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Kirk Was Spreading His Message in Asia Just Days Ago
The Straits Times
|September 12, 2025
In the week before his fatal shooting, right-wing US political activist Charlie Kirk cheered the boom of conservative young men in South Korea and warned about a "globalist menace" in Tokyo on his first speaking tour of Asia.
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TOKYO/SEOUL -
Mr Kirk, 31, who helped amplify Republican President Donald Trump's agenda to young voters with often inflammatory rhetoric focused on issues such as gender and immigration, was shot in the neck on Sept 10 at a speaking event at a Utah university.
In Seoul on Sept 5, he spoke about how he "brought Trump to victory", while addressing Build Up Korea 2025, a conservative conference that has previously featured speakers including Mr Donald Trump Jr.
"The phenomenon of young people, especially men, turning conservative is occurring simultaneously across multiple continents," Mr Kirk told the audience.
"It is not unique to the US, which is why it deserves more attention. That is why I chose South Korea as my first Asian destination."
This story is from the September 12, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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