China-North Korea Ties: North Korea’s premier Pak Thae-song arrived in Beijing for a three-day visit tied to the 65th anniversary of the 1961 friendship treaty, as Xi Jinping’s government media offered rare praise for Pyongyang’s construction, housing and rural output. Military Modernization: Pyongyang says it will expand the missions of its main military intelligence body, pushing radical upgrades to reconnaissance and intelligence functions under Kim Jong Un’s enlarged Central Military Commission meeting. Food Prices: Daily NK reports North Korean rice prices fell nearly 20% in early July, with corn also dropping sharply, pointing to seasonal supply shifts and possibly more imported food. Internal Crackdown on Housing Theft: North Hamgyong authorities launched a targeted 2026 inspection campaign at housing construction sites and financial institutions, focusing on diversion of state materials like cement and steel and on illicit wealth accumulation. Trade/Smuggling Risk: A Financial Times investigation says Taiwan’s ship blacklist includes vessels linked to networks previously flagged for sanctions evasion and North Korea-related smuggling. Diplomacy & Economy: South Korea and Mongolia pledged to expand rare earth and critical mineral cooperation and aim for $1 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, with supply-chain diversification as a key theme.