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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

Why Korea University is nurturing critical thinkers to prepare for AI era

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly reshapes classrooms and research, universities are being called to redefine their role — not as passive adopters of technology, but as institutions that cultivate individuals capable of using AI as a tool while safeguarding human dignity and intellectual autonomy. Korea University unveiled “Next Intelligence” as its core vision to mark its 120th anniversary last year and has continued to advance the concept since. It frames intelligence as a partnership between humans and AI, working together to enhance and extend each other’s capabilities rather than compete for dominance. “The core mission of university education is no longer simply to deliver knowledge,” Korea University President Kim Dong-one told The Korea Times in a recent interview. “It is to fulfill the role of a Next Intelligence University — one that teaches what AI cannot replace: how to ask meaningful questions and how to choose values.” He emphasized that the rise of AI presents both new opportunities and fundamental challenges for universities. “The current moment

Apr 20, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Why Korea University is nurturing critical thinkers to prepare for AI era
Society

Semiconductor programs overtake medical schools in Korea's college admissions race

Semiconductor programs at Korean universities have overtaken medical schools in admissions competition, highlighting the rapid rise of employment-guaranteed programs as a preferred path for top-performing students. According to Jongro Academy, one of Korea’s largest college preparatory institutes, contract-based semiconductor programs affiliated with major firms such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix posted an average competition rate of 7.16 to 1 in the 2026 regular admissions cycle. By institution, Yonsei University’s System Semiconductor Engineering program, tied to Samsung Electronics, drew 187 applicants for 32 slots, yielding a competition rate of 5.84 to 1. Sungkyunkwan University’s Semiconductor Systems Engineering Division, also partnered with Samsung Electronics, recorded 80 applicants for 15 places, or 5.33 to 1. Programs linked to SK hynix saw even stronger demand. Hanyang University’s Department of Semiconductor Engineering topped the list with a competition rate of 11.8 to 1, followed by Sogang University’s System Semiconductor Engineering program at 9 to 1 and

Apr 18, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Semiconductor programs overtake medical schools in Korea's college admissions race
Society

From 4-week exchange to Hyundai Engineering: Malaysian GKS scholar's 7 years in Korea

The advice was simple: "Don't be mediocre, strive for excellence." That's the advice Tan Shin-hong received during a four-week university program in Korea and it was enough to change his plans entirely. The Malaysian engineer had arrived with a return ticket and a career in his home country in mind. Years later, he is graduate of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program, a master's degree holder from Jeonbuk National University and a manager in the plant design management team at Hyundai Engineering — still in Korea and planning to stay. He recalled being introduced to both Korean culture and the country’s advanced technology and research environment during a one-month program at Kyung Hee University’s campus in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. The experience sparked his interest in further studies. “While participating in the program, I became interested in learning more, which led me to pursue a master’s degree in Korea after completing my undergraduate studies,” Tan said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. His connection to Korea dates back to his sophomore year, when h

Apr 14, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
From 4-week exchange to Hyundai Engineering: Malaysian GKS scholar's 7 years in Korea
Society

Jinju's Seungsan nominated for UN Best Tourism Villages program

The village of Seungsan in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, has been nominated for Best Tourism Villages, a UN Tourism program, Sunday. A total of six villages nationwide were selected as candidates this year, with Seungsan Village the only entry from South Gyeongsang Province. Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages initiative aims to promote the role of tourism in rural development by helping address depopulation and regional imbalances while identifying sustainable growth models. Candidate villages are evaluated based on criteria including cultural and natural resources, heritage preservation and utilization, as well as economic, social and environmental sustainability. The village has strong historical and cultural significance, with the founders of several of Korea's influential conglomerates and companies coming from the area, earning it a reputation as a “hub of K-entrepreneurship.” Tourism infrastructure combining hands-on experience programs with high-quality accommodations is believed to have contributed to the village’s strong evaluation in the selection process. Key

Apr 12, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Jinju's Seungsan nominated for UN Best Tourism Villages program
Society

Aging candidate pool in superintendent race raises concerns over lack of younger leadership

With the June 3 local elections nearing, the superintendent race is drawing concern for its aging candidate pool, with most contenders aged 60 or older. A total of 75 candidates had registered for superintendent races nationwide as of Friday, with an average age of 63. By age group, those in their 60s accounted for the majority with 53 candidates, or 70.7 percent, followed by 16 candidates in their 50s at 21.3 percent, and six in their 70s at 8 percent. The youngest candidates are two contenders in the Sejong superintendent race, both aged 50, while the oldest candidate, running in Daegu, is 74. In Daegu, Daejeon, Ulsan and South Chungcheong Province, the average age of superintendent candidates exceeded 65 — the typical threshold for senior citizen status. Among them, Daegu recorded the highest average at 68. In South Chungcheong Province, two candidates in their 70s have registered. All regions nationwide except Busan, Sejong and Jeju saw average candidate ages in the 60s. Compared with other local elections, including races for mayors and governors, the aging candidate pool is more p

