Hormuz & Alliance Talks: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, reaffirming Seoul’s willingness to help restore free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz while President Lee Jae-myung reiterated he will not deploy troops to fight or intervene in a war; Cheong Wa Dae also said Lee’s “no war intervention” remarks were not a rejection of Trump’s request. U.S.-South Korea Investment: Rubio and Cho agreed to keep close communication to speed up execution of South Korea’s $350 billion U.S. investment pledges, with negotiations tied to last year’s trade deal still facing delays. North Korea Nuclear Pushback: Pyongyang dismissed an IAEA resolution as “double standards,” with Kim Yo-jong vowing North Korea’s nuclear status is “irreversible” and backed by its deterrent. Cabinet Turmoil: Lee’s justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won withdrew amid lobbying and COVID-19 treatment trial allegations, adding to a second cabinet setback as approval ratings slide. Asian Games Controversy: Organizers apologized after the North Korean anthem was mistakenly played before South Korea’s hockey match, prompting an official complaint and demands to prevent a repeat. Energy Costs: Seoul extended fuel price caps and tax cuts through November and cut highway gas prices for Chuseok to curb inflation pressures.