Reporters, editor honored at Foreign Language Newspapers Association awards

The Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea recognized reporters and an editor for their work in foreign language media in Korea during its ninth anniversary event held on Tuesday at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul.

Culture Minister Yu In-chon, fifth from left in the front row, and Choi Jin-young, chair of the association and CEO of Herald Media Group, fourth from left in the front row, pose for a commemorative photo with the recipients of the association's award for outstanding journalists, on Tuesday in a ceremony marking the association's ninth anniversary at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul. The recipients, all standing in the front row, include Kim Jee-hee, head of the Digital Team at the Korea JoongAng Daily, third from left in the front row. [PARK SANG-MOON]

The Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea recognized reporters and an editor for their work in foreign language media in Korea during its ninth anniversary event held on Tuesday at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul.

Kim Jee-hee, head of the Digital Team at the Korea JoongAng Daily, was honored as one of the most outstanding reporters of the year for her significant contributions toward increasing the publication's online readership since the team's inception in 2021.

Other award recipients included Paul Kerry, chief copy editor at the Korea Herald, reporters from the Digital Media Division of the Korea Times and Cui Jinning from the Aju Daily. The awards were presented by Choi Jin-young, chair of the association and CEO of Herald Media Group, who assumed the leadership position in May.

This year's event was attended by Culture Minister Yu In-chon, who congratulated the association on its anniversary. Minister Yu emphasized the critical role of fact-based, high-quality journalism in promoting Korean culture during its current, global heyday.

Culture Minister Yu In-chon speaks during a ceremony marking the Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea's ninth anniversary on Tuesday at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul. [PARK SANG-MOON]

“Today, we live in a borderless global village, connected in real time. Foreign language newspapers have played a pivotal role in swiftly and accurately reporting Korea's politics, economy, society and culture to the world, providing diverse information not only to Koreans abroad but also to global audiences interested in our country,” Yu said during the event.

“While foreign media observe Korea from an external viewpoint, it is the Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea's member companies that can accurately present Korea from within. The role of foreign language newspapers has been significant in helping Korea lead global trends through K-culture. I hope you will continue to uphold journalistic integrity with pride and a sense of mission. The government will support your endeavors to work with even greater pride.”

Guests in the head table, including Culture Minister Yu In-chon, center, congratulate the recipients of the association's award in a ceremony marking the association's ninth anniversary at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul. [PARK SANG-MOON]

The event saw the attendance of ambassadors to Korea from various countries, including Qatar, Ghana, Georgia, Kazakhstan and others, demonstrating their support. James Kim, chair and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, also attended, emphasizing the importance of the content provided by the English-language newspapers published in Korea to American companies headquartered here.

Choi, the association's chair, highlighted the significant contributions of foreign language newspapers in connecting Korea with the world and bridging the information gap.

“More readers worldwide are interested in Korea than ever before, and more Korean companies are expanding overseas,” Choi said. “Our member companies can create new opportunities through closer cooperation. We will leverage our collective intelligence to reach readers beyond Korea's borders while promoting exchanges and cooperation with international media outlets.”

Established in July 2015, the Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea conducts joint research and projects to support the development of foreign language newspapers published in Korea. Its members include the Korea JoongAng Daily, the Korea Herald, the Korea Times and the Aju Daily, the Chinese edition of Aju Business Daily.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]