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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

Lee seeks new era of cooperation with Australia, Vietnam, Thailand

President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, where the two leaders reaffirmed their diplomatic ties and discussed ways to deepen the relationship. Lee warmly welcomed Albanese who is visiting the historic city for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, through which the Korean leader seeks to improve cooperation in many areas including energy, natural resources and defense amid rising uncertainty in the global economy. “While Korea and Australia have enjoyed a long history of close relations, the increasingly complex international landscape presents even greater opportunities for the two nations to collaborate across a wide range of fields in the future,” Lee said. Lee paid tribute to Australian troops who fell during the 1950-53 Korean War and are now honored at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan. “The Korean people do not forget that Korea’s survival as a member of the free democratic world was possible, thanks to Australia’s special support,” he said. Albanese responded by em

Oct 30, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Lee seeks new era of cooperation with Australia, Vietnam, Thailand
Health

Depression, bipolar cases surge over 45% in 7 years

The number of people suffering from depression or bipolar disorders in Korea has surged, with cases of each of the conditions growing more than 45 percent over the past six years. According to government data disclosed on Thursday by the office of Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the main opposition People Power Party, the number of people diagnosed with depression rose from 752,976 in 2018 to 1,106,744 in 2024, a 47 percent increase. Meanwhile, treatment costs for the mental condition nearly doubled to exceed 761.5 billion won ($535 million), data from the National Health Insurance Service showed. Cases of bipolar disorder also increased rapidly, with patients rising 45.7 percent to nearly 140,000 during the same period. Treatment costs for bipolar disorder surged 57 percent to about 182.3 billion won. Combined, annual health care spending for these two mental conditions nearly hit 1 trillion won ― a concerning trend underscoring Korea’s worsening mental health problem. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety and hopelessness. Bipolar disorder is a con

Oct 30, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Depression, bipolar cases surge over 45% in 7 years
People & Events

Jang Na-ra honored with presidential award for $14 million in charitable donations

Actor and singer Jang Na-ra has received a presidential award for her exemplary charitable contributions, which have exceeded 20 billion won ($14 million) since her debut in 2001. The honor was presented at the annual Finance Day event, held on Tuesday at FKI Tower in Seoul. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) awarded a total of 192 commendations to individuals who have contributed to the development of Korea’s financial sector. In addition to her philanthropy, Jang, 44, was recognized for her volunteer work supporting underprivileged people and other social causes, as well as promoting a culture of giving. In March, she donated emergency relief supplies worth around 50 million won to people affected by wildfires in North and South Gyeongsang Provinces through World Vision Korea, a Korea branch of the global humanitarian NGO. Later that month, Jang participated in an animal charity event organized with Shinhan Bank to help stray animals. All proceeds and donations from the event were given to Angel's Nest, an animal welfare organization located in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Other st

Oct 30, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Jang Na-ra honored with presidential award for $14 million in charitable donations
Foreign Affairs

Global leaders gather in Gyeongju for APEC summit

World leaders are gathering in the historic city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit ― a pivotal event expected to shape the trajectory of economic, technological and diplomatic cooperation across the region and beyond. Under the theme of “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper,” the high-stakes talks will bring together heads of state and government from 21 member economies as they aim to chart new paths for cooperation in trade, security and technology. U.S. President Donald Trump is among the most anticipated attendees, as President Lee Jae Myung aims to showcase Korea’s “pragmatic diplomacy” in discussions regarding tariffs, supply chain issues and the defense partnership. The two allies' ongoing talks may find more clarity after meetings planned during the APEC forum. Following a summit between Lee and Trump on Wednesday, Seoul said the two countries reached a broad trade deal covering investment and shipbuilding. It marks Trump’s first visit to Korea since 2017, during the Moon Jae-in ad

Oct 30, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Global leaders gather in Gyeongju for APEC summit
Foreign Affairs

Lee welcomes business leaders, emphasizes 'wisdom of connection' for world economy

President Lee Jae Myung warmly welcomed global business leaders gathered in the historic city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday, highlighting Korea’s commitment to international economic cooperation and emphasizing the importance of multilateralism in confronting challenges. Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit held in Hwarang Hall at Gyeongju Arts Center, Lee emphasized the “wisdom of connection” when it comes to the world economy, saying that his country will lead the way in multilateral cooperation to face current crises. “The APEC summit held in Busan 20 years ago marked a key turning point not just in its history, but also in the history of the free trade system,” Lee said. “But today’s external environment is much different than it was back then. As protectionism and national prioritization are on the rise, survival has become an urgent priority (for many nations), so calls for inclusiveness and mutual growth may sound hollow now.” Yet, in such crises, he said the role of APEC as a platform of solidarity and collaborat

Oct 29, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Lee welcomes business leaders, emphasizes 'wisdom of connection' for world economy
Law & Crime