Apr 12, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Aging candidate pool in superintendent race raises concerns over lack of younger leadership
People & Events

From curiosity to contribution, Indian economist reflects on Seoul Honorary Citizenship

When Gouranga Das first turned his attention to Korea, it was purely academic. A development economist trained in India, Australia and the United States, he was drawn to the country's extraordinary postwar growth — the so-called "Miracle on the Han River" — and its potential lessons for other developing nations, including his own. “I came to Korea out of academic interest in its economic growth, particularly in comparison with India, which was also a developing country at the time,” Das, a professor of economics at Hanyang University’s ERICA campus, told The Korea Times. He noted that both countries share a history of colonialism and that he sought to explore lessons from Korea’s experience. What began as a research visit eventually became a life. Teaching and employment opportunities in Korea emerged and Das stayed. He has now lived in Korea for 24 years — a journey that earned him Seoul's honorary citizenship in November 2025. “Alongside academic motivation, the opportunity to be employed here played an important role in my decision to settle in Korea,” he said. Seoul

Apr 9, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
From curiosity to contribution, Indian economist reflects on Seoul Honorary Citizenship
Society

Seoul Women’s University advances AI ethics, international collaboration

Seoul Women’s University is positioning itself as a model for bringing artificial intelligence (AI) into the classroom, applying technological knowledge to real-world challenges while grounding innovation in a deeper understanding of humanity. Rather than prioritizing technological dominance, the university aims to foster students who can integrate disciplines and apply their learning in society, placing human values at the core of innovation. “Education in the AI era must move beyond simply teaching students how to use technology,” Seoul Women’s University President Lee Yoon-sun said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. "We are focused on cultivating students who can apply those skills to solve social problems and create social value." 'Invisible global campus' That philosophy extends to the university's broader internationalization strategy. “Ultimately, we aim to build on this foundation to address shared challenges in the broader global arena,” she said. As part of this effort, the university is seeking to strengthen cooperation with institutions affiliated with

Apr 8, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Seoul Women’s University advances AI ethics, international collaboration
Society

Beyond gender, women’s colleges key to inclusive leadership in AI era

Women's colleges are not relics of the past — they are models for the future. That is the argument Smith College President Sarah Willie-LeBreton made during a recent visit to Korea as she called for a greater embrace of inclusive, human-centered leadership in the age of rapid technological change. Founded in 1875, Smith College is one of the leading liberal arts institutions in the United States and one of the country's oldest private women's colleges, located in Northampton, Massachusetts. Willie-LeBreton's visit — her first to Korea since taking office in 2023 — highlighted the growing role women's institutions play in shaping inclusive leadership, while also aiming to deepen ties with Korean universities. Speaking on the role of higher education, particularly women’s colleges, she emphasized the importance of expanding global cooperation and partnerships with Korean universities as part of wider international engagement. "Drawing on history, women across cultures have long taken on caregiving roles — an experience that offers a broader perspective beyond competition and spee

Apr 8, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Beyond gender, women’s colleges key to inclusive leadership in AI era
Society

Korea, France launch language assistant exchange to deepen education ties

Korea and France will begin exchanging youth language assistants as early as the second half of this year, placing Korean instructors in French secondary schools and French instructors in Korean classrooms under a new bilateral education program. The agreement was signed during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Seoul, Thursday, commemorating the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The Ministry of Education said the two sides signed a letter of intent — a preliminary agreement expressing willingness to cooperate. Under the program, aimed at strengthening educational ties between the two nations, Korea will send young Korean language assistants to France while France dispatches French language assistants to Korea. The assistants will support regular teachers in foreign language classes but will not lead classes independently or assess students. In its first year, the program will begin with one assistant exchanged in each direction with plans to gradually expand the number of participants. Korean language assistants dispatched to France will be

Apr 5, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Korea, France launch language assistant exchange to deepen education ties
Society

PHOTO Cherry blossoms peak in Seoul

People walk on a road lined with cherry blossom trees in full bloom during the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival in southern Seoul's Yeongdeungpo District, Sunday. The iconic spring blossoms were at their peak across the city this past weekend. Yonhap

Apr 5, 2026By Jung Da-hyunphoto
[PHOTO] Cherry blossoms peak in Seoul
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