Local Elections Fallout: South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party swept most local races but couldn’t flip Seoul, where incumbent People Power Party mayor Oh Se-hoon narrowly held on, a result seen as a check on President Lee Jae-myung’s first-year agenda. Ballot Crisis: The vote was also marred by an unprecedented ballot-paper shortage at more than a dozen Seoul polling stations, triggering long waits, some voters leaving without voting, protests, and a National Election Commission investigation after Lee expressed “deep regret.” Education Politics: Progressive candidates dominated education superintendent races, winning 10 of 16 posts nationwide, including Seoul’s Jung Geun-sik and Busan’s Kim Seok-jun. Cost of Living: Seoul expanded its “Good Price” program for small shops, adding subsidies and practical support to help keep prices down amid inflation. Defense & Diplomacy: Korea assessed U.S. nuclear cooperation consultations as a success, while Unification Minister Chung Dong-young proposed four-way peace talks with the two Koreas, the U.S., and China. North Korea: Kim Jong Un inspected a new uranium enrichment facility and vowed “exponential” expansion of nuclear forces. Tech & Industry: The government plans 2 trillion won in public drone demand over five years, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is set to deepen AI ties in Seoul.