Customs seize record drug shipments from air travelers

Korea has experienced a surge in air travelers attempting to smuggle narcotics into the country this year, with seizures already exceeding last year’s total. International air travelers caught smuggling drugs into Korea this year have nearly tripled the 2024 total, government data released Tuesday shows. From January through September, 303 passengers were intercepted at Incheon International Airport, far exceeding the 102 apprehended in all of 2024, according to figures provided by the office of Rep. Kim Eun-hye of the main opposition People Power Party. The total amount intercepted this year reached 168.3 kilograms, valued at 18.4 billion won ($13 million). The sharp rise has been driven largely by Chinese nationals, whose numbers have jumped from 27 last year to 97 so far in 2025. The quantity of drugs intercepted from Chinese travelers also jumped from 5.6 kilograms in 2022 and 15.3 kilograms in 2023, to 23.1 kilograms last year and 39.2 kilograms so far this year. The lawmaker is concerned that a visa-free entry policy introduced for Chinese group tourists last month would lead to a

Oct 28, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Customs seize record drug shipments from air travelers
Society

Fathers account for nearly 37% of parental leave users

The number of workers receiving parental leave benefits rose 37 percent to 141,909 in the first nine months of 2025, reflecting the impact of policy reforms and cultural changes in parenting. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor on Tuesday, 52,279 men took parental leave between January and September, making up 36.8 percent of all users ― up from 32.1 percent during the same period last year and reflecting a rise in fathers’ participation. This trend suggests growing acceptance of men taking a more engaged role in parenting and evolving societal attitudes toward fathers' roles in child care, officials said. The increase in men claiming parental leave is driven in part by key policy changes, including a raise in the monthly parental allowance from a maximum of 1.5 million won ($1,050) to 2.5 million won. There was also an extension of the maximum leave period, from one year to up to 18 months, as long as both parents take at least three months of leave. Other reforms that contributed to the trend include the elimination of a policy from the previous system, under which 25

Oct 28, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Fathers account for nearly 37% of parental leave users
Society

Hangang Bus to resume operations after safety overhaul

After a monthlong suspension prompted by safety concerns, the Hangang Bus ferry service will resume operations Saturday, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday. The relaunch comes after the city government subjected its fleet to intensified no-passenger trial runs intended to stabilize performance, collect more data and allow for crew retraining following a rudder failure that forced an emergency return 10 minutes after departure on Sept. 26. During the inspection, transit authorities worked to enhance the safety and reliability of the river bus. Officials say this trial period also allowed the city government to build contingency plans for adverse weather and technical emergencies — challenges that had triggered service interruptions and frustrated ferry users previously. When the service resumes, the Hangang Bus will run more frequently and with additional backup vessels. The revised schedule begins at 9 a.m., two hours earlier than before, and continues until 9:37 p.m. with departures every 90 minutes, totaling 16 trips per day. To avoid cancellations, which plagued the initi

Oct 27, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Hangang Bus to resume operations after safety overhaul
  • Seoul suspends Hangang Bus service amid safety concerns, public criticism
  • Hangang Bus to transform daily lives of Seoul residents, mayor says
Global Community

Eumseong’s foreign resident population hits new high, ranks 2nd in Korea

Eumseong County in North Chungcheong Province is seeing rapid demographic change, with newly released figures showing foreign residents now account for more than 16 percent of its total population ― the second-highest in Korea. According to local officials Monday, the number of noncitizen residents registered in the county reached 18,595 as of September, jumping 9.7 percent from 16,938 a year earlier and up from 14,843 in 2023. Now, foreigners make up 16.6 percent of its total population, giving Eumseong the second-highest foreign resident ratio among local governments nationwide, trailing only Yeongam County in South Jeolla Province. Eumseong officials say the continued influx highlights the county’s growing importance as a hub for migrant workers as it hosts around 3,000 firms, many of which are in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors and rely heavily on migrant labor. Its convenient transportation infrastructure, low industrial complex land prices and proximity to the Seoul metropolitan region are cited as other reasons. To help foreign residents settle and foster a sense of

Oct 27, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Eumseong’s foreign resident population hits new high, ranks 2nd in Korea
Foreign Affairs

Georgia governor emphasizes need for 90-day visa for Korean workers

Brian Kemp, the governor of the U.S. state of Georgia, said he has proposed to U.S. President Donald Trump a three-month visa for skilled Korean plant workers, following a mass detention of Korean citizens in his state last month. At Friday’s meeting in Seoul, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun called for Kemp to address lingering concerns in the aftermath of the immigration raid, in which more than 300 Koreans were detained for alleged visa violations, and to support improvements to the U.S. visa process for Koreans. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kemp responded by saying that he had formally asked Trump to consider introducing a 90-day visa designed for plant and construction specialists ― one that would help ensure safe access for major projects led by Korean companies in that state. “He said President Trump understands well the need to ensure smooth entry and support the activities of skilled Korean workers in the U.S., and expressed hope that discussions about improving visa systems between the two countries will make progress and economic cooperation between Korea and

Oct 24, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Georgia governor emphasizes need for 90-day visa for Korean workers
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