Telecom Security: South Korea tightens mobile activation rules starting Monday, requiring stricter identity checks for new lines or carrier switches, with facial recognition or digital ID authentication via the mobile ID app, plus same-day resident registration documents; conditional activation is available if biometrics fail, and the change targets fraud, burner phones, and voice phishing. Semiconductor Geopolitics: Samsung and SK hynix’s massive 800-trillion-won semiconductor investment plan is drawing US trade-pressure concerns, with experts warning Washington may push for more onshore manufacturing. AI-Era State Funding: Seoul plans to finance AI-era growth using a “future response fund” fed by chip-tax windfalls, backing semiconductors, AI data centers, and “physical AI” megaprojects while expanding support for housing, startups, and jobs. Currency Market Reform: The won-dollar spot market shifts to near-24-hour trading from Monday to improve foreign access, but liquidity during overnight hours is the key risk. Space Watch: South Korea prepares a crucial SpaceX Falcon 9 launch Tuesday for its fourth medium-sized Earth observation satellite, aiming for frequent high-resolution coverage of the peninsula. Health Tech Research: Kookmin University researchers identify new molecular subtypes of pediatric medulloblastoma, enabling more personalized treatment paths. Cybersecurity: US firm JFrog reports North Korea-linked malware masquerading as npm packages, designed to steal credentials and sensitive data from developers’ systems.