Journalist

Hwang Jin Hyun
  • EU Finds Meta Failed to Protect Minors on Facebook and Instagram Under DSA, Risking Huge Fine
    EU Finds Meta Failed to Protect Minors on Facebook and Instagram Under DSA, Risking Huge Fine The European Union has found that Meta’s protections for minors on Facebook and Instagram are inadequate, putting the company at risk of a massive fine. In a statement issued on April 29 (local time), the European Commission said its preliminary findings show that Meta’s Instagram and Facebook violated the EU’s Digital Services Act because they failed to properly identify, assess and mitigate risks of underage access by children younger than 13. The DSA requires online platforms to ensure safer social media use for minors, including stronger age verification and measures to limit access to commercial and harmful content. The EU said Meta did not take sufficient steps. While Facebook and Instagram set the minimum age at 13, children under 13 could bypass the rule by entering a false birth date when creating an account, and Meta lacked effective controls to prevent that, the commission said. The finding comes about two years after the EU opened its DSA probe into Meta in May 2024. The commission said the preliminary results do not prejudge the final outcome. Meta said it disagrees with the EU’s assessment and signaled it will respond. A Meta spokesperson said the company makes clear that Instagram and Facebook are for users 13 and older and has measures in place to detect and delete accounts created by younger users. Meta can submit its response before the EU issues a final decision. If the EU ultimately finds Meta in breach of the DSA, it could impose a fine of up to 6% of the company’s global revenue. With Meta reporting $201 billion in revenue last year, the fine could reach about $12.1 billion (about 17.8 trillion won). The EU previously fined X 120 million euros in December, citing DSA violations related to its advertising policies. Across Europe, governments have been moving to tighten rules aimed at protecting minors on social media. France has passed a measure to ban social media use by children and teenagers under 15, and Spain is pursuing legislation to set the minimum age for social media use at 16.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 17:42:47
  • WSJ: Trump Tells Aides to Prepare to Extend Iran Maritime Blockade
    WSJ: Trump Tells Aides to Prepare to Extend Iran Maritime Blockade President Donald Trump has instructed aides to prepare to extend a maritime blockade on Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported April 28, citing sources. The report said Trump is leaning toward keeping economic pressure on Iran through the blockade as he seeks a decisive victory but lacks a clear exit strategy. According to the report, Trump favored maintaining economic pressure through the blockade and related measures in a series of recent meetings, including a Situation Room session on April 27. Sources said he also weighed options such as resuming airstrikes and quickly declaring an end to the war, but concluded those choices carried greater risk than the current blockade. Since a ceasefire with Iran on April 7, the United States has limited military action while intensifying economic pressure through the maritime blockade, restricting the movement of tankers and other vessels to and from Iran. Bloomberg News, citing commodities analytics firm Kpler, reported the day before that the blockade has caused crude inventories to build inside Iran, leaving only about 12 to 22 days of usable oil storage capacity. A senior U.S. official said the blockade is inflicting severe damage on Iran’s economy and that Iran’s leadership, under economic strain, has offered negotiations to the United States. Over the weekend, reports said Iran, through mediators, proposed a “three-stage peace plan”: first, a halt to U.S. military action; second, talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz; and third, discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. But sources said Trump and his national security team concluded that accepting such a proposal would weaken U.S. leverage to secure nuclear concessions from Iran. They said the administration is not willing to abandon its position that Iran must halt uranium enrichment for 20 years. In that context, the Journal said Trump is satisfied with keeping the maritime blockade in place indefinitely. Trump wrote on social media platform Truth Social, “Iran just told us they are in a ‘state of collapse,’” adding, “They want us to open the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible while they try to resolve their leadership situation.” The Journal said that if the U.S. blockade continues, Iran could seek to pressure Washington by resuming strikes on energy facilities in the Middle East or attacking U.S. warships enforcing the blockade. It added that a prolonged blockade could also prolong high oil prices, potentially creating political headwinds for Trump and Republicans ahead of this year’s midterm elections. The report also said Trump is receiving conflicting advice from close associates about the next steps in the Iran war. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and others have urged maintaining pressure on Iran, while business figures have called for ending the war, warning that a prolonged conflict would deepen economic damage and could be politically costly in the coming midterm elections.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 11:36:21
  • Google Signs AI Contract With Pentagon, Joining OpenAI and xAI
