U.S. war hero deported to South Korea
A decorated Army veteran was forced to leave his family in Hawaii for South Korea on Monday after immigration officials ended his deferred action status and gave him three weeks to exit the country.
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #88
Zohran Mamdani is poised to become New York City’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor after defeating Andrew Cuomo in a surprise Democratic primary upset. A Purple Heart Army veteran is forced to self-deport after 48 years in the U.S., and Detroit honors Vincent Chin with a street sign on the 43rd anniversary of his death. Plus: Two Asian players make NBA Draft history, and “Squid Game” returns with a final, deadlier season.
Mamdani’s historic win signals new era for Indian Americans in U.S. politics
New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, won New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday, defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. With this victory, he is set to make history as the city’s first Muslim, first Indian American and first South Asian mayor, heralding a new era of Asian American representation.
From rapping to repping
Less than a year ago, Mamdani, 33, was largely unknown to most New Yorkers outside his Queens assembly district. Born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian parents, he moved to New York at age 7 and became a U.S. citizen in 2018. His mother, Mira Nair, is a director known for acclaimed films such as “Monsoon Wedding” and “The Namesake,” while his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a professor of anthropology at Columbia University.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in Africana studies from Bowdoin College in Maine, Mamdani worked as a foreclosure prevention counselor, which inspired his entry into politics. First elected to the state assembly in 2020, his notable legislative work includes advancing a pilot program that made select city buses free for a year. He also spent some time as a rapper, performing under the moniker Young Cardamom and Mr. Cardamom.
As the projected new leader of the nation’s most populous city, Mamdani has drawn significant attention, including that of President Donald Trump who called him a “100% Communist Lunatic” in a post on his Truth Social platform. On the other hand, Mamdani declared himself as “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare” in his final debate with Cuomo.
Viral progressive campaign
Mamdani’s campaign overcame Cuomo’s significant financial advantage through grassroots organizing and digital outreach. He created campaign videos in Hindi and Bangla, appealing to South Asian communities where he performed strongly. At present, New York City is home to around 200,000 Indian Americans and 100,000 Bangladeshi Americans.
Unsurprisingly, Mamdani’s win has prompted anti-Muslim backlash. Posts predicting terrorist attacks and questioning his loyalty have spread on X, despite his U.S. citizenship. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, one of the administration’s key figures in its anti-immigration policy, posted, “NYC is the clearest warning yet of what happens to a society when it fails to control migration.” Meanwhile, far-right activist Laura Loomer warned, “There will be another 9/11 in NYC and @ZohranKMamdani will be to blame.” The NYPD’s hate crimes unit is now investigating multiple threats, including voicemails with violent content directed at him.
Despite the criticism, Mamdani’s progressive agenda appealed to voters concerned about New York’s high cost of living. His proposals to cap rents, eliminate bus fares and establish city-run grocery stores — funded through higher taxes on wealthy residents — helped him secure 43.5% of first-choice votes compared to Cuomo’s 36.4% by Tuesday night.
Challenges ahead
Mamdani’s victory has intensified national discussions about the Democratic Party’s direction. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), one of his top endorsers, praised the outcome as evidence Democrats should prioritize working-class concerns over wealthy interests. However, moderate Democrats reportedly worry that his progressive positions, including his democratic socialist identification, could risk electoral prospects.
For some Indian Americans, Mamdani’s success presents both celebration and complexity. While many view it as a breakthrough, some social media users joke about increased parental expectations, with posts referencing the pressure young South Asian men now face to achieve similar success by age 33. Meanwhile, his sharp criticism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “war criminal” has generated widespread attention and debate in India.
Mamdani now faces a November general election against incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent after federal indictment, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Cuomo could also run again as an independent.
Purple Heart veteran forced to self-deport after 48 years in “country that I fought for”
A decorated Army veteran was forced to leave his family in Hawaii for South Korea on Monday after immigration officials ended his deferred action status and gave him three weeks to exit the country or face detention.
