Journalist
Hwang Jin-hyun
jinhyun97@ajunews.com
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Trump Envoy Says U.S. Needs to Expand Influence in Greenland Donald Trump’s envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, the governor of Louisiana, emphasized the need for the United States to expand its influence in Greenland during a recent visit. In an interview with AFP on May 20, Landry stated, "Greenland needs the United States," adding, "I believe it is time for the U.S. to leave its footprint in Greenland again." He noted that he is aware the president has mentioned expanding national security operations in Greenland and redeploying personnel to certain bases. Landry visited Nuuk to attend an economic forum held on May 19-20. However, his unilateral visit, without an official invitation from the event's organizer, Business Greenland, sparked controversy locally. Appointed as the U.S. envoy to Greenland in December 2025, this was Landry's first visit to the territory. He had previously attempted to attend a dog sled race in Greenland in March but had to cancel due to opposition from the Greenland Dog Sled Association (KNQK). During his visit, Landry met with Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen and Foreign Minister Múte Egede, conveying that there has been no change in President Trump’s stance on the desire to annex Greenland. Trump has argued for the necessity of securing Greenland for national security reasons. However, in January, he stepped back from the idea of using force and has since engaged in diplomatic discussions with Greenland. Regarding the national security concerns raised by Trump, both sides are reportedly discussing the expansion of U.S. military presence. Recently, the BBC reported that the U.S. is considering establishing three new military bases in southern Greenland and designating these facilities as U.S. territory. Currently, the only U.S. military base in Greenland is the Pituffik Space Base in the northwest.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 12:21:21 -
Russia and Ukraine Exchange Strikes Amid Accusations of Foreign Involvement Russia and Ukraine are engaged in intense fighting following large-scale airstrikes targeting each other's capitals. Tensions have escalated as both nations accuse neighboring countries of supporting their adversaries. According to Reuters and AFP, the Dnipro region in southeastern Ukraine was hit by Russian drone and missile attacks overnight on May 20, resulting in two deaths and six injuries. In addition, 13 people, including three children, were injured in the northern Sumy region and southeastern Zaporizhzhia. The previous day, attacks on Ukrainian cities including Pryluky and Kharkiv left four civilians dead. Ukraine has also intensified its counterattacks targeting Russian territory. Industrial areas in Russia's southern Stavropol region were struck, and two drones were shot down over the northwestern region of St. Petersburg. These attacks appear aimed at oil facilities and export ports. Ukrainian drones were also detected near Moscow and in the Tula region. The clashes have intensified following a massive air assault on Kyiv and other locations on May 15, when Russia deployed over 1,500 drones, resulting in 27 fatalities. Two days later, Ukraine retaliated with strikes on Moscow, killing four and injuring dozens. Recently, Ukraine has been using long-range drones to target Moscow and Russian oil facilities in the rear. On April 29, Ukrainian forces struck an oil pumping station near Perm, located 1,500 kilometers from Ukraine, for two consecutive days. According to Reuters, sources indicated that these attacks have led to production halts or reductions at major oil facilities in central Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on social media that there have been favorable changes for Ukraine on the front lines this month and announced the approval of a long-range operational plan for June. Both sides are also exchanging accusations regarding the potential involvement of neighboring allies in the conflict. Ukraine claims that Russia is attempting to draw Belarus into the war. Belarus shares a border with Ukraine to the north and is located approximately 100 kilometers from Kyiv. Zelenskyy noted, "We have identified five scenarios in which Russia seeks to escalate the war through the northern region," adding that Ukraine will reinforce its troops in the north and increase diplomatic pressure on Belarus. Conversely, Russia alleges that Ukraine is planning to deploy drone units in Latvia to attack Russian territory. Russia reiterated this claim during a recent United Nations Security Council meeting in New York, warning of retaliation against Latvia. In response, Latvia's UN Ambassador Sanita Pavluta-Deslandes dismissed the allegations as "completely unfounded fabrications." As the clashes escalate, peace negotiations that were stalled due to the situation in the Middle East are losing ground. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated during a visit to Rome on May 8 that while he is prepared to play a mediating role regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, he does not want to waste time if no progress is made.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 11:12:00 -
