North Korea Deterrence: South Korea says it will hold the North Korea-focused “Freedom Edge” trilateral drills with the US and Japan in early September (Sept. 7–11 off Jeju), even after Washington scaled back some exercises, as Seoul pushes for any US-North Korea dialogue to deliver real nuclear progress without sidelining South Korea. Himalayan Disaster: Flash floods from a Nepal-Tibet glacial collapse have killed at least 359 (392 in later updates) with 1,400+ missing, including many foreign nationals; rescuers face fresh risk as a debris-dammed barrier lake threatens another surge. Seoul Housing Clash: Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon accuses the government and ruling party of politicizing housing supply, arguing for “supply, not politics” as redevelopment authority and Yongsan Park vs Tancheon plans remain in dispute. Police Missing-Person Scandal: Police will re-examine about 310,000 missing persons cases after an officer was arrested over alleged falsified closures on Jeju, renewing scrutiny of how adults are handled. Markets & Currency: Seoul stocks slipped late Friday morning as investors rotated out of tech ahead of Jackson Hole, while the won strengthened slightly to about 1,378 per dollar. Corporate/Industry: POSCO secured a $700m IDB credit facility for lithium operations in Argentina; SK hynix and other chip moves continue to drive investor attention.