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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

Municipal partnerships accelerate Korea-China thaw

Korean and Chinese municipalities have begun renewing ties, marking a notable turnaround in bilateral relations. Spurred on by a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Gyeongju, regional leaders in both countries are now moving to restore cooperation after years of stagnation stemming from the 2016 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) dispute, which erupted after Korea deployed the U.S. missile defense system that China strongly opposed as a threat to its national security. A clear sign of this thaw in local diplomacy can be seen in Hwaseong, which sent a city delegation to China from Nov. 6 to 8 in order to strengthen local government networking. During the visit, the delegates met with Sun Daoxun, the district chief of Wujiang in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, along with other key officials. Crucially, it was the first dialogue between the cities in a decade, signaling a commitment to revive regular exchanges and develop new models of cooperation in the economy, culture, and

Nov 19, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Municipal partnerships accelerate Korea-China thaw
Society

Major innovation plan unveiled for Namdaemun Market

The Seoul metropolitan government unveiled an ambitious plan Monday to rejuvenate Namdaemun Market, the country’s oldest and largest traditional marketplace, aiming to blend modernization with the site’s historic character. The project aims to blend six centuries of heritage with contemporary urban energy, transforming Namdaemun not just into a commercial hub but also a vibrant cultural and tourist destination for the next century, city officials said. Home to nearly 20,000 wholesalers and retailers, Namdaemun Market dates back to 1414, when it was founded as a small marketplace during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Over the centuries, it has grown into a central fixture of Seoul’s commercial and cultural life. “Despite being one of Korea’s most famous markets, Namdaemun Market has recently faced a crisis of declining competitiveness due largely to rapidly changing distribution and consumption trends, as well as a lack of modern facilities and public space — making it clear that innovative solutions are needed,” a city official said. “Many of world-famous traditional ma

Nov 17, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Major innovation plan unveiled for Namdaemun Market
Korean Heritage

UNESCO warns historic Seoul shrine could end up on endangered heritage list

UNESCO has issued a caution regarding a development plan near a royal ancestral site in Seoul that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, saying Jongmyo Shrine could end up on the List of World Heritage in Danger if the project is deemed to have significantly undermined its value. Following a recent Supreme Court verdict approving the city government’s decision to lift the height limit in Sewoon District 4 ― about 180 meters from the shrine ― UNESCO said it has begun formal monitoring and has requested detailed information from the Korean authorities. “UNESCO has formally requested information from the Korean authorities on this matter, for review by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies of the World Heritage Committee (the governing body of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention consisting of 21 elected States Parties) and also for possible examination of the state of conservation of the property at the upcoming World Heritage Committee session in July 2026,” a UNESCO spokesperson said in a statement sent to The Korea Times recently. UNESCO said any future pro

Nov 16, 2025By Jung Min-ho
UNESCO warns historic Seoul shrine could end up on endangered heritage list
  • What Supreme Court's heritage ruling means for Seoul, Korea’s cultural legacy
Global Community

Seoul city gov't launches agency to attract corporate investments

In an ambitious bid to establish the Korean capital as a leading investment destination, the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday launched Invest Seoul, a dedicated city agency designed to attract and facilitate corporate investments. At an event held to celebrate the establishment of Korea’s first municipality-led institution focused on investment promotion, officials said its creation is a response to the growing global competition to attract foreign capital. The agency was officially registered on Oct. 21 and is set to serve as the control center for the city’s investment initiatives. The organization’s strategies include making investment plans that leverage Seoul’s unique strengths, offering tailored support and business networks for companies, promoting major development sites, and strengthening the city’s global profile to attract investors. Lee Ji-hyung, the inaugural president and CEO of Invest Seoul, outlined a vision to elevate the city as “Asia’s leading global investment hub.” “We will reorganize the organization to provide close support throughout the

Nov 13, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Seoul city gov't launches agency to attract corporate investments
Foreign Affairs

Momentum builds for hate speech ban as president steps in

Momentum is building for a legislative push to ban hate speech, as President Lee Jae Myung calls for strict penalties against expressions of hatred based on race or nationality. During a Cabinet meeting on Monday, Lee condemned what he described as “anachronistic discrimination and hate” and instructed police and officials to strengthen efforts to penalize hate speech and disinformation. “On social media, hate speech targeting specific groups is being spread indiscriminately, and false and manipulated information is flooding the space,” the president said. “These acts are clear criminal behavior that go beyond the limits of freedom of expression.” Such acts, he added, pose a serious threat not only to democracy but also to the fabric of everyday life. His comments come after a spike in anti-China rallies in areas such as Myeong-dong and Daerim in Seoul, where demonstrators have chanted slogans such as “China Out.” Tensions fueled by such gatherings prompted the Chinese Embassy in Seoul to recently issue a safety advisory for its nationals. Lee’s intervention is expected

Nov 13, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Momentum builds for hate speech ban as president steps in
  • Bill to curb anti-China rallies stirs debate over freedom of assembly
Society

Does English proficiency still matter despite rise of AI translation?

