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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 imposes sanctions on North Korean hackers, groups over crypto theft

This photo shows North Korean soldiers wearing face coverings while marching at a military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, to mark the 75th founding anniversary of its military. South Korea on Friday imposed independent sanctions on four North Korean hackers and seven groups over cybercrimes they allegedly committed to help fund the regime's weapons program. YonhapGov't targets regime's key funding source for weapons programBy Jung Min-hoSouth Korea imposed independent sanctions, Friday, on four North Korean hackers and seven groups over cybercrimes they allegedly committed to help fund the regime's weapons program.The names of the tech experts ― Park Jin-hyok, Cho Myung-rae, Song Rim and Oh Choong-song ― as well as organizations that have direct or suspected connections to the regime ― Chosun Expo Joint Venture, Lazarus Group, Bluenoroff, Andariel, University of Automation (formerly known as Mirim College), Lab 110 and the tech division under North Korea's Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) ― are on the list.Those who wish to engage in financial transactions (cryptocur

Feb 10, 2023By Jung Min-ho
Seoul imposes sanctions on North Korean hackers, groups over crypto theft
North Korea

North Korea displays 'solid-fuel ICBM' at military parade

This photo released Thursday shows what appears to be a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile displayed at a military parade at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday. YonhapPresidential office says it is 'closely monitoring' situationBy Jung Min-hoNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un brought his daughter to a massive military parade showing off the regime's most advanced weapons, state media reported Thursday. Among the arms on display was what appeared to be a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).The parade, held in Pyongyang the previous evening to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea's army, featured “nuclear-capable weapons” including the ICBM carried on a missile vehicle and Hwasong-17s, the North's largest ICBM that could potentially reach the U.S. mainland, according to its Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and satellite images.Wearing a long black coat and fedora ― a style that would remind the public of Kim Il-sung, North Korea's late founder ― Kim Jong-un was seen standing next to his daughter, Ju-ae, saluting as

Feb 9, 2023By Jung Min-ho
North Korea displays 'solid-fuel ICBM' at military parade
  • PHOTOS North Korea's army anniversary military parade
  • NK leader calls for stronger military power in photo session with parade participants
North Korea

Daughter-centered photos, title of honor reinforce speculation over North Korea succession

Kim Ju-ae, center, daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, front right, and Ri Sol-ju, front left, smile at a banquet celebrating the 75th founding anniversary of the country's armed forces, in Pyongyang, North Korea, Tuesday. YonhapKim Ju-ae seen visiting troops with parents to mark 75th anniversary of founding of its militaryBy Jung Min-hoNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un's daughter made a public appearance again, Tuesday, this time with top military brass posing respectfully behind her at a banquet held the day before the 75th anniversary of the founding of its armed forces.North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday that Ju-ae visited the barracks of its generals the previous day with her father and mother, Ri Sol-ju. In photos and videos released, the daughter walks beside Kim Jong-un ― holding his hand occasionally ― as he praises the officers for keeping the military strong.Kim Ju-ae was described as Kim Jong-un's “respected” daughter ― the title of honor given to no other than North Korea's supreme leaders ― by state media. Ri was seen

Feb 8, 2023By Jung Min-ho
Daughter-centered photos, title of honor reinforce speculation over North Korea succession
North Korea

South Korea steps up efforts to resolve issue of aging separated families

South Koreans on a bus hold the hands of their long-lost family members from North Korea after a reunion event for families separated by the Korean War, at North Korea's Mount Geumgang, in this Oct. 22, 2015, file photo. Despite little progress on inter-Korean relations in recent years, the unification ministry vowed on Tuesday to step up efforts to connect the families with their loved ones in the North. Korea Times fileOnly 30% of reunion applicants still alive; gov't desperate for any means of connectionBy Jung Min-hoOver the past 12 years, more than 24,000 South Koreans have created video letters for their family members who might still be alive in North Korea, hoping that the messages would reach them one day.In the letters, some of which are available on a website run by the Ministry of Unification, they express hopes of meeting their brothers or sisters lost in the chaos of the 1950-53 Korean War during their childhood. “My mother would probably have died by now after 70 years,” a man, 76, who was hoping to find his long-lost younger brother, said in a video clip p

Feb 7, 2023By Jung Min-ho
South Korea steps up efforts to resolve issue of aging separated families
Politics

Opposition party seeks to impeach interior minister over Itaewon tragedy

Interior Minister Lee Sang-min gazes into space during an interpellation session at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea has introduced a bill to impeach the minister over the Itaewon tragedy. NewsisRuling party accuses DPK of political maneuvering to protect its embattled leaderBy Jung Min-hoThe main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is seeking to impeach Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, blaming him for having failed to protect the 159 innocent lives lost in a crowd crush last Halloween in Itaewon, a popular nightlife district in Seoul. National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo told a plenary meeting Monday that an impeachment motion signed by its 176 members, including DPK floor leader Park Hong-keun, has been submitted.After a general meeting of DPK lawmakers, Park said the party plans to put the bill to a vote at the Assembly on Wednesday.The move comes two months after the DPK-controlled Assembly passed a motion calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol to sack Lee over his “incompetence,” which it claimed let the Oct. 2

Feb 6, 2023By Jung Min-ho
Opposition party seeks to impeach interior minister over Itaewon tragedy
  • Seoul City postpones taking down 'illegal' memorial for Itaewon tragedy
Society

