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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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Foreign Affairs

US embassy in Seoul supports Black Lives Matter movement

A Black Lives Matter banner on the U.S. embassy in Seoul / YonhapBy Jung Min-hoThe U.S. Embassy in Seoul has unfurled a “Black Lives Matter” banner in support of the fight against racial discrimination and police brutality in the United States.“The U.S. Embassy stands in solidarity with fellow Americans grieving and peacefully protesting to demand positive change,” the embassy said on Facebook Saturday.“Our #BlackLivesMatter banner shows our support for the fight against racial injustice and police brutality as we strive to be a more inclusive & just society.”The move comes a week after U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris sniped at looters taking advantage of largely peaceful protests as a cover for their crimes.The protests erupted across the country after the alleged murder of George Floyd, 46, who died on the Memorial Day (May 25) after a white police officer in Minneapolis pinned him face down to the ground. Harris quoted former President John F. Kennedy: “If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the wor

Jun 14, 2020By Jung Min-ho
US embassy in Seoul supports Black Lives Matter movement
  • US envoy to Seoul condemns looters taking advantage of peaceful Floyd protests
  • US embassy takes down 'Black Lives Matter' banner after two days
Society

More 'Korean bananas' to be harvested this year amid climate change

Hong Hong-keum and her husband examine ripening bananas at a greenhouse in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, June 9. YonhapTrees are laden with bananas at a greenhouse in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, June 9. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoJeju Island was long considered the only warm-enough region in Korea for commercial banana farming, but climate change is now turning the mainland into a producer of the tropical fruit.Hong Hong-keum, a farmer in Haenam, the southernmost tip of the Korean Peninsula, told The Korea Times Wednesday that she and her husband are looking forward to their first ― and Haenam's first ― banana harvest next month.They planted 470 banana trees last year to adapt themselves to “changing circumstances” as the impact of climate change on agriculture was felt among many farmers, she said.According to the agricultural technology center in North Chungcheong Province, the number of people investing in banana farming has surged in recent years.“There are about 40 banana farms in Korea, including two (at Cheongju and Chungju) in our region,” Park Eui-kwang,

Jun 11, 2020By Jung Min-ho
More 'Korean bananas' to be harvested this year amid climate change
  • Warming climate puts Korea under insect invasions
Foreign Affairs

Pirates release Korean man they kidnapped off Gabon

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul / Korea Times fileBy Jung Min-hoYonhapA Korean citizen kidnapped off the coast of Gabon last month has been released unharmed.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday that the man in his 50s, whose identity is being withheld, was among six crew members released Monday evening (Gabon time) by pirates.The other five are Indonesian and Senegalese citizens and appear to be in good health, the ministry said.The man remains in a “secure place” offered by the ministry in Nigeria, an official said. After having a medical checkup at a local hospital, he is expected to return to Korea soon.The pirates attacked their fishing boats and abducted the men in the early hours of May 3 near the Gabonese capital of Libreville in West Africa.It is unclear whether the pirates received the ransom they demanded before releasing the six.

Jun 10, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Pirates release Korean man they kidnapped off Gabon
  • Moon thanks Gabon, Nigeria, France for help in Korean hostage release
Law & Crime

Gov't pushes to ban parental corporal punishment

The Ministry of Justice is moving to revise the law that gives parents the right to use physical force for their children's education. Korea Times fileBy Jung Min-hoThe government will press ahead with revising the law that gives parents the right to use physical force for their children's education as part of its effort to better protect the rights of minors.The Ministry of Justice said Wednesday it will draft a bill to ban corporal punishment by parents next month as it pushes to revise Article 915 of the Civil Law that guarantees parents the right to use corporal punishment on their children.The ministry plans to come up with its final draft and propose it to the National Assembly by the end of August.Critics of the clause, which was adopted in 1960, say it is often used to justify the violence of abusive parents. They also point out that the clause conflicts with the child welfare law that prohibits legal guardians from “inflicting physical or mental pain” on their children.The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has urged the Korean government to rev

Jun 10, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Gov't pushes to ban parental corporal punishment
Photo News

PHOTOS Life on the edge: Cleaning Korea's tallest building

Window cleaners are at work on the 123-story Lotte World Tower, Korea's tallest building, in southern Seoul, Tuesday. The skyscraper has about 42,000 windows. After opening to the public in 2017, the building has its windows cleaned once a year. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Jun 10, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Life on the edge: Cleaning Korea's tallest building [PHOTOS]
K-pop

