Inter-Korean Border Access Eased: South Korea’s Defense Ministry will shrink the Civilian Control Line near the DPRK border to an average of about 6 km from the MDL starting in phases from 2027, downgrading and lifting restrictions over hundreds of square kilometers to improve living conditions and regional development, with simpler approvals for agricultural drones and an app-based access system. Climate Shift Warning: Korea Meteorological Administration scenarios suggest most of the peninsula could take on subtropical characteristics before the 22nd century, with longer, hotter summers and ecosystem and society impacts. Seoul Tap-Water Push: Seoul launches a riverside “Arisu” pop-up at Yeouido to make filtered tap water feel like a lifestyle choice, pairing chilled drinks and refill options with sustainability messaging. AI Power Demand Hits Seoul: Hyosung-STT GDC opened STT Seoul 1, a 30-megawatt hyperscale data center in Geumcheon, betting on Seoul’s low-latency connectivity while navigating power constraints. Health & Environment Angle: A large Korean study in Nature Medicine finds people who switch from cigarettes to e-cigarettes still face higher lung cancer risk than those who quit smoking entirely. Energy Shock Context: Reporting highlights how the US-Iran crisis is turning into a wider energy, logistics, fertilizer, food, and financial shock—raising pressure to cut fossil-fuel dependence.