Applications have been accepted for AAJA Seoul’s subchapter 2018 board election.
It’s time to vote: AAJA Seoul members may vote for for any candidate, write in a new candidate or leave the choice blank. Names can be written in for offices with no candidates. Votes will remain confidential. (Not a member or need to renew? Join here.)
The voting period ends at 11 pm on Dec. 8, 2017. Election results will be announced at the Dec. 9 year-end party. Don’t forget to RSVP. More info here.
Read the candidates’ pledges and then vote here.
* * *
Secretary – keeps meeting minutes and sends out regular newsletters to members
[No candidates]
Treasurer – keeps track of the budget and coordinates payment logistics for events
[No candidates]
Education programming director – oversees student outreach coordinator, leads student membership campaigns and arranges logistics for educational workshops for the general membership
Candidate 1: Brolley Genster (incumbent)
Bio:
Brolley Genster is currently the Culture editor at the Korea JoongAng Daily. He has been in Seoul for five years, and has been an active member of AAJA-Asia for the past four
Pitch:
Having served as the Programming Director for Educational Programs and Workshops in 2017, I have the experience of putting together workshop events for the chapter. In 2018, I plan to be more active in the role and plan more events that will benefit the members of the chapter as well as attract new people to the organization. I would like to collaborate with the other sub-chapters across Asia on workshop ideas than can be used throughout the chapter, so that everyone can benefit. As a professional organization, it is important to be able to provide our members with not only a network, but also ways that they can enrich themselves outside of their work. I will work hard to ensure that continues to be a reason people join the Seoul chapter of AAJA-Asia.
Candidate 2: Simone Jeong
Bio:
I am freelance journalist who has written for Dutch newspaper, Dutch travel magazines, University guides and I have been a professional reviewer for TBSefm in Seoul South Korea. In elementary school I won prize for story writing and I founded a news school paper in my middle school. I was a part of a student run magazine while studying journalism so I have always been involved writing. Besides Journalism I studied to become a highly gifted educator at a private institute before coming to Korea. Currently I work as Int. Public Affairs Manager at a Korean NGO.
Pitch:
As I am a networker I would like to use my skills to open a network for students and young professionals to educate themselves about a variety of important subjects and to become critical journalists. Forums, seminars and workshops could be part of that. But the main part is empowering young journalists in the field and inspiring them to be independent critical thinkers. Being a journalist is being a protector of society through accurate fact reporting and checking governments, companies and individual stories. I In other words, the journalists’ mission is to oversee the work of the public domain on behalf of the citizens. It is a privilege and an honour to be that watchdog of society.
Programming director – arranges logistics for panels, tea talks and other events promoting discussion of local journalism issues
[No candidates]
Social events director – arranges logistics for monthly social events
Candidate 1: Jihye Lee
Bio:
I cover breaking news at Bloomberg’s Social Velocity team in Seoul. I have worked with NPR and TBS eFM, and contributed to BuzzFeed News, NBC Asian America and Arirang’s Business Daily. I’m a recent graduate of Columbia Journalism School, where I mostly covered the Korean American community in the Bronx and Flushing, Quens.
Pitch:
I can contribute my extensive knowledge of fun and offbeat activities in Seoul in order to attract participation from local AAJA members and their friends/acquaintances. My social activities would include a variety of events from exploring new ‘matjibs’, VR cafes, museums, camping sites, beaches, volunteer programs, as well as the good old fashioned way of mingling over a (couple) glass(es) of soju. I would also like to try some more ambitious programs by getting in touch with local organizations, companies, research centers, to check out any newsworthy projects that they are working on — like CJ’s hangover research center or the home of dancing robots in KAIST. I speak the language and I know how to have a good time 😉
Communications director – oversees social media and blog posts to promote events, arranges for graphic design, blog posts and photography as needed
Candidate 1: Gavin Huang
Bio:
I studied film and media studies in college with a focus on documentaries and have been working in Korea for two and a half years as an editor.
Pitch:
I have experience managing social media pages, including the page for the paper where I work. I also frequently contribute to graphic design at AAJA. I expect to continue doing these activities.
Membership director – manages membership campaigns, assists new members and follows up on membership renewal
[No candidates]
Job listings coordinator – keeps members up-to-date on local job offerings
Candidate 1: Jihyoung Son (incumbent)
Bio:
Having a bachelor’s degree in English Linguistics in Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, I am currently working as a reporter at The Korea Herald, covering financial markets, watchdogs, banks, fintech industry and cryptocurrencies.
Pitch:
This year job posts inside the paywall and related posts on social networks, I believe, have been parts of attraction to AAJA Seoul subchapter. Next year, while seeking improvement, I would like to contribute to the growth of AAJA Seoul.
