JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
U.S. Government Enters Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Pierre Poilievre Retains Conservative Leadership After Election Defeat in Canada 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
Keir Starmer Urges Prince Andrew to Testify in U.S. Epstein Investigation 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Putin Envoy Kirill Dmitriev to Visit Miami for Talks With Trump Administration Officials 
Kevin Warsh’s Fed Nomination Raises Questions Over Corporate Ties and U.S.–South Korea Trade Tensions 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Medvedev Warns World Is Growing More Dangerous but Says Russia Seeks to Avoid Global Conflict 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump’s Iraq Envoy Mark Savaya Ousted Amid U.S.-Iraq Tensions Over Iran Influence 
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed that Seoul and Washington have reached a broad understanding on security issues while trade and tariff negotiations remain ongoing, according to Yonhap News Agency. The talks come as the United States reviews a potential currency swap deal, a key demand from South Korea, though prospects for approval appear uncertain.
The United States had earlier agreed to lower tariffs on imports from South Korea in exchange for a $350 billion investment package. However, follow-up discussions on structuring the deal have stalled, delaying progress. Cho noted that Seoul may take longer than Japan— which finalized its investment agreement last month— to conclude its trade deal with Washington.
As part of the broader negotiations, Seoul and Washington are also working on a parallel security agreement. This includes discussions over South Korea’s increased defense spending, a move strongly pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called on Seoul to contribute more toward the cost of hosting American troops. Cho emphasized that both sides are aiming to finalize and announce the security pact ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, later in October. Trump is expected to attend the meeting.
Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced an 8.2% increase in next year’s defense budget, underlining the need for stronger self-reliance in national security. Officials also revealed that progress is being made on negotiations granting South Korea greater rights to process nuclear fuel for industrial purposes— a provision currently restricted under existing agreements.
Cho also suggested that a potential meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un remains possible, following media speculation. Kim recently stated he was open to dialogue if Washington eased its stance on denuclearization demands.
These developments highlight the intertwined nature of trade, security, and regional diplomacy, as Seoul balances its economic interests with long-term defense and geopolitical challenges.
