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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

Parties united in criticizing Japan's economic revenge

Hwang Kyo-ahn, chairman of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, speaks to reporters at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. The party's floor leader Na Kyung-won is next to him. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoThe leader of the main opposition party has joined the governing party in condemning Japan for its “unacceptable economic revenge,” demanding Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stop it.Hwang Kyo-ahn, chairman of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) ― a party that generally views Japan more favorably than the ruling Democratic Party of Korea ― criticized the Japanese government Monday for its decision to restrict the export of some key tech materials to Korea.“I want to make it clear that Japan's economic revenge is unacceptable and wrong,” Hwang told reporters at the National Assembly in Seoul. “We condemn Japan for it and demand (Abe) stop it immediately.”The statement comes about two weeks after the Japanese government said it would restrict the export of some critical tech materials, including fluorinated polyimides ― which are used in organic

Jul 16, 2019By Jung Min-ho
Parties united in criticizing Japan's economic revenge
  • Trade war approaching critical point
Books

When justice meets reality

Hwang Ju-myung, chairman of HMP Law and former judge, releases autobiographyBy Jung Min-hoHwang Ju-myung, the author of the e-book "Humans as Humans" / Courtesy of HMP LawWe all want justice ― but what kind? Courts are always crowded with people seeking justice. But far too often, judges disappoint them.That's because, according to former judge Hwang Ju-myung, we all define justice differently and few people are willing to admit that.A court is not a place where justice prevails, and delivering it is not a job of judges or justices ― even though their job titles falsely imply it; rather, Hwang says, their main task is to resolve conflicts when there is a clash of ideas about the abstract, undefinable concept.“In our society, many people still think that judges are there to deliver one true justice. This is why their rulings, in many cases, become the starting point of a new conflict,” he wrote in his autobiography (e-book), “Humans as Humans.”“Instead of saying 'I disagree with the ruling, but I respect that,' many people say 'the ruling is wrong.' So, t

Jul 16, 2019By Jung Min-ho
When justice meets reality
Foreign Affairs

67% of Koreans willing to boycott Japanese goods over Tokyo's export control: survey

Korean students stage a rally near the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Wednesday, to denounce the Japanese government's recent decision to restrict the export of some key industrial materials to Korea. APBy Jung Min-hoNearly 67 percent of Koreans say they are willing to boycott Japanese products after Tokyo's recent decision to restrict the export of some key industrial materials to Korea.According to a survey by local pollster Realmeter Thursday, 66.8 percent of Koreans said they would join the boycott, while 26.8 percent said they would not.The survey was conducted Wednesday, nine days after the Japanese government said it would restrict the export of some critical tech materials, including fluorinated polyimides, which are used in organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens for TVs and smartphones ― in apparent revenge for last year's Supreme Court rulings against Japanese firms over wartime forced labor.More than 83 percent of the governing Democratic Party of Korea said they would join the boycott, followed by the minor liberal Justice Party supporters (76.8 percent) and the main opp

Jul 11, 2019By Jung Min-ho
67% of Koreans willing to boycott Japanese goods over Tokyo's export control: survey
  • Koreans' view of Japan falls to record low: poll
  • Moon to Abe: 'Korea will overcome export restrictions with united power'
  • YouTubers troubled in wake of Japan boycott campaigns
Entertainment

K-comedian extends stand-up comedy show to other major cities

In her 2016 YouTube video, Park Na-rae reads The Korea Times. In a recent interview, she said her dream is to create a “K-comedy boom” in Asia and beyond. Screengrab of YouTubeBy Jung Min-hoAfter her successful debut in Seoul as a stand-up comedian, Park Na-rae, 33, will perform in other major cities next month.Park, one of the most sought-after stars in Korea, will bring the sex-comedy show “Glamour Warning” to Daegu (July 20), Seongnam (July 21) and Jeonju (July 28), following sold-out shows at the Blue Square I'Market Hall in Seoul last month.Netflix, the international media-service provider collaborating with her for the work, said the recorded version of the show will soon be available for users.It is a meaningful step forward for Park, who said her dream is to create a “K-comedy boom” in other countries, during a recent interview with The Korea Times.“We have so much funny comedy material with so many talented comedians in the country,” she said. “I hope more people pay attention to K-comedy.” Since her debut as a KBS

Jul 11, 2019By Jung Min-ho
K-comedian extends stand-up comedy show to other major cities
Society

US actress to join Seoul protest against dog meat trade

Animal rights groups said Hollywood actress Kim Basinger will join a demonstration planned for Friday near the National Assembly in Seoul. Korea Times fileBy Jung Min-hoKim Basinger / ReutersAmerican actress Kim Basinger will join a protest in Seoul against the dog meat trade this week.According to the Animal Liberation Wave, the animal rights group organizing the rally, the Hollywood star will take part in the demonstration planned for Friday, this year's "chobok," a day some Koreans eat hot bowls of stamina-boosting soups, near the National Assembly in Yeouido.The group said participants will demand lawmakers pass a bill that would ban the killing of dogs and cats, except in cases of urgency such as control of communicable diseases.The bill, which was proposed by Rep. Pyo Chang-won of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea last June, has been sitting in Congress for more than a year.“How many more (animals) have to die before the National Assembly ends the brutality? We strongly condemn its inaction,” the group said in a statement.According to a survey by local pollster R

