Asia Intelligence Brief — Thursday, July 16, 2026

Rio Times · Asia Intelligence Brief July 16 —South Korea votes Millions voted on Wednesday in a snap presidential election triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol after a martial law attempt. —ASEAN envoy talks A special ASEAN envoy held separate talks with the Myanmar junta and rebel groups, with all sides acknowledging there is no military solution. —PNG security pact Australia and Papua New Guinea are finalising a defence and policing pact, a direct response to China’s growing assertiveness in the region. —China missile alert Japan, New Zealand and Australia condemned a Chinese submarine-launched ballistic missile test in the Pacific as an escalatory signal. —Bangkok fire toll The death toll from a nightclub fire in the Thai capital has risen to 32, with police in