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.
34 Shincheonji members on Jeju 'show symptoms of coronavirus'
People wear face masks at Jeju International Airport, Feb. 21. Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
The Jeju provincial government said Thursday that 34 members of Shincheonji, a doomsday “church” responsible for much of the spread of coronavirus in Korea, have shown symptoms of the disease ― a red signal for the island that has a population of 670,000.
According to the Jeju government, 34 of the 603 Shincheonji members who responded to officials by phone Wednesday said they had shown symptoms such as fever and a cough.
The officials said they have not been able to reach 43 others on the island.
The 34 people will soon be tested for the virus, which has killed more than 2,700 people and infected nearly 82,000 around the world. They will be quarantined in their homes for two weeks.
With police help, the Jeju government will look into Shincheonji facilities to ensure all members are tested.