Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Taejun Kang
Laos’ power tariff reforms test balance between utility finances and affordability
Laos’ efforts to repair its electricity sector’s finances are adding to pressure on consumers, as higher tariffs expose the difficult balance between sustaining a regional power exporter and keeping electricity affordable at home.
China leverages Taiwan’s reverence for Sun Yat-sen to promote ‘reunification’
Beijing is trying to use national hero Sun Yat-sen – who is also revered in Taiwan – to frame “reunification” with the democratic island as the fulfillment of a common national destiny, analysts told Radio Free Asia. Ahead of the 160th anniversary of Sun’s birth on Nov. 12, the mainland has planned official commemorations, and Taiwan’s government warned that Beijing was using the revolutionary leader’s legacy to further an “anti-independence, pro-reunification” strategy.
South China Sea tensions cause China to ‘recall’ teachers from the Philippines
South China Sea tensions are turning Chinese-language education into a security issue in the Philippines, straining civilian ties and exposing schools’ dependence on foreign teaching support, analysts told Radio Free Asia.
China’s sanctions on Taiwan allies project its power, but with limited effect
China’s sanctions against foreign officials over their ties with Taiwan help Beijing project power and warn other governments, even as their financial impact and success in curbing engagement remain limited, analysts told Radio Free Asia. Beijing imposed sanctions on Oct. 12 against Paraguay’s information and communication technologies minister, Gustavo Villate, and Belize’s foreign minister, Francis Fonseca. Both countries maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan rather than China.
Thailand’s low-carbon push puts jobs and livelihoods in focus
Thailand is drawing up a plan to help workers, small businesses and communities adjust to a low-carbon economy, as it seeks to attract green investment while managing the costs of changing how it generates electricity, manufactures goods and moves people.
China-Laos air base could be another Southeast Asian forward outpost for Beijing
A new joint military training facility in Laos could give Beijing a lasting foothold in mainland Southeast Asia even without an immediate boost to its combat power, analysts told Radio Free Asia. Beijing and Vientiane opened a joint support and training center and an aviation academy at Ban Keun, about 50 kilometers north of the Lao capital, on Sept. 29. Beijing says the facility will train Lao air force pilots and it will be maintained by both countries.
Asean turns to World Bank to close clean energy, climate adaptation financing gaps Original
Already subscribed? Sign in Access all our exclusive content and archive — with a 7-day free trial. Then just US$5/month. Cancel anytime.
Thailand’s high-tech push faces water security risks, experts say
Unpredictable water supplies and difficulties financing water infrastructure could constrain Thailand’s push into high-tech manufacturing, a UOB Thailand executive and a United Nations environment official told a sustainability conference. Already subscribed? Sign in Access all our exclusive content and archive — with a 7-day free trial. Then just US$5/month. Cancel anytime.
Singapore urges UN convention on AI safeguards as global risks mount
Singapore has called for countries to consider a United Nations convention on artificial intelligence (AI) safeguards, warning that geopolitical rivalry and commercial pressures have made halting the technology’s development unrealistic. Already subscribed? Sign in Access all our exclusive content and archive — with a 7-day free trial. Then just US$5/month. Cancel anytime.
China pressure accelerates Philippines-Taiwan ties, analysts say
Taiwan’s plan to open a second trade office in the Philippines is an example of Manila and Taipei accelerating cooperation in response to Chinese pressure in the South China Sea, analysts told Radio Free Asia. During a radio interview on Sept. 15, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said that Taipei’s plan to open a second representative office in Cebu, the Philippines’ second largest city, was going smoothly.
New rules to protect tech secrets could strand Taiwanese visitors in China
Taiwan has warned its high-tech professionals that if they visit mainland China, they could be stopped for questioning – or even barred from leaving the country – under new regulations that analysts told Radio Free Asia were put in place likely because Beijing is afraid of losing AI talent. The new regulations that took effect on Sept.
Southeast Asia’s growth is getting thirstier – and businesses are taking notice
For decades, companies deciding where to build factories or expand supply chains in Southeast Asia have weighed familiar considerations: labour, energy, logistics, infrastructure and access to markets. Water, once largely taken for granted, is becoming a factor that can shape where companies invest, how much they can produce and how resilient their supply chains will be. The issue is not simply whether a factory can obtain enough water today.
Southeast Asia becomes top Asian market for Chinese clean technology
Chinese clean-technology exports to Southeast Asia exceeded US$20 billion between January and July 2026, rising about 50 per cent from the same period last year, according to Ember’s analysis of Chinese customs data. Already subscribed? Sign in Access all our exclusive content and archive — with a 7-day free trial. Then just US$5/month. Cancel anytime.
