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AsiaToday Chairman Woo Jong-soon and other guests take part in a cake-cutting ceremony celebrating the newspaper’s 20th anniversary at the Crystal Ballroom of Lotte Hotel in Seoul on November 10. / Photo by Park Sang-sun

Seoul’s bustling Jung District came alive on November 10 as corporate executives and industry leaders gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of AsiaToday. The event drew praise and encouragement from top figures across the business community, many of whom lauded the newspaper’s steady growth and urged it to continue advancing as a trusted voice for Korea’s future.

Among those attending were LS Group Chairman Koo Ja-yeol, Korean Air Vice Chairman Woo Kee-hong, Hyosung Heavy Industries CEO Woo Tae-hee, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Spokesperson Lee Yong-pil, Fashion Group Hyungji Vice Chairman Choi Joon-ho, and KOTRA Senior Executive Vice President Lee Hee-sang. The guests commended AsiaToday for its contributions to industry and enterprise reporting over the past two decades.

“I’m amazed at how much the event has grown since I last attended,” said LS Chairman Koo Ja-yeol, grasping a reporter’s shoulder warmly. “AsiaToday has matured impressively—may it continue to go even further.”

Woo Kee-hong of Korean Air added, “AsiaToday is already doing a fine job. I simply hope it keeps following the path of sound journalism.” He stayed until the end of the evening to personally offer his congratulations.

Hyosung Heavy Industries CEO Woo Tae-hee reflected on his past connection to the paper, recalling, “I once wrote columns for AsiaToday, and I look forward to seeing it play an even greater role.” Trade Ministry spokesperson Lee Yong-pil said, “It’s meaningful to be here today, given our long relationship with AsiaToday. Congratulations on this milestone.”

KOTRA’s Lee Hee-sang emphasized the outlet’s relevance to global business: “KOTRA supports companies’ overseas expansion through 131 trade offices worldwide, and AsiaToday’s in-depth coverage has been a great help. Its vision as an ‘Asia-centered media’ remains crucial.”

Fashion Group Hyungji Vice Chairman Choi Joon-ho said, “As one of Korea’s leading media organizations, AsiaToday should continue to serve as a foundation for the nation’s next stage of growth.”

Executives from NuriPlan, Sono International, and Dong-A Industries also offered congratulations, highlighting AsiaToday’s consistent focus on industry voices and balanced reporting. “We hope AsiaToday will keep broadening its perspective and opening new horizons with insightful coverage,” one participant said.

Many attendees described the ceremony as a meaningful opportunity to reflect on AsiaToday’s two decades of accomplishments and its roadmap for the future. “For 20 years, AsiaToday has upheld the principle of integrity in journalism,” one executive noted. “We look forward to its continued role in Korea’s innovation and prosperity.”

As the evening came to a close, guests shared a common message: AsiaToday’s success over the past 20 years is only the beginning—and its next chapter should be one of even wider vision and deeper engagement with the industries it helps shape.