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Park Ung

Korea Times Politics & City Reporter

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.

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Society

1 in 3 young Koreans who leave Seoul return within 2 years, report finds

About 1 in 3 young Koreans who move to regions outside the capital return to the Seoul metropolitan area in less than two years, underscoring the persistent struggle of regional cities to hold onto young residents. According to a report by the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade, released Wednesday, 34.9 percent of young people who moved away from the Seoul metropolitan area to regions outside the capital eventually returned, with an average stay outside the capital region of just 1.6 years. Of all young people who migrated between the two regions, 42.7 percent moved from non-capital areas to the Seoul metropolitan area and settled there — the highest share of any migration pattern. By contrast, only 21.3 percent made the reverse move and remained outside the capital region. The findings are based on data tracking the migration of about 1.45 million individuals aged 19 to 34 from 2016 to 2022. Economic opportunity was the primary pull factor. In a separate survey of 800 respondents last year, work or business ranked as the top reason for leaving their home regions, at 45 p

Mar 18, 2026By Park Ung
1 in 3 young Koreans who leave Seoul return within 2 years, report finds
Health

Medical Korea 2026 kicks off with focus on AI-driven global health care

Medical Korea 2026 will open Thursday for a four-day run at Coex in Gangnam District, Seoul, featuring artificial intelligence (AI)-focused programs connecting Korea and the global health care industry. Hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the event has served since 2010 as a platform for global health care experts to share industry insights and promote international cooperation. Under the theme “AI-Powered Global Healthcare: Bringing the Future and the World Closer,” this year’s event will examine key challenges and the future of the health care industry in the era of AI. Edward Marx, chief executive officer of health care consulting firm Marx Advisory, will deliver a keynote address on how AI is reshaping the global health care industry. Jung Eun-young, director general of the Health Industry Policy Bureau at the health ministry, will outline Korea’s global medical services and future policy directions. Business meetings will connect overseas buyers seeking partnerships with Korean medical institutions and companies. Last year, 667 meetings led to 45 memorandums of un

Mar 18, 2026By Park Ung
Medical Korea 2026 kicks off with focus on AI-driven global health care
Society

BTS returns, merchants near comeback show venue brace for boom — or just another day

When Moon Sang-ki, 50, manager of JH Texas Bar next to Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul, heard that BTS would perform just around the corner from his bar as a full group for the first time in nearly four years, he knew he had to do something. “Both my staff and I are ARMY (BTS’ fandom). When we heard BTS would perform just outside our restaurant, we decided to turn the bar into a gathering spot for fans from around the world,” Moon told The Korea Times in an interview Monday. “We usually close at 1 a.m., but that day we will stay open for 24 hours and play BTS songs.” Decorating his bar with a BTS theme, Moon will run the restaurant with a full staff on March 21, the day of the concert, with 10 staff members providing hall service and four in the kitchen, all wearing purple — the color associated with the group. “We are receiving reservations from ARMY around the world, including China, Indonesia, Japan and the United States,” Moon said. “Foreigners usually make up about one-third of our customers, but since decorating the place like this, the share has risen to about

Mar 18, 2026By Park Ung
BTS returns, merchants near comeback show venue brace for boom — or just another day
Society

English kindergarten divide: Over 50% of children in southern Seoul attend, under 15% in north

Three in 10 students in Seoul have attended “English kindergartens,” with participation far higher in the city’s southern neighborhoods than in those north of the Han River, suggesting parents in relatively affluent districts are far more likely to send their children to such programs. According to a survey by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education released Sunday, 29 percent of parents with children in kindergarten, elementary or middle school said their child is currently attending or has attended an English kindergarten. The survey polled 25,487 respondents in Seoul — 11,941 parents, 9,006 students and 4,540 teachers. In Korea, English kindergartens refer to private academies that teach young children — typically from around age 3 until they enter elementary school — primarily in English. They have drawn criticism for intensifying the private education industry. Last year, some lawmakers introduced a bill under which all cram school programs in English would be prohibited for children under 36 months. In Seocho District and Gangnam District, the two most affluent dist

Mar 16, 2026By Park Ung
English kindergarten divide: Over 50% of children in southern Seoul attend, under 15% in north
Society

Middle-aged Koreans report highest stress levels, shifting from younger groups

People in their 40s recorded the highest levels of stress in daily life among adults, marking a shift away from younger generations as economic pressures and workplace competition weigh more heavily on middle-aged Koreans. This generational shift reflects a broader socioeconomic reality, as the anxieties of midlife — compounded by stagnant wages and rising household debt — have eclipsed the pressures once felt mainly by younger Koreans entering the workforce. According to 2024 data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Sunday, from an annual survey of about 10,000 people, 25.9 percent of respondents age 19 and older said they feel “very much” or “much” stress in daily life — a level similar to the 25.5 percent recorded in 2014. Among age groups, people in their 40s recorded the highest stress rate at 35.1 percent — more than eight percentage points higher than in 2014. Those in their 30s followed at 34.7 percent, while adults ages 19 to 29 recorded 30.3 percent. In the 2014 survey, people in their 30s had reported the highest stress level at 34 percent,