Viral moment for Manila showcases South China Sea dispute, but status quo remains
When a Philippine official blasted China at a defense forum in Seoul this month, the moment went viral and increased awareness about Manila’s territorial disputes with Beijing, but experts told Radio Free Asia that more visibility on the issue may not necessarily result in concrete diplomatic or security gains. At the 2026 Seoul Defense Dialogue, the Philippines defense minister received a note from a Chinese official while he was speaking.
EU scrap rules threaten aluminium supply to Southeast Asian recyclers
The European Union’s decision to abandon a proposed duty on aluminium scrap exports and instead rely on environmental regulations could restrict supplies to recyclers in Thailand and Malaysia from May 2027, potentially reshaping flows of secondary materials into Asia. Already subscribed? Sign in Access all our exclusive content and archive — with a 7-day free trial. Then just US$5/month. Cancel anytime.
EU scrap rules threaten aluminium supply to Southeast Asian recyclers
4 hours ago China’s first modern river-to-sea canal could significantly cut down time and costs of trade to Southeast Asia. Beijing, China – China is opening its first modern river-to-sea canal for navigation on Wednesday, a project that aims to dramatically cut down shipping distances between the country’s …
Asean Power Grid: Singapore, Thailand launch two-year push to clear hurdles by 2028
Singapore and Thailand will use their consecutive Asean chairmanships to push forward the region’s long-delayed power grid, with Singapore seeking progress on rules for submarine electricity cables and regulatory obstacles that have made cross-border projects difficult to finance. Already subscribed? Sign in Access all our exclusive content and archive — with a 7-day free trial. Then just US$5/month. Cancel anytime.
Thailand’s US$6 billion solar push tests Asean’s green finance ambitions
Thailand’s decision to put THB200 billion (US$6.01 billion) behind an emergency energy transition fund could provide an early test of whether Southeast Asia can turn years of sustainable finance rulemaking into clean energy projects large enough to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Taiwan labour funds to restrict new fossil fuel investments from 2030
Taiwan’s Bureau of Labour Funds will stop making new direct investments in fossil fuel companies that are not “actively transitioning” from 2030, according to its latest sustainability report, though environmental campaigners warned that significant loopholes could undermine the policy. Already subscribed? Sign in Access all our exclusive content and archive — with a 7-day free trial. Then just US$5/month. Cancel anytime.
Taiwan proposes record supplementary budget as Middle East conflict drives up energy costs
Taiwan’s cabinet has approved a record NTD607.6 billion (US$19.8 billion) supplementary budget for 2026, with nearly 70 per cent earmarked for energy subsidies and investment intended to cushion households and businesses from higher fuel prices caused by conflict in the Middle East. Already subscribed? Sign in Access all our exclusive content and archive — with a 7-day free trial. Then just US$5/month. Cancel anytime.
Glacier-driven Nepal flood shows mounting risks in warming Himalayas
More than 900 people have been killed and nearly 5,000 remain missing after floods swept through Nepal and neighbouring Tibet, leaving rescuers searching for survivors as scientists work to determine what triggered the disaster. Already subscribed? Sign in Access all our exclusive content and archive — with a 7-day free trial. Then just US$5/month. Cancel anytime.
Taiwan steps up AI defenses as China election interference fears grow
China is likely to use artificial intelligence to influence Taiwan’s Nov. 28 local elections, analysts told Radio Free Asia. Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP, warned this month that Beijing could use AI to target groups of voters, impersonate Taiwanese social media users and circulate fabricated recordings or scandals shortly before election day.
Glacier-driven Nepal flood shows mounting risks in a warming Himalaya
A rapid slope failure involving a Himalayan glacier generated energy equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 earthquake before sending a destructive flood and debris flow about 100 kilometers through Nepal, the US Geological Survey said in a preliminary assessment. Already subscribed? Sign in Access all our exclusive content and archive — with a 7-day free trial. Then just US$5/month. Cancel anytime.
Hydrogen fuel cells could ease Singapore’s data centre power constraints: expert
A hydrogen-based energy trial planned for DayOne’s first Singapore data centre could help create more capacity for digital infrastructure in the power-constrained city-state, according to an infrastructure expert, though questions remain over its cost and ability to meet the complex power demands of artificial intelligence (AI). Already subscribed? Sign in Access all our exclusive content and archive — with a 7-day free trial. Then just US$5/month. Cancel anytime.
