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

Health

Vietnamese man caught working illegally at farm during quarantine period

GettyimagesbankBy Jung Min-hoA Vietnamese man has been caught working illegally at a farm in Korea during a mandatory self-quarantine period, police said Thursday.According to the North Jeolla provincial government and police, the man, 21, who had left his residence in Jeonju without reporting to authorities, was found working illegally at a farm in the neighboring city of Namwon during a 14-day isolation period.The man, who was ordered to quarantine himself on arrival in Korea on April 9, made about 500,000 won ($410) working there for five days from April 16, police said.The Ministry of Justice is expected soon to decide whether to deport him. He is now waiting for the decision at a quarantine facility at Chonbuk National University.The government has maintained a no-tolerance stance toward those who do not follow self-isolation rules over COVID-19, saying any foreigner who violates them will be expelled. Local violators could face up to a year in prison or a maximum fine of 10 million won.

Apr 23, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Vietnamese man caught working illegally at farm during quarantine period
  • Another Vietnamese citizen violates self-quarantine rules: authorities
Health

Two pet cats test positive for COVID-19 in New York

A cat is examined at the San Diego Humane Society clinic on April 21. Two cats in New York state have become the first pets in the United States to test positive for the new coronavirus, officials said Thursday (KST). AFPBy Jung Min-hoTwo cats in New York state are the first pets in the United States to test positive for COVID-19, according to U.S. federal agencies Thursday (KST).The animals, which are from separate areas of the state, showed mild respiratory symptoms and are expected to make a full recovery, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a joint statement with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“Public health officials are still learning about SARS-CoV-2, but there is no evidence that pets play a role in spreading the virus in the United States,” the statement said. “Therefore, there is no justification in taking measures against companion animals that may compromise their welfare.”A veterinarian tested the first cat after it showed mild respiratory symptoms. No humans in the household contracted the virus. Officials say it is po

Apr 23, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Two pet cats test positive for COVID-19 in New York
Health

Another Vietnamese citizen violates self-quarantine rules: authorities

GettyimagesbankBy Jung Min-hoAnother Vietnamese citizen has broken self-quarantine rules just a few days after the government decided to deport three Vietnamese students for violating the regulations.According to the North Jeolla provincial government and police Wednesday, the Vietnamese man, 21, who was ordered to isolate himself at his residence in Jeonju, has disappeared.After reporting the case to the city's immigration office, police are now looking for him.The man, who entered Korea on April 9, left his mobile phone at the residence in an apparent attempt to avoid GPS tracking by health officials, an official said.“He turned on the self-quarantine app at around 11:25 a.m. on April 21 before disappearing,” the official told News1, a local news agency. “After losing contact with him, we visited his place with police and realized he was gone.”Three Vietnamese students who arrived in Korea between March 28 and April 1 were ordered to leave the country after visiting a park in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, in violation of the 14-day self-isolation rules.

Apr 22, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Another Vietnamese citizen violates self-quarantine rules: authorities
  • Vietnamese man caught working illegally at farm during quarantine period
Global Community

Undocumented hero: Koreans urge gov't not to deport Kazakh man who saved people from burning building

By Jung Min-hoAli, the undocumented hero from Kazakhstan / YonhapA Kazakh man who risked his life to save 10 people from a burning building faces deportation after his illegal status came to light.Moved by his story, more than 10,000 people have signed a petition urging the government not to deport the man, 28, who they say deserves permanent residency and a reward, not deportation.“The government should compensate him for what he did,” a petitioner said on the Cheong Wa Dae website. “I have heard he is going to be deported. If the government did so to such a person, it would be an international embarrassment.”The man, identified only by his given name Ali, smelled something burning when he arrived at his one-bedroom apartment in a town in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province, about 11:20 p.m. on Mar. 23.After realizing the building was on fire, he immediately opened the windows on the second and third floors to let the smoke out. He then he screamed “fire, fire!” to wake up everyone in the complex.After being told that one woman was still in her room

Apr 22, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Undocumented hero: Koreans urge gov't not to deport Kazakh man who saved people from burning building
  • Korea to grant visa for heroic Kazakh man who saved people from blaze
  • Kazakh man honored for saving 10 people from blaze
Law & Crime

Gov't pushes to raise consent age to 16 from 13 in fight against sexual exploitation

A protester holds up a sign that reads "From Nth Room to Prison" at Jongno Police Station in Seoul, March 25, as Cho Ju-bin, the primary suspect in the infamous sexual-abuse case, is taken to a nearby police van. Korea Times photo by Koh Young-kwonBy Jung Min-hoA college student, 20, who had been indicted on charges of child sexual abuse, was acquitted last year by a Daejeon court that ruled that his girlfriend, 14, clearly gave consent to sexual activity.But how old is old enough to consent to sexual activity? In Korea, it is only 13.After the Nth room sexual-abuse scandal, which involves dozens of victims, including minors, the Ministry of Justice said last week it will push ahead with legislation to raise that age to 16.“We should admit that the government has not done enough to eradicate sexual crimes,” the ministry said. “We need a major policy change.” The age of consent is that at which a person is considered mature and competent enough to consent to sexual acts. Consequently, an adult who engages in sexual activity with a person under that age cannot l

