Troop Deployment Watch: South Korea’s Defense Intelligence Agency says North Korea is still preparing for a possible further troop deployment to Russia, but there are no signs an additional dispatch is imminent—an assessment that follows Zelensky’s earlier claim of a potential 30,000-plus surge. Nuclear Diplomacy Signals: As Trump pushes for renewed talks with Kim Jong Un, analysts warn the path is narrower than in 2018 because Pyongyang already has a mature arsenal and deeper Russia ties, while Washington still debates what “denuclearization” means in any future deal. Alliance Friction: South Korea’s ruling and opposition parties trade blame over Trump’s decision to scale back U.S.-South Korea drills, with Pyongyang also attacking Seoul’s stance and Seoul urging “peaceful coexistence” and dialogue. Regional Missile Pressure: Japan protested North Korea’s recent short-range ballistic missile launches as violations of UN resolutions, while South Korea continues to track the broader threat picture. North Korea Economy: A new study says income inequality in North Korea’s informal markets widened sharply after drought, power shortages, and shrinking foreign trade, driven mainly by a larger share of low-income earners. Israel Threat Rhetoric: Pyongyang reportedly issued a rare direct threat against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, underscoring North Korea’s willingness to escalate messaging beyond the peninsula.