Jensen Huang: NVIDIA Has Given Up on China's AI Chip Market to Huawei Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, expressed disappointment that U.S. export restrictions have allowed Huawei to dominate the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) chip market. In an interview with CNBC on May 20, Huang stated, "We have effectively ceded that market to them, and the local semiconductor ecosystem is thriving because we have withdrawn from it. Huawei has had a record year and is expected to achieve remarkable results next year as well." He added, "We have essentially given that market to them." Recently, Huang joined a delegation during former President Donald Trump's visit to China, raising hopes for the resumption of exports of NVIDIA's H200 chips to the country. However, Huang cautioned against optimism. "I have no expectations," he said, advising analysts and investors to "not invest or expect anything." Nonetheless, he affirmed his desire to return to the Chinese market, noting, "There are many customers and partners there, and we have been doing business there for 30 years." NVIDIA reported that its revenue for the first quarter of the fiscal year (February to April) reached $81.62 billion, marking a 20% increase from the previous quarter's record of $68.13 billion and setting a new record for the 12th consecutive quarter. Compared to the same period last year, revenue surged by 85%, surpassing market expectations of $78.85 billion, as reported by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). The adjusted earnings per share (EPS) stood at $1.87, exceeding Wall Street's forecast of $1.76. The growth was driven by the data center segment, which generated $75.2 billion in revenue, a 92% increase year-over-year. Within this, data center computing revenue was $60.4 billion, and networking revenue was $14.8 billion. The edge computing segment, which includes PCs, gaming consoles, and autonomous vehicles, reported $6.4 billion in revenue, up 29% from the previous year. NVIDIA projected second-quarter revenue of $91 billion, exceeding market expectations of $86.84 billion. The company also anticipates that its central processing unit (CPU), Vera, will generate $20 billion in annual revenue, accounting for about 5% of NVIDIA's expected annual revenue. Following the earnings announcement, NVIDIA's stock rose 1.3% during regular trading but turned downward in after-hours trading. As of 8 p.m., shares were trading at $220.66, down $2.81 (1.26%).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 14:52:03

President Lee Orders Investigation into Missing Rebar at GTX-A Samsung Station President Lee Jae-myung has instructed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to conduct a thorough investigation and safety checks regarding the missing rebar at the GTX (Greater Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit) A line's Samsung Station.During a briefing at the Cheong Wa Dae, Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong conveyed the president's directives.When asked about the reasons for the instructions, Kang explained, "Given the upcoming summer rainy season, the government has a responsibility to ensure safety on-site to prevent major accidents. The president has ordered relevant departments to review the causes of the incident."Additionally, President Lee has called for strict disciplinary action against Seongdong Police Chief Kwon Mi-ye, who is under investigation for allegedly using official electric vehicles designated for emergency responses for personal commuting.Kang reported, "The president was informed about the reports regarding Chief Kwon's misuse of emergency vehicles and has ordered a swift investigation and strict disciplinary measures to ensure that such breaches of public service discipline do not occur again."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 14:49:37

Jung Won-oh Launches Campaign for Seoul Mayor in Wangsimni Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul Mayor, called on voters on May 21 to support his vision of revitalizing the city’s economy, similar to the progress seen in Seongdong-gu. At his campaign launch held in Wangsimni, his political hometown, Jung stated, "We need to change the capabilities of local government in this election." He praised President Lee Jae-myung for delaying a total strike at Samsung Electronics and for the first passage of a Korean ship through the Strait of Hormuz, attributing these achievements to effective leadership. He highlighted the KOSPI index surpassing 7,500 points, asserting, "Isn’t this a demonstration of capability? Now we just need to change Seoul." Jung took aim at Oh Se-hoon, the candidate from the People Power Party and a four-term mayor, criticizing him for issues related to housing, transportation, and safety in the city, as well as a slowdown in the region's gross regional domestic product (GRDP). He urged Oh to stop blaming previous administrations and the current government, demanding an apology for the situation. He also criticized the omission of rebar in the pillars of the GTX-A line at Samsung Station, stating, "During Oh's tenure, there have been countless major safety incidents. Citizens are suffering due to a lack of safety awareness." Jung emphasized that during his time as Seongdong-gu mayor, there were zero safety incidents and that he successfully revitalized the local economy. He urged voters to support his vision for a Seoul similar to Seongdong-gu, stating, "If you want a Seoul like Seongdong, please vote for change." He promised to replace ineffective administrative projects like the Han River Bus and the Seoul Ring with citizen-focused initiatives such as smart rest areas and improved crosswalks. The campaign launch also saw the attendance of Democratic Party lawmakers including Lee In-young, Seo Young-kyo, Jeon Hyun-hee, Jin Sung-joon, Lee Hae-sik, Park Sung-jun, and Ko Min-jeong, all urging Seoul citizens to support Jung's candidacy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 14:48:00

