my timesThe Korea Times
mj6c2

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.

Go to Email

Read more

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
North Korea

INTERVIEW North Korean defector paints dream as contemporary artist

Artist An Su-min poses with her recent work "The Recovery of Home" at her studio in Seoul, April 27. The painting depicts the house where she used to live in North Korea. Courtesy of An Su-minBy Jung Min-hoIt is difficult to live as a painter in North Korea. There is no Photoshop, Affinity or other technology for producing sophisticated artwork; almost everything is done manually.Moreover, there is little room for creativity. Certain subjects must be ― or must not be ― expressed. When finished, there are few people willing to buy their work in a country where even the basic necessities of life are in short supply.Nevertheless, many North Koreans want to learn how to paint because, with such a skill, they can avoid hard labor such as construction work in school and the military.That was how Ah Su-min, 26, decided to take an artistic path as a teenager. She was fascinated by the works of her father, also a painter, talented and tired of the “unbearable” manual labor.“I had no idea that that decision would eventually lead me to becoming a contemporary painter in South

May 17, 2022By Jung Min-ho
[INTERVIEW] North Korean defector paints dream as contemporary artist
North Korea

INTERVIEW Too late for vaccines to halt COVID spread in North Korea: virologist

In this file photo taken March 18, employees spray disinfectant and wipe surfaces as part of preventative measures against COVID-19 at the Pyongyang Children's Department Store in Pyongyang. North Korea on Sunday confirmed 15 additional deaths from an “explosive” fever outbreak and more than 290,000 additional patients with flu-like symptoms. AFP-Yonhap15 more deaths confirmed; total caseload surpasses 820,000 in just 3 daysBy Jung Min-hoHakim DjaballahWith the COVID-19 situation getting out of control in North Korea, it appears to be too late now to use vaccines to halt or slow down its spread, according to a virologist who specializes in infectious diseases.North Korea on Sunday confirmed 15 additional deaths from an “explosive” fever outbreak and more than 290,000 additional patients with flu-like symptoms. After reporting its “first” coronavirus case on Thursday, North Korea confirmed 42 such deaths as of 6 p.m. Saturday, with 820,620 cases and at least 324,550 receiving medical treatment.But the true number is likely to be far higher and, with

May 15, 2022By Jung Min-ho
[INTERVIEW] Too late for vaccines to halt COVID spread in North Korea: virologist
North Korea

INTERVIEW North Korea's COVID-free claim nonsensical: virologist

Students participate in a dancing party to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Kim Jong-un's election as the top state leader at the Arch of Triumph plaza in Pyongyang, North Korea, April 11. Officially, not a single person has been infected with COVID-19 in North Korea. AP-YonhapBy Jung Min-hoHakim DjaballahThe COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the world for more than two years. North Korea, however, is still completely free of the disease, according to its official data.The latest data available on the World Health Organization website shows “there have been 0 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 0 deaths” in the isolated state between Jan. 3, 2020 and May 10 of this year.Hakim Djaballah, former CEO of Institut Pasteur Korea and a virologist currently based in New York, believes that North Korea's COVID-free claim is most likely a lie.“It is very hard to imagine any country being COVID free let alone North Korea,” Djaballah told The Korea Times. “I do not believe their claim, given what has been happening near its borders.”Visitors walk across the Y

May 12, 2022By Jung Min-ho
[INTERVIEW] North Korea's COVID-free claim nonsensical: virologist
  • North Korea confirms first case of Omicron variant of COVID-19
Politics

Cambodian immigrant, North Korean defector, 'Squid Game' star among '20 representatives of hope'

South Korean flags are seen outside of the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. An immigrant from Cambodia, a North Korean defector and “Squid Game” star O Yeong-su were among “the 20 representatives of hope” who appeared on stage with President Yoon Suk-yeol during his inauguration. AP-YonhapBy Jung Min-hoUm Gye-sookAn immigrant from Cambodia, a North Korean defector and “Squid Game” star O Yeong-su were among “the 20 representatives of hope” who appeared on stage with President Yoon Suk-yeol during his inauguration Tuesday.According to the presidential office, the representatives are “the hidden giants” who “made Korea proud” through their hard work and dedication. The list alludes symbolically to the policy direction of the new government.Park Chae-eun, 35, a Cambodian-born woman who began a new life here after marrying a Korean national, was selected to represent multicultural families, which have become increasingly visible in Korean society over the past few years. Children from such households account for

May 10, 2022By Jung Min-ho
Cambodian immigrant, North Korean defector, 'Squid Game' star among '20 representatives of hope'
previous page
117118119120121
next page

Top 5 stories

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.