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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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Health

14 Koreans aboard cruise ship quarantined in Japan

A passenger of the Diamond Princess stretches next to the Korean flag at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 14, 2020. Fourteen Koreans are among the people stuck on the virus-stricken cruise ship. EPAA security guard in front of the Diamond Princess, with around 3,700 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus. AFPBy Jung Min-hoFourteen Koreans are among the people aboard the virus-stricken cruise ship Diamond Princess, quarantined off the coast of Japan.According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Friday, nine passengers and five crew members, most of whom are residents in Japan, “remain healthy” on the ship, where 218 people were confirmed to have been infected with the new coronavirus (Covid-19).The Korean Consulate General in Yokohama has kept in contact with the Koreans to check their condition since the U.K.-flagged vessel was moored off Yokohama on Feb. 3.More than 3,700 people are stuck on the ship after a few people tested positive for the virus, which has killed more than 1,400 people and infected more t

Feb 14, 2020By Jung Min-ho
14 Koreans aboard cruise ship quarantined in Japan
North Korea

No report of coronavirus in North Korea: WHO

People wearing face masks walk on a street at the Munsu-dong diplomatic compound in Pyongyang Feb. 5, amid the outbreak of the new coronavirus. TASSIn this Feb. 1 photo, a State Commission of Quality Management staff member disinfects a ground transportation area at North Korea's Pyongyang Airport. APBy Jung Min-hoNorth Korea has not reported any confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, a World Health Organization (WHO) official told The Korea Times Wednesday.“WHO has not received any report of coronavirus cases from the Ministry of Public Health,” Edwin Ceniza Salvador, the U.N. agency's representative to North Korea, said. “DPR Korea, like other countries, is taking measures to protect the health of its people.”Salvador said the WHO is working with all member states, including North Korea, to respond to the virus, which has killed more than 1,300 people and infected 60,000 in 29 countries in the past few weeks. Most of the victims are in China.At North Korea's request, the WHO is providing laboratory reagents and personal protective equipment ― goggles, glove

Feb 13, 2020By Jung Min-ho
No report of coronavirus in North Korea: WHO
  • North Korea reaffirms no new coronavirus infection
Films

Why some right-wing politicians aren't thrilled about success of 'Parasite'

Director Bong Joon-ho with the Oscars for "Parasite" at the Governors Ball after the 92nd Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Monday (KST). Ironically, Bong came up with a story idea, which eventually turned into the movie, when he was blacklisted during previous administrations for his liberal political views. ReutersBy Jung Min-ho“Parasite” made history by winning Best Picture and three other honors at this year's Academy Awards Monday (KST). Since then, the Korean movie's success has been widely celebrated across the country ― but not by everyone.Bong Joon-ho, director of the scathing satire on class division in Korea, was a member of the Democratic Labor Party, a now-defunct liberal party, and he has had an uneasy relationship with some conservative politicians.This is why Hong Joon-pyo, former leader of the main conservative Liberty Korea Party (LKP), said he would not watch “Parasite” when asked by reporters last month. By then, the film had won many prestigious awards, including the Palme d'Or at Cannes.Bong rarely talked about his political views, at leas

Feb 12, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Why some right-wing politicians aren't thrilled about success of 'Parasite'
  • LKP trying to be parasitic on 'Parasite'
  • Ruling party to introduce unemployment insurance systems for artists
Law & Crime

Korean woman dies after tram hits her in Milan

A Korean woman has died after a tram struck her in the Italian city of Milan. GettyimagesbankBy Jung Min-hoA Korean woman in her early 20s has died after a tram hit her in Milan.According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wednesday, the victim, who was visiting the city with two Korean friends, was struck near Porta Venezia in the northeast of the city center about midnight Monday (local time).She was about to start her first year at college in Britain.The Korean Consulate General in Milan said it has told her family in Korea of the accident.A local media outlet reported Tuesday that the incident occurred when the tram was rounding a curve. Police are investigating.The friends and the tram driver were taken to a nearby hospital suffering shock.

Feb 12, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Korean woman dies after tram hits her in Milan
Health

Three Koreans in China infected with coronavirus

A woman wearing a face mask walks on the Qianmen pedestrian street in Beijing, Feb. 10. ReutersBy Jung Min-hoThree Korean citizens in mainland China were confirmed to have been infected with the new coronavirus, the Korean government said Monday.Kim Gang-lip, deputy head of the central disaster headquarters, told reporters that three members of a family staying in Qingdao, in the country's eastern province of Shandong, have tested positive for the virus, which has killed 904 people and infected nearly 41,000 in 29 countries over the past few weeks.“The World Health Organization and the Chinese government notified on Sunday that they were confirmed to be infected,” Kim said.The three ― a father and his two children ― are “in a stable condition” and have been treated at a local hospital, he said. The man is the spouse of a Chinese woman who was confirmed to have been infected with the virus on Jan. 31.The government has no plan to bring the patients back to Korea. “As we are responsible for foreigners infected with the virus here, it is the Chinese governm

Feb 10, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Three Koreans in China infected with coronavirus
Health

