Spiritual Asia (30) The quiet strength of Sikhism This is the thirtieth installment of AJP's Spiritual Asia series, which explores the religious traditions, philosophical ideas and moral foundations that have shaped Asia's civilizations. Religion should not be measured solely by the number of its followers, but by the values it contributes to humanity. By that measure, Sikhism stands among the world's most influential spiritual traditions despite having an estimated 25 million to 30 million adherents. Founded in t July 4, 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

Spiritual Asia (25): Why Korean shamanism is still alive today This is the twenty-fifth 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 path of world shamanism, Japanese June 30, 2026

Reflections on 35 years of Quebec–Korea partnership SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - On the evening of June 24, the rooftop gathering at Art Nine in Seoul's Dongjak District felt less like a formal diplomatic event and more like a warm family reunion. Hosted by the Quebec Delegation in Seoul to celebrate Quebec's National Holiday (La Fête nationale), the reception marked a profound milestone: the 35th anniversary of Quebec's institutional presence in Korea. Quebec, Canada's predominantly French-speaking province, i June 30, 2026