SOUTH KOREA

10-year sentence sought for Yoon

South Korea's special counsel on Monday sought a 10-year prison sentence in an appeals court for former president Yoon Suk-yeol on arrest obstruction charges. The team of Cho Eunsuk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, requested the same sentence from a lower court. The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoon to five years in prison in January, half the amount sought. Yoon was charged with abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.

RUSSIA

Japan's aid harms ties with Moscow

Japan is becoming increasingly embroiled in Ukraine conflict by sending aid to Kyiv, thus damaging its relations with Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday."Such decisions do not help achieve a swift resolution of the situation around Ukraine but only draw out hostilities,"Zakharova said in response to a media question. "We view this step, clearly taken with the support of official authorities, as openly hostile and detrimental to our country's security interests, including the protection of civilians." Japanese drone manufacturer Terra Drone Corporation on March 31 announced a strategic partnership with Ukrainian combat unmanned aerial systems developer Amazing Drones, as part of a broader long-term strategy to enter the defense equipment market.