United News of Bangladesh

The death toll from the devastating earthquake in Myanmar has surpassed 1,700, with more bodies recovered from the rubble, according to the military-led government. Government spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun reported that 3,400 people have been injured, and over 300 are still missing. The military had earlier reported 1,644 deaths but did not provide specific figures in the latest update. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck on Friday at noon, causing extensive damage, including to the capital Naypyidaw and the second-largest city, Mandalay. It coincided with the Friday prayers for Myanmar's Muslim minority during Ramadan, and around 700 worshippers were killed when mosques collapsed, according to Tun Kyi from the Spring Revolution Myanmar Muslim Network. It is unclear whether these deaths are included in the official toll. Tun Kyi also stated that around 60 mosques were damaged or destroyed, with videos from The Irrawaddy showing mosques collapsing and people fleeing the area. In Mandalay, 270 monks were taking an exam at U Hla Thein monastery when the building collapsed. Rescue teams on the ground reported that 70 monks managed to escape, but 50 have been found dead, with 150 still missing. The full extent of the destruction remains unclear, as communication breakdowns and difficulties in movement have hindered assessments. “We’re still uncertain about the full scale of the destruction,” said Lauren Ellery, deputy director for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Myanmar. The IRC, along with local partners, is focusing on emergency medical care, humanitarian aid, and identifying areas of greatest need. Reports suggest that some towns near Mandalay have suffered catastrophic damage, with up to 80% of buildings collapsing, but slow communication has meant little coverage of this. Landslides in less-impacted areas have also hindered rescue efforts. The earthquake's epicentre, near Mandalay, caused significant structural damage, including to the city’s airport. An AI analysis from Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab revealed that 515 buildings in Mandalay sustained near-total damage, while 1,524 others experienced moderate damage. A preliminary estimate indicates 180,004 buildings with minimal damage. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that three hospitals were destroyed and 22 others partially damaged. The WHO warns that the number of casualties is expected to rise, and that healthcare facilities in the affected regions are overwhelmed, struggling to manage the influx of the injured. There is an urgent need for trauma care, surgical supplies, and mental health support. The lack of heavy machinery has hampered search and rescue operations, forcing workers to painstakingly search through debris by hand in the intense heat, with temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F). International aid teams from countries such as Russia, China, India, and several Southeast Asian nations are now on-site. An Indian rescue team in Mandalay used power tools to clear debris, retrieving bodies and sending them to ambulances. Countries like the European Union, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea have pledged millions of dollars in aid, either directly or through local and international partners. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to assist, but no aid has yet reached Myanmar. A small group of U.S. military personnel was deployed to Bangkok, where the earthquake also caused fatalities, particularly at a construction site where a high-rise collapsed. The earthquake occurred along the Sagaing Fault, a significant fault line that runs through Myanmar, and was triggered by a rupture over a 200-kilometer (125-mile) stretch. The affected areas include Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, and Shan State. In addition to the earthquake, rescue efforts are complicated by the ongoing civil war in the country. Since the military coup in 2021, Myanmar has experienced widespread armed resistance, with millions displaced and many areas inaccessible to aid organizations. Ellery of IRC noted that the earthquake hit an area already severely impacted by last year’s flooding, where many displaced people had sought refuge. Since the earthquake, many survivors have been forced to sleep outdoors due to destroyed homes or the threat of aftershocks. With the monsoon season approaching in May, providing shelter will be a critical challenge. “For now, our focus is on immediate relief efforts,” she said.

Pakistan said it killed 10 civilians during an anti-militant operation in the country’s northwest and promised to investigate the circumstances. Authorities made the admission Saturday evening about the deaths, which occurred in the early hours of that morning in a remote hilltop area of Katlang, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It is rare for Pakistan to reveal civilian casualties resulting from anti-militant activities and it was not immediately clear how the Saturday operations were carried out. According to provincial government spokesman Muhammad Ali Saif, reports indicated the location was being used as a “hideout and transit point for terrorist” elements. Subsequent information revealed that some unarmed civilians were present in the vicinity of the site, Saif added. Locals said 10 bodies, including those of women and children, were recovered from the area where government officials claimed the anti-militant operation had taken place. They belonged to the Swat region and were nomads with livestock in the Shamozai mountains, the locals added. Their families protested the deaths by placing the bodies on the Swat Highway. The loss of unarmed individuals was deeply regrettable and the tragic incident occurred as a consequence of targeting terrorists, said spokesman Saif. “The safety of civilians is always a top priority during such operations. However, due to complex geography, terrorists using civilian populations as cover, and the urgent nature of the operation, unintended consequences can sometimes occur.” Immediate medical assistance was being provided to the injured and compensation for the families of the deceased was being ensured, he added. A statement from the provincial government said the operation “successfully neutralized several high-value targets” linked to ongoing militant activities in the region. It also said, “the fog of war can sometimes lead to unintended consequences.”  

