1. Starting Wednesday, South Korea is scrapping its unique way of counting age as the country adopts the global standard system. However, South Koreans can buy cigarettes and alcohol from the year and not the day they turn 19.

2. South Korea’s foreign ministry announced on Wednesday that the government slapped sanctions on a Russian national of Korean descent, Choi Chon Gon, for helping North Korea in its illicit financial activities.

3. Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority on Wednesday has begun a 3-day mandatory safety inspection of all equipment needed for the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant.