North Korea–Russia Military Ties: Kim Jong Un told Vladimir Putin he’s “proud” of the DPRK-Russia relationship, as Pyongyang deepens military cooperation tied to Russia’s Ukraine war. South Korea–North Korea Talks: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung proposed direct talks to formally end the Korean War and discuss practical steps to halt North Korea’s nuclear advances, aiming to replace the armistice with a peace regime. DMZ Flashpoints: South Korea reported North Korean soldiers violated the boundary line in the DMZ, prompting warning shots—another reminder of how fast tech and tactics can escalate on the ground. Cyber & Critical Infrastructure Security: A U.S. memo would let vetted private firms run offensive cyber operations against foreign criminal networks, while separate reporting highlights how attackers can exploit enterprise systems like SharePoint for lateral movement—relevant to how North-linked groups may target networks. Sanctions & Economic Research: South Korea’s Bank of Korea renamed its North Korea-focused research unit to broaden into “economic security,” covering supply chains and critical minerals—signaling shifting priorities as sanctions pressure grows. Tech & Science Beyond the Peninsula: China showcased youth AI drone-rescue challenges and launched a full-cycle ALS care model, while a new open-access life sciences journal (Vita) aims for global standing.