Over 350,000 sign petition calling for WHO chief's resignation

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a news conference on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 6. ReutersBy Jung Min-hoMore than 350,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the resignation of World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus over his “improper” handling of the coronavirus outbreak.The petition was initiated by a person using the ID “Osuka Yip” on Jan. 31. The petitioner blamed Ghebreyesus' leadership for the rapid spread of the virus, which has killed more than 900 people and infected nearly 41,000 in 29 countries in the past few weeks.How and when the virus infected the first person, possibly spreading from an animal, in the Chinese city of Wuhan is still unclear. But when the threat was brought to the attention of China's authorities in December and then the world, Ghebreyesus remained hesitant to declare a global health emergency ― until Jan. 31.“We strongly think Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is not fit for his role as WHO Director-General. W

Feb 10, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Over 350,000 sign petition calling for WHO chief's resignation
Foreign Affairs

China can bring coronavirus under control 'in 10 days,' Chinese envoy says

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming speaks to reporters at the government complex in Seoul, Thursday, before meeting top foreign ministry officials over issues about the deadly new coronavirus. Korea Times photo by Cho Young-binBy Jung Min-hoChinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming claims the Chinese government can bring the deadly new coronavirus under control in 10 days.Citing “the best scientists responding to the virus in China,” Xing told reporters Thursday that the situation will improve “in seven to 10 days,” before meeting high-ranking foreign ministry officials at the government complex in Seoul, according to the Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times.“We (China) can overcome this,” Xing said in Korean. “Trust us.”Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming speaks to reporters on arrival at Incheon International Airport, Jan. 30. YonhapHis comments come as the Korean government is under increasing pressure to deny entry to all people coming from China to better prevent the spread of the virus, whi

Feb 6, 2020By Jung Min-ho
China can bring coronavirus under control 'in 10 days,' Chinese envoy says
  • 'Korea should brace for more coronavirus infection cases'
  • Chinese emperor's arrogant messenger?
Health

Korean-Australian student told to leave Sydney boarding school over virus fears

By Jung Min-hoRavenswood School for Girls on Sydney's upper north shore. / YonhapA Korean-Australian student has been asked to leave her boarding school in suburban Sydney amid fears of the new coronavirus from China.The Sydney Morning Herald, a local daily, reported Wednesday that the 10th grade student, surnamed Kim, from Korea, was forced to leave her dormitory at Ravenswood School for Girls ― even though she had not been to China since visiting Shanghai in October.The outbreak of the deadly virus began a month ago in the Chinese city of Wuhan.Kim, who had been medically cleared and allowed into her dormitory last week, was told to leave hours later after the school decided to require students who have recently traveled to “other affected areas” to stay home for 14 days.Infection cases had been confirmed in Korea and Australia by then.Her father told the newspaper that he believes Ravenswood was “massively overreacting.”“Despite (my) protest that she did not visit China (since the outbreak) and did not have contact with any visitors from China and no

Feb 6, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Korean-Australian student told to leave Sydney boarding school over virus fears
Health

Coronavirus: Expert urges gov't to close border with China immediately

An Imperial guard wearing a face mask stands outside Gyeongbok Palace, the main royal palace during the Joseon Dynasty, in Seoul, Monday, Feb. 3, 2020. A viral outbreak that began in China has infected more than 20,000 people globally. Korea has 16 cases. APBy Jung Min-hoHakim DjaballahAn infectious disease specialist is urging the government to deny entry to all people coming from China immediately to better prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus from Wuhan, saying, without drastic measures, the world is on track for a pandemic. "I urge the Korean authorities to close the border with China, and quarantine any passengers arriving in the country, by air or sea, for at least three weeks, and those who've been in China during the past two months," Hakim Djaballah, former CEO of Institute Pasteur Korea, told The Korea Times. "The Moon Jae-in administration is in a very tough spot between neighborly diplomacy and doing the right thing for the country. "Thus far, we have seen the first death and the first human-to-human viral transmissions outside China. I fear that we

Feb 4, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Coronavirus: Expert urges gov't to close border with China immediately
  • Coronavirus disrupts 65% of Korean airlines' China routes
  • Chinese envoy: Korea should listen to WHO in fight against coronavirus
  • Hong Kong reports first coronavirus death
  • US defends ban on Chinese travelers, more evacuations planned
  • Passengers from China undergo strict quarantine screening
  • Incheon International Airport runs separate gates for Chinese visitors
  • Card firms help prevent coronavirus spread
  • Chinese envoy calls for mutual cooperation on coronavirus
  • Coronavirus: 'It may be too late to close border with China'
Health

Can dogs and cats be infected with new virus? WHO says no

A dog wears a mask at Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port in Gyeonggi Province, Jan. 23. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoAs fears of the new coronavirus continue to spread in Korea, more people have started wearing face masks. Some people even make sure that their dogs and cats are also covered. But can they be infected with the virus and possibly pass it to their owners?According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the answer is no ― at least for now.“At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus,” the WHO said in a statement. “However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.”But Li Lanjuan, a renowned Chinese epidemiologist and a specialist on China's National Health Commission, said the possibility should not be ruled out.Lanjuan told China Central Television, according to a China Daily translation: “If pets go out and have contac

Feb 3, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Can dogs and cats be infected with new virus? WHO says no
  • Coronavirus: Hong Kong dog believed to be first case of human-to-animal transmission
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