Over the past week, the international arena has been marked by a range of noteworthy developments, from North Korea’s domestic tourism transformation and rising bilateral tensions in Southeast Asia to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran with far-reaching global implications.
Kim Jong Un inaugurated the Wonsan–Kalma beach resort, which is open exclusively to domestic tourists, on Tuesday (24/6/2025). The world-class resort, completed after more than a decade of construction, features hotels and accommodation facilities capable of hosting around 20,000 visitors. The launch of this coastal tourism destination signifies a new era for North Korea’s industry, as Kim seeks to elevate the tourism sector as a strategy to revive the country’s economy, which faced severe decline during the early years of his leadership.
Meanwhile, tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated after both countries closed their shared border. On Tuesday (24/6/2025), Thailand shut the border crossing at Chong Sai Taku in Buri Ram, followed by Cambodia’s closure of two checkpoints in Oddar Meanchey Province. The closures left numerous international tourists stranded.
In Europe, Greek firefighters continued battling a major wildfire on the island of Chios in the northern Aegean Sea. Authorities suspect the blaze was sparked by a discarded cigarette butt. On Tuesday (24/6/2025), Greek authorities detained a Georgian woman who admitted to carelessly discarding a cigarette. As of Wednesday (25/6/2025), more than 4,000 hectares of forest had been burned, with five active fire points still reported on the island.
Focusing on the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, the confrontation has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis and extensive economic losses for both sides. At least 610 Iranian civilians were killed in Israeli attacks, while 28 people in Israel died in Iran’s retaliatory strikes. Since 13 June 2025, more than 200 Israeli fighter jets have targeted over 100 Iranian nuclear facilities, military sites, and residential areas. Iran responded with hundreds of ballistic missiles aimed at Israel.
The 12-day war concluded with a ceasefire mediated by Trump, following U.S. intervention involving strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan on 21 June. However, just hours after the ceasefire was announced, Iran launched missiles at the largest U.S. airbase in Qatar.
As a result of the attack, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait closed their airspace, disrupting operations at airports in Doha and Dubai. Hundreds of domestic and international flight routes were delayed or canceled, leaving large numbers of passengers stranded.
The Indonesian government also carried out a phased evacuation of 97 Indonesian citizens from Iran. On Monday (23/6/2025), 29 people were transported from Baku, Azerbaijan on three commercial flights. The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to prioritizing the protection of Indonesian nationals in Middle Eastern countries.
To end the week, Pakistan was struck by a 5.3-magnitude earthquake on Sunday (29/6/2025). The epicenter was located roughly 60 kilometers northeast of Barkhan in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province. No casualties or damages were reported.
Source:
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Tyson, Luke, Amr Alfiky, dan Mark Bendeich. “Chaos for thousands of passengers stranded at Doha airport, long queues in Dubai.” Reuters. 24 June 2025. https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/chaos-thousands-passengers-stranded-doha-airport-long-queues-dubai-2025-06-24/.
Iswara, Jaya. “Puntung Rokok Sebabkan Kebakaran Hutan Yunani, 4.000 Hektar Hangus.” Kompas.com. 27 June 2025. https://internasional.kompas.com/read/2025/06/27/051500270/puntung-rokok-sebabkan-kebakaran-hutan-yunani-4.000-hektar-hangus.
Rahayu, Kurnia Yunita dan Anita Yossihara. “Pemerintah Pulangkan 29 WNI dari Iran.” Kompas. 23 June 2025. https://www.kompas.id/artikel/pemerintah-pulangkan-29-wni-dari-iran?open_from=Internasional_Page.
“Gempa Bumi Magnitudo 5,3 Guncang Pakistan,” CNN Indonesia, 29 June 2025. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20250629072538-120-1244788/gempa-bumi-magnitudo-53-guncang-pakistan.