By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
In most Korean workplaces, the legacy of Confucianism still reigns. Glass ceilings are everywhere. It's not an easy job for a woman to break through the invisible yet very real ceiling in this male-dominant society. Against these odds, a lot of career women are climbing higher. At the forefront of the pack is Kim Ju-ha, 35, anchor and reporter for MBC TV's prime-time news program.
An international organization acknowledged the popular journalist as a ``young global leader'' in recognition of her contribution to breaking the norm to set a new role model for females.
Kim, 35, received the honorary title on March 11 from the World Economic Forum (WEF). She has made a name for herself as the first female in Korean broadcasting history to host a news program on her own. The program was MBC's ``News Desk,'' and is aired over the weekends.
``I'm honored to be selected as a global leader. But you know it's an undue honor as well,'' Kim said in an interview with The Korea Times.
``One of the reasons behind my winning was, I've heard, I had broken the stereotype on Korean female news anchor and expanded their scope of activity in the media industry,'' she said. ``In other words, however, still many Western countries believe that females in Asian countries including Korea do not take a leading role in overall society and live under males' control. That's why my winning is bitter sweet news.''
She said glass ceiling still exists in so many social sectors including the media industry and stressed that females themselves hold the sole key to fighting male-favoring practices.
``I still experience a glass ceiling. But the most significant problem is few female workers venture out to find a breakthrough,'' Kim said. ``This indifferent attitude would significantly mar female's social status.''
The veteran broadcaster said had to participate in a variety of tough activities to prove her equality with her male colleagues in every respect.
``In case I was late at work due to my baby at home, I never make it an excuse for my being late. It's because it can hint at a discrimination against me,'' she said.
Calling herself a hard worker who loves achievement, Kim said apart from her current career she wishes to work for a charity foundation and take part in overseas volunteer work to help those suffering from various hardships including malnutrition and poor education.
``There are so many tasks we have to do to get over discriminatory practices against females. I'll do all my best to set a cornerstone to construct a gender-equalized society,'' she said.
Of more than 5,000 candidates ― all aged 40 or younger, WEF chose a total of 245 global leaders for 2008 including 121 business leaders, as well as leaders from government, academia, the media and society at large from 65 countries.
Including Kim, five Koreans and one ethnic Korean were named for this year _ Sarah Chang, violinist; Hur Se-hong, vice president of GS Caltex Corporation's Singapore office; Kim Jin, attorney and chief administrator of Lawyers for a Democratic Society; Ellana Lee, CNN International's managing editor in Asia pacific; and Hines Ward, American football player.
Those selected for this year will gather from next month on a regular basis to serve as a catalyst for initiatives in the global public interest.