North Korea-China Economic Push: Premier Pak Thae-song’s China trip for the 65th anniversary of the friendship treaty signals a push to revive practical cooperation, with Beijing promising alignment of development plans and expanded trade, connectivity, and people-to-people sectors including healthcare and education. Market Overhaul via “20×10”: Satellite imagery analysis says Pyongyang is tearing down jangmadang-style town markets and replacing them with standardized “leisure complexes,” a major attempt to tighten regulation while reshaping local commerce under Kim Jong Un’s rural development project. Cyber Targeting of Researchers: A cybersecurity firm reports North Korea-linked hackers (APT37) using phishing emails tied to a Seoul conference to deliver a RokRAT variant, aiming to steal system info and run remote commands against researchers and policy professionals. Regional Tech & Security Context: South Korea’s military saw 18,951 cyberattack attempts in 2025, with lawmakers citing North Korea’s large hacker workforce and rising email-based intrusions. AI in Media Production: “Agent Kim Reactivated” claims a fully AI-generated action sequence for a Korean drama, highlighting how generative tools are moving from effects into core storytelling. Defense Tech Race (Broader): Reports on tank fleets and drone-interceptor learning underscore how AI, drones, and networked systems are reshaping military priorities worldwide.