Saudi Arabia has declared that Eid-Fitr-will commence on Sunday following the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon on Saturday evening. The moon-sighting committee convened after Maghrib prayers and confirmed the visibility of the new moon, signalling the conclusion of Ramadan after 29 days of fasting. This follows the Islamic tradition of determining the beginning of a new month based on lunar observation, reports Gulf News. Main Eid congregation to be held at Nat’l Eidgah at 8:30am An official statement from the Royal Court is anticipated to confirm that Saturday marks the final day of Ramadan, while Sunday will be observed as Eid Al Fitr throughout the Kingdom, it said. Eid prayers in the country are set to take place early Sunday morning at over 15,948 mosques and 3,939 open-air prayer grounds across all regions of the country, as families come together to celebrate one of Islam’s most joyous and spiritually significant occasions. Eid Weather: Will the skies remain clear or surprise us?

Myanmar’s ruling military said Saturday on state television that the confirmed death toll from a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake rose to 1,644, as more bodies were pulled from the rubble of the scores of buildings that collapsed when it struck near the country’s second-largest city. The new total is a sharp rise compared to the 1,002 total announced just hours earlier, underlining the difficulty of confirming casualties over a widespread region and the likelihood that the numbers will continue to grow from Friday's quake. The number of injured increased to 3,408, while the missing figure rose to 139. Rescue efforts are underway especially in the major stricken cities of Mandalay, the country's No. 2 city, and Naypyitaw, the capital. But even though teams and equipment have been flown in from other nations, they are hindered by the airports in those cities being damaged and apparently unfit to land planes. Myanmar, also known as Burma, is in the throes of a prolonged civil war, which is already responsible for a humanitarian crisis. It makes movement around the country both difficult and dangerous, complicating relief efforts and raising fears that the death toll could still rise precipitously. The earthquake struck midday Friday with an epicenter not far from Mandalay, followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 6.4. It sent buildings in many areas toppling to the ground, buckled roads, caused bridges to collapse and burst a dam. In Naypyidaw, crews worked Saturday to repair damaged roads, while electricity, phone and internet services remained down for most of the city. The earthquake brought down many buildings, including multiple units that housed government civil servants, but that section of the city was blocked off by authorities on Saturday. More damage in Thailand In neighboring Thailand, the quake rocked the greater Bangkok area, home to around 17 million people, and other parts of the country. Bangkok city authorities said the number of confirmed dead was now 10, nine at the site of the collapsed high-rise under construction near the capital’s popular Chatuchak market, while 78 people were still unaccounted for. Rescue efforrs were continuing in the hope of finding additional survivors. On Saturday, more heavy equipment was brought in to move the tons of rubble, but hope was fading among friends and family members of the missing that they would be found alive. “I was praying that that they had survived but when I got here and saw the ruin — where could they be? In which corner? Are they still alive? I am still praying that all six are alive,” said 45-year-old Naruemol Thonglek, sobbing as she awaited news about her partner, who is from Myanmar, and five friends who worked at the site. Waenphet Panta said she hadn't heard from her daughter Kanlayanee since a phone call about an hour before the quake. A friend told her Kanlayanee had been working high on the building on Friday. “I am praying my daughter is safe, that she has survived and that she’s at the hospital,” she said, Kanlayanee’s father sitting beside her. Thai authorities said that the quake and aftershocks were felt in most of the country's provinces. Many places in the north reported