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dahyun08

Jung Da-hyun

Korea Times Politics & City Reporter

Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.

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Society

Climate ministry official's death sparks scrutiny of workload, workplace culture

The death of a junior official at the newly launched Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has cast a harsh spotlight on its organizational culture, as allegations of workplace bullying surface alongside long-standing concerns about chronic understaffing. The official, in his second year of civil service and responsible for climate adaptation and energy policy, was found dead at his home in Sejong on July 16, according to police and the ministry. Following the official's death, allegations emerged within the ministry that the civil servant had been subjected to excessive workload and workplace bullying by a supervisor. Colleagues said the official had complained of personal attacks and unrealistic demands for high-quality work without sufficient guidance. They also alleged that requests for support were met with reprimands rather than support. The supervisor accused of workplace bullying has been relieved of duties pending investigation. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the official's death, including interviews with acquaintances and a review of relevant reco

Jul 24, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Climate ministry official's death sparks scrutiny of workload, workplace culture
Education

KAFSA calls for shift from recruitment to belonging in university internationalization

Having reached its goal of attracting 300,000 international students two years ahead of schedule, a university international affairs leader emphasized that Korea must now shift its focus from enrollment targets to helping international students build lasting lives in the country. “The focus should no longer be on how many international students Korea attracts, but on how the country can build an inclusive society with them,” said Jin Chang-hyun, chair of the Korean Association of Foreign Students Administrators (KAFSA) and chief of international affairs at Kyonggi University. For years, universities equated internationalization with rising enrollment. But with the number of international students now exceeding 300,000, Jin said that the recruitment-driven model has run its course. “Internationalization is no longer optional. It is a matter of survival for universities,” he said. “But using international students simply to fill empty seats risks higher dropout rates, visa overstays and an exodus of graduates soon after completing their studies.” In response, KAFSA's 2026 visio

Jul 23, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
KAFSA calls for shift from recruitment to belonging in university internationalization
Education

Korean proficiency opened doors for Moroccan engineer in Korea

Developing fluency in Korean, rather than simply earning a degree, was one of the biggest factors behind Moroccan engineer Hind Rbigui’s successful settlement in Korea. “Studying Korean and regularly taking part in Korean-language speech contests helped me greatly when I was looking for a job and ultimately became one of the most important factors in building a long-term life here,” Rbigui, a Moroccan who recently became a naturalized Korean citizen, said in an interview with The Korea Times. Her interest in Korea was first sparked by a television drama, but soon deepened into a fascination with the country’s rapid economic rise. “As an industrial engineering student, I wanted to understand how Korea had achieved such remarkable development in such a short period,” she said. “I felt I had to come and see it for myself.” Rbigui came to Korea in 2014 under the Korean Government Scholarship Program, now known as the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). After a year of Korean-language training at Inha University, she pursued a doctorate in industrial engineering at the University

Jul 22, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Korean proficiency opened doors for Moroccan engineer in Korea
Society

QS names Seoul world's best student city for 2nd year

Seoul has been named the world’s best student city for the second consecutive year, earning the only perfect score in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings. Korea also strengthened its global presence, with five cities making it onto the list, including first-time entrants Daejeon and Gwangju. With a perfect score of 100, Seoul finished ahead of Tokyo at 98 and London at 97.3, according to QS on Tuesday. The top three remained unchanged from last year, cementing Seoul's position as a leading global higher education hub. Released annually by global higher education consultancy QS, the ranking assesses 150 cities on the strength of their universities, graduate employment prospects, affordability, student diversity, quality of life and feedback from students. Cities must have a population of more than 250,000 and be home to at least two institutions listed in the QS World University Rankings 2027 to be included. The United Kingdom had the strongest representation, with 16 cities in the ranking, followed by the United States with 14, mainland China with 10 and Australia with seven. Kore

Jul 21, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
QS names Seoul world's best student city for 2nd year
Society

Economic pressures fuel 'mom-obsessed' trend among Korean youth

There was a time when being called a "mama's boy" or "mama's girl" in Korea was an insult. Now, millions of young Koreans are voluntarily claiming a similar label and wearing it as a badge of honor. The term “eommisae,” referring to someone who is obsessed with their mom, went viral across social media as more young people say they would rather spend time with their mothers than with friends or partners. On platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, young Koreans share photos and videos of themselves shopping, traveling and dining with their mothers, proudly adopting the label. Many describe their mothers as their best friends, saying they spend more time talking to them than anyone else and express that they would rather enjoy a meal or a day out with their moms than socialize with peers. Unlike mama's boy and mama's girl, which implied excessive dependence, eommisae is largely self-described — a term people claim with pride rather than one imposed as criticism. The trend extends to K-pop as well, with idols openly showcasing close relationships with their parents. ILLIT member Wonh

