivate them to the fullest potential, then we’re not doing ourselves justice. It’ll be very hard for us to compete on the international stage,” he said. 

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Indonesia’s fragile democracy faces badly flawed election – Asia Times

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In a record year for elections around the world, Indonesia’s February 14, 2024, vote is set to be one of the largest – and it will be one of the sternest tests for democracy’s progress.

Voters are expected to turn out in record numbers to choose some 20,000 national, provincial and district parliamentary representatives in what will be the world’s largest single-day election. Indonesia does not allow votes to be cast in advance.

While the scale of the election might seem to suggest a vibrant state of democracy in Indonesia, multiple factors – including a voting system susceptible to money politics and vote buying, alleged violations of election rules, the sheer number of down-ballot candidates and a cacophony of political messages on social media – make it difficult for voters to know what they are voting for and to effectively express their preferences.

Indonesia’s General Elections Commission reports that as many as 204 million voters are enrolled for the election, with about 114 million of them under 40 years of age. Polls say the top issues for younger voters include unaffordable basic goods, lack of employment opportunities, high poverty rates, expensive health services and poor education quality and service.

Meanwhile, there are concerns among many observers that Indonesia’s democracy has been backsliding in recent years.

Southeast Asia’s largest economy

As an expert on Indonesia’s international relations, I see how the election has implications far beyond the sprawling archipelago’s borders and comes at a crucial time.

Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest economy but faces getting caught in what economists call the middle-income trap, where its wages are too high but productivity too low to be competitive.

Middle-income trap. Chart: Springer Link

Indonesia also plays a crucial geopolitical role in the Indo-Pacific. Its growing economic dependence on China and regional tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea have foreign policy observers and investors watching the election closely.

The US government sees Indonesia’s democracy as critical to regional stability and, at least for the last two decades, US-Indonesia relations have been built on shared values of democracy. Yet the election takes place against a backdrop of increasing democratic fragility.

Telltale signs include voter intimidation, government attempts to restrict critics and dissent in a show of executive overreach and changes in election laws to tilt the playing field toward favored candidates and so-called “nepo babies.”

Voters will choose among the three presidential candidates vying to be the next president: Prabowo Subianto, a former military officer and politician who is running for president for the third time; Ganjar Pranowo, a former governor of Central Java; and Anies Baswedan, an academic, and former culture and education minister and governor of Jakarta.

The three candidates running for president in Indonesia’s election in February 2024, Anies Baswedan (right), Prabowo Subianto (center) and Ganjar Pranowo (left) pose after the first presidential election debate at the General Elections Commission (KPU) office in Jakarta, December 12, 2023. Photo: Benar News / Eko Siswono Toyudho

The three candidates all promise to improve living standards, accelerate economic growth and infrastructure development, protect Indonesia’s resources against foreign exploitation and territorial sovereignty, promote environmental sustainability, advance human rights and democracy and eliminate corruption.

Despite their similar campaign talking points, there are some differences. On trade, for example, Subianto favors protectionism. Baswedan and Pranowo support a market-based approach and a balanced approach between protecting national industries and fostering foreign investment.

On one of the main issues of the day, the relocation of the capital city of Indonesia, Baswedan is the most critical of the candidates. He has vowed to review the project, but is unlikely to stop the move even if he wins since the plan is already formalized into law.

Massive spending and vote buying

The presence of many candidates – for example, there are 300 in Jakarta alone, including celebrities and cabinet ministers from 17 parties, vying for 21 seats in the House of Representatives – might suggest a vibrant democracy. However, the massive spending among them increases the risk of vote buying.

Furthermore, due to the current open-list proportional voting systems, candidates must compete against their party peers to win a seat. This system creates a fierce competition among candidates and increases the chance of vote buying.

Political scientist Burhanuddin Muhtadi argues that the problem affects 10% of voters and may be enough of an issue to sway the outcome of elections. In addition, celebrity candidates and those with large social media followings and deep pockets will find it easier to gain support.

A glut of campaign messaging does not lead to a more informed citizenry. Instead, citizens are heavily targeted by social media with populist overtones. And despite the digital bombardment, there is actually little information about party platforms, candidate track records or policy details – a problem when the sheer number of candidates is so large.

A row of campaign billboards featuring the presidential and parliamentary candidates installed on the side of the road. Photo: Twitter Screengrab / CNA / Danang Wisanggeni

Financial irregularities tied to election funding have also dogged parties across the political spectrum, leading the Association for Election and Democracy to cite a worrisome trend of citizens coming to see money politics as acceptable within a competitive democracy. The other challenge during the election campaign is the lack of accountability and transparency for campaign funding.

A slide toward autocracy

The decline in the quality of Indonesia’s democracy has been years in the making. A 2023 report by V-Dem Democracy Institute highlights several factors in its slide toward autocracy.

Limited freedom to publicly criticize the government is one reason, and numerous examples of intimidation and attacks on students, academics and activists who are critical of the administration have been documented.

Strategic election manipulation is another form of backsliding, encompassing a range of activity geared toward tilting the electoral playing field in favor of incumbents.

In a notable case, President Joko Widodo’s 36-year-old son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, mayor of Solo, was cleared by a constitutional court ruling to run for vice president. The ruling, issued by a court led by the president’s brother, stated that the age restriction for presidential candidates that they should be at least 40 years old does not apply to those who have served as mayors, regents or governors. While Widodo claims not to have intervened in the ruling, there is a clear benefit to his family.

Electoral intimidation is a problem disproportionately affecting civil servants and people in poor neighborhoods. Power brokers have reportedly told some civil servants to vote for particular candidates, intimating that refusal will mean being asked to serve in some remote places in Indonesia.