damage to residential buildings, hospitals and temples, including in Chiang Mai, but the only casualties were reported in Bangkok Myanmar sits on a major fault line Earthquakes are rare in Bangkok, but relatively common in Myanmar. The country sits on the Sagaing Fault, a major north-south fault that separates the India plate and the Sunda plate. Brian Baptie, a seismologist with the British Geological Survey, said that the quake caused intense ground shaking in an area where most of the population lives in buildings constructed of timber and unreinforced brick masonry. “When you have a large earthquake in an area where there are over a million people, many of them living in vulnerable buildings, the consequences can often be disastrous," he said in a statement. A natural disaster on top of a civil war Myanmar’s government said that blood was in high demand in the hardest-hit areas. In a country where prior governments sometimes have been slow to accept foreign aid, Min Aung Hlaing said that Myanmar was ready to accept outside assistance. Myanmar’s military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, and is now involved in a civil war with long-established militias and newly formed pro-democracy ones. Military forces continued their attacks even after the quake, with three airstrikes in northern Kayin state, also called Karenni state, and southern Shan — both of which border Mandalay state, said Dave Eubank, a former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier who founded the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian aid organization that has provided assistance to both combatants and civilians in Myanmar since the 1990s. Eubank told The Associated Press that in the area he was operating in, most villages have already been destroyed by the military so the earthquake had little impact. “People are in the jungle and I was out in the jungle when the earthquake hit — it was powerful, but the trees just moved, that was it for us, so we haven't had a direct impact other than that the Burma army keeps attacking, even after the quake,” he said. In northern Shan, an airstrike on a rebel-controlled village just minutes after the earthquake killed seven militia members and damaged five buildings, including a school, Mai Rukow, editor of a Shan-based online media Shwe Phee Myay News Agency, told the AP. Government forces have lost control of much of Myanmar, and many places are incredibly dangerous or simply impossible for aid groups to reach. More than 3 million people have been displaced by the fighting and nearly 20 million are in need, according to the United Nations. “Although a full picture of the damage is still emerging, most of us have never seen such destruction," said Haider Yaqub, Myanmar country director for the NGO Plan International, from Yangon. Control tower at Myanmar airport collapsed Satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC analyzed by the AP show the earthquake toppled the air traffic control tower at Naypyitaw International Airport as if sheered from its base. Debris lay scattered from the top of the tower, which controlled all air traffic in the capital of Myanmar, the photos showed on Saturday. It wasn’t immediately clear if there had been any injuries in the collapse, though the tower would have had staff inside of it at the time of the earthquake Friday. Rescue groups head to Myanmar China and Russia are the largest suppliers of weapons to Myanmar's military, and were among the first to step in with humanitarian aid. China said it has sent more than 135 rescue personnel and experts along with supplies like medical kits and generators, and pledged around $13.8 million in emergency aid. Hong Kong sent a 51-member team to Myanmar. Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said it had flown in 120 rescuers and supplies, and the country's Health Ministry said Moscow had sent a medical team to Myanmar. Other countries like India and South Korea are sending help, and the U.N. allocated $5 million to start relief efforts. U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington was going to help with the response, but some experts were concerned about this effort given his administration’s deep cuts in foreign assistance.

