Approximately 100 reporters from about 60 countries attended the opening ceremony for the conference, which will be held over the next six days in Seoul, Daegu and Busan. The theme this year is, “Peaceful Unification in the Year Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Division of the Korean Peninsula."
The third World Journalists Conference opened at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on April 13. Approximately 100 journalists from about 60 countries attended the opening ceremony.
The main agenda items at the conference include such issues as peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula, freedom of speech and the safety of journalists worldwide. The conference also includes visits to the DMZ and to the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan.
During the opening ceremony on April 13, participants unanimously adopted the, “Declaration of World Journalists for the Peaceful Unification of Korea and Freedom of Speech,” which transcends nationality, gender, race, religion and ideology.
In the declaration, participants stated that, “Based on this understanding and marking the 70th anniversary of Korean independence and the division of Korea, 100 journalists from 60 countries who are participating in the World Journalists Conference 2015 wish for a new spring of peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula.”
They also stated that, “In the meantime, terrorist attacks and brutal violence against media and journalists have continued, as we've seen from attacks on Charlie Hebdo, a French weekly magazine… Terrorist attacks against media and journalists are not tolerated under any circumstances because freedom of speech and freedom of expression are irreplaceable values that were achieved by the blood and sweat of humankind.”
President of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Jim Boumelha said, “The IFJ announced that the number of journalists killed in 2015 as of this February has already surpassed one fourth of the total journalists killed last year. To stop the murdering or threatening of journalists, we will conduct various campaign activities.” He also emphasized the importance of balanced reporting backed by the truth in order to prevent reports from worsening conflicts.
Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism Kim Jongdeok hoped that this year’s gathering could become a venue where people can actively discuss measures aimed at the goal of peace and the unification of the Korean Peninsula.
“Even at this moment, journalists around the world strive to pursue truth by courageously risking their own lives, which greatly contributes to world peace,” said Minister Kim.
President of the Journalists Association of Korea Park Chong-Ryul delivers his congratulatory remarks during the opening ceremony of the World Journalists Conference 2015.
President of the International Federation of Journalists Jim Boumelha puts an emphasis on the safety of journalists around the world and on the importance of balanced reporting, during the opening ceremony of the World Journalists Conference 2015.
Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism Kim Jongdeok hopes that the World Journalists Conference 2015 will become a venue for the discussion of measures aimed at a peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Yonhap News
arete@korea.kr