Under the Radar News, 10.16.09

A weekly compilation of underreported developments in Asia.

King of Thailand is hospitalized, and anxious Thai markets drop 8%. BBC News

North Korea issues a letter of regret to South Korea over deaths caused by North Korea dam-related flooding. New York Times

Korean activists question military’s homosexuality rules. Korea Times

Chinese overseas investment drops 60% in the first half of the year. People's Daily

The latest on China-Taiwan economic cooperation:
- China and Taiwan set date for Cross-Strait talks in December. China Post (Taiwan)
- Study shows that China-Taiwan free trade agreement (ECFA) would provide 260,000 jobs to Taiwan. China Post (Taiwan)

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd seeks a new strategic compact with Indonesia to halt the transit of asylum-seekers through Indonesia to Australia. The agreement would include detention centers, training and intelligence-sharing. The Australian

Japan’s FY2010 budget will set an all-time mark by topping 90 trillion yen. The increases are largely due to new DPJ promises. Yomiuri Shimbun

Bangladesh expels hundreds of Rohingya refugees living illegally in refugee camps back across the Burmese border. Dhaka intends to push back all unregistered refugees before Burma finishes erecting a wire fence on its border. The Irrawaddy