1. The mass media has changed which only conveyed the fact these days. And the printing media has lost its competitive power in the point of rapidity. As the publisher, tell us its strategy to survive and the direction of newspapers' development.

One's access to information determines her access to power. How information is distributed in a society has a decisive impact on how power is shared. By disseminating information to the public, newspapers, radios and televisions have been responsible for empowering people and facilitating democracy all over the world. Now the internet and mobile devices have once again revolutionized the system of communication and information distribution, endowing even greater power to people. In that sense, newspaper is not the dominant medium of our time. In fact, newspaper has not been a leading mechanism for information distribution for a long time. But it has always served a critical and unique role of selecting and analyzing information. Choice and depth have become indispensable elements in the digital and mobile age as we are flooded with more information than we are capable of digesting. Hence, the direction of newspaper is clear. We are here to select and disseminate newsworthy information, as well as to provide in-depth analyses of current affairs, to people. The newspapers that successfully serve the role will continue to survive and prosper.

2. What do you think of the quality of Herald Business? How is its status in the media market?

It would be presumptuous to say that The Herald Business is the finest or the most influential paper in Korea. But I would feel comfortable describing HB as the nation's most interesting and dynamic newspaper. Business and culture, not politics and national, are the main pillars of our content. "Money and fun" represent our editorial direction. In addition, our motto this year is to "change and change until our readers are absolutely satisfied." No other newspaper in recent Korean press history has undergone so many changes and still remains thirsty for more. For the first time in 30 years, HB has become the nation's #3 business daily by all indications. Within 3 years, we are determined to be #2 and compete with the nation's leading business daily. Among college students, we hope to be the 2nd preferred business newspaper this year. We are young and determined. I want HB to be the first business daily and the last newspaper you ever read.
 
3. I've heard that Herald media ended the public relations of its employment. Please tell us the quality of journalists before entering newspaper office?

I look for reporters who are smart, hungry and versatile. They have to be smart since newspaper is a knowledge-service industry and cannot be a grooming ground for the intellectually inferior. They also need to be hungry and determined to be journalists and must not consider the job of a reporter as a stepping stone. Finally, as our focus is equally on business and culture, one need be versatile and prepared for both.

4. When it comes to Korea Herald, it has smaller number of readers than newspapers in Korean. What do you think about the method to approach more easily to the papers in English?

For more than 50 years, The Korea Herald has been the undisputed leader in the Korean English media market. Being #1 in circulation and influence entails being #1 in innovation. A majority of our leaders come from diplomatic, corporate and collegiate communities. Their main interest lies in business and entertainment. Hence, the focus of KH has been shifted from political or national news to business and entertainment information. Additionally, because speed is no longer a forte of newspapers in the digital age, features and analyses based on depth must replace spot news based on speed. Quality of writing is also very important. KH is the first newspaper in Korea to appoint a foreigner to the managing editor post and hires more foreign reporters than any other newspaper in Korea. In all areas of design, content and marketing, KH must exercise its leadership and expand the English media market. We will continue to dedicate our best efforts to lead the market in a right direction.

5. Would you recommend a good book which can put spurs to university students?

Rather than recommending a particular book, I suggest that you read as many books as you can. Books will influence and direct your lives. But you need to be influenced by right books. The only way to acquire a taste for good books is to read as much as feasible. You may rely on others' recommendations or lists of the bestsellers. Yet many tasks in life require your own experience and judgment. Choosing right books and being affected by them is certainly one.

6.Please tell any comments to our university students

Prepare yourselves to be elite members of history. The definition of elite is persons enjoying superior intellectual, social, or economic status or the best or most skilled members of a group. Being elite does not make you autocratic or aristocratic. The correct antonym for elite is mediocre - moderate or inferior in quality. A primary difference between elite and mediocre people lies in the manner in which they locate problems and solutions. An elite person finds them within him, while a mediocre one finds them in others. Elite also means professional and specialized talents, or a creative few. Behind all the skyscrapers and great discoveries stand a lonely few who have held their dreams and overcome the fear of uncertainties. The world would never leave us in peace, should we decide to bury our heads in the sand of mediocrity, getting standardized education, working same hours and receiving equal pays. On the opposite end of standardization is competitiveness. A society which batters the passion of a creative few holds no future. Be proud to be elite and take responsibilities for being so.

 

  By Kim Moon-sun
                                        Culture reporter

저작권자 © 중앙헤럴드 무단전재 및 재배포 금지