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.
Chinese tourist faces indictment for working illegally after entering via Jeju
This photo, released on Wednesday by the Yeosu Coast Guard, shows the boat where a Chinese crew member worked illegally.
By Jung Min-ho
A Chinese man faces indictment for working as a fisherman in Korea without the appropriate visa, allegedly exploiting the country's visa waiver program intended for Jeju Island.
According to the Coast Guard on Wednesday, investigators apprehended the suspect, who is in his 30s, earlier this month at Yeosu, a port city in South Jeolla Province. He is suspected of violating the Immigration Control Law.
The man reportedly entered the island by taking advantage of the policy that allows citizens of selected countries, including China, to enter and stay in Jeju for tourism purposes without a visa for 30 days.
He is believed to have headed to the mainland by boat, where he was unlawfully hired by a Korean captain. The captain, a Chinese-born immigrant woman, and two others suspected of assisting him in finding the job are also under investigation for their alleged involvement.
A Yeosu Coast Guard official said it would continue to respond sternly to such border control violations, urging members of the public to report violators to the police.