Around the Globe

A South Korean court in Seoul on Wednesday sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for his role in the December 2024 martial law declaration, which the court ruled constituted an act of rebellion by then President Yoon Suk Yeol. Han became the first Yoon administration official convicted of rebellion in connection with the incident. Prosecutors argued that Han helped plan and implement the martial law measures, while the defense disputed the rebellion characterization. The court rejected the defense arguments and cited the seriousness of undermining constitutional order in its sentencing decision. The ruling is expected to influence upcoming cases against Yoon and other former aides, who also face rebellion charges over the same event. Han was taken into custody after the verdict and can appeal.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday in Paris condemned reported tariff threats by U.S. President Donald Trump against European countries that oppose American efforts to acquire Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory. Macron posted on X in French and English that such threats are “unacceptable,” pledged a united and coordinated European response if they are confirmed, and vowed to uphold European sovereignty. The remarks came amid wider European discussions on how to address potential U.S. trade measures linked to the Greenland issue.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague has opened hearings in a landmark case brought by The Gambia accusing Myanmar of genocide against the Rohingya minority under the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. The case centers on Myanmar’s 2017 military operations in Rakhine State, which drove more than 700,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh amid allegations of mass killings, rape, and village burnings. Both sides present arguments on jurisdiction, state responsibility, and compliance with provisional measures as the UN’s top court examines whether Myanmar violated its obligations to prevent and punish genocide.

North Korea has demanded an explanation from South Korea over a drone it claims crossed into its territory earlier this month, state media reported Sunday.

Iran’s army has warned it may join Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in a growing crackdown on nationwide protests across the Islamic Republic. Large crowds have taken to the streets in multiple cities as demonstrations widen and reported casualties increase. The Revolutionary Guard has referred to many protesters as “terrorists” and accused foreign actors of fueling unrest. Human rights groups report rising deaths and injuries, while authorities defend security operations as necessary for maintaining order.

Japan criticized China’s new restrictions on exporting dual-use goods to the country, calling the measures “absolutely unacceptable” after tensions rose over Chinese military drills near Taiwan.