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin Emphasize Peace on Korean Peninsula, Oppose Sanctions China and Russia have expressed their commitment to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula while opposing sanctions and pressure against North Korea. According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, Xi and Putin held a summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 20, where they signed a joint statement outlining the direction of cooperation between the two nations, including issues related to the Korean Peninsula. The joint statement praised the enhancement of communication and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula, stating, "Maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and promoting a political resolution of regional issues align with the common interests of all countries in Northeast Asia and the international community." Both leaders emphasized their opposition to threatening North Korea's security through diplomatic isolation, economic sanctions, and military pressure. They also urged relevant countries to cease actions that escalate regional tensions and provoke an arms race. They called for an end to the abuse of political means and for practical measures to eliminate the risk of war on the Korean Peninsula. China and Russia expressed support for resolving mutual concerns through balanced political and diplomatic means while respecting each country's sovereignty based on geopolitical realities. Furthermore, they pledged to continue close communication and cooperation, playing a constructive role in the political resolution of issues on the Korean Peninsula, the establishment of a peace regime, and the long-term stability of the Northeast Asian region. However, the joint statement did not include any mention of North Korea's denuclearization. Previously, the White House had stated that following a summit between President Donald Trump and Xi in Beijing, the two leaders confirmed their shared goal of denuclearization in a fact sheet. Meanwhile, there are discussions about the possibility of Xi visiting North Korea as early as next week. U.S. news magazine Time reported, citing anonymous sources, that Xi is expected to make a state visit to North Korea next week.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 10:12:00 -
U.S. Aircraft Carrier Group Deploys Near Cuba Amid Military Intervention Speculation As speculation grows regarding the possibility of U.S. military intervention in Cuba, a U.S. aircraft carrier group has been deployed to the Caribbean Sea near the island. The U.S. Southern Command announced on May 20 via X (formerly Twitter) that the Nimitz aircraft carrier, along with the destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) and the supply ship USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201), has been positioned in the region. The Southern Command described the Nimitz strike group as a "model of readiness, presence, unmatched operational range and lethality, and strategic advantage," noting that the Nimitz has demonstrated combat capabilities worldwide, contributing to regional stability and the defense of democracy from the Taiwan Strait to the Arabian Gulf. Commissioned in 1975, the Nimitz is the longest-serving active aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy. Initially scheduled for retirement this year due to aging, its decommissioning has been postponed amid increased operational demands on U.S. forces, particularly due to the conflict with Iran. This deployment coincides with the announcement of charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro, a key figure in the Cuban Revolution. On the same day, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Castro with involvement in the 1996 incident where two aircraft operated by the Miami-based Cuban exile group Brothers to the Rescue were shot down by Cuban military forces, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. Earlier this year, the U.S. captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on drug terrorism charges, also deploying an aircraft carrier group to the Caribbean at that time. The deployment of the carrier group follows reports that President Donald Trump is seriously considering military intervention in Cuba. Politico reported on May 18 that Trump believes energy supply chain disruptions and economic sanctions alone will not lead to regime change in Cuba, prompting a review of military options. U.S. military leadership is reportedly exploring various military scenarios beyond just capture and extradition operations. Since taking office, Trump has labeled Cuba a failed communist state, applying pressure through sanctions and energy supply chain disruptions. He has also indicated that Cuba could be the next target for military action following Venezuela, warning that Cuba could become a military target after the conflict with Iran.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 09:31:26 -
Iran Establishes 'Controlled Area' in Strait of Hormuz, Requires Pre-Approval for All Vessels The Iranian government has announced the establishment of a 'controlled area' in the Strait of Hormuz, managed by the newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA). On May 20, the PGSA stated via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the eastern boundary of the controlled area will be defined by a straight line connecting Iran's Kuhe Mobarak and Fujairah in the southern United Arab Emirates (UAE). The western boundary will connect the tip of Iran's Qeshm Island to Umm al-Quwain in the UAE. The authority emphasized that all vessels intending to transit the Strait of Hormuz through this controlled area must coordinate in advance and obtain official permission. Earlier, on May 18, the PGSA introduced itself on X, stating, "The authority is a regulatory body responsible for managing navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and serves as the legal representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran." It further warned, "Navigation within the designated area of the Strait of Hormuz, as established by Iranian military authorities and government officials, must be coordinated with this agency in advance, and unauthorized passage will be considered illegal." Reports from AP and CNN indicated that the Iranian government aims to formalize its control over the Strait of Hormuz with the establishment of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which was announced on May 7. CNN reported that the authority has mandated the completion of a 'Vessel Information Declaration' form for all vessels to ensure safe navigation. According to a document obtained by CNN, the form consists of over 40 items, requiring details such as the vessel's name and identification number, country of departure and destination, owner and operator information, crew nationality, and cargo details. Past names of the vessel must also be included, and this information must be submitted to Iranian authorities via email prior to passing through the Strait of Hormuz.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 08:52:07 -
