IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Republic of Korea

Japanese FM in rare visit to Seoul

Japan's foreign minister was in Seoul for a rare visit on Wednesday. The first such visit in more than two years came ahead of the planned summits between Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, ROK President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump. Japan had long supported Trump's hardline position toward Pyongyang, but his sudden decision to open dialogue with Kim reportedly stoked concerns over whether Japan was being ignored in the regional push to engage the DPRK.

United States

Another Trump adviser resigns

President Donald Trump's homeland security adviser, Tom Bossert, has resigned at the request of new national security adviser John Bolton, marking the latest departure from the White House of a senior adviser. Bossert, who was a former deputy national security adviser to former president George W. Bush, had overseen the Trump administration's response to the Hurricane Maria disaster in Puerto Rico, as well as cyber security policy. An official said Bolton, who started his new role on Monday, urged Bossert's departure.

Sweden

Nobel trouble can be 'damaging'

Sweden's king said the resignation of three members from the Swedish Academy awarding the Nobel Literature Prize is "deeply unfortunate and risk seriously damaging" the body's "important activities". The prestigious Nobel institution has been troubled by the resignation of Klas Ostergren, Kjell Espmark and Peter Englund on Friday, who quit after the 18-member academy voted against removing a colleague whose husband is embroiled in sexual misconduct allegations. The king is the academy's patron.

Brazil

21 killed in prison breakout bid

At least 21 people died on Tuesday in an attempted breakout from a prison aided by an armed group on the outside trying to blow up a wall, officials said. The Para state security service described the escape attempt as a military-style battle in which prisoners inside and associates on the outside were armed. Prison guards fought back in an intense exchange of gunfire. The confirmed dead included 20 prisoners and attackers, plus one guard.

China Daily - AFP - Reuters - AP

(China Daily 04/12/2018 page12)