Mar 15, 2026By Park Ung
Middle-aged Koreans report highest stress levels, shifting from younger groups
Society

BTS concert security concerns block rooftop access at 31 buildings

Authorities will restrict access to 31 buildings near Gwanghwamun Square before a full-group comeback concert by BTS on March 21, seeking to prevent unauthorized rooftop viewing and possible safety hazards. With crowds of up to 260,000 expected on the day of the concert, the restrictions reflect police plans for strict security amid safety concerns over the massive gathering and heightened global security concerns, including the possibility of a terror attack linked to intensifying tensions in the Middle East. According to Korean media reports Sunday, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and police designated 31 buildings near Gwanghwamun Square as priority monitoring sites and are coordinating safety measures with building managers. Last week, police reportedly asked managers of six buildings directly adjacent to the square to close front entrances the day of the concert and allow access only through rear entrances to prevent spectators from bypassing the area’s 31 official access points and reaching the concert site without authorization. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has also calle

Mar 15, 2026By Park Ung
BTS concert security concerns block rooftop access at 31 buildings
Health

KDCA safety net serves tuberculosis patients turned away by hospitals

One tuberculosis patient had his infection discovered during emergency surgery after a suicide attempt, with no guardian and a canceled resident registration. Another tuberculosis patient could not afford 31,630 won ($21) for a hospital visit. A homeless tuberculosis patient was refused help by his younger sister. These real cases are turned away by many hospitals. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s (KDCA) Tuberculosis Relief Belt Project (TRBP), however, has stepped in. Launched in 2014, TRBP provides comprehensive support throughout the course of tuberculosis treatment, covering medical care, caregivers, hospital transfers and nutritional assistance. Operating through a network of 20 medical institutions, the program serves as a safety net for socially and economically vulnerable tuberculosis patients. “The project, now in its 13th year, is a valuable initiative for the agency because it reflects voices from the field,” KDCA Commissioner Lim Seung-kwan said at a briefing for reporters Wednesday. “Work that requires sustained long-term effort and does not immedia

Mar 13, 2026By Park Ung
KDCA safety net serves tuberculosis patients turned away by hospitals
Others

Sofitel Ambassador Seoul joins Virtuoso’s global luxury travel network

Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences, a French luxury hotel in Songpa District, southern Seoul, has joined the global luxury travel network Virtuoso as a global partner, the hotel said Tuesday, expanding its reach among high-end travel agencies and reinforcing its standing in the global luxury market. Opened in 2021, the property is Sofitel’s first combined hotel and serviced residence in Asia, offering 563 rooms. Built around a “Cultural Link” theme, it blends French and Korean influences through cuisine, art and design. Located near Jamsil Station on subway lines 2, 8 and 9, it offers convenient access across the city, including major business and shopping districts such as Gangnam. Incheon International Airport is about an hour away by car, while Gimpo International Airport can be reached in roughly 50 minutes. Considered one of the travel industry’s most influential networks, Virtuoso partners with more than 2,500 selected travel companies, including hotels, resorts and airlines, in about 100 countries and generates about $35 billion in annual sales. Unlike th

Mar 10, 2026By Park Ung
Sofitel Ambassador Seoul joins Virtuoso’s global luxury travel network
Society

Busan launches infectious disease testing service for foreign residents

Busan is rolling out an infectious disease testing program for foreign residents through a pilot program set to launch this month, bringing preventive on-site testing to centers serving foreign residents across the city. The Sunday infectious disease testing services reflect a broader push by the southeastern port city to expand health care access for foreign residents who face language barriers and struggle to find time on weekdays, as the city’s foreign population rises. Busan Metropolitan City said Tuesday the program will offer foreign residents testing for diseases including Hansen’s disease, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, parasitic infections and hepatitis B and C. It aims to detect infections early and provide follow-up care for those who test positive. “While the city’s Korean population declines, the number of foreign residents in Busan continues to rise,” an official at Busan’s infectious disease control division told The Korea Times, emphasizing the rising importance of early detection of major infectious diseases among foreign residents

Mar 10, 2026By Park Ung
Busan launches infectious disease testing service for foreign residents
Society

K-water showcases AI-powered hydro management tech at MWC 2026

Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) showcased its artificial intelligence (AI)-based water management technology at MWC 2026 in Barcelona last week, highlighting its competitiveness in the sector. The initiative reflects the corporation’s strategy under K-water CEO Yun Seog-dae to strengthen water management policies aimed at addressing the climate crisis while expanding overseas, as the state-run utility this year launched a global push for AI-driven water management. K-water aims to expand into the high-value AI and digital markets with three core technologies: water management digital twins that replicate dam operations in a virtual environment, supporting decision-making; AI-powered water treatment plants enabling autonomous operations through algorithm analysis; and Smart Water Network Management (SWNM), which uses Internet of Things technology to reduce leaks and stabilize pipelines. K-water’s SWNM was selected as a winner at this year’s Global Mobile Awards, held during MWC, marking the first time a Korean public institution has received the honor and underscoring i

Mar 9, 2026By Park Ung
K-water showcases AI-powered hydro management tech at MWC 2026
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