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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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North Korea

Seoul calls for abolition of 'K-pop ban' in North Korea

K-pop girl group BLACKPINK members stand on stage at the MTV VMAs at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., in this Aug. 28, 2022 photo. Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho urged Pyongyang to abolish its “anti-reactionary thought law,” also known as the "K-pop ban," which was adopted in late 2020 to specifically target South Korean cultural content. AFP-Yonhap'Anti-reactionary thought law' is sign of growing influence of South Korean culture: scholarBy Jung Min-hoSince its founding in 1948, the dictatorial regime in North Korea has strictly blocked the entry of any information from the outside that could threaten its stability and legitimacy. Those who spread messages deemed to deviate from its totalitarian principles have always been at risk of punishment under its publication law and administrative guidelines. This is why North Korea's decision in 2020 to adopt an “anti-reactionary thought law,” a move specifically targeting South Korea's cultural content, drew little attention here at the time.Nearly three years after the law came into force in North Korea to crac

Aug 25, 2023By Jung Min-ho
Seoul calls for abolition of 'K-pop ban' in North Korea
North Korea

ANALYSIS North Korea fails again to launch satellite but appears to have solved cause of 1st failure

A file image of a North Korean rocket launch is seen on a TV screen during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, Thursday. North Korea said on Thursday that its second attempt to launch a spy satellite failed. AP-YonhapPyongyang vows third attempt in two months after improving flight termination systemBy Jung Min-hoNorth Korea said, Thursday, that its second attempt to put a reconnaissance satellite into space failed, but the country immediately vowed to try again in two months, demonstrating its determination to push ahead with the project its leader Kim Jong-un labeled as a “top priority.”Citing the National Aerospace Development Administration, the North's official Korean Central News Agency reported that the first and second stages of the launch were successful, but an error in the “emergency blasting system” during the third-stage flight led to another failure.The space agency said the problem was “not a big issue in terms of the reliability of cascade engines and the system.”That means North Korea has solved the key technical caus

Aug 24, 2023By Jung Min-ho
[ANALYSIS] North Korea fails again to launch satellite but appears to have solved cause of 1st failure
Foreign Affairs

US envoy to Seoul expresses support for Japan's discharge plan

U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg speaks during an interview with Korean reporters at Habib House, his residence in central Seoul, Wednesday. YonhapTrilateral partnership is neither 'new NATO' nor 'military alliance': GoldbergBy Jung Min-ho, Joint Press CorpsU.S. Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg expressed support, Wednesday, for Japan's plan to discharge treated radioactive wastewater from the disabled Fukushima nuclear power plant, saying Washington's position on that issue is aligned with that of Seoul.“I think that our position, the U.S. and Korea's align,” the envoy said during a meeting with Korean media outlets at Habib House, his residence in central Seoul. “Our reason for saying that is based on the science as we understand it. I think that Japan has also been open in the region and with us and others (including) the EU ― to describing to explaining what it's doing on a scientific basis.”Goldberg added, “I think Korea announced that they have several agreements moving forward, for example, having access to the IAEA facility

Aug 23, 2023By Jung Min-ho
US envoy to Seoul expresses support for Japan's discharge plan
Foreign Affairs

ANALYSIS Fukushima water release to test US-led trilateral partnership

President Yoon Suk Yeol stands with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a trilateral summit at Camp David, the presidential retreat, near Thurmont, Md., Aug. 18. Tokyo's decision to release treated radioactive wastewater from the ruined Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean this week is set to test their security partnership, according to experts on Wednesday. Reuters-YonhapHistorical issues, domestic politics will continue to challenge Seoul-Tokyo ties: expertsBy Jung Min-hoA day after Japan's announcement of a plan to release treated radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean this week, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) vowed, Wednesday, to put up an “all-out fight” against those responsible for the move.DPK leader Lee Jae-myung called the decision an act of “terrorism,” with some lawmakers even demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol for failing to prevent Japan's decision.Over the past year, Yoon's attempts to mend relations with Japan by buryin

Aug 23, 2023By Jung Min-ho
[ANALYSIS] Fukushima water release to test US-led trilateral partnership
  • Japan eyeing Fukushima water release from 1 p.m. Thursday: Kyodo
  • Japan begins release of treated radioactive water from Fukushima plant
North Korea

ANALYSIS Timing of North Korea's satellite launch suggests growing impatience of its leader

This May 31 file photo shows the launch of North Korea's Chollima-1 rocket carrying a spy satellite from Tongchang-ri on the country's west coast. North Korea told Japan, Tuesday, that it will launch a satellite between Aug. 24 and 31 after the first botched attempt. YonhapFailure could lead to mass purges, nuclear weapons test: expertsBy Jung Min-hoNorth Korea informed Japan, Tuesday, that it plans to launch a satellite in two weeks, less than three months after a failed attempt to send its first reconnaissance satellite into space.According to Japanese media reports, Pyongyang is set to proceed with the plan between Aug. 24 and 31, prompting officials in both South Korea and Japan to issue warnings to ships passing through three potentially risky areas ― Korea's West Sea, the East China Sea and waters east of the Philippines (Luzon Island).Speaking to The Korea Times, experts said the North appears to have determined the timing of the next launch based on political needs, particularly ahead of the Day of the Foundation of the Republic, on Sept. 9, rather than the scientific readine

