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.
Gov't beefs up security ahead of Kishida's visit
Police stand behind the fences set up near the building in which the Japanese Embassy is located, in Seoul, Friday. Newsis
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
Authorities in Seoul are beefing up security ahead of one of the most significant diplomatic events in years ― the first Korea-Japan summit here in more than a decade.
According to presidential officials Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will receive the highest level of protection during his two-day visit starting Sunday. That level of security has so far been given to only a handful of visiting world leaders, such as U.S. presidents, they said.
With anti-Japan rallies set to be staged on streets before and during his visit, security forces are expected to set up fences and check points near the Japanese Embassy in Seoul and the Lotte Hotel in which he reportedly will meet with Korean business leaders and stay the night.
Security issues have come to the fore in Japan recently following attempts targeting political leaders. Just three weeks ago, Kishida escaped an assassination attempt at Saikazaki port in Wakayama after being apparently targeted by an explosive device planted there. This came less than a year after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was killed while making a campaign speech.
On Thursday, liberal lawmakers and civic group members gathered in front of the National Assembly and called on the Japanese government to apologize for sexual slavery of Korean women among other wartime crimes. They said they are planning protests for Saturday and Sunday to convey such messages directly to Kishida.
His trip was arranged in response to President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to Tokyo two months ago. The two leaders are aiming to further strengthen relations before the G7 Summit scheduled for May 19 to 21 in Hiroshima, Japan.
Since Yoon took office a year ago, the two countries have been working to improve their relationship which deteriorated over historical disputes in recent years as they now deepen security cooperation against North Korea's intensifying security threats.