Student outreach coordinator – liaisons universities and student communities to connect them with AAJA Seoul
Candidate 1: Rachel Premack
Bio:
I moved to Seoul at the end of 2016 to pursue a freelance journalism career. Since then, I’ve written for outlets like Forbes, The Washington Post, Quartz, CityLab, Time and Foreign Policy. My favorite articles combine business and cultural issues, like the article I wrote for the Post about the rise of English names in the workplace and how it is replacing traditional hierarchical titles. As for my educational background, I graduated with a history degree from the University of Michigan in Dec. 2015.
Pitch:
As a (sort of) recent college graduate, I know what’s concerning students who want to pursue a career in journalism. I would like to increase their exposure to the English-language journalism community in Seoul, building their journalistic confidence and savvy.
I hope to do that by contacting professors and students at local journalism programs and encouraging them to attend our events. From there, they can join the AAJA community and benefit from the excellent networking, mentorship and educational opportunities we offer. We could also host panels in which some AAJA members relay questions from the student audience about how to get into journalism.
My focus as student outreach director would be giving back to the community. I’ve received (and still receive!) so much help from fellow reporters as I begin my career — as I’m sure we all have. So, I would love continue AAJA’s awesome work in nurturing the next group of journalists.
Translation coordinator – secures translators for events as needed
Candidate 1: Haeyoon Kim (incumbent)
Bio:
My name is Haeyoon Kim, currently working as a full-time interpreter and translator for the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG). I am fully bilingual in Korean and English and have served as a translation coordinator for the Asian American Journalists Association in Seoul concurrently with my POCOG duties this year. My current job at POCOG is all about communicating with great speed and accuracy involving both verbal and written language translation from English to Korean and vice versa, mostly with the International Olympic Committee advisors and International Sports Federation officials and appointed experts.
Pitch:
As of today (Nov. 24, 2017), we have 77 more days to go till the Games and I may soon be taken by the crazy busy schedule as I work full-time here in PyeongChang till the end of March 2018 but I would like to express my sincere loyalty and interest in the translation coordinator position. Additionally, I am eager to assist AAJA journalists reporting on the Games; given that I’ve worked for POCOG since 2015, I am sure I could be of some help.
Candidate 2: Youkyung Lee
Bio:
I’m a reporter at the Associated Press and have served in various roles for the AAJA-Asia. I’m bilingual in Korean and English.
Pitch:
I will find translators dedicated to AAJA’s mission and values, who will have fun while learning and growing with AAJA members in Seoul. In the event I cannot find such translators, I will volunteer myself to provide translation for free if time permits! Translations are sacred.
Event photographer – shoots at events as needed
Candidate 1: Inkyung Julie Yoon
Bio:
As a video editor at HuffPost’s Korea edition, I produce multimedia stories -ranging from photography to video essays. I report and edit videos on breaking news stories in South Korea. I participate in the ongoing integration of 18 global editions by collaborating on global projects.
Pitch:
As a professional photo journalist, I am confident that I will be an excellent event photographer for AAJA Asia Seoul. My photoshop skills could come in handy for AAJA event marketing.
Social media coordinator – works with communications director to promote events on social media
Candidate 1: Bryan Betts
Bio:
I’m a copy editor and freelance writer who has lived in Korea for more than two years, worked for daily newspapers in South Carolina and New Mexico, and contributed to Korea Exposé, The Diplomat, and the New York Times. I graduated from Furman University with degrees in English Literature and Philosophy and originally came to South Korea as an English teacher through the U.S. Fulbright Program.
Pitch:
I only recently joined AAJA Seoul and initially learned about the subchapter through its public Facebook group, so I know from personal experience how useful social media can be not only for informing members but also for promoting AAJA Seoul to those outside the community. As social media coordinator, I will strive to grow AAJA Seoul by making the Facebook page a convenient place for both members and non-members to find information about subchapter news and events. To do that, I will work closely with the communications coordinator to announce upcoming events and will assist with event photography as needed. I’m also interested in potentially starting subchapter Twitter and Instagram accounts that could be used to publicize work by AAJA Seoul members.
At-large board member – helps and directs as needed
Candidate 1: Mark Zastrow
Bio:
Masters in astronomy, masters in science journalism, freelance science journalist since 2013
Pitch:
I’ve had a great time being social events coordinator for the past year. Thanks to everyone for coming out and creating such a supportive and talented community. For the next year, as at at-large member, I hope to be involved wherever I can be helpful, and take a step back and think about how AAJA Seoul can continue to advance the careers of its members.
* * *
Cast your vote here.
Deadline: Dec. 8, 2017 @ 11pm KST
Results will be announced at the year-end holiday party on Dec. 9. Don’t forget to RSVP. More info here.