Singapore’s CIX, Carbonplace plan merger as carbon markets seek trust and scale
Singapore-based carbon exchange Climate Impact X and London’s Carbonplace plan to merge, the companies said in a statement on 26 August, seeking to build a larger trading platform as the carbon market struggles with fragmented systems, uncertain demand and concerns about the quality of some credits. Already subscribed? Sign in Access all our exclusive content and archive — with a 7-day free trial. Then just US$5/month. Cancel anytime.
Japan firm launches Taiwan-focused AI decarbonisation platform
Japanese technology company Green AI has launched a Taiwan-focused artificial intelligence (AI) platform to help companies identify lower-cost ways to cut energy use and carbon emissions, expanding its partnership with government-backed think tank Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER).
Indonesia-China naval drill could help normalize Beijing’s presence east of Taiwan
Though China’s first naval exercise with a foreign military in waters east of Taiwan this month was a relatively small operation, it could go a long way toward normalizing Beijing’s presence around the democratic island. The Chinese frigate Honghe and Indonesia’s KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332 conducted a passing exercise east of Taiwan on Aug. 12, involving maritime communications, formation maneuvers and replenishment of fuel and supplies at sea.
ESG downgrades hit shares harder when investor expectations are high, study finds
Downgrades of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) rating are associated with sharper share price declines when investors are already optimistic about a company, according to new research that suggests market expectations can amplify the financial impact of worsening sustainability scores.
Philippines bets on classrooms to strengthen South China Sea claims
A bill that would integrate the Philippines’ South China Sea territorial claims into school curriculums could further integrate the issue into national identity and strengthen public support, experts told Radio Free Asia. Philippine lawmakers this month filed a measure seeking to institutionalize education about what Manila calls the West Philippine Sea – the parts of the South China Sea that fall within its exclusive economic zone. The sea is a major flashpoint in regional geopolitics.
Singapore got old fast, now rethinking who cares for its people
Singapore had little time to grow old. In the space of just 19 years, the city-state underwent a demographic shift that took France 115 years and the United States 69. Today, more than 21 per cent of Singapore’s citizens are aged 65 or older, making it a “super-aged” society. By 2030, nearly one in four will be in that age group.
Singapore dominates Southeast Asia AI funding as investment surges
Singapore has cemented its position as Southeast Asia’s dominant fundraising hub for artificial intelligence (AI) companies, attracting about US$9.3 billion in disclosed equity funding, while investment elsewhere in the region remains comparatively small, according to a report by market intelligence platform Tracxn.
Thailand tightens data centre rules as AI boom strains power grid
Thailand is moving to tighten rules for data centres, including higher electricity tariffs, upfront grid-access guarantees and tougher investment screening, as an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven construction boom raises concerns over pressure on the country’s power system and water resources.
Green bonds retain lead in Asia as sustainable debt market diversifies
Green bonds remain the dominant form of sustainable debt in Asia, but their share of the market is gradually shrinking as issuers turn to a wider range of financing instruments and a sharp slowdown in China weighs on regional issuance. Green bonds accounted for 56.5 per cent of sustainable bonds outstanding across Asean+3 markets at the end of March 2026, worth US$576.9 billion, according to the Asian Development Bank’s latest Asia Bond Monitor.
Taiwan Soft-Pedals Scarborough Claim as Manila Ties Take Priority
This article was originally published in Radio Free Asia. Read the original article. By Taejun Kang for RFA Taiwan is trapped between sea rocks and a hard place: As the Philippines has filed documentation to strengthen its claims in the South China Sea, Taipei must balance asserting its own conflicting claims with building closer ties with Manila, especially as a potential ally against Chinese aggression, experts told Radio Free Asia.
Temasek’s GenZero reports 47% rise in direct climate impact as portfolio expands
GenZero, the climate investment platform founded by Singapore state investor Temasek, said its direct realised climate impact rose 47 per cent in 2025 as it expanded investments spanning forest restoration, low-carbon construction materials and carbon markets. Direct realised climate impact is GenZero’s measure of the actual emissions reductions or removals already delivered by projects or companies in its portfolio – not projected future reductions.
Temasek's GenZero reports 47% rise in direct climate impact as portfolio expands
2 hours ago Cloud-seeding aircraft have been deployed as dozens of schools remain closed due to poor air quality. Authorities in Indonesia are scrambling to contain wildfires that have burned through more than 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of land and led to the deployment of nearly 50,000 …
Taiwan soft-pedals Scarborough claim as Manila ties take priority
Taiwan is trapped between sea rocks and a hard place: As the Philippines has filed documentation to strengthen its claims in the South China Sea, Taipei must balance asserting its own conflicting claims with building closer ties with Manila, especially as a potential ally against Chinese aggression, experts told Radio Free Asia.