In an address to major global business leaders, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged foreign investors to have faith in China’s business prospects, the latest move to revive the world’s second-largest economy that has been dragged down by a property bust and a loss of momentum. “China has always been and will certainly be an ideal, safe and promising investment destination for foreign investors,” Xi told executives, including Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota, Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics and Stephen Allen Schwarzman, CEO of investment firm Blackstone. China remains a major exporter of products to countries around the world and boasts a domestic market of 1.4 billion people. However, massive overbuilding in the property sector has tied up trillions of dollars in capital, sapping business and consumer confidence and depriving the economy of its past vitality, while a tariff war unleashed by the U.S. is compounding those problems. Private businesses, which provide a large share of growth and jobs in the country’s state-dominated economy, have borne much of the burden after years of regulatory crackdowns have shaken the confidence of entrepreneurs and other investors. China's unprecedentedly tough response to the COVID-19 outbreak also shut down business for much of three years and some sectors of the economy have yet to recover, particularly where global supply chains are involved. Yet, Xi, considered something a sceptic when it comes to inviting in overseas businesses, said foreign investors could have confidence that “the door of opening up will only open wider and wider. The policy of utilizing foreign investment has not changed and will not change,” he said. “China contains huge investment and consumption potential,” he added. North Korea deployed 3,000 troops to Russia, says South Korea China has set an economic growth target of about 5% for this year, the same as last year and a level that analysts said would be difficult to achieve. The government has said it would attempt to stimulate the roughly $20 trillion economy by borrowing more money for a slew of initiatives, such as giving 300 billion yuan ($41.3 billion) in rebates to consumers who trade in old cars and appliances for new ones. But much of the borrowing will go to supporting the housing market and local governments weighed down by debt. What is clear is that a trade war with the United States has left the outlook for the coming months uncertain. Trump has raised tariffs on imports from China twice since taking office in January, leaving them at 20% across-the-board. China has shown no sign of backing down, retaliating with tariffs on U.S. goods. Xi did not mention the tariffs directly, but appeared to be referring to the importance of stable trade terms by saying: “Blowing out other people’s lights will not make your own lights brighter. Blocking other people’s paths will eventually block your own paths.”For now, however, China is seeking to portray itself as “an ideal, safe and promising investment destination for foreign investors,” he said. “Going with China is going with opportunities. Believing in China is believing in tomorrow. Investing in China is investing in the future,” the president, who has made himself leader for life and also heads the ruling Communist Party, said. Others in attendance Friday included Amin H. Nasser, president of Saudi Aramco; Sherard Louis Cowper-Coles, the chair of China-Britain Business Council; Oliver Zipse, BMW CEO and Ray Dalio, chief investment officer of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates.

North Korea deployed approximately 3,000 additional troops to Russia in January and February, continuing its support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, according to South Korea’s latest assessment South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported on Thursday that North Korea has also been supplying Russia with missiles, artillery, and ammunition and may increase its weapons shipments depending on the evolving war. While Russia and Ukraine recently agreed to a limited ceasefire, both nations have accused each other of breaching it. Japan China and South Korea discuss trilateral cooperation The military supplies North Korea has sent to Russia include a substantial quantity of short-range ballistic missiles, 170mm self-propelled howitzers, and around 220 units of 240mm multiple rocket launchers. In total, North Korea has dispatched roughly 11,000 troops to take part in the conflict in Ukraine—its first large-scale military involvement since the Korean War (1950–53). The Joint Chiefs estimate that about 4,000 of those troops have either been killed or injured. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service had previously attributed the high casualty rate among North Korean forces to their struggle in adapting to drones and other modern warfare tactics. Additionally, their Russian commanders’ reliance on crude military strategies—such as sending North Korean troops into battle without adequate rear-fire support—has further contributed to their losses, according to a January briefing to lawmakers. Despite this, Ukrainian military and intelligence officials believe that North Korean troops are gaining vital battlefield experience and have played a crucial role in Russia’s strategy of overwhelming Ukrainian forces by deploying large numbers of soldiers, particularly in the battle for Kursk. This assessment from South Korea follows a recent meeting in Pyongyang between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian security official Sergei Shoigu, where Kim reaffirmed his unwavering support for Russia’s war effort. State media reports indicate that Kim and Shoigu also reaffirmed their commitment to a major mutual defence treaty signed last year. On