it was to mark the 120th anniversary of the birth of takumi asakawa. he was sent to korea in 1914 to help lay the groundwork for planting forests. he died 17 years later at the age of 41. a south korean researcher said at the seminar that asakawa was fond of korean culture and that he opposed the discrimination against the korean people. a south korean forest institution official said asakawa laid a foundation for a successful tree planting campaign in the country that continued into the 1970s. >> translator: i view current japanese relations with some reservations, but i'm moved to find out about asakawa. someone like him can help ease tension. >>> time to check on some of the stories we've gathered from broadcasters around asia. we begin with this item sent by mcot thailand. inmates have taken over part of a prison in the southern thai province of patoni. it's led to the death of one inmate, while two others have been injured. the uprising was apparently instigated by 50 muslim inmates angered by what they describe as poor living conditions and unfai

it was to mark the 120th anniversary of the birth of tak takui asakawa. and he opposed the discrimination against the korean people. a south korean forestry institute official said that asahikawa went for a campaign in the country that continued into the 1970s. >> translator: i viewed korean/japanese relations with reservations. but i'm moved to find out about asahikawa. someone like him can help ease tension. >>> next we go to our bureau in bangkok. here's the latest on what's making headlines in the region. >>> minister on sunday called on afghanistan's president to help freedom for 30 people including dozens of children held captive by the pakistani taliban. abducted on thursday. they were on an outing in afghanistan's border province of kunar. the pakistani taliban has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings. they said it captured them because their parents and tribal elders are helping the government and fighting against the group. pakistani officials have said the captives are under 16 years old. the taliban claim they have released the youngster