Blue House Supports Reasonable Adjustments Following Samsung Labor Agreement On May 21, the Blue House stated that it would actively support reasonable adjustments in the wage negotiations between Samsung Electronics and its labor union. Kang Yoo-jung, the chief spokesperson, made this remark during a briefing at the Chunchugwan when asked about the potential impact of the negotiations on the broader industrial sector. "The impact of this conflict on the national economy is significant," she said.Kang acknowledged that while labor issues are primarily decided autonomously by the parties involved, the recent debate surrounding Samsung's management bonuses has escalated into a broader social issue. "This conflict has intensified, and all citizens have witnessed it," she explained.Regarding the recent tentative agreement that averted a total strike, Kang noted, "Although the Central Labor Relations Commission's post-adjustment efforts were unsuccessful, there was considerable public concern. Therefore, both Samsung and the labor union made concessions to reach this tentative agreement. This outcome reflects the efforts of both parties, as well as the active cooperation from the government, including Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon."Kang also addressed President Lee Jae-myung's comments on profit distribution made the previous day, stating, "The President clarified the difference between net income and operating profit, suggesting that this issue requires further social discussion and examination."During a cabinet meeting and emergency economic assessment, President Lee criticized the Samsung labor union, saying, "Before taxes, which can be considered a shared national resource, they are seeking to institutionalize a share of operating profit. This is something investors do not even do. Investors receive dividends after taxes from net income, which I find somewhat difficult to understand."In response to the Samsung minority shareholders' group threatening legal action over the legality of the tentative wage agreement, Kang remarked, "We need to examine the situation regarding the legal actions, including the injunctions, further."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 14:45:10

Jang Dong-hyuk Calls for Victory in Local Elections to Resume President Lee's Trial As the local elections approach, Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, visited Daejeon on May 21 to urge voters, stating, "The People Power Party must win this local election to resume President Lee's trial." He later visited Daejeon Central Market to connect with the public. In the afternoon, he plans to visit Gongju and Asan in South Chungcheong Province to further appeal for voter support. At the 'June 3 Daejeon Citizens' Victory' campaign launch held at Seogwang Square near Daejeon Station, Jang criticized President Lee, saying, "As soon as he took office, he halted five trials and abandoned appeals from the criminals involved in the Daejang-dong scandal, putting 780 billion won into their pockets." He questioned, "Is it human behavior to try to erase one's own crimes?" He added, "The only way to resume President Lee's trial is to win this local election." Jang also contrasted the People Power Party with the Democratic Party, stating, "The Democratic Party can only run in elections after becoming a four-time offender, while the People Power Party has clean and capable candidates." He expressed confidence that a victory in Daejeon would lead to success nationwide. After his speech, Jang bowed deeply, asking for support for the People Power Party. Lee Jang-woo, the People Power Party's candidate for Daejeon mayor, also criticized President Lee and the Democratic Party's dominance. He stated, "The Democratic Party, which controls legislation, is also undermining the judiciary, and now they want to take the last remaining local government." He condemned this as a violation of South Korea's constitutional order and a threat to the separation of powers. Lee also targeted his opponent, Democratic Party candidate Heo Tae-jeong, saying, "Are you going to elect Heo Tae-jeong, who couldn't solve issues like the Yuseong Terminal and lost the Ministry of SMEs and Startups? You should choose Lee Jang-woo, who has brought the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to Daejeon and can resolve the Yuseong Terminal issue quickly." After the campaign launch, Jang and Lee visited the Central Market near Daejeon Station, engaging with vendors and encouraging support for the People Power Party by interacting with the public and even shelling peas. After concluding his schedule in Daejeon, Jang will target voters in Gongju and Asan in South Chungcheong Province in the afternoon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 14:42:47

