The Korea Online Newspaper Association, led by President Park Hak Yong, announced Wednesday that it has selected three winners for its third Digital Journalism Innovation Awards.
The grand prize in the digital content category went to The Dong-A Ilbo’s “Omission: Is Your Apartment Safe?” The award recognizes 10 people: reporters Gu Teuk Gyo, Kim Su Hyeon, Lee Mun Su, Ju Hyeon U and Wi Eun Ji; developers Lim Sang A and Lim Hui Rae; creative director Jeong Si Eun; photographer Hong Jin Hwan; and PD Kim Ji Hui.
In the digital service and business category, the grand prize was shared by Seoul Economic Daily’s “AI LINK” and Maeil Business Newspaper’s affiliate Maekyung AX’s “AI HUB.” The “AI LINK” team includes Woo Seung Ho, Kang Do Won, Mun Yeong Gwang and Seong Ye Hyeon of the Future Strategy Department. The “AI HUB” team includes Yoo Yeong Hun and Shin Hye Ji of the AI Data Department; Lee Dong U and Chu Gyo Yun of the Development Department; and Park Eun Ju, Lee Seong Yeon, Shin Myeong Hwa and Min Ji Hye of the DM Strategy Planning Department.
Why the digital content winner was selected
The judging committee said “Omission: Is Your Apartment Safe?” was a seven-month investigative project that sought to verify a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announcement by directly examining 21 apartment complexes nationwide and finding missing rebar at nine sites. The committee cited its use of digital tools to deepen understanding, including a 3D interactive presentation of rebar structures and a collapse simulation to scientifically assess risk, along with documentary video that showed the reporting process.
Why the digital service·business winners were selected
The committee said Seoul Economic Daily’s “AI LINK” converted the entire newsroom to an AI-based system and built a cycle spanning production, personalization, video and global expansion, demonstrating sustainability through revenue generation and overseas growth. It said Maekyung AX’s “AI HUB” — including AI explainers, “stock stories” embedded in articles and “My Morning Briefing” — was recognized for offering a new journalism experience while providing services meant to help readers in daily life.
Overall comments from judges
Judge Yoo Hong Sik, a professor at Chung-Ang University, said, “Each year, more entries are combining digital technology and journalism to expand the reader experience, raising expectations.” He added, “This year’s content entries showed the evolution of digital journalism, and the service and business entries pointed to the industry’s future direction through innovations such as platform building, revenue-model experiments and global expansion.”
Each category’s grand prize includes a plaque and 5 million won in prize money. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 25 at the 19th-floor news conference room of the Korea Press Center in Taepyeong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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