Briefly

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Moon 'optimistic' about DPRK relations

Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea, on Tuesday expressed optimism about relations between the ROK and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, although the deadlocked talks between the DPRK and the United States brought difficulties to the inter-Korean ties. Moon made the remarks in a televised New Year news conference in the presidential Blue House, saying that although inter-Korean relations were faced with difficulties because of the stalled Washington-Pyongyang dialogue, efforts were being made to expand inter-Korean cooperation. Moon said his government was optimistic that things would go sufficiently well. He also said he could seek exemptions of UN sanctions placed on the DPRK to bring about improved inter-Korean relations.

INDIA

New citizenship law challenged in court

The southern Indian state of Kerala on Tuesday became the country's first state to legally challenge a new citizenship law that has triggered nationwide demonstrations. The Kerala government in its petition to the Supreme Court called the law a violation of the secular nature of the Indian Constitution and accused the government of dividing the nation on communal lines. The citizenship law provides a path to naturalization for people from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan, unless they're Muslim. It has led to nationwide protests and clashes with police, resulting in 23 deaths.

VENEZUELA

National Assembly condemns sanctions

The President of Venezuela's National Assembly, Luis Parra, on Monday denounced United States sanctions against the newly elected members of the legislative body's board of directors. The US Treasury Department announced earlier in the day it imposed sanctions on seven delegates of the legislature, including Parra, accusing the directors' board of an "illegitimate attempted takeover of the Venezuelan National Assembly". Opposition leader Juan Guaido lost his bid for reelection as president of the assembly to Parra over a week ago, an outcome Guaido and his group refused to accept. The US has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Venezuelan government in support of Guaido.

JAPAN

Nissan denies report of split with Renault

Nissan is "in no way" planning to end its partnership with Renault, the Japanese auto giant insisted on Tuesday after a report suggested a divorce was possible in the wake of the Carlos Ghosn scandal. Britain's Financial Times, citing "several people with knowledge of the matter", said on Monday that senior executives at the scandal-hit firm were speeding up work on secret plans for a potential parting of ways with France's Renault. But in a statement, Nissan firmly denied the claims. "Nissan is in no way considering dissolving the alliance," the statement said. Ghosn, who last month jumped bail in Japan and fled to Lebanon, claims the charges against him were cooked up by disgruntled Nissan executives hoping to block his plans to more closely integrate the automaker with Renault.

Xinhua - Agencies