my timesThe Korea Times
mj6c2

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.

Go to Email

Read more

Law & Crime

Investigation into North Korean spy ring expands

Lawmakers enter the office of the National Intelligence Service in Seoul, in this Oct. 26, 2022, file photo. According to civic groups and other sources on Tuesday, NIS officials and police have been investigating allegations that some liberal activists, including party officials, helped promote anti-government activities after taking orders from North Korea's ruling Workers' Party. NewsisParty officials, activists suspected of carrying out orders from PyongyangBy Jung Min-hoWhen South Korea's largest labor umbrella group called for an end to the alliance with the U.S. and conscription during weekend rallies before Aug. 15 National Liberation Day last year, some observers questioned what those demands have to do with improving workers' rights.The National Intelligence Service (NIS) and police now suspect that the messages chanted in the Seoul streets might have come directly from Pyongyang and that it was orchestrated by regime sympathizers engaged in espionage activities here at its behest.According to civic groups and other sources on Tuesday, NIS officials and police have been inv

Jan 10, 2023By Jung Min-ho
Investigation into North Korean spy ring expands
Defense

South Korean drones sent to North was 'exercise of self-defense': military

South Korea's military conducts an anti-drone exercise in Paju, a city near the inter-Korean border, Jan. 5. NewsisCommunication failure under scrutiny after bungled responseBy Jung Min-hoThe military refuted the opposition party's claim on Monday that South Korean drones sent to North Korea were a violation of the inter-Korean truce, claiming that the South exercised its right of self-defense.The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) defended President Yoon Suk Yeol's eye-for-an-eye response to five North Korean drones that crossed over the inter-Korean border, Dec. 26, in a clear violation of a 2018 military pact signed between the two sides.“The border incursion by the North Korean drones was a provocative act that apparently violated the Korean Armistice Agreement, the (1991) Inter-Korean Basic Agreement and the (2018) Sept. 19 military agreement,” Lee Sung-jun, a spokesman for the JCS, told reporters. “It was a proportional response and an exercise of the right to self-defense … Article 51 (of Chapter VII) of the United Nations Charter guarantees the right to enga

Jan 9, 2023By Jung Min-ho
South Korean drones sent to North was 'exercise of self-defense': military
  • Defector group says it will use drones for leaflet campaign against N. Korea
Law & Crime

Over 150 tourists 'missing' after visa-free entry through Yangyang airport

This June 1, 2018, file photo shows Yangyang International Airport. More than 150 foreign visitors who entered Korea via the airport under a visa waiver program over the past six months have “gone missing,” raising concerns that the program may be exploited by those seeking to work here illegally. NewsisBy Jung Min-hoMore than 150 foreign visitors who entered Korea via Yangyang International Airport under a visa waiver program over the past six months have “gone missing,” raising concerns that the waiver may be exploited by those seeking to work here illegally.Documents from the Ministry of Justice obtained by Rep. Yoo Sang-bum of the ruling People Power Party showed Sunday that 107 Vietnamese, 31 Filipinos and 15 Mongolians have fallen out of contact after arriving here through the program, which has been running since last June for the three countries as well as Indonesia.The immigration office under the ministry said it has so far caught three people ― two Vietnamese and one Filipino ― for overstaying the authorized period of 15 days. The ministry said it i

Jan 8, 2023By Jung Min-ho
Over 150 tourists 'missing' after visa-free entry through Yangyang airport
North Korea

North Korean drone intruded on no-fly zone near presidential office

An attack helicopter flies during an anti-drone training exercise in Paju, a city near the inter-Korean border, Thursday. Yonhap Possibility of drone taking photos cannot be ruled out: spy agencyBy Jung Min-hoThe North Korean drones that crossed into South Korea last week were not advanced ones: The glider type model, which appears to be an imitation of common Chinese commercial drones, probably cost less than 10 million won ($7,800), an expert says.Yet the drones were able to create an air of anxiety and insecurity in South Korea, where the military is now scrambling to improve its anti-drone defense system. After having seen how effective the unmanned aerial vehicles can be for heightening tensions, the North will likely repeat such provocations in the year ahead, according to analysts Thursday.“North Korea is expected to continue to use cost-effective methods for provocation such as a drone invasion,” Oh Gyeong-seob, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National

Jan 5, 2023By Jung Min-ho
North Korean drone intruded on no-fly zone near presidential office
  • US will work closely with Seoul to monitor NK threats: Pentagon
Defense

Yoon threatens to suspend 2018 military pact if North Korea violates border again

President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yoon said Wednesday that he will review whether to suspend a 2018 military pact signed between the two Koreas if the North intrudes inter-Korean border again. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoPresident Yoon Suk-yeol said Wednesday that he will consider suspending a 2018 military pact signed between the two Koreas if North Korea violates the inter-Korean border again.The warning comes a week after five North Korean drones entered the South's airspace in a clear violation of the pact, under which the two sides agreed to cease hostile activities and take steps to build military trust.According to a high-ranking official at the presidential office, Yoon said there are no reasons for South Korea to adhere to the deal, which the North frequently ignores by testing missiles or sending unmanned aerial vehicles.“As the commander-in-chief, Yoon called for stern readiness against such provocations so that no citizen would feel unsafe,” the official told reporters. “We hope there will be no

Jan 4, 2023By Jung Min-ho
Yoon threatens to suspend 2018 military pact if North Korea violates border again
  • US concerned about NK's disregard of military agreement with Seoul: State Dept.
  • US will continue to enhance defense readiness against N. Korean threats: Kirby
North Korea

