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

Tougher drunk-driving law set to come into force

No soju before driving, not even a sip. GETTYIMAGESBANKBy Jung Min-hoDrinking just one glass of soju before driving could soon land you in legal trouble.A tougher law against drunk driving will come into force on June 25, the National Police Agency said Tuesday.Under the law, drivers whose blood-alcohol concentration is 0.03 percent or higher could end up behind bars ― a stricter standard than the current 0.05 percent.Drivers whose blood-alcohol concentration is between 0.03 and 0.08 percent could face up to a year in prison or a maximum fine of 5 million won ($4,400). Those whose blood-alcohol level is between 0.08 and 0.2 percent could receive a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine of up to 10 million won. Anyone with a higher reading could face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won.If a person refuses to comply with a police request for a blood-alcohol test, he or she could face up to five years in prison or a maximum fine of 20 million won.According to police, the number of drunk-driving cases between January and March this year was 27,376, down 27.

Apr 23, 2019By Jung Min-ho
Tougher drunk-driving law set to come into force
World

Sri Lanka blames radical Islamic group for Easter terror attacks

A Sri Lankan soldier stands guard near a car explosion after police tried to defuse a bomb close to St. Anthony's Shrine in Colombo on April 22, a day after a series of bomb blasts targeting churches and luxury hotels. AFPRelatives place flowers after the burial of three people from the same family who died in the Easter Sunday bomb blast at St. Sebastian Church in Negombo, Sri Lanka, April 22. APBy Jung Min-hoThe Sri Lankan government has blamed a homegrown Islamist group for the terrorist attacks that killed at least 290 people in churches and hotels on Easter Sunday.Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and other senior officials confirmed Monday (local time) that National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), a little-known extremist Islamist group, carried out the bombings with help from international militants.“We do not believe these attacks were carried out by a group of people who were confined to this country," Senaratne said during a press briefing in the capital city of Colombo. “There was an international network without which these attacks could not have succeeded.”Pr

Apr 23, 2019By Jung Min-ho
Sri Lanka blames radical Islamic group for Easter terror attacks
  • President Moon condemns Easter terror attacks in Sri Lanka
  • As Sri Lanka mourns, Islamic State claims Easter bombings
Foreign Affairs

President Moon condemns Easter terror attacks in Sri Lanka

Blood stains the wall and a Jesus Christ statue at St. Sebastian's Church, after terrorist attacks in Negombo, north of Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 21. APSt. Sebastian's Church, after bomb blasts ripped through churches and hotels in Negambo, Sri Lanka, April 22. ReutersShoes and belongings of victims at St Sebastian's Church. AFPBy Jung Min-hoPresident Moon Jae-in.President Moon Jae-in has condemned the horrific terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, which killed more than 290 people and injured hundreds more on Easter Sunday.“I can't believe the tragedy that occurred on Easter Sunday,” Moon wrote on Facebook Monday (KST). “They delivered the terror attacks against innocent people, including those who were attending mass at cathedrals.”“It was a hostile act that threatens peace, an act that all of us should work together to stop. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the victims, their families and the people in Sri Lanka. We will help Sri Lanka President (Maithripala) Sirisena handle the situation.”At least 290 people were killed and 500 injur

Apr 22, 2019By Jung Min-ho
President Moon condemns Easter terror attacks in Sri Lanka
  • Sri Lanka blames radical Islamic group for Easter terror attacks
Foreign Affairs

Three Korean men arrested for running online gambling website

The men allegedly opened the website last November by using a server based outside the country. GETTYIMAGESBANKBy Jung Min-hoThree Korean men have been arrested in Vietnam for allegedly running an illegal gambling website, according to local media.Local police arrested the men ― surnamed Kim, 46, An, 41, and Kim, 24 ― at their home in Vung Tau, the capital of Ria-Vung Tau Province in southern Vietnam, Friday (local time), on charges of operating an illegal gambling website for more than five months.They entered Vietnam on tourist visas and allegedly opened the website last November by using a server based outside the country. Police said transactions on the site totaled more than VND170 billion ($7.3 million).Investigators seized 39 desktop and laptop computers, 20 mobile phones, nine bank cards and devices for online payments.

Apr 22, 2019By Jung Min-ho
Three Korean men arrested for running online gambling website
Entertainment

New York real estate firm fires worker over racist tweet against BTS

A real estate agent's racist tweet against BTS cost him his job in New York City. Korea Times photo by Hong In-kiBy Jung Min-hoHighline Residential, a New York City real estate agency, has fired an employee over his racist comments against K-pop group BTS.After BTS appeared on the popular American TV show Saturday Night Live on Saturday (local time), real estate agent Brian Hughes attacked the singers on Twitter, saying they ― all in their early-to-mid 20s ― “look like kids.”“Are Asian women even attracted to their own men?” he said.His remarks sparked criticism from people in many Asian communities and the BTS fan club, known as the ARMY. Many fans complained about his tweets to Highline Residential.The company then fired him and issued an apology.“We want to apologize to everyone for the inappropriate tweet sent by Brian Hughes. His comment does not at all reflect Highline's values,” the company wrote on Twitter.“We are proud to represent a diverse workforce and clientele. Our relationship with Brian has been terminated.”

