Inter-Korean Talks Push: South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung used Liberation Day to call for direct dialogue with North Korea to formally end the Korean War and set up a “peace regime,” while also urging ways to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear advances; North Korea has so far stayed silent on the proposal. Border Tensions: South Korea fired warning shots for the first time this year after North Korean troops crossed the Military Demarcation Line on the eastern front, with the soldiers retreating north and no further unusual activity detected. Seoul Heat & Safety: As record heat continues, an AI elderly-care system in Korea flagged up to five times more health warning signs than last year, with more frequent check-ins by care workers; meanwhile, the Interior Ministry downgraded a heavy-rain crisis alert to “caution” as warnings expanded across southern regions. Local Transit Watch: Seoul’s Hangang Bus has topped 500,000 cumulative riders, with about half boarding on weekends, prompting a review of weekend fare increases. Economy & Households: Korea’s household debt is projected to exceed 2,000 trillion won for the first time, driven by home-backed loans and leveraged stock borrowing. Politics Inside the Democratic Party: A faction feud is flaring in the Democratic Party’s leadership race, spilling into the Supreme Council contest during a Gyeonggi primary. Korea-Japan Friction: Japanese ruling party figures continued Yasukuni Shrine visits despite protests from China and South Korea, while Japanese media said Lee’s Liberation Day speech signaled a more future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship.