Tehran Press Exhibition Pure Evidence of Iran's Democracy: S. Korean Diplomat

The South Korean diplomat, who was visiting Tasnim News Agency’s Pavilion at the 22nd edition of the Press and News Exhibition, noted he was "very much impressed" and “pleasurably surprised” by the fact that there were so many media in Iran.

“First of all, I am very much impressed. This kind of exhibition does not exist outside of Iran. Even in Korea we do not have such big press gatherings,” Seung-Ho said. “Also, I am very much pleasurably surprised that there are so many media in Iran.” 

Known as one of Iran’s major cultural events, the 22nd edition of the Press and News Agencies Exhibition kicked off in capital Tehran on Friday.  More than 900 media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, news agencies and press organizations, have participated in the expo, showcasing their activities in 620 pavilions, according to statistics provided by Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

Describing media as “soldiers of democracy”, South Korea’s ambassador took the multiplicity of the media participating at the event as evidence proving freedom of expression in Iran.

“In a democratic country, the media are the real soldiers of democracy; so, this is a pure evidence that Iranian people have a plenty of channels to express their ideas through various media.”

Elsewhere in his comments, the Korean diplomat touched on possible cooperation between the Iranian and South Korean media. He said his country’s media are willing to start a “prominent and institutionalized” relations with their Iranian counterparts.

“Well, right now, a small Korean journalist delegation are here in Tehran. Other than this delegation, the Korean government, and Korea Association of Media are very much willing to have a prominent and institutionalized relations, cooperative relations with Iranian media.”