WORLDNEWS-MEDIA | Seoul, Republic of Korea: Reporters gather in Seoul for World Journalists Conference |

Seoul, Republic of Korea – The World Journalists Conference 2026 opened here on Monday, bringing together journalists from around the world to discuss the role of the media in times of crisis and rapid technological change.

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The conference, hosted by the Journalists Association of Korea, is led by the President of the Journalists Association of Korea, Mr Park Jong-hyun.

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The event is supported by the ROK’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Korea Press Foundation.

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Some 42 journalists from around the world, including from Laos, are taking part in the conference, which continues until 3 April.

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This year’s conference themes are “Democracy and Journalism at a Crossroads: The Role of the Media in Times of Crisis” and “AI in the Newsroom: From Practice to the Next Phase”.

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President of the Journalists Association of Korea, Mr Park Jong-hyun, addresses the gathering.

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In his opening remarks, Mr Park Jong-hyun said “Founded on 17 August 1964, the Journalists Association of Korea marks its 62nd anniversary this year as the largest organisation of journalists in the Republic of Korea. It represents more than 12,000 members from 215 media outlets, including print, broadcasting, news agencies, and online platforms.”

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“Since 2013, the Journalists Association of Korea has hosted the World Journalists Conference annually, bringing together journalists from around the world to discuss journalism and global issues. This process has not merely been a record of events, but a sustained effort to deepen mutual understanding.”

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“This conference is a forum where we seek that path together. Under the theme ‘Democracy and Journalism at a Crossroads: The Role of the Media in Times of Crisis’, we will reflect on the role of the media in navigating an era of crisis.”

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“We may live in different languages, cultures, religions and beliefs. Yet our commitment to truth, and our shared dedication to freedom and peace, remain the same.”

Conference I, titled “Democracy and Journalism at a Crossroads: The Role of the Media in Times of Crisis”, was moderated by the Managing Editor of The Korea Herald, Ms Lee Joo-hee.

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Speakers included the Asia-Pacific Editor of Courrier International (France), Mr Daniel Bastard; Correspondent for Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (Germany), Mr Felix Lill; Chief Political Editor of SisalN (Korea), Ms Kim Eun-ji; and Head of Foreign News at the Daily News (Thailand), Ms Pattraporn Paibulsin.

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Conference II, “AI in the Newsroom: From Practice to the Next Phase” was held in the afternoon and moderated by Staff Reporter at the Yonhap News Agency, Mr Kim Tae-gyun.

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Speakers included Member of the Board of Directors of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists, Mr Martin Georgiev; Director of the Social Media Desk, International News Department at Xinhua News Agency (China), Mr Kaijun Zheng; Deputy Director of the Future & Strategy Department at the Seoul Economic Daily, Mr Woo Seung-ho; and Journalist at Newsweek Polska, Ms Renata Ewa Kim.

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Following the conference, the programme will also include visits to major locations such as the DMZ, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Siheung.

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Although the programme spans only five nights and six days, it has been carefully designed to provide participants with opportunities to experience the culture of Seoul and other cities, as well as to learn about the policies and initiatives of local governments.

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By Phomphong Laoin
 (Latest UpdateApril 1, 2026)

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