Top Asian News 8:31 a.m. GMT

Associated Press

Updated 25 January 2025 at 3:31 am·1-min read

South Koreans turn funeral wreaths and K-pop light sticks into political protest tools

SEOUL (AP) — South Koreans are repurposing flower wreaths and K-pop light sticks as political protest tools amid the nation’s deepest political crisis in decades, sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived martial law declaration in December. Hundreds of wreaths, predominantly directed at Yoon himself, have been sent to his residence and government buildings connected to the impeachment proceedings, with some targeting other officials involved in the martial law controversy. Local media estimate the number of wreaths delivered to government offices as several thousand. While many wreaths carry moderate messages supporting Yoon or opposing impeachment, several contain extreme rhetoric directed at recipients.

Australian Associated Press
Aussie debutant Connolly struggles in first Test knock
Australia's Cooper Connolly was handed a whirlwind Test debut ahead of the second Sri Lanka Test, but the batting allrounder's first knock did not go to plan.
Australian Associated Press
Australia skittled in quick Sri Lankan Test fightback
Australia have lost seven wickets in a little less than a session as Sri Lanka ripped through the batting order with the new ball early on day three in Galle.
Australian Associated Press
Kings star Adams free to play despite ugly eye poke
Jaylen Adams has pleaded guilty to poking his opponent in the eye, but he's still free to play in the Sydney Kings' NBL finals series.
Australian Associated Press
US judge denies bid to block Musk from personal data
A US judge has denied government employee unions' request to block Elon Musk's access to sensitive data on labour department systems.
Australian Associated Press
Young, Daniels star as Hawks overcome 21-point deficit
Trae Young had 24 points and Australian Dyson Daniels 15 points and 10 assists, as the Atlanta Hawks beat the Milwaukee Bucks by five points.
Australian Associated Press
Wreck of missing Alaska plane found, all 10 aboard dead
A small commuter plane that crashed in western Alaska on its way to the hub community of Nome has been located, with all 10 people on board dead.
Australian Associated Press
Slater winds back the clock at Pipe Pro in Hawaii
Kelly Slater has beaten Ethan Ewing at the Pipe Pro, with rookie George Pittar the only Australian man to advance to the quarter-finals.
Australian Associated Press
Ballots and barbs in by-election litmus test for Labor
State Liberals hope voter frustration over living costs and crime will deliver them upsets in two by-elections being held at once in capital city suburbs.
Australian Associated Press
Phoenix, Victory fight out A-League Women draw
Wellington Phoenix have missed a chance to jump into the A-League Women top six after playing out a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory.
Australian Associated Press
Relief for Blues as Curnow avoids serious knee injury
Carlton star Charlie Curnow has been cleared of structural damage to his troublesome right knee after he pulled up sore during match simulation.
Australian Associated Press
High expectations for Magpies recruit Dan Houston
All-Australian defender Dan Houston is loving life at Collingwood and is bullish about his new club's chances of climbing back into AFL premiership contention.
Australian Associated Press
US judge pauses plan to pull aid workers off the job
A US judge has blocked President Donald Trump from placing thousands of USAID workers on leave and giving service workers abroad a 30-day deadline to return.
Australian Associated Press
Trans rallies push back against curb on gender care
Rallies have been held in major capitals and regional centres to support transgender youth as the peak medical body reviews care that one state has paused.
Australian Associated Press
Damaging storms persist as potential cyclone looms
Wild weather continues to batter parts of the nation with floods in Queensland, storms in the southeast and a potential cyclone brewing off WA's coast.
Australian Associated Press
Dual-gender Australian Open golf experiment over
The experiment with dual-gender Australian Opens has come to an end, following an annual review by Golf Australia.
Australian Associated Press
'Trump backs AUKUS' as Aust tips $800m into US coffers
US President Donald Trump is supportive of its multi-decade submarine deal with Australia, his defence secretary has said calming fears of snap renegotiations.
Australian Associated Press
Mahomes sharp in last major practice before Super Bowl
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is happy with where his team and quarterback Patrick Mahomes are before Super Bowl 59.
Australian Associated Press
Detry storms to lead in quest for maiden PGA title
Thomas Detry has taken a big step towards lifting his first PGA title after making a seven-under 64 in the second round for a two-shot lead in the Phoenix Open.
Australian Associated Press
Aussie Hannah Green lurking in LPGA Tour's Founders Cup
Jin Young Ko birdied six of her last nine holes for an eight-under 63 to take a two-stroke lead in the Founders Cup, but don't write off Hannah Green just yet.
Australian Associated Press
Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets prepare for parting of ways
Ben Simmons' time with Brooklyn appears to be over with the 2016 No.1 draft pick not presenting for the Nets against the Miami Heat on Friday.

Latest stories