US Time Magazine Names Ukrainian President Zelensky as 'Person of the Year'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The American news weekly Time magazine has selected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and 'The Spirit of Ukraine' as the 2022 'Person of the Year.'

On the 7th (local time), Time stated in a special article that it chose President Zelensky and The Spirit of Ukraine "to prove that courage can spread as widely as fear, to move the people and the nation to defend freedom, and to remind the world once again of the vulnerability of democracy."

(Photo by Time Official Twitter)

Edward Felsenthal, editor of Time, called this decision "the clearest selection ever remembered" and evaluated that "Zelensky's decision to stay and rally support without leaving Kyiv was fateful."

Since Russia's invasion on February 24, President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people have stood at the forefront of Ukraine, strongly resisting Russia and leading the war. A former comedian who was elected president in 2019, he has been delivering public speeches daily since the outbreak of the war, sending messages of hope and unity to boost the morale of the people, while also visiting the front lines himself, earning praise for fulfilling the role of a wartime leader.

Editor Felsenthal said, "President Zelensky has moved the world in a way never seen in decades," adding, "In 2022, the world marched to Zelensky's rhythm."

Regarding the jointly selected 'Spirit of Ukraine,' Editor Felsenthal explained that it is "the spirit embodied by countless people inside and outside Ukraine," and that based on this, they chose the figures who fought behind the scenes this time. Mentioned were unknown soldiers and war correspondents, chef Yevhen Klopotenko who provided free meals to Ukrainians, and doctor Yuliia Paievska who was captured by Russia as a prisoner but later released.

The Time cover also featured engineer Olek Kutkov, who provided wireless internet devices in Ukraine where communication networks were cut off, Olga Rudenko, editor-in-chief of the Ukrainian media 'Kyiv Independent,' British doctor David Nott, and Iryna Kondratova, who gave birth to a child during shelling.

Time magazine has been selecting the Person of the Year since 1927. Last year, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, was chosen, and in 2020, U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were selected. This year, besides President Zelensky, Iranian anti-government protesters, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and the U.S. Supreme Court were among the candidates.