Thursday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko told Russian media that discussions were ongoing regarding a potential visit by Kim to Moscow, though no specific date had been set. “We always discuss the possibility of exchange visits with all our partners. We are constantly making preparations,” Rudenko told RIA Novosti. North Korea fires several ballistic missiles after the US and South Korea began military drills Kim Unveils New Military Drones Kim’s military assistance to Russia has raised concerns that North Korea may receive advanced Russian technology in return, potentially boosting the capabilities of its nuclear-armed forces. Experts suggest that aircraft and drones could be among the technologies North Korea seeks to acquire from Russia. On Thursday, North Korean state media reported that Kim had recently observed tests of newly developed reconnaissance and attack drones, calling for their mass production. Over the past several months, Kim has increasingly emphasised drone development, and these tests mark the latest demonstration of North Korea’s advancing military capabilities. Photos published by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) showed Kim monitoring a large reconnaissance drone resembling the U.S.-made RQ-4B Global Hawk, first unveiled during a military exhibition in 2023. Other images depicted Kim inside what appeared to be an airborne early warning aircraft, similar in design to the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail. Additional photos showed explosive drones crashing into military vehicles, which were used as targets. KCNA stated that the reconnaissance drone successfully demonstrated its ability to track multiple targets and monitor troop movements on land and at sea, potentially enhancing North Korea’s intelligence-gathering and threat-neutralisation capabilities. The report also claimed that the newly developed explosive drones are designed for various attack missions and incorporate unspecified artificial intelligence technology. Kim expressed satisfaction with the drones' performance and approved an expansion of production, stressing that both drones and AI should be prioritised in modernising his armed forces, according to KCNA. The report stated that the tests were conducted during Kim’s visits to a drone technology facility and an electronic warfare research group on Tuesday and Wednesday. This follows previous demonstrations of explosive drones, which Kim inspected in August and November last year. When asked about the early warning aircraft unveiled by North Korean state media, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung Joon said the North likely modified an existing plane for this purpose, possibly incorporating Russian components. However, he noted that the aircraft’s operational effectiveness remains unproven. “As seen in the released images, the aircraft appears quite cumbersome, and we assess that it would likely be vulnerable to interception,” Lee said during a briefing, without providing further details.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra successfully withstood a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Wednesday, following a two-day debate during which her opponents alleged that she had mismanaged the country and allowed her father, a former prime minister, to exert control over her administration. Opposition lawmakers claimed that she was excessively influenced by her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin, a widely popular yet highly controversial political figure, was ousted in a 2006 military coup, went into exile, and recently returned to Thailand. China's Xi and Thailand's leader vow to crack down on scam networks that plague Southeast Asia Paetongtarn’s critics argued that her administration had improperly prioritised her family’s personal and financial interests, particularly those of her father. They also accused her of tax evasion and of failing to address persistent national issues such as the sluggish economy, air pollution, crime, and corruption. She secured 319 votes in her favour, while 161 voted against her and seven abstained in the first no-confidence vote she has faced since taking office last year. Her predecessor, another Pheu Thai prime minister, was removed by the Constitutional Court for committing a serious ethical violation. Following the vote, Paetongtarn expressed gratitude to all parties for their participation in the process. “Every vote, whether in support or opposition, serves as motivation for me and the Cabinet to continue working with dedication for the people,” she wrote on social media. Bangladesh and Thailand Chief Justices meet to discuss potential judicial collaboration Paetongtarn leads the Pheu Thai Party, the latest in a series of populist parties linked to Thaksin. For nearly two decades, Thaksin has been central to Thailand’s deep political divides, with his support base among the predominantly poor, rural population clashing with royalists, the military, and their urban allies, who accuse him of endangering their status and that of the revered monarchy.

