Markets & Macro Shock: Seoul stocks slid sharply as Middle East navigation talks were postponed and AI leaders urged slower model development, dragging chip and AI-linked names; KOSPI fell more than 2% with Samsung and SK hynix leading losses. Energy Security: South Korea said a Saudi East-West pipeline shutdown should have limited short-term impact, while shipping costs and oil prices keep pressure on the economy. Semiconductor Power Crunch: Samsung and SK hynix rejected KEPCO’s plan to demand a 25 trillion won upfront electricity prepayment for new chip clusters, citing uncertainty over demand durability. AI Sentiment Spillover: Asian AI-connected shares dropped after major model CEOs called for pacing AI progress, while OpenAI signaled IPO timing concerns. Geopolitics & Trade: President Lee began Central Asia summit diplomacy with Uzbekistan, aiming to deepen cooperation on critical minerals, AI, and supply chains; a Seoul ministerial meeting also agreed to expand Central Asia-South Korea supply-chain collaboration. Corporate/Legal: The Supreme Court nominee apologized over a discounted Gangnam lease controversy, and a state auditor said a former YTN watchdog chief was unfairly involved in a 2023 stake sell-off. Business & Innovation: Hyundai joined Bill Gates-backed Commonwealth Fusion Systems in a $1B funding round to explore industrial collaboration on fusion power. Health & Biotech: AstraZeneca’s TAGRISSO and Daiichi Sankyo’s ENHERTU posted long-term and first-line trial highlights at WCLC in Seoul.