What happened: Immigration officials revoked 55-year-old Sae Joon Park’s deferred action status earlier this month, requiring him to wear an ankle monitor while choosing between voluntary departure or detention. “I was just very lucky to deport myself, remove myself, because they were ready to lock me up,” he told Island News. Park’s deportation stems from drug possession and bail-jumping convictions from 2009, which he attributed to untreated trauma from his military service. Immigration law classifies bail jumping as an aggravated felony, making removal proceedings nearly certain regardless of the offense’s non-violent nature.
Wounds for the country: Park moved to the U.S. from South Korea at age 7 and joined the Army at 19, deploying to Panama during the 1989 Operation Just Cause. He was wounded twice in combat, including a spinal injury where his dog tag deflected the bullet, earning him a Purple Heart. After his discharge, he developed severe PTSD and used drugs to manage nightmares and noise sensitivity. Following his prison sentence, he established a new life in Hawaii over 14 years, maintaining sobriety while raising two adult children and caring for elderly relatives. “I can’t believe this is happening in America,” he told NPR. “That blows me away – like a country that I fought for.”
Painful goodbyes: Park’s 85-year-old mother, who brought him to the U.S. decades ago, has early-stage dementia and struggles to understand the situation. “I have to accept the fact that this is probably the last time I’ll see her,” Park told NPR before his departure. Danicole Ramos, his attorney, argued that Park represents American ideals despite his citizenship status. “We have a veteran who took a bullet for this country, who fought and swore an oath to preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States even though he wasn’t a citizen of it,” Ramos told Hawaii News Now. Ramos cited statistics showing noncitizens account for 38% of military naturalizations, with thousands potentially facing removal for non-violent offenses.
Park must now begin anew in a country he has not visited in three decades, uncertain about future contact with his American family.
Detroit names street for Vincent Chin on 43rd anniversary of his death
Detroit officials unveiled a street sign honoring Vincent Chin on Monday, commemorating the 43rd anniversary of the Chinese American draftsman’s murder.
About the ceremony
The naming ceremony, which drew a crowd of about 50 people, took place at the corner of Cass and Peterboro streets. City officials revealed the blue-and-white “Vincent Chin St.” sign positioned above the existing Peterboro Street sign, part of five secondary street signs Detroit City Council approved in October to recognize notable individuals for five-year periods.
The event required City Council to approve changes to its symbolic street name ordinance, which prevented non-residents from having their names above street signs, since Chin lived in Highland Park before his death. Speakers at the event included Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, State Sen. Stephanie Chang and longtime activist Roland Hwang, who helped establish American Citizens for Justice following Chin’s killing.
Why this matters
Vincent Chin was a 27-year-old Chinese American draftsman celebrating his approaching wedding with friends at the Fancy Pants club in Highland Park on June 19, 1982, when two white autoworkers, Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz, confronted him after incorrectly identifying him as Japanese. At the time, there was intense economic rivalry between U.S. and Japanese auto companies.
Following an altercation inside the bar, the pair pursued Chin and attacked him with a baseball bat, with Ebens declaring, “Because of you (expletive) we’re out of work.” Chin succumbed to his injuries four days later, saying “It’s not fair” before he died. Both attackers received only manslaughter convictions with sentences of three years probation and $3,000 fines, with Judge Charles Kaufman later stating, “These aren’t the kind of men you send to jail.”
Other events
A separate memorial was held at the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles. Among the speakers there was East Los Angeles College professor Aki Maehara, who recounted being deliberately struck by a vehicle while cycling in late April — with its driver shouting racial epithets.
“Pro-mortalist” charged in SoCal fertility clinic bombing dies in federal custody
A Washington state man facing charges of providing material support for terrorism in connection with the May 17 fertility clinic bombing in Palm Springs, California, died on Tuesday morning at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.
What happened: Staff discovered Daniel Jongyon Park, 32, unresponsive at around 7:30 a.m. and began emergency medical procedures before paramedics rushed him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Sources told the Los Angeles Times that Park climbed up and then jumped from a balcony inside the facility, sustaining fatal injuries. His attorney, Peter Hardin, reportedly believes his death was a suicide, but investigation into the incident continues. Medical examiners have not released an official cause of death.
