아리랑뉴스, "한국의 소프트파워 확산에 중요한 역할 할 것": 해외 오피니언리더들의 20주년 축하메시지
Over the last two decades, Arirang News has strived to bring you the latest and the most in-depth coverage of developments on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia.
And our reporter Oh Soo-young spoke to some opinion leaders abroad who are also regular Arirang News viewers.... on what they hope to see from us going forward.
On its twentieth anniversary,... Arirang News spoke to regular contributors and observers from abroad,... on topics including politics and diplomacy, North Korea, as well as social issues, culture and sports.
"Your channel is a very nice source for me on breaking developments in anything dealing with South Korean politics or inter-Korean relations, or Northeast Asian regional politics. I enjoy interviews that you have with academics and discussing these matters in-depth, so it's a resource."
"Arirang TV of course, like interviewing Koreans, experts, government officials who are able to communicate in English, is able to provide a really useful service. (It's) Always important to know how Koreans see the world, but it's also an opportunity for non-Koreans to involve themselves in sharing their views on some of the big issues."
Observers say Arirang TV is acting as a crucial instrument of promoting awareness of not only Korean perspectives, but its many cultural assets.
"When I'm on a long-haul airline, I sometimes go for the Korean films because I like the genre if you will? I always thought the British sense of humor is similar to the Korean sense of humor. In a way, soft power is a phrase that is often used particularly in terms of music, the culture and the film, and so on. That's a very powerful expression of culture throughout the world."
Broadcasting globally since 1999,... Arirang News now airs in 103 countries,... reaching over 142 million households.
"Anyone's 20th birthday is a significant thing, isn't it? It's almost a passage from being a young person to being a proper adult. So you've laid the groundwork in the first 20 years and I hope very much in the next 20 years you'll be even more established."
"Congratulations to you. I think that we're moving into a period where there are lots of issues and a lot of opportunities."
"Well done Arirang TV, it's fantastic that after 20 years, you're still going strong and i wish you all the very best in the future."
Going forward, the contributors said they hope to see Arirang further expand and establish itself as a valuable, enriching network for viewers around the world.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
