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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

Philippine caregiver program faces uncertain future amid gov’t doubts

The future of the Philippine caregiver program in Korea, designed to supply foreign care workers to local households in response to the country’s declining birthrate, has been cast into doubt as the country's labor ministry raised financial concerns about its planned expansion just weeks before its scheduled full-scale launch. Acting Employment and Labor Minister Kim Min-seok said that expanding the caregiver program into a full-scale initiative next month appears unlikely, citing unresolved funding issues. Launched in September last year, the program began with a six-month pilot phase, jointly operated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, that brought 100 certified caregivers from the Philippines to work in households across Seoul. The Korean government had initially planned to bring in an additional 1,200 foreign workers in the first half of this year to roll out the program nationwide. Kim explained that the government launched the pilot project with the expectation that increasing the supply of caregivers would lower service costs and make

May 9, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
Philippine caregiver program faces uncertain future amid gov’t doubts
  • Future of foreign nanny program uncertain as gov't remains undecided
  • Seoul to transfer Filipino caregiver program to private sector after mixed reviews
Society

Seoul launches interpretation support for multicultural students in school violence cases

An interpretation support service to assist students from multicultural backgrounds involved in school violence cases will launch this month in eastern Seoul. The Seoul Dongbu District Office of Education announced Thursday that the program will offer interpretation in 18 languages to ensure fair and effective communication during investigations and disciplinary procedures, addressing language barriers that may hinder students’ ability to fully exercise their rights. As of 2024, students from racially or linguistically diverse backgrounds made up 7.93 percent of the total student population in Dongdaemun and Jungnang — districts overseen by the Seoul Dongbu District Office of Education. While the overall student population in these areas is declining, the proportion of multicultural students continues to rise. In response, the education office is formalizing and expanding its interpretation support system to better protect the rights of such multicultural students involved in school violence cases, ensuring they can fully exercise their right to make statements and defend themselves

May 8, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
Seoul launches interpretation support for multicultural students in school violence cases
Society

Daegu moves forward with AI textbooks, responds to growing cultural diversity in classrooms

Korea’s education system is undergoing a significant transformation with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the rising number of students from multicultural backgrounds. Amid these shifts, the Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education is accelerating the rollout of AI-based digital textbooks (AIDT) to offer personalized learning tailored to individual students' levels. "Customized education that reflects each student’s learning pace and needs is the ideal, and AI technology marks a critical turning point in achieving that goal," said Kang Eun-hee, superintendent of the Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education, in an interview with The Korea Times. "While AI digital textbooks still require further development, they hold the potential to greatly enhance public education and ease the burden of excessive reliance on private tutoring." Daegu has recorded the highest adoption rate of these textbooks in the country, reaching 98 percent — significantly higher than the national average of 32.3 percent. Kang attributed this achievement to the region’s early investment

May 8, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
Daegu moves forward with AI textbooks, responds to growing cultural diversity in classrooms
Politics

DPK presidential candidate's retrial postponed until after election

The Seoul High Court postponed the first hearing in the retrial of Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, who faces charges of violating the nation's election law, to June 18, after the upcoming presidential election. In addition, a hearing for Lee's Daejang-dong development case has also been rescheduled for June 24. The appellate court had initially scheduled the hearing for May 15, following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Lee’s acquittal and return the case for retrial. The court explained that the hearing was postponed until after the presidential election to ensure a fair campaign environment for the candidate and to avoid any controversy over the trial’s impartiality. It added that the proceedings will remain free from internal or external influence, reaffirming its commitment to a fair and independent ruling based strictly on the Constitution and the law. Lee welcomed the court’s decision, calling it a reasonable move in line with the spirit of the Constitution. However, former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon criticized the move

May 7, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
DPK presidential candidate's retrial postponed until after election
  • Court ruling on Lee Jae-myung likely to reshape presidential race
Society

Work takes priority over marriage, children for Koreans in 20s to 40s: survey

A majority of Koreans in their 20s to 40s place greater importance on their careers than on marriage or having children, according to a report released Monday by the Presidential Committee for National Cohesion. The report examined changing perceptions of family and labor roles through a nationwide online survey of 2,690 men and women aged 25 to 44 conducted from Jan. 31 to Feb. 14. When asked to rank the most important aspects of life, 38.1 percent of respondents — regardless of gender — chose work as their top priority, followed by personal life elements such as leisure and self-fulfillment at 23.1 percent, romantic partnerships, including dating and marriage, at 22 percent and children at 16.8 percent. While work consistently topped the list for both men and women, the remaining priorities showed slight gender differences. Women placed a greater emphasis on personal life at 24.5 percent over partnerships at 20.9 percent, whereas men ranked partnership at 23.1 percent ahead of personal life at 21.7 percent. Children were the lowest priority for both genders, with 17 percent of wome

May 6, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
Work takes priority over marriage, children for Koreans in 20s to 40s: survey
Society