Choo Mi-ae Calls for Voter Judgment Against 'Insurrection Forces' in Gyeonggi Election Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party's candidate for Gyeonggi governor, urged voters to judge "insurrection forces" during her campaign kickoff on May 21. She emphasized that she is not a candidate who has taken the easy path. At a rally near Seohyeon Station, Choo stated, "The People Power Party still acts as the bodyguard for Yoon Suk Yeol, bowing to him even while he is in prison. The 'Yoon Again' forces are dreaming of a revival." She continued, "As the judiciary delays judgment on these insurrection forces, I ask voters to deliver a stern verdict through their ballots for the normalization of South Korea." Choo referenced her time as Minister of Justice, when she pushed for the separation of investigation and prosecution, saying, "At that time, the media portrayed me as someone who was destroying common sense, but ultimately, I completed judicial reform alongside Representative Jeong Cheong-rae. Given this, you can trust me to handle Gyeonggi's pressing administrative issues." She expressed confidence, saying, "I know how to win. Together with you, I will return victoriously and open a new future for Gyeonggi." Additionally, she remarked, "Watch for the 'Suwon-Yongin-Sungnam' I am creating," highlighting that Seongnam is a central city in the K-semiconductor cluster. She described the 'Suwon-Yongin-Sungnam' as a semiconductor industry belt connecting Suwon, Yongin, Seongnam, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, Osan, and Icheon. Also present at the rally were Representative Jeong and Kim Byeong-wook, the candidate for Seongnam mayor.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 14:40:04

KOSPI Surges Past 7700 After Four Days of Decline, Driven by Samsung and SK Hynix Gains The KOSPI index, which fell below 7100 after initially surpassing 8000 on May 15, rebounded sharply after four days of decline, breaking through the 7700 mark. As of 12:49 PM on May 21, the KOSPI was up 7.66% from the previous trading day, reaching 7761.43. Early in the session, the index surged, triggering simultaneous buy-side circuit breakers for both KOSPI and KOSDAQ. Investor sentiment improved following a tentative wage agreement reached between labor and management at Samsung Electronics, coupled with Nvidia's earnings report that exceeded market expectations. Additionally, President Donald Trump indicated that negotiations with Iran were nearing completion, contributing to a decline in international oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields, which positively affected the stock market. In the securities market, institutional investors purchased over 1.4 trillion won in stocks, driving the index higher. Foreign investors sold about 1 trillion won, while individual investors sold around 400 billion won, realizing profits. Samsung Electronics, which resolved its labor negotiations dramatically the previous night, saw its shares soar by over 8%, touching 300,000 won early in the session. SK Hynix's stock rose 11.06% to 1,938,000 won. Samsung Electro-Mechanics also experienced a surge of over 12% after announcing a 1.5 trillion won supply contract for silicon capacitors with a global company. Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung C&T rose by 12% and 11%, respectively. Hyundai Motor Group stocks also performed well, with Hyundai Motor up 9% and Kia up over 11%. Kim Seok-hwan, a researcher at Mirae Asset Securities, noted, "The agreement at Samsung Electronics has led to a broad rally among its affiliates. The Hyundai Motor Group is also showing strength due to expectations surrounding its Atlas business roadmap and vertical integration into mass production." The KOSDAQ index opened 29.23 points (2.77%) higher at 1085.30 and, as of 12:49 PM, was up 5.07% at 1109.61 compared to the previous trading day. In the KOSDAQ market, foreign investors were net buyers of 130 billion won, while institutions bought 160 billion won. Individual investors sold over 280 billion won. Top KOSDAQ stocks also saw gains, including Alteogen (0.70%), EcoProBM (10.58%), EcoPro (10.36%), Rainbow Robotics (15.20%), Kolon TissueGene (3.56%), Samchundang Pharm (2.45%), Lino Biotech (6.15%), Rigakem Bio (3.62%), HLB (2.94%), and ABL Bio (4.70%). MakinaRax, which successfully debuted on the stock market with a "double-up" (quadrupling its initial public offering price), continued to rise by over 30%, reaching its upper limit today.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 14:37:07

