Monetary Policy Watch: Bank of Korea board member Kim Jong-hwa said the central bank will assess both external and internal conditions, including the impact of its last two rate hikes, before deciding the pace of any further tightening. North Korea Spotlight: Kim Jong-un publicly praised troops involved in overseas military operations during the country’s founding anniversary, reinforcing Pyongyang’s narrative around its Russia-linked role. Competition & Aviation: South Korea’s antitrust watchdog began deliberations on Korean Air cases, including alleged obstruction of an investigation tied to its Asiana takeover, after employees reportedly deleted relevant files and emails. Tech & Consumer Life: Apple unveiled its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, with South Korea prices starting at 3.29 million won and sales set to begin Oct. 23. Seoul’s Daily Economy: Restaurant reservation platform CatchTable topped 15 million cumulative users and 30,000+ registered restaurants, showing how K-food demand keeps moving online. Global K-Culture Demand: Foreign students and trainees in South Korea surpassed 500,000 in 2025, as Korean-language interest and K-content draw longer stays. Business & Defense Ties: Former Japan PM Ishiba visited LIG D&A to review Cheongung-II systems and discuss expanding South Korea-Japan defense industry cooperation. Sports (Local): South Korea’s U-20 women’s team fell 3-1 to Ghana, leaving it needing a strong finish vs Ecuador.