Last week in East Asia, the Mongolian parliament adopted an amendment to the Presidential Election Law barring the current president to run for re-election. The amendment is seen as highly controversial. North Korean authorities announced that they have successfully tested a new type of ‘miniaturized unmanned drones’ which could be used to survey and attack…
Last week in East Asia, just two months before his term expires, the president of Mongolia issued an order to disband the majority party in parliament, claiming it had violated the constitution. The current president, who is seeking re-election, is a member of the main minority opposition party in the Mongolian parliament. A series of…
Last week in East Asia, the Japanese government’s decision to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean sparked demonstrations in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. As well, nine leading pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong — including Jimmy Lai and Martin Lee — were handed jail sentences of between 8-18…
Last week in East Asia, members of the opposition in Taiwan demonstrated in Taipei to ask the current administration to take responsibility for a recent railway accident that killed 50 people. In North Korea, it was reported last week that military troops were deployed to set up barriers and high-voltage wires at the border with…
Last week in East Asia, a series of protests were held in Seoul and Busan before the upcoming mayoral elections on 7 April. In Mongolia, members of a youth-led movement took to the streets to demand the release of two convicts charged with the murder of a prominent politician in 1998, claiming that they are…
Last week in East Asia, two ballistic missiles were fired by North Korea into the Sea of Japan. This marks the first time such a test has been conducted by the North Korean government since US President Joe Biden has assumed office. Meanwhile, in South Korea, protests were held last week related to the upcoming…
Last week in East Asia, protests for and against the passing of a resolution by the central government to reform Hong Kong’s electoral system were held. Also in Hong Kong, an investigation into sources of funding for an influential coalition of pan-democratic political parties and NGOs prompted a number of groups to withdraw from the…
Last week in East Asia, anti-nuclear groups demonstrated across Japan and South Korea on the 10th anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Marches took place across East Asia to raise awareness about sexual violence, sexual harassment, and discrimination against women to mark International Women’s Day on 8 March. In China, the central government passed legislation…
Last week in East Asia, authorities in Hong Kong detained and charged 47 pro-democracy politicians and activists under the National Security Law for organizing and participating in last July’s primary elections for pro-democracy parties. Students from Taiwan and Hong Kong staged a protest in front of the Legislative Yuan in Taipei, asking the government to…
Anti-nuclear demonstrations are likely to rise in Japan as the country commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster on 11 March 2021. ACLED East Asia Research Manager Laura Sorica examines how anti-nuclear activism has remained a persistent source of mobilization across the country. © 2021 Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).…