Iran blacklists five ships linked to S. Korean carrier Sinokor SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - Iran has blacklisted five vessels linked to South Korean shipping company Sinokor Maritime over alleged violations of its rules for crossing the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran steps up pressure over the strategic waterway. The five ships are the Cyprus Prosperity (IMO 9595216), Mombasa B (IMO 9739501), Singapore Prosperity (IMO 9419967), Sweden Prosperity (IMO 9588392) and Rotterdam Energy (IMO 9508859). All five appear on a list of 45 vessels designated as August 25, 2026

Kazakhstan marks 35 years since closing of nuclear site SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - The Soviet Union detonated its first atomic bomb on the Kazakh steppe on Aug. 29, 1949. Kazakhstan shut the place down 42 years later, to the day. Saturday marks 35 years since the closure of the Semipalatinsk Test Site. The anniversary is also the International Day against Nuclear Tests, a United Nations observance that exists because Kazakhstan asked for it. The site absorbed 456 nuclear explosions over four decades, 340 of them underground and 116 in August 25, 2026

Ruling Adilet sweeps first vote for new Kazakh parliament Almaty, August 24 (AJP) -Kazakhstan's ruling Adilet party swept to a landslide victory with 71.17 percent of the vote in preliminary results from Sunday's parliamentary election, far ahead of its rivals in the country's first vote for the new single-chamber Kurultai. The Central Election Commission said Monday that Adilet received 6,528,948 votes. Auyl came a distant second with 6.26 percent, followed by Respublica with 5.56 percent, Ak Zhol with 5.21 percent and August 24, 2026

Kazakhstan builds interfaith forum into institution over 2 decades SEOUL, August 24 (AJP) - An idea that surfaced in Astana days after the September 11 attacks has grown into a standing international institution, with a permanent secretariat, its own awards, a 10-year strategy and a place on the United Nations record. The Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions has met eight times since 2003, always in the Kazakh capital, and is scheduled to convene again in 2028. The proposal took shape during Pope John Paul II's visit to K August 24, 2026

Ex-US vice president suggests South Korea help Ukraine with interceptors SEOUL, August 24 (AJP) - Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday called for South Korea to help ease Ukraine's shortage of interceptor missiles, suggesting that Seoul could provide its advanced air defense weapons for deployment by the U.S. in Ukraine or elsewhere among its allies. Pence, who served as vice president during U.S. President Donald Trump's first administration, made the proposal in an interview with CNN from Kyiv, where he was visiting to attend an Inde August 24, 2026

AJP On the Spot: Inside Astana's historic vote ASTANA, Aug. 23 (AJP) —"Today is undoubtedly a truly historic day for our country. For the first time, we are holding elections to the unicameral Kurultai," President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said after casting his ballot Sunday. "We have achieved significant results. At the same time, much work remains to be done, and the goals before us are of particular importance. Today's elections are only the beginning of this major undertaking." Around him, August 24, 2026

Kazakhs in Seoul vote in first Kurultai election SEOUL, August 23 (AJP) - The first voter reached the Kazakh embassy in Seoul at 7 a.m. Sunday, hours before most of the roughly 300 Kazakh nationals eligible to cast ballots in South Korea would make their way to the compound to help choose their country's new parliament. She was Azhar Karimzhanova, 23, a student at Korea University, according to Rakhymzhan Altynbay, an official at the embassy. By 1:30 p.m., Altynbay said, about 70 people had voted. That is roughly a quarte August 23, 2026

Kazakhstan ties constitutional reform to stability before vote ASTANA, Kazakhstan, Aug. 23 (AJP) — The Kazakh government presented its constitutional overhaul to foreign correspondents as a way of protecting stability rather than disturbing it, a day before voters choose the country's first single-chamber parliament. Arman Issetov, deputy minister of foreign affairs, made the argument on Saturday (local time) at a briefing for journalists on a press tour covering the election, held at a hotel in Astana on Saturday afternoon. Pol August 23, 2026

President Tokayev urges Kazakhs to vote in first Kurultai election SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - With one day to go before Kazakhstan chooses a new single-chamber parliament, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on citizens to turn out, casting Sunday's vote as the start of a fresh cycle of reform under a constitution that took effect seven weeks ago. Tokayev issued the appeal in an address to the nation published Aug. 21 (local time), the final day on which campaigning was permitted. He called the election a truly historic event. Voters choo August 22, 2026

Trump claims Hormuz as 'American territory' as Iran seeks deal SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump has again claimed the Strait of Hormuz as American territory, while saying Iran is desperate to reach an agreement to end the nearly six-month conflict. Speaking at a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday, Trump said Tehran badly wanted a deal but questioned whether Washington was still interested in reaching one. “I view the Strait of Hormuz as an American territory right now. It’s an American t August 22, 2026