Wildfires have been devastating southern South Korea, claiming 18 lives, destroying over 200 structures, and forcing 27,000 people to evacuate, officials confirmed on Wednesday. Driven by strong winds, these wildfires rank among the worst the country has ever faced. Officials also reported that a helicopter crashed while attempting to contain the fires in Uiseong, one of the most severely affected areas. The Korea Forest Service stated that rescue operations were in progress, and it was believed that only the pilot was on board. 39 dead as tornadoes, wildfires, dust storms devastate US The government’s emergency response centre noted that the fires have burned through 43,330 acres, injuring 19 people and consuming an ancient Buddhist temple, houses, factories, and vehicles. In a televised address, South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo stated that the ongoing wildfires, which began last Friday, were inflicting more damage than many previous incidents. “The damage is escalating rapidly,” Han remarked. “We may be facing wildfire destruction on an unprecedented scale, so we must focus all our efforts on extinguishing the fires this week.” Han pointed out that strong overnight winds had hampered firefighting efforts, with around 4,650 firefighters, soldiers, and other personnel engaged in the battle against the flames. They were supported by approximately 130 helicopters. A small amount of rainfall—5 to 10 millimetres—was expected on Thursday. Observers consider these wildfires the third-largest in South Korea’s history in terms of land burned. On Tuesday, officials in several southeastern cities and towns ordered evacuations as dry winds continued to fuel multiple blazes. The largest fires were reported in Andong, the neighbouring counties of Uiseong and Sancheong, and the city of Ulsan, according to the Interior Ministry. Earlier that day, officials had announced that the largest fires in these areas had mostly been extinguished. However, strong winds and dry conditions led to the blazes reigniting. Overnight firefighting efforts were partially halted as the winds intensified. In Uiseong, the fire destroyed nearly half of the more than 30 structures at Gounsa, a temple believed to have been originally built in the 7th century. Among the damaged buildings were two state-designated “treasures” – a pavilion-like structure built over a stream in 1668 and a Joseon Dynasty structure from 1904, erected to commemorate a king’s longevity. Another state-designated treasure, an 8th-century stone Buddha statue, was relocated to safety, as confirmed by government and Buddhist officials. The Justice Ministry reported that 500 inmates were transferred from a detention centre in Cheongsong, another town in the south, as a precaution. However, no damage to the facility was reported. On Tuesday, the Korea Forest Service raised its wildfire warning to the highest “serious” level nationwide. This measure required local authorities to deploy additional emergency personnel, tighten entry restrictions to forests and parks, and advise military units to suspend live-fire exercises. Powerful March storm sparks wildfires, causes fatalities, raises Tornado concerns Among the 18 casualties were four firefighters and government workers who lost their lives in Sancheong on Saturday after being trapped by fast-moving flames driven by strong winds, officials said. Authorities suspect that human negligence was responsible for several of the fires, possibly due to the use of fire for clearing overgrown grass at family tombs or sparks from welding activities.

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has overturned the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting leader on Monday. However, the court has yet to rule on the separate impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his declaration of martial law in December. Implications of the RulingObservers noted that the 7-1 decision in Han's case does not necessarily indicate how the court will rule on Yoon’s impeachment, as Han was not central to the martial law declaration. However, the ruling may embolden Yoon’s supporters and escalate political tensions with the opposition. Following his reinstatement, Han expressed gratitude to the court for what he termed a “wise decision” and vowed to prioritize pressing issues, including global trade challenges—an apparent reference to the Trump administration’s tariff policies. Calling for national unity, he stated, “There’s no left or right—what matters is the advancement of our nation.” Background: Political Turmoil and ImpeachmentSouth Korea has been in political crisis since Yoon, a conservative, declared martial law on December 3, deploying troops to the opposition-controlled National Assembly and other locations in Seoul. The decree lasted just six hours before lawmakers convened and successfully voted to nullify it. On December 14, the assembly impeached Yoon, accusing him of violating the Constitution and attempting to suppress political opposition. Han assumed the role of acting president until his own impeachment later that month. The dual impeachments of South Korea’s top two leaders have deepened domestic political divisions and raised concerns about the country’s economic and diplomatic stability. Key Factors in Han’s ImpeachmentOne major factor in Han’s impeachment was his refusal to fill three vacant seats on the nine-member Constitutional Court, a move that could have influenced the outcome of Yoon’s impeachment ruling. His successor as acting president, Choi Sang-mok, later appointed two justices but left one seat vacant. Han also faced allegations of abetting Yoon’s martial law order and obstructing independent investigations into potential rebellion charges against Yoon. Japan China and South Korea discuss trilateral cooperation On Monday, seven of the court’s eight justices ruled against Han’s impeachment, stating that his actions were either not illegal or not severe enough to justify removal. Additionally, they noted procedural flaws in the impeachment motion. One justice dissented, supporting Han’s impeachment. Political ReactionsThe main liberal opposition Democratic Party criticized the court’s decision, urging it to remove Yoon swiftly. Meanwhile, Yoon’s office welcomed the ruling, calling the opposition’s repeated impeachment efforts “reckless, malicious political offensives.” Uncertainty Over Yoon’s FutureInitially, analysts expected a verdict on Yoon’s impeachment by mid-March, but the delay has fueled speculation about the court’s reasoning. “Today’s verdict will energize both Yoon’s supporters and opponents,” said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington. “However, given