AI & Cybersecurity Crackdown: South Korea’s financial regulator ordered a full probe after suspected AI-linked hacks spread from major banks to savings banks and lenders, exposing customer income and loan data and prompting emergency security checks across hundreds of firms. Semiconductor Push: President Lee Jae-myung unveiled a roughly $900B, decade-long “survival strategy” centered on memory chips, AI data centers, and physical AI/robotics, with Samsung and SK hynix as key backers. Chip-Driven Markets: Foreign investors sold over 20T won in KOSPI shares in a month, led by heavy selling of SK hynix, as chip stocks weighed on sentiment. Energy Deal Tension: The Alaska LNG plan is roiling Korea-U.S. talks after Trump claimed Seoul would invest $54B, while Korean officials said no decision has been made. Food Industry Pressure: Shine Muscat grape prices in Korea have plunged 71% over five years as demand cools and planted area shrinks; meanwhile, processed food prices rose for 24 of 26 items, hitting instant staples. Retail & Exports: GS25 says North American shoppers are its fastest-growing foreign customer group, with sales up 131% in Korea. K-Industry Abroad: A K-Lifestyle showcase in Nairobi brought Korean food, beauty, tech and culture to Kenyan consumers and potential partners.