Cat Barton
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@AFP bureau chief in Seoul covering North and South Korea. Previously: Hong Kong, Hanoi, Dhaka, Phnom Penh.
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Articles by Cat Barton
South Korea Eyes AI Windfall Fund to Aid Growth, Jobs for Youth Original
South Korea plans to use part of an expected tax windfall from its booming chip sector to support young people, its labor minister said, as surging AI-related demand boosts the economy for now while fueling concerns over a wave of job cuts to come. “The key idea is that it should be used to invest in emerging industries and young people,” Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon said in an interview with Bloomberg News on Thursday, referring to a new investment fund the government plans to create.
Kim Jong Un confirma política de suicidio para soldados en guerra de Ucrania
Fuente: STR/KCNA/KNS/AFP/Getty Images (Bloomberg) -- El líder de Corea del Norte, Kim Jong Un, confirmó una política que exige a los soldados quitarse la vida en el campo de batalla para evitar ser capturados mientras combaten en la guerra de Rusia contra Ucrania. Durante un acto para inaugurar un memorial en Pionyang dedicado a los norcoreanos caídos en combate, Kim mencionó en dos ocasiones a soldados que “se inmolaron”, según un informe de la agencia oficial Korean Central News Agency.
North Korea Confirms Suicide Rule for Soldiers Ukraine Captures
(Bloomberg) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un confirmed a policy that requires soldiers to commit suicide on the battlefield to avoid capture, while fighting Russia's war against Ukraine. Speaking at an event to inaugurate a memorial in Pyongyang for North Koreans who have died in action, Kim twice mentioned soldiers who had “self-blasted,” according to a report by the official Korean Central News Agency.
Kim Jong Un confirma política que insta a soldados a la “autoexplosión” para evitar captura
Bloomberg — El líder norcoreano Kim Jong Un confirmó una política que obliga a los soldados a suicidarse en el campo de batalla para evitar ser capturados, mientras combaten en la guerra de Rusia contra Ucrania. En un discurso pronunciado en un acto para inaugurar un monumento en Pyongyang en memoria de los norcoreanos que han muerto en Ucrania, Kim mencionó en dos ocasiones a los soldados que se habían “suicidado”, según un informe de la Agencia Central de Noticias de Corea.
North Korea Confirms Suicide Rule for Soldiers Ukraine Captures
7 hours ago Executions rose sharply in North Korea during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a Seoul-based NGO. From January 2020 to the end of 2024, at least 153 people were executed or sentenced to death - a sharp increase from 44 people in the five years before the pandemic, according to a report by the …
Kim Jong Un Confirms Soldier ‘Self-Blasting’ Policy in Ukraine
1 hour ago Russia’s Defense Minister Andrey Belousov arrived in North Korea to meet political and military leaders as the two nations deepen strategic ties. #russia #northkorea #asia #worldnews #politics #usa #trump Belousov will also take part in ceremonial and commemorative events, according to a Defense Ministry post on Telegram on Sunday. Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-26/russia-s-defense-minister-visits-north-korea-to-meet-top-leaders ---------- Like this video?
Japan moves to block South Korean buyout deal with rare use of security law
The Japanese government has asked Seoul-based private equity firm MBK Partners to cancel its planned acquisition of machine tool maker Makino Milling Machine, invoking a national security law for only the second time in history. Makino’s machine tools are widely used in defense applications and the takeover could undermine national security, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said in parliament. Makino’s shares dropped as much as 10% on Thursday morning in Tokyo.
Japan Moves to Block Buyout Deal With Rare Use of Security Law Original
The Japanese government has asked Seoul-based private equity firm to cancel its planned acquisition of machine tool maker ., invoking a national security law for only the second time in history. Makino’s machine tools are widely used in defense applications and the takeover could undermine national security, Finance Minister said in parliament. Makino’s shares dropped as much as 10% on Thursday morning in Tokyo.
