Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Korean man detained in India for smuggling gold
New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. / Gettyimagesbank
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
A Korean national has been detained at a New Delhi airport on suspicion of smuggling gold worth more than 19 million Indian rupees ($265,000).
, an Indian media outlet, reported Friday (local time) that customs officers detained the man who arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport from Hong Kong Wednesday. His identity is being withheld.
Officials seized 105 gold rotor plates (5,565 grams) hidden inside a Toshiba motor.
Authorities are looking into whether the suspect has been involved in other crimes.
Last month, a Korean woman was detained in the country for allegedly smuggling gold worth 24 million Indian rupees.
In India, one of the world's largest gold importers ― along with China ― gold smuggling attempts reportedly surged after the government raised the import duty to 10 percent in August 2013.