Seoul education chief outlines proposal to scrap college admission exam by 2040
Blueprint calls for long-term move to absolute grading, expanded essay-based evaluations.
Policy Matters
Tradition or animal abuse? Korean bullfighting faces reckoning in parliament
Unlike Spanish bullfighting, in which a human bullfighter takes on a bull, often killing it, Korean bullfighting pits animals against each other until one retreats.
Vietnam’s National Assembly passes first-ever law on artificial intelligence
The draft law establishes core principles, prohibited acts, and a risk management framework.
In Japan, nearly 900 had driver’s licenses suspended for drunk cycling in Jan.-Sept.
Penalties for cycling while intoxicated at or above a threshold of 0.15 include imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to ¥500,000 (US$3,211).
Will the end of South Korea’s aesthetics VAT refund drive medical tourists away?
Long supported by Korea’s price competitiveness, the industry warns that losing the tax incentive will not only raise costs for patients but also weaken pricing transparency, a…
10-year Malaysian passport? Yes, please
The existing Malaysian passport is valid for five years and requires renewal at least six months before expiration if one intends to travel overseas.
Indonesia’s trade deal with US ‘still on’ despite reported rift
News reports suggest that talks aimed at reaching a final bilateral trade agreement were in danger of collapsing over growing frustration in Washington.
China’s upgraded tax policy reshaping inbound shopping
Wu Liyun, a professor at the China Academy of Culture and Tourism Industry at Beijing International Studies University, said the core significance of the policy upgrade lies in a…
Gradual transition to Malaysia’s mandatory smart identity card
“The larger challenge now is ensuring the entire ecosystem, from government agencies to private services, transitions smoothly and Malaysians understand when and how to…
Indonesian government to tighten export-receipt rules, curb lingering loopholes
From Jan 1, 2026 exporters of natural resources in Indonesia must deposit foreign-currency export proceeds only in state-owned banks, and will be limited to converting no more…