I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Jung Woo-sung to rally support for refugees
From left, model Han Hyun-min, author Han Kang, and retired professor of philosophy Kim Hyeong-seok on a poster for the Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF). They are this year's SIBF goodwill ambassadors. / SIBF
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Seoul International Book Fair to be held from June 19-23
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Actor Jung Woo-sung will speak on refugees at the Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF), to be held for five days from June 19 at COEX in southern Seoul.
In a press release on Saturday, the Korean Publishers Association (KPA) said Jung, who has been goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees since May 2014, will talk about the displaced people under the title of “Refugees, Our New Neighbors” on June 20.
The actor has been a vocal supporter of the Yemeni refugees who unexpectedly divided the nation last year when about 500 arrived on Jeju Island to seek refugee status.
In February he told a policy forum at the National Assembly that the baseless stories about Yemeni refugees that spread quickly online last year created hatred and Islamophobia.
“If you ever met refugees in person, heard about the cruelty they face and their appalling living conditions, you would not have any doubt about the need to protect them,” he said.
Actor Jung Woo-sung / Korea Times file
According to KPA, this year's theme is “Arrival” and international authors, publishers and celebrities will share their thoughts on various topics.
The emergence of new media, the arrival of new authors, freedom of speech, aging society, refugees and multiculturalism will be discussed during the five-day event.
KPA appointed philosopher and retired professor Kim Hyeong-seok, award-winning author Han Kang and model Han Hyun-min as goodwill ambassadors for this year's book fair.
Kim, who turns 100 this year, was chosen because he is an iconic figure who has continued with public speaking even after retiring from academia decades ago. He is the author of many books, including “Philosophy for Modern Koreans” and “What We Should Do with Our Lives.”
KPA said Han Kang, who won the 2016 Man Booker International Prize, was chosen as a goodwill ambassador because she raised issues such as dignity and violence ― themes related to this year's topic.
Model Han Hyun-min represents the new age and youth in the digital era. In 2017, Time Magazine named him as one of the world's 30 most influential teens. Others on the list included actress Millie Bobby Brown and teenage entrepreneur Mikaila Ulmer.