Media should strive to be part of a "game-changing" strategy to rebuild trust in Korean reunification, The Phnom Penh Post CEO Ly Tayseng told the virtual International Leadership Conference on April 30, 2021.

The conference, held from April 29-May 1 under the theme “Toward the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula, Creating the Foundation for a Unified World”, was organised by the Northeast Asia Peace Initiative and sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF).

Tayseng posited that as an independent watchdog the media could play a central role by promoting its “three cardinal principles” – to inform, educate and entertain – promote advocacy and agenda-setting, and play a pivotal role in conflict resolution as it did, for example, to end the Vietnam War in the 1970s.

“Likewise, the media in Cambodia can assist in driving the peace process on the Korean peninsula by narrating the historical and current perspectives of both nations [North and South Korea], as well as the importance of global and regional peace,” he said.

He pointed out that most news on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), or the Korean reunification process is presented by Western media outlets, which have their own perspectives on events.

“It would be opportune for regional media to take the lead in understanding the geopolitics of North Asia and the Korean peninsula, and voice their opinions in a regional context, reflecting Asian ways of conflict resolution,” he said.

Building trust among the various stakeholders involved in advocating for the Korean reunification process is another crucial role of international media, according to Tayseng.

International media, he said, has been active in highlighting the DPRK’s nuclear weapons programmes, but has overall paid less attention to common culture, economic growth and technological developments. Success stories in trade, agriculture, science, sports and entertainment also seldom reach their audiences.

“In this context, the media can play a vital role in promoting much-needed political dialogue and people-to-people meetings to restore the trust deficit that has been a main sticking point in reunification efforts,” he said.

He hopes that with international efforts and with both Koreas having a shared culture and identity, and an emotional bond, they would be able to find common ground for communication toward peaceful reunification.

He said The Phnom Penh Post has been objective in reporting on highly sensitive international or regional issues, including Korean reunification. But for topics concerning the DPRK and Republic of Korea (ROK), The Post relies largely on international news agency and Asia News Network regional partner media outlets.

The Post also has an opinion page which serves as a platform for reflections on developments regarding Cambodia, ASEAN and the peninsula. South Korean President Moon Jae-in had contributed a piece before his visit to the region in 2019.

“We believe that The Phnom Penh Post can play an active role in promoting the Korean peninsula reunification agenda, especially next year when Cambodia takes over as chairman of the ASEAN grouping,” he said.

The Phnom Penh Post, he said, is “the leading English language newspaper” in the Kingdom with monthly gross reach of over eight million, covering the print edition and various social media channels.