the differences in allegations, it’s too early to predict the court’s ruling on Yoon.” Kim noted that Han’s reinstatement, given his bureaucratic background, would likely stabilize the country compared to the uncertainty during his suspension. Public Opinion and Political DivisionsMass protests for and against Yoon have erupted across South Korea. Initial polls showed widespread disapproval of Yoon’s martial law order, though his support has recently strengthened. Yoon contends that his declaration was a necessary measure to counter the Democratic Party’s obstruction of his policies and impeachment motions against key officials. Critics argue he sought to use military rule to avoid investigations into corruption scandals involving him and his wife. Senior military and police officials have testified that Yoon ordered them to remove lawmakers from the assembly to prevent a vote against his decree. Yoon, however, insists the troop deployment was meant to maintain order. Japan's leader calls for common ground ahead of key meeting with China and South Korea Potential OutcomesIf the court upholds Yoon’s impeachment, a new presidential election will be required. If it overturns the decision, Yoon will regain his full presidential powers. Separately, Yoon faces charges of directing rebellion, a crime punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted. Source: With input from agency 

South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Monday reversed the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting leader of the country. This decision was made while the court has yet to issue a verdict on the separate impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Many analysts believe the ruling on Han’s impeachment doesn’t offer much insight into the likely outcome of Yoon's case, as Han was not central to the controversial imposition of martial law by Yoon. Nevertheless, the decision could strengthen Yoon's loyal supporters and intensify their political campaign against the opposition. US lifts bounties on senior Taliban officials, including Sirajuddin Haqqani Han became acting president after Yoon, a conservative, was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly in December following Yoon’s imposition of martial law on December 3, which sparked a political crisis. However, Han himself faced impeachment by the assembly later that month amid political conflict with opposition lawmakers. The consecutive and unprecedented impeachments of the nation’s top two leaders deepened the country’s political division and raised concerns over its diplomatic and economic stability. In the interim, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok served as acting president. On Monday, seven of the court’s eight justices ruled to overturn or dismiss Han's impeachment, stating that the accusations against him were not legally valid or significant enough to justify his removal from office, or that the impeachment motion had failed to meet the necessary quorum in the assembly. Only one justice upheld the impeachment. A dismissal of Han would have required the backing of at least six justices. After his reinstatement, Han addressed the media, stating that he would focus on "the most urgent matters," including the shifting global trade landscape, likely alluding to the Trump administration’s aggressive trade policies. He also called for national unity, stating that "there’s no left or right — what matters is the advancement of our nation." The court has not yet ruled on Yoon's impeachment. If upheld, South Korea will need to hold a presidential election. If Yoon’s impeachment is overturned, he will be restored to office with full presidential powers. Yoon's impeachment came about two weeks before Han's. Observers had expected the Constitutional Court to rule on Yoon's case in mid-March, but no decision has been made as of now. Yoon has also been arrested and charged with rebellion related to his martial law decree. If convicted, he faces either the death penalty or a life sentence. On March 8, a Seoul district court allowed Yoon to stand trial while not being detained, leading to his release from prison. Massive protests for and against Yoon have divided South Korea’s major cities, including Seoul. Earlier polls suggested that a majority of South Koreans disapproved of Yoon's martial law decree, though support for Yoon and his sympathizers has grown since then. The main point of contention in the political battle over Yoon is his deployment of hundreds of troops and police to the assembly following the declaration of martial law. While Yoon claims the intention was to maintain order, military and police officials have stated that Yoon ordered them to remove lawmakers to prevent a vote to rescind his decree. Eventually, enough lawmakers managed to vote against the decree, rejecting it unanimously. Han, a seasoned diplomat appointed by Yoon, attempted to stabilize diplomatic relations and reassure financial markets while serving as acting president. His refusal to fill three vacancies on the nine-member Constitutional Court, however, triggered the opposition’s push for his impeachment. Restoring the court’s full membership became a contentious issue, as a ruling in favor of Yoon’s impeachment would require at least six justices. Han’s successor, Choi Sang-mok, appointed two new justices but left the ninth seat vacant. Turkish court orders key Erdogan rival jailed pending trial on corruption charges Both Han and Choi argued that bipartisan consent was needed to appoint new justices, but critics suggested they were aligning with Yoon's People Power Party to increase Yoon’s chances of returning to power. On Friday, the main liberal opposition party, the Democratic Party, along with other smaller opposition parties, submitted an impeachment motion against Choi.