I cover a wide range of stories about Korean society — one of the most dynamic places in the world. To me, journalism means being on the ground, uncovering untold stories and amplifying marginalized voices, especially in an era when AI is reshaping the media landscape. That’s why I’m always here to listen. Tips and stories are welcome — feel free to reach out via email. Before becoming a journalist, I traveled through 24 countries over 702 days, served two years as a military police officer in the Republic of Korea Air Force and later studied filmmaking at the Korea National University of Arts.
Korea Times reporter wins Gender Equality Media Award's Grand Prize
The Korea Times reporter Jung Da-hyun, right, poses at the 27th Gender Equality Media Award in Jung District, central Seoul, Tuesday. From left are Hankook Ilbo reporters Kim Tae-yeon and Jin Dal-rae, and Gender Equality and Family Minister Won Min-kyong. Courtesy of the Korean Institute for Gender Equality Promotion and Education
By Park Ung
The Korea Times reporter Jung Da-hyun won the Grand Prize in the reporting category at the 27th Gender Equality Media Award on Tuesday for her investigative series, “Deepfake crisis at schools,” produced in collaboration with the Excellence Lab team at sister publication Hankook Ilbo.
Established in 1999, the honor is presented by the Korean Institute for Gender Equality Promotion and Education (KIGEPE) to strengthen the media’s role in promoting gender equality and to recognize outstanding broadcast programs and news reporting.
The award-winning series, recognized with the Prime Minister’s Award, examines the alarming prevalence and impact of deepfake crimes among teenagers.
The institute said the work effectively highlighted the growing severity of deepfake sexual offenses involving younger age groups by presenting concrete cases, and persuasively outlined the urgent challenges facing society through a multidimensional analysis.
“The continued rise of deepfake crimes demands sustained public attention, especially as both victims and perpetrators are increasingly adolescents,” Jung said. “I hope coverage like this spurs a deeper and more serious discussion across society.”
This year, 20 stories were honored, including coverage of female independence activists from Japan’s 1910-45 colonial occupation of Korea, profiles of Jeju's "haenyeo" — the women who preserve Korea’s centuries-old free-diving tradition — and an investigative report into a Korean YouTuber who committed child sexual abuse in the Philippines.
“We hope that broadcast programs and news reports that illuminate key gender equality issues will help expand public interest and foster a broader consensus on the importance of gender equality,” said Kim Sam-hwa, head of KIGEPE.
Kim added, “The institute will continue to promote a culture of gender equality by identifying and expanding outstanding media initiatives.”