    Google Signs AI Contract With Pentagon, Joining OpenAI and xAI The U.S. Department of Defense has signed a contract to use Google’s artificial intelligence models, The Information reported April 28, citing a source. Under the deal, the Pentagon would use Google’s AI for “any lawful government purpose,” including classified work such as operational planning and weapons targeting, the report said. The contract is said to include language stating both sides agree the AI system is not intended to be used — and must not be used — for large-scale domestic surveillance or autonomous lethal weapons, including selecting targets, without appropriate human oversight and control. However, it also says the agreement does not grant any right to control or deny the government’s lawful operational decision-making, according to the report. That wording has been interpreted to mean Google’s “Gemini” model could be used for surveillance of Americans or autonomous lethal weapons depending on circumstances, if needed. A Google spokesperson told Reuters, “Providing API access to our commercial models, including Google infrastructure, in line with industry-standard practices and terms, is what we believe is a responsible approach to supporting national security.” Reuters said Google is the third company to sign an AI deal with the Pentagon, following OpenAI and xAI, the AI startup founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The Pentagon last year signed separate AI-use contracts worth up to $200 million each with major AI companies including Google, OpenAI and Anthropic. Afterward, Anthropic clashed with the Pentagon over a requirement that its AI model be used for “any lawful government purpose,” saying it did not agree to use for “large-scale domestic surveillance” or “autonomous lethal weapons development.” The Defense Department terminated its contract for Claude, and the Donald Trump administration issued an order banning Claude’s use within U.S. government agencies. More recently, President Trump said the Pentagon’s use of Claude could be possible, raising the prospect of a new contract, the report said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 17:33:43
  • WSJ: OpenAI Misses Key Targets, Raising Questions Ahead of Planned IPO
    WSJ: OpenAI Misses Key Targets, Raising Questions Ahead of Planned IPO OpenAI, which is pursuing an initial public offering this year, has missed major performance targets in 2025 and 2026, raising concerns ahead of the planned listing, The Wall Street Journal reported April 27, citing sources. According to the report, OpenAI failed to meet an internal goal of reaching 1 billion weekly active users for its AI model ChatGPT by the end of last year, a shortfall the Journal said has worried investors. Sources also said OpenAI missed its annual revenue target in 2025 as Google’s competing AI model Gemini grew rapidly. This year, OpenAI has also missed monthly revenue targets several times, the sources said, attributing the weakness to customers shifting in coding and enterprise AI to Anthropic, the developer of Claude. The missed targets have added pressure to OpenAI’s finances as it prepares for an IPO and signals large future spending. OpenAI completed $122 billion in funding last month, described as the largest in Silicon Valley history, and was valued at $852 billion. But it has said it expects to spend $600 billion through 2030 to secure computing resources such as data centers, and the performance gaps have intensified funding concerns. Sources said OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar recently told others that if revenue does not grow fast enough, the company may be unable to raise funds needed for future computing capacity. The board has also closely reviewed OpenAI’s data-center contracts and questioned CEO Sam Altman’s push to secure more computing resources despite a slowdown in the business, the sources said. The sources said the board is split between Altman’s goal of completing an IPO by the end of this year and other executives who want to prioritize cost controls. Friar has taken a cautious stance in recent months about pursuing an IPO by year’s end, the sources said. Altman and Friar, in a joint statement, denied reports of internal اختلاف, saying, “We are fully aligned on securing as much computing capacity as possible, and we work together every day to do so,” the Journal reported. OpenAI has also moved to cut costs, including ending its video AI model service, Sora. Separately, Reuters reported that OpenAI renegotiated contract terms with major shareholder Microsoft and can now offer its products on rival clouds including Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud, not only Microsoft. In addition, Kuo Ming-chi, an IT analyst at Taiwan’s TF International Securities known for Apple supply-chain analysis, said the day before that OpenAI is pursuing development of its own smartphone. The Journal said OpenAI is also facing other challenges ahead of the IPO, including a leadership gap after its No. 2 executive, product and business chief Fidji Simo, abruptly took health-related leave earlier this month, and litigation involving Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI. 2026-04-28 15:17:54
  • South Korea Stock Market Jumps to No. 8 Globally by Value, Passing U.K., on AI Chip Rally
    South Korea Stock Market Jumps to No. 8 Globally by Value, Passing U.K., on AI Chip Rally South Korea’s stock market has risen to the world’s eighth-largest by market capitalization, overtaking the United Kingdom as a surge in artificial intelligence and semiconductor shares pushed the benchmark KOSPI sharply higher, Bloomberg News reported on the 28th. Bloomberg data showed South Korea’s market capitalization has climbed 45% so far this year to about $4.04 trillion, edging past the U.K. at $3.99 trillion. As recently as the end of 2024, the U.K. market was about twice the size of South Korea’s, but South Korea’s value expanded rapidly over the past year or so to move ahead, Bloomberg said. The rally has been driven largely by the AI boom. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, seen as major beneficiaries of the AI-led semiconductor “supercycle,” have been rising in earnest since last year and helped lift the broader market. The KOSPI, after first clearing 6,600 on the previous day, also broke above 6,700 on the 28th, extending its record run. Taiwan’s stock market, led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world’s largest contract chipmaker, also surpassed the U.K. to rank seventh globally, Bloomberg said. Taiwan’s market capitalization was put at $4.48 trillion. The United States ranked No. 1 at $75.04 trillion, followed by mainland China at $14.84 trillion, Japan at $8.19 trillion, Hong Kong at $7.41 trillion, India at $4.97 trillion and Canada at $4.49 trillion, according to Bloomberg’s figures. Francesco Chan, an emerging markets and Asia-Pacific investment specialist at JPMorgan Asset Management in Hong Kong, said the rapid rise of South Korea and Taiwan reflects a structural reshaping of global equity markets rather than a tactical asset-allocation shift. “Structural capital inflows are continuing into these countries, which play a central role in the AI supply chain, backed by the advantages of the ‘supercycle’ in advanced foundry and memory,” he said. By contrast, the U.K. market has appeared more removed from the AI cycle, with its benchmark FTSE up just 4% so far this year. Analysts cited Europe’s heavier weighting toward traditional sectors such as financials, consumer staples and energy, compared with South Korea’s larger share of AI and semiconductor-related stocks. Patrick Kellenberger, an emerging-market equity strategist at Swiss asset manager Lombard Odier, said factors including AI, rising global defense spending and corporate governance reforms have provided strong momentum for South Korean and Taiwanese equities. “Europe is still struggling to commercialize innovation and scale it up,” he said, adding that creating conditions for innovative companies to emerge and grow is important but takes time. Bloomberg noted that despite strong chip-company earnings, South Korea and Taiwan still have gross domestic products of about $1.9 trillion and $1 trillion, respectively, below the scale of major European economies such as the U.K., Germany and France, each with GDP above $3 trillion. 2026-04-28 11:32:43
  • U.S. Leaders, World Heads Condemn Shooting Targeting President Trump, Reject Political Violence
    U.S. Leaders, World Heads Condemn Shooting Targeting President Trump, Reject Political Violence News of a shooting targeting President Donald Trump drew rare, unified condemnation of violence from U.S. political leaders and major world heads of government.  House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican who was at the scene, thanked law enforcement and emergency responders for moving quickly to bring the situation under control and said he was praying for the country. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, also a Republican, said violence “can never be tolerated” in the United States. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote on X that he appreciated law enforcement’s swift response to protect people from the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, adding that violence and chaos in the United States “must end.” California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has traded barbs with Trump, said he was relieved everyone at the dinner was safe and that violence is unacceptable. Leaders of key countries who have sparred with Trump over major issues including tariffs since the launch of his second term last year also sent messages of relief and sympathy. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on social media that political violence cannot be tolerated in any democracy and offered condolences to those shaken by the “shocking incident.” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she was glad Trump and his wife were safe and said violence must never be a means to an end. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung wrote on X on the 26th that he was relieved Trump and his wife, as well as everyone at the scene, were safe, and offered “deep condolences” to the American people. Lee said political violence is a grave threat that undermines the foundations of democracy and can never be justified for any reason, adding that the South Korean government firmly opposes all forms of violence and extremism that damage democracy and the rule of law. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also wrote on social media that she was glad Trump was safe despite the “terrible shooting,” and said violence can never be tolerated anywhere in the world. Foreign media also focused on what they described as repeated assassination attempts against Trump dating back to his presidential campaign. Bloomberg called the shooting the latest example of political violence that has “engulfed” the United States, citing the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and an arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor’s residence. Bloomberg also noted that during a 2024 campaign stop in Pennsylvania, a bullet grazed Trump’s ear, and said he has previously been a target of assassination attempts. Axios, a U.S. online outlet, highlighted an assassination attempt during Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2016 and said no modern president has faced such threats. The New York Times raised questions about security in connection with the repeated attempts. It reported there were no metal detectors at the hotel entrance and that the security perimeter was set closer to the stage, urging steps to strengthen protective measures. 2026-04-26 16:12:17
  • Iran State TV Says Delegation Has Not Yet Left for Islamabad for U.S. Talks
