ASIA TODAY Seoul, Yoon grants pardon to former president Lee

Other news of the day: despite the Covid outbreak, China will reopen the borders from January 8; at least 20 Rohingya died at sea; ISIS attack on Kurdish militias in Raqqa. According to the Levada Institute, more than 50% of Russians want peace talks with Ukraine.

SOUTH KOREA

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pardoned former president Lee Myung-bak and other politicians and former high-level officials convicted of corruption and other irregularities during previous governments. Among the beneficiaries is former South Gyeongsang Governor Kim Kyoung-soo, a close ally of former President Moon Jae-in. It is the second measure of this type decreed by Yoon since the start of his term in May: the first had benefited the CEO of Samsung Electronics, Lee Jae-yong, and other business magnates.

CHINA

As of January 8, passengers from abroad will be able to enter China just by showing a negative result of a PCR test carried out in the 48 hours prior to the trip. It will no longer be necessary to undergo a quarantine. The measure has been taken for economic reasons, as part of the suspension of the “Covid Zero” policy despite China fighting the fierce spread of the virus after the lifting of restrictions.

TAIWAN-CHINA

The President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, today called a press conference – the first in two years – in which she will announce a plan to strengthen national defense and counter ongoing tensions with Beijing. In addition, he is expected to announce the extension of mandatory military service from four months to one year.

INDONESIA-BANGLADESH

According to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, at least 20 Rohingyas died at sea in the last weeks. The news came after a boat arrived in the Indonesian province of Aceh with 74 Rohingya on board: most dehydrated, exhausted and in need of urgent medical attention after spending weeks at sea. More Rohingya are believed to be drifting in the Indian Ocean.

SYRIA

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – the Kurdish militia operating in the north of the country – said six people were killed in an ISIS attack against one of their bases. The assault took place in the city of Raqqa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in London, maintains that 16 ISIS attacks against the SDF have been documented since the beginning of the month.

RUSSIA

According to Levada Center, the main observatory dedicated to monitoring Russian public opinion, only 27% of the population is in favor of continuing the special military operation in Ukraine. More than 50% of Russians want to start peace talks.

CENTRAL ASIA

Barbie dolls are completely sold out in Caucasian stores. In her place is Amina, a doll in traditional Islamic attire. Dressed in pink and veiled, Amina is able to repeat 10 surahs of the Koran to teach the girls so they can recite the namazthe five traditional prayers of the Muslim religion.