Why Japan’s neighbours want the ‘rising sun’ flag banned at the Olympics

Why Japan’s neighbours want the ‘rising sun’ flag banned at the Olympics

The Games host has two rising sun flags. Although both have been used for centuries,one causes anger. The Japanese Prime Minister says it’s a misunderstanding.

  • byHyung-Jin Kim andMari Yamaguchi

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As COVID-19 cases speed up,Korean gym users told to slow down

As COVID-19 cases speed up,Korean gym users told to slow down

Under the regulations,gyms can remain open but the treadmills must run no higher than 5.9 km/h. And the music played at the gyms must be no faster than 120 beats per minute.

  • byDaniel Victor andYu Young Jin
South Korea flags ambitious push to make up to 1 billion vaccine doses

South Korea flags ambitious push to make up to 1 billion vaccine doses

The plan would help ease a tight global supply of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines,particularly in Asia.

  • bySangmi Cha
‘Anytime’:Biden’s North Korea point man ready to talk with Kim regime

‘Anytime’:Biden’s North Korea point man ready to talk with Kim regime

“We took note of Chairman Kim’s recent statement,referring to both dialogue and confrontation. We will be prepared for either,” the US envoy said in Seoul.

  • byJon Herskovitz andJeong-Ho Lee
‘Australia needs a plan’:How other countries are emerging from COVID

‘Australia needs a plan’:How other countries are emerging from COVID

Home quarantine,vaccination certificates and enticements for people to get the jab are getting the rest of the world moving again while Australia dithers.

  • byMichael Koziol
Virus-weary South Koreans compete to be the best at doing nothing at all

Virus-weary South Koreans compete to be the best at doing nothing at all

The premise is simply:zone out for 90 minutes,with the winner having the lowest and most stable heart rate. Reasons for competing this year were complicated.

  • byMin Joo Kim
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Joe Biden is gathering his friends close as he prepares to confront China

Joe Biden is gathering his friends close as he prepares to confront China

The new US president is repairing American alliances after four years of damage.

  • byPeter Hartcher
In South Korea,a wave of bullying claims unseats stars of sport and music

In South Korea,a wave of bullying claims unseats stars of sport and music

The cases share elements of the #MeToo movement and other collective outpourings on social media - but have a decidedly Korean twist.

  • byMin Joo Kim andSimon Denyer
Samsung family donates mass art trove to help pay $14 billion tax bill

Samsung family donates mass art trove to help pay $14 billion tax bill

Samsung’s founding family will donate tens of thousands of rare artworks,including Picassos and Dalis,and give hundreds of millions of dollars to medical research to help them pay a massive inheritance tax following last year’s death of chairman Lee Kun-Hee.

  • byKim Tong-Hyung
Iran frees South Korean ship it held in dispute over frozen billions

Iran frees South Korean ship it held in dispute over frozen billions

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency,quoting an anonymous Foreign Ministry official,suggested Seoul may pay off Iran’s United Nations debts.

  • byIsabel Debre andJon Gambrell
Graffiti artist requests his work be restored after couple accidentally defaced it

Graffiti artist requests his work be restored after couple accidentally defaced it

The couple saw brushes and paint cans in front of a paint-splattered canvas at a gallery in a Seoul shopping mall. So they added a few brush strokes.

  • byYoumi Kim andMike Ives