According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korean President Yoon Seok yeol recently held a national report and press conference on his second anniversary of inauguration at the Presidential Palace in Seoul. He announced at the meeting that a new "Low Fertility Response Planning Department" will be established, responsible for formulating social policies and mobilizing all national forces to address the issues of low fertility and aging. He pointed out that the new department minister will also serve as the Deputy Prime Minister of Social Affairs, responsible for formulating policies that integrate education, labor, and welfare. This is not limited to simple welfare policies, but should be put on the national agenda. He also called on Congress to actively assist the government in amending new laws and requested assistance from opposition parties.

It is reported that South Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world, and a population crisis is imminent. According to official South Korean data cited by Agence France Presse, the birth rate in South Korea fell to a historic low last year; this yearPreliminary data from February showed that the country's fertility rate dropped to 0.72 in 2023, far below the 2.1 required to maintain population, compared toIn 2022, it decreased by nearly 8%. Experts predict that based on current fertility rates, South Korea's current population of 50 million will decrease by nearly half by 2100.

02German politicians are facing another attack, the third in two weeks

According to Agence France Presse, on May 8th, German police issued a statement stating that a suspect suddenly attacked the head and neck of Berlin's Minister of Economy, Giffe, from behind in a library. It is reported that Giffe is a Social Democratic Party member and former mayor of Berlin. She suffered minor injuries in the incident and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. Berlin's current mayor, Wagner, condemned the attack and called it an attack on democracy, targeting politicians.

It is reported that this is the third attack on German politicians in two weeks. Previously, a European Parliament member named Ike, who also belongs to the Social Democratic Party, was attacked by four people while posting EU election posters in the eastern city of Dresden and suffered serious injuries, requiring surgery. German Chancellor Scholz condemned the attack as a threat to democracy at the time. A 47 year old Green Party politician was also pushed and threatened while posting campaign posters, and the German police did not disclose who this politician was. According to rough estimates by the German police, there were a total of 2790 criminal cases targeting political figures in 2023, up from 1806 in the previous year.

military affairs

01The EU agrees to freeze assets of the Russian central bank for aid to Ukraine

Reuters reported that on May 8th, EU countries reached a consensus to use the proceeds of frozen Russian central bank assets from the EU for Ukraine's defense. Four EU diplomatic sources said that ministers still need to approve legal texts to include 90% of the proceeds from the Russian central bank's frozen assets in the EU managed Ukrainian military aid fund, while the remaining 10% will support Kiev in other ways.

2022Russia's invasion of UkraineShortly thereafter, the G7 froze Russian financial assets worth approximately $300 billion. Since then, the European Union and the G7 have debated how and whether to use this funding to help Ukraine. The United States has proposed to freeze all Russian assets for seizure, but Europe has expressed opposition, stating that this will put the euro at risk and bring huge legal consequences. Recently, Washington has been promoting the use of these assets as collateral to provide loans to Ukraine.

01Thailand plans to develop a plan for scrapping and recycling electric vehicles

Bangkok Comprehensive News: Recently,The Thai Automotive Research Institute has signed a memorandum of understanding with Better World Green Plc, a Thai industrial waste treatment and recycling organization, to develop electric vehicle disposal methods that comply with international standards and Thai laws. The Thai Automotive Research Institute hopes to collaborate with Better World Green to develop methods for recycling electric vehicle energy storage systems and metal, plastic, and rubber components for use in other industrial applications.

Thai Automotive Research Institute Changjiang ShagRepresent,This memorandum of understanding will promote cooperation in academic research, development, knowledge exchange, and technology transfer to find effective ways to dispose of scrapped electric vehicles, especially batteries that may pose a threat to the environment.Better WorldVice General Manager of Green, Nadapan, said that they will utilize their expertise in one-stop industrial waste management to design disposal methods for scrapped electric vehicles, with a focus on minimizing the impact on the environment.

It is reported that,The Thai government is currently developing the electric vehicle industry through various policies, including introducing subsidy policies to encourage consumers to purchase electric vehicles.data displayBy the end of this year, Thailand's newly registered electric vehicles may exceed150000 vehicles. The proportion of electric vehicles in Thailand's total car registration has increased from single digits in 2022 to 12% last year and 20% this year. It is expected to increase to 30% by 2025, with an annual registration volume of 225000 vehicles.

02The Philippine economy grew by 5.7% year-on-year in the first quarter

Bloomberg News,On May 9th, the Philippine Bureau of Statistics released its latest data report, which showed that the PhilippinesYear-on-year growth of GDP in the first quarterNow5.7%Maintaining the growth momentum.

It is understood that,The Philippine government initiallyThe economic growth target for 2024 is set at 6.5% to 7.5%. However, due to factors such as slowing global economic growth, rising oil prices, and inflation, the Philippine government lowered its annual growth forecast to 6% to 7% in early April this year. Philippine National Economy and DevelopmentDirector Asenio Balisakan believes that although the economy in the first quarterofThe growth has not reached the annual target,howeverUnder the challenge of the El Ni ñ o phenomenon,PhilippineEconomic development has shown strong resilience.