Woongjin Foundation celebrates 10th anniversary of multicultural family radio program
Distinguished guests and Multicultural Family Music Broadcasting station DJs pose for a photo during the program’s 10th anniversary event at its studio in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. From second from left in the back row are: Thai Ambassador Singtong Lapisatepun, Philippine Ambassador Raul S. Hernandez, Woonjin Foundation Chairman Shin Hyon-ung and Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tu. / Courtesy of Woongjin Foundation
By Lee Suh-yoon
Multicultural Family Music Broadcasting, run by Woongjin Foundation, celebrated its 10th anniversary at its studio in Mapo, northwestern Seoul, Wednesday.
The radio station was set up in August 2008 to cater to some 2 million foreign residents in Korea. According to the foundation, around 50 million listeners tune into the station every year through the internet.
The anniversary was attended by Raul S. Hernandez, Nguyen Vu Tu, Singtong Lapisatepun, ambassadors to Korea from the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, respectively. Shin Hyon-ung, former deputy minister of culture and chairman of Woonjin Foundation, was also present.
The ambassadors directly participated in the radio broadcast on the day, and congratulated the radio station on its achievement.
The station is currently operated 24/7 in eight languages — Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Thai, Japanese, Mongolian, Arab, and Russian — by native speakers of each language.
The broadcast was set up with the intent of helping foreign migrants and exchange students feel included in Korean society. It provides listeners with news and music from their home countries, as well as Korean lessons and tips for living in Korea.
Starting in 2010, the station began broadcasting a popular series of children's stories from the eight different countries to help biracial children better understand their migrant parents' cultural backgrounds.