Korea-U.S. Investment Friction: Seoul is scrambling to finalize the first details of a delayed $200B U.S. investment package tied to last year’s trade deal, with Washington reportedly growing frustrated as progress lags behind Japan’s earlier rollout. AI Labor Anxiety: A new survey finds young Koreans increasingly fear AI will replace or shrink jobs within five years, especially in AI-exposed sectors like finance and IT—adding pressure to hiring and career planning. Defense & Energy Ties: The Iran war is reshaping alliance expectations as the U.S. reviews plans to scale back joint drills with South Korea, while Seoul weighs options for regional security support. Battery Industry Update: LG Energy Solution opened its $2.6B Lansing battery plant in Michigan with a new customer mix—energy storage and Toyota—after GM exited the original plan. Defense Procurement: Hanwha Defense USA won an Army deal to deliver prototype wheeled K9 mobile howitzers for self-propelled howitzer modernization trials. Crypto Fallout: South Korea sentenced Delio’s CEO to 15 years in a $50M fraud case after customers were left unable to access frozen crypto deposits. E-commerce AI Search: 11st Street says its generative AI search rollout more than doubled purchase conversion rates versus standard keyword search, signaling a shift toward intent-led shopping. Markets Mood: Global bond yield spikes and oil strength dragged risk assets, with South Korea’s KOSPI down as investors rotated away from crowded AI-linked exposure.