People in areas with high poverty rates have allegedly received threats that cash transfer programs that would benefit the community will be revoked unless they vote for certain candidates.

All of this takes place as younger Indonesians look for change and better lives. Their hopes for a democratic future where issues important to them can be solved, as well as securing Indonesia’s role on the global stage as a democratic partner ensuring regional stability, ride on the outcome of the election.

Angguntari Ceria Sari is Lecturer in International Relations, Universitas Katolik Parahyangan

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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‘Unusually low’ water level at Yishun pond led to fish deaths, says HDB

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The ground previously occupied by ORTO leisure park was taken over by HDB for soil investigation and survey works last July. The site at 81 Lorong Chencharu sits in an area zoned for residential use.

“Since then, HDB has been maintaining the site, including the pond and its fish, which have been retained to prevent mosquito breeding pending the commencement of site clearance and earthworks in 1Q2024,” it said.

As part of site maintenance, HDB added its contractor would “fill up the pond whenever the water level in the pond fell below the usual level” and this is typically done every two days.

“SIGNIFICANT DROP” IN WATER LEVEL 

The pond’s water level was observed to be at its “usual” level on Jan 31.

The “significant drop” in water level two days later was the first time this happened, HDB said, adding that it is looking into the cause. 

“In the meantime, HDB has found a suitable commercial farm to relocate the remaining fish to, and is working towards relocating them to the farm by end-February, before site works commence.”

The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) also told CNA on Thursday it was alerted to a case involving dead fish in a pond at Yishun and is looking into the matter.

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Houthi attacks brought back Somali pirates – Asia Times

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Renewed attacks on ships by suspected Somali pirates since November 2023 have fueled fear of a new threat of piracy off the east coast of Africa.

The area at risk stretches from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. At least four ships have been hijacked off the Somalia coast since November 2023. Concern has risen amid the Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi group’s militant campaign of support for Hamas, the Palestinian political and military organization governing Gaza and currently at war with Israel. Many observers suspect a collaboration between Somali pirates and the Houthis.

I have researched piracy off the east coast of Africa, counter piracy efforts and the enduring relevance of naval power. I have no doubt that the Houthi attacks have emboldened the Somali pirates. Their collaboration or at least combination is undermining security off the east coast of Africa and may not be resolved solely by military means.

The alarm

The combination of Houthi maritime attacks and Somali piracy has disrupted traffic in the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and Mediterranean. Most ships are taking the longer route around Africa, and this is increasing shipping costs and lengthening shipping time, with negative implications for prices and the global economy.

The Suez Canal, which accounted for 12% to 15% of the total global trade in 2023, recorded a 42% decrease in ship traffic in December 2023 and January 2024, according to the UN’s trade and development agency, UNCTAD. The Suez Canal connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. For instance, shipping from the UK, east Africa’s key trading partner, mostly passes through the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea.

These developments and others have raised the cost of shipping globally by more than 100%, and from Shanghai to Europe by 256%.

The global economy incurred a colossal loss at the peak of Somali piracy. The World Bank estimates that Somali pirates not only kidnapped seafarers but also received between US$339 million and US$413 million as ransom for hijacked ships between 2005 and 2012.

Somali pirates. Photo: Wikipedia

The threat raised the cost of shipping, as shipping firms had to spend billions of dollars to install security equipment and hire guards aboard. They also had to pay more as compensation to endangered crew and insurance for goods. One Earth Foundation, a nonprofit organization, estimated that US$7 billion was lost to Somali piracy at its peak in 2011.

Preparedness of international shipping

The threat of the Houthis and Somali pirates against maritime commerce has attracted international military responses. Prior to the latest crisis, the US, France and China maintained a significant military presence in Djibouti. This has since been activated and, in some cases, reinforced for maritime policing in the Gulf of Aden. In addition, India and Iran, among other nations, have deployed warships to the region.

The US and the UK have jointly launched airstrikes to undermine Houthi capabilities and motivations for maritime attacks in the region. But the group has intensified its attacks.

US forces rescued a hijacked tanker and arrested five Somali pirates involved on November 26 2023. The Indian navy also rescued a cargo vessel from pirates on 4 January 2024.

But the threats of maritime piracy and terrorism off the east coast of Africa have persisted. Without confidence in the current security situation in the region, many ships have rerouted around Africa to avoid the hotspot.

Previously, the threat of Somali piracy to global trade attracted a series of multinational initiatives. These included efforts to combat the Somalia-based militant group Al Shabaab and reconstruct Somalia’s state authority to govern its territory.

The extent of the Somali piracy problem through its peak year. Map: Wikimedia Commons / Policity

Many countries deployed their navies to the region. The EU naval operation Atlanta commenced in the region in December 2008, and that of the US in January 2009. Similarly, Operation Ocean Shield by NATO started in August 2009.

Russia, China, India and Iran also deployed warships to the region. These forces joined the regional players in north and east Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to combat Somali piracy

Many pirates from Somalia were arrested, imprisoned and tried around the world or killed. Consequently, Somali piracy eventually declined from its peak in 2011 to zero in 2015. Except for 2017, when attacks were recorded, Somali pirates generally kept a low profile from 2018 until November 2023.

Current counter piracy efforts mainly revolve around military power, coalition building and diplomatic engagements. Little effort is being made to resolve the root causes and trigger of the crisis.

Next steps

To address the emerging crisis off the east coast of Africa, there is a need to take a holistic approach to security in the region.

More concerted efforts are required to address the root causes of the crisis, starting with strengthening the Somali state to govern its territorial space.

Ending the Gaza war, which attracted the solidarity of the Houthis, which in turn emboldened Somali pirates, is also important for the general stability of the region.

Samuel Oyewole, Lecturer, Political Science, Federal University, Oye Ekiti

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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