Inter-Korean Diplomacy via Vatican: President Lee Jae Myung met Pope Leo XIV and invited him to visit South Korea next year for World Youth Day 2027, while a South Korea-born cardinal said any papal trip to North Korea depends on Pyongyang’s willingness—Seoul is clearly trying to use Vatican moral leverage to restart dialogue. G7 Foreign Policy: At the G7 summit in France, leaders focused on Ukraine and the Middle East, with Zelenskyy joining talks as Trump signaled renewed attention to Ukraine after an Iran-related deal. Hormuz Transit for Korea: South Korea began consultations with the U.S. and Iran on safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after a preliminary U.S.-Iran framework, with 24 Korea-linked ships still stranded and Seoul stressing safety and free passage. Domestic Politics: President Lee faces mounting pressure after June 3 local elections and ballot shortages, with the ruling party winning most seats but Seoul mayoral control staying with the opposition—fueling renewed scrutiny of ruling leadership. Parliamentary Oversight: The National Assembly agreed to launch a probe into ballot shortages and NEC reform, aiming to uncover what went wrong and set institutional fixes. Corporate Governance: Regulators are examining investor protection and marketing practices tied to failed SpaceX IPO allocations, after complaints over how risk was presented. AI Workforce Push: GS Group joined a government-backed program to train young job seekers in practical AI skills, signaling Seoul’s push to build an AI-ready labor pipeline. Seoul City Services: Seoul launched “Citizen Safety Guardians” by enlisting delivery riders to spot hazards and report risks, while a Han River triathlon festival drew nearly 900,000 visitors with expanded accessibility.