China kind of cops up to hacking the United States. Could North Korea be planning another nuclear test? With the end of the year approaching we also take a look back at the year’s top stories. Plus more stories from the region you may have missed throughout the week are on the December 11th edition of Asia News Weekly.
PROGRAM NOTE: Asia News Weekly will be going on hiatus through the month of January 2016. New episodes will resume on Saturday, February 6, 2016.
China cops up to hacking the US… sort of
The Office of Personnel Management hack in the United States was the nation’s worst, with the government still contacting Americans that had their data stolen. While authorities have always placed the blame on China, it was ambiguous if the attack was state-sponsored. Last week, the Chinese government acknowledged that at least someone within their borders carried out the attack, but even with this acknowledgement, does that mean Beijing won’t benefit from the pilfered data?
Is it time to make peace with the DPRK?
One US analyst says the time might be right to discuss finally signing a peace treaty with North Korea – the rationale being that the Kim regime simply behaves better when engaged in positive dialog; however, imagery from October and early November confirm that North Korea continues to excavate a tunnel near its nuclear testing facility. Does that mean the reclusive dictatorial regime may be planning a fourth nuclear test?
A look back over 2015
As this is the final podcast of the year, Asia News Weekly host Steve Miller invites Haeryun Kang from NPR’s Seoul Bureau to discuss the top stories of 2015. Each provides their own list and rationale for the stories making the cut of the year’s top five, but do you agree? Did they miss something you feel should have been on the list?
The Weekly Brief
The final podcast of the year ends with a recap of some of the other major stories from the region. First, China has completed work on one runway in the South China Sea as it pushes forward on others. Then a Facebook post lands two Vietnamese students in hot water when they share information the government says disparages the police. Plus an update on the Seoul anti-government protests and more.
Have something to add to these or other stories? Share your opinion on Facebook, Twitter, or by messaging podcast@asianewsweekly.net.
