Lee Kang-ryol's 27 years of journalism

MEETING A wise man and listening to his stories is always a pleasure to those who are destined to follow his past. In particular, a journalist who lives a life of delivering stories of society definitely has much to say and share. Twenty-seven years of working as a journalist have made a man worry and think about the past and future of Korea’s mass media and society. Now let us share the agony of one journalist, Lee Kang-ryol (’74, Dept. of Business Admin.).
Annals: Why did you choose to become a newspaper reporter rather than a TV reporter?
   Lee: In the years when I was a reporter, there were three big categories of mass media: newspaper, news agencies and the broadcast. However, unlike the present, broadcasting at that time was neither diverse nor pluralistic but rather monotonous. Therefore, the influence it had as a communication means was insignificant. The general idea that people had about mass media was through print media and newspapers. Most of those who wanted to have careers as journalists preferred to work as newspaper reporters. I also was part of this trend. I started my career as a reporter at Yonhap News Agency in 1982 and moved to Kukmin Ilbo in 1988, where I still work.
 
Currently, many media outlets are being criticized. What do you think are the underlying causes?
   The primary role of a media is “mutual understandings.” When the blood vessels in the human body are blocked, one cannot help but die. This is because the body lacks harmonious circulation. Such a principle is also applicable to society. If there is a lack of understanding within the society, it cannot but collapse. The role of mass media, as I said before, is smoothing the flow of communication. Prosecuting injustice and purifying the society all are included in the process of communication. No individual or institution gave mass media such an authority, but due to the combat it undergoes, its influence cannot be ignored. However, currently hundreds of different media have come into existence, giving birth to the age of diversity. Due to its immensity, the media came to focus more on their micro functions rather than the macro. Media are now speaking for certain ideologies or special interests thus becoming extremely biased. Such viewpoints interrupt the natural flow of communication within the society. This is why conflict among the citizens and criticism about media are continuously becoming an issue. Media should return to their basic service: mutual communication.
What are the important elements needed to become an objective medium?
   There are two categories of information: opinion and fact. These two are different. Writing that includes one’s assertion is an opinion. This can have a bias and can be acknowledged. However, the problem with the present media is that “facts” are being distorted and presented as an opinion of the media. For example, currently, the facts on  “downer-cows” have been perverted. In any case, fact and information should not be misrepresented. A clear classification between opinion and fact is essential. Such a principle should also be applied to the university press. University press is a tabloid edition of the general media in the so called university society. Thus, the basics of a press such as its sense of duty, function and the principle applied when writing an article are all common elements that university press shares. When all these factors are arranged, university press should be able to smoothly perform its basic service of mutual understanding.
What are the influences that media have on our society?
   Governmental authorities fear the media because of their function of accusing injustice and corruption. Although a portion of this role has now been passed to many civic groups, the media were the prime mover of such activities in the past. By correcting the wrongdoings of the government, the media started to take part in the overall change within our society. During the years of Japanese imperialism, the media took charge of enlightening people. In the years of economic development, the function of reporting information was intensified and the realization of a just society became their job. These functions always clashed with governmental authorities but raised the overall pride of citizens. However, the influence of media currently has diminished a lot and is being challenged. A cozy relationship between media and governmental authorities is currently forming. Moreover, due to the fact that corporate advertisements represent take a big portion of the profit that the media can make, media are becoming increasingly restricted to the companies’ interests. As I said before, the media should return to their basic function rather than being constrained by outer forces in order to maintain their influence in society.
What activities at Yonsei helped you to become a journalist?
    The mid-1970’s was a period of turmoil. The “Constitution for Revitalizing Reform” was operated by former President Park and the government was authoritarian. We didn’t study. All we did during this disruptive period was demonstrate. I was an executive member of the Student Christian Association (SCA), which is an ideological club and participated in many demonstrations. In 1975, I was suspended from school with other 52 students due to the operation of the 9th Emergency Measure. Until President Park was assassinated, I could not return to school. I wandered a lot in those days. Looking back on those years, my 20’s could be called “the lost 20’s”. Nevertheless, at that time I read many books and pondered a lot. The mental pain I had to suffer in my 20’s and the opportunity to think as well as anguish helped me become a journalist and my present self.
Any last comments to Yonsei Univ. and Yonseians?
    Yonsei Univ. is one of the most honorable institutes in Korea, and is performing a pivotal role in our society in terms of educating highly qualified workers. However, many rivals of Yonsei Univ. have appeared up and the stream of globalization is more rapid than ever. Unfortunately, Yonsei Univ. is being evaluated as “slow” in accepting and following the new trend. Unlike other universities such as Korea Univ. or Sungkyunkwan Univ., Yonsei Univ. is missing out in the wake of globalization and putting forth less effort to change. Moreover, there is a need to initiate more effort in gathering the best qualified students. Internationally well-known universities, such as Harvard, strive in advertising their institutes, in order to recruit high level students. Yonsei Univ. should also actively promote its system to attract intelligent students. In terms of overall student achievement, Yonseians are recognized as intellectuals in our society. However, for them to be distinguished from other university students; many changes are necessary. A global standard curriculum should be constructed and students should be fluent in English in order to be globally competent. Moreover, a broad quantity of reading and diverse activities such as internship should be established and completed.
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