SC First Bank Hosts Masterclass with Park Se-ri for High-Net-Worth Clients SC First Bank is accelerating its tailored programs for ultra-high-net-worth individuals amid fierce competition in the private banking market. On May 15, SC First Bank successfully held a Masterclass featuring renowned golfer Park Se-ri, the bank announced on May 21. The Masterclass is part of SC First Bank's private banking program, which invites top leaders from various fields to provide lectures and experiences for clients with assets exceeding 1 billion won (approximately $900,000). This session focused on the popular theme of leisure and sports, with Park, the bank's first private banking client, participating directly. A highlight of the event was a personalized 'one-point lesson' session for select clients chosen through a lottery. Park provided tailored coaching to the invited guests. Following the lessons, a signing event and photo session were held for all attendees. In addition, SC First Bank organized events for its high-net-worth clients, including professional golfer lessons, mini-games, and a dinner program. Furthermore, SC First Bank plans to host the '2026 Global Future Leaders Program' from July 31 to August 2 for the children of high-net-worth clients. This program will feature a global mentoring camp with students from Oxford and Cambridge. Recruitment for the program will take place from June 1 to June 30, with 40 students selected from the middle and high school children of clients with assets of 500 million won (approximately $450,000) or more. Sachin Bambani, Deputy Head of High-Net-Worth and Wealth Management at SC First Bank, stated, "This Masterclass was designed to offer a unique experience sharing the success philosophy of leaders, and we will continue to provide differentiated services that closely manage the growth of the next generation."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 14:36:00

aespa maps emotional journey on upcoming album 'LEMONADE' SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - K-pop girl band aespa has introduced additional tracks from its upcoming second full-length album "LEMONADE," highlighting an emotional arc that moves through freedom, self-protection, desire and connection, SM Entertainment said Thursday. The 11-track album is set for release at 1 p.m. (0400 GMT) on May 29 through major streaming platforms and will also be available as a physical album. “LEMONADE” marks aespa’s first full-length album in roughly two years group's first studio album "Armageddon," which was released in May 2024. Among the newly introduced tracks, "Can’t Help Myself" is a rock song driven by rough guitar sounds and the members’ clear vocals. The lyrics carry a message of choosing to live freely even in the face of rejection or criticism. "Camouflage" is a hyperpop song with dreamy synth textures. The track uses the image of camouflage to describe hiding one’s true feelings and presenting another version of oneself as a form of self-defense. “My Plan” is a mid-tempo R&B track about pursuing someone with a playful sense of confidence, while “‘Til We Die” is a pop-rock song about staying together with those who have offered strength and support. The album also includes the title track "LEMONADE," prerelease single "WDA (Whole Different Animal)," "Switchblade" featuring Ty Dolla $ign, and dance tracks "SHAKIN’," "Bite" and "Roll." Preorders are available through online and offline music retailers. 2026-05-21 14:34:01

AMCHAM invites former White House acting chief of staff Mulvaney SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea hosted a special luncheon seminar at Grand Hyatt Seoul on Wednesday, inviting former White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney to discuss the future direction of U.S. policy under a possible second Donald Trump administration. The event, titled “The Return of America First: What Trump 2.0 Means for Business and Geopolitics,” focused on shifting U.S. policy priorities, global trade realignment and the broader implications for international business and South Korea-U.S. economic relations. During the luncheon session, Mulvaney shared insights into policymaking processes inside the Trump administration and discussed strategic priorities expected to shape the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape. The discussion also explored potential impacts of “America First” policies on global supply chains, trade and investment, and the changing regulatory environment affecting multinational businesses. 2026-05-21 14:33:28