Asia News Wrap: 5 dead in South Korean cold snap, and more

Here are a few stories from around Asia you may have missed this week.

Seoul experiences heaviest snowfall since records began

South Korea grappled with heavy snowfall for a second day on Thursday, with dozens of flights canceled, ferry operations suspended, and at least five people reported dead in a cold snap. The snowfall was the third-heaviest in the capital, Seoul since records began in 1907, Yonhap news agency cited data from the city. More than 40 centimeters of snow piled up in parts of Seoul by Thursday morning, forcing the cancellation of more than 140 flights. However, weather officials subsequently lifted heavy snow warnings in the city's metropolitan area. Yonhap reported at least five snowfall-related deaths in the province of Gyeonggi adjoining Seoul since Wednesday, four people when structures collapsed under the weight of snow, and one in a traffic accident when a bus skidded on an icy road.

Remains of Chinese People's Volunteers returned from Republic of Korea

The remains of 43 Chinese People's Volunteers soldiers who died during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950–1953) were returned to China on Thursday from the Republic of Korea (ROK). A Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force Y-20 transport aircraft carrying the remains and items of personal belongings of the fallen soldiers landed in Shenyang, the capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, at noon. The remains were laid to rest in a martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang on Friday.

37,000 people affected by flooding in Malaysia

More than 37,000 people have been affected by flooding caused by torrential rain in six Malaysian states this week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday. Anwar told parliament 322 temporary shelters had been opened in the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis, Johor and Perak to house those displaced by floods. The northeastern state of Kelantan, bordering Thailand, has been the worst hit, with 30,582 people from 9,223 families affected, Anwar said. Floods are common on the eastern coast of Malaysia during the annual monsoon season from October until March, with thousands of people displaced each year. The Meteorological Department on Wednesday issued a red alert warning for continuous heavy rain - indicating dangerous levels of downpour - in Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu states. The rain is expected to last until Friday.

Indonesia rebukes Apple Inc's $100 million investment proposal

Indonesia said a $100 million investment proposal from Apple to build an accessory and component plant was not enough for the country to allow the company to sell its latest iPhone model, its industry ministry said on Monday. Indonesia banned sales of Apple's iPhone 16 earlier this month after it failed to meet requirements that smartphones sold domestically comprise at least 40 percent locally made parts. "We have done an assessment, and this (proposal) has not met principles of fairness," Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita told a press conference, comparing the proposal to Apple's bigger investments in neighboring Vietnam and Thailand.

(Cover: People walk through Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul during the biggest snowfall in November since modern weather observations began in 1907, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said, Seoul, South Korea, November 27, 2024. /CFP)