South Korean killer’s escape foiled, Singapore minister’s Mandarin speech: 7 Asia highlights

1. The South Korean crime lord convicted of murder in the Philippines had planned to escape prison by attaching himself to a drone. However, his accomplice’s rehearsal footage revealed his intentions, foiling the escape attempt.

2. As Rodrigo Duterte's crimes against humanity trial approaches, the International Criminal Court is grappling with the challenge of managing a complex prosecution case, considering the health of the 81-year-old former president and the charged media environment.

3. Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing's use of Mandarin and Chinese philosophy during his speech at a major security forum in Beijing received praise from Chinese social media. This highlights how cultural familiarity and language can serve as diplomatic tools for Singapore.

4. Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim's senior ally, Loke, resigned from his cabinet position following the approval of disgraced former leader Najib Razak's house arrest. This move came after a significant loss of confidence in the prime minister's administration.

5. Indonesia's finance ministry is set to absorb debt payments for Whoosh, the China-funded high-speed railway connecting Jakarta and Bandung. This move aims to alleviate financial pressure on state-owned enterprises responsible for building and operating the line.

6. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has strongly criticized foreigners engaging in illegal activities within Thailand. Following a series of scandals involving illegal businesses and landholdings, including a cemetery, he stated that these cases have "gone too far" by violating Thai law and hospitality norms.

7. Japan's wartime kamikaze pilots, who flew their aircraft into Allied ships on suicidal missions, continue to be iconic symbols of the Pacific War. These young men, despite not being expected to return, hold a significant place in Japanese history.