BTS' donation goes to Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation

BTS in New York City / YonhapBy Jung Min-hoA $1-million donation from K-pop boy band BTS and its agency Big Hit Entertainment goes to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc.An agency official told The Korea Times Monday that they chose the organization to donate their money. In the United States, there are reportedly hundreds of groups working for racial justice and the Black Lives Matter movement.“Our donation will be used to sponsor the movement that aims to end racial discrimination and violence (based on race),” the official said.According to the organization's website, its mission is to “eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.” Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi, now famous activists for civil rights, are its co-founders.After the news of BTS' donation, the group's fan-based charity fundraising group “One In An ARMY” announced that it also raised $1 million in donations for Black Lives Matter, matching the amount donated

Jun 9, 2020By Jung Min-ho
BTS' donation goes to Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation
Global Community

Seongnam offers COVID-19 relief funds to marriage immigrants, permanent residents

GettyimagesbankBy Jung Min-hoThe Seongnam city government is offering coronavirus relief funds to marriage immigrants and permanent residents to help them financially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.All F-5 and F-6 visa holders who live there are eligible to receive 100,000 won ($83) each just like Korean residents, in addition to the Gyeonggi provincial government's 100,000 won relief money.According to the city government, more than 5,000 people will benefit from its policy. Those who wish to apply can do so at welfare centers in their regions between June 8 and July 31.Seongnam is among several cities where foreign residents can receive coronavirus relief money if they meet certain requirements. Other cities include Suwon, Goyang, Bucheon, Siheung, Icheon and Ansan.

Jun 8, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Seongnam offers COVID-19 relief funds to marriage immigrants, permanent residents
Sports

World Taekwondo to invest in online training for athletes amid pandemic

World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won / Courtesy of World TaekwondoBy Jung Min-hoWorld Taekwondo (WT), the sport's global governing body, will invest in online training to keep coaches and athletes active amid the COVID-19 pandemic.A WT official told The Korea Times Monday (KST) that it will begin a two-day online seminar from Thursday to offer training and certification for coaches as part of efforts to keep them prepared and their spirits high ahead of the Tokyo Olympics next year.At Friday's videoconference, WT President Choue Chung-won said he would not just sit back and wait for the crisis to end.“The athletes' committee has a very important role to play in ensuring that WT continues to listen and represent the interests of the athletes,” Choue said.“We encourage the committee to share the views of the athletes on how we should safely return to training and competitions, and together with the medical committee we will use this to develop guidelines.“We have also welcomed their feedback on how athletes are dealing with the current challenges and the id

Jun 8, 2020By Jung Min-ho
World Taekwondo to invest in online training for athletes amid pandemic
Law & Crime

Prosecution drops animal cruelty complaint against ice fishing festival

A tourist catches a trout during the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, Feb. 10. Korea Times fileBy Jung Min-hoThe prosecution has dropped a criminal complaint against Korea's most famous ice fishing festival.According to the Hwacheon county office Sunday, the Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office recently dismissed the complaint by animal rights activists against the annual event.Given that the country's animal protection law does not apply to fish, the prosecution said it was clear that there were no criminal charges to file against the event host.The winter festival, which brought more than 1.8 million tourists from around the world to a remote mountain town in Gangwon Province last year, has long been denounced by animal rights activists, who view it as “abusive” and “human-focused” amusement.In January, 11 animal rights groups jointly filed a complaint against Hwacheon county head Choi Moon-soon over animal abuse.

Jun 8, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Prosecution drops animal cruelty complaint against ice fishing festival
Foreign Affairs

US envoy to Seoul condemns looters taking advantage of peaceful Floyd protests

U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Jung Min-hoU.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris has condemned opportunistic looters who take advantage of peaceful protests against racism as a cover for their crimes in his country.“Most demonstrators across the United States today are formed in peaceful protests against racism, bigotry and hatred. I stand with them. I share the conviction that those beliefs have no place in our society,” Harris said on Facebook Friday.“To be clear, however, I do not stand with those who use peaceful protest as a cover for vandalism, mayhem, and wanton destruction.“And to those voices ― and there are some, already ― who take perverse pleasure in what is happening in America today ... to them I say we'll emerge a better country and a stronger democracy ... and we won't forget.”Harris said he was deeply troubled about the events surrounding the brutal killing of George Floyd, 46, who died on May 25 after being pinned face down to the ground by a white police officer in Minneapolis.

Jun 5, 2020By Jung Min-ho
US envoy to Seoul condemns looters taking advantage of peaceful Floyd protests
  • Floyd mourned, celebrated as people call for action
  • More than 100 charged with looting, assaults in California
  • BTS: 'We will stand together' on Black Lives Matter
  • PHOTOS Activists rally in solidarity with US protests against police brutality and racism
  • US embassy in Seoul supports Black Lives Matter movement
  • US embassy takes down 'Black Lives Matter' banner after two days
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