Jul 10, 2019By Jung Min-ho
US actress to join Seoul protest against dog meat trade
Politics

Trump's North Korea policy shakes up South Korea's ideological politics

A member of the Korean Veterans Association holds a card showing images of U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in during a rally to welcome Trump's visit to Seoul on June 30. Trump's drastic North Korea policy shift over the past two years has confused conservatives and liberals in South Korea because it challenges their traditional ideological lines. APBy Jung Min-hoIt used to be simple: conservatives in South Korea view the United States far more favorably than liberals, especially when it comes to its unwavering North Korea policy. No longer.U.S. President Donald Trump's drastic North Korea policy shift ― from “fire and fury” to warm handshakes with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in less than two years ― has confused conservatives and the liberals alike because it challenges their traditional ideological lines.Some liberal opinion leaders, including best-selling author and former health minister Rhyu Si-min, who were once critical of Trump, now praise his “peace efforts” in dealing with North Korea ― a major fault line in South

Jul 9, 2019By Jung Min-ho
Trump's North Korea policy shakes up South Korea's ideological politics
  • 'Stop provoking ally': Korea's conservatives slam Trump
Books

INTERVIEW Ready to move on? How to leave your job wisely

Seo Eu-ra (Seo Merry), the author of the book "Working for a Company Is Just Not for Me" / Courtesy of Seo Eu-raBy Jung Min-hoThe cover of the book "Working for a Company Is Just Not for Me" by Seo Eu-raA good job isn't good for everyone. Seo Eu-ra learned this the hard way after working for more than five years at a major law firm in Seoul.“There are some things you just know,” Seo, 30, said in a recent interview. “It was not about the company or the benefits it offered, because I knew I would not want to commit myself to any company. Just like a peach allergy, some people just can't take it, but it is hard to explain why.”But Seo, a freelance translator and author of the book, “Working for a Company Is Just Not for Me,” did not leave without preparation. Here are the things she is now glad that she did ― and didn't do ― before quitting her job.Know your skills for the next jobSome people quit their jobs to pursue their dreams. This wasn't the case for me. I just figured that I was the type of person who would never be happy working at a company.

Jul 8, 2019By Jung Min-ho
[INTERVIEW] Ready to move on? How to leave your job wisely
Law & Crime

Clear face photo of Jeju murder suspect revealed

A screen grab from JTBCBy Jung Min-hoA new photo of Koh Yu-jeong, who has admitted murdering her ex-husband on Jeju Island in May, has been revealed through a TV show preview.JTBC's “Spotlight” posted a video clip containing a clear image of the suspect, 36, on YouTube, Tuesday, to promote its Wednesday episode.Koh, who was arrested last month on charges of killing her ex-husband Kang, 36, has refused to comply with a police decision to show her face to the media. Under the law, police cannot enforce it, so journalists only have had access to blurry images of her face.According to police, Koh mixed a sleeping drug into her husband's curry rice before killing him with a knife at a pension in a remote town on Jeju, May 25. She then dismembered his body before discarding the parts into the sea and at other places, police said.

Jul 3, 2019By Jung Min-ho
Clear face photo of Jeju murder suspect revealed
  • More than 200,000 people demand death penalty for Jeju murder suspect
Politics

Democratic socialism spreads to South Korean politics

Yang Kyung-kyu faces Rep. Sim Sang-jeung during a TV debate Monday for the leadership of the Justice Party. Yang is the first South Korean politician to declare himself a "democratic socialist." YonhapBy Jung Min-hoFour years after Bernie Sanders made his case for “democratic socialism” in U.S. politics, a South Korean politician has declared himself a “democratic socialist.”Yang Kyung-kyu, 59, who is competing against Rep. Sim Sang-jeung for leadership of the minor opposition Justice Party, has vowed to fight for ordinary people and resolve social inequality issues and injustices.During TV debates on Monday and early Wednesday morning, Yang, former vice chief of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the second-largest umbrella labor group in the nation, said the party failed to bring fundamental changes to the lives of ordinary people with “the same old messages.”“It is important how we identify ourselves as a party,” he said during Monday's debate. “I use the term of democratic socialism to clearly show voters what we try to

Jul 3, 2019By Jung Min-ho
Democratic socialism spreads to South Korean politics
K-pop

Former SM visual director joins Big Hit Entertainment

By Jung Min-hoMin Hee-jin. / Courtesy of Big Hit EntertainmentThe woman behind the success of Girls' Generation and SHINee has joined the agency of the global K-pop sensation BTS as chief brand officer, Big Hit Entertainment announced Monday.Big Hit Entertainment said Min Hee-jin, a former SM Entertainment visual director, will be in charge of brand management as the company pushes for structural reform and overseas expansion.The agency said she will also lead a project to launch a girl group.Min, who joined SM Entertainment in 2002, played a major role in creating the brand images of some of its most successful K-pop groups, including Girls' Generation, Red Velvet, f(x) and SHINee. She left the company last year for unknown reasons.“I'm glad to have an opportunity to continue my career as a creator at Big Hit Entertainment. I also feel some pressure (for success),” Min said in a statement. “After talking about the Big Hit Entertainment's future with officials, I could feel their will to change and vision for growth.”CEO Bang Si-hyuk welcomed her, saying &ldqu

Jul 1, 2019By Jung Min-ho
Former SM visual director joins Big Hit Entertainment
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