Korea University, UNDP celebrate partnership with monument unveiling

Korea University and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held a joint ceremony on Monday at the university’s Central Plaza in Seoul to unveil a commemorative monument celebrating two significant milestones — the 120th anniversary of the founding of Korea University and the 60th anniversary of the UNDP Seoul office. The event also featured the official opening of the UN-KU Sustainable Terrace, a new campus space symbolizing the institutions’ shared commitment to global cooperation. Among the distinguished attendees were Korea University President Kim Dong-one, Korea University Alumni Association President and The Korea Times Chairman Seung Myung-ho and UNDP Seoul Policy Centre Director Anne Juepner, as well as senior officials from both organizations. The newly unveiled monument symbolizes the shared values of the two institutions — sustainability, peace and international cooperation — and their commitment to shaping a more sustainable future. The terrace, featuring seven newly planted trees and a wooden deck, is designed as a space for reflection and dialogue on sus

May 6, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
Korea University, UNDP celebrate partnership with monument unveiling
Society

Korea University opens special exhibition celebrating 120 years of academic legacy, vision

Korea University unveiled a special exhibition on Wednesday to commemorate its 120th anniversary, with an opening ceremony held at the university’s Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall. Jointly organized by the university’s museum and library, the exhibition highlights Korea University’s enduring commitment to academic excellence and civic engagement. It also looks ahead, outlining the institution’s aspirations for the next 120 years. The exhibition showcases 120 rare artifacts and more than 170 items, including several nationally designated cultural treasures. Among the highlights are Donggwoldo, a detailed painting of Changdeok and Changgyeong Palaces; Honcheonsigye, an intricate astronomical clock; and a celadon jar adorned with stamped chrysanthemum patterns. A key feature of the exhibition is the oldest known printed edition of Hunminjeongeum, the historic document that introduced the Korean script. The artifact is being made available for public viewing for the first time in 90 years. Divided into five thematic sections, each named after characters in the university’s Korean

May 6, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
Korea University opens special exhibition celebrating 120 years of academic legacy, vision
  • Korea University, UNDP celebrate partnership with monument unveiling
Politics

Former prime minister declares presidential bid

Former acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo officially announced his presidential candidacy on Friday, pledging to launch constitutional reform immediately upon taking office and to step down in the third year of his term once the process is complete. Han formally stepped down as acting president and prime minister on Thursday, fueling expectations of his candidacy, which he confirmed the following day. Han has held several key positions, including Korea’s first trade minister, minister of economy and finance, prime minister and ambassador to the United States. In his speech announcing his candidacy, Han cited growing global and domestic turmoil, warning that dramatic shifts in trade dynamics and international order are making it increasingly difficult for most countries to foresee what lies ahead. "Our nation is also gripped by internal unrest, as conflict and division threaten the foundations of our society," he said. "I have decided to step forward out of love for the country and a sense of responsibility for our shared future. I will do my utmost to earn the public’s t

May 2, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
Former prime minister declares presidential bid
Society

More foreigner-friendly campus takes shape at Korea University

Korea University is pushing forward with initiatives to build a more foreigner-friendly campus to nurture global professionals, driven by a growing number of international students. The number of international students at Korea University jumped to 6,240 in the second semester of 2024, accounting for 22.8 percent, from 4,230 in the first semester of 2023, which was 15.8 percent of total enrollment. In response to this rapid increase, the university launched a globalization task force, directly led by President Kim Dong-one, to expand infrastructure and implement policy reforms aimed at better supporting foreign students and faculty. One of the key efforts includes expanding the number of full-time foreign faculty to 146 from 83 by 2030, making up 10 percent of all teaching staff. The university offers a comprehensive support package including housing, relocation costs and assistance with essential services such as visa applications, phone registration and campus orientation through a tailored onboarding program. To break down language barriers, the university provides multilingual access

May 2, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
More foreigner-friendly campus takes shape at Korea University
  • Korea University embraces global future with inclusivity initiatives
  • Korea University expands international collaboration, network
  • Int'l students, faculty praise Korea University’s vision for global campus
Society

Korea University embraces global future with inclusivity initiatives

Marking its 120th anniversary, Korea University has unveiled an ambitious vision to become an internationally indispensable institution, with a mission to contribute to global progress beyond borders. In the short term, the university aims to rank among the world’s top 30, while positioning itself as a model institution that addresses pressing global challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, aging populations and social polarization. "The university has long stood at the forefront of the nation’s development since our founding in 1905, but now, we must expand our role on a global scale by offering tangible solutions to the world’s most urgent issues," Korea University President Kim Dong-one said. He emphasized that Korea University is a place where global talents from diverse backgrounds come together to tackle the complex issues facing the international community, guided by critical awareness, interdisciplinary thinking and innovative problem-solving. In line with its ambitious goals, the university is pursuing strategies that preserve Korea’s cultural identity while s

May 2, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
Korea University embraces global future with inclusivity initiatives
  • Korea University expands international collaboration, network
  • More foreigner-friendly campus takes shape at Korea University
  • Int'l students, faculty praise Korea University’s vision for global campus
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