Zimpapers Logo

Paidamoyo Chipunza in SEOUL, South Korea
Science and technology are key to the economic recovery of any country, South Korean Minister of Science, Information Communication and Technology and Future Planning, Mr Choi Yang-hee has said.

Speaking at the 9th World Conference of Science Journalists underway here yesterday, Minister Yang-hee attributed the progress in development made by his country to science and technology.

“Science and technology have been the driving force to South Korea’s development.

“Many wonder how South Korea became a developed country right from nothing. I have no doubt that science and technology played a huge role in the development of our country,” he said.

Minister Yang-hee said science journalism was therefore important in driving national priorities and policing in science.

South Korea is home to giants in electronics such as Samsung and LG.

Speaking at the same occasion, president of the African Federation of Science Journalist Ms Mandi Smallhorne, said Africa needed to take science communication seriously. She, however, said Africa needed resources to effectively promote science journalism , which in turn impacted on the development of African nations. “What we really need in Africa are resources. We as Africans, we need to be developing ourselves, we need to be doing our own training, we need to be doing stuff that is rooted in the African continent so that science journalism is sustainable in Africa,” said Ms Smallhorne.

She said because science journalism was an emerging concept in Africa, her federation would continue working hard to make the face of African journalism visible in the world.

Science journalism involves health, agriculture, environment and energy among others. About 800 science journalists, researchers and science institutions are attending the week — long conference hosted by the Korean Science Journalists Association. The conference is running under the theme: “Broadening our horizons”. Chairman of the conference organising committee Mr Jae-eok Shim, said this year’s theme emphasised the need for continuous innovation.