U.S.-NK Summit Hopes: South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung said Seoul is coordinating behind the scenes to “create an opening” for a possible Trump-Kim summit, while stressing the outcome is still uncertain. Nuclear Deterrence Escalation: Kim Yo Jong condemned U.S.-led naval drills as a “war game” and warned Pyongyang will respond with “more offensive” action, vowing to intensify nuclear deterrence. UNGA Attendance: North Korea’s vice foreign minister Kim Son-gyong is reported to plan to attend next week’s UN General Assembly high-level segment and deliver remarks, with meetings expected including UN chief Antonio Guterres. Fault Lines After Tests: A new study says earthquakes around the Punggye-ri nuclear test site surged after the 2017 test, with dormant fault zones reactivating and fault activity rising through 2025. Diplomacy Limits via Beijing: A former senior U.S. diplomat said China likely won’t block U.S.-North Korea talks but is unlikely to play a central role, expecting Beijing to be wary of any major thaw. Military Posture with China: North Korea’s vice defense minister defended the nuclear program as “irreversible” at China’s Xiangshan forum and pledged deeper military cooperation with Beijing. Lawmakers Push for Talks: South Korean lawmakers proposed a resolution urging rapid U.S.-North Korea dialogue and support for a civilian delegation plan tied to a potential Trump-Kim summit. Seoul’s Boundaries on Overseas War: Lee said there will be no troop dispatch that could pull South Korea into an overseas conflict, even as Hormuz security pressures mount.