Journalist

Hwang Jin-hyun
  • WSJ: Trump Asked Aides Whether to Resume Strikes on Iran After Talks Collapse
    WSJ: Trump Asked Aides Whether to Resume Strikes on Iran After Talks Collapse U.S. President Donald Trump asked aides whether the United States should consider resuming attacks on Iran after talks aimed at ending the war between the two countries fell apart, The Wall Street Journal reported. The newspaper, citing U.S. officials, said Trump on April 21 asked advisers whether to review the option of restarting airstrikes on Iran. The officials said Trump weighed the possibility but was cautious about restarting a war that lacks broad public support and could drag on. Inside the White House, optimism had been high that the talks could produce a written agreement with Iran, the report said. Air Force Two, the plane used by Vice President JD Vance, was said to be waiting to depart from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Pakistani intermediaries also told the U.S. side they expected the Iranian delegation to travel to Islamabad. But Iran shifted its position as a cease-fire deadline neared and did not enter negotiations, the Journal reported. Vance’s planned trip to Pakistan was paused in the early afternoon and later postponed indefinitely. Trump continued meetings at the White House with Vance, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to review response options, according to the report. Aides said Iran’s government was divided and that hard-liners were unwilling to accept U.S. demands. Some in the White House also questioned whether Iran could carry out any commitments made in talks. Trump and his team ultimately chose a middle course: keep pressure on Iran while leaving the door open to negotiations until Iran presents a specific proposal, the report said. The United States is expected to maintain existing pressure measures, including a maritime blockade, while watching for a possible return to talks. On Truth Social, Trump said the blockade would remain in place and that the cease-fire would be extended as long as negotiations continue. Iran’s U.N. ambassador, Amir-Saeid Iravani, said Iran could return to talks if the United States lifts the maritime blockade. Al Jazeera reported that Iravani told reporters the United States must stop what he called “cease-fire violations” before further negotiations. “As soon as they lift the blockade, the next negotiations will be held in Islamabad,” he said, adding, “Iran is prepared for any scenario.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 17:30:11
  • Former Vietnam Ambassador Says Lee Jae-myung Visit Can Lift Korea-Vietnam Partnership
    Former Vietnam Ambassador Says Lee Jae-myung Visit Can Lift Korea-Vietnam Partnership Nguyen Vu Tung, a professor of international politics at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam who served as Vietnam’s ambassador to South Korea from 2020 to 2023, said President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to Vietnam from April 21-24 could be a turning point that lifts the two countries’ “comprehensive strategic partnership” to a higher level. Tung wrote in an online commentary published Monday (local time) by Viet Nam News that the trip is significant because it is the first visit by a foreign head of state since Vietnam reshuffled its party and government leadership. He said it shows “South Korea fully supports Vietnam’s major political agenda, the new leadership and its future socio-economic development direction.” He said sustained top-level exchanges have strengthened political trust and the foundation for cooperation. He cited a series of high-level visits last year, including a trip to South Korea in August by Party General Secretary To Lam, a visit by former President Luong Cuong tied to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meeting in November, and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik’s visit to Vietnam that same month. Tung also highlighted economic ties, saying South Korea is Vietnam’s largest source of foreign direct investment, its second-largest tourism market and a provider of official development assistance. He said South Korea is also Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner and an overseas labor market for Vietnamese workers. He said defense and security cooperation is expanding into areas such as the defense industry and capacity building, while people-to-people exchanges are rising quickly through tourism, study abroad and labor cooperation. As of 2025, he wrote, South Korea accounted for the second-largest share of foreign visitors to Vietnam, with 4.3 million people, or 21% of the total. Looking ahead, Tung said cooperation in advanced sectors is likely to become a central pillar of the relationship. “Expectations for expanded cooperation in emerging areas such as energy, science and technology, semiconductors, digital transformation and artificial intelligence are higher than ever,” he wrote, adding that these areas are forming an important axis alongside existing cooperation. He also said the two countries should coordinate more closely amid fast-changing international conditions, including global