1,543 Honorary Reporters from 106 Countries Selected Worldwide... Korea.net Inauguration Ceremony Held

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it will hold the inauguration ceremony for the 16th Korea.net Honorary Reporters at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, at 2:00 p.m. on May 12, 2026.

Korea.net is a multilingual portal operated by the ministry. It provides diverse news and information on Korea—including policy, culture, and current events—in 10 languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and French.

The Honorary Reporters team is a group of foreign nationals residing in Korea and abroad, dedicated to promoting Korean culture. This year, under the slogan "Shape Your Korea!", the reporters will introduce various aspects of Korea from their own perspectives. The inauguration ceremony will include the presentation of appointment certificates, celebratory performances, and networking programs. Overseas members will participate via video conference.

This year's recruitment for the Honorary Reporters drew 3,647 applicants from 122 countries, reflecting high interest. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of applicants' understanding of Korean culture and journalism skills, 1,543 people from 106 countries were ultimately selected. Compared to last year, the number of participating countries increased by five, and the proportion from Europe and Africa reached 51%, making it possible to share stories about Korea beyond Asia and from more diverse regions.

Since its inception in 2011, the Honorary Reporters program has reached its 16th year, with over 19,000 people having written articles on cultural events in Korea and a wide range of Korea-related topics, helping to promote Korean culture around the globe. Outstanding articles are published on Korea.net and disseminated worldwide. Last year alone, 1,716 articles by Honorary Reporters were published on Korea.net.

The ministry plans to actively provide education, experiential trips, and opportunities for collaboration with professional media so that this year's Honorary Reporters can develop into skilled cultural ambassadors.

A ministry policy official stated, "As global interest in K-content intensifies, it has become even more important to share hidden stories about Korea with the world," adding, "The ministry will spare no effort to support the Honorary Reporters so that their authentic narratives are effectively delivered worldwide."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.