How the Iran conflict is building into Asia's economic crisis SEOUL, May 02 (AJP) - The U.S. congressional deadline to end an unauthorized combat operation has closed in, but President Donald Trump remains unmoved. In letters sent Friday to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate president pro tempore Chuck Grassley, Trump reiterated his administration's position that a cease-fire declared on April 7 had stopped the clock on the war — and that "Operation Economic Fury" is still squeezing Iran toward implosion through a naval May 3, 2026

Seoul weighs role in Hormuz security efforts as US plan adds new variable SEOUL, May 02 (AJP) - South Korea is weighing how to contribute to multinational efforts to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as a separate U.S.-led proposal adds another layer of complexity to ongoing discussions led by Britain and France. Military authorities have been taking part in talks on supporting the reopening of the key waterway after the war, starting with a virtual meeting of chiefs of staff hosted by France in March and followed by senior-level military May 2, 2026

At War 60 Days: Trump again crying wolf? Seoul dismisses US troop pullout worries SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - Washington has hardly been shy about prioritizing a home-first defense strategy over the Indo-Pacific, with repeated signals of potential rollbacks in U.S. force deployments in both Europe and South Korea — a direction embedded in its National Defense Strategy. Those warnings have only grown louder as allies have shown limited appetite to back Washington in its confrontation with Iran. Seoul, however, is drawing a firm line against speculation. Sout April 30, 2026

At War 60 Days: Korea learns to wean off Gulf crude and naphtha SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - A return to unfettered access through the Strait of Hormuz — and to the cartel-defined Gulf order that once governed energy flows — is increasingly unlikely, even if Middle East tensions ease. For South Korea and other import-dependent economies, the emerging reality is one where security premiums outweigh the old calculus of cost and efficiency. Seoul is already adapting. South Korea has secured 74.62 million barrels of crude for May, roughly April 30, 2026

Trump's hint of troop rollback in Germany likely to worry Seoul, Tokyo SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Washington is reviewing a possible reduction of American troops in Germany, a brief one-sentence warning that could have wider repercussions across the Pacific, including in South Korea, where large-scale U.S. military deployments underpin regional security. “The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of April 30, 2026

Seoul, Tokyo echo self-defense amid U.S. distraction in Gulf SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - Self-sufficiency has shifted from a strategic choice to an absolute necessity for U.S. allies in East Asia. As American military resources become increasingly overextended in the Middle East, leaders in South Korea and Japan have begun harmonizing their rhetoric, placing a renewed emphasis on independent self-defense capabilities. During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Lee Jae Myung delivered a lecture on the imperative of national self-reliance. & April 29, 2026

Kookmin University holds inaugural DBEW international design awards in Milan SEOUL, April 28 (AJP) - Kookmin University and the Association for Industrial Design hosted the first Design Beyond East & West Award ceremony at the ADI Design Museum on April 21, coinciding with the opening of Milan Design Week, the prominent South Korean university said Tuesday. The international competition received over 800 entries from 44 countries, focusing on creative design education and outcomes for the future society in the age of artificial intelligence. Unlike tra April 28, 2026

Uzbekistan's tax revenues jump 54 percent as regional business activity accelerates SEOUL, April 28 (AJP) - Uzbekistan tax revenues surged 54 percent in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, driven by a sharp uptick in provincial commercial activity and property-related receipts. This jump in tax revenues indicates that Uzbekistan's fiscal reforms are effectively capturing a much larger share of domestic wealth, transforming a previously informal economy into a transparent and sustainable national budget. Figures released by the Cen April 28, 2026

Trump evacuated after gunfire at White House correspondents' dinner SEOUL, April 26 (AJP) - A suspected shooter was apprehended after U.S. President Donald Trump and other top officials were evacuated from the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents' Association in Washington, D.C., on Saturday following gunfire. At around 8:40 p.m. EDT, gunshots were fired near the main security screening area of the Washington Hilton while dinner was being served in the main ballroom. In a televised statement at the White House a few hours later, Tr April 26, 2026

Talks with Iran fall through again as US cancels planned trip to Pakistan SEOUL, April 26 (AJP) - Anticipated talks to end the conflict between the United States and Iran fell through again after Washington abruptly canceled a planned trip by U.S. officials to Pakistan. Another round of negotiations, following the collapse of the first meeting earlier this month, was expected to take place this week in Islamabad, but U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the trip was called off at the last minute. In a post on his social media platform Tr April 26, 2026