Catch up: Prosecutors allege Park provided roughly 270 pounds of ammonium nitrate to Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, who used the explosive material in a car bomb attack at American Reproductive Centers, killing himself and injuring four people. Court documents show Park and Bartkus connected online and discussed anti-natalist philosophy, with Park writing on forums since 2016 and once stating, “When people are lost and distraught, death is always an option.” Park traveled to Europe after the bombing but Polish authorities detained and extradited him to the U.S. He was arrested at Kennedy Airport on June 3 and transferred to the Los Angeles jail on June 13.
What is “pro-mortalism”? Federal investigators classified the clinic attack as terrorism, with FBI Assistant Director Akil Davis saying both suspects held beliefs that people should not exist and embraced what authorities call “pro-mortalist, anti-natalist and anti-pro-life extremist ideology.” Justice Department officials confirmed Tuesday’s incident harmed no other prisoners or staff. Former federal agent Tracy Walder told NewsNation that pro-mortalism represents “essentially the idea that it is more humane to kill humanity to prevent future suffering,” contrasting with typical pro-life motivations behind abortion clinic attacks. Relatives told investigators that Park had expressed pro-mortalist views since high school, with authorities describing the case as part of a growing wave of “nihilistic” violent extremism.
Bipartisan senators call for action against China’s forced labor transfers of Uyghurs
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators are pushing for stronger enforcement measures to prevent China from sidestepping American forced labor restrictions by moving Uyghur workers from Xinjiang to factories across the country.
Further measures needed
In a June 18 letter, Sens. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), John Curtis (R-Utah) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) pressed Christopher Pratt, who heads the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF), to strengthen enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFPLA). “It is clear based off of the joint investigation referenced above that further measures are needed to drastically expand the UFPLA Entity List to address these forced labor transfer programs outside Xinjiang and crack down on Communist China’s evasion of U.S. law,” Ricketts said in a statement.
The lawmakers are seeking a July 18 briefing on the task force’s planned response to Beijing’s worker transfer programs and how it will engage with businesses to improve compliance. The current entity list includes 144 organizations linked to forced labor, with 37 additions from January. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has backed the effort, with Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw stating, “The Chinese communist government must be held accountable for its oppression of Uyghur Muslims and other Turkic minorities, and it cannot be allowed to profit off of their crimes.”
Beyond U.S. efforts
Legal and diplomatic pressure against China’s Uyghur policies is building worldwide. Argentina’s highest criminal court approved proceedings for crimes against humanity and genocide charges on June 18, with International Counsel Michael Polak noting, “This brave decision protects the objectivity of the Argentinian legal system and its impartiality in the application of the Argentinian Constitution.” New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon raised human rights concerns in recent meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. New Zealand diplomats traveled to Xinjiang in 2023 and May 2024 seeking information about detained Chinese citizen Mewlan NurMuhammad, whose sister is a New Zealand citizen.
Meanwhile, Beijing’s regional influence persists, as seen in Thailand’s February deportation of 40 Uyghur Muslims to China after detaining them for over a decade. “We condemn in the strongest possible terms Thailand’s forced return of at least 40 Uyghurs to China, where they lack due process rights and where Uyghurs have faced persecution, forced labor and torture,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in response.
Why this matters
The senators’ letter responds to a recent investigation by The New York Times, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Der Spiegel that documented widespread government-directed transfer of Uyghurs to factories across China. The investigation identified workers at over 70 facilities in five major industries that supply well-known brands. “For these Uyghurs being forced and dragged out of their homes to go to work, it’s hell,” Rahima Mahmut, executive director of Stop Uyghur Genocide, told the Times.
Beijing’s worker transfer strategy expanded after violent incidents including a 2013 vehicle attack near Tiananmen Square and a 2014 mass stabbing in Kunming that killed 31 people, leading to increased surveillance and control measures. The risks facing relocated Uyghurs were evident in the June 26, 2009 Shaoguan factory incident, where Han Chinese workers reportedly attacked Uyghurs, killing at least two and injuring over 100.
