1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses the evolution of the presidential briefing room in South Korea, focusing on the recent announcement by President Lee Jae-myung to live-stream the question-and-answer session with reporters. This change aims to enhance communication between the government and the public.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 기자들의 | gijadeul-ui | of the reporters | The live-streaming of the reporters’ questions is a significant change. |
| 기자들이 | gijadeul-i | the reporters | The reporters were able to access the briefing room, which was a fixed facility in government departments and large police stations. |
| 있습니다 | issseumnida | is | This change is expected to bring about new communication between the government and the public. |
| 이재명 | Lee Jae-myung | Lee Jae-myung (the current President of South Korea) | President Lee Jae-myung announced the addition of cameras to the briefing room to live-stream the reporters’ questions. |
| 국민과의 | gungmin-gwa-ui | with the people | This change aims to enhance communication between the government and the public. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
이재명 대통령이 브리핑룸에 카메라를 추가 설치해, 기자들의 질의 장면까지 생중계하겠다고 발표했습니다. 이번 개편은 국민과의 소통에 어떤 변화를 가져올까요?
President Lee Jae-myung announced the addition of cameras to the briefing room to live-stream the reporters’ questions. What changes will this reform bring to communication with the public?
이때부터 기자실 제도가 정부 부처에서 대규모 경찰서까지 하나의 고정된 시설로 자리 잡았습니다. 하지만 기자실은 이른바 메이저 언론사가 아니면 출입하기 힘든 구조였고, 각 부처에서 기자단 소속 기자들의 식사를 접대하는 등 특혜가 주어지기도 해 문제가 있었습니다.
From this time, the press room system became a fixed facility in government departments and large police stations. However, the press room was difficult to access for non-major media outlets, and there were issues with government departments providing meals and other privileges to the press corps.
[노무현/전 대통령 : 정말 기자실에 국민의 알 권리가 있습니까?] 당시 진보와 보수 언론 모두가 “언론 자유가 침해됐다”며 관련 기사를 쏟아냈습니다.
[Former President Roh Moo-hyun: “Does the press room really serve the public’s right to know?”] At the time, both progressive and conservative media outlets published articles claiming that press freedom was being infringed upon.
이런 배경 속에서 이번 이재명 정부는 개선된 브리핑룸을 시작으로 국민과의 소통을 늘릴 것을 발표했습니다.
Against this backdrop, the current Lee Jae-myung administration has announced that it will enhance communication with the public, starting with the improved briefing room.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What change did President Lee Jae-myung announce for the presidential briefing room?
- How did the press room system evolve over time in South Korea?
- What were some of the issues with the press room system in the past?
- How did former President Roh Moo-hyun criticize the press room system?
- What is the current administration’s plan to improve communication with the public?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The presidential briefing room and the press room system have been an integral part of the government-media relationship in South Korea. The recent changes announced by the current administration aim to address longstanding concerns about transparency and access, reflecting the ongoing evolution of this dynamic.