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.
Man convicted for extorting suspected spycam offender
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By Jung Min-ho
A man was convicted Thursday of blackmailing and extorting money from another man who allegedly filmed women without their consent.
The Incheon District Court sentenced the man, 27, to four months in prison, suspended for a year, on charges of extorting 6 million won ($4,300) from another man, 28, who was apparently illegaly filming women at a subway station in Seoul on July 19, 2023.
After noticing the suspected offender’s attempts to film private body parts of women on the escalator there, the younger man demanded money in return for keeping it between them, saying he would report the offender to the police if he didn't pay up.
Fearing prosecution, the suspected offender sent him the money.
But the younger man eventually returned the money as he faced a trial over his own criminal charges, according to the court ruling.
It is unknown whether the extorted man was investigated in relation to the alleged illegal filming.