Bong Du-wan

Bong Du-wan (奉斗玩, born 8 December 1935) is a South Korean journalist and politician. His family seat is Haeum, and his pen name (號) is Dawi (多爲). He served in the 11th and 12th National Assembly.

Career

He was born in Suan, Hwanghae Province, on 8 December 1935. In 1940, he moved with his whole family to Buan, North Jeolla Province, where he grew up. In 1954, he graduated from Kyungbok High School in Seoul, and in 1960 he earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Yonsei University. In 1966, he earned a master's degree in journalism from the graduate school of American University. Afterward, beginning in 1959 as a reporter for Dongwha News Agency, in February 1961 he moved to Hankook Ilbo as a reporter. In April 1968, he moved to DBS Dong-A Broadcasting as an announcer, and in May 1969 he moved to TBC Tongyang Broadcasting as an announcer. Later, in December 1971, he moved to Seoul Central Broadcasting (now KBS, Korean Broadcasting System) as an announcer. After leaving KBS in January 1978, he served as a guest editorial writer for JoongAng Ilbo from January 1978 to August 1978. Then, in 1978, as a freelance announcer, he hosted and served as a commentator on Dongyang Radio's program Annyeonghashipnikka Bong Du-wan imnida (Hello, This Is Bong Du-wan), and remained active until November 1980, when the military coup occurred and the media consolidation took place.¹

On 2 April 1981, he was appointed a party affairs committee member and spokesperson of the Democratic Justice Party, which was founded around former presidents and was led by Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, two central figures of the revolution, both former anchors. On 31 March 1983, he became chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee and served until May 1987. Afterward, he briefly served as honorary chairman of Wonum Broadcasting for three months, from September 2001 to December 2001. In January 2002, he served as co-CEO of the conservative group , and in February of the same year he was appointed endowed chair professor in the Department of Communication at . He still serves as chairman of the Catholic Korean Aid Association.