tensions, conflicts and growing nontraditional security threats. Tung, who said he was directly involved in 2022 when Korea-Vietnam diplomatic ties were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership, expressed strong interest in further deepening the relationship. “Deepening and upgrading the Vietnam-Korea comprehensive strategic partnership is also an opportunity for both countries to contribute to regional peace, cooperation and prosperity,” he wrote, adding that the relationship has been built on an increasingly solid foundation over time. He said he expects agreements reached during the visit to raise cooperation another step and deliver tangible benefits to companies and citizens. He said the relationship has been shaped by “close links of mutual interests, stronger institutional cooperation mechanisms, deeper trust at the highest level, cultural similarities and mutual goodwill between the two peoples,” and voiced hope for a successful state visit.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 16:39:05
  • US Military Seeks to Triple Drone and Air Defense Spending in FY2027 Budget After Iran War
    US Military Seeks to Triple Drone and Air Defense Spending in FY2027 Budget After Iran War The U.S. military is pushing a fiscal 2027 defense budget that would sharply increase investment in drones, air defenses and missile capabilities, citing lessons from the Iran war. The Pentagon plans to raise spending on drones and related technologies to more than $74 billion — about triple previous levels — and to put more than $30 billion into securing key munitions such as missile-intercept systems, The Associated Press reported on April 21. The proposal would significantly expand funding for drones and counter-drone systems. It allocates about $54 billion for military drones and related technology and $21 billion for weapons designed to shoot down enemy drones. AP said the wars in Ukraine and Iran have underscored the growing role of drones and unmanned systems, and the U.S. military is arguing for a major budget increase in that area. In munitions, the Pentagon highlighted replenishing stocks of Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, interceptors. The systems can be used against ballistic missiles as well as low-cost drones, and stockpiles were reported to have fallen sharply during the war. The plan also includes procurement of the Army’s long-range precision strike missile and a midrange strike capability. The Navy plans to increase Tomahawk cruise missile procurement to 785 from 55 last year, though limited production capacity was cited as a constraint. The Air Force plans to invest about $600 million to develop low-cost munitions that can be mass-produced instead of relying on expensive precision weapons. “We want to shift from a small number of high-performance weapons to an approach that can overwhelm the enemy with volume,” said Frank Verdugo, the Air Force’s budget chief. The budget proposal also includes adding 44,500 troops and spending more than $2 billion on operations at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Navy plans to spend more than $65 billion to acquire 18 additional ships. A battleship construction program promoted by President Donald Trump was not included in this proposal and is expected to be addressed in next year’s budget. Repair costs for U.S. bases in the Middle East are expected to be requested through a separate budget later. Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said the budget is aimed at building a force that could prepare for a large-scale war with countries such as Russia and China. He said it “looks more similar to the defense strategy under President Biden than to the Trump administration’s strategy.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 16:19:36
  • Anthropic Probes Possible Unauthorized Access to Claude Mythos Preview Model
    Anthropic Probes Possible Unauthorized Access to Claude Mythos Preview Model Anthropic has opened an investigation after signs of unauthorized access were found involving a preview version of its new artificial intelligence model, "Claude Mythos," which is widely described as having powerful autonomous hacking capabilities. Bloomberg News and other outlets reported that Anthropic is checking whether the access occurred through a third-party partner environment. The company said it is investigating reports that "unauthorized access to the Claude Mythos preview occurred through one of our third-party vendor environments." Anthropic said it has not found indications so far that the access spread beyond the partner environment into its own systems. The incident has raised questions about whether Anthropic can keep its core technology under control. The Financial Times said it "raises questions about whether the AI lab, valued at $380 billion (about 562 trillion won), can protect its technology from falling into the hands of malicious actors." The FT said the risk of unauthorized access is likely to add to anxiety around Mythos, noting the model has already sent shock waves through the market and prompted high-level discussions among financial institutions and global regulators. Anthropic unveiled Mythos on April 7, describing it as having the ability, under user instructions, to identify and exploit vulnerabilities across major operating systems and web browsers. The Mythos preview is being provided on a limited basis to companies including Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Cisco and CrowdStrike. U.S. intelligence agencies, including the National Security Agency, are also reported to be participating privately.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 15:11:03