9 fishermen, including 2 Vietnamese, missing in boat incident

A Korea Coast Guard helicopter searches for the missing fishermen in waters off the country's southwestern coast, Sunday, after a boat capsized at sea the night before. Courtesy of Coast GuardPresident orders maximum effort for search operationsBy Jung Min-hoThe Korea Coast Guard and the ROK military have been searching for nine fishermen missing after their boat was capsized late Saturday night in waters off Korea's southwestern coast.The 24-ton vessel was overturned at around 11:17 p.m. in waters 16.6 kilometers west of Daebichi, an uninhabited island close to the county of Sinan. Since then, three people, including one Indonesian national, have been rescued. Nine others, including two Vietnamese nationals, are still missing.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday told top officials of all related government ministries and agencies to maximize efforts to find them, calling for support for victims' families, according to Kim Eun-hye, senior presidential secretary for press affairs.Some 30 vessels from the Korea Coast Guard and the ROK Navy as well as several maritime patrol aircraft and d

Feb 5, 2023By Jung Min-ho
9 fishermen, including 2 Vietnamese, missing in boat incident
North Korea

Pyongyang threatens eye-for-eye response as US B-1B bombers join drills in South Korea

Two U.S. Air Force B-1B strategic bombers and F-22 stealth fighter jets accompany Republic of Korea Air Force F-35 fighter jets over the West Sea during a joint air drill, in this handout photo taken Feb. 1. Courtesy of Ministry of National DefenseRegime will likely double down on aggression, conduct nuke test this month, analyst saysBy Jung Min-hoNorth Korea threatened an eye-for-an-eye response to South Korea-U.S. combined military exercises, Thursday, when stealth fighter jets and strategic bombers took part in the two allies' first joint air drills of the year.The warning from Pyongyang comes two days after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a meeting in Seoul, during which he told South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup that there will be more joint exercises involving some of the U.S.' most powerful military assets in response to North Korea's evolving security threats.“DPRK (North Korea) will take the toughest reaction to any military attempt of the U.S. on the principle of 'nuke for nuke and all-out confrontation for all-out confrontation,'” the foreign m

Feb 2, 2023By Jung Min-ho
Pyongyang threatens eye-for-eye response as US B-1B bombers join drills in South Korea
Law & Crime

4 South Korean activists arrested for executing orders from Pyongyang

A South Korean activist suspected of following orders from North Korea enters the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, Tuesday. The court issued arrest warrants for all of them. YonhapProbe into North Korean spy ring gains tractionBy Jung Min-hoFour South Korean activists have been arrested on charges of carrying out orders from Pyongyang as the investigation into an alleged North Korean spy ring gains traction.The Seoul Central District Court approved arrest warrants, Wednesday, for the members of “the Vanguard of the People's Independent Unification,” citing flight risks and concerns over possible destruction of evidence.The suspects are under suspicion of establishing the organization in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, in 2016 to stir up anti-government sentiment and coordinate rallies. The organization was allegedly set up according to orders given by North Korean agents the suspects met in Cambodia, Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeast Asia.The United Front Department of the North's ruling Workers' Party, which is in charge of propaganda and espionage o

Feb 1, 2023By Jung Min-ho
4 South Korean activists arrested for executing orders from Pyongyang
Defense

South Korea, US to expand size and content of joint military drills

Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, right, and his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin shake hands during a joint press conference after their meeting at the Defense Ministry in Seoul, Tuesday. AP-YonhapPentagon chief assures NATO-style security guarantee amid growing skepticism over extended deterrence against North KoreaBy Jung Min-hoSouth Korea and the United States agreed to expand the size and content of their combined military drills on Tuesday to counter intensifying security threats from North Korea amid growing skepticism here over Washington's commitment to provide extended deterrence.At a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Lee Jong-sup in Seoul, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reassured that his country's “ironclad” commitment to the Asian ally will continue to underpin their relationship."Our commitment to the defense of the ROK (South Korea) remains ironclad, and the United States stands firm in its extended deterrence commitment," the Pentagon chief said. “That includes the full range of U.S. defense capabilities, including our conventional, nuclear an

Jan 31, 2023By Jung Min-ho
South Korea, US to expand size and content of joint military drills
Defense

Over 76% of South Koreans support development of nuclear weapons

A photo showing North Korea's missile launch is displayed at the Unification Observation Post in Paju near the inter-Korean border, Jan. 27. More than 76 percent of people in South Korea support the idea of arming their country with nuclear weapons to counter growing security threats from North Korea, a new study showed Monday. AP-YonhapSurvey suggests widespread skepticism over denuclearization of North KoreaBy Jung Min-hoOver 76 percent of people in South Korea support the idea of arming their country with its own nuclear weapons to counter growing security threats from North Korea, a new study showed.According to the results of a survey released Monday by the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, a think tank, 60.7 percent of the respondents said they believe their country is somewhat in need of developing its own nuclear weapons, while 15.9 percent said it is very much in need.Only 3.1 percent said the country is in no need of such weapons, while 20.3 percent said the need is low.The level of approval measured for nuclear weapons is higher than the numbers shown in other studies i

Jan 30, 2023By Jung Min-ho
Over 76% of South Koreans support development of nuclear weapons
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