Carbon Markets: South Korea’s Global Carbon Council, the Ministry of Planning and Budget and KCCI signed an MoU to move the voluntary carbon market from policy to implementation, with a KRX launch targeted for end-2026 and plans for digital monitoring, reporting and verification. Semiconductors & Investment: Four U.S. firms pledged $2 billion into South Korea’s chip supply chain and energy, spanning semiconductor gases, ion implantation equipment, advanced glass and a 3.2GW offshore wind project. AI Data Centers: Reuters reports South Korea’s AIDC push could reach 18.4GW by 2035, but the article flags mounting risks from power and water constraints and local resistance seen in the U.S. Public Sector Reshuffle: The government unveiled plans to cut 109 public institutions, including merging KEPCO power-generation subsidiaries into “Korea Power” and consolidating port authorities, while also relocating some agencies from Seoul to Sejong. Energy Security/Shipping: South Korea is preparing to deploy troops to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with options under review and parliamentary approval procedures expected soon. Digital Identity: World released ProveKit, aiming to make privacy-preserving identity proofs usable on users’ devices, while Authologic became a registered issuer of non-qualified digital credentials in Poland. Cybersecurity: South Korea says Tving attackers stole data tied to 39.54 million accounts and source code from development and production systems. Markets & Liquidity: KRX will ease KOSDAQ market-maker compliance thresholds to 80% from 90% to support liquidity.