World journalists gather to discuss reunification

More than a 100 journalists from all over the world will gather in South Korea next week to attend the third World Journalist Conference and discuss Korea’s reunification and freedom of the press.

The Journalist Association of Korea said Wednesday it will host the event from April 12 through 18 in major cities including Seoul, Daegu and Busan.

Titled “the 70th Anniversary of National Division: Think about Unification on the Korean Peninsula,” the conference will consist of two main sessions: “Think about Unification on the Korean Peninsula” and “Freedom of Press and Safety in Journalism.” Panels from about 10 different countries will discuss the issues.

The sessions will conclude with a joint declaration calling for peaceful reunification of the two Koreas and action to create a better environment for freedom of the press, such as by fighting terrorism against journalists.

The participants, including International Federation of Journalists president Jim Boumelha, will come from over 60 countries including Germany, Italia, Uruguay, Ethiopia, New Zealand and India.

Journalists from countries that have fought in the Korean War were specially invited, organizers said.

The event will bring key South Korean policymakers to exchange views. They include Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Saenuri Party Rep. Na Kyung-won, who will each give a speech next Monday on Northeast Asia’s regional order and trust-based diplomacy for inter-Korean talks, respectively.

Seoul City Mayor Park Won-soon as well as mayors from Daegu and Busan will also host events for attendees.

On April 17, the participants will travel to the demilitarized zone to witness the reality of the division of Korea, the association explained.

By Yeo Jun-suk(jasonyeo@heraldcorp.com)