  • Japans Takaichi Sends Another Offering to Yasukuni Shrine Despite South Korea, China Criticism
    Japan's Takaichi Sends Another Offering to Yasukuni Shrine Despite South Korea, China Criticism Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has made an additional offering to Yasukuni Shrine. Kyodo News and NHK reported on the 22nd that Takaichi, through Haruko Arimura, chair of the Liberal Democratic Party’s General Council, donated out of her own pocket the fee for a ritual offering known as a “tamagushi.” After visiting the shrine, Arimura told reporters that she had prayed with Takaichi’s sentiments in mind and said the prime minister likely hopes to pay her respects there in person someday. On the first day of the spring festival the previous day, Takaichi did not visit but sent a “masakaki” offering in the name of “Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.” The South Korean and Chinese governments immediately issued critical statements. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a spokesperson’s comment that it was “deeply disappointed and regretful” that responsible Japanese leaders again sent offerings to, or repeatedly visited, Yasukuni, which it said “glorifies Japan’s past wars of aggression” and enshrines war criminals. China’s Foreign Ministry also criticized the move, calling Yasukuni “a symbol of Japan’s militarist wars of aggression” and saying it firmly opposed related developments. The 22nd marked the second day of the spring festival, and Minoru Kiuchi, the minister in charge of economic and fiscal policy, visited the shrine in person. It was the first confirmed visit by a Cabinet minister since the Takaichi Cabinet took office in October last year. Some ministers sent offerings the previous day but did not visit. After his visit, Kiuchi told reporters he had expressed gratitude and respect for the spirits of those who “gave their precious lives for the nation.” Also visiting were junior government officials including Cabinet Office Parliamentary Vice Minister Jun Tsushima and Internal Affairs and Communications Parliamentary Vice Minister Noriko Horiuchi. About 120 lawmakers from a cross-party parliamentary group also went to the shrine together. Yasukuni commemorates about 2,466,000 people who died in conflicts from the period around the Meiji Restoration through wars waged by imperial Japan, many linked to the Pacific War. It has long been a diplomatic flashpoint because it also enshrines Class-A war criminals, including former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 14:34:11
  • Trump Weighs Extending Jones Act Waiver as Iran War Pressures Oil Prices
    Trump Weighs Extending Jones Act Waiver as Iran War Pressures Oil Prices President Donald Trump is considering extending a shipping-regulation waiver introduced after the Iran war pushed up fuel prices, Axios reported. Axios, citing a Trump ally, said the president is weighing an extension of a waiver of the 1920 Jones Act. The law requires cargo shipped between U.S. ports to travel on U.S.-flagged vessels, a rule long criticized for driving up transportation costs. “The president is happy with where things are,” the ally said. Trump wants to keep the waiver in place “for as long as needed” as long as Iran continues to pose a threat and lift oil prices, the person said. Trump waived the law for 60 days on March 18 after fuel prices rose following the Iran war. The move allowed foreign-flagged tankers to operate domestically, and officials have said it improved conditions for moving crude. White House data show about 40 tankers have carried crude between major ports including California, Texas, Florida and Alaska since the waiver took effect. The administration said the waiver effectively expanded available vessel capacity by about 70% and helped cut shipping costs. It said about 9 million barrels of crude have been transported so far. The administration said the impact was especially noticeable in Alaska. Jet fuel brought in under the waiver amounted to about half of the region’s average monthly consumption, it said. The waiver has also renewed debate over the Jones Act. Protectionist advocates warn that allowing foreign ships into the market could hurt U.S. shipping and shipbuilding and cost jobs. Free-market advocates argue the law is outdated and raises costs, and they have called for repeal. The conservative Hudson Institute said waiving the Jones Act could allow ships built overseas, including in China, to take U.S. jobs and could harm tens of thousands of American workers and investments worth tens of billions of dollars. The libertarian Cato Institute called the Jones Act an anachronistic and burdensome regulation that has lasted for nearly a century and urged its repeal. The White House said no final decision has been made on whether to extend the waiver. Spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said the administration has taken steps to address rising costs and that data show more goods are reaching U.S. ports faster.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 13:52:38
