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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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Law & Crime

EXPLAINER New law lets president pick 22 of 26 Supreme Court justices by 2030

Korea’s judiciary has experienced its biggest upheaval in nearly four decades as a trio of judicial reform laws took effect Thursday, expanding the Supreme Court, creating a new constitutional appeals channel and criminalizing “distortion” of the law by judges and prosecutors. One of the key components of the reform is a revision of the Court Organization Act, which will boost the number of Supreme Court justices from the current 14 to 26 by 2030. This change would give President Lee Jae Myung sweeping influence over its future composition: By the end of his term in June 2030, he is expected to appoint 22 of the 26 justices. Beginning in March 2028, the court will add four new justices a year for three consecutive years, gradually building up to 26 seats while Lee fills each new vacancy as it opens. The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) say the expansion is necessary to cope with a growing caseload, given that each justice currently handles an average of 3,478 cases a year. With more justices available, they argue, the Supreme Court can share the workload m

Mar 12, 2026By Jung Min-ho
[EXPLAINER] New law lets president pick 22 of 26 Supreme Court justices by 2030
Society

80,000 subcontracted workers seek bargaining rights on 1st day of ‘yellow envelope law’

The first day after Korea’s revised Trade Union Act — the so-called “yellow envelope law” — took effect saw more than 80,000 subcontracted workers at 221 parent companies and public institutions seek bargaining with what they consider their primary employers. Officials at the Ministry of Employment and Labor told reporters Wednesday that, as of 8 p.m. the previous day, a total of 407 subcontractor unions and branches, representing about 81,600 workers, had filed bargaining requests with 143 private firms and 78 public entities. Among the companies facing new union requests for talks are major employers such as Hyundai Motor Group, Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Glovis, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, GM Korea, Yonsei University, CJ Logistics, POSCO, Coupang CLS, Korea Railroad Corp. and Incheon International Airport Corp. Only five of them — Hanwha Ocean, POSCO, Coupang CLS, Hwaseong city government and Busan Transportation Corp. — have posted notices acknowledging the bargaining demands and begun the legal process to handle them, including deciding whether to unify bar

Mar 11, 2026By Jung Min-ho
80,000 subcontracted workers seek bargaining rights on 1st day of ‘yellow envelope law’
  • Unions threaten strikes as ‘yellow envelope law’ comes into force
Global Community

Over half of skilled visa holders earn more than $2,000 per month

More than half of foreign workers on so-called “professional” visas in Korea — holders of E-1 to E-7 work permits — now earn over 3 million won ($2,000) a month, according to new data released Tuesday. A survey published by the Ministry of Data and Statistics shows that among professional workers — including professors (E‑1), foreign language teachers (E‑2), researchers (E‑3), tech experts (E-4), licensed professionals (E‑5), artists and performers (E‑6) and specific‑activity workers (E‑7) — more than half reported a monthly income of at least 3 million won. Across all foreign employees in the country, 50.2 percent earned between 2 million and 3 million won a month, while 36.9 percent took home more than 3 million won. However, among “non-professional” workers such as E-9 visa holders, 68.9 percent were concentrated in the 2 million to under 3 million won range. The survey also examined working hours. Among foreign workers overall, 58.1 percent said they worked between 40 and 50 hours per week. Another 17.8 percent worked between 50 and 60 hours, and 8.7 per

Mar 10, 2026By Jung Min-ho
Over half of skilled visa holders earn more than $2,000 per month
Society

Unions threaten strikes as ‘yellow envelope law’ comes into force

Subcontracted workers represented by unions across various industries are stepping up demands for direct talks with parent companies after Korea’s so-called “yellow envelope law” came into force Tuesday, with labor leaders preparing strikes against firms that refuse to negotiate. Amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act took effect, expanding the legal definition of an employer to include firms that exercise significant control over working conditions, even without a direct employment contract with subcontracted workers. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), a powerful umbrella labor organization with more than 1 million members, expects a major wave of bargaining demands from these workers in the coming weeks. The KCTU and its partner unions have begun sending bargaining notices to companies that oversee subcontracted work on behalf of nearly 140,000 subcontracted workers, with plans to present the overall scale of the campaign at a press briefing later this month. “In line with the purpose of the law, the real employer mus

Mar 10, 2026By Jung Min-ho
Unions threaten strikes as ‘yellow envelope law’ comes into force
Society

Infanticide conviction exposes vacuum in Korea’s abortion law

A murder conviction in a case involving an infant who died immediately after birth during what is called a late-term abortion procedure has cast fresh light on the legal void surrounding abortion in Korea. This comes nearly seven years after the Constitutional Court of Korea struck down the country’s ban, as the issue remains unresolved amid a prolonged political stalemate. Last week, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced the director of an obstetrics clinic in Incheon, identified by the surname Yoon, to six years in prison for murder in a case widely referred to as the “36-week abortion case,” along with a fine of 1.5 million won ($1,000). Judges also ordered the forfeiture of 1.15 billion won in proceeds that prosecutors said the director had earned over the years by performing illegal abortions on hundreds of patients. The operating surgeon, identified only by his surname Shim, was sentenced to four years in prison, while the mother, surnamed Kwon, received a three‑year sentence suspended for five years after the court found her guilty as an accomplice to murder. The jud

Mar 10, 2026By Jung Min-ho
Infanticide conviction exposes vacuum in Korea’s abortion law
Law & Crime

