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Jung Min-ho

Korea Times Politics & City Reporter

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.

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North Korea

North Korea COVID situation 'very worrying' for mutations: experts

This photo shows a general view of Ryomyong Street in Pyongyang, North Korea, May 16. On Thursday, North Korea reported more than 105,500 new fever cases. AP-Yonhap By Jung Min-hoDelta and Omicron ― the SARS-CoV-2 variants that have perpetuated the global pandemic ― were first detected in places where vaccination rates were low and new cases were surging.This is what makes the COVID-19 situation in North Korea especially concerning ― for everyone within and outside its borders ― according to medical experts, Thursday. “The environments where the Delta and Omicron variants emerged in India and South Africa, respectively, show that unvaccinated populations could fuel the formation of new variants,” Kim Sin-gon, a professor at Korea University College of Medicine, said at a seminar in Seoul on North Korea's COVID-19 situation. “This is why South Korea and the world should pay more attention to North Korea's struggle with COVID-19 … Its zero vaccine rate is deeply conce

May 26, 2022By Jung Min-ho
North Korea COVID situation 'very worrying' for mutations: experts
Defense

South Korean military to start using more advanced helmets this year

This combination of images provided by the Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement shows two views of the new helmet developed jointly by Hyosung and Kyungchang Industry. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoSouth Korea's military will start using more advanced helmets later this year after more than five years of work on the development project, according to the state defense agency Wednesday. The new lightweight helmet is the outcome of a joint project launched by two Korean firms ― Hyosung and Kyungchang Industry ― to enhance the survivability and mobility of troops on the battlefield.The Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement, which has led the project since 2017, said the helmet is capable of protecting its wearers from 9- millimeter pistol bullets and other similar weapons. Moreover, its bulletproof capability remains intact at both high and low temperatures, or even when submerged underwater.Aramid, a class of resilient and heat-resistant synthetic fibers, was developed as a material for the new military helmet by Hyosung ― the

May 26, 2022By Jung Min-ho
South Korean military to start using more advanced helmets this year
North Korea

COVID-19 aid offer stands despite North Korea's latest provocation: minister

Unification Minister Kwon Young-se responds to questions from lawmakers at the National Assembly in Seoul, May 20. Kwon said Wednesday that South Korea will continue to seek ways to help North Korea fight against COVID-19 despite its latest military provocation. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoDespite North Korea's latest military provocation, South Korea will continue to seek ways to support the North's fight against COVID-19, Unification Minister Kwon Young-se said Wednesday. “The Yoon Suk-yeol administration has maintained the stance that it would continue to find ways to help improve the lives of North Korean people, while responding strongly to its provocation,” Kwon said during a seminar for inter-Korean cooperation on the pandemic at the National Assembly in Seoul. “That's why we offered help immediately after the reports about the COVID-19 outbreak in North Korea … It's regrettable that the North chose to provoke (South Korea) instead of responding favorably to the offer,” he said.Kwon urged the North to take “the right path,” saying the Yoon go

May 25, 2022By Jung Min-ho
COVID-19 aid offer stands despite North Korea's latest provocation: minister
Health

Over 76% of Koreans support legalizing euthanasia

gettyimagesbankBy Jung Min-hoMore than 76 percent of people in Korea support legalizing euthanasia, or physician-assisted suicide, according to a recent opinion poll.A survey by Professor Yun Young-ho at Seoul National University College of Medicine showed 61.9 percent of respondents said they would “strongly agree” to making a law for access to the controversial medical procedure, while 14.4 percent said they would “agree.” Only 2 percent said they would “strongly disagree” with such legislation, while 21.7 percent said they would “disagree.”In the same survey conducted in 2016, about 50 percent said they would support it.The No. 1 reason for their support in the latest poll was “the rest of life is meaningless (30.8 percent),” followed by “the right to a dignified death (26 percent),” “less pain (20.6 percent),” “less burden for the family (14.8 percent)” and “less burden for society (4.6 percent).”Nearly 45 percent of those opposed to the procedure picked “respect for

May 25, 2022By Jung Min-ho
Over 76% of Koreans support legalizing euthanasia
People & Events

INTERVIEW Defender of inter-country adoptees' rights

Lee Kyung-eun, director at Human Rights Beyond Borders and author of "The Global Orphan Adoption System," poses with her book at her office in Seoul, May 20. Courtesy of Lee Kyung-eunLee Kyung-eun to meet Korean adoptees during Europe book tour next monthBy Jung Min-hoIf inter-country adoption truly was intended “for the best” of children born in poor countries, why doesn't anyone listen to them when they finally have a voice to say that it wasn't what they wanted?Inter-country adoptees' access to knowledge of their origins is still denied over their biological parents' right to privacy in Korea, a nation that remains as one of the leading “baby exporters” despite being the world's 10th-largest economy today.Lee Kyung-eun, 53, one of the most famous, indefatigable defenders of adoptees' rights and author of “The Global Orphan Adoption System,” will listen to the voices of Korean adoptees in person next month during her book tour in four European cities ― Amsterdam, The Hague, Copenhagen and Stockholm.“I hope my tour will serve as a momentum f

May 25, 2022By Jung Min-ho
[INTERVIEW] Defender of inter-country adoptees' rights
North Korea

