Hormuz Watch: South Korea is reviewing options to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with media reports saying Seoul could prepare a naval support ship and troops, but the presidential office insists “nothing has been decided” and a review is ongoing. Diplomacy & Defense: Seoul is also consulting the U.S. over the future of Gwangju Air Base as it pushes to relocate military functions to make room for a semiconductor complex. Presidential Trip: President Lee Jae-myung will visit France next week for talks with Macron and to co-chair the Lumiere Summit on the future of cinema. Real Estate Justice: A Seoul court ruled licensed real estate brokers can be liable for up to 70% of jeonse fraud losses, raising damages in cases involving forged or misleading deal details. Household Lending: Regulators are expanding mid-interest loan limits for smaller savings banks to revive credit access while managing default risks. Markets: Asian stocks climbed as tech led Wall Street gains; South Korea’s Kospi rose in early trading. Culture & Sports: The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup kicks off Sept. 4 with South Korea facing Nigeria, and South Korea’s culture ministry is set to boost next year’s youth and arts funding. Chuseok Logistics: Customs will speed up import clearance ahead of the holiday and publish import prices for key food items. Nepal Flood Response: Rescue efforts continue after Nepal’s border floods, with teams including South Korea still searching for survivors trapped near hydropower sites.