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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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Sports

Korean athletes, fans in mourning over Kobe Bryant's death

Basketball players from Wonju DB Promy pay silent tribute to Kobe Bryant before their game against the Seoul Samsung Thunders at Wonju Gymnasium in Gangwon Province, Monday. YonhapThe Seoul Samsung Thunders' guard Chun Ki-bum wears shoes with condolence messages during a game against the Wonju DB Promy at Wonju Gymnasium in Gangwon Province, Monday. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoKorean athletes, sports fans and celebrities have paid tribute to Kobe Bryant after his death in a helicopter crash.Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star and five-time NBA champion, and his daughter Gianna, 13, were among nine people killed Sunday (local time) when a helicopter crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California. He was 41.The Korean Basketball League reacted with an outpouring of grief and disbelief. The Anyang KGC and the Seoul SK Knights started their game that day with intentional 24- and eight-second clock violations in honor of Bryant's two jersey numbers. Bryant wore the numbers during his decorated 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.Some players, including the KGC's Brandon Brown and SK Knights'

Jan 28, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Korean athletes, fans in mourning over Kobe Bryant's death
Foreign Affairs

Harris disliked by liberals and conservatives alike

A protester damages a photo of U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harri Harris during a rally near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on Dec. 13, 2019. Korea Times fileBy Jung Min-hoU.S. Ambassador Harry Harris is gaining the status of persona non grata among the Korean public, if not yet officially designated as such by the Korean government. His words and acts that defy diplomatic protocols dismay and make Koreans feel humiliated. Conservatives and progressives agree on this assessment, which is rather unusual in the extremely polarized nation.Since he took up the post in July 2018, Harris, a former admiral who was born in Japan to a Japanese mother and a U.S. Navy officer, has been under fire by even many conservatives, who in general view the United States and its representatives far more favorably.The latest controversy came after he told foreign correspondents here on Jan. 17 that South Korea should consult the United States about its plans to resume individual tours to Mount Geumgang in North Korea if the South wants to avoid misunderstandings that could trigger sanctions.His remark has dr

Jan 21, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Harris disliked by liberals and conservatives alike
  • Give it a shave, Mr. Ambassador
  • US ambassador to South Korea is discussing plans to resign: Reuters
Society

Jeju to introduce reservation system for Mount Halla hikers

Mt. Halla is covered with snow on Jeju Island, Jan. 15. Yonhap From next month, hikers wanting to climb to the top of Mount Halla, South Korea's highest mountain on Jeju Island, will be required to book a visit in advance, the provincial government said Saturday. The Jeju government said it plans to run a pilot reservation system for hikers and tourists hoping to reach the 1,950-meter-high Baekrokdam, a crater lake on Halla, from February to December this year to better protect its ecology and prevent environmental pollution.There are currently five major climbing courses on Mount Halla ― Seongpanak, Gwaneumsa, Eorimok, Yeongsil and Donnaeko trails.Of them, Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa, the only two trails leading directly to Baekrokdam, will be affected by the reservation system, the provincial government said.Under the new policy, only 1,000 visitors a day will be permitted to access Seongpanak, the longest and gentlest trail that takes three to four hours one way; an

Jan 18, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Jeju to introduce reservation system for Mount Halla hikers
Entertainment

Text message scandal: Handsome stars' dirty little secrets?

Joo Jin-mo / Korea Times fileJoo Jin-mo neither admits nor denies making lewd comments about womenBy Jung Min-hoWhen actor Joo Jin-mo's agency revealed earlier this month that the star's mobile phone had been hacked and he was blackmailed, many fans were worried.But their sympathy quickly turned to anger when the hackers revealed Joo's text messages with another handsome star and his best friend, Jang Dong-gun.The messages show two men sharing pictures of young women and making lewd comments about them. In a statement Thursday, Joo, 45, fiercely denied taking their photos illegally, but was silent on whether he made the remarks.“I never took photos of any women illegally, nor did I distribute such photos to anyone,” Joo said. “I will take this as an opportunity to reflect on my life and will try to become a better person.”He said the hackers started blackmailing him two months ago.“After I ignored their requests, they sent me the photos of my passport, resident registration certificate, driver's license, wife and other family members to push me harder,&r

Jan 16, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Text message scandal: Handsome stars' dirty little secrets?
  • Suspects detained in celebrity phone hacking case
Law & Crime

Police officer fined for sexual harassment on street

The ruling has also put him at risk of losing his job. Korea Times fileBy Jung Min-hoA police officer has been fined for sexually harassing a woman while intoxicated.The Seoul Western District Court ruled Wednesday that the police officer, 31, surnamed Ahn, must pay a fine of 5 million won ($4,300) for touching the stranger against her will on a Seoul street on Aug. 3.The ruling has also put him at risk of losing his job. In 2018, the National Public Service Law was strengthened against sexual offenses: public servants fined of 1 million won or more for sexual crimes are subject to losing their status.At a hearing last month, the prosecution requested the court sentence the officer to a year in prison.