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is fueling renewed debate about the role of English in global communication. As AI-powered translation becomes faster and more accurate, some argue that learning English is becoming less essential. Experts, however, warn that this perspective oversimplifies the issue, particularly for those looking to fully seize the opportunities of the digital revolution. While AI is undeniably transforming the communication landscape, they emphasize that the enduring value of mastering English remains as crucial as ever. The root of this continuing English advantage lies in the data that powers the systems themselves. An estimated 90 percent or more of the training data used for current generative AI systems comes from English content. This means that, while AI systems are designed to handle many languages, they often perform best and respond most naturally in English. Many technical tools and the latest research are released first in English, and the most advanced AI features are typically optimized for English communication, according to experts

Nov 12, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Does English proficiency still matter despite rise of AI translation?
  • Will AI replace human translators?
Global Community

Vietnamese team wins top prize at Yongsan’s Multicultural Cooking Contest

A Vietnamese team took home the top prize at the 15th Multicultural Cooking Contest held at Yongsan Family Center, a culinary event celebrating the district’s diversity. Officials said Monday that Yongsan hosted the "Global Flavors Meet Korean Taste" event, reflecting the district’s status as home to the highest number of households with foreign-born spouses in Seoul. Shaped by decades as the site of a major U.S. military base and the cosmopolitan neighborhood of Itaewon, Yongsan remains Seoul’s most ethnically diverse district, characterized by a sizable foreign resident population, numerous embassies, and the city’s largest mosque. Teams representing seven countries — Nigeria, India, Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, China, and Mexico — participated, each tasked with preparing an original fusion dish that incorporated traditional kimchi and at least one of three Korean-style sauces: soy sauce, gochujang (red chili paste) or doenjang (fermented soybean paste). The Vietnamese team impressed the judges the most with their spring rolls and vibrant rainbow fried rice, earning the

Nov 10, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Vietnamese team wins top prize at Yongsan’s Multicultural Cooking Contest
Society

Trust in Seoul's tap water reaches record high

A new survey revealed on Monday that 75 percent of Seoul citizens now drink the city’s tap water, known as Arisu, with more people expressing trust in and satisfaction with its quality. The annual report by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, drawing on data from 1,000 adults, found that 75 percent now drink Arisu tap water — a record high, up 5.4 percentage points from the previous year. During Korea’s breakneck industrialization in the 1970s and ’80s, the country’s tap water was widely regarded as unsafe, hobbled by aging pipes, insufficient filtration and unchecked industrial runoff that fouled its rivers. The result was deep public mistrust, and a national habit of boiling water before drinking it, a precaution against the illnesses that many feared lurked in every glass. The latest findings suggest that Arisu is becoming firmly woven into daily life. Among the respondents, 56.3 percent said they drank tap water at home, while 18.7 percent did so in public spaces such as parks, sports facilities and walking trails. The results also showed a notable rise in satisfaction, with

Nov 10, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Trust in Seoul's tap water reaches record high
Korean Heritage

What Supreme Court's heritage ruling means for Seoul, Korea’s cultural legacy

In a decision with far-reaching implications for urban development and cultural preservation, the Supreme Court has upheld a Seoul city ordinance relaxing development restrictions near UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Jongmyo Shrine. The ruling strengthens cities’ right to shape urban planning ― in Seoul and beyond ― and limits the reach of national heritage authorities while triggering concerns over the future of Korea’s most treasured sites and its cultural legacy. For Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who is expected to seek another term in next year’s local election, it is a major political win. On Thursday, the court validated a revised city ordinance, passed two years ago, which permits taller construction in areas outside the 100-meter preservation zone designated for national heritage sites. This means that city authorities do not need approval from the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), a central government entity, for urban development as long as they do so outside the buffer zones. With the ruling, the long-delayed redevelopment of “Sewoon District 4” now can proceed. T

Nov 7, 2025By Jung Min-ho
What Supreme Court's heritage ruling means for Seoul, Korea’s cultural legacy
Society

Reactions mixed as lawmakers target early English education

News about the progress of a legislative bill targeting the restriction of English education for young children has been concerning for Choi Go-eun (not her real name). As the mother of a six-year-old who attends an English kindergarten in Gimpo, a city near Seoul, she worries that she may have to move her child to another institution if the bill passes. “That’s a big deal,” Choi told The Korea Times. “That means I will have to find an alternative without knowing whether there is one I would like, and change my education plan for her. It would be hugely inconvenient, to say the very least.” The bill, proposed by left-wing legislators including Rep. Kang Kyung-sook of the minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party, would completely prohibit all private academy programs in English and other academic subjects for children under 36 months. For older children not yet enrolled in school, instruction would be limited to no more than 40 minutes per day. The measure would also have a significant impact on Choi’s career as an English teacher for children. “It would affect the jobs and caree

Nov 7, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Reactions mixed as lawmakers target early English education
  • Bill to ban English kindergartens gains traction with bipartisan support
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