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

Gov't to restrict face mask exports

People wearing face masks contend with a rainy Tuesday in Seoul. APBy Jung Min-hoThe government said Tuesday it will restrict the export of face masks over the next two months to ensure sufficient domestic supply amid the coronavirus outbreak.The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said that, from Wednesday, mask manufacturers will not be allowed to export more than 10 percent of their daily production until April 30.The manufacturers also are required to release at least 50 percent of their daily output to designated retailers, including Korea Post and Nonghyup.“There have been setbacks in supplying enough masks to the public despite the fact that the daily production of masks has doubled to 11 million in the past two weeks,” Minister Lee Eui-kyung said during a press briefing. “To meet the domestic demand, we will limit the amount of masks for export.”The ministry will also require surgical mask makers to report their daily production, prices and who they sold their products to.

Feb 25, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Gov't to restrict face mask exports
Foreign Affairs

Don't go: US CDC raises travel advisory for Korea to highest level

An employee from a disinfection service company sanitizes the floor of a traditional market in Seoul, Monday. ReutersBy Jung Min-hoThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised its travel advisory for Korea to the highest level Tuesday (KST) after the number of coronavirus cases in Korea surged past 800.The Level 3 warning means U.S. citizens should avoid all nonessential travel to Korea, where the COVID-19 virus has killed eight people and infected nearly 900 as of Tuesday morning.“There is limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas,” the CDC said. “This new coronavirus has caused severe disease and death in patients who developed pneumonia. Risk factors for severe illness are not yet clear, although older adults and those with chronic medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness.”The move comes only two days after the CDC issued a Level 2 advisory, urging all travelers to take “enhanced precautions” in Korea.United Airlines and Delta Air Lines put South Korea on a travel waiver list over the outbre

Feb 25, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Don't go: US CDC raises travel advisory for Korea to highest level
  • US Forces Korea imposes tougher process for installation access over coronavirus outbreak
Defense

US Forces Korea denies delaying joint training over virus concerns

YonhapBy Jung Min-hoU.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has denied media reports that joint military training between South Korea and the United States will be delayed over coronavirus concerns.“A recent media article reporting United States Forces Korea proposing the postponement of future combined training is inaccurate,” USFK said Tuesday.“Any decision regarding combined training will be an U.S.-ROK Alliance decision and not a unilateral decision.”Citing South Korean sources, local paper Joongang Ilbo reported Monday morning that the two countries share concerns about COVID-19, which has killed more than 2,600 people and infected nearly 80,000 worldwide, and that they may delay the military drill planned for two weeks from March 9.“When any USFK decisions or announcements are made ― regardless of the topic or scenario ― they will be made through official USFK channels, platforms or agencies and not through rumors or speculation,” USFK said. “USFK's commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance is ironclad and unbreakable and we will continue to provide a robus

Feb 25, 2020By Jung Min-ho
US Forces Korea denies delaying joint training over virus concerns
  • US Forces Korea imposes tougher process for installation access over coronavirus outbreak
Health

Coronavirus: 'It may be too late to close border with China'

A Korean protester calls for an entry ban on all people from China during a rally near the presidential office in Seoul on Jan. 29, 2020. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Jung Min-hoHakim Djaballah.An infectious disease expert who urged the government to deny entry to all people coming from China to fight the spread of the new coronavirus virus early this month (Feb. 4) said Monday that it may now be too late to prevent a pandemic.“Unfortunately, it may be a little bit too late because the SARS-CoV2 (which causes COVID-19) has adapted well in Korea and now the main concern is how the government will approach this dire situation and contain it,” Hakim Djaballah, former CEO of Institute Pasteur Korea, told The Korea Times. “The Daegu cluster is growing and may spread even further south to Busan and north back to Seoul.”More than 760 people have been confirmed as infected in Korea as of Monday morning, a spike from 16 on Feb. 4. Since emerging in the Chinese city of Wuhan about two months ago, the virus has killed more than 2,400 people and infected nearly 8

Feb 24, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Coronavirus: 'It may be too late to close border with China'
  • Coronavirus: Expert urges gov't to close border with China immediately
Defense

US Forces Korea confirms no coronavirus among service members

Vehicles wait to enter Camp Walker in Daegu, North Gyeongsang Province, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoU.S. Forces Korea (USFK) confirmed Sunday (KST) that it has no case of the new coronavirus among service members.“There remains zero confirmed cases of USFK personnel with COVID-19 despite the rise in confirmed South Korean cases to more than 550 patients,” USFK said in a statement. “Out of a strong abundance of caution and utilizing the USFK Commander's authority to protect the force, the risk for USFK peninsula-wide personnel and installations remains MODERATE.”Delivering the news that the COVID-19 virus has been confirmed in 17 major provinces and cities, including Seoul, Daegu, Busan, Chinhae and Pyeongtaek, USFK urged service members and their families to pay close attention to health.All the cities were near USFK military bases, USFK said.“Good hygiene practice is the best preventive measure to controlling the spread of viruses,” it said.“USFK leadership and staff have strong preventative control measures in place. We mus

Feb 24, 2020By Jung Min-ho
US Forces Korea confirms no coronavirus among service members
  • US Forces Korea bans travel to Daegu as virus cases soar
Entertainment