South Korea targets 10 GW of new solar capacity as AI power demand surges
South Korea plans to install more than 10 gigawatts (GW) of new solar power capacity next year as it seeks to meet soaring electricity demand from artificial intelligence (AI) while reducing reliance on carbon-intensive energy, the country’s climate and energy minister said.
Only one in 10 South Korean listed firms discloses nature-related risks, study finds
Only about one in 10 companies listed on South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index discloses information on its dependence and impact on nature, while most firms that do report provide little measurable data, according to a recent study. Seoul-based thinktank SDG Institute examined disclosures covering the 2024 financial year from all 849 companies listed on the Korea Exchange’s main board.
Taiwan Tests Economic Leverage After Papua New Guinea Closes Representative Office - Analysis - Eurasia Review
12 hours ago The artificial intelligence boom has reshaped the semiconductor industry in an unexpected way. Manufacturing the world's most advanced chips is no longer the biggest bottleneck. Packaging them has become just as important. Demand for advanced AI processors has outpaced the industry's ability to …
Taiwan tests economic leverage after Papua New Guinea closes representative office
Taiwan has halted spot purchases of natural gas from Papua New Guinea as a response to Port Moresby ordering the closure of Taipei’s trade office in the South Pacific country. The decision followed Taipei’s review on imports originating from PNG of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, and the move amounts to a warning that countries with ties to Taiwan could face consequences rather than full-scale economic coercion, experts told Radio Free Asia.
Global sustainability hiring holds steady despite tougher business climate, survey finds
Companies are largely maintaining investment in sustainability despite economic pressures and political headwinds, although professionals increasingly face competing business priorities and regulatory complexity, according to the world’s largest global survey of sustainability practitioners.
Taiwan weighs requiring large power users to install on-site generation, storage
Taiwan’s parliament is considering legislation that would require the island’s largest electricity consumers to install on-site power generation and energy storage systems, as the government seeks to strengthen energy resilience and reduce pressure on the grid from rapidly rising demand driven by semiconductor manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres.
‘Quantum Entanglement’: Love Song Asserts China’s South China Sea claims
This article was originally published in Radio Free Asia. Read the original article. By Taejun Kang for RFA The video opens with an aerial shot of a lone China Coast Guard ship at sea on a calm day, as soft, whimsical music carries us into China’s latest propaganda song.
South Korea takes first legislative step toward binding post-2030 climate goals
South Korean lawmakers on Wednesday took the first legislative step toward establishing legally binding greenhouse gas emissions targets beyond 2030, as a parliamentary committee approved a bill designed to address a landmark Constitutional Court ruling that found the country’s climate law failed to adequately protect future generations. Already subscribed? Sign in There's something for everyone. We offer a range of subscription plans.
‘Quantum entanglement’: Love song asserts China’s South China Sea claims
The video opens with an aerial shot of a lone China Coast Guard ship at sea on a calm day, as soft, whimsical music carries us into China’s latest propaganda song.
JR East to launch Japan’s first commercial hydrogen hybrid train in fiscal 2027
East Japan Railway (JR East) will begin commercial operations of Japan’s first hydrogen-powered hybrid passenger train by the end of fiscal 2027, as one of the world’s largest railway operators seeks to cut emissions and develop an alternative to diesel trains. The two-car train, known as HYBARI, will operate on the Tsurumi Line and a branch of the Nambu Line between Shitte and Hama-Kawasaki, both in the industrial port city of Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, JR East said in a press release.
JR East to launch Japan’s first commercial hydrogen hybrid train in fiscal 2027
4 hours ago When Justin Phalichanh joined Crusoe AI a year ago, the company had about 600 people. Now, it has more than 1,700, with plans to double again this year. That kind of growth strains any company, but it’s especially complicated in the world of AI infrastructure, where the work itself is a new …
Thailand seeks Japan’s backing for flood-control projects as climate risks intensify
Thailand has asked Japan to support four new water management projects aimed at improving flood prevention, including measures for the flood-prone Chao Phraya River basin, as the Southeast Asian nation seeks to strengthen resilience against increasingly frequent extreme weather.
South Korea to tighten vehicle emissions rules, mandate cuts for heavy trucks from 2027
South Korea will require manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles to meet mandatory greenhouse gas reduction targets from 2027, while tightening emissions and fuel-efficiency standards for passenger vehicles, as it steps up efforts to meet its 2030 climate goals. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said on Wednesday it had published draft revisions to vehicle greenhouse gas and fuel-efficiency regulations for a 60-day public consultation ending 14 September.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Taejun
Contact Taejun, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack