Journalists mouth Denuclearization in Korea Peninsular and Global Peace
Story and photos by Chhay Sophal
Cambodia News
Seoul, South Korea (March 8, 2018): Over 70 journalists from 50 countries, including Cambodia’s Club of Cambodian Journalists, gathered here early this week for the World Journalists Conference to talk about their role to help “Denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula and Word Peace”.
Speaking in his welcome message on Monday at the opening of the one-week conference at the Korean Press Center, Jung Kyu Sung, President of Journalists Association of Korea, said journalists are not the same but they have one role to help keep peace in the globe.
“Despite differences in country, gender, skin color, and ideology, we have one in common. It is that we journalists who strive for freedom and peace by telling the truth with rationality and warm heart,” Jung said.
At luncheon she hosted to welcome foreign journalists at Korean National Press Club on Monday, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said that journalists would reach out to the international community to work together to fundamentally resolve
the North Korean nuclear issue and establish a lasting ‘peace regime’ on the Korean Peninsula
Kyung-wha, the first female Foreign Minister of Korea, said journalists are here in Seoul to continue their diplomatic endeavors to open towards North Korea’s denuclearization and that “We’re emphasising that North Korea must not provoke again”.
Many Koreans said South Korea does not want to waste money to make nuclear but it focuses on better living.
According a research, Korean people never want to produce any nuclear weapon as they want to keep money to build better life and enjoy living in peace like other countries in Europe and the United States, said Woosuk Kenneth Choi, Korea’s Editor of Chosun Daily Newspaper.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in is scheduled to meet his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un in April at the border divided the two Koreas.
South Korean Presidential Spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom quoted by CNN as saying that President Moon was invited by Kim’s younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, who delivered during a historic meeting between North and South Korean officials at Seoul’s presidential palace on February 10, 2018.
Reunification is needed but time is important, Dr. Lee Choon-hee, South Korea’s Sejong Mayor, told the group of world journalists in his office on Wednesday.
Dr. Lee, however, said Korea was divided by international politics, so the reunification must be involved by the international community.
“So, it is the right time for you as the world journalists who are here to talk about denuclearization in Korea Peninsular and world peace,” Dr. Lee said.
At the World Journalists Conference in Seoul, the South Korean Foreign Minister said that sanctions and pressure on North Korea would remain in place as long as it did not undertake substantial measures for denuclearization and that peaceful denuclearization of North Korea remains South Korean government’s unwavering approach.
Speaking at the first session on the issue, Hagit Limor, former President of National Society of Professional Journalists of the United States, said reporters have to present accurate analysis of the present geopolitics of the Korean peninsula.
“It is our belief that ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity, keeping in mind our four basic tenets: Seek the Truth and Report it, Minimize Harm, Act Indecently, Be Accountable and Transparent,” she said.
The World Journalists Conference has taken place on 4-11 March in South Korea. During their stay, the journalists are scheduled to meet different Korean local government officials in several cities around South Korea – Seoul Metropolitan Council, Suwon, Sejong, Andong, Daegu, Busan, Jeju Island, Gwangmyeong, and Incheon.
