China’s yuan hits 2-year low, Asian currency pressure rises, as US dollar strengthens
By Sylvia Ma
With the offshore yuan having plunged to its lowest level in more than two years against the US dollar as Donald Trump’s return to the White House nears, analysts forecast prolonged pressure on Asian currencies amid heightened global uncertainties and renewed tariff threats.
On the last trading day in 2024, the yuan touched 7.3698 per US dollar and reached its weakest level since October 2022, when the rate surpassed 7.37, according to Chinese financial data provider Wind. A higher number means it takes more yuan to purchase one dollar, signalling relative yuan weakness.
The onshore yuan has remained relatively steady, testing the 7.3 level multiple times last month without breaking it, according to Wind.
On Thursday morning, the People’s Bank of China set the midpoint rate – also known as the fixing rate – at 7.1879 per US dollar, the strongest level so far in this week, while the offshore yuan was trading at around 7.322 to the US dollar on Thursday afternoon.
The yuan is not alone in feeling the pressure, as other Asian currencies have also taken a hit due to the strengthening of the safe-haven US dollar. Expectations for a strong US dollar are enhanced because the US Federal Reserve is expected to slow the pace of rate cuts this year, and Trump’s forthcoming trade policies could heighten uncertainties.
The Japanese yen dipped below the 158 mark against the US dollar near the end of last year, hitting a five-month low, while Vietnam’s currency declined to a record low, trading at more than 25,480 against the dollar by year’s end.
Similarly, the South Korean won fell to over 1,480 per US dollar, reaching its weakest point in 15 years amid domestic political turmoil.
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By Sylvia Ma
With the offshore yuan having plunged to its lowest level in more than two years against the US dollar as Donald Trump’s return to the White House nears, analysts forecast prolonged pressure on Asian currencies amid heightened global uncertainties and renewed tariff threats.
On the last trading day in 2024, the yuan touched 7.3698 per US dollar and reached its weakest level since October 2022, when the rate surpassed 7.37, according to Chinese financial data provider Wind. A higher number means it takes more yuan to purchase one dollar, signalling relative yuan weakness.
The onshore yuan has remained relatively steady, testing the 7.3 level multiple times last month without breaking it, according to Wind.
On Thursday morning, the People’s Bank of China set the midpoint rate – also known as the fixing rate – at 7.1879 per US dollar, the strongest level so far in this week, while the offshore yuan was trading at around 7.322 to the US dollar on Thursday afternoon.
The yuan is not alone in feeling the pressure, as other Asian currencies have also taken a hit due to the strengthening of the safe-haven US dollar. Expectations for a strong US dollar are enhanced because the US Federal Reserve is expected to slow the pace of rate cuts this year, and Trump’s forthcoming trade policies could heighten uncertainties.
The Japanese yen dipped below the 158 mark against the US dollar near the end of last year, hitting a five-month low, while Vietnam’s currency declined to a record low, trading at more than 25,480 against the dollar by year’s end.
Similarly, the South Korean won fell to over 1,480 per US dollar, reaching its weakest point in 15 years amid domestic political turmoil.
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Hong Kong visitor numbers over holidays up 7.5%, but offset by departures
By Kahon ChanWinnie WongJohnny Wan
Hong Kong recorded a 7.5 per cent increase in visitor numbers over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, but local businesses continued to complain of lacklustre sales as outbound trips made by city residents also rose by 10 per cent.
Local residents and visitors made a total of 12.41 million trips across all border checkpoints between December 21 and January 1, 15 per cent higher than the same 12-day period a year before, according to official statistics.
But the tally fell short of the Immigration Department’s forecast by 5 per cent.
There were 1.77 million visitor arrivals in the latest holiday period, 7.5 per cent higher than the 1.65 million recorded the last time around.
The most recent holiday’s tally of 1.28 million mainland tourists represented a 3.5 per cent year-on-year increase. The 496,166 foreign arrivals also increased by nearly a fifth from a year ago.
The uptick in visitors has been a boon for some establishments that had a good reputation among mainland residents.
