By Lee Hyo-sik
Woongjin Foundation announced Friday that it had received an award from the Philippine government for its 24-hour radio broadcast for migrant workers and foreign wives residing here.
The foundation was recognized with the Radio Journalism Award by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, one of the seven categories of the commission’s first Migration Advocacy and Media Awards.
The immigration arm of the Philippine government began presenting the awards for the first time this year to overseas media outlets that have raised public awareness on Filipino migration issues, advocated the cause of Filipinos overseas and promoted a positive image of them overseas.
“We have been informed by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas that our radio program, Multicultural Family Music Broadcast, was chosen as the first winner of the Radio Journalism Award. It asked our Chairman Shin Hyon-ung to attend the award ceremony to be held in Manila on Dec. 15 and receive the prize in person,” a Woongjin Foundation spokesman said. “It also asked Shin to take part in other events designed to celebrate the Month of Overseas Filipinos in December.”
The spokesman said the Philippine government has recognized the positive role of the foundation’s 24-hour radio broadcast in helping migrant workers and foreign wives from the Philippines adjust to life in Korea.
Woongjin began airing radio programs in 2008 in eight foreign languages _ Filipino, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Arabic, Russian and Mongolian. Newscasters fluent in each language take turns and air programs throughout the day.
The radio station mainly focuses on introducing Korean culture and tradition, as well as daily tips on living in Korea to foreign listeners. The station also delivers news on the eight countries and Korean language lessons, while playing K-pop music.
The foundation said not only foreign residents here, but also a growing number of people overseas tune in.
leehs@koreatimes.co.kr