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.
14 Koreans aboard cruise ship quarantined in Japan
A passenger of the Diamond Princess stretches next to the Korean flag at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 14, 2020. Fourteen Koreans are among the people stuck on the virus-stricken cruise ship. EPA
By Jung Min-ho
A security guard in front of the Diamond Princess, with around 3,700 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus. AFP
By Jung Min-ho
Fourteen Koreans are among the people aboard the virus-stricken cruise ship Diamond Princess, quarantined off the coast of Japan.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Friday, nine passengers and five crew members, most of whom are residents in Japan, “remain healthy” on the ship, where 218 people were confirmed to have been infected with the new coronavirus (Covid-19).
The Korean Consulate General in Yokohama has kept in contact with the Koreans to check their condition since the U.K.-flagged vessel was moored off Yokohama on Feb. 3.
More than 3,700 people are stuck on the ship after a few people tested positive for the virus, which has killed more than 1,400 people and infected more than 64,000 in 29 countries over the past few weeks.
Authorities in Japan have so far tested about 700 people on board.
The original plan was to quarantine the ship until Feb. 19, but on Thursday, Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said elderly people with pre-existing conditions would be allowed to leave earlier and complete their quarantine onshore.
The Korean passengers are not included among the early leavers.