Gartner Projects 47% Surge in AI Spending This Year, Driven by Infrastructure Investment Global spending on artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to increase by 47% this year, with infrastructure investments leading the charge. Technology companies and hyperscalers are pouring significant funds into AI servers, semiconductors, and networks, driving overall expenditure upward. According to market research firm Gartner, global AI spending is projected to reach $2.5957 trillion this year, up from $1.7649 trillion last year. By 2027, spending is expected to rise to $3.4934 trillion. Infrastructure will account for the largest share of this spending. Gartner estimates that AI infrastructure spending will reach $1.4315 trillion this year, representing over 45% of total AI expenditure. This category includes AI-optimized cloud infrastructure (IaaS), AI servers, networking equipment, AI semiconductors, and AI devices. The increase in infrastructure investment is driven by the need for large-scale computing facilities to support generative AI models and AI agents. John David Lovelock, a vice president and analyst at Gartner, stated, "The demand for facilities to run AI will continue over the next few years, making AI infrastructure the largest segment of the market." He anticipates that spending on AI-optimized servers will triple over the next five years. Expenditures on services and software are also expected to rise. Gartner forecasts that AI service spending will reach $585.5 billion this year, while AI software spending is projected at $453.2 billion. Spending related to the development and use of AI models is expected to increase by 110% from last year, reaching $32.6 billion. However, investments in AI by traditional enterprises are still in the early stages. Lovelock noted, "So far, AI spending has primarily been led by technology companies and hyperscalers, while traditional enterprises have not yet fully embraced AI investment." He views 2026 as a turning point, explaining that companies are currently prioritizing limited implementations aimed at improving operational efficiency and productivity over large-scale structural changes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 15:00:11

South Korea Welcomes Release of Two Citizens Detained by Israel South Korea's Blue House expressed its welcome on May 21 for the release of two South Korean citizens who were detained by the Israeli military after being on a humanitarian ship bound for Gaza.Kang Yoo-jung, the chief spokesperson for the Blue House, stated during a briefing that the government strongly regrets the Israeli military's actions in detaining South Koreans but appreciates their immediate release.Kang noted that President Lee Jae-myung expressed serious concerns regarding the safety and rights of the detained citizens during a Cabinet meeting the previous day. The government ensured necessary consular assistance and diplomatic responses, resulting in the Israeli authorities expelling the two South Koreans without them going through detention facilities.Furthermore, it was reported that Israel hopes the bilateral relationship will not be affected and will continue to develop positively.Kang emphasized that the Lee Jae-myung administration will respond responsibly and principled to international human rights issues and will maintain close diplomatic communication with relevant countries to ensure the safety of South Koreans.President Lee stated, "The safety and sovereignty of our citizens are of utmost importance, which is the fundamental reason for the existence of the state and government." He promised that his administration would prioritize the lives and safety of citizens and fulfill its responsibility as a government that protects its people.During the Cabinet meeting and emergency economic inspection meeting the day before, President Lee explained that his comments regarding the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were intended to emphasize the need for an objective understanding of the situation.Earlier, on May 18, South Korean activist Kim Dong-hyun was aboard the humanitarian ship 'Kiriakos X' when it was seized by the Israeli navy in international waters off Cyprus. On May 20, the 'Rina Al Nabulsiho,' carrying South Korean activist Kim Ah-hyun and Korean-American Jonathan Victor Lee (also known as Seung-jun), was also captured by the Israeli military near Gaza.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 14:57:22

Daewoong Pharmaceutical Advances Development of Anti-Aging Treatments Daewoong Pharmaceutical has officially entered the competition to develop anti-aging treatments by securing key technologies from a U.S. biotechnology firm. The company aims to go beyond merely slowing aging, focusing instead on strategies that restore cellular functions at the cellular level. On May 21, Daewoong announced that it acquired core technological assets from Turn Bio Technologies through an auction. This acquisition will enable the company to intensify its research and development (R&D) targeting aging-related diseases and expand its related pipeline. The technology acquired is the 'ERA (Epigenetic Reprogramming of Aging)' platform, which delivers reprogramming factors in mRNA form to aged cells, helping to restore their functions. Unlike traditional complete reprogramming methods that risk losing cellular identity or causing tumor formation, ERA adopts a 'partial reprogramming' approach that selectively improves functional decline while maintaining the unique characteristics of the cells. Based on this technology, Daewoong plans to expand its research focusing on indications closely related to aging, such as ophthalmic and auditory diseases. The company intends to leverage the experience gained by its affiliate, Hanall Biopharma, which has been collaborating with Turn Bio on joint research to accelerate development. Hanall Biopharma has previously established a partnership with Turn Bio and has been validating related technologies. Anti-aging treatments are rapidly emerging as one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. According to the United Nations, the global population aged 65 and older is projected to reach approximately 1.6 billion by 2050. As aging accelerates, the burden of degenerative diseases such as dementia, macular degeneration, and hearing loss is increasing significantly. Consequently, there is a growing trend toward targeting aging itself rather than treating diseases individually. Park Sung-soo, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, stated, "Aging is an area that can change the paradigm of future medicine beyond individual diseases. With this technology acquisition, we aim to enhance our treatment strategies that address the root causes of aging and strengthen our global competitiveness."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 14:55:16

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