South Korean PM Urges All to Put Heads for Climate Change

By Chhay Sophal

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (April 20, 2021): Chung Sye-Kyun, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, has urged journalists, media and environmental experts from different corners of the globe at the 3-day World Journalists Conference and others to get in touch and solidarity for dealing with Climate Change.

Speaking in his congratulatory addressing through an interpreter at the conference, Chung Sye-Kyun said climate change is the very issue where such changes and uncertainties are concentrated.

“This problem can never be solved by the efforts of any single country alone. Based on solidarity and cooperation, all countries should put heads together across national borders in order to find solutions,” Chung Sye-Kyun said.

“We are facing a new world where anyone can easily produce, distribute and consume information thanks to the development of digital technology,” he said adding that the conference, which is to seek the role of the media in addressing climate issues, is truly meaningful and valuable.

Chung Sye-Kyun also believed that when “the media shed light on the world through truthful communication and balanced perspectives, its role as a mirror and window will truly shine,” and that the Korean government pledges to make its utmost effort to promote closer and more transparent communication with its people as well.

The common idea from the conference about the Climate Change agreed that Climate Change is not just saying the problem of food security, water resource, farming and fishing, forest fire, economic development, and job security but it affects human life as well as animal and nature.

The Tuesday discussion also raised that the world need the global campaign and cooperation as Climate Change is not just for journalists but also for everyone — governments, policymakers, politicians and scientists – who need to join together for the solution and act now.

“Climate Change, in fact, has morphed into a Crisis of Civilization, and journalists cannot but play an increasing role to draw the attention of the public, as also of governments worldwide,” said Ivan Lim, of Environment Communication Chairman in Singapore.

Sharing his insight with the conference, Nasir Aijaz Sindh, Courier Chief Editor in Pakistan, said that forming the global alliance of journalists to jointly combat the climate change threats is needed.

“The propose Alliance should work for getting the journalists trained in coverage of climate issues. This could be done through the international agencies working on global climate change issues. The proposed Alliance may also monitor the media situation/coverage of climate issues in different countries and suggest the ways and means for improving it,” Nasir Aijaz Sindh said.

Voicing from GEOMAR/University of Kiel University of Flensburg Doctor Germany, Hassan Humeida said journalism is an important and responsible profession that plays an important role in the communication of climate change.

“Journalism should also not forget the climate activists and their effective roles in society. People, young and old, who dedicate their time to a more than important issue like climate change should be honored and respected,” Hassan added.

Chung Sye-Kyun, Journalist Association of Korea (JAK) President Kim Dong Hoon said the conference prepared under the theme “Global Climate Issues” is for journalists to jointly devise solutions and respond to the climate problem, which is closely connected with various fields, including society, environment, and life worldwide.
Kim Dong Hoon also expressed his hope that journalists would share the contents discussed during the conference with their fellow journalists and disseminate them to citizens of each country so that they may “draw interest to the tasks the global village faces and jointly respond to them”.

Since 2012, the JAK has invited journalists worldwide to Korea to discuss the future of journalism and introduce the guests to the realities of the divided nation in the Korean Peninsula, as well as its rich tradition and beautiful culture.

However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic since last year, the conference has been held via videoconference.

The 3-day videoconference started from April 18 this year gets journalists from 50 nations — Asia, Asia-Pacific, Africa, America, Europe and the Middle East – and it is organized by the Seoul-based JAK in cooperation with Asia Journalists Association. The conference focuses on journalist networking, media role in Climate Change and in the Post-COVID era.