Introduction This stylebook is an updated and expanded version of Yonhap Stylebook published in 2008. Its chief purpose is to provide our writers with clear rules regarding the usage of key terms and phrases, and to establish consis- tency for the sake of higher quality coverage. We acknowledge with thanks the many contributions to the update of the stylebook from our writers and copyreaders. Many of the entries in this stylebook include Korean words and phrases that frequently appear in Yonhap's copy. This should help resolve some of the persistent technical questions our writers encounter, and thus enable them to give readers a better grasp of our content. Spelling rules have been determined by referencing the stylebooks of other major news agencies and Webster's New World Dictionary. Any ex- ceptions outlined here, however, supersede the rules of other guides. This handbook has been published electronically as well as in print. The electronic version contains the latest updates on style and word usage, and should be used to keep our writing contemporary and fresh. Foreign Language News Service Yonhap News Agency May 2013 003 Contents Our Mission 005 Our Mission 164 List of chronologies 006 The Role of Journalists 164 •• Chronology of major political events in S. Korea in the last two 007 Basic Guidelines decades 010 Word Usage, Words in the News 166 •• Chronology of major events re- 110 Filing Procedures lated to N. Korean nuke, missile Yonhap News Agency plays a central role in the Korean press by deliver- issue 119 Sports Guidelines ing news and information to its customers in various parts of the world, as 170 •• Chronology of major events re- lated to inter-Korean relations well as to newspapers, broadcasting firms, government agencies, business 126 APPENDIX 174 •• Chronology of major events re- organizations and Internet portals on a real-time basis. lated to S. Korea-U.S. relations 126 South Korea 175 •• Chronology of major events re- As the main news provider on Korean topics, Yonhap has a major respon- 135 Distance to Seoul lated to S. Korea-China relations sibility to serve our clients and readers to our utmost abilities as well as 137 Armed Forces Ranks 177 •• Chronology of major events related to S. Korea-Japan rela- appeal and attract new ones by providing unbiased, reliable, intelligent and 140 North Korea tions informative, factual, honest and breaking news. 146 China 179 •• Chronology of major events 151 Japan related to S. Korea-Russia rela- Our articles need to maintain a balance by interweaving basic background tions 155 Korea’s Era Names Chart information on Korea and related topics that makes it easier for our read- 181 •• Chronology of major events re- 155 The Romanization of Korea for lated to Japan’s history textbook ers around the world to follow and keep themselves up-to-date with infor- Yonhap English News issues mative news that interest viewers. 183 •• Chronology of major events re- 159 Metric Conversion Chart lated to Japan’s claim to Dokdo By adhering to the standards expressed above, Yonhap will continue to 160 •• List of acronyms 185 Chronology of major accidents create a quality product that well serves those interested in learning more related to South Korea since about Korea. 1940s. THE YONHAP STYLEBOOK 2013 004 005 The Role of Journalists Basic Guidelines The responsibilities of a journalist are ever changing in today’s fast-paced me- The following is a basic outline and guidelines for how Yonhap articles should dia industry, making it increasingly important for the writer never to overstep be crafted. their role. They must serve as a middleman between the news and the reader, never dictating nor attempting to influence the audience. Most importantly, > ATTRIBUTION: A news agency needs to be absolutely certain of the reli- they must leave themselves and their opinions out of their articles. ability of the sources quoted in its reports. They must be observant, interview sources, verify the accuracy of those sourc- Label or describe the source of the information or opinions presented in the es’ accounts and craft news articles based on coverage in a way that provides story as specifically as possible. Use names and titles when able. Otherwise be readers with an understanding of trends and events. precise about the sources -- simply saying “sources said” is not adequate in a news story. Some examples of acceptable attributions are: In addition, journalists are tasked with conveying the meaning and deeper significance of a particular incident or development so that readers are able to authoritative sources, official sources, government sources, administrative sourc- understand the event within its greater context. es, diplomatic sources, industry sources, financial sources, company sources, party sources, monetary sources, ministry sources, department sources, agency Reporters should always bear in