Since the UFPLA took effect, Customs and Border Protection has reviewed more than 11,000 shipments valued in the billions of dollars under the forced labor prevention measures, demonstrating the policy’s economic impact.
South Korea's president calls for lasting peace on Korean War 75th anniversary
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday called for a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula as the nation marked the 75th anniversary of the Korean War's outbreak.
In a message shared on social media, Lee paid tribute to the veterans, their families and citizens who endured the conflict that began on June 25, 1950. He emphasized that South Korea’s present was “not built by chance” but through sacrifice and dedication. He added that “the era of defending a nation solely through military power is now behind us,” stressing that “winning without fighting is more important than winning through conflict.”
Lee highlighted the nation's dramatic transformation since the war, noting that South Korea’s per capita income has risen from $67 in 1953 to over $36,000 today. At a commemorative ceremony held in Daejeon, he pledged greater support for veterans and bereaved families. Leaders from both ruling and opposition parties joined the event, expressing bipartisan support for honoring the past and securing a peaceful future.
Vietnam’s former richest woman, who was sentenced to death, avoids execution
Vietnamese real estate mogul Truong My Lan will serve life in prison after escaping the death penalty, following recent legal reforms passed by the National Assembly. Lan, chair of Van Thinh Phat Group, was sentenced to death last year for her role in a $12.5 billion financial fraud through Saigon Commercial Bank, one of the largest in Vietnamese history.
The changes, which take effect July 1, remove the death sentence for eight offenses including embezzlement, corruption and espionage. Under the new law, all unexecuted death sentences for the affected crimes are automatically reduced to life imprisonment. Capital punishment remains in place for violent crimes such as murder and child sexual abuse.
Lan had already received a reduced sentence on appeal earlier this year after agreeing to repay a significant portion of the embezzled funds. Her legal team confirmed the amendments would apply retroactively, ensuring her reprieve.
These Asian American billionaire execs believe in “996” work hours
Recent remarks from high-profile tech executives have renewed attention on extreme work schedules resembling China’s 996 system, in which employees work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. In recent interviews, Scale AI co-founder Lucy Guo and Zoom CEO Eric Yuan have both downplayed the value of work-life balance while describing their own demanding routines.
Dismissing work-life balance
In her June 22 interview, Guo told Fortune that she often works from early morning until midnight and clocks as many as 90 hours a week. “I probably don’t have work-life balance,” she said. “For me, work doesn’t really feel like work. I love doing my job.”
She also questioned the priorities of those who seek personal time away from their jobs. “If you feel the need for work-life balance, maybe you’re not in the right work,” Guo said.
“Work is life”
Yuan had earlier made a similar point with Fortune, saying that he sees no clear division between his personal and professional life. “Work is life, life is work,” he said. He added that he has no hobbies and spends his time either on Zoom or with family. “Whenever there’s a conflict, guess what? Family first. That’s it,” he said.
He said he believes artificial intelligence could eventually allow for a two- or three-day workweek, but he offered no timeline for such a shift.
Echoes of China’s 996 system
The views expressed by Guo and Yuan mirror the so-called “996 schedule,” which has been widely used by Chinese companies and endorsed by billionaires Elon Musk and Jack Ma. The system has drawn criticism for its links to burnout, health problems and death from overwork.
Though Chinese regulators have issued guidance discouraging the practice, enforcement remains uneven. Many young workers have pushed back by protesting and embracing the “lying flat” movement, which involves opting out of the country’s intense professional and social expectations in favor of rest and minimalist living.
Asia worst for work-life balance
The 2024 Global Life-Work Balance Index ranks most Asian nations in the lower half of 60 countries surveyed. Singapore leads the region but still places only 26th with a score of 49.69 out of 100. Its regional neighbors fare worse: Vietnam ranks 37th (43.94), Thailand 39th (43.12), Indonesia 43rd (40.12) and Malaysia 47th (38.88).
The Philippines places second to last at 59th with a score of 27.46, just ahead of the United States at 55th (27.07). Japan (29th) and South Korea (31st) report high annual working hours and long-standing workplace fatigue that could even lead to death.