INTERVIEW Pyongyang elite won't get COVID-19 vaccine shots, says ex-NK doctor

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during a ruling party Politburo meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday. North Korea may have started considering vaccinating the population against COVID-19, but Kim and the powerful elite close to him almost certainly did not get the shots and likely never will, says a former doctor from North Korea. AP-YonhapIntelligence agency believes Kim remains unvaccinated over side effect worriesBy Jung Min-hoNorth Korea may have started considering vaccinating its population against COVID-19, but leader Kim Jong-un and the powerful elite close to him almost certainly have not gotten the shots and probably never will, says a former doctor from North Korea.Several days after its first official coronavirus case, the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the ruling Workers' Party, reported May 17 that vaccines are “effective” ― a drastic change in its stance from previously being “not a solution” with “serious side effects.”“There is no reason that he would take on even a tiny risk of vaccine side effects,&r

May 23, 2022By Jung Min-ho
[INTERVIEW] Pyongyang elite won't get COVID-19 vaccine shots, says ex-NK doctor
Foreign Affairs

Korea to unveil own Indo-Pacific strategy

President Yoon Seok-youl attends a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden (not pictured) at the People's House in Seoul, May 21. Reuters-YonhapBy Jung Min-hoKorea will map out its own diplomatic and security strategy for the Indo-Pacific region.According to the office of President Yoon Suk-yeol Saturday, it will formulate and announce the new policy in the coming months. The strategy is expected to include plans such as how to coexist ― or collaborate ― with the Quad, a strategic security dialogue consisting of Australia, India, Japan and the United States.The decision comes after Yoon said that Korea will participate in the U.S.' Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), a strategy through which the U.S. aims to counter China's influence in the region, after his summit with U.S. President Joe Biden.In a joint statement, U.S. President Joe Biden also supported Yoon's “initiative to create the ROK's own Indo-Pacific strategy framework,” saying the two leaders recognize the importance of the region and commit to cooperating closely through the IPEF.Moreover, the stat

May 22, 2022By Jung Min-ho
Korea to unveil own Indo-Pacific strategy
  • Korea, US agree to forge closer economic ties
Politics

Kim says Chinese permanent residents should be stripped of right to vote in Korea

Kim Eun-hye, the ruling People Power Party's candidate for governor of Gyeonggi Province, speaks during an event at the Press Center in Seoul, Monday. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoKim Eun-hye, the ruling People Power Party's candidate for the governor of Gyeonggi Province, has reiterated what she says is the need to take away from Chinese permanent residents in Korea their right to vote here, saying it is unfair for Koreans who don't enjoy the same right in China.“Not a single Korean citizen has the right to vote in China, while 100,000 Chinese nationals living in Korea have the right. It is unfair,” Kim, 51, said on Facebook Tuesday, ahead of the June 1 local elections. “Some media outlets and politicians have tried to paint me as 'xenophobic' for demanding the same right for Koreans in China. But many citizens, including residents of Gyeonggi, are not convinced that this amounts to 'hatred.'”Kim said she will continue to push ahead with the legislative reform based on “the principle of reciprocity.” She has repeatedly taken issue with the voting rights of

May 18, 2022By Jung Min-ho
Kim says Chinese permanent residents should be stripped of right to vote in Korea
North Korea

North Korea asks China, Russia for help amid COVID crisis: reports

A worker disinfects a dining room at a sanitary supplies factory amid growing fears over the spread of COVID-19 in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this photo taken May 16. Reuters-YonhapCountry reports 232,880 'fever' cases, 6 more deaths, WednesdayBy Jung Min-hoNorth Korea has reportedly asked China and Russia for help amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, which may well become its worst health catastrophe in decades.After refusing to accept aid offers from South Korea and international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), North Korea appears to have turned to its key allies ― China and Russia ― while keeping its request for help secret.According to South Korean broadcaster YTN, China is preparing to send doctors, nurses and medical supplies “in large numbers” to North Korea as early as this week. This comes after reports that the North started bringing in emergency supplies from China by using three large Air Koryo cargo planes.Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said in a media release Tuesday that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov had a

May 18, 2022By Jung Min-ho
North Korea asks China, Russia for help amid COVID crisis: reports
Foreign Affairs

Ex-vice FM named as ambassador to US

Rep. Cho Tae-yong of the People Power Party speaks during an interview with The Korea Times, Jan. 19, 2019, at the National Assembly in Seoul. The career diplomat who openly criticized the previous government's “one-sided” North Korea policy has been named as South Korea's new ambassador to the United States. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukYoon appoints new KDCA chief, FSC vice chairmanBy Jung Min-hoA career diplomat-turned-lawmaker who openly criticized the previous Moon Jae-in government's “one-sided” North Korea policy has been named as South Korea's new ambassador to the United States.Rep. Cho Tae-yong, 65, who served as vice foreign minister and chief nuclear envoy during the Park Geun-hye administration, will replace Lee Soo-hyuck, who took the post in October 2019, President Yoon Suk-yeol's office announced Tuesday. After joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1980, Cho, considered as a balanced strategist who served in key positions during both liberal and conservative governments, was a vocal critic of the Moon administration that “downpla

May 17, 2022By Jung Min-ho
Ex-vice FM named as ambassador to US
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