About Kim Eui Kyeom

Since 1990, Kim has worked as a reporter for Hankyoreh, one of the major national newspapers in Korea. He went through key positions of the paper such as the chief editor and the editorial writer. From 2014, Kim went back to on-the-scene reporting as a senior reporter. He was also the leader of Hankyoreh’s Choi Soon Sil gate special reporting team and received the 23rd Korea University (KU) Journalist Award.

 

 

How was your college life? Is there anything that stands out in your memory?

When I was attending KU in the 80s, there were a lot of student demonstrations. Even during the KU May Festival Week, there were demonstrations. I remember my professor advising us that to have a legal mind, one should think and act like an old man, and that one should put distance from actions and remain calm. That was the moment when I decided that pursuing a legal career would not suit me (smiles). I participated actively in student demos during my university life and I do not regret it.

 

Why did you want to become a journalist?

After graduation, I worked for a non-governmental organization called Jeonminlyeon. While I was working there, Hankyoreh was just established and its reporters came to our office often. I saw that journalists could ask critical questions to the leaders of the organization that I was not supposed to even talk to. I admired the influence journalists could have through writing. That aspect of journalism drew me in and I prepared for the entrance exam right away.

 

I wish to mention the 1991 fabrication case of Kang Gi Hoon's allegation of ghostwriting a will. It is known as Korea’s version of the Dreyfus Affair and as a journalist, I felt helpless in knowing that I could not make things different despite knowing the truth. It was a dark age in Korean history when there was an absence of justice or spirit of law. Kang came out of jail in 1994 and was found innocent in the retrial.

 

Do you have any episodes when you were leading the Choi Soon Sil gate special reporting team of Hankyoreh?

After TV Chosun’s report about Woo Byung Woo in July 2016, I requested the editorial board to embark on investigative reporting on this issue. Coincidentally, all the reporters recommended for the special reporting team were KU alumni and we were able to receive the 23rd KU Journalist Award together. There was also another coincidence when another reporter from our team and I found the copy of a contract—the concrete evidence of Choi’s influence in Mir Foundation—simultaneously at each other’s respective home. Afterwards, we were able to print the name Choi Soon Sil officially, which was the first report among other newspapers. I felt that when you put all your focus and energy, you can make things happen.

 

Yes, I do agree that journalism successfully played the role of watchdog this time. It is told that journalism has played a bigger part in exposing Choi Soon Sil gate than unveiling the Watergate Affair. First, while there was a deep throat that exposed the secrets during the Watergate Affair, journalists were all alone while investigating Choi Soon Sil gate. The prosecution office did not go through this issue thoroughly when it was brought up as Jung Yoon Hoi Documents in 2014, and journalists had to work on their own to bring this issue up on the surface again. Second, Choi Soon Sil gate covers a wider scope—politics, economics, diplomacy, and defense—than the Watergate Affair. However, I do believe that this is only the start and what we do from now on is more important. Journalists have been criticized that they do not perform their job well recently, and now is the time to prove the true spirit of journalism.

 

How do you see the future of journalists?

The environment has changed and with new media on its rise, journalism in the traditional sense can be weakened. However, I think the future of journalists as the creator of contents is bright. The form of our expression may be altered, but the job we do is needed at all times. We try to look for the truth and provide a direction for the society. In this sense, I believe that the future of journalists is not too depressing.

 

Although I have been doing my job for almost 30 years, writing articles is most difficult. The pressure still stands strong. It is always tough to decide who to interview, how to structure an article, and what to write for the lead. Yet, I know that it all is a compulsory process to get a good article.

 

What do you think is the most important quality for a journalist?

The first and foremost thing would be curiosity. Journalists should always be curious and know how to ask questions. The Korean word for journalist, Gija, means the person who records other people’s words, and I believe this is inaccurate. I think it should be called Moonja, which means the person who asks. Journalists should want to know how, why, and what at all times.

 

Do you have a future goal?

I wish to write a book. For many years I have written short articles that had deadlines and had to be completed in a rush. I would like to write long pieces of work that do not have deadlines and can ripen with time.

Do you have any advice for KU students?