In The News

No More E-6 Visas for Foreign Dancers

Kim Kyung-ho February 27, 2003
Each year, hundreds of foreign women arrive in South Korea seeking employment as dancers or performers. Now, reports have surfaced of women promised decent jobs and then forced to become bar hostesses or perform sexual acts. As a result, the South Korean government has decided to cancel visas for women who plan to dance at nightspots, but not in stage arts performances. Still, the government may...

Powell fails to win over China on two hot spots

Goh Sui Noi February 25, 2003
US Secretary of State Colin Powell concluded the China leg of his Asia tour yesterday with no clear promises from China that Beijing stands behind US security positions. Powell had hoped to win the Chinese leadership over to supporting a multi-lateral approach on North Korea's nuclear program. Also on his agenda was garnering support for possible military action in Iraq, although the lack...

Cases of New Bird Flu in Hong Kong Prompt Worldwide Alerts

Keith Bradsher February 22, 2003
Improvements in transportation have resulted in a physically interconnected world, but it is also now a world more susceptible to the spread of disease. The discovery of a new bird flu causing two human deaths in Hong Kong, although posing "no risk at the moment" has prompted the World Health Organization to alert health officials worldwide. – YaleGlobal

Washington Needs a Roadmap to Peace in North Korea

Larry A. Niksch February 21, 2003
Despite persistent reluctance from China, Russia, and South Korea, the US has continued to call for a multi-lateral effort to dissuade North Korea from expanding its nuclear program. Why are these countries - North Korea's closest neighbors - dragging their feet on addressing the issue? Because, writes Larry Niksch, the US has yet to spell out exactly what negotiations with North Korea...

Development of Biotech Crops is Booming in Asia

David Barboza February 21, 2003
Despite unease in some parts of the world about the safety of genetically modified food, farmers in some Asian countries are jumping on the biotech bandwagon. Because GM crops are already increasing production in places like the United States, many Asian farmers have little choice but to plant them if they want to stay competitive. Governments are scrambling, too, investing huge sums of money...

Road to Pyongyang through Beijing?

William C. Triplett II February 21, 2003
China and North Korea have had a close relationship since the Korean War, making it unlikely that North Korea could have developed a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) program without China’s knowledge. Does that mean that China knew—and presumably approved—of North Korea’s weapons development? The author’s answer is yes. He suggests that the Bush administration should be wary of treating China...

U.S. Combat Force of 1,700 is Headed to the Philippines

Eric Schmitt February 21, 2003
Within days, the United States plans to deploy troops to the Philippines in order to "disrupt and destroy" the extremist group Abu Sayyaf. The Abu Sayyaf, with its goal of establishing Islamic states across Asia, has been aided in the past by terrorists across the world, including Osama Bin Laden. The latest US move shows that the war on terrorism is truly a global effort. – YaleGlobal