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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

New visa aiming to address labor shortage faces fierce backlash

A visa system introduced this month to address labor shortages in regions outside of Seoul is facing strong backlash, with concerns that the influx of migrant workers could threaten jobs for Korean citizens. A petition calling for the abolition of the E-7-4R visa garnered more than 72,700 signatures as of Thursday after being posted on the National Assembly’s petition site on March 20. The request is currently under parliamentary review, as required for all petitions that collect 50,000 signatures or more. Also known as the region-specific skilled worker visa, E-7-4R is designed for foreign nationals who have been working in government-designated regions where the issue of falling populations is particularly serious, according to the Ministry of Justice. If E-9 and E-10 visa holders stay in one of the designated areas for at least two years and meet certain skill requirements, they will become eligible to change their visas to E-7-4R, which would allow for a longer stay, the possibility of inviting family members and potentially an easier path to permanent residency. The petitioner, su

Apr 17, 2025By Jung Min-ho
New visa aiming to address labor shortage faces fierce backlash
  • Rights advocates warn of rising anti-immigrant politics
People & Events

High school student donates 1 million won to help premature babies

A teenage girl who was born prematurely 17 years ago has donated 1 million won ($700) to help premature babies. According to Busan Paik Hospital on Tuesday, Hong Ah-jin, a freshman student at Hanil Girls’ High School, donated the money to help treat those born prematurely. Hong said she had the same experience. Born at 26 weeks and weighing just 590 grams, she received three months of treatment at the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. Thanks to the hospital's efforts, her weight increased to 2.05 kilograms, at which point she was considered healthy enough to be discharged. “Thanks to the staff at Busan Paik Hospital, I was able to grow up healthy and strong. I have always wanted to express my gratitude to the hospital, and I am so glad that I was able to contribute a small amount of money to a good cause,” Hong said. “I wanted to help those in need and give them hope that they, too, can grow up healthily even if they were born prematurely like I was. I hope everyone is healthy and thank the medical staff at Busan Paik Hospital once again.” Preterm babies can be defined a

Apr 17, 2025By Jung Min-ho
High school student donates 1 million won to help premature babies
Politics

PPP presidential contenders seek to woo voters with anti-China rhetoric

Conservatives in Korea largely remain divided after the impeachment of their former leader, Yoon Suk Yeol. But their presidential contenders appear to have found common ground on one issue ahead of the June 3 election: the threat posed by China. Speaking to members of Truth Forum, a conservative group at Seoul National University (SNU) on Tuesday, Rep. Na Kyung-won of the People Power Party (PPP) called for the shutdown of the Xi Jinping Collection Room, a resource center set up at the school's main library in 2015 to commemorate the Chinese leader’s visit there the previous year. “SNU has no memorial space or archives established for any of Korea’s former presidents such as Syngman Rhee or Park Chung-hee, who led Korea’s foundation and industrialization efforts,” said Na, a five-term lawmaker who formerly served as its floor leader. “And yet, the school operates a resource center dedicated to Xi Jinping, the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, right at the heart of its central library, over which many raise serious concerns and questions.” Na said she believes the esta

Apr 16, 2025By Jung Min-ho
PPP presidential contenders seek to woo voters with anti-China rhetoric
Politics

Yoon continues to wield influence on party, election

Impeachment has ended the three-year presidency of Yoon Suk Yeol ― but not his political ambition ― as he continues to meet conservative political figures and send indirect messages targeting his supporters. Criticism and concerns are rising that the former president, who left the presidential residence on Friday evening to return to his civilian life, is expected to continue to interfere in the upcoming snap election ― by playing the role of a “regent” instead of remaining low-profile after his martial law declaration pitched the country into political turmoil. "I will find a new path for the country and the people as a citizen," Yoon said through his lawyer as he left the residence. "I will do everything in my power to build the free and prosperous Korea that I and many people have dreamed of together." He then expressed his gratitude for those who had supported him during his political crisis, initiated by his decision to impose a martial law decree, which eventually led to his ouster. Before heading to his private home in southern Seoul, he got off the car and shook hands

Apr 11, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Yoon continues to wield influence on party, election
Global Community

Rights advocates warn of rising anti-immigrant politics

Is ultranationalism gaining ground in Korean politics? Human rights advocates are growing increasingly concerned following a political feat by a once-fringe figure earlier this month. Lee Kang-san, 35, of the Liberty Unification Party — a hard-right minor party with no seats in the National Assembly — garnered more than 32 percent of the vote in the April 2 by-election for the top post at the Guro District Office in Seoul. One of his central pledges was to deport what he referred to as “all the illegal aliens.” In his official campaign brochure sent to voters, Lee emphasized that his top policy priority would be putting “citizens first.” “If I get elected, I will prioritize solving the problem of illegal immigrants. Guro District is home to more than 50,000 foreigners, and the issue of public security has been rising due to illegal immigrants,” he said. “As the head of the district, I would collaborate with police and immigration officers to deport them. I would also apply AI technology to security cameras to analyze behavior patterns and movements to effectively detect

