Budget & Growth Debate: President Lee Jae-myung says South Korea must prioritize restoring growth over expanding welfare, defending the Cabinet’s record 820.9 trillion-won 2027 budget as semiconductor-driven tax gains fund AI and chip “growth engines.” Economy & Prices: August inflation quickened to 3.1% y/y, with mobile bill base effects and elevated oil prices doing most of the work; officials warn September risks remain. Markets: Asian selloff hit Seoul hard as oil and US-Iran tensions pushed yields higher, dragging the Kospi about 2.9% on the day. Labor & Immigration: The Employment Permit System hit a record 287,424 foreign workers, heavily concentrated in manufacturing, renewing calls to rebalance quotas toward services. Gender Politics: Gender minister nominee Yong Hye-in dodged questions on whether she’ll keep her Assembly seat, while critics question her appeal to younger voters and whether she should resign. Public Safety & Police Trust: A newly appointed acting police chief said public distrust weighs on him after past Gwangju/Jeju cases. Justice: South Korea’s top court upheld a five-year prison term in a North Korea beer-and-mask fraud scheme. Foreign Policy & Security: Seoul says no South Korean-flagged tanker was hit in the Strait of Hormuz incident reported by FT, amid heightened regional shipping risks. Disaster Response: A 44-member Korean disaster relief team arrived in Kathmandu to search for missing people after Nepal floods, including nine South Koreans.