Anthony Kuhn

Prime Minister Sanae Takeuchi says she wants to ask the public directly whether they will entrust the nation's governance to her.

Specifically, she seeks voters' approval of a new coalition with the right-wing Populist Japan Innovation Party and for her policies, including a consumption tax cut and increased defense spending.

Takeichi is the first woman to serve as Japan's prime minister.

Her approval ratings are high, but her party has taken a beating in two elections in a row, leaving it with a minority in both upper and lower houses of parliament.

Securing a majority in the lower house will make it easier for her to get legislation passed.

Takeichi is also embroiled in a bitter dispute with China over her comments about Taiwan.

Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.

The charges against Yoon included obstruction of justice.

Yoon barricaded himself in his residence last year and deployed bodyguards to prevent police and investigators from arresting him.

He was also accused of excluding cabinet ministers from a meeting about his martial law decree and falsifying and destroying documents to cover up his actions.

The judge said that although Yoon's offenses were serious, he showed no remorse.

Yoon's lawyer said the verdict was politicized and Yoon will appeal it.

In a separate case, Yoon faces charges of insurrection.

Prosecutors have called for the death penalty, although South Korea hasn't executed anyone in nearly three decades.

Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.

Over the weekend, North Korean state media claimed that the South sent drones last September and this month, which the North says it brought down with electronic countermeasures.

Pyongyang published pictures purporting to show the drone and the aerial footage it shot.

South Korea says the drones aren't theirs, and they have no intention of provoking the North.

That's a wise choice, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo-jong said in a statement.

But the South is still responsible, Kim added, threatening that the North could retaliate.