Apr 18, 2019By Jung Min-ho
New York real estate firm fires worker over racist tweet against BTS
Travel & Food

Korea issues travel ban for Myanmar's Rakhine state

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued new travel restrictions on Myanmar. Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign AffairsBy Jung Min-hoThe Korean government has issued the highest-level travel restriction to ban its citizens from visiting the western region of Myanmar.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday that it issued a black warning to Koreans who are staying in or planning to travel to the northern area of Rakhine State that borders Bangladesh.It also issued a yellow warning (the third-highest alert of its four-tier travel warning system) against traveling to much of Kachin and Shan states in the north.The ministry said it made the decision following growing armed conflicts in the country.The new restrictions are expected to hamper Myanmar's effort to attract visitors from Korea. Last October, Myanmar started granting visa-free entry to Korean tourists.“We will keep a watchful eye on Myanmar's political and security situations in order to check whether further travel restrictions are necessary,” the ministry said.

Apr 18, 2019By Jung Min-ho
Korea issues travel ban for Myanmar's Rakhine state
Society

Gov't pushes to eliminate non-recyclable plastic waste

Some plastics are easier to recycle than others. GETTYIMAGESBANKBy Jung Min-hoThe government will offer incentives to companies that make it convenient for consumers to recycle their plastic containers in an effort to reduce non-recyclable plastic waste.The Ministry of Environment said Tuesday that it had revised enforcement regulations to offer tax incentives to plastic product manufacturers that make recycling easier.The ministry will classify nine types of plastic packaging products into four grades ― the best, good, fair and bad ― and companies in the top category will receive benefits, which will be determined soon.According to the ministry, two things are critical for recycling: color and “detachability.” Clear plastics are always preferred than those with colors and consumers should be able to detach them from other materials easily.These criteria will determine the grades of plastic products and people will be able to check the grade marks.The new system is expected to help environmentally conscious consumers' choices.The ministry said it will also try, hopefully

Apr 16, 2019By Jung Min-ho
Gov't pushes to eliminate non-recyclable plastic waste
Travel & Food

Armed taxi driver threatens Korean tourist on Bali

Taxis and Motorbikes on a street in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. The cars in the photo are unrelated to the story. GETTYIMAGESBANKBy Jung Min-hoAn armed taxi driver threatened a Korean tourist on the Indonesian island of Bali, the Korean Embassy in Jakarta said Monday.According to the embassy, the woman, who took a taxi in Seminyak, the southern part of Bali, around 2 p.m. Sunday (local time), complained to the driver after realizing the taximeter had gone up too quickly.During an argument, the driver threatened to stab her.The embassy later found that the blue taxi did not belong to Blue Bird, the country's largest taxi company that has the best reputation.The woman did not file a complaint with police because of her busy schedule.The embassy said it informed local tourism authorities of the incident and advised Koreans to use taxies from reliable companies.

Apr 16, 2019By Jung Min-ho
Armed taxi driver threatens Korean tourist on Bali
Travel & Food

Korean woman wins 2019 World Barista Championship

Jeon Joo-yeon, third from left, smiles after winning the 2019 World Barista Championship at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in the United States, Sunday (local time). Courtesy of Momos CoffeeBy Jung Min-hoJeon Joo-yeon has become the first Korean to win the World Barista Championship (WBC).According to Momos Coffee, a cafe in Busan, Monday, Jeon, 31, became the only the second female barista to earn the title after Agnieszka Rojewsk of Poland, the 2018 winner, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in the United States.“I'm so happy right now,” the Global Coffee Report quoted Jeon as saying. “I hope to share my love and passion for specialty coffee with my country.”Michalis Dimitrakopoulos of Greece was second, followed by Canada's Cole Torode.Meanwhile, China's Jia Ning Du won the 2019 World Brewers Cup, followed by Patrik Rolf of Sweden and Italy's Alessandro Galtieri.

Apr 15, 2019By Jung Min-ho
Korean woman wins 2019 World Barista Championship
Sports

Two Koreas promote peace through taekwondo at UN Geneva

Athletes from the World Taekwondo and the International Taekwondo Federation celebrate their successful joint performance at the United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland, Friday (local time). Courtesy of World TaekwondoU.N. Geneva Director-General Michael Moller, center, with World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won, right, and International Taekwondo Federation President Ri Yong-son at the United Nations office in Geneva, Friday (local time). Courtesy of World TaeBy Jung Min-hoSouth and North Korean athletes promoted peace through taekwondo at the United Nations (UN) office in Geneva, Friday (local time), as they wrapped up an eight-day tour in Europe to mark the 25th anniversary of the martial art becoming an Olympic sport.Demonstration teams from the World Taekwondo (WT), led by South Korean Choue Chung-won, and the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), under the leadership of Ri Yong-son, showcased performed in front of 150 people, including UN Geneva Director-General Michael Moller.“(It) is a testament to the power of sport in bringing peace and reconciliatio

Apr 15, 2019By Jung Min-ho
Two Koreas promote peace through taekwondo at UN Geneva
previous page
153154155156157
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.