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By Kahon ChanWinnie WongJohnny Wan
Hong Kong recorded a 7.5 per cent increase in visitor numbers over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, but local businesses continued to complain of lacklustre sales as outbound trips made by city residents also rose by 10 per cent.
Local residents and visitors made a total of 12.41 million trips across all border checkpoints between December 21 and January 1, 15 per cent higher than the same 12-day period a year before, according to official statistics.
But the tally fell short of the Immigration Department’s forecast by 5 per cent.
There were 1.77 million visitor arrivals in the latest holiday period, 7.5 per cent higher than the 1.65 million recorded the last time around.
The most recent holiday’s tally of 1.28 million mainland tourists represented a 3.5 per cent year-on-year increase. The 496,166 foreign arrivals also increased by nearly a fifth from a year ago.
The uptick in visitors has been a boon for some establishments that had a good reputation among mainland residents.
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Malaysian blames fatigue from watching fireworks after being caught with masseuse in hotel
By The Star
A 60-year-old Malaysian businessman has cited exhaustion from watching the New Year fireworks display at Bandar Hilir in Melaka state as the reason he wound up being caught in a hotel room with a masseuse during a religious department operation.
State education, higher education and religious affairs committee chairman Rahmad Mariman said the man, who is married, was detained with a 42-year-old woman from Thailand during the anti-vice operation between 12.30am and 4.30am on Wednesday.
“The man, a local, admitted that he met up with the woman, who works as a masseuse at a massage centre in the city centre.
“He claimed he had no choice but to stay with the Thai woman at the hotel because he was too tired to return home after watching the fireworks display,” he told the media.
Rahmad said the duo was among 13 people – seven men and six women aged between 21 and 60 – detained during the operation.
It involved 42 enforcement officers who inspected 17 hotels around the city centre and Alor Gajah based on public tip-offs and intelligence.
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By The Star
A 60-year-old Malaysian businessman has cited exhaustion from watching the New Year fireworks display at Bandar Hilir in Melaka state as the reason he wound up being caught in a hotel room with a masseuse during a religious department operation.
State education, higher education and religious affairs committee chairman Rahmad Mariman said the man, who is married, was detained with a 42-year-old woman from Thailand during the anti-vice operation between 12.30am and 4.30am on Wednesday.
“The man, a local, admitted that he met up with the woman, who works as a masseuse at a massage centre in the city centre.
“He claimed he had no choice but to stay with the Thai woman at the hotel because he was too tired to return home after watching the fireworks display,” he told the media.
Rahmad said the duo was among 13 people – seven men and six women aged between 21 and 60 – detained during the operation.
It involved 42 enforcement officers who inspected 17 hotels around the city centre and Alor Gajah based on public tip-offs and intelligence.
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New Orleans attack, Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion raise US security fears
By Bloomberg
A gruesome attack on revellers celebrating New Year’s in New Orleans thrust US domestic security back into the spotlight less than a month before Donald Trump is sworn in as president.
The tragedy, which killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more, set off panic in the historic French Quarter and postponed events, including a major football game. Hours later, a deadly explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside of President-elect Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas further rattled Americans ringing in 2025.
The incidents, which are both being probed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, prompted statements from Trump, US President Joe Biden and other senior US officials. Elon Musk also weighed in, saying that the Cybertruck explosion appeared likely to be terrorism and that it could be linked to the New Orleans attack.
Trump said his incoming administration would help New Orleans as it investigates and recovers from what he called an act of “pure evil”.
Trump, who is set to be sworn in on January 20, has often blamed undocumented immigrants for crime in the US. The suspect in Wednesday’s attack in New Orleans was an American and served in the US Army.
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By Bloomberg
A gruesome attack on revellers celebrating New Year’s in New Orleans thrust US domestic security back into the spotlight less than a month before Donald Trump is sworn in as president.
The tragedy, which killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more, set off panic in the historic French Quarter and postponed events, including a major football game. Hours later, a deadly explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside of President-elect Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas further rattled Americans ringing in 2025.
The incidents, which are both being probed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, prompted statements from Trump, US President Joe Biden and other senior US officials. Elon Musk also weighed in, saying that the Cybertruck explosion appeared likely to be terrorism and that it could be linked to the New Orleans attack.
