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Global media will be in the spotlight here in Seoul with 3-hundred broadcast journalists and media personnel from all around the world attending a forum hosted by Arirang TV.

Kim Yeon-ji reports on why experts will be discussing the media's role in uniting the world towards a common purpose. Arirang TV Korea's only global broadcast service provider will host a media forum that aims to narrow the global divide between regions, cultures and ethnicities. 

The world's first and biggest gathering of journalists to date will take place in Seoul for four days starting this Thursday. 
Why a meeting of journalists in early 2013? 

At a time when financial issues, trade and patent wars, and territorial disputes that go beyond borders are making frequent headlines, it's becoming increasingly challenging for news outlets to steer themselves away from regional or national advocacy. 

In that regard, journalists representing 29 countries from Asia, Europe, North and South America will share their recent experiences in covering those issues and discuss how they can better serve the global common interest. 

The forum also comes at a critical jucture for South Korea. 

Sohn Jie-ae, the president and CEO of Arirang TV, says the forum will help participants develop a more balanced view of South Korea -- too often remembered simply as a neighbor of nuclear-obsessed North Korea. 

"The forum comes just a couple of days before the new administration in South Korea kicks off. So it is a new era in South Korea. A new era not only in security areas, which is actually very important, but also in the way that South Korea is on its way to economic development, in terms of the cultural development and the cultural prowess of South korea and the power of K-pop and all those things combined."

The Korea Foundation, an affiliate of the foreign affairs ministry that aims to make more friends of Korea around the world, will co-host the event with Arirang TV. 

"Many intellectuals in their societies know a little bit about Korea through statistics and numbers. But for those who never had a chance to visit Korea, they can hardly imagine the contemporary Korean society. If they had an opportunity to visit Korea once, they really can become friends of Korea."

The participants will also have a chance to visit President-elect Park Geun-hye, enjoy Korean cultural performances and explore popular tourist attractions like the inter-Korean border and the shopping district of Myeongdong.

Kim Yeon-ji, Arirang News.


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