AI Workforce & SME Push: South Korea unveiled a 5-year plan (2026–2030) to train “manufacturing AI” talent, expand practical AI personnel development to 1,600 next year, and run a Manufacturing AI Fellow program with KAIST and other institutes—aimed at easing youth job gaps and mismatches. Data & Privacy for the Green City Future: The Personal Information Protection Commission requested 99.6 billion won for 2027, with big jumps for preventive safeguards and safer AI use—key for protecting residents as Seoul scales smart services. Space for Disaster Response: The land ministry cleared a 312.9 billion won project to build two next-generation land observation satellites, launching in 2030 and 2031 to improve monitoring and natural-disaster response. Urban Environment & Water: Seoul cracked down on “fat waste” dumping by busting 25 clinics for draining it into sewers, while also rolling out new water fountain designs for tumblers, wheelchairs and pets. Biodiversity in the City: Otters have returned to Seoul’s Han River after decades, with five families spotted—an encouraging sign for urban habitat recovery. Climate Pressure Warning: A UN report says humanity is highly likely to exceed the 1.5°C warming threshold, with heat and disasters already straining budgets and crowding out clean-energy investment. Energy Transition Governance: The government plans to merge gas and oil firms and consolidate power-generation subsidiaries to streamline the renewable transition, alongside a broader overhaul cutting 109 public institutions.