ASEAN GeopoliticsThis week, sanctions on North Korea were further tightened after Pyongyang’s refusal to halt their nuclear program – the latest being Thailand which has been called on by the United States to put more trade and diplomatic pressure on the hermit nation.The ASEAN Post also covered the prospect of achieving a “high quality” Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in pursuit of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).Outcome of RCEP negotiations so far.The question of U

Pyongyang’s recent flurry of missile tests have sent shockwaves throughout the world. The recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test is said to be able to reach the continental United States.The response of the international community has been a mix of shock and disdain towards the hermit kingdom.

A senior UN official returning from Pyongyang said Tuesday that North Korean officials had told him it was important to prevent war but offered no concrete proposal for talks."They agreed that it was important to prevent war," Jeffrey Feltman, the UN's political affairs chief, told reporters after briefing the Security Council on his trip.Feltman met with North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong-Ho and Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong-Kuk during his visit to Pyongyang over th

The truth is a bitter pill to swallow, but it must be admitted nevertheless. North Korea is now a nuclear power.

The US and South Korea on Monday kicked off their largest ever joint air exercise, an operation North Korea has labelled an "all-out provocation", days after Pyongyang fired its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile.The five-day Vigilant Ace drill – involving 230 aircrafts, including F-22 Raptor stealth jet fighters, and tens of thousands of troops – began Monday morning, Seoul's air force said.Pyongyang over the weekend blasted the drill, accusing US President Donal

The Pope comes to townThe biggest story this week was Pope Francis’ visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh.

From an undisclosed location north of Pyongyang, North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which flew for approximately 50 minutes at an altitude of 4,000 kilometres before landing 250 kilometres from the northwest coast of Japan. Dubbed the Hwasong-15, the testing of this ICBM shattered a two-month long missile testing silence by Pyongyang.

North Korea shattered a two-month period of relative quiet by test-firing a missile that analysts say may put the US east coast in range.Japan said the intercontinental ballistic missile flew for 53 minutes on a lofted trajectory and may have reached an altitude of more than 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) before landing in waters about 250 kilometers from its northwest coast.

North Korea is believed to be preparing to launch a ballistic missile ahead of an upcoming joint naval drill by the US and South Korea, a news report said Saturday, citing a government source.The US navy said Friday that a US aircraft carrier will lead the drill in the coming week, a fresh show of force against North Korea as tensions soar over the hermit state's weapons programme.The move will likely rile Pyongyang which has previously responded angrily to joint exercises.The Donga Ilbo

“Many people don’t realise it, but there are actually two Chinese ambassadors in Washington: me and the panda cub at the National Zoo,” wrote Chinese ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, in his opinion piece published by The Washington Post in 2013.