Dignitaries recognize Korea Times' role in linking Korea, world

National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug gives a congratulatory speech during The Korea Times' 70th anniversary ceremony at the Lotte Hotel Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

By Kang Seung-woo

Distinguished guests at the reception held to celebrate The Korea Times' 70th anniversary complimented the nation's oldest English language newspaper, Thursday, recognizing its role in delivering information on Korea to the world.

"For the past 70 years, The Korea Times has played a key role in linking Korea to the world," National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug said in a congratulatory speech during the celebration at the Lotte Hotel Seoul, Thursday.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun delivers a message celebrating The Korea Times' 70th anniversary during its reception at the Lotte Hotel Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

"When the Korean Peninsula was in the thick of the Korean War in 1950, The Korea Times provided updates on the conflict and other news to the United Nations forces and to the rest of the world. In addition, it was also The Korea Times that depicted the nation's rise from the ashes of war to become one of the global economic powerhouses in the world."

As Assembly speaker, Park said he is making efforts to ensure Korea will achieve an exemplary democracy.

"Korea will become a country with hopes, fairness and a mature democracy," he said. "In the coming 70 years, I hope that The Korea Times will play a role in informing the rest of the world of how Korea will achieve such a goal and leap into the ranks of developed countries. Also, I expect The Korea Times to gain international recognition as a reliable media outlet and further contribute to the nation's development."

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun touted The Korea Times as the most important source of information for foreigners and diplomats residing in Korea and international travelers here.

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"Even after the Korean War, the newspaper has contributed to what Korea is now by serving as a window to inform the international community of the nation's impressive growth and democratization," Chung said. "The Korea Times is the local English-language site most-visited from abroad and it shows how influential the paper is outside Korea."

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commemorates The Korea Times' 70th anniversary in a video message, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Citing the message of one of the newspaper's founders, Helen Kim, in its first issue, Chung gave kudos to the paper establishing itself as an "honest messenger of truth and facts and a courageous herald of peace and goodwill."

The prime minister also shed light on the company for its social contributions. "Since launching the Multicultural Youth Awards in 2012, The Korea Times has made efforts to encourage outstanding children with multicultural backgrounds, while playing a leading role in English education among students by providing newspapers to middle and high schools for free and holding English presentation contests," he said.

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that The Korea Times has been playing an essential role in informing the world about Korea.

"I'm really aware of the fact that this newspaper has assumed a prominent role in connecting Korea with the rest of the world during a turbulent period over the past 70 years," Ban said in his speech delivered virtually.

"At the same time, The Korea Times courageously fought against dictatorships during the era of authoritarian governments and has grown alongside a democratic and prosperous Korea."

The former foreign minister expected that the newspaper's role will increase thanks to growing interest in Korea sparked by the Korean wave, or hallyu.

Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, congratulates The Korea Times' 70th anniversary during its ceremony at the Lotte Hotel Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

"I believe that global demand for news about Korean culture, the Korean public health system and the Korean economy will also continue to grow in the years to come," Ban said. "In this regard, I hope that The Korea Times will further expand its audience overseas by offering unique and insightful editorial content and bloom into a truly competitive global news media outlet through a digital transformation in the next 70 years and beyond."

Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, assessed the newspaper as the most powerful and influential English newspaper in Korea.

"The Korea Times has fulfilled its duty as a fair and balanced mass media outlet. I would like to call The Korea Times the voice of conscience. As we know that the pen is mightier than the sword and The Korea Times is the truthful pen we can trust."

The pastor also asked The Korea Times to become the torch of truth in this dark and depressing age; the torch of reconciliation while the nation has so many conflicts and divisions; and the torch
of unification for Korea.