ANALYSIS Kim's missile inspection with daughter hints at possible succession plans

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae inspect a KN-23 factory at an unspecified location in North Korea, in this photo released on the first day of 2023. YonhapWomen's roles are expected to expand in North Korean politics, expert says By Jung Min-hoEvery move means something in politics. It is particularly so for Kim Jong-un, the supreme ruler of North Korea, where everything he does or says is carefully choreographed. In the photos released on the first day of 2023, Kim can be seen inspecting the facilities for missiles believed to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads ― the Hwasong-12 and KN-23 ― while holding the hand of his daughter, Ju-ae.This move leaves little doubt over who is next in the line, as the pictures symbolically show North Korea's future, according to Cheong Seong-chang, a senior analyst on North Korea at the think tank, the Sejong Institute.That future is the one where the North will continue to develop nuclear weapons and, at some point, Ju-ae, who has previously been described as Kim's “most beloved” child, will receive the baton t

Jan 3, 2023By Jung Min-ho
[ANALYSIS] Kim's missile inspection with daughter hints at possible succession plans
North Korea

North Korea likely to conduct nuclear test no later than Feb. 16: analyst

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae inspect the development of the Hwasong-12, an intermediate-range ballistic missile, at an unspecified location in North Korea, in this photo released Sunday. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoCheong Seong-chang, a senior analyst on North Korea at the Sejong InstituteWith intelligence reports showing North Korea is set for another nuclear weapons test, when ― rather than whether ― it will proceed has become a geopolitical guessing game. One expert believes that the test will be conducted within the next seven weeks.According to Cheong Seong-chang, a senior analyst on North Korea at the Sejong Institute, a think tank, leader Kim Jong-un will likely order the test to be held no later than Feb. 16, the anniversary of the birth of his father, Kim Jong-il. If not, two other likely dates for testing would be his own birthday (Jan. 8) or the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army (Feb. 8), North Korea's military forces.“Compared with Kim's previous New Year's remarks, which highlighted the country's economic growth, he emph

Jan 2, 2023By Jung Min-ho
North Korea likely to conduct nuclear test no later than Feb. 16: analyst
Health

Korea resumes COVID-19 tests for visitors from China

People walk out of the arrivals gate at Incheon International Airport, Friday. Korea is set to impose mandatory COVID-19 tests on all visitors from China. YonhapGov't to restrict visas and numbers of flights due to variant fearsBy Jung Min-hoKorea will impose mandatory COVID-19 tests on all visitors from China, joining several other countries strengthening border controls, due to fears of variant strains after Beijing's decision earlier this month to abandon its “zero-COVID” policy.From Jan. 5, all travelers from China will be required to present a negative result from a PCR test, no more than 48 hours later or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours before departure. They will also have to take another PCR test upon arrival or within 24 hours.To restrict the number of visitors coming from China, which has recently stopped publishing daily updates on the pandemic, Korea will not issue short-term visas for those visiting Korea unless it is for diplomatic, business and humanitarian reasons ― between Jan. 2 and 31. Moreover, the number of flights between the two countries

Dec 30, 2022By Jung Min-ho
Korea resumes COVID-19 tests for visitors from China
  • France, Spain to require COVID tests for China passengers
  • Canada to require COVID tests for passengers from China
Defense

INTERVIEW Don't underestimate North Korea's drones: US analyst

Smoke rises after a Russian drone strike in Kyiv, in this Oct. 17 file photo. North Korea may not have advanced drone technology, but South Korea should not underestimate the danger, according to a U.S. defense expert. Reuters-YonhapKim's interest in drones comes from South Korea's clear vulnerability, Bennett saysBy Jung Min-hoBruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the Rand CorporationIt was neither a state-of-the-art fighter jet nor an intercontinental ballistic missile that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad three years ago. It was a strike by an MQ-9 Reaper drone.Although it would take a long time for North Korea to be able to copy anything close to such a high-level operation, South Korea should never underestimate what Pyongyang can ― and hopes to do ― with drone technology, according to Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the Rand Corporation, a U.S. policy think tank.“While North Korea apparently lacks such [high-level] drone capabilities, it potentially could fly several dozen armed drones into the ROK Presidential Office or National Asse

Dec 29, 2022By Jung Min-ho
[INTERVIEW] Don't underestimate North Korea's drones: US analyst
  • S. Korea to speed up anti-drone system development
Defense

Yoon calls for decisive response to North Korean provocations

President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yoon called for a decisive and overwhelming response to any provocations by North Korea, Wednesday. NewsisDefense minister apologizes over response to drones, vows to improve air defense systemBy Jung Min-hoPresident Yoon Suk-yeol called for a decisive and overwhelming response to any provocations by North Korea, saying that strong action is the most effective deterrent. Presiding over a meeting on Wednesday with presidential secretaries and ranking officials of the National Security Office, Yoon said South Korea's military should not hesitate just because North Korea has nuclear weapons.His strongly worded remarks came a day after he became “furious” over the military's bumbling response to North Korea's drones, one of which reached the skies of the nation's capital.An official at the presidential office told reporters that the atmosphere was tense when Yoon was briefed by Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup on the five unmanned aerial vehicles that intruded across the inter-K

Dec 28, 2022By Jung Min-ho
Yoon calls for decisive response to North Korean provocations
previous page
979899100101
next page

Top 5 stories

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.