Corea del Norte prueba sus últimas armas mientras el mundo se centra en Irán
Bloomberg — Corea del Norte llevó a cabo esta semana una serie de pruebas de nuevo armamento, incluido un sistema de armas electromagnéticas y un misil antiaéreo, mientras redobla sus esfuerzos por mejorar sus armas convencionales en medio de los ataques de Donald Trump contra los adversarios de EE UU. Con la atención mundial centrada en los acontecimientos en Oriente Próximo en medio de un frágil alto el fuego entre EE.UU.
Kim Jong Un exhibe armas y refuerza lazos con China y Rusia antes del viaje de Donald Trump
Bloomberg — Kim Jong Un está haciendo alarde de sus lazos más estrechos con viejos aliados y de las lecciones aprendidas en el campo de batalla de Ucrania, mientras posiciona a Corea del Norte como una potencia nuclear fuerte antes del viaje de Donald Trump a China.
Kim Jong Un Shows Off Friends, Weapons Before Trump’s China Trip
The world has got uranium poisoning For a substance that could end most life on the planet, highly enriched uranium looks disappointingly bland. The finished metal pellets might be …
As world focuses on Strait of Hormuz, North Korea tests raft of new weapons
North Korea conducted a slew of tests of new armaments this week including an electromagnetic weapon system and an antiaircraft missile, as it ramps up efforts to upgrade its conventional arms amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s attacks on adversaries.
北韓稱進行了電磁武器系統和碳纖維炸彈等武器試驗
【彭博】-- 據北韓官媒朝中社報導，北韓進行了一系列新型武器試驗，其中包括電磁武器系統和碳纖維炸彈的試驗。 朝中社報導，試驗從周一到周三進行了三天，由金正植將軍監督進行。 據朝中社報導，金正植表示，電磁武器和碳纖維彈是在各空間內結合併適用不同軍事手段的戰略性特殊資產。這些武器利用電磁能而非爆炸物來干擾或破壞目標，特別是電子基礎設施。 報導還說，進行了驗證機動型近程防空飛彈系統作戰可靠性的試驗。飛彈總局彈道飛彈系統研究所和戰鬥部研究所進行了戰術彈道飛彈作戰適用性及集束彈藥威力評估試驗。 周三韓國軍方表示，北韓向東海岸附近海域發射了多枚彈道飛彈。 中國外交部部長王毅將於4月9日至10日訪問北韓，這是他逾六年來首次訪問這個鄰國。 推薦閱讀：北韓發射多枚飛彈 此前韓國總統曾對無人機事件表示歉意 原文標題North Korea Says It Tested an Electromagnetic Weapons System More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com ©2026 Bloomberg L.P.
Seoul confirms US talks on moving weapons as Iran war escalates
(Bloomberg) -- South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Seoul is in talks with United States Forces Korea about the possible redeployment of weapons including Patriot air-defense systems, as Washington's conflict with Iran escalates. Cho told lawmakers at a parliamentary hearing Friday that military officials from the two countries were working closely together, confirming discussions were under way when pressed by an opposition lawmaker.
South Korea Says US Drills Can Be Reviewed for North Korea Talks
Article content (Bloomberg) — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said regular joint military drills with the US could be reviewed in order to facilitate dialogue with North Korea, in his latest olive branch to Pyongyang as he seeks to reduce tensions with the nuclear-armed neighbor.
韓国の李大統領、米韓軍事演習巡り検証あり得る－北朝鮮に対話促す
韓国の李在明大統領は3日、北朝鮮に対話を促すため、米国との定例合同軍事演習について検証することはあり得るとの考えを示した。核保有国である北朝鮮との緊張緩和を図る姿勢を強めた。 李氏は尹錫悦前大統領の「非常戒厳」宣布から1年となるこの日に合わせソウルで記者会見を開き、北朝鮮との「対話の条件を整えるために必要で、米国が戦略的なてこを要するのであれば、そうした問題について議論し検討する意思があると伝えるべきだ」と述べた。 ソウルの米国大使館は、コメント要請に応じなかった。 前大統領罷免後の大統領選を制し、6月に大統領に就任した李氏は自身の政権下での最大の成果の一つとして、韓国による原子力潜水艦建造の要請をトランプ米大統領が認めたことを挙げた。 ただし同時に、実現には原潜の建造場所を含め、幅広い協議が必要になるとの認識も示し、「トランプ大統領は米国の製造業の復活のため、フィラデルフィアでの建造を提案しているが、さらに協議が必要である一方で、われわれの立場からすれば、実務的にそこでの生産は非常に困難になるだろう」と語った。...
