Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), President Yang O-bong, and the JBNU Journalists Association (Chair Kim Jun-ho) have named Jeon O-yeol, Executive Managing Editor of the Jeonbuk Ilbo, and Hong In-cheol, Head of the Jeonbuk Bureau at Yonhap News Agency, as recipients of the 2024 JBNU Journalists Award, which is presented to alumni journalists who have upheld the mission of journalism and integrity in reporting.

The Commendation Award, presented to those who have contributed to the development of JBNU, was awarded to Park Im-geun, Senior Editor at the Hankyoreh, and Lee Seung-hwan, News Director at JTV Jeonju Broadcasting.

JBNU annually recognizes alumni journalists who have pursued journalism at historically significant moments that drew the attention of Korean society and who have contributed to fulfilling the public’s right to know as well as to regional and national development.

Recipient Jeon O-yeol, Executive Managing Editor, served at the Jeonbuk Ilbo for 30 years, overseeing news and opinion content production and working to promote journalistic culture. He has also contributed to training future generations at his alma mater through lectures on media theory and research methodology.

Hong In-cheol, Head of Yonhap News Agency’s Jeonbuk Bureau, worked at the bureau for 27 years, producing approximately 26,000 articles and receiving more than 30 journalism awards. He has made significant contributions to regional development through roles such as member of the Citizens’ Deliberation Committee on the former Daehan Textile site, Secretary-General of the Jeonbuk Journalists Association, member of the Jeollabuk-do Electoral District Delimitation Committee, and director for social affairs at the JBNU Alumni Association.

The Commendation Award recipients, Park Im-geun and Lee Seung-hwan, were also recognized for their consistent efforts as journalists in the field, meeting the local community’s right to know and proposing a range of solutions.

President Yang O-bong expressed his deep gratitude to all alumni journalists for practicing integrity in reporting despite difficult social circumstances and for their strong interest in and efforts toward the advancement of their alma mater. He asked for continued interest and support so that the university, boldly moving forward as a flagship institution leading mutually beneficial regional development, can grow further as a glocal university.

Meanwhile, the 2024 JBNU Journalists Award ceremony celebrating their awards will be held together with the JBNU Journalists Association forum on April 26, 2024.