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Jun Ji-hye

Korea Times Finance Reporter

Hello, I am Jun Ji-hye, a reporter at The Korea Times. I primarily cover financial authorities and write articles on a wide range of topics related to finance and capital markets. If you have any information to share, feel free to email me at jjh@koreatimes.co.kr, and I will review it carefully. I am committed to always doing my best to communicate with readers through high-quality articles.

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Travel & Food

The Mariana Islands extends travel bubble benefits with Korea through December

Bird Island on Saipan / Courtesy of Marianas Visitors Authority KoreaBy Jun Ji-hyeThe Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) Board of Directors has decided to extend subsidies and benefits given to travel companies and tourists participating in the travel bubble program with Korea until the end of December, in a bid to attract more visitors from Korea. On June 30, the Korean government signed a travel bubble agreement with the Northern Marianas, which includes Saipan, Tinian and Rota, to allow group tours for fully vaccinated people.The term “travel bubble” refers to a partnership between two or more cities or countries with similar rates of COVID-19 infections to allow quarantine-free air travel in both directions.The Marianas' Travel Investment Resumption Plan (TRIP) program provides subsidies to airlines, hotels, travel agencies and other related businesses to help jumpstart tourism, which has been hit hard by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.The Mariana Islands had originally planned to apply the TRIP program for only eight weeks following July 24, when the travel bubble ag

Aug 26, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
The Mariana Islands extends travel bubble benefits with Korea through December
Politics

Protest against 'fake news' bill

Yoon Chang-hyun, head of the National Union of Media Workers, speaks in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday, during a protest against the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's move to pass a controversial media bill aimed at sharply increasing punishment for what it calls “fake news.” The ruling party, which holds a majority of Assembly seats, is moving to pass the bill unilaterally during a plenary session scheduled for Wednesday, despite protests from opposition parties and media industry groups. Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han

Aug 24, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Protest against 'fake news' bill
Society

Country to put carbon-neutrality into law

Environment Minister Han Jeoung-ae speaks during a media conference at the Han River Flood Control Office in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Ministry of EnvironmentBy Jun Ji-hyeKorea will become the 14th country to cement its goal of achieving carbon neutrality into law, once a bill aimed at cutting emissions in 2030 by 35 percent or more from 2018 levels is passed at the National Assembly's plenary session, scheduled for Wednesday, Environment Minister Han Jeoung-ae said Tuesday. Minister Han said during a media conference that through the passage of the bill, the country will take its first step toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, as the bill provides detailed plans for the medium and long term.“2030 is becoming an important year, as the bill has as a goal reducing carbon emissions by at least 35 percent ― compared to 2018 levels ― by that time, as a mid-term goal,” Han said. “A number of discussions and forums have taken place in order to draw up the bill for the past year. The government will continue carrying out discussions to seek public consensus on the

Aug 24, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Country to put carbon-neutrality into law
Law & Crime

Vaccination phishing scams increasing

gettyimagesbankBy Jun Ji-hyeThe Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has warned against an increase in financial scams in which swindlers send text messages containing web links to fake COVID-19 vaccination certificates, with the intention to acquire passwords and other personal information of victims.Bae Gyung-taek, a senior KDCA official, said during a media briefing, Monday, that the agency has recently received an increasing number of reports about “smishing” ― a portmanteau of short message service (SMS) and phishing ― related to vaccinations, as the country's vaccination program has been gaining speed. More than 25.9 million people, or 50.5 percent of the entire population here, have received at least their first vaccine shot as of Sunday, according to the KDCA. “We never ask people to offer their personal information, except for when they book their vaccination schedules via reservation programs,” Bae said. “To receive digital vaccination certificates, people should download a relevant mobile application available on devices running

Aug 24, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Vaccination phishing scams increasing
Health

Vaccine incentives cause confusion

An owner of a Chinese restaurant in Seoul's Yangcheon District posts a notice, Sunday, about vaccine incentives announced by the government that allow private gatherings of up to four including two fully vaccinated people at restaurants and cafes after 6 p.m., starting Monday. YonhapBy Jun Ji-hyeThe government's vaccine incentives, including allowing private gatherings of up to four people at restaurants and cafes after 6 p.m. if two are fully vaccinated, are causing confusion and complaints among people, as the incentives are applied only to gatherings at such locations but excluding gatherings at home.Controversy is growing as the incentives are putting people into situations where they have a greater risk of exposure to COVID-19 at crowded restaurants or cafes compared to in the privacy of a residence.The government disclosed the measure, Friday, when announcing its decision to maintain the highest Level 4 distancing rules for the Seoul metropolitan area and Level 3 for most other regions for another two weeks until Sept. 5, as the fourth wave of infections here has yet to come un

Aug 23, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Vaccine incentives cause confusion
Society

