South Korea's Lee urges stronger self-defence as US cuts joint drills | East Asia Tonight (Aug 18)

US and South Korean defence officials have reportedly met in Seoul to cut back on the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise. Also on East Asia Tonight: Japan and Australia step up on defence cooperation amid concerns over regional security. Also, former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, widely regarded as the country's 'economic czar', has been cremated in Beijing. 00:00 Headlines 01:29 South Korea's Lee says robust US alliance and self-defence are "mutually necessary" 08:26 Japan's Defense Minister Koizumi meets Australian counterpart Marles 13:56 Youth employment takes a hit in South Korea 15:29 South Korea narrows field in race to build homegrown AI model 19:55 Google to move wearables manufacturing out of China, reports say 24:58 China lowers national flag to mourn former Premier Zhu Rongji 26:44 Chinese FM Wang Yi to make first South Korea visit in five years 28:32 Russia lodges protest with Japanese envoy over Takaichi's remarks 30:22 Myanmar leader in Russia amid push for international legitimacy 39:13 Japan grapples with aftermath of Kumamoto earthquake, severe flooding 40:26 China forecasts super El Nino could be strongest ever recorded 41:32 Chinese vessel spotted in Japan's exclusive economic zone off Okinawa 43:37 More Chinese brands gaining global recognition