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Andrew Salmon

Seoul, South Korea-based Andrew Salmon, Asia Editor at The Washington Times. brings two decades of journalistic experience to the position. Before joining The Washington Times, he was Northeast Asia Editor of Hong Kong-based Asia Times. Andrew’s reporting previously appeared in The Daily Telegraph, Forbes, The International Herald Tribune, The South China Morning Post, The Times and The Washington Times. He has made television appearances on Arirang TV, CNN and France24. He can be reached at asalmon@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Andrew Salmon

Japan slips down global economic ladder, loses third place to Germany

The long-held domestic fear of "Japan Passing," or long-term national decline, returned to haunt the country Thursday after it was officially confirmed that Germany had surpassed it as the world's third-largest economy.

February 15, 2024

Defense Minister Subianto’s victory in Indonesia’s presidential vote comes with complications

Defense Minister and former commando Prabowo Subianto has claimed victory in Indonesia's presidential race, after opening up a big lead in preliminary results as the world's third most populous democracy went to the polls Wednesday.

February 14, 2024

South Korean presidential aide likely hacked by North Korea, Seoul admits

An aide to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was hacked, likely by North Korea, Seoul said Wednesday, in an embarrassing security failing.

February 14, 2024

As Lunar New Year dawns across Asia, a blue dragon takes wing

SEOUL, South Korea | As dawn broke across East Asia on Saturday, festivities region-wide ushered in the Lunar New Year -- the Year of the Dragon. The celebrations for one of Asia's most important holidays are culturally specific, but this year's centerpiece is universal and ubiquitous.

February 10, 2024

Key U.S. allies in Seoul, Tokyo hit by scandals, plunging polls

In a region overshadowed by China and North Korea, Washington has been keen to encourage the new cooperative spirit currently uniting Seoul and Tokyo, enabling the trilateralism U.S. defense planners have so long sought to project in the region.

February 9, 2024

Seoul’s arms deal with Saudis clinched but giant Polish sale hangs in the balance

South Korean defense contractor LIG Nex1 will export its Cheongung mid-range surface-to-air missile system to Saudi Arabia in a deal valued at $3.2 billion, Seoul's Ministry of National Defense announced Tuesday.

February 6, 2024

In Japan, reports of a new data hack accelerate the tilt against China

Japan revealed Monday that its foreign ministry had been the target of what it said was a Chinese cyberattack, one day after Japanese and U.S. forces, engaging in a joint drill, named Beijing as the hypothetical enemy for the first time.

February 5, 2024

North Korea ramps up cruise missile tests as Kim emphasizes naval build-up

North Korea test-fired yet another barrage of cruise missiles off its west coast Friday morning, its fourth such test just since the start of the year, as leader Kim Jong-un intensified his drive for a refocus on naval power.

February 2, 2024

North Korea’s expanding arsenal leaves little room for U.S. options

North Korea on Tuesday test-fired a range of what it said are submarine-capable cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea.

January 30, 2024

Japan’s ‘Lunar Sniper’ comes back online, resumes operations on moon

Japan's lunar module resumed operations on the moon late Sunday, overcoming problems with its solar panels, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, quoted by Japanese media on Monday.

January 29, 2024

Fears mount that North Korea is done with diplomacy and is girding for conflict

North Korea's artillery salvo earlier this month off the flashpoint Yeongpyeong Island in the Yellow Sea in fact preempted a South Korean gunnery drill, a South Korean academic charged Thursday, accusing Seoul of engaging Pyongyang in a high-risk "chicken game."

January 25, 2024

Lightly defended beach highlights questions over Taiwan’s resolve

"RED BEACH,'" Taiwan -- For a seaborne invader, this 7.5-mile strip of beaches close by the capital of Taipei on Taiwan's China-facing northwest coast presents a near-perfect landing site. It's also a site to ponder whether Taiwan has the means and the will to hold off its hostile larger neighbor long enough for the U.S. military to join the fight.

January 24, 2024

North Korea says it tested underwater nuclear-capable drone in response to rivals’ naval drills

North Korea said it carried out the latest test of its shadowy unmanned, underwater drone capable of carrying a nuclear weapon, thought to be based on a Russian design, a few days after U.S., South Korean and Japanese naval forces conducted drills.

January 19, 2024

Putin hosts North Korean foreign minister at Kremlin in latest sign of warming ties

North Korean Foreign Minister Choi Son Hui met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this week, signaling the deepening cooperation between the two U.S. adversaries as Russia's war in Ukraine marches toward its second anniversary next month.

January 17, 2024

‘High winds, strong waves’: China hammered by Taiwan election blowback

A historic third consecutive presidential term won by Taiwan's most anti-Beijing party on Saturday is the latest blowback to hit China.

January 14, 2024

Ruling DPP, the party with strongest stance against China, easily wins Taiwan election

Taiwan's ruling party, which has advocated for a stronger stance than the opposition against China, easily won a third consecutive presidential term in Saturday's closely watched vote -- a historic first for the island and a clear rebuke for the mainland.

January 13, 2024

China looms over Taiwan’s voters in final days of heated election

Domestic issues such as stagnant wages and a growing wealth divide give candidates plenty to debate ahead of Taiwan's elections on Saturday, but the long shadow of China and its reaction to the results are never far from voters' minds.

January 11, 2024

China’s shadowy information-manipulation tactics aimed to erode Taiwan’s faith in democracy

As Taiwan prepares to vote in a new president and a new parliament Saturday, the democratic island may be the fiercest battleground in an information/disinformation war being waged worldwide. The so-called "Infodemic" infecting Taiwan reflects global tech trends and mainline China's deliberate strategy to amplify its message and expand its influence online.

January 10, 2024

Taiwan gripped by election fever as new president, legislature to be voted in Saturday

Everything is up for grabs as Taiwanese voters head to the polls. With the U.S. and China intently awaiting the result, Saturday's vote will be a combination presidential/general election with not only a new national leader being voted in, but also the 113 members of the legislature, the Yuan.

January 9, 2024

North Korea shows off its military muscle near and far

North Korea showcased its military might on opposite sides of the world this week, as firing drills drove residents of a South Korean border island into shelters Friday a day after Washington accused Pyongyang of supplying Russia with missiles used in the war against Ukraine.

January 5, 2024

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