  • Trump says Iran doesn’t want to close Strait of Hormuz, hints U.S. blockade will continue
    Trump says Iran doesn’t want to close Strait of Hormuz, hints U.S. blockade will continue U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran does not want to close the Strait of Hormuz, arguing Tehran wants it open to keep earning revenue. In a post Monday on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Iran “wants the Strait of Hormuz open” to make $500 million a day. He said Iran would lose that income if the strait were shut. Trump added that Iran’s claims it wants to close the strait are “only” to save face because he is “completely blockading” it. The remarks were seen as pointing to Iran’s move to reclose the strait a day after saying last week it would reopen it, citing a U.S. maritime blockade. Trump also wrote that “a few days ago” people told him Iran wanted to open the strait immediately, but said no deal with Iran could be reached “unless we destroy the rest of the country, including their leadership.” His comments were interpreted as signaling the United States will keep its maritime blockade and continue counter-blockade measures around the strait. The United States has imposed a maritime blockade since April 13 in response to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, blocking all ship traffic to and from Iranian ports. U.S. Central Command said Sunday that 27 vessels had turned back since the blockade began. Trump on Monday also unilaterally declared another extension of a ceasefire with Iran, while saying the maritime blockade and military readiness posture would remain in place. Iran’s state broadcaster said it would not recognize the ceasefire extension, leaving uncertainty over whether the truce will hold and whether talks will resume.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 11:09:15
  • Iran’s Leadership Faces Test as U.S. Talks Expose Internal Divisions
    Iran’s Leadership Faces Test as U.S. Talks Expose Internal Divisions Iran’s leadership is facing a new test as differences emerge over negotiations with the United States to end the war, according to an analysis. The AP reported Monday that Iran has kept its system running without a power vacuum since the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but the coming talks with Washington could expose internal fractures. Khamenei long managed competing power blocs and kept tight, centralized control. Now, with civilian politicians and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ military leadership among multiple centers of power, it is unclear who ultimately drives decisions. After Khamenei’s death, his son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, was named as a successor, but his role remains uncertain. He has not appeared publicly since reports said he was wounded in an airstrike. In this environment, the Supreme National Security Council is widely seen as the current hub of power. It includes senior civilian and military figures, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has taken a leading public role in steering talks with the United States. The council brings together reform-minded President Masoud Pezeshkian alongside hard-line conservatives and military officials, mixing competing interests. Analysts say the layered structure has helped the system endure. Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, said, “The leadership was able to survive thanks to overlapping centers of power,” adding that “factionalism is embedded in the DNA of this (Iranian) system.” AP said the same structure could become a source of conflict as negotiations advance. Iranian leaders believe they hold an advantage after blocking the Strait of Hormuz, but U.S. maritime interdiction and economic sanctions are fueling economic damage and anxiety at home. Iran also saw protests late last year calling for the government’s overthrow. In that context, any agreement with the West, including sanctions relief, is expected to be a key factor in maintaining internal control. Vaez said the government may find it more realistic to make concessions to the West for survival than to make concessions to its own people. Recent confusion over the Strait of Hormuz has been cited as a case that exposed internal disagreement. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced a plan to reopen the waterway, but military authorities later reversed that position, raising questions about policy coordination. Qalibaf has dismissed claims of divisions and said the leadership is maintaining a single line in its negotiating strategy. Still, analysts say the risk of internal splits remains as talks move forward. AP reported that Qalibaf is emerging as a figure who could broker interests among factions. A former IRGC general and former national police chief, he is seen as able to bridge competing camps. He showed a pragmatic streak as Tehran’s mayor and has support not only among conservatives but also among reformist and centrist groups, making him a key player in managing internal differences during negotiations. He has also maintained close ties to the Khamenei family and has strong links to the newly ascendant IRGC leadership. Those connections could help him secure domestic backing across conservative, military, reformist and centrist circles as Iran seeks an agreement with the United States, AP said. 2026-04-22 10:24:28