Multicultural children's basketball team on verge of being disbanded

Coach Song Gi-hwa of Global Friends, the basketball team comprised with children from multicultural families, teaches children at Itaewon Elementary School in Seoul, June 19, 2019. Korea Times photo by Ryu Hyo-jinBy Jun Ji-hyeThe country's one and only basketball team comprised of children from multicultural families is on the verge of being disbanded, due to the financial difficulties of its only corporate sponsor. HanaTour, the nation's largest tour agency, had been sponsoring the Global Friends basketball team for about a decade, but had to suspend its support due to its worsening financial situation amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has lasted for over a year and a half. The team was founded in 2012 to help children from multicultural families as well as immigrant children adapt to Korea and learn the value of teamwork. About 300 children have played on the team. HanaTour provided 50 million won ($42,380) to 60 million won annually for the team's operation and training. But the company says it had no choice but to suspend its support, as the tourism industry has been hit hard by th

Aug 21, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Multicultural children's basketball team on verge of being disbanded
Travel & Food

Tourism companies, vacationers in Jeju experience confusion amid tougher antivirus measures

People spend their vacation at Geumneung Beach on Jeju Island, Thursday, even as the toughest Level 4 social distancing measures were imposed on the island two days ago, due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. YonhapResort island sees decrease in number of visitors By Jun Ji-hyeHotels, car rental companies and golf course operators have been receiving increasing inquiries from customers about changing or cancelling their reservations, after the highest-level social distancing measures aimed at curbing COVID-19 infections were applied to the southern resort island earlier this week.Jeju Special Self-Governing Province imposed Level 4, the highest in the country's four-tier social distancing plan, in the region, starting Aug. 18 through Aug. 29, in a bid to curtail the recent spike in virus cases following the continued inflow of tourists during the summer vacation season. Level 4 bans private gatherings of three or more people after 6 p.m. and the operation of entertainment establishments, including nightclubs and bars. Twelve designated beaches were shut down as well. The ban on p

Aug 20, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Tourism companies, vacationers in Jeju experience confusion amid tougher antivirus measures
Health

Healthcare workers poised to begin strike amid prolonged pandemic

Members of the Daegu―North Gyeongsang Province branch of the Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union call on the government to increase healthcare personnel in front of Daegu City Hall, Wednesday, warning of a strike starting Sept. 2. YonhapGovernment vows sincere negotiations with union By Jun Ji-hyeNurses and other healthcare workers across the nation are warning of going on strike early next month, calling for expanded public health services and infrastructure as well as improved working conditions. The warning comes as they have been struggling with burnout and fatigue due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic that has lasted for more than a year and a half since the country reported its first virus case in January last year. The government said it is coming up with appropriate countermeasures to reduce the burden on healthcare workers, mindful of concerns that their strike will pose a serious threat to the country's fight against the ongoing fourth wave of infections. The Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union, associated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, said

Aug 19, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Healthcare workers poised to begin strike amid prolonged pandemic
Health

New COVID-19 variants threaten Korea

People wait in long lines for COVID-19 testing at a temporary testing center in front of Seoul Station, Wednesday. YonhapVariants believed to be more infectious and resistant to vaccinesBy Jun Ji-hyeThe health authorities here are on alert over the new Delta plus variant of the coronavirus, as the country reported one more case of the variant, bringing the total caseload to three. The Delta plus variant is related to the highly contagious Delta variant, already causing much concern, after it was first identified in India. The Delta variant has recently become the dominant strain in Korea, driving the fourth wave of infections here.The authorities are also paying keen attention to the possibility of the arrival of the Lambda variant of the coronavirus, as the new variant has already been found in several Asian countries, including neighboring Japan. The Lambda variant, first identified in Peru, is believed to be more infectious than the original strain of the coronavirus, and to have stronger resistance to vaccines, though to what extent is not known so far. Korea's Central Disease Co

Aug 18, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
New COVID-19 variants threaten Korea
Health

People looking for travel companions online despite Delta variant spread

People enjoying their vacations at Hamdeok Beach on Jeju Island, Tuesday, a day before the beach was shut down in accordance with Jeju Special Self-Governing Province's decision to raise the level of the social distancing measures to the highest level of 4 in an effort to curb a spike in COVID-19 cases on the island. YonhapJeju raises social distancing measures to level 4 amid increasing infections By Jun Ji-hyeThese days, it is not hard to come across online posts from young people looking for travel companions during their summer vacations, as well as during the upcoming Chuseok holiday, despite mounting concern over the ongoing fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, led by the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus.Those uploading such posts ask complete strangers online to join their trips to various locations, such as the southern resort island of Jeju or Gangwon Province that boast beautiful beaches. “I am looking for companions who can travel around Jeju Island with me at the end of August. I prefer those who have a driver license as I don't. Let's enjoy swimm

Aug 18, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
People looking for travel companions online despite Delta variant spread
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