Trump said his incoming administration would help New Orleans as it investigates and recovers from what he called an act of “pure evil”.
Trump, who is set to be sworn in on January 20, has often blamed undocumented immigrants for crime in the US. The suspect in Wednesday’s attack in New Orleans was an American and served in the US Army.
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Hong Kong’s air passenger traffic soars to pre-pandemic levels over Christmas
By Sammy Heung
Hong Kong’s daily air passenger traffic has reached more than 180,000 on average during the Christmas period and returned to pre-pandemic levels, the transport minister has said as she pledged to increase flight frequency.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan also said on Thursday that during the Christmas holiday, the number of flight movements on a single day peaked at about 1,150, which was close to the average figure before the pandemic.
“During the Christmas period in 2024, our average passenger traffic was more than 180,000 per day. On December 21, the single-day peak was 190,000. It has returned to pre-pandemic levels,” Chan told a radio programme.
“The Airport Authority will actively increase the number of flights. The Transport and Logistics Bureau will also take a proactive and open attitude to do our best to remove the restrictions in terms of on our air services agreements, so that we can add new locations and frequencies of flights.”
The Airport Authority earlier expected the daily passenger traffic would reach a pre-pandemic peak of around 200,000 people during Christmas.
In December 2023, the authority said that passenger traffic had recovered to 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. Over 160,000 passengers were handled daily by the airport on both December 22 and 23. The flight movements that month had peaked at 1,034 in a single day.
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By Sammy Heung
Hong Kong’s daily air passenger traffic has reached more than 180,000 on average during the Christmas period and returned to pre-pandemic levels, the transport minister has said as she pledged to increase flight frequency.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan also said on Thursday that during the Christmas holiday, the number of flight movements on a single day peaked at about 1,150, which was close to the average figure before the pandemic.
“During the Christmas period in 2024, our average passenger traffic was more than 180,000 per day. On December 21, the single-day peak was 190,000. It has returned to pre-pandemic levels,” Chan told a radio programme.
“The Airport Authority will actively increase the number of flights. The Transport and Logistics Bureau will also take a proactive and open attitude to do our best to remove the restrictions in terms of on our air services agreements, so that we can add new locations and frequencies of flights.”
The Airport Authority earlier expected the daily passenger traffic would reach a pre-pandemic peak of around 200,000 people during Christmas.
In December 2023, the authority said that passenger traffic had recovered to 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. Over 160,000 passengers were handled daily by the airport on both December 22 and 23. The flight movements that month had peaked at 1,034 in a single day.
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China approved more than 90 per cent of overseas data transfers in 2024: top regulator
By Holly Chik
China approved more than 90 per cent of data exports in 2024, the country’s top internet regulator said.
The less than 10 per cent blocked were either deemed as unnecessary or did not meet security standards, according to the update from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).
“Most projects failed the assessment primarily because the data processors did not obtain the necessary consent from individuals as required by law, except for a few that did not pass due to insufficient necessity for important data exports or security risks,” Wang Qi, deputy director of the CAC’s network data management bureau, said on Tuesday.
This is the first CAC report since it eased rules on cross-border data flows in March, introducing security review exemptions for some information exports.
Businesses also no longer have to submit information on cross-border e-commerce, shipping, payments or visa processing for official security checks, a step reported to have eased operational concerns among foreign companies in China.
The eased rules also apply to data related to activities including opening bank accounts and booking flights or hotels.
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By Holly Chik
China approved more than 90 per cent of data exports in 2024, the country’s top internet regulator said.
The less than 10 per cent blocked were either deemed as unnecessary or did not meet security standards, according to the update from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).
“Most projects failed the assessment primarily because the data processors did not obtain the necessary consent from individuals as required by law, except for a few that did not pass due to insufficient necessity for important data exports or security risks,” Wang Qi, deputy director of the CAC’s network data management bureau, said on Tuesday.
This is the first CAC report since it eased rules on cross-border data flows in March, introducing security review exemptions for some information exports.
Businesses also no longer have to submit information on cross-border e-commerce, shipping, payments or visa processing for official security checks, a step reported to have eased operational concerns among foreign companies in China.
