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SCMP

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. South Korea’s ex-president Yoon sentenced to life in prison for insurrection
A South Korean court on Thursday found former president Yoon Suk-yeol guilty of insurrection and sentenced him to life in prison over his short-lived martial law decree that plunged the country into its most serious constitutional crisis in decades.
2. Okinawa voters shift away from concerns over US military presence
The broad anti-base alliance that has shaped Okinawa’s politics for nearly a decade is reeling after a bruising election defeat, raising questions about the future of organised resistance to the US military presence on Japan’s southernmost islands.
3. Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Nepal’s Lumbini has long anchored the Buddhist pilgrimage map as the Buddha’s birthplace. Nearby, however, stand the fortified ruins of Tilaurakot – believed to be the ancient capital where Siddhartha Gautam spent his princely years – a site of profound historical weight that draws only a fraction of the visitors.
4. Speaking Trump’s language: Iran frames nuclear deal as ‘trillion-dollar’ US win
After US and Iranian negotiators agreed on Tuesday to a set of “guiding principles” at their nuclear talks in Geneva mediated by Oman, Tehran went further – framing any eventual deal as a commercial proposition, not just a security arrangement.
5. A match made in Singapore? ‘Aunties, not algorithms’ aims to woo US singles

Singapore’s tourism board is betting it might, inviting US-based singles to be paired by “aunties” for a chance to win a four-night trip in a campaign marketers see as an attempt to soften the city state’s reputation for efficiency and order with a touch of warmth and human connection.
6. Malaysian police arrested over crypto extortion of Chinese nationals
Twelve police officers have been arrested in Malaysia for allegedly extorting about 200,000 ringgit (US$51,000) in cryptocurrency from a group of Chinese nationals during a midnight raid on a house in Selangor, the country’s wealthiest state.
7. ‘Enormous failure’: naked man exposes gaps in Japan’s royal security

A bizarre, previously unreported incident involving a naked man at Japan’s Imperial Palace during a new year’s celebration has raised questions about the emperor’s security as the royal household prepares for his birthday audience on Monday.


Southeast Asia’s climate; Singaporeans and a work ethic stereotype: 7 Asia highlights

Trump’s China trip assessed, South Korea’s AI problem: 5 weekend reads you missed

Xi-Trump summit: all you need to know from the final day of the meeting in Beijing

China hosts Trump at Temple of Heaven; Hong Kong sushi parasite video: SCMP’s 7 highlights

SCMP Highlights

South Korean ex-president sentenced, Buddha’s early life: 7 Asia highlights

A woman walks past a television screen in Seoul broadcasting a news report on Yoon Suk-yeol’s sentencing on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Archaeologists at work in Tilaurakot, Lumbini, Nepal. Photo: Department of Archaeology, Nepal

Singapore’s tourism board is inviting US-based singles to be paired by “aunties” for a chance to win a four-night trip to the city state. Photo: Shutterstock

(From left) Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Prince Hisahito, Princess Nobuko and Princess Akiko attend the traditional new year’s greeting ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2. Photo: AFP

Freedom Shield rift: South Korea, US at odds over war games’ scale

US and South Korean armoured vehicles cross a floating bridge as part of last year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise. Photo: AFP

South Korea’s Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back (right) shakes hands with the commander of the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet, Vice Admiral Patrick Hannifin, last month. Photo: South Korean Defence Ministry/EPA

A sign located near the heavily fortified demilitarised zone states that the area is under the jurisdiction of the US-led UN Command. Photo: Yonhap/EPA

US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un cross south of the Military Demarcation Line that divides North and South Korea in June 2019. Photo: AFP

Trump’s trip to China scheduled, archeologists unearth temple: 5 weekend reads you missed

The US Supreme Court building in Washington, where justices released on Friday their opinion striking down US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. Photo: Reuters

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping greet each other during their October 2025 summit in Busan, South Korea. Trump will be visiting China from March 31. Photo: AFP

The EU has barred most organisations based in China from applying for its Horizon Europe grants in “critical areas”. Image: Shutterstock

US President Donald Trump gestures as he holds a press briefing at the White House, following the Supreme Court’s ruling on his tariffs on Friday. Photo: Reuters

A high-speed train leaves Tegalluar Station, located along the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia. Photo: Xinhua

Pilgrims visit the birthplace of Buddha in Lumbini, Nepal. In 2025, about 1.1 million tourists – including domestic and international travellers – visited Lumbini. Photo: Shutterstock

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Asia

From ex-president Yoon’s sentencing to Singapore’s auntie matchmakers, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting


From ex-president Yoon’s sentencing to Singapore’s auntie matchmakers, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.


South Korean ex-president sentenced, Buddha’s early life: 7 Asia highlights

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From ex-president Yoon’s sentencing to Singapore’s auntie matchmakers, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting

1. South Korea’s ex-president Yoon sentenced to life in prison for insurrection

From ex-president Yoon’s sentencing to Singapore’s auntie matchmakers, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting