1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday delivered a budget speech, pledging to stick to a sound fiscal policy next year and put top priority on stabilizing people’s livelihoods. He also called for bipartisan support on passing the government’s budget proposal.
2. According to data by Statistics Korea on Tuesday, South Korea’s industrial output rose for the second consecutive month in September on the back of a turnaround in the semiconductor sector. Retail sales and facility investment also logged an on-year growth last month.
3. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday rejected calls for a ceasefire, saying it would be “equivalent to surrendering to Hamas and terrorism” even as UN agencies call for a humanitarian ceasefire. Netanyahu said Israel would press ahead with its plans to wipe out Hamas in Gaza.
