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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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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
Society

Bill to ban English kindergartens gains traction with bipartisan support

A legislative bill aimed at restricting English education for young children is gaining traction, as both liberal and conservative education authorities unite to address growing worries over excessive academic pressure heaped upon preschoolers. According to the office of Rep. Kang Kyung-sook of the minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party, who is leading the legislative effort, passage of the bill appears likely amid rising support from superintendents of education offices across the country. “We are viewing the possibility of passing this bill positively,” an aide to Kang told The Korea Times. “At first, we received a huge number of protest calls, but now, not so much … We are actively working to build consensus among education superintendents, as we continue to push for it.” Under the bill, all cram school programs in English and other school subjects would be completely prohibited for children under 36 months. For older children not yet enrolled in school, instruction is restricted to no more than 40 minutes per day. If passed, the law would apply to all types of English educati

Nov 5, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Bill to ban English kindergartens gains traction with bipartisan support
Society

Over 98% of Seoul residents support expansion of e-scooter ban zones

More than 98 percent of Seoul residents have expressed support for expanding the city’s “no e-scooter zone” policy, reflecting rising concerns over the safety risks posed by personal mobility devices, according to data released Monday. Data from a recent pilot program, which designated two city areas as “no e-scooter zones,” found improvements in pedestrian safety and the overall walking environment. Nearly all respondents ― 98.4 percent ― said they would support the idea of expanding such zones throughout the capital. In contrast, only 2.6 percent said that the restrictions made their daily activities less convenient. Older residents, particularly those aged 40 and above, reported noticeably higher levels of satisfaction and positive impact from the e-scooter ban, as they were statistically more likely to be walking rather than riding, compared to the younger age group of 18 to 30. As Seoul’s population ages, the need for pedestrian-friendly policies is expected to rise. Electric scooters have rapidly transformed Seoul’s urban landscape since their introduction around

Nov 3, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Over 98% of Seoul residents support expansion of e-scooter ban zones
Foreign Affairs

Gyeongju Declaration cements Korea’s leadership amid US-China rivalry

Korea emerged as a diplomatic leader as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies concluded the landmark event in the historic city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, by adopting the Gyeongju Declaration. The summit’s outcome not only solidified Korea’s stature as a regional power broker, but also set the tone for international cooperation amid an intensifying U.S.-China rivalry and the rise of protectionism around the world. Korea, as host of the 2025 APEC summit, successfully steered the Gyeongju Declaration to completion, notably achieving a consensus to include artificial intelligence (AI) and demographic changes as central pillars of future Asia-Pacific economic cooperation. For President Lee Jae Myung, it was the passing of a major test. He led a week of high-stakes negotiations and successfully navigated uncertainty to broker consensus among 21 member economies. He also led efforts to secure a trade agreement in the long-running tariff dispute with Washington. Central to the summit was Korea’s success in brokering the joint declaration, framed around the 2

Nov 2, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Gyeongju Declaration cements Korea’s leadership amid US-China rivalry
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