Actor Ha Jung-woo denies drug abuse

By Jung Min-hoHa Jung-wooActor Ha Jung-woo has denied allegations he abused propofol, a hypnotic drug used for general anesthesia.“Ha received laser treatment (for scars on his cheeks) about 10 times between January and September last year,” Walkhouse Company, Ha's agency, said Wednesday. “The doctor made the decision to use the drug for anesthesia. There was no abuse.”The statement comes after media reports said Ha, 41, was investigated by the prosecution for allegedly using someone else's name to abuse propofol.The agency admitted that Ha used his brother's name to take the drug at a clinic in Seoul, which could be considered a violation of medical law.“The doctor thought it was important to protect Ha's privacy … Ha believed using a different name was part of his effort to protect his privacy,” the agency said. “Ha regrets that he gave personal information of his brother and manager to the doctor … We apologize for causing a misunderstanding.”The prosecution is expected to question him soon.

Feb 20, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Actor Ha Jung-woo denies drug abuse
Defense

US Forces Korea bans travel to Daegu as virus cases soar

U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Robert Abrams / Korea Times fileBy Jung Min-hoU.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has banned personnel from traveling to and from Daegu after a spike in new coronavirus cases there.“All service members' non-essential travel to and from Daegu will be prohibited, and off-installation travel minimized; I highly request all family members, civilians and contractors do likewise regarding their travel as well,” USFK Commander Gen. Robert Abrams said Thursday (KST).The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) has confirmed more than 50 additional cases of the COVID-19 virus since Wednesday, saying most are from the city and the surrounding North Gyeongsang Province.A member of a religious sect called “Shincheonji” is blamed for the surge.“All service members who've attended the New World Church (Shincheonji) since Feb. 9 will undergo a mandatory self-quarantine ― and it is highly recommended for family members, civilians and contractors ― until the KCDC completes their contact trace procedures to determine who has been expos

Feb 20, 2020By Jung Min-ho
US Forces Korea bans travel to Daegu as virus cases soar
  • US Forces Korea confirms no coronavirus among service members
Health

Korean adoptee searches for birth parents and 'big brother'

Photos of Lee Kook-za as a girl in Korea / Courtesy of Lee Kook-zaBy Jung Min-hoMore than 50 years have passed since Lotti was adopted by a couple in Sweden. But she still struggles with a nagging feeling of grief and emptiness in her heart.“It is a feeling of something that is digging a hole in my heart and a longing that never leaves me in spite of my love to my girls and husband,” Lotti, 55, whose Korean name is Lee Kook-za, told The Korea Times. “A feeling of loss and an identity that was taken from me over 50 years ago and an ache of belonging that I hope I will find someday.”According to adoption documents, Lee was found by a passerby in Incheon. How and when it happened is unclear. On Sept. 24, 1965, she was brought to the Sung Kwang Orphanage, where she was given the name and a birthday of Aug. 20, 1964.One of the few things she remembers is playing with her “big brother,” a 17-year-old son of her foster parents, before being adopted in 1970 via the agency Child Placement Service.“I remember the courtyard where I was playing and runni

Feb 20, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Korean adoptee searches for birth parents and 'big brother'
Law & Crime

Nightclub homicide: Suspects deny intent to kill

YonhapBy Jung Min-hoThree taekwondo athletes in the infamous Seoul nightclub murder case claimed at Thursday's court hearing that they did not intend to kill the victim, who was trying to protect his girlfriend.The suspects ― all 21-year-olds majoring in taekwondo at college ― were indicted earlier this month on charges of murdering the man in his 20s after he took issue with them for taking his girlfriend by the wrist at a nightclub in Seoul's Gwangjin district on Jan. 1.Media reports that the suspects ate ice cream after brutally beating the man to death have infuriated many people. One petition calling for justice on the Cheong Wa Dae website has garnered more than 52,000 signatures.At the first court hearing, the suspects' lawyers claimed they should have been charged with manslaughter, not murder.“They should have been charged with manslaughter,” one lawyer said.But prosecutors argued that the suspects knew of the risks of their actions and willfully ignored these risks.“All of them are fourth-degree black belt holders and they knew how precise and powerful the

Feb 14, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Nightclub homicide: Suspects deny intent to kill
  • Three taekwondo athletes jailed for beating man to death
Law & Crime

Two Peruvians held in Spain for stealing cash from Korean casino

Kangwon Land / Korea Times fileBy Jung Min-hoTwo Peruvians have been detained in Spain after allegedly stealing 24 million won ($20,000) in cash from a casino in Korea.Jeongseon Police Station said Thursday that the suspects ― a man, 45, and a woman, 32 ― were expected to be extradited soon, after allegedly opening a slot machine cash box to steal the money at Kangwon Land on Feb. 7. It is unclear how this was done.Their alleged accomplice ― a Hong Kong man in his 30s ― is still on the run.The three entered Korea on Feb. 6 with fake passports. Only a few hours after the alleged theft, the two Peruvians boarded a flight to Bangkok. They then took another flight that made a stopover at Doha, Qatar, before arriving in Madrid, where they were detained. Police said that by then they had asked Interpol to issue a red note detention order for the suspects.

Feb 14, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Two Peruvians held in Spain for stealing cash from Korean casino
previous page
128129130131132
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.