S Korea urges swift repatriation of Koreans from Cambodia

17 Sept 14:54 Key points summarised by AI

South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac called for the urgent repatriation of South Korean citizens from Cambodia due to a surge in job scams, illegal detentions, and the recent torture and death of a South Korean college student.
A pan-government task force was established, led by Wi, to prioritize the immediate return of citizens and explore options like dispatching investigative personnel to coordinate with local authorities in Cambodia.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed discussions with Cambodia on "extraordinary measures," including the possibility of dispatching personnel to bring all those awaiting return back by plane.
The urgency is underscored by 330 incident reports involving South Koreans in Cambodia during the first eight months of this year, leading President Lee Jae Myung to order comprehensive diplomatic measures to safeguard nationals.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.