The eased rules also apply to data related to activities including opening bank accounts and booking flights or hotels.
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Speculation surrounds China actress Zhao Wei’s divorce from debt-ridden husband
By Alice Yan
The recent announcement that famous Chinese actress Vicki Zhao Wei had divorced her husband Huang Youlong years ago has sparked a heated discussion on why she revealed the news at the time she did.
The 48-year-old star who was a household name in China and was dubbed a “national Goddess”, due to the popularity of TV drama series My Fair Princess in which she starred.
Zhao was effectively blacklisted for “having misdeeds” by the Chinese authorities in 2021, with all the TV series and films she took part in being removed from the internet.
On December 28, Zhao shared a post about her divorce from the China-born Singaporean businessman Huang on a social media platform where she has 84 million followers.
“I officially divorced Mr Huang many years ago. Our marriage ended legally a long time ago. Any issues, speculation and news reports related to him have nothing to do with me,” said Zhao.
She continued by saying: “I urge the concerned parties to recognise this reality and to avoid dragging me into unfounded allegations or reports.”
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By Alice Yan
The recent announcement that famous Chinese actress Vicki Zhao Wei had divorced her husband Huang Youlong years ago has sparked a heated discussion on why she revealed the news at the time she did.
The 48-year-old star who was a household name in China and was dubbed a “national Goddess”, due to the popularity of TV drama series My Fair Princess in which she starred.
Zhao was effectively blacklisted for “having misdeeds” by the Chinese authorities in 2021, with all the TV series and films she took part in being removed from the internet.
On December 28, Zhao shared a post about her divorce from the China-born Singaporean businessman Huang on a social media platform where she has 84 million followers.
“I officially divorced Mr Huang many years ago. Our marriage ended legally a long time ago. Any issues, speculation and news reports related to him have nothing to do with me,” said Zhao.
She continued by saying: “I urge the concerned parties to recognise this reality and to avoid dragging me into unfounded allegations or reports.”
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South Korea’s Jeju Air crash: experts examine possible role of soil-covered concrete
By Park Chan-kyong
The placement of soil over the concrete foundation of an antenna at South Korea’s Muan Airport is under scrutiny for potentially contributing to Sunday’s fatal Jeju Air crash, prompting experts to call for a comprehensive review of airport layouts nationwide.
MBC-TV reported on Thursday that 19 solid concrete pillars, used as structural supports, were found embedded within the raised embankment, or bern, that served as the foundation for an aircraft guidance antenna at Muan Airport in South Jeolla Province
Jeju Air flight 7C2216, travelling from Bangkok, had attempted a wheelless or so-called belly landing amid undercarriage issues suspected to be caused by a bird strike, causing it to skid and crash into the bern, located some 250 metres beyond the runway.
Upon impact, the plane exploded in a massive fireball, killing 179 of the 181 people on board
The concrete pillars, installed in 2007 when the airport opened, were covered with soil to meet local standards requiring such foundations for aircraft guidance antennae to be buried in soft ground, Paek Seung-joo, professor of disaster and fire protection at the Open Cyber University of Korea, explained on Thursday.
The bern was originally designed to raise the height of the guidance facilities to align with the sloped runway’s end.
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By Park Chan-kyong
The placement of soil over the concrete foundation of an antenna at South Korea’s Muan Airport is under scrutiny for potentially contributing to Sunday’s fatal Jeju Air crash, prompting experts to call for a comprehensive review of airport layouts nationwide.
MBC-TV reported on Thursday that 19 solid concrete pillars, used as structural supports, were found embedded within the raised embankment, or bern, that served as the foundation for an aircraft guidance antenna at Muan Airport in South Jeolla Province
Jeju Air flight 7C2216, travelling from Bangkok, had attempted a wheelless or so-called belly landing amid undercarriage issues suspected to be caused by a bird strike, causing it to skid and crash into the bern, located some 250 metres beyond the runway.
Upon impact, the plane exploded in a massive fireball, killing 179 of the 181 people on board
The concrete pillars, installed in 2007 when the airport opened, were covered with soil to meet local standards requiring such foundations for aircraft guidance antennae to be buried in soft ground, Paek Seung-joo, professor of disaster and fire protection at the Open Cyber University of Korea, explained on Thursday.
