Asia News Weekly - Analysis of what is happening in Asia

Asia News Weekly host Steve Miller returns with an episode chocked full with important updates from the region. First, he explores the current state of the Hong Kong protests. After more than a month, where are the protests headed? Miller explains why the vote canceled last week has done harm to the pro-democracy movement and if organizers cannot unify their vision, might spell its end despite students stating they’re willing to stay on the streets for more than a year.

North Korea has managed to grab a fair number of headlines this week. First, a draft resolution prepared for the Third Committee by the E.U. and Japan, urged the General Assembly to send the regime to the International Criminal Court in The Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity. It’s the first time a measure this strong has ever been requested. Joanna Hosaniak, Deputy Director General, Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights discusses North Korea’s response to the report. On the military front, both South Korean and U.S. officials feel the DPRK has the technology to miniaturize a nuclear warhead, a development that may have led to the indefinite delay of the U.S. OPCON transfer.

In South Korea, prosecutors called for the death penalty in the trail against Lee Joon-seok, captain of the ill-fated Sewol that sunk in April killing more than 300, many of whom were high school students. They cited Lee’s negligence and failure to rescue passengers as grounds. Miller asks if such a judgment is inhumane, given the Captain’s age and outlines a possible “out” for the courts.

In “Jerry Maguire,” Tom Cruise danced around shouting, “Show me the money!” This week’s podcast shares a number of business stories ranging from the creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to Singapore’s plan to restrict the number of foreign workers. Transitioning into The Weekly Brief, another South Korean period-film seeks to capitalize on the success of “Roaring Currents.” Additional stories from Japan, China, and Penang are included as well to provide a well-rounded view of what else took place out of the major headlines, but still worth knowing.

© Japan Today