Korean Car Journalists Association Appoints Choi Dae-yeol of Asia Economy as 11th President

The Korea Automobile Journalists Association (KAJA) announced on the 28th that Choi Dae-yeol, a reporter from Asia Economy, has been elected as the 11th president of the Korea Automobile Journalists Association.

The Korea Automobile Journalists Association accepted registrations for presidential candidates from the 15th to the 22nd. Choi Dae-yeol was the sole candidate. He was elected as the 11th president at the association’s extraordinary general meeting held in Jongno, Seoul on the same day. His term will begin on March 1 and last for three years.

Newly appointed President Choi Dae-yeol began his journalism career at Asia Economy in 2008, working in the Construction and Real Estate Department, Fourth Industrial Revolution Department, Political Department, and Industry 2 Department. He is currently in charge of automobiles in the Industry IT Department. Since January last year, President Choi has served as the head of the Asia Economy branch of the Korea Journalists Association. Since October of the same year, he has been active as the vice chairman of the association’s Car of the Year selection committee.

President Choi said, "I sincerely thank all the members who have given me unwavering support and encouragement despite my many shortcomings. I will go beyond simply emphasizing principles and work to develop measures that will practically benefit each member through the association’s activities."

At the association’s extraordinary general meeting on the same day, newly appointed President Choi Dae-yeol appointed Lee Seung-yong, editor-in-chief of Motor Magazine, and Lee Sang-won, director of M Today, as directors of the association. For auditors, Bae Dong-jin, head of the Seoul Economy team at Busan Ilbo, and Bae Sung-eun, a reporter from Cookie News, were elected.

The Korea Automobile Journalists Association was established in August 2010 with the purpose of promoting the development of the automobile industry through the media, guiding the establishment of a proper automobile culture, improving the qualifications of automobile journalists, and enhancing mutual exchange among members. The association has 55 member media companies, including leading domestic daily newspapers, broadcasters, news agencies, online media, and automobile specialty magazines. About 200 journalists affiliated with member companies are active.

The association annually selects and announces the ‘Car of the Year (COTY)’ as the best automobile in Korea. It also holds various events such as symposiums and seminars to announce and discuss automobile-related issues and seek alternatives.