OpenAI Plans to Submit IPO Filing as Early as May 22 OpenAI is expected to submit initial paperwork for its initial public offering (IPO) to U.S. regulators as early as this week. The Wall Street Journal reported on May 20, citing multiple sources, that OpenAI has been preparing a draft of its IPO prospectus in collaboration with investment banks and plans to file it confidentially with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as soon as May 22. The company aims for a public listing by September, although sources indicated that these plans remain fluid and subject to change. OpenAI recently overcame a significant hurdle in its IPO efforts by winning a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla. However, Musk has stated his intention to appeal the ruling. The acceleration of OpenAI's IPO preparations comes amid a competitive landscape for tech company listings. SpaceX is set to go public on the Nasdaq on June 12, and Anthropic is also targeting an IPO within the year. However, concerns have been raised about OpenAI's ability to demonstrate revenue growth sufficient to support its substantial investments in data centers. The Wall Street Journal noted that OpenAI must address worries about whether it can generate enough revenue to sustain its commitments to large-scale AI infrastructure spending. Recently, OpenAI has reportedly fallen short of some internal revenue and user targets amid increasing competition from rivals like Google and Anthropic. Notably, Anthropic has shown faster growth in recent months as adoption of its software tools has surged in corporate settings. In response, OpenAI is shifting its strategy to enhance software tools that cater to high demand from enterprise customers. The Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI is undertaking significant strategic changes to catch up with Anthropic.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 07:46:00 -
SpaceX Announces Plans for Record-Breaking IPO Targeting $2 Trillion Valuation SpaceX has officially announced plans for what could be the largest initial public offering (IPO) in history. On May 20, local time, NBC News reported that SpaceX confirmed its intention to publicly sell shares to individual investors through a securities filing submitted that day. The official name is Space Exploration Technologies Corp., and it is set to trade on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol 'SPCX.' Given SpaceX's significant competitive advantages in the rocket launch and satellite internet sectors, the IPO is expected to attract considerable investor interest. If the company achieves its target valuation of $2 trillion, it could rank among the top 10 companies globally by market capitalization. The size of the offering has not yet been disclosed. However, NBC News noted that this IPO could surpass the $29.4 billion record set by Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company Aramco in 2020. According to the filing, SpaceX reported revenues of $18.6 billion in 2025, a 33% increase from the previous year. However, the company incurred a net loss of $4.3 billion during the three months ending March 31 of this year. Musk is expected to maintain significant control after the IPO, with SpaceX stating that he will hold 85% of the company's voting rights and continue to serve as CEO, chairman, and chief technology officer. SpaceX's core businesses include rocket launch services and the Starlink satellite internet service. The company has provided launch services to government agencies, including NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense, sending satellites, equipment, and personnel into space. However, there are concerns regarding the risks associated with the rocket business. SpaceX has invested $15 billion in developing its massive Starship rocket. Recently, a worker died after falling from scaffolding at its Texas facility, and Reuters previously reported that there have been hundreds of unreported worker injuries at SpaceX. Starlink is rapidly increasing its subscriber base. According to the filing, Starlink currently has 10.3 million subscribers, more than double the 5 million reported a year ago. However, the average revenue per user has decreased as more subscribers come from regions outside North America and from lower-cost plans. SpaceX is also involved in artificial intelligence (AI). In February, the company acquired Musk's AI startup xAI, and Musk announced earlier this month that SpaceX would manage all of its AI products without keeping xAI as a separate entity. The AI business has also been flagged as a risk factor. The filing mentions that xAI's chatbot Grok is under investigation for issues related to non-consensual sexual deepfakes. The company indicated that these investigations could lead to legal liabilities, negative public sentiment, or sanctions. SpaceX also owns the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The company reported that as of March, it had 6.3 million active paid subscribers for consumer services, including X Premium and SuperGrok. The filing also outlines plans to develop X into an 'everything app' that integrates real-time information, communication, media, payments, banking, and commerce. This IPO is expected to serve as a litmus test for investor sentiment toward Musk. While he is also the CEO of Tesla, the company has recently faced challenges, including declining sales, rising capital costs, and a lack of new products. Musk's political actions and controversies could also influence investor sentiment. Given the unusually large size of this offering, 23 major global banks and investment firms will participate in the underwriting. Goldman Sachs will serve as the lead underwriter, followed by Morgan Stanley, which was also involved in Tesla's IPO in 2010.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 07:34:18 -
