Caught between US and Iran, South Korea weighs Hormuz role
Seoul is sending a fact-finding mission to the UAE as it balances Washington’s security requests with warnings of Iranian retaliation
· Park Chan-kyong
Follow the story
Politics
A focused view of neutral reporting on Politics, brought together across publishers.
Explore all topics →
Neutral reports only
Newest first · UTC+11:00Last-minute pro-business amendments soften WFH bill
Employees of small businesses won’t be given the right to work from home until 2028 and the costs employers must pay to enable remote work will be limited under changes to the government’s WFH legislation.
· Angus Delaney
Pakistan and Egypt discuss escalating regional attacks
Pakistan says Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke by telephone with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, about the latest regional developments as attacks intensify across the Middle East.
· Middleeasteye
Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia could widen conflict, UN warns | The National
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg on Wednesday called on the Houthis to halt missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, warning that strikes on civilian and energy infrastructure undermine efforts towards a political solution.
· The National
Eight key laws that could be passed this political year in Spain
Healthcare, family rights, protection of minors, freedom of expressions and more - Pedro Sánchez's leftist government is looking to pass numerous bills ahead of the 2027 general election.
· Conor Faulkner
UN Command chief visits MDL alongside Seoul's military chief
Staff reporter at The Korea Herald’s National Desk, based in Seoul. Covers South Korea’s national security and foreign policy, with a focus on the Defense, Foreign and Unification Ministries, as well as the National Assembly.Before entering journalism, served as an Air Force officer. Experience includes providing tr…
· Hwang Joo-young
Teacher killed in shooting at a kindergarten in Thailand
In this photo released by the Chonburi government’s Public Relations Department, police officers gather inside Nongplalai Municipal Kindergarten after a gunman fatally shot a teacher in Chonburi, Thailand, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. (Chonburi Government Public Relations Department via AP)
Zambales warns against illegal construction on coastal accretion
ZAMBALES — The provincial government of Zambales reiterated its public warning against the illegal construction of permanent structures over the accretion along the coastal area of the province.
· Mahatma Randy Datu
PAS slammed in Malaysia for linking heaven to support for party
Malaysian politicians criticise the comment, saying PAS is implying that Muslims who do not vote for it are ‘condemned to hell’
· SCMP’s Asia desk
‘Not immigration office’: Malaysia’s PAS slammed for linking heaven to support
Malaysian politicians criticise the comment, saying PAS is implying that Muslims who do not vote for it are ‘condemned to hell’
· SCMP’s Asia desk
Trump hails AfD win in Saxony-Anhalt
U.S. President Donald Trump has congratulated Alternative for Germany (AfD) Tuesday for its landslide victory in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, where the far-right party won nearly 44 percent of the votes on Sunday.
· Daria Zakharova
(LEAD) Rival parties clash over Cabinet reshuffle, constitutional revision at interpellation session
(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES throughout; ADDS photos)
· Yi Wonju
Netanyahu announces planned libel lawsuit over Haaretz report claiming UAE warned of Oct. 7
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his lawyers to issue a libel lawsuit against Haaretz following a recent report in which it claimed that he had been warned by the United Arab Emirates about Hamas's October 7 attack, the Prime Minister's Office announced on Wednesday.
· TZVI JASPER
Hugo Chavez to Donald Trump: Venezuela’s tumultuous oil history | The National
Venezuela’s vast oil reserves once promised enduring power and prosperity, but decades of political upheaval, mismanagement and foreign intervention have turned them into the centrepiece of a global energy contest.
· Isaac Arroyo
Spain's interior ministry in press freedom row over journalist 'blacklist'
Spain's interior ministry apologised to journalists and denied muzzling the media on Tuesday after a report revealed it had secretly compiled a list of reporters and their political opinions.
· AFP
‘It’s like a village’: What Woollahra residents really think about 10,000 new homes
Shop owners in Sydney’s east say the state government’s controversial plan to build thousands of homes around the future Woollahra train station would draw much-needed crowds to the suburb’s sluggish high street, but warned it would do little to attract young people or essential workers.
