Asia
North Korea abruptly cancels first post-COVID intl commercial flight
North Korea’s Air Koryo abruptly canceled its first commercial flight to Beijing in over three years.
The reason for the cancellation remains unknown, amid signs of North Korea possibly easing border controls.
BEIJING, CHINA — North Korea’s national airline was set to make its first commercial flight in over three years on Monday, only for it to be abruptly cancelled at the last minute.
North Korea has been largely closed off from the outside world since early 2020 when it shut its borders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Journalists gathered on Monday at Beijing’s Capital Airport to await Air Koryo flight JS151 from Pyongyang, due to arrive at 09:50 am.
But almost two hours after its scheduled arrival, a signboard in the terminal unexpectedly signalled it had been cancelled, prompting groans of disappointment from media waiting to see some of the isolated North’s first international travellers in years.
Beijing airport customer service told AFP that Air Koryo had not given a reason for the cancellation.
AFP was unable to contact Air Koryo’s China offices on Monday, and a journalist who visited the state-owned airline’s Beijing outpost found the glass doors locked and bolted.
But the office seemed well-maintained, with a worker on the same floor saying they had not seen any of the airline’s staff come to the office that morning, though they did show up occasionally.
Taekwondo delegation
After three years of COVID-induced isolation, there are increasing signs Pyongyang may be becoming more flexible on border controls, experts say.
Chinese and Russian officials attended a military parade in the North Korean capital last month — the first foreign dignitaries to visit the country in years.
Last week Pyongyang allowed a delegation of athletes to attend a taekwondo competition in Kazakhstan.
The Yonhap and Kyodo news agencies reported that a group of people, believed to be North Korean athletes, had crossed the land border into China last Wednesday before travelling on to Beijing, then flying to Central Asia.
Monday was expected to see Air Koryo — Pyongyang’s beleaguered national air carrier — conduct its first commercial flight in over three years.
Seoul’s Unification Ministry, which manages relations with the North, told AFP there was “absolutely nothing we are aware of” regarding the cancellation of the flight.
“There have been various signs regarding North Korea’s reopening of its borders,” an official said
“But it is difficult to determine yet whether it is a full-scale opening of the border or a fairly limited and controlled opening,” they added.
Specialist website NK News reported Monday that Air Koryo was set to carry out two flights from Russia’s Vladivostok to Pyongyang this week.
— AFP
Asia
Up to 200 athletes tested for doping so far at Asian Games
Between 150 and 200 Asian Games athletes tested for doping, yielding no positive results. Anti-doping efforts emphasized for a clean event, focusing on record-breakers.
HANGZHOU, CHINA — Between 150 and 200 Asian Games athletes have already been tested for doping, the Olympic Council of Asia said on Monday, with no positive results so far.
Speaking at an anti-doping press conference on the second full day of the Games in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, the OCA said dope-testing was “gaining momentum” at the event.
Mani Jegathesan, an adviser to the OCA anti-doping committee, warned that drug cheats would be rooted out.
Up to 200 athletes have been tested so far, he said, but any positive results will take several days to come through.
“Every athlete participating in these Games must understand that they could be picked at any time,” Jegathesan warned.
“That is the best step to ensuring we have a clean event.”
There are about 12,000 athletes at the 19th Asian Games, more competitors than the Olympics, and Jegathesan admitted it would be impossible to test them all.
Instead, they will prioritise, including picking out those who break world or Asian records.
— AFP
Asia
Foodpanda’s restructuring amid sale speculations
Food delivery giant Foodpanda, a subsidiary of Delivery Hero, announces staff layoffs in the Asia-Pacific region, aiming for increased efficiency. This move coincides with ongoing talks about potentially selling parts of its 11-year-old business.
Foodpanda, a subsidiary of Delivery Hero, is initiating undisclosed staff reductions in the Asia-Pacific region, as discussions continue regarding the potential sale of a portion of its 11-year-old food delivery business.
In a memorandum circulated to employees on 21 September, Foodpanda CEO Jakob Angele conveyed the company’s intent to become more streamlined, efficient, and agile.
Although the exact number of affected employees was not disclosed, the emphasis was on enhancing operational efficiency for the future.
No mention was made in the memo regarding the reports of Foodpanda’s potential sale in Singapore and six other Southeast Asian markets, possibly to Grab or other interested buyers.
Foodpanda had previously conducted staff layoffs in February and September 2022. These actions come as the company faces mounting pressure to achieve profitability, particularly in challenging economic conditions.
The regulatory filings of Foodpanda’s Singapore entity for the fiscal year 2022, ending on 31 Dec, indicated a loss of S$42.7 million despite generating revenue of S$256.7 million.
Angele further explained that Foodpanda intends to review its organizational structure, including both regional and country teams, with some reporting lines being reassigned to different leaders. Additionally, certain functions will be consolidated into regional teams.
Expressing regret over the challenging decisions, Angele assured affected employees of a severance package, paid gardening leave, and extended medical insurance coverage where feasible.
Foodpanda will also forego the usual waiting period for long-term incentive plan grants, and vesting will continue until the last employment date. Employees will retain all vested shares as of their last day of employment.
Foodpanda, established in 2012 and headquartered in Singapore, became a part of Delivery Hero in 2016. The company operates in 11 markets across the Asia-Pacific region, excluding its exit from the Japanese market last year.
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