Apr 22, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Gov't pushes to raise consent age to 16 from 13 in fight against sexual exploitation
  • Ruling party agrees to raise age of consent to 16 in fight against child sexual abuse
Global Community

Gyeonggi to offer universal basic income to marriage immigrants, permanent residents

Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung / YonhapBy Jung Min-hoThe Gyeonggi provincial government will offer universal basic income to marriage immigrants and permanent residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Governor Lee Jae-myung said Sunday that F-5 and F-6 visa holders will also be eligible to receive 100,000 won ($82) just like Korean citizens. Initially, all foreigners were excluded from access to the benefit.“It would be difficult to offer the relief money to all foreigners, such as undocumented ones and short-term visitors,” Lee said on Facebook. “However, marriage immigrants are spouses of Korean citizens and it is a trend that permanent residents around the world are not discriminated against when it comes to such benefit.”The move followed a petition urging the central and local governments to provide financial support to all tax-paying foreign workers “who are also suffering” the economic fallout from the crisis. The petition on the Cheong Wa Dae website has gathered 14,000 signatures over the past three weeks.There are 48,000 foreign spouses and 6

Apr 21, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Gyeonggi to offer universal basic income to marriage immigrants, permanent residents
  • Expats ask for universal basic income amid COVID-19 crisis
  • Bucheon offers stimulus money to foreigners, including undocumented ones
  • South Korea begins offering coronavirus relief funds
North Korea

CNN: North Korean leader 'in grave danger' after surgery

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un / YonhapBy Jung Min-hoNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un “is in grave danger” after undergoing surgery, according to CNN Tuesday (KST).CNN reported that Kim's condition is being monitored by U.S. intelligence officials after the recent cardiovascular operation.The report came after a Seoul-based internet news outlet said that Kim has been receiving medical treatment at a villa in the resort county of Hyangsan, outside of Pyongyang, after the surgery.Speculation abound after Kim skipped the annual celebration of his grandfather's birthday on April 15. Some observers said he did so due to coronavirus concerns.Kim last appeared in North Korean state media on April 11.

Apr 21, 2020By Jung Min-ho
CNN: North Korean leader 'in grave danger' after surgery
  • No unusual signs about North Korean leader's health: South Korean gov't
Politics

National Assembly speaker to return 30% of salary in solidarity with those hit by COVID-19

National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang. / YonhapBy Jung Min-hoTop-ranking officials at the National Assembly, including Speaker Moon Hee-sang, will return 30 percent of their salaries to show solidarity with those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.The National Assembly Secretariat said Friday that Moon will donate 30 percent of his salary for April and May ― about 9.6 million won ($7,900) excluding special activity expenses ― “to share the burden of those who are suffering from the coronavirus.”Seven ministers and vice minister-level officials have promised to do the same for four months from April.The secretariat said it was still deciding how to use the money.Their decisions come a month after President Moon Jae-in and his Cabinet members decided to return 30 percent of their salaries over the next four months to help fund efforts to battle the disease.

Apr 19, 2020By Jung Min-ho
National Assembly speaker to return 30% of salary in solidarity with those hit by COVID-19
Defense

US Forces Korea lifts Daegu travel ban after two months

A solder from the Republic of Korea Army 50th Infantry Division disinfects a church in Daegu, Thursday. U.S. Forces Korea has lifted its travel ban on Daegu after the city successfully brought the COVID-19 outbreak under control. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoU.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has lifted its travel ban on Daegu, once a COVID-19 hotbed in Korea, after the city successfully brought the situation under control.“Due to the hard work of the City of Daegu, USAG Daegu and the 19th ESC, the USFK Commander has declared the Daegu area is no longer a Hot Spot off-limits area, effective 15 April 2020 at 4:00 PM. Current HPCON measures and local restrictions still apply,” USFK said on Facebook Thursday (KST).On Feb. 20, USFK banned its personnel from traveling to and from Daegu over virus concerns.After reporting its first case on Feb. 18, the city struggled with a surging number of patients, with daily new cases reaching a peak at 741 on Feb. 29. But with strict quarantine measures, the number started to decease and, on April 10, Daegu declared no additional infections for the first tim

Apr 16, 2020By Jung Min-ho
US Forces Korea lifts Daegu travel ban after two months
Health

Korea proves elections can be safely held despite pandemic

A health official disinfects a polling station at Chungwoon Elementary School in Seoul, Tuesday, a day before the parliamentary elections. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Jung Min-hoWhile many countries are still under some form of movement restriction to slow the spread of COVID-19, Korea has proved that elections can be safely held despite the global pandemic.For three days ― April 10, 11 and 15 ― 29,128,040 people, or 66.2 percent of eligible voters, cast their ballots across the country. Meanwhile, daily new virus cases remained under 50.To protect public health and democracy at the same time, the government devised measures including instructing voters to wear masks and stand at least one meter apart while waiting. They were also asked to have their temperatures checked and put on plastic gloves before voting. So far, there has been no report of infection from polling stations.This is even more surprising given that people who had been ordered to isolate themselves over virus concerns were not excluded from voting if they showed no symptoms, and about 13,000 of them indeed e

Apr 16, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Korea proves elections can be safely held despite pandemic
previous page
127128129130131
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.