· Cindy Yin
Future of culling brumbies in NSW national park could hinge on one word
Brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park were once protected by the NSW government. (ABC News: Greg Nelson)
· Caitlan Charles
Record 2.9 pct of students report experiencing school violence
SEOUL, Sept. 9 (Yonhap) -- Nearly 3 in 100 students in elementary through high school reported experiencing school violence, a government survey showed Wednesday, the highest rate since the study began in 2013.
· KIM, SEONGHUN
Andrew Hastie escalates One Nation feud over 'traitor' accusation
Topic:Federal Government
· Clare Armstrong
What ‘right’ and ‘left’ mean in Israel today
Palestinian political analyst and researcher from inside Israel.
· Ehab Jabareen
Thailand's FM summons Israeli ambassador over tourist behavior, calls for taking stronger actions
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, summoned Israeli Ambassador to Thailand Alona Fisher-Kamm for talks on Tuesday in Bangkok amid a series of incidents involving Israelis in the country.
· YOAV ETIEL
[Key Points] Seoul weighs Hormuz role as UAE assessment fuels deployment speculation
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the complexities of North Korean affairs, security, and foreign policy from both Seoul and Washington, D.C. As the National Desk Political Team Lead, I track the pulse of geopolitics, closely following developments from the Unification Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. My mornings …
· Ji Da-gyum
GBA integration may help mainland China philanthropy sector learn from Hong Kong
City’s experience could ‘drive a major upgrade’ of the philanthropic landscape, experts tell Jockey Club forum
· Alyssa Chen
GBA integration may help mainland China philanthropy sector learn from Hong Kong
City’s experience could ‘drive a major upgrade’ of the philanthropic landscape, experts tell Jockey Club forum
· Alyssa Chen
India's Manipur vows to complete Myanmar border fence by 2028
A motorcyclist on the Myanmar side of the border with India is seen from the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram in 2021. © Reuters
· QURATULAIN REHBAR
PM says gov't to look into lawmaker's release of alleged investigation records on lobbying scandal
SEOUL, Sept. 9 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Wednesday the government will look into whether any illegality was involved in the release by a prosecutor-turned lawmaker of what appeared to be investigative records over a lobbying scandal involving the justice minister nominee.
· CHANG JAE SUN
Amnesty calls UK trade ban on Israel’s illegal settlements a 'significant step'
Amnesty International’s senior director for research, advocacy, policy, and campaigns has welcomed Britain's decision to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements.
· Middleeasteye
'Taking away my rights': Resident to fell giant tree before council rule change
Melville resident Susan plans to cut down a mature tree in her backyard before the council introduces a tree retention policy. (ABC News: Kenith Png )
· Samantha Goerling
SA government backed a risky horse in LIV Golf — lucky it hedged its bets
In 2025, there were cheers when the SA government announced LIV Golf would be held in Adelaide until at least 2031. (ABC News)
Beyond the rally: Can Korea build a lasting premium?
HIT Forum speakers highlight governance, consistent policy, industrial strength as keys to a lasting Korea premium
· Ahn Sung-mi
US criticises federal government's social media laws
Products & ServicesOpen Products & Services section
Four-day interpellation session opens with constitutional change in focus
A four-day interpellation session kicked off Wednesday as parties clash over issues including a proposed constitutional amendment, President Lee Jae Myung's Cabinet picks and judicial reform.
· Son Ji-hyoung
Gov't to raise terror alert ahead of First Korea-Central Asia Summit
SEOUL, Sept. 9 (Yonhap) -- The government will raise the terror alert starting later this week in the run-up to the inaugural summit between South Korea and five Central Asian nations set for next week, officials said Wednesday.
· CHANG JAE SUN
Xi, Putin send messages of solidarity to Kim on North Korea's founding anniversary
Since 2017, I have covered South Korea’s political and economic landscape as a reporter, with a focus on foreign affairs, inter-Korean relations and security.As a foreign affairs reporter, I closely follow developments from the Ministry of Unification, the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry, tracking shifts i…
· Jung Min-kyung
‘Lying cowards’: Andrew Hastie steps up attacks on One Nation
Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has branded One Nation’s leader Pauline Hanson and former Coalition colleague Barnaby Joyce “lying cowards” after they denied calling him a traitor.
