Minjok 21 marks 10 years of publication on inter-Korean issues

Posted on : 2011-04-02 12:36 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
The magazine’s goal is to increase inter-Korean press exchanges

By Kim Bo-geun, Senior Staff Writer

“I am pleased that Minjok 21 is being praised for its last 10 years at a time when inter-Korean relations have grown difficult.”

Minjok 21 President Chung Chang-hyun, 48, who will receive the 16th Neutbom, Late spring, Unification Award on Saturday, said the award would be an opportunity for him to take stock of the last 10 years of his publication, a journal on national unification put together by the North Korean, South Korean and overseas Koreans, and look towards the next 10 years.

The Neutbom Unification Award is given every year by the group Greeting Unification to honor the unification spirit of the late Rev. Moon Ik-hwan.

The monthly Minjok 21 has worked to broaden the scope of inter-Korean press exchanges since it was founded the year after the adoption of June 15 Joint Declaration during the inter-Korean summit of 2000. By including the voices of reporters from North Korea's Tongil Sinbo and General Association of Korean Residents in Japan and vivid on-location reporting by the magazine’s own reporters, the publication has reported news from North Korea in a manner that has not been possible for existing media.

Chung, who spent over 10 years as a journalist covering modern history for the JoongAng Ilbo, joined Minjok 21 in 2005. After deciding to move out of the desire to work for a media that helped inter-Korean exchanges, he served as editor-in-chief and managing editor before becoming the captain of this magazine last year.

Minjok 21 has in fact greatly contributed to reducing the distance between Koreans of both countries. Its bright photos of North Korean citizens provided a considerable shock to people who have known North Korea only through news of it being a “controlled society centered on the military.” It has been praised for its vivid on-the-spot coverage, such as its exclusive coverage of February 2007 Seol, Lunar New Year, holiday events in which high-ranking figures from North Korea, including Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly Chairman Kim Yong-nam.

“These kinds of reports did not happen overnight,” said Chung. “It was the product of building trust with North Korea, waiting for a long time as he explained to them he wanted to right articles with a human touch.”

Chung said the 10th anniversary of the magazine and the Neutbom Unification Award has been an opportunity for him to dream of the changes and leaps the magazine will take. More than anything, he plans - based on trust - to cover the gap between rich and poor in North Korea, human rights issues and the real impact of policies.

“If Minjok 21, which has stood at the fore for inter-Korean exchanges, were to point out North Korea’s rigid attitude, North Korea would itself deeply reflect on this.

He also said he would broaden the viewpoint by which the magazine examines the minjok, nation, from which the magazine’s name is taken. He plans to work to lessen the generation gap within South Korea by attracting younger readers by looking at the national issue from the perspective of the international community,

Chung said, “It is regretful that due to the May 24 Measures announced after last year’s sinking of the Cheonan, our magazine has been unable to run stories by North Korean journalists or visit North Korea to cover stories. He hopes that inter-Korean relations quickly improve so that Minjok 21 can once again become a new model for inter-Korean press exchanges.”

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