L.A. Times - Asia

Obama to pitch U.S. immigration reform from South Korea

By Christi Parsons — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 19:50:00 PDT

SEOUL -- President Obama plans to honor those who died in the Korean War with a surprising message for a foreign audience: a pitch for immigration reform back home.

Killing of Americans at Kabul hospital highlights foreigners' risk

By Shashank Bengali and Hashmat Baktash — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:25:00 PDT

The Afghanistan hospital shooting is part of a trend in foreign civilian casualties that has emerged in recent months.

KABUL, Afghanistan — The fatal shooting of three Americans in a charity hospital Thursday punctuated a dismal new trend that has emerged in the waning months of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan: Just as many foreign civilians are being killed as troops.

Japan-South Korea tension a hurdle for Obama's Asia strategy

By Christi Parsons and Barbara Demick — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:58:00 PDT

The longtime feud between South Korea and Japan often puts the U.S. in the middle.

SEOUL — As he hops around the Western Pacific this week, President Obama hopes to unite much of Asia around a free-trade deal, updated alliances and a new power balance. But he first must persuade two of America's closest allies to stop squabbling.

In Asia, Obama reaffirms alliance with Japan

By Christi Parsons and Julie Makinen — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 22:28:00 PDT

President Obama talks security and free trade with Japan's Shinzo Abe during a trip to assure Asian allies concerned about China's rise.

TOKYO — Declaring that "the United States is and always will be a Pacific nation," President Obama launched an Asia tour designed to assure leaders of ally nations that they have a strong U.S. backup at a time of rising regional tension.

Climbers pack up as Sherpas say they won't go up Everest

By Shashank Bengali — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 10:38:00 PDT

MUMBAI, India – Scores of mountaineers were departing Mt. Everest on Thursday after Nepalese officials failed to break an impasse with anguished Sherpa guides who want to halt climbing following last week’s devastating avalanche.

Ferry disaster fills South Korea with shame

By Barbara Demick — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 21:35:00 PDT

The image of well-behaved students sinking as they followed orders haunts a nation where the young are taught to respect the older generation.

ANSAN, South Korea — For South Korea, a country that pulled itself out of abject poverty to become the world's 15th-largest economy, the most stinging accusation about last week's ferry sinking is that it looks like a Third-World disaster.

Ferry sinking haunts South Korea school as classes resume

By Steven Borowiec — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 05:42:00 PDT

ANSAN, South Korea – Seniors from the high school that lost scores of students in last week’s ferry sinking returned to class Thursday, a step toward resuming normal routines in the community that’s become the focal point of South Korea’s biggest maritime tragedy in decades.

President Obama has some convincing to do on Asia tour

By Kathleen Hennessey and Christi Parsons — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 00:00:00 PDT

The Obama administration has found itself repeatedly pulled away from Asia by crises elsewhere, resulting in anxiety among allies.

WASHINGTON — Two and a half years after President Obama vowed to shift America's diplomatic, economic and military focus to Asia, he will head back to the region this week to try to convince allies and adversaries alike that he really meant it.

Bodies recovered from South Korea ferry; death toll rises to 49

By Steven Borowiec — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 20:35:00 PDT

As hope of finding survivors fades, officials ask relatives of passengers for DNA samples to speed identification of bodies.

SEOUL — The official death toll in South Korea's ferry disaster rose to 49 early Sunday after divers gained access to the submerged vessel and recovered more than a dozen bodies.

China silent on deadly knife attack in Kunming railway station

By Julie Makinen — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 06:00:00 PDT

The lack of information frustrates families, especially in light of the attention given relatives of Malaysia Airlines passengers.

BEIJING— On the first Sunday of March, China awoke to sickening news: Black-clad attackers with knives had hacked through crowds at the train station in the southern city of Kunming, killing 29 and injuring more than 140.