· Brittany Busch, James Massola
White Australia party is ‘modern manifestation’ of Nazi movement and should be banned, commonwealth tells high court
The former National Socialist Network is challenging ban in high court, arguing law breaches implied freedom of political communication
· Sarah Basford Canales
As SDF disband in Syria, Kurds ponder how to secure their rights
Erbil, Iraq – The merger of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the government forces last month has sparked a debate among many Kurds in Syria as well as in neighbouring Iraq and Turkiye about the future of their rights.
Netanyahu’s rivals call him ‘unfit’ for office after report he was warned of October 7 attack
Jerusalem: Israeli opposition politicians said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “unfit” for office after a newspaper reported he had been warned by the president of the United Arab Emirates that Hamas was planning a major operation weeks before the October 7, 2023, attack but did not alert secur…
· Ephrat Livni, Isabel Kershner
New Hampshire primary results: Key takeaways for US midterm elections
Republican John E Sununu and Democrat Chris Pappas have won their primary elections in New Hampshire and will compete for a United States Senate seat that could flip the chamber in November.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Seoul dispatches assessment team to UAE but deployment decision still pending
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the complexities of North Korean affairs, security, and foreign policy from both Seoul and Washington, D.C. As the National Desk Political Team Lead, I track the pulse of geopolitics, closely following developments from the Unification Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. My mornings …
· Ji Da-gyum
Is sending officials to UAE a sign Seoul is leaning towards Hormuz deployment?
Staff reporter at The Korea Herald’s National Desk, based in Seoul. Covers South Korea’s national security and foreign policy, with a focus on the Defense, Foreign and Unification Ministries, as well as the National Assembly.Before entering journalism, served as an Air Force officer. Experience includes providing tr…
· Hwang Joo-young
Senate inquiry will scrutinse APVMA decision to allow paraquat use
Topic:Agricultural Chemicals
· Kallee Buchanan
Umno heavyweight charged in Malaysian haj fund scandal as party eyes comeback
The Umno Supreme Council member is the highest-profile politician to be charged so far in the fallout from a royal inquiry into Tabung Haji
· Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Umno heavyweight charged in Malaysian haj fund scandal as party eyes comeback
The Umno Supreme Council member is the highest-profile politician to be charged so far in the fallout from a royal inquiry into Tabung Haji
· Iman Muttaqin Yusof
It’s not an ABC journalist who should do better. It’s the prime minister himself
September 9, 2026 — 3:32pm
· Rob Harris
Fitch, Moody's offer positive assessment of 2027 budget proposal: gov't
SEOUL, Sept. 9 (Yonhap) -- Global credit appraisers have offered positive assessments of South Korea's 2027 budget proposal, the government said Wednesday, stressing overseas institutions have recognized Seoul's efforts to improve fiscal health and pursue long-term growth.
· Kang Yoon-seung
‘Cowardly’: Wong slammed by former colleague for dodging Israeli settlement trade ban
Israel has applauded the Albanese government for declining to join a United Kingdom-led push to crack down on imports from settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, a move former Labor foreign minister Bob Carr has branded astonishing and cowardly.
· Matthew Knott
Coal workers back strike action at heart of WA's energy grid
Premier Coal operates a coal mine in Collie in the state's South West. (ABC South West: Anthony Pancia)
· Neve Brissenden
Chris Pappas projected to win New Hampshire Democratic nomination to the US Senate
US Rep. Chris Pappas swiftly defeated progressive opponent Karishma Manzur in a Democratic Senate primary in New Hampshire on Tuesday, capping off one of several races in which criticism of Israel and AIPAC became prominent talking points.
· SHARON UDASIN/ JTA
Michigan rabbis lay out demands for El-Sayed and state Democrats to earn their votes
Liberal Michigan rabbis and other Jewish leaders are calling on the Democratic Party to agree to a list of “nonnegotiable” principles about Jewish safety and Israel as the party’s US Senate candidate in the state, Abdul El-Sayed, seeks to make inroads with Jewish voters.
· ANDREW LAPIN/JTA