Apr 10, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Rights advocates warn of rising anti-immigrant politics
Global Community

Foreign residents pick Gwanghwamun as Seoul's most iconic landmark: survey

Gwanghwamun — a public square that serves as the main gateway to Gyeongbok Palace and a hub of cultural and political life in Seoul — has been chosen as the city’s most iconic landmark by foreign residents, according to a survey released Wednesday. In the 2024 Seoul Survey, 48.4 percent of 2,500 foreign residents chose Gwanghwamun as the city’s most iconic landmark. It was followed by traditional palaces (36.8 percent), the Han River (23.8 percent), Dongdaemun Design Plaza (23.5 percent) and Seoul Plaza (20.6 percent). Asked to select the most symbolic color of Seoul in a multiple-choice question, 50.9 percent chose blue over pink (39 percent) and white (36.2 percent). Meanwhile, the overall happiness index among foreign residents ― measured based on their health, financial conditions and relationship with other people, among other factors ― increased to 7.19 points from 6.83 points the previous year. By country, the average score among U.S. citizens was the highest at 7.97 points. The survey also shows that their health condition has improved, with 72.7 percent saying it was

Apr 9, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Foreign residents pick Gwanghwamun as Seoul's most iconic landmark: survey
Global Community

Political activity by foreign nationals turns focus on existing law

Can foreigners be deported for participating in political activities here? Article 17 of Korea’s Immigration Act states, “No alien staying in the Republic of Korea shall engage in any political activity unless otherwise permitted by this Act or other Acts,” and, if anyone is caught violating the law, “the Minister of Justice may order the alien in writing to suspend such activity or may issue other necessary orders” such as a deportation order. However, it turns out that the ban on political activity by noncitizens in Korea has never been enforced, according to the Ministry of Justice — at least not yet. “No foreigners have been ordered to be deported or to stop interfering (in political matters in Korea),” its representative said in a response sent to The Korea Times on Monday. Since the introduction of the article, last revised in 2010, it has been used by both domestic right-wing and left-wing activists as a tool to instill fear in foreigners about the potential consequences of expressing political opinions that differ from their own. During the martial law and impeachm

Apr 8, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Political activity by foreign nationals turns focus on existing law
Global Community

New visa system aims to rejuvenate local industries, schools

Local authorities aim to rejuvenate their industries and schools by attracting foreign workers and students under a new visa system introduced to fit their needs. The Ministry of Justice approved a proposal by the Busan city government last week to allow 1,000 additional foreign students over the next two years to study semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries and other areas related to “car parts of future” at colleges and universities in Busan. Previously, those who wished to apply for student visas in the city were required to demonstrate their financial capacity ― a bank statement showing at least 16 million won ($11,000). Under the new system, that condition has been eased to 8 million won. Moreover, students who majored in one of these areas will be allowed to work as interns during their final semester, such as the fourth semester for two-year college students. City officials aim to help students find employment in key industries that they consider vital for the future of Busan's economy. Last year, city officials designated Busan's Gijang and Gangseo districts ― a total

Apr 8, 2025By Jung Min-ho
New visa system aims to rejuvenate local industries, schools
Politics

Election looms after Yoon’s ouster

The Constitutional Court’s decision on Friday to formally impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law imposition has left Korea without an elected leader as the government faces major challenges at home and abroad. Attention now turns to who will fill that top post, with a snap presidential election to be held within 60 days under the law. The political development comes after the court upheld the National Assembly’s impeachment motion against Yoon in a ruling that found his martial law imposition failed to meet both substantial and procedural requirements. The date for the election has not yet been decided, but acting President Han Duck-soo is expected to designate the date during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday. It is most likely to be held on June 3, exactly 60 days after Yoon’s ouster was finalized. Amid this tight schedule, the country's major rival parties — Yoon's conservative People Power Party (PPP) and the more liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) — are expected to launch election preparations this week, setting up respective election committees that

Apr 6, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Election looms after Yoon’s ouster
Politics

Presidential election to be held within 2 months

Following the Constitutional Court’s verdict that ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol from office on Friday, the nation has been left in search of a new leader. By law, the next presidential election must be held within 60 days to fill the vacant post. Acting President Han Duck-soo is required to announce the date within 10 days. According to the National Election Commission, the voting date can be set between May 24 and June 3. Given that the 2017 presidential election was held exactly 60 days after the ousting of former President Park Geun-hye, June 3 is likely to be the voting day. The acting president said he will ensure the stable management of state affairs while preparing for the upcoming presidential election. On Friday, he spoke with Roh Tae-ak, chairman of the election commission, by phone regarding the matter. Parties that wish to participate in the election must determine and register their candidates by May 11, a day before the official campaign period launches. Those currently serving as local office chiefs have to resign by May 4 if they want to join the race. There is little

Apr 4, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Presidential election to be held within 2 months
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