mind the five most important elements of sources, military sources, reliable sources, conference sources, informed sources, news coverage: accuracy, objectivity, speed, simplicity and directness. etc. Ethically, they need to make sure they remain unbiased by choosing a wide Try to avoid expressions such as “it was learned,” “it was understood” or “it was range of articles that do not favor or single out a specific entity and use sources believed.” that are from both perspectives on a given issue. Every piece of information in the story, including facts in the lead, should be attributed to a source unless the writer personally witnessed the event or the information is common knowledge. It is sometimes permissible to drop the attribution in the lead if the source is mentioned in the second paragraph. Types of stories that require no attribution THE YONHAP STYLEBOOK 2013 006 007 include those dealing with: public proceedings of the legislature, public meet- Distance to Seoul for the locations of South Korea’s major cities and towns ings and conferences, open judicial proceedings, stocks, foreign exchange and relative to the capital. other markets. > LEAD: The lead -- usually the first sentence of a news story, sometimes the > BACKGROUND INFORMATION: All stories should contain adequate first two -- should be short and crisp (around 20-25 words) so as to provide the background information, especially as many of our readers are overseas and proper context for the rest of the article. It should also hook the reader and will likely not have much knowledge about the issues our agency covers. Our give a good preview of what the rest of the article entails. Leave out unneces- copy should be complete with relevant background and essential details, occa- sary details and write only the most important essentials. Avoid redundant sionally placed high in the story. All political, economic and social institutions words or expressions in the lead. likely to be unfamiliar to foreign readers should be explained when necessary. Complicated names of panels, industry bodies and laws can be left out of the Be careful when using background information, as it can be used in a way that lead. The same goes for complex data in business stories; give the reader an talks down to the reader, especially when it’s used unnecessarily. A story that indication of the data trend (N percent rise/fall) and leave exact figures for the reads “A Japanese earthquake, which happened in March 2011, …” is very rest of the story. Instead, focus on the reasons behind the trend. condescending because it assumes the reader is unintelligent with a major news event. Instead, the article should be written “The March 2011 earthquake Lead with the latest developments instead of older news. A story that reads, in Japan…” for example, “Popular singer Seo Tae-ji’s eighth album goes on sale on Tues- day” would be leading with old news, as the launch date was likely announced If for whatever particular reason, the reader is uninformed on a given topic, months earlier. Make stories timely with new information. Two better possible the reader can use their discretion whether they choose to do further research. leads are: > FREQUENTLY USED SENTENCES: In our stories, there are sometimes Hundreds of fans lined up outside music shops around Seoul Tuesday in antici- sentences that are used frequently and in multiple articles. An example of this pation of the release of popular singer Seo Tae-ji’s eighth album. is a common paragraph for military stories that’s listed below. Music retailers were bracing Tuesday for big crowds, as popular singer Seo Tae- The 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, leaving the two ji’s eagerly awaited eighth album went on sale. Koreas still technically at war. About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea to deter North Korean provocations. > NAMING NAMES: A named source is almost always better than an anony- mous one as it gives more credence to the article. Do not reveal the identity Be careful as these types of sentences can be made factually inaccurate if situa- of a subject or source when doing so is prohibited by law or when it may un- tions change. necessarily violate the person’s privacy or damage their reputation. Subjects whose names are not generally identified include juvenile criminals, the men- > GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: As a rule, identify geographic locations in tally ill, victims of sexual assault and patients afflicted by diseases that carry a relation to an internationally known site. social stigma. For example: Reynosa, a Mexican city bordering the U.S. state of Texas. Or: > VOICE: Use active voice as often as possible. It does a better job of grab- Yeongwol, a city just over 200 kilometers east of Seoul. bing the reader’s attention and is more effective in communicating urgency in news copy.