The wisdom of the wind and the sun—and how the sun prevailed in Gwangju The wind and the sun is one of the best-known fables of Aesop. They quarrel over who is stronger and decide to settle the argument by making a traveler remove his cloak. The wind blows with all its might. But the harder it blows, the tighter the traveler clutches his coat. The sun simply shines a little warmer, and before long the traveler removes it himself. Gentleness can be more powerful than force. Perhaps a true adult is one who possesses not the power to overpower a July 6, 2026

Spiritual Asia (31): Sikhism in the age of AI This is the thirty-first installment of AJP's Spiritual Asia series, which explores the religious traditions, philosophical ideas and moral foundations that have shaped Asia's civilizations. In this concluding chapter of our three-part journey through Japanese Shinto, we examine how a faith rooted in reverence for nature was transformed into an instrument of the modern state, and how it later returned to everyday life. Human civilization now stands at a great turn July 5, 2026

OP-ED: Reality of 'China Opportunity 2.0' KARACHI, July 05 (AJP) - When over 1,700 business and political leaders gathered in the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian in June for the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions, they were not merely attending a conference. They were, in a sense, casting a vote. Amid geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and rapid technological change, the fact that representatives from more than 90 countries chose to show up in Dalian is itself a statement of stan July 5, 2026

Spiritual Asia (29): Sikhism, religion of service and courage This is the twenty-ninth installment of AJP's Spiritual Asia series, which explores the religious traditions, philosophical ideas and moral foundations that have shaped Asia's civilizations. In this concluding chapter of our three-part journey through Japanese Shinto, we examine how a faith rooted in reverence for nature was transformed into an instrument of the modern state, and how it later returned to everyday life. Asia is a continent of religion and spirituality. July 3, 2026

Op-Ed: : When history defied expectations Editor's Note: The following opinion article is contributed by Saeed Koozechi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Seoul, to mark the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah al-Uzma Sayyid Ali Khamenei. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position, analysis or views of AJP, its editors or its parent organization. AJP publishes contributed opinion pieces from governm July 3, 2026

Spiritual Asia (28): Mahavira's Final Legacy, a Spirituality Illuminating Future Civilization This is the twenty-eighth installment of AJP's Spiritual Asia series, which explores the religious traditions, philosophical ideas and moral foundations that have shaped Asia's civilizations. In this concluding chapter of our three-part journey through Japanese Shinto, we examine how a faith rooted in reverence for nature was transformed into an instrument of the modern state, and how it later returned to everyday life. The great religions of humanity take on new mean July 2, 2026

Spiritual Asia (27): Jainism reshapes India's economy and culture This is the twenty-seventh installment of AJP's Spiritual Asia series, which explores the religious traditions, philosophical ideas and moral foundations that have shaped Asia's civilizations. In this concluding chapter of our three-part journey through Japanese Shinto, we examine how a faith rooted in reverence for nature was transformed into an instrument of the modern state, and how it later returned to everyday life. A religion does not survive for centuries because July 2, 2026

Kazakhstan's new constitution opens reform era SEOUL, July 01 (AJP) - Kazakhstan's new Constitution entered into force on Wednesday, replacing the charter that had governed the country since 1995 and marking the culmination of a reform process that began nearly four years ago. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in a statement from the presidential office, called the moment "a truly epochal moment" and the start of what he described as a new era of progress, reform, and modernization. The document was approved by re July 1, 2026

Spiritual Asia (26): Another great enlightenment born alongside Buddhism This is the twenty-sixth installment of AJP's Spiritual Asia series, which explores the religious traditions, philosophical ideas and moral foundations that have shaped Asia's civilizations. In this concluding chapter of our three-part journey through Japanese Shinto, we examine how a faith rooted in reverence for nature was transformed into an instrument of the modern state, and how it later returned to everyday life. Human history holds certain rare stretches of time. July 1, 2026

South Korea's grand chip bet Korea's semiconductor history has always carved out a path in the midst of crisis. Even when the country first ventured into memory chips in the 1980s, the world doubted it could succeed. Japan was ahead, the United States held the core technology, and Taiwan was opening up a new path called foundry manufacturing. Yet Korea did not give up. Companies worked through the night, engineers pushed past the limits of process technology, and the state eventually recognized, howeve July 1, 2026