Jul 19, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Economic pressures fuel 'mom-obsessed' trend among Korean youth
Society

Heavy rain to return this week as scorching heat persists

A stationary monsoon front is expected to bring rain to much of Korea throughout this week, while sweltering heat will persist with daytime highs climbing to 36 degrees Celsius. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) on Sunday, monsoon rain is forecast to fall across most of the country, with the exception of Jeju Island, beginning Monday and continuing through the week. The heaviest rain is expected Monday, with up to 100 millimeters forecast for the Chungcheong region and up to 80 millimeters for southern Gyeonggi Province. Seoul, Incheon, northern Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province, Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province are expected to see 20 to 60 millimeters of rain, while Gwangju, South and North Jeolla provinces, Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province are forecast to see 5 to 40 millimeters. Starting Wednesday, rain will be more concentrated over the Chungcheong region and the southern parts of the country before spreading again across most of the nation on Thursday and Friday. The KMA said the stationary front is expected to intensify particularly on Thurs

Jul 19, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Heavy rain to return this week as scorching heat persists
  • Nearly 200 mm of rain hits Seoul, surrounding regions; 540 cases of damage reported
Education

Universities can't be world-class without real-world impact, THE says

LONDON — The race for global university excellence is entering a new phase. Producing influential research is no longer enough. Universities are increasingly judged by how effectively they transform knowledge into innovation, industry partnerships and real-world impact. "Leading universities must demonstrate that their work contributes not only to academic scholarship, but also to innovation, industry, public policy and solutions to global challenges," Phil Baty, chief global affairs officer at Times Higher Education (THE), said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. "A modern global research university has to translate its ideas into the real world through intellectual property, industry collaboration and patents." Research has long been the cornerstone of THE's world university rankings, reflecting the organization's original mission of helping governments and university leaders benchmark research competitiveness rather than serving primarily as a guide for prospective students. "The original concept of the Times Higher rankings was actually for university strategic leaders and

Jul 13, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Universities can't be world-class without real-world impact, THE says
Education

Gyeonggi Province pushes phone-free school policy

Gyeonggi Province's education office is pushing ahead with a "phone-free school" initiative that would restrict students' mobile phone use during the school day — one of Superintendent Ahn Min-seok's flagship campaign pledges — drawing mixed reactions over whether the policy is enforceable and legally valid. The initiative aims to limit phone use at elementary, middle and high schools across the province to support learning, strengthen interpersonal relationships and restore the educational environment. It has gained momentum as students spend increasing amounts of time on smartphones, exposing them not only to excessive screen use but also to online gambling, fraud, deepfake-related crimes and even prostitution, prompting continued calls for stronger regulation of smartphone use among students. According to a survey of 1,000 people conducted by the education office from June 27 to 29, 77.3 percent said schools should collect and store students' mobile phones during the school day to protect the right to learn. Support was even higher among parents, with 84 percent backing the measur

Jul 10, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Gyeonggi Province pushes phone-free school policy
Education

What will define world-class university in AI era?

LONDON — Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the standard by which universities are judged. Academic reputation alone is no longer enough. In the AI era, universities will increasingly be evaluated on whether they produce adaptable graduates with the human skills employers cannot automate, senior executives at global higher education analyst QS said. "The role of universities is changing very quickly," Jessica Turner, CEO of QS, said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. "Students want to know not just that they are at a university with a great reputation, but that it is preparing them with the experience they're going to need in the job market." She noted that universities must prepare students not only for employment after graduation, but for careers that will continue to evolve alongside rapid technological change. "Employers are looking for graduates who are very adaptable," Turner said, adding that students increasingly expect universities to prepare them for careers that will evolve alongside rapid technological change. QS is already putting this shift into its new ranki

Jul 8, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
What will define world-class university in AI era?
Education

Sangmyung University builds distinctive global strategy around arts, culture

As Korean universities jostle for global standing, Sangmyung University is leaning into what sets it apart: a concentration in culture and the arts. Three of the university's 10 colleges specialize in culture, the arts and design — a rare institutional structure among Korean universities that Sangmyung University President Kim Chong-hee sees as a strategic asset rather than a legacy to be outgrown. “We are focusing our global partnerships on two key areas — artificial intelligence (AI), our new strategic priority, and culture and the arts, our traditional strength," she said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. Asia's cultural hub Kim said her ultimate goal is to position Sangmyung as Asia's cultural hub, connected to the world, and and the university is building a network of partnerships across Europe and Asia to back that ambition. In November 2025, the university also launched the Arts Management Asia Center as part of its broader push to become a regional hub for arts management. "We want the center to serve as a platform connecting arts management research and education a

Jul 8, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Sangmyung University builds distinctive global strategy around arts, culture
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