Police crack down on software-enabled scalping ahead of BTS concert

Police have opened an investigation into the alleged use of automated “macro” programs and ticket scams ahead of BTS’s comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21. The city-sponsored performance, which is expected to attract more than 200,000 fans from across Korea and overseas, requires advance reservations to secure seats, resulting in a surge in black market trading and fraud cases. Speaking to reporters Monday, Park Jeong-bo, chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said officers are currently investigating three criminal cases tied to ticket sales for the event, after ticketing operator Nol Universe filed a complaint over suspected “macro‑driven” bulk purchases. Macros are automated scripts that refresh pages and enter login and payment details at high speed, allowing users to snap up tickets far faster than ordinary buyers. Using macros or other tools to hoard tickets for resale at higher prices is illegal in Korea. Park urged fans not to trust brokers who claim they can secure tickets using macros or offer “proxy ticketing” services. He warned that tho

Mar 9, 2026By Jung Min-ho
Police crack down on software-enabled scalping ahead of BTS concert
  • Seoul launches crackdown on lodging violations ahead of BTS concert
Society

Seoul launches crackdown on lodging violations ahead of BTS concert

City authorities in Seoul have started a crackdown on lodging facilities near Gwanghwamun ahead of K-pop group BTS’ comeback concert on March 21, uncovering a string of violations including hotels operating without posting mandatory room rate information. During its special inspections carried out in central Seoul between Feb. 25 and March 4, 18 hotels and other lodging facilities had violated regulations by failing to display official room rates or business registration certificates, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday. Under the Public Health Control Act, hospitality business owners have to display their business registration certificate inside the premises and post a room rate table at the reception desk. The city’s special judicial police bureau, working in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, will formally book all 18 offending establishments and conduct investigations. Depending on the findings, the violators could face up to six months in prison or fines of up to 5 million won ($3,400). City officials will also ask Jongno and Jung district offices t

Mar 8, 2026By Jung Min-ho
Seoul launches crackdown on lodging violations ahead of BTS concert
  • Gyeongbok Palace to shut on BTS Gwanghwamun concert day
  • BTS begins 15-day countdown to historic return
Global Community

Korea to allow Iranians to overstay visas until conflict eases

Korea will allow Iranians to remain here beyond their visa limits on humanitarian grounds, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran intensifies in the Middle East. In response to inquiries from The Korea Times regarding Iranian nationals in Korea, the Ministry of Justice said those whose visas cannot be extended under ordinary rules will be permitted to stay until war-related risks are deemed to have subsided enough to allow safe travel. As of January, 2,133 Iranian nationals were residing legally in Korea. “The Ministry of Justice plans to allow Iranians who are currently staying in Korea legally, but can no longer extend their visas or change their status, to remain here on humanitarian grounds until the situation stabilizes,” a ministry official said. This measure comes as some other countries are moving to ease immigration rules or grant temporary protections to Iranians who would face heightened danger if forced to return. At least two countries — Canada and Japan — have so far announced special measures allowing Iranians to extend their stay rather than forcing them to return to a w

Mar 8, 2026By Jung Min-ho
Korea to allow Iranians to overstay visas until conflict eases
North Korea

After Iran strikes, N. Korea sees decapitation threat as ‘much more real’: experts

U.S. strikes on Iran, coupled with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s vow to “deal with” Tehran’s nuclear ambitions while sending “plenty of signals,” are meant as a pointed warning that extends beyond the Middle East, according to experts, who noted Thursday that North Korea is likely watching with a mix of heightened anxiety and greater determination to retain its own nuclear arsenal. Hegseth said Wednesday (local time) that Washington’s operation in Iran targets its “nuclear ambitions” and “will send plenty of signals in the process” — a message analysts in Seoul say was deliberately broad and closely watched in North Korea. This came a day after Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby described North Korean and Russian nuclear weapons as the “primary existential threat” facing Washington, signaling a hardening line on nuclear dangers in both countries. For Kim Jong-un, the most immediate lesson from the U.S. operations in Venezuela and Iran — and the latest warnings out of Washington — is that the U.S. capability and willingness to remove

Mar 5, 2026By Jung Min-ho
After Iran strikes, N. Korea sees decapitation threat as ‘much more real’: experts
  • US strike on Iran dampens prospects for Trump-Kim talks in April
People & Events

Actor Myung Gye-nam appointed governor of N. Korea’s Hwanghae Province

Actor Myung Gye-nam, 74, has been appointed as the new governor of Hwanghae Province, one of the five North Korean provinces over which South Korea claims symbolic governance. Myung is a well-known figure in the nation’s film and theater industries as both an actor and a producer, including “Spring in My Hometown” and “Peppermint Candy.” Myung has long been active in supporting liberal politicians. In 2002, he served as the leader of former President Roh Moo-hyun’s official fan club. In both the 2022 and 2025 elections, he also campaigned for Lee Jae Myung, then-presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea. “He was deemed fit to carry out the duties of Hwanghae Province governor, given, among other things, his father’s status as a displaced person from Gaeseong,” an official at the Ministry of Interior and Safety said. Governors of the North Korean provinces are appointed by the South Korean government as a symbolic administrative gesture. Hwanghae, North and South Pyongan, and North and South Hamgyong all have administrators appointed by the president on the

Mar 5, 2026By Jung Min-ho
Actor Myung Gye-nam appointed governor of N. Korea’s Hwanghae Province
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