The bern was originally designed to raise the height of the guidance facilities to align with the sloped runway’s end.
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Philippines recovers suspected Chinese submarine drone from sea
By Agence France-Presse
A submarine drone suspected to be from China was recovered in waters off the central Philippines, police said on Thursday, warning of “potential national security implications”.
Three fishermen found the drone on Monday around nine kilometres (six miles) off the coast of San Pascual in Masbate province, a police report said.
The Philippines and China have for years clashed over maritime rights in the South China Sea as well as possession of reefs and islets.
China claims almost the entire sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.
The yellow drone marked “HY-119” was found floating at sea before being turned over to authorities, regional police director Andre Dizon said.
It was about two metres (six feet) long, and torpedo-shaped with fins.
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By Agence France-Presse
A submarine drone suspected to be from China was recovered in waters off the central Philippines, police said on Thursday, warning of “potential national security implications”.
Three fishermen found the drone on Monday around nine kilometres (six miles) off the coast of San Pascual in Masbate province, a police report said.
The Philippines and China have for years clashed over maritime rights in the South China Sea as well as possession of reefs and islets.
China claims almost the entire sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.
The yellow drone marked “HY-119” was found floating at sea before being turned over to authorities, regional police director Andre Dizon said.
It was about two metres (six feet) long, and torpedo-shaped with fins.
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By SCMP
We have selected five Trending in China stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
A woman in China was seen wrapped in a large plastic bag after being discharged from the hospital following childbirth, a sight that quickly gained traction on mainland social media. Her story has reignited a debate about traditional health practices for post-partum women.
A Sichuan hotpot restaurant has been punished by the local government for creating “saliva oil” by recycling the leftover chilli oil soups of diners and mixing the brew with new oil to serve the next customers.A restaurant in China is being investigated for using a mixture of old and new cooking oil in its hotpot dishes. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
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China beats Starlink to hi-res space-ground laser transmission at 6G standard
By Zhang Tong
China has achieved a breakthrough in satellite-to-ground laser communications that could pave the way for 6G and other applications including remote sensing with ultra-high resolution and next generation satellite positioning technology.
Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co, which owns Jilin-1, the world’s largest sub-metre commercial remote sensing satellite constellation, said it achieved a 100 gigabit per second ultra-high-speed image data transmission rate in testing last weekend.
The feat – 10 times the speed of its previous record – was accomplished between a truck-mounted ground station and one of the 117 satellites that currently make up the Jilin-1 constellation, the company said.
According to Wang Hanghang, the company’s head of laser communication ground station technology, the development puts Chang Guang Satellite ahead of Elon Musk’s Starlink.
“Musk’s Starlink has revealed its laser inter-satellite communication system but hasn’t deployed laser satellite-to-ground communication yet. We think they might have the technology, but we’ve already started large-scale deployment,” he said.
“We plan to deploy these laser communication units across all satellites in the Jilin-1 constellation to improve their efficiency, with a goal of networking 300 satellites by 2027.”
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By Zhang Tong
China has achieved a breakthrough in satellite-to-ground laser communications that could pave the way for 6G and other applications including remote sensing with ultra-high resolution and next generation satellite positioning technology.
Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co, which owns Jilin-1, the world’s largest sub-metre commercial remote sensing satellite constellation, said it achieved a 100 gigabit per second ultra-high-speed image data transmission rate in testing last weekend.
The feat – 10 times the speed of its previous record – was accomplished between a truck-mounted ground station and one of the 117 satellites that currently make up the Jilin-1 constellation, the company said.
According to Wang Hanghang, the company’s head of laser communication ground station technology, the development puts Chang Guang Satellite ahead of Elon Musk’s Starlink.
“Musk’s Starlink has revealed its laser inter-satellite communication system but hasn’t deployed laser satellite-to-ground communication yet. We think they might have the technology, but we’ve already started large-scale deployment,” he said.
“We plan to deploy these laser communication units across all satellites in the Jilin-1 constellation to improve their efficiency, with a goal of networking 300 satellites by 2027.”
