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AsiaToday Chairman Woo Jong-soon, ruling People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, National Assembly Vice Speaker Joo Ho-young, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sang-ho, and former National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun applaud during AsiaToday’s 20th anniversary ceremony at the Crystal Ballroom of Lotte Hotel in Seoul on November 10. / Photo by Lee Byung-hwa

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AsiaToday marked its 20th anniversary on November 10 with a ceremony at the Crystal Ballroom of the Lotte Hotel in Seoul under the slogan “Opening the Future with the Power of Truth.” The event celebrated two decades of growth and reaffirmed the newspaper’s ambition to evolve into a leading global media group amid the sweeping transformations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

President Lee Jae-myung sent a congratulatory message, saying, “Since its founding in 2005, AsiaToday has sought to promote Korea to the world as a media outlet centered on Asia. I extend my congratulations to all employees who have grown together with our society.”

He added, “If our media, including AsiaToday, can serve as a window through which the public connects with the world, we can gather the wisdom to turn crises into opportunities. I hope AsiaToday will continue to uphold its responsibility and role as part of Korea’s journey toward growth and progress.”

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik, in a video message, called the anniversary slogan “Opening the Future with the Power of Truth” a declaration for a new era, adding, “AsiaToday has been a trusted voice for 20 years. I look forward to its continued balanced reporting and sharp insight for the next 20.”

AsiaToday Chairman Woo Jong-soon, in his commemorative address, reflected on the company’s founding vision: “Twenty years ago, AsiaToday was born from a dream of becoming a global media outlet grounded in integrity, human dignity, and peace.” He continued, “Now, as a digital-first news organization, we will grow into a global media group leading the age of advanced civilization.”

Woo emphasized the challenges facing the modern world — from pandemics and geopolitical conflicts to the resurgence of protectionism — and declared, “AsiaToday will begin a new challenge today. We will fulfill our mission as a media organization for national progress, public happiness, and global peace.”

The event gathered around 2,000 guests from politics, business, and culture. Attendees included People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, National Assembly Vice Speaker Joo Ho-young, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, LS Group Chairman Koo Ja-yeol, Samsung Electronics Vice President Yoon Jong-deok, Hyosung Heavy Industries CEO Woo Tae-hee, Korean Air Vice Chairman Woo Kee-hong, and the ambassadors of Italy and Sweden.

The celebration served not only as a commemoration of AsiaToday’s two-decade journey but also as a declaration of its determination to take the next leap forward — from a national daily to a global media pioneer leading in both innovation and responsibility.