The International Amnesty Korea announced on the 11th that the Hankyoreh's investigative report titled 'Hidden Deaths of Migrant Workers' has been selected as one of the main award winners in its 28th journalism competition. The report, produced by a team of reporters, estimates the total number of migrant worker deaths that were omitted from administrative records and tracks the circumstances surrounding these deaths. This acknowledgment not only highlights the dire situation faced by migrant workers in South Korea but also emphasizes the need for systemic changes to address their vulnerabilities.

In addition to Hankyoreh, other notable winners include the Korea Herald for its heartbreaking account of a child murder-suicide and EBS for a report on children in crisis. The diversity of this year’s winners reflects the pressing societal issues that media outlets are addressing, showcasing how journalism can serve as a powerful tool for advocacy and awareness. Among the special awards, the recognition of Choi Mal-ja, who was validated as a victim of sexual violence after 61 years, underscores the ongoing importance of justice and support for victims in Korea.

This year, the International Amnesty received a record number of over 120 articles submitted for the awards, indicating a growing commitment among journalists to cover human rights issues. Jo Hee-kyung, the director of the Amnesty International Korea, emphasized the significant role of journalism in raising awareness and advocating for human rights issues through public discourse. The award ceremony is set to take place on the 23rd at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, further spotlighting the achievements of investigative journalism in promoting social justice.