Aug 22, 2023By Jung Min-ho
[ANALYSIS] Timing of North Korea's satellite launch suggests growing impatience of its leader
Defense

UFS drills begin as North Korea's Kim inspects missile test

An FA-50 light combat aircraft takes off during a combined drill between South Korea and the U.S. on Monday. The allies have begun their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises to counter threats from North Korea. Courtesy of South Korea's Air ForceYoon calls for 'realistic' training for possible psychological, nuclear warfareBy Jung Min-hoThe South Korean and U.S. militaries began their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercises, Monday, focusing on preparations for a rapid transition to wartime operations in case of a North Korean attack.As part of the training, scheduled to continue until Aug. 31, about 580,000 officials from the government and its agencies will scrutinize the readiness for armed conflict and other types of security emergencies.This comes amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The same day, North Korea's state media reported that Kim Jong-un, its dictator, inspected the test-launching of “strategic” ― a term used for nuclear weapons ― cruise missiles.President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, Mond

Aug 21, 2023By Jung Min-ho
UFS drills begin as North Korea's Kim inspects missile test
  • N. Korea intends to launch satellite between Aug. 24 and 31: Kyodo
Foreign Affairs

ANALYSIS Trilateral ties strengthen deterrence against Pyongyang, but with greater risk

President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida shake hands during their trilateral summit with U.S. President Joe Biden at Camp David, the presidential retreat, near Thurmont, Md., Friday (local time). Reuters-YonhapExperts' views differ on sustainability of Seoul-Washington-Tokyo security partnershipBy Jung Min-hoThe leaders of South Korea, the United States and Japan said their trilateral partnership entered a new era after the summit at Camp David, Friday (local time), vowing to redouble their joint efforts in handling security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.In a joint statement in which they directly mentioned China, Russia and North Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida committed themselves to united actions against their common threats, saying the partnership is “stronger than ever.”Speaking to The Korea Times on Sunday, experts said the summit hosted by Washington was a truly historic one, which offers many opportunities and promises to South Korea. One of the most obvious and si

Aug 20, 2023By Jung Min-ho
[ANALYSIS] Trilateral ties strengthen deterrence against Pyongyang, but with greater risk
  • NK leader inspects cruise missile test as S. Korea-US military drills begin
Foreign Affairs

African Union forum

Participants of the sixth edition of the Model African Union Assembly pose after the general meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. The two-day event that began on Thursday aims to exchange views on major issues concerning the African continent with delegations from 28 African countries. Courtesy of the Korea-Africa Foundation

Aug 18, 2023By Jung Min-ho
African Union forum
Politics

EXCLUSIVE Ex-North Korean diplomat to be named as aide to unification minister

Ko Young-hwan, who worked as a North Korean diplomat before defecting to South Korea in 1991, attends a seminar on the 2023 Report on North Korean Human Rights in Seoul, July 11. Ko will be named as a special aide to Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho, according to government officials familiar with the matter. NewsisBy Jung Min-hoA North Korean diplomat-turned-defector will be appointed as a special aide to Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho, The Korea Times has learned.According to two government officials familiar with the matter, Ko Young-hwan, who had worked as a North Korean diplomat in Africa for more than 10 years before defecting to South Korea in 1991, will help the minister formulate North Korea policies.The decision is expected to be announced in two weeks as part of other reforms involving the unification ministry. Last month, President Yoon Suk Yeol called for change, saying the ministry should no longer operate like “a support department for North Korea.” Soon afterward, Vice Minister Moon Seung-hyun said the ministry was preparing for a sweeping reshuffle.Spea

Aug 17, 2023By Jung Min-ho
[EXCLUSIVE] Ex-North Korean diplomat to be named as aide to unification minister
North Korea

Seoul urges Beijing to stop repatriating North Koreans

Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho speaks during a press conference on the possible resumption of China's deportation of North Koreans against their will at the Press Center in Seoul, Wednesday. YonhapUnification minister asks China to abide by UN treaties on refugees, tortureBy Jung Min-hoSeoul urged Beijing, Wednesday, to stop repatriating North Korean escapees against their will amid signs that China is about to resume the practice, which would put the lives of those people in grave danger after returning to their homeland.At a press conference on the issue in Seoul, Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho asked Chinese authorities to abide by U.N. treaties on human rights the country signed and to recognize North Korean escapees as refugees.“The forcible repatriation of people against their will is a violation of the spirit and principle of the international law that bans it,” Kim said during the event held at the Press Center. “All North Koreans in China should be treated based on the international human rights standard and be allowed into the countries they wish. I ask

Aug 16, 2023By Jung Min-ho
Seoul urges Beijing to stop repatriating North Koreans
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