Dylan Harper, Yang Hansen make history in the 2025 NBA Draft
Dylan Harper and Yang Hansen broke ground for Asian and Asian American representation during the 2025 NBA Draft, each reaching historic milestones on June 25 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Harper ties a record
Dylan Harper, a 6-foot-6 guard from Rutgers and son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, was selected second overall by the San Antonio Spurs. The pick ties the talented 19-year-old with Jalen Green, drafted second in 2021, as the highest-selected Asian American in NBA history.
Harper, whose mother Maria is Filipina, was visibly emotional as he took the stage. “"I almost cried. I mean, every emotion from being happy to excited—everything just kind of came in at one time," Harper told ESPN. A projected cornerstone of San Antonio’s system, he expressed excitement about playing alongside Victor Wembanyama and modeling his game after Cade Cunningham and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
With his selection, Harper joins a lineage of Asian American NBA players that includes Jeremy Lin, Jordan Clarkson and Jalen Green.
Yang surprises in mid-first round
Yang Hansen, a 7-foot-1 center from Qingdao, China, was selected 16th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers, becoming just the third Chinese player ever taken in the first round after Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian.
Seated in the stands rather than the green room, Yang appeared stunned when his name was called. “This is sort of beyond my wildest imagination,” he said following his selection.
Long projected as a second-rounder, Yang’s stock rose following standout performances at the NBA Combine and private workouts. Scouts have praised his court vision and passing, leading to comparisons with Nikola Jokic and earning him the nickname “Chinese Jokic.” Blazers general manager Joe Cronin said the team had "been watching for quite a while" and called him a "very, very unique talent."
AI will be used to restore Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee and Jet Li classics
The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival concluded Sunday with the unveiling of a major effort to restore 100 classic martial arts films using artificial intelligence and the debut of a new animated feature titled “A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border.”
“The Kung Fu Film Heritage Project,” launched by the China Film Foundation with a $14 million budget, will digitally remaster iconic titles featuring stars like Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee and Jet Li. Films such as “The Big Boss” (1969), “Fist of Fury” (1972), “Drunken Master” (1978) and “Once Upon a Time in China” (1991) are among those selected for restoration using AI tools designed to clean and enhance visuals and audio.
The festival also introduced “A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border,” described as the first fully AI-produced animated feature. Inspired by John Woo’s 1986 crime drama, the film reimagines its story in a futuristic cyberpunk setting and was created by a 30-member team using AI for scripting, modeling and animation.
Margaret Cho calls Filipinos “the most beautiful people”
Comedian Margaret Cho is getting all the love from Filipino fans after posting a wildly affectionate tribute on social media. In her video posted on TikTok and Instagram this week, she called Filipinos “the most beautiful people” and joked that “god was having a good day” when he made them. “It’s not a contest,” she said in the video, “but really if you look at Filipinos … you can’t go wrong.”
Cho delivered the praise with her signature mix of humor and heart, instantly going viral among Filipino fans who flooded the comments with appreciation and jokes of their own. One viewer wrote, “Give this lady a lumpia card to be used in perpetuity,” a nod to the beloved Filipino snack and a clear stamp of approval. Another added, “Didn’t think I could love you more!” while someone else called it “the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said about my people.”
“Squid Game” Season 3 is back and it’s deadlier than ever
Spoiler warning: This article contains plot details from Season 3 of “Squid Game.”
“Squid Game” returned for its final season on Netflix today (June 27), closing out the survival drama with six new episodes and a jarring shift in scale. Lee Jung-jae reprises his role as Seong Gi-hun opposite Lee Byung-hun as the Front Man, as both characters are pushed to new extremes in a deadlier, more expansive iteration of the game.
The finale features a surprise appearance by Cate Blanchett as an American recruiter, suggesting the game’s reach may be far from over. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has called this season the show’s end but left room for future spin-offs. Critics have responded favorably, with Rotten Tomatoes scores already surpassing those of Season 2 and reviewers praising the season’s darker tone and sharpened focus.