    Iran State TV Says Delegation Has Not Yet Left for Islamabad for U.S. Talks Iran’s delegation for a second round of ceasefire talks with the United States has not yet departed for Islamabad, Iranian state television reported, raising fresh uncertainty over whether the meeting expected on April 22 will go ahead as planned. AP and other outlets reported April 21 (local time) that Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB said in a breaking report that “no Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad so far.” Al Jazeera also reported that key Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, had not left for Pakistan and remained in Iran. The reports contrasted with earlier accounts. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that Iran had told mediators it would send a delegation to Islamabad on April 21. Reuters also reported, citing a Pakistani source involved in the talks, that the second round would be held Wednesday, April 22. With Iran’s delegation still not en route, questions have resurfaced about whether the second round will take place. AP said Iran may be engaged in internal debate over how to respond after the U.S. Navy seized an Iranian vessel over the weekend. Axios also reported, citing a source, that discussions on the second round had stalled as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps urged maintaining a hard-line stance toward the United States. On the U.S. side, Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the American delegation, was expected to leave for Pakistan no later than the morning of April 21. President Donald Trump told Bloomberg in an interview April 20 that Vance would depart for Islamabad later that day and said the second round would take place “Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.” 2026-04-21 18:16:18
  • Japanese PM says she hopes to visit South Korea again in reply to Lee
    Japanese PM says she hopes to visit South Korea again in reply to Lee SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi thanked South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for his congratulatory message following her party's landslide victory in a snap election over the weekend. In a reply to Lee's message on X, formerly Twitter, late Monday night, Takaichi wrote, "I sincerely thank for his warm congratulations." She said Japan and South Korea as neighboring countries must cooperate as partners on various challenges facing the international community. "As affirmed during Lee's visit to Nara last month, we share a common understanding of the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship." Takaichi then said the two countries should develop their relationship "in a forward-looking and stable manner," and added she looks forward to visiting South Korea again as part of shuttle diplomacy. Meanwhile, the island country's first female prime minister had called the election just four months after becoming party leader in a bid to further consolidate her power. In last Sunday's election, the ruling LDP-led coalition secured 316 of the Diet's 465 seats, up 128 from its previous 198, surpassing the two-thirds threshold of 310 needed to propose constitutional amendments. This is the first time since its founding in 1955 that the LDP has broken its own record for the most seats in Japan's House of Representatives. 2026-02-10 11:23:36
  • Ukraine War in 5th Year: Trumps long-delayed 24-Hour promise
    Ukraine War in 5th Year: Trump's long-delayed '24-Hour' promise *Editor’s Note: As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears its fifth year, AJP reviews how the war began, how it has evolved, and where it is heading — and asks the most urgent question of all: will it end? This second installment examines the delayed peace negotiations. SEOUL, Feb. — (AJP)-“I will end that war within 24 hours.” Since his campaign days, US President Donald Trump repeatedly portrayed himself as a “peacemaker,” confidently claiming he could bring the Russia-Ukraine war to a swift end. Emphasizing his personal ties with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump insisted that his unique relationships would allow him to broker peace where others had failed. While the international community remained skeptical of the “24-hour” timetable, some observers expressed cautious hope that a strongman-style leader like Trump might succeed in forcing a settlement. Shortly after taking office in January last year, Trump appointed a special envoy and began preliminary efforts toward a ceasefire, raising expectations of rapid progress. More than a year later, however, the war remains unresolved. Stalled Diplomacy Despite mobilizing sanctions, pressure tactics, and diplomatic persuasion — particularly toward Russia, which has shown limited enthusiasm for a ceasefire — Trump has struggled to produce results. Critics argue that he has been drawn into Putin’s delaying tactics and “false hopes,” rather than shaping the process himself. Meanwhile, the conflict, which Russia initially described as a “special military operation” that would end within weeks, is approaching its fourth anniversary — longer than the Soviet Union’s fight against Nazi Germany during World War II. Limited Gains Trump’s mediation has not been entirely fruitless. Under U.S. auspices, Russia and Ukraine returned to the negotiating table, achieving temporary local ceasefires and limited prisoner exchanges. Zelensky also signaled flexibility on Ukraine’s long-held demand to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization, briefly raising hopes for momentum. Yet fundamental disagreements remain. Russia continues to demand permanent control over occupied territories in eastern Ukraine, including Donetsk and Luhansk, while insisting that Western forces be barred from the country. Ukraine, for its part, refuses to compromise on sovereignty. Kyiv also fears that without firm Western security guarantees, any pause in fighting would allow Moscow to regroup and attack again. A Military and Political Deadlock Russia has steadily expanded its control in occupied areas, signaling its intent to force Ukraine into submission through military pressure. At the same time, Western