U.S. Stocks Rebound as Oil Prices and Treasury Yields Decline U.S. stocks rebounded on Tuesday, buoyed by easing pressures from oil prices and Treasury yields. Amid expectations of negotiations with Iran, oil prices plummeted, while the rise in interest rates moderated, reviving buying interest in technology and semiconductor stocks. On May 20, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 645.47 points, or 1.31%, at 50,009.35. The S&P 500 index, which is heavily weighted toward large-cap stocks, rose 79.36 points, or 1.08%, to finish at 7,432.97. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite surged 399.65 points, or 1.55%, closing at 26,270.359. The recent decline in U.S. Treasury yields helped restore investor sentiment. The yield on the 30-year U.S. Treasury bond, which had reached a 19-year high of 5.20% the previous day, fell by 6.6 basis points to 5.114% on Tuesday. The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yield also dropped 10 basis points to 4.569%. International oil prices saw a significant decline. July futures for Brent crude fell 5.63% to $105.02 per barrel, while July futures for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped 5.66% to $98.26. The drop in oil prices accelerated after President Donald Trump stated that negotiations with Iran had entered the "final stage." Speaking to reporters, Trump said, "We are in the final stages regarding Iran. Let’s see what happens." The Iranian government is currently reviewing a new draft proposal from the U.S. based on its own 14-point proposal, but has not yet provided an official response. In terms of individual stocks, technology and semiconductor sectors showed notable strength. Nvidia rose 1.3% amid strong earnings expectations, while AMD and Intel surged 8.1% and 7.4%, respectively. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index jumped 4.5%. However, Nvidia's stock fell 0.14% in after-hours trading to $223.16 following its earnings report, which revealed first-quarter revenues of $81.62 billion. The company projected second-quarter revenues between $89.18 billion and $92.82 billion. Carol Schleif, chief market strategist at BMO Private Wealth, told Reuters, "Today, technology and AI themes are leading the market again. Just yesterday, concerns about interest rate hikes and potential inflation were dominant, but now there is a renewed focus on AI-related stocks."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 07:13:11 -
Trump: Iran Negotiations in Final Stages, Military Action Possible Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stated that negotiations with Iran have entered their final phase, warning that if an agreement is not reached, further military action could follow. On May 20, local time, Trump made these remarks to reporters as he left the White House for a visit to the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. "We are in the final stages regarding Iran," he said, adding, "Let’s see what happens." He continued, "We will either reach an agreement or we will have to do some rather unpleasant things. But I hope that doesn’t happen." When asked if he was rushing to resolve the situation with Iran due to the upcoming midterm elections, he replied, "Everyone talks about the midterms, but I am not rushing at all." During his commencement address at the Coast Guard Academy, Trump maintained his pressure on Iran. He stated, "We will watch what happens. We have hit them very hard. We may have to hit them even harder, but maybe not." He emphasized, "We will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons. It’s very simple." Trump also claimed that Iran's military capabilities have been significantly weakened. He said, "Everything has disappeared. Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. Almost everything has disappeared. The only question is whether we will go in and finish it or whether they will sign a document."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 06:58:08 -
Nvidia Reports Record Revenue for 12 Consecutive Quarters, Driven by Data Center Growth Nvidia, the world's most valuable company by market capitalization, has achieved record revenue for the 12th consecutive quarter. The surge in data center sales, fueled by demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, has led to results that exceeded market expectations. On May 20, Nvidia announced that its revenue for the first quarter of the fiscal year (February to April) reached $81.62 billion (approximately 122 trillion won). This marks a 20% increase from the previous quarter's record of $68.13 billion. Compared to the same period last year, revenue has increased by 85%, surpassing the market estimate of $78.85 billion compiled by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). The growth in revenue was primarily driven by the data center segment, which reported sales of $75.2 billion, a 92% increase year-over-year. Specifically, data center computing revenue was $60.4 billion, while networking revenue accounted for $14.8 billion. Revenue from the edge computing segment, which includes PCs, gaming consoles, and autonomous vehicles, rose to $6.4 billion, a 29% increase from the same period last year. Nvidia's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were $1.87, exceeding Wall Street's expectation of $1.76. The company announced a restructuring of its business segments starting this quarter. Instead of the previous detailed divisions, it will now focus on two main areas: data centers and edge computing. The data center segment will be further divided into hyperscale and ACIE (AI Cloud, Industry, and Enterprise) sectors. Nvidia anticipates that the growth trend will continue into the second quarter, projecting revenue to reach $91 billion. However, this forecast does not include revenue from data centers in the Chinese market. Jensen Huang, Nvidia's CEO, stated, "The construction of AI factories, the largest infrastructure expansion in human history, is accelerating remarkably. Nvidia is the only scalable platform that operates across all clouds, supports all frontier and open-source models, and enables AI production from hyperscale data centers to edge computing." Following the earnings announcement, Nvidia's stock rose 1.3% during regular trading. However, in after-hours trading, the stock fell 0.14% to $223.16 as of 5:25 PM Eastern Time.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 06:37:05