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Terror on wheels: deadly vehicle attacks become increasingly common
By Reuters
A new chapter in mass attacks began in Nice, France, in 2016, when a man drove a heavy truck into crowds of Bastille Day celebrants. Since then vehicle attacks have become increasingly common, though only some have been declared acts of terrorism. The New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, as revellers ushered in 2025, was the latest attack.
A driver crashed his pickup truck into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day in New Orleans’ French Quarter and opened fire, killing 15 people and injuring more than 35, in an early morning attack the FBI said was a potential act of terrorism.
Vehicle attacks have become increasingly common around the world. The US Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency calls vehicle attacks “a significant threat in the United States” and provides a “Vehicle Incident Prevention and Mitigation Security Guide”.
Below is a list of some high-profile incidents in which a vehicle was used to ram into crowds, harming and killing bystanders.
Last month in Germany, a 50-year-old man was charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder after police said he ploughed a car through crowds at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing five people and injuring scores.
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By Reuters
A new chapter in mass attacks began in Nice, France, in 2016, when a man drove a heavy truck into crowds of Bastille Day celebrants. Since then vehicle attacks have become increasingly common, though only some have been declared acts of terrorism. The New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, as revellers ushered in 2025, was the latest attack.
A driver crashed his pickup truck into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day in New Orleans’ French Quarter and opened fire, killing 15 people and injuring more than 35, in an early morning attack the FBI said was a potential act of terrorism.
Vehicle attacks have become increasingly common around the world. The US Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency calls vehicle attacks “a significant threat in the United States” and provides a “Vehicle Incident Prevention and Mitigation Security Guide”.
Below is a list of some high-profile incidents in which a vehicle was used to ram into crowds, harming and killing bystanders.
Last month in Germany, a 50-year-old man was charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder after police said he ploughed a car through crowds at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing five people and injuring scores.
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South Korea’s Yoon vows to ‘fight till the end’ as arrest over martial law looms
By Reuters
South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol has sent a letter rallying his supporters saying he would “fight till the end” as he faces an attempt by authorities to arrest him over his short-lived December 3 martial law, a lawyer said on Thursday.
“I am watching on YouTube live all the hard work you are doing,” Yoon wrote in the letter late on Wednesday to the estimated hundreds of supporters who have gathered near his official residence protesting his investigation.
“I will fight till the end to protect this country together with you,” he said in the letter, a photo capture of which was sent to Reuters by Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer advising Yoon.
The opposition Democratic Party, which has majority control of parliament and led the impeachment of Yoon on December 14, said the letter proved Yoon was delusional and remains committed to complete his “insurrection”.
“As if trying to stage insurrection wasn’t enough, he is now inciting his supporters to an extreme clash,” party spokesman Jo Seoung-lae said in a statement.
A court on Tuesday approved a warrant for Yoon’s arrest, which potentially would make him the first sitting president to be detained as part of investigations over allegations he masterminded insurrection by trying to impose martial law.
Insurrection is one of the few criminal charges from which a South Korean president does not have immunity.
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By Reuters
South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol has sent a letter rallying his supporters saying he would “fight till the end” as he faces an attempt by authorities to arrest him over his short-lived December 3 martial law, a lawyer said on Thursday.
“I am watching on YouTube live all the hard work you are doing,” Yoon wrote in the letter late on Wednesday to the estimated hundreds of supporters who have gathered near his official residence protesting his investigation.
“I will fight till the end to protect this country together with you,” he said in the letter, a photo capture of which was sent to Reuters by Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer advising Yoon.
The opposition Democratic Party, which has majority control of parliament and led the impeachment of Yoon on December 14, said the letter proved Yoon was delusional and remains committed to complete his “insurrection”.
“As if trying to stage insurrection wasn’t enough, he is now inciting his supporters to an extreme clash,” party spokesman Jo Seoung-lae said in a statement.
A court on Tuesday approved a warrant for Yoon’s arrest, which potentially would make him the first sitting president to be detained as part of investigations over allegations he masterminded insurrection by trying to impose martial law.
Insurrection is one of the few criminal charges from which a South Korean president does not have immunity.
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