Greetings from the Co-Chairmen of
the Hinzpeter Awards Organizing Committee

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  • Sun-seok Won
  • Co-Chairman of the HAOC
    (Chairperson of the May 18 Foundation)

  Greetings from the Hinzpeter Awards Organizing Committee.
  
  In 1980, during the Gwangju Uprising, journalists like Jürgen Hinzpeter risked their lives to document the brutal reality of state violence and deliver the truth to the world. Their courageous reporting illuminated the path to democracy, and in 2021, we launched The Hinzpeter Awards to honor their legacy and uphold the values of truth and justice in journalism.
  
  Now in its fifth year, The Hinzpeter Awards continue to grow in both significance and credibility. We aim to further institutionalize the awards, paving the way for long-term stability and global recognition. We also hope that the outstanding work of our awardees will help spread the spirit of May 18 and the journalistic values exemplified by Hinzpeter across the world.
  
  Even today, in many parts of the world, civilians suffer from war, state violence, censorship, and oppression. In those same places, there are still journalists—modern-day Hinzpeters—who stand at the frontlines, bearing witness to injustice and reporting the truth at great personal risk. We deeply honor their courage and unwavering commitment to their mission.
  
  In an age where disinformation spreads rapidly through digital and social media platforms, truth is often obscured and society becomes increasingly divided. Despite this, we firmly believe in the power of genuine journalism—journalists who reveal the truth beyond the lies.
  
  The Hinzpeter Awards will continue to stand in solidarity with all who are committed to truth, justice, and human dignity, so that together, we may help build a better future for humanity.
  
  We look forward to connecting with witnesses of truth from around the globe, and we sincerely wish for your safety in the field.
  
  Thank you.
  Soon-Suk Won
  Chairperson, The May 18 Foundation

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  • Youn-song Choi
  • Co-Chairman of the HAOC
    29th President of the Korean Video Journalists Association

  I had to cry. At the 4th Hinzpeter Awards in November 2024, listening to the acceptance speech of Salah Al Haw, the Grand Prize winner, I cried with them over their sorrow of losing their colleague, Marwan Al Sawaf, in the war. And I cried again, just a month later, when martial law was declared. A barbaric night passed as citizens and soldiers confronted each other. Numerous protests arose, and through the power of democratic citizens, the mastermind of the insurrection was impeached. The faces of citizens brought tears to my eyes. They were suppressing their emotions and trying to carry on with their daily lives, even after hearing the news that the president who attempted dictatorship had been impeached.
  
  This is the Republic of Korea 2025, a so-called country with advanced democracy, where we once believed that democracy had been fully achieved thanks to journalist Hinzpeter's life-risking reporting. Through the recent crisis, we once again realized how fragile our democracy is. However, even in this desperate situation, South Korea's video journalists became new Hinzpeters, by covering the scene, and ultimately defending democracy alongside the citizens. The dedicated journalistic spirit of Hinzpeter from 1980, which had been inherited and sleeping in the DNA of South Korean video journalists, manifested again in 2024.
  
  The Hinzpeter Awards were created to encourage video journalists around the world who dedicate themselves to human rights and democracy. And this year, we are aiming to fulfill that sacred mission once again. The enemies of democracy can reappear anytime, anywhere. The Hinzpeter Awards are both an encouragement and a warning. The awards warn of a crisis of democracy that could strike back at any moment and tell us to be prepared in advance. I’m paying my deepest tribute and respect to every video journalist around the world who risk their lives to cover the front lines today, and I invite all of you to the Hinzpeter Awards this year. Thank you.