Market sources say Abu Dhabi investment group MGX is raising about $50 billion to accelerate AI-driven trading.

KCNA on June 23 reported that at the Workers’ Party of Korea’s 9th Central Committee 2nd enlarged plenum (June 20-22), General Secretary Kim Jong Un said US and South Korean actions this year — including regional troop increases, advancing South Korea’s nuclear-submarine plan and reconvening a nuclear consultation working group — have seriously worsened the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Kim said N. Korea will further strengthen its defense forces, accelerate construction of a 10,000-ton strategic missile cruiser, prioritize R&D and production of conventional weapons deemed critical to combat capability, complete ongoing southern border fortification projects and build a new naval fleet base.

Japanese government bond yields ticked up on Tuesday following moves in overnight US Treasuries, stoking market speculation the Bank of Japan could speed up rate hikes to counter yen weakness. Japan’s finance minister Katayama held an online call with US Treasury Secretary Bessent on Monday amid volatile FX; NHK and Kyodo reported the talks likely covered the exchange rate and may have included the possibility of FX intervention. Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities senior bond strategist Keisuke Tsuruta said Bessent’s past actions have helped create conditions conducive to BOJ tightening and that the meeting could prompt market bets on faster hikes. Sumitomo Mitsui analyst Lisa Mochizuki noted USD/JPY in the mid-161s increases the likelihood the BOJ will signal a more hawkish stance, which could push mid-dated JGB yields higher.