Jan 16, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Police officer fined for sexual harassment on street
Politics

Presidential spokeswoman to quit for April election

Presidential spokeswoman Ko Min-jung smiles after finishing her last press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Wednesday. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoCheong Wa Dae spokeswoman Ko Min-jung has tendered her resignation to run in the parliamentary general election slated for April 15.“I have spoken for President Moon Jae-in over the past three years,” Ko, 40, said at the presidential office in Seoul Wednesday. “With my political beliefs, now I want to speak for the people.” Cheong Wa Dae is reportedly “in the final stage” of selecting her successor.Goyang and Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi Province are among the constituencies she is considering.Two other Cheong Wa Dae officials ― Chunchugwan press center director Yoo Song-hwa and Kwon Hyang-yup, secretary for balanced personnel affairs ― and Ko's two predecessors ― Park Soo-hyun and Kim Eui-kyeom ― also plan to run.

Jan 15, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Presidential spokeswoman to quit for April election
Law & Crime

Sex, lies and video threats: Beware of 'sextortion'

This could be the beginning of a long nightmare. GettyimagesbankBy Jung Min-hoIt was supposed to be just a short, fun game ― until it turned into a never-ending nightmare.A nice-looking woman online persuaded a man to take off his clothes and perform sexual acts in front of the webcam. So he did, only to realize in a few seconds that he had made a huge mistake.The woman then threatened to share the footage with his family and friends unless he sent her money. After he ignored her request, she sent the video to 20 of his friends through KakaoTalk, a mobile messenger.This is one of many stories shared on the online group “Victims of Body Cam Phishing.”Body cam phishing, or “sextortion,” is a form of blackmail in which criminals using fake identities trick people into performing sexual acts online and then threaten to release the videos or photos unless the victims pay.According to the National Police Agency, there has been an increase in these crimes over the past few years. In 2018, 1,406 cases were reported, up from 1,193 in 2016. Police believe the real numbe

Jan 15, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Sex, lies and video threats: Beware of 'sextortion'
North Korea

Cambodia shuts down North Korean businesses to comply with UN sanctions

A North Korean restaurant at Siem Reap in Cambodia in December 2018. Cambodia's government said it has shut down all businesses run by North Koreans in the country. Korea Times fileBy Jung Min-hoThe Cambodian government has shut down all businesses operated by North Koreans in the country to comply with United Nations sanctions.The Khmer Times, a newspaper based in Phnom Penh, reported Wednesday that authorities closed four restaurants in the capital and two in Siem Reap.The government also closed Angkor Panorama Museum near the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap. The museum, built and paid for by North Korea as a sign of friendship between the two states, was run by North Koreans since opening in 2015.On Dec. 22, 2017, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) issued sanctions that require member states to repatriate North Korean nationals earning income abroad within 24 months over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.To comply with the sanctions, Cambodia's Tourism Ministry spokesman Top Sopheak said all North Korean restaurants were closed by Dec. 22, 2019.“The ministry ha

Jan 9, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Cambodia shuts down North Korean businesses to comply with UN sanctions
Health

Chinese woman quarantined as suspected case of mystery pneumonia

An ambulance is parked at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. A woman is being held in isolation there. YonhapPeople go through temperature screening at the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port, Wednesday. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoA Chinese woman who recently visited the Chinese city of Wuhan has been isolated in Korea as a suspected case of a mysterious viral pneumonia that has infected dozens of people in central China and put the rest of the world on alert.According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Wednesday, the woman, 36, who visited Wuhan between Dec. 13 and 17, has been isolated at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital in Seongnam after showing symptoms of the illness.The woman entered Korea on Dec. 17 and has been here since, except for four days for a business trip to Xiamen in China (Dec. 26-30).So far, 59 cases have been reported in Wuhan. On Sunday, the city's health commission said all patients have been treated in isolation and seven are in critical condition.The cause has not yet been identified. The Wor

Jan 9, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Chinese woman quarantined as suspected case of mystery pneumonia
  • China believes new virus behind mystery pneumonia outbreak
Society

Jeju authorities under fire over 'irresponsible' balloon-flying event

People fly balloons to celebrate the New Year on Jeju Island on Jan. 1. Courtesy of Korean Animal Rights AdvocatesBy Jung Min-hoEnvironmental and animal rights activists have criticized Jeju authorities over a balloon-flying event, which they say is environmentally damaging and dangerous for wildlife.“Balloon-flying events threaten the lives of animals, including birds and marine life,” the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement (KFEM) said in a statement Monday. “After the events, balloons do not just disappear; they remain as plastic waste.”The criticism comes after organizers on the island released hundreds of balloons to celebrate the New Year.“Where do you think the waste from the event will go? I wonder whether you thought about repercussions,” a petitioner, surnamed Lee, wrote on the Jeju Provincial Government's website on Jan. 2. “Jeju is a beautiful island that should be protected. Protect Jeju and its animals.”According to experts, balloons over land or in the sea can be mistaken for food and eaten by animals. Sea turtle

Jan 7, 2020By Jung Min-ho
Jeju authorities under fire over 'irresponsible' balloon-flying event
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