support — particularly from Europe and the United States — continues to sustain Ukraine’s defense. Russia itself has suffered heavy material and human losses. As a result, neither side appears capable of imposing a decisive outcome. “None of the conditions for ending the war have been met,” said Ruth Deyermond, a professor at King’s College London, in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. “Neither side is in a position to secure a decisive victory, and while both face pressure, neither looks close to collapse,” she said. Economic Pressure Builds Some analysts believe economic factors could eventually accelerate negotiations. Russia’s economy, heavily dependent on oil and gas exports, has been hit by sanctions and weak prices. According to a report by The Washington Post, Russian officials have warned Putin that financial stress could intensify by summer. Oleg Ignatov, a Russia expert at the International Crisis Group, said both sides may prefer to seek the best possible terms now rather than prolong the war for years. “Under growing internal and external pressure, Russia and Ukraine are likely to explore ways to end the war on favorable terms,” he said. Missed Deadlines Trump’s credibility as a mediator has been weakened by repeated deadline failures. During his 2023 campaign, he vowed to end the war “within 24 hours.” After taking office, he extended the timeframe to six months, then two weeks, then 50 days, and later just 10 to 12 days. Each deadline passed without a breakthrough. Zelensky recently revealed that Trump is now targeting a summer resolution, but many Ukrainians view the pledge with skepticism. Recent US-led peace talks ended without agreement, while Russian strikes on major Ukrainian cities have continued. Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said the attacks showed that “Putin’s place is not at the table of peace, but at the dock of a tribunal.” Despite renewed diplomatic efforts and plans for further negotiations, analysts say a swift end remains unlikely without a major shift in military or political conditions. Trump’s central campaign narrative — that personal relationships and political will could quickly resolve the conflict — has collided with the realities of geopolitics. For now, slogans and timetables have proved no match for one of Europe’s most entrenched wars. 2026-02-10 07:33:08
  • OPINION: Seoul needs a balance act between China and Japan with a practical approach
    OPINION: Seoul needs a balance act between China and Japan with a practical approach President Lee Jae Myung is heading to Japan Tuesday for a two-day summit, a week after a state visit to China. His rapid back-and-forth diplomacy reflects intensifying friction between China and Japan, which has escalated since November after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested possible armed intervention “in a Taiwan contingency.” As the dispute grows, both countries are courting Seoul. During Lee’s China trip, Beijing rolled out a high-profile welcome, and state media repeatedly highlighted South Korea-China cooperation. Japan, too, has appeared eager to avoid provoking Seoul. Ahead of Lee’s China visit, the Nikkei published a column urging Takaichi not to stir tensions with South Korea over Dokdo. Both sides have also leaned on history and symbolism. China emphasized the shared anti-Japanese struggle in the colonial era. Japan chose Nara Prefecture — Takaichi’s home region and a historic hub of exchanges between Baekje and Japan — as the venue for a summit, appealing to sentiment as well as strategy. The key for South Korea, however, is strict pragmatism. China and Japan can shift quickly, and both hold leverage that could hit South Korean industry. China has already used rare earths — a card that helped it withstand U.S. tariff pressure — and Japan, a leader in materials and components, has its own tools, including photoresist, a key semiconductor material. South Korea has previously faced difficulties when such pressure was applied. China’s export controls on dual-use items are aimed at Japan, but South Korea could be caught in the fallout because of tightly linked supply chains: Chinese raw materials → Japanese processed materials → South Korean finished products. During Lee’s visit, China announced dual-use export controls targeting Japan and signaled possible sanctions even on third countries involved. Japan also poses risks. The Takaichi government’s rightward shift and security buildup could raise tensions in Northeast Asia and increase the likelihood that Tokyo will press South Korea for “security participation.” If Seoul loses its footing amid the courtship, it risks becoming not a mediator in China-Japan tensions but a proxy battleground bearing the costs of their rivalry — on top of already being squeezed by U.S.-China competition. The international order under the second Trump administration is driven less by ideology than by national interest and practical gain. On Tuesday as Lee heads to Japan, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit China for the first time in eight years. The two countries, which clashed in recent years over issues including human rights and Huawei, are now exploring cooperation in response to the Trump administration’s “America First” approach. South Korea’s interests in managing China and Japan are clear. With China, it should restore an economic partnership while continuing “de-risking” to reduce supply-chain dependence. With Japan, it should strengthen security and supply-chain coordination while holding firm principles on historical and territorial issues. That requires focusing on practical cooperation in future industries such as semiconductors, AI and energy — taking neighbors’ outstretched hands while coolly watching where their hidden blades may point. *The author is the deputy head of international economy team at Aju Business Daily 2026-01-13 07:56:10