Pour pimenter la soirée électorale, la TV sud-coréenne mise sur les visuels déjantés
Avatars de candidats à la présidence débouchant des toilettes, tirant dans un ballon de football, puis ouvrant une canette de soda… il ne peut s'agir que de la soirée électorale en Corée du Sud, où les chaînes redoublent d'inventivité pour muscler le décompte des voix à grand renfort d'animations farfelues. "Harry Potter", "Squid Game", un sprint sur un vélo stationnaire...
Pour pimenter la soirée électorale, la TV sud-coréenne mise sur les visuels déjantés
Avatars de candidats à la présidence débouchant des toilettes, tirant dans un ballon de football, puis ouvrant une canette de soda… il ne peut s'agir que de la soirée électorale en Corée du Sud, où les chaînes redoublent d'inventivité pour muscler le décompte des voix à grand renfort d'animations farfelues. "Harry Potter", "Squid Game", un sprint sur un vélo stationnaire...
Pour pimenter la soirée électorale, la TV sud-coréenne mise sur les visuels déjantés
Avatars de candidats à la présidence débouchant des toilettes, tirant dans un ballon de football, puis ouvrant une canette de soda… il ne peut s'agir que de la soirée électorale en Corée du Sud, où les chaînes redoublent d'inventivité pour muscler le décompte des voix à grand renfort d'animations farfelues. "Harry Potter", "Squid Game", un sprint sur un vélo stationnaire...
TV graphics put fun into South Korean election count
Two candidates vying to be president vigorously plunge a toilet, kick a football, then pop open a soda -- it can only be South Korean election night, where whacky graphics strive to make vote-counting fun. "Harry Potter", "Squid Game", a rigorous spinning class... no reference is too small or too bizarre to be mined by broadcaster SBS for outlandish CGI-animated graphics to attract viewers -- and, the journalists behind it say, make politics more accessible and engaging.
S. Korean climate activist targets hyperconsumption
No new clothes: S. Korean climate activist targets hyperconsumption By Claire Lee and Cat Barton Seoul (AFP) Feb 5, 2025 Recovering South Korean shopaholic-turned-climate activist Lee So-yeon used to buy new clothes almost daily -- until a $1.50 winter coat triggered an awakening that stopped her shopping entirely.
S. Korean climate activist targets hyperconsumption
By Claire Lee and Cat Barton Recovering South Korean shopaholic-turned-climate activist Lee So-yeon used to buy new clothes almost daily -- until a $1.50 winter coat triggered an awakening that stopped her shopping entirely. While looking at the ultra-cheap padded jacket at an H&M shop in the United States, where she was working at the time, Lee asked herself how any item of clothing could be sold so cheaply.
No new clothes: S. Korean climate activist targets hyperconsumption
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No new clothes: S. Korean climate activist targets hyperconsumption
Recovering South Korean shopaholic-turned-climate activist Lee So-yeon used to buy new clothes almost daily -- until a $1.50 winter coat triggered an awakening that stopped her shopping entirely. While looking at the ultra-cheap padded jacket at an H&M shop in the United States, where she was working at the time, Lee asked herself how any item of clothing could be sold so cheaply. kAm%96 b_\J62C\@=5 6>32C<65 @? 2 566A 5:G6 :?E@ 72DE 72D9:@? AC@5F4E:@?
No new clothes: S. Korean climate activist targets hyperconsumption
South Korean climate activist Lee So-yeon has not bought any new clothes for the past six years (ANTHONY WALLACE) ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/AFP Recovering South Korean shopaholic-turned-climate activist Lee So-yeon used to buy new clothes almost daily -- until a $1.50 winter coat triggered an awakening that stopped her shopping entirely.
No new clothes: S. Korean climate activist targets hyperconsumption
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