1. Torrential downpours that battered the South Gyeongsang region during the Liberation Day holiday caused a succession of damages. Notably, a landslide resulted in three casualties in Geoje, while some 200 displaced people spent a second day in temporary shelters.

2. Newly elected Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok and presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik held their first meeting today (the 18th), jointly emphasizing a "one team" dynamic between the party and the presidential office. Tomorrow, President Lee Jae-myung is scheduled to invite all candidates from the party leadership election to a dinner at the presidential office.

3. As U.S. President Trump continues to issue messages regarding dialogue with North Korea, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also scheduled to visit South Korea, drawing keen attention to whether meaningful changes will occur in North Korea-U.S. dialogue.

4. President Trump stated that he has no intention of extending the expired end-of-war MOU with Iran, asserting that Iran must surrender. He also threatened to bomb Oman, an ally currently in talks with Iran over the management of the Strait of Hormuz.