  • UK, France Convene Military Talks With 30-Plus Nations on Reopening Strait of Hormuz
    UK, France Convene Military Talks With 30-Plus Nations on Reopening Strait of Hormuz Britain and France have begun drafting a multinational military plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, moving from last week’s diplomatic understanding to operational planning with military officials from multiple countries. The British government said it will host military representatives from more than 30 countries for two days of talks starting April 22 to discuss plans to reopen the strait. The meeting is being held at the U.K. Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north of London. Britain’s Foreign Office said it would advance military planning to reopen the strait “as soon as conditions allow” after a “sustainable ceasefire” is agreed. The talks are intended to turn the earlier diplomatic consensus into a concrete multinational response framework. Britain and France said they aim to draw in as many countries as possible to pool military capabilities and expertise. Discussions are expected to focus on operational details, including force deployments and command-and-control arrangements. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron last week convened a leaders’ meeting in Paris with participation from 51 countries, calling for the immediate, unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The two countries also reaffirmed plans to create a “strictly defensive” multinational mission to protect commercial shipping, ensure maritime safety and conduct mine-clearing operations. U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said the task over the two days is to translate the diplomatic agreement into a joint plan to protect freedom of navigation and support a sustainable ceasefire. “I am confident we will make real progress over the two days,” he said. Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz was a key maritime route through which about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas passed. Since the outbreak of war on Feb. 28, most commercial traffic has been halted. Iran said last week it would reopen the strait but reversed course within hours as the United States continued blocking Iranian vessels. Tensions at sea have remained high after the United States seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship. Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament committee on national security and foreign policy passed a bill that would allow Iran to levy transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Press TV reported April 22. The bill is expected to face a vote in the full parliament. 2026-04-22 09:30:14
  • Israel Reportedly Prepares to Resume War After US-Iran Truce, Plans Coordinated Strikes
    Israel Reportedly Prepares to Resume War After US-Iran Truce, Plans Coordinated Strikes With a second round of U.S.-Iran talks again uncertain, Israel has begun preparing to resume the war once the ceasefire between the United States and Iran ends, Israeli media reported. Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, citing a senior Israeli security official, reported on 21 (local time) that Israel is making the preparations because it sees little chance of a negotiated breakthrough. “Iran is speaking with multiple voices and trying to buy time,” the official said. “Israel and the United States have already coordinated and are ready to resume the war immediately.” As the end of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran nears, Iran has not decided whether it will take part in a second round of talks planned in Islamabad, Pakistan. U.S. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire would be extended “until the Iranian government comes up with a unified proposal,” but Iran said it does not recognize that and will act in line with its national interests. Kan said Israel and the United States have been preparing to restart hostilities since shortly after the ceasefire began, including conducting drills across the Middle East using fighter jets and aerial refueling aircraft. During a visit to Israel last week by U.S. Central Command chief Brad Cooper, the report said, the two sides gave final approval to a joint operational plan and a target list that includes strikes on key national infrastructure and energy facilities across Iran. Kan said the moves are part of a strategy aimed at forcing Iran to abandon its nuclear program and enriched uranium.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 08:57:18