TOP NEWS

Political crisis in South Korea
Report: Yoon joked about coup d'état while drunk

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol often joked about imposing martial law in the country when he was having a row with colleagues, AFP reports. The information comes from a new book, written by a former party leader of Yoon's party, which was published on Wednesday.

The political crisis manifested itself in South Korea when the president, without political support, imposed martial law on December 3. The president was then suspended for the coup attempt and indicted.

The author behind the new book writes that several politicians had heard Yoon's statement about coup d'état, but did not believe that he was serious.

"They were forced to admit that they had not realized that he actually meant it," the book says.

China-Taiwan Relations
China conducts fighter jet drills – Taiwan sends troops

Taiwan condemns China's military drill southwest of its coast and sends soldiers to monitor the exercise, several news agencies report.

China is currently conducting a live-fire exercise with 32 aircraft 70 kilometers south of the island. Taiwan's defense ministry condemns the exercise and says it is very dangerous. They are now sending several air, sea and ground forces, AFP reports.

The exercise was carried out without prior warning and makes the area dangerous for international flights and ships. The ministry calls it a "clear provocation," Reuters writes. 

Elections in Romania
Former candidate charged in Romanian election fraud case

Former Romanian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu is being charged with providing false information about the financing of his election campaign, AFP reports.

He has previously been suspected of "data-related crimes" in connection with the campaign for last year's election. The Constitutional Court canceled the election with two days' notice after suspicions of Russian interference and election fraud in favor of the pro-Russian far-right candidate.

Georgescu was stopped by traffic police and taken in for questioning on Wednesday, just as he was about to re-present his candidacy for the election to be held on May 4, according to his associates on social media.

Interrogations and house searches have been carried out in a number of locations against associates of Georgescu, who are accused of illegal possession of weapons, "fascist organization" and of having provided false information about campaign financing.