Trump's Comments on Taiwan Spark Concern in Taipei "Trump's public statement about being willing to negotiate with Beijing on Taiwan is akin to waving a red flag in front of a bull," said Ryan Hass, director of the China Center at the Brookings Institution. Following President Donald Trump's remarks during his recent visit to China, where he referred to arms sales to Taiwan as a "very good negotiating chip," international attention has intensified. His comments suggest that arms sales to Taiwan could be leveraged in future negotiations wi May 18, 2026

Bitcoin Fluctuates Around $77,000 Amid U.S. Inflation Concerns Bitcoin is showing weakness, trading around $77,000 as concerns over inflation in the U.S. rise following a sharp increase in the Producer Price Index (PPI). This surge in inflation has led to a spike in U.S. government bond rates, dampening investor sentiment towards riskier assets. According to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin was trading at $77,937, down 0.28% from the previous day as of 8 a.m. on May 18. Major altcoins also experienced declines. At the same time, Ripple (XRP) fell 0.23% to $1. May 18, 2026

GIST Develops VR Technology to Reduce Motion Sickness in Vehicles Researchers in South Korea have developed a virtual reality (VR) technology that converts physical sensations experienced during vehicle acceleration and turns into visual effects, aiming to reduce motion sickness and enhance immersion. On May 18, the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) announced that a research team led by Professor Kim Seung-jun from the AI Convergence Department has created 'Force Mapping' technology, which transforms the actual movements of vehicles May 18, 2026

Hanwha Investment Upgrades Kolon Target Price Amid Chinese Consumer Recovery Hanwha Investment & Securities maintained its "buy" rating for Kolon and raised its target price to 100,000 won, citing a significant improvement in Kolon Sports China's performance due to the recovery of Chinese consumer spending. Lee Jin-hyup, an analyst at Hanwha Investment & Securities, reported that Kolon's consolidated revenue for the first quarter reached 1.5188 trillion won, a 5% increase compared to the same period last year, while operating profit surged by 149% to 98.8 billion won. H May 18, 2026

Study Links Urban Green Spaces to Gentrification in Africa A study has found that climate adaptation policies, such as the creation of parks and wetland restoration, can lead to rising property values and an influx of residents, potentially displacing low-income native populations—a phenomenon referred to as the "gentrification paradox." KAIST announced on May 18 that a research team led by Professor Kim Seung-kyum from the Department of AI Future Studies, in collaboration with researchers from Peking University and New York University Shangha May 18, 2026

Hanwha Investment Securities Raises Korean Re's Target Price Following Record Performance Hanwha Investment Securities announced on May 18 that Korean Re achieved its highest-ever performance due to the absence of major claims and improved investment results. The firm raised its target price from 12,500 won to 19,000 won and upgraded its investment recommendation to "buy." Kim Do-ha, a researcher at Hanwha Investment Securities, stated, "In the first quarter, net profit reached 209.5 billion won, a 131% increase compared to the same period last year, marking the highest level May 18, 2026

KOSPI Attempts Recovery Amid U.S. Interest Rates and NVIDIA Earnings Concerns Following a sharp decline in U.S. stock markets and a significant drop in the KOSPI, attention turns to whether the domestic market can attempt a rebound this week. External factors such as rising long-term U.S. interest rates, geopolitical risks from the Middle East, and concerns over NVIDIA's earnings are expected to increase market volatility. On May 18, the Korea Exchange reported that the KOSPI closed at 7493.18, down 488.23 points (-6.12%) from the previous trading day. The index briefly May 18, 2026

Google's Developer Conference Set to Unveil New Gemini Model and Agent Platform Google's annual developer conference is set to take place, with the AI industry closely watching for updates on the new Gemini model and agent platform strategy. OpenAI confirmed the mobile expansion of Codex, while Microsoft’s AI chief issued a stark warning about white-collar automation. According to the IT industry, Google I/O 2026 will kick off on May 19-20 (local time) at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California. The two-day event will feature updates on Gemini, And May 18, 2026

KOSPI Hits 8,000 Before Plummeting to 7,400 Amid Profit-Taking The KOSPI index briefly surpassed the 8,000 mark for the first time but then plummeted due to a wave of profit-taking. The selling pressure in the stock market intensified, triggering a trading halt for the first time in about a month due to a rapid decline in prices. On May 15, the Korea Exchange reported that the KOSPI closed at 7,493.18, down 488.23 points (-6.12%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 7,951.75, down 29.66 points (-0.37%) from the previous day but managed May 18, 2026

India Day Celebrated at Yeouido Hangang Park with Dance and Cuisine On May 16, under a clear blue sky and the bright sun of early summer, the aroma of rich curry, tandoori chicken, and masala wafted through Yeouido Hangang Park. Families gathered under the shade of trees, sharing spiced dishes while enjoying leisurely conversations. The park transformed into a vibrant 'Mini India' for the first India Day festival, with attendees dressed in colorful saris and lively music filling the air. Organized by the Indian Embassy and the Indian Cultural Center May 18, 2026