AI & Chips: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is set to arrive in Seoul and meet Korea’s top business leaders, with talks expected to cover AI data centers, robotics, physical AI, and HBM memory. Semiconductor Supply Chain: SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won expands ties with TSMC and Nvidia-linked partners, aiming to broaden next-gen HBM and advanced packaging cooperation as AI demand strains global supply. Manufacturing & Defense Safety: Hanwha Aerospace halts production across major sites and faces police/labor raids after a deadly Daejeon explosion that killed five workers, spotlighting industrial safety and defense production continuity. Trade Policy Shock: The US proposes 12.5% forced-labor tariffs on 54 economies including South Korea, while Seoul’s industry minister says the Korea-US tariff cap won’t exceed 15%. Energy & Industry: Hyundai Motor Group, Nvidia, and South Korea’s science ministry discuss an AI technology center candidate in North Jeolla’s Saemangeum, tying AI compute to renewable power. Finance & Digital Assets: Korea Investment & Securities takes a strategic stake in Coinone as tokenization of stocks and bonds moves closer to mainstream finance. Cybersecurity: Anthropic expands Project Glasswing to more organizations, including South Korea, to scan for software vulnerabilities using Claude Mythos Preview. North Korea: Kim Jong-un unveils a new nuclear material production facility and vows “exponential” expansion, raising regional security stakes. Consumer Tech: LG Electronics launches an ultra-low-power “LG E-Paper Display” for commercial spaces, starting in South Korea before wider rollout. SME Survival: Woori Bank warns Korea’s founder-led SMEs face a succession crisis, with many aging owners lacking heirs—especially in manufacturing outside Seoul.