[South Korean President Warns Against Real Estate Speculation, Vows to Cool Down Housing Market "At All Costs"] According to foreign media reports, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung recently issued an unusually stern warning, vowing to crack down on real estate speculation "at all costs" and urging owners of multiple properties to consider the "blood and tears" of millions of young people who are unable to buy homes due to runaway housing prices. He gave multiple property owners a "last chance," demanding they sell their excess properties before the government raises property taxes. Lee Jae-myung pointed out that soaring housing costs are forcing young people to abandon their marriage and childbearing plans, threatening the country's social structure. These remarks came as Seoul apartment prices have defied government efforts to control the market, rising for 52 consecutive weeks. A recent Gallup Korea poll showed that 40% of respondents were dissatisfied with his housing policies, while only 26% expressed support, indicating that the policy's failure has threatened the president's approval rating. Nearly half of the respondents expect housing prices to continue rising next year.

[US Senate Compromise Moves Towards Ending Government Shutdown, Prospects Remain Uncertain] According to Fox News, the compromise reached by the US Senate to end the current partial government shutdown successfully overcame a major procedural hurdle on Monday night, paving the way for the bill to be submitted to the House of Representatives for a vote on Tuesday. However, the bill may face a second procedural test in the full House vote: a "rules vote," which requires a simple majority to initiate debate and lead to a final vote. Because House votes are typically highly partisan, Speaker Johnson needs almost all Republican members to agree for the vote to succeed. The current partial government shutdown, affecting approximately 78% of the federal government, has entered its third day. It was triggered by Congress's failure to submit the remaining spending bills to President Trump by January 30th. Previously, a bipartisan bill passed by the House aimed to fund the government until the end of fiscal year 2026, but Democrats collectively opposed it due to protests against Trump's crackdown on immigration in Minneapolis, causing the shutdown to continue.

Spot gold has just broken through the $4,780.00/ounce mark, and is currently trading at $4,780.19/ounce, up 2.64% on the day; COMEX gold futures are currently trading at $4,801.50/ounce, up 3.20% on the day.

The Shenzhen Component Index has just broken through the 13900.00 mark and is currently trading at 13899.72, up 0.55% on the day.

Spot platinum has just broken through the $2,150.00/ounce mark, last trading at $2,147.80/ounce, up 1.34% on the day; Nymex platinum futures main contract was last trading at $2,141.1/ounce, up 1.76% on the day.

Spot platinum has just broken through the $2,170.00/ounce mark, and is currently trading at $2,156.10/ounce, up 1.73% on the day; Nymex platinum futures are currently trading at $2,150.1/ounce, up 2.19% on the day.