As spring brings refreshing weather to South Korea’s capital, April has been packed with many interesting events and public gatherings. I had the pleasure of visiting one particular exhibition twice at the city’s main avenue, Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. As an amateur photo journalist myself and passionate about documenting major public events, it was a pleasant opportunity to witness how press photographers capture reality at the spots.
The annual photo exhibition was hosted by the Korea Press Photographers Association (KPPA) from 20 -24 April 2025, entitled “Capture the decisive events and document the truth”. It was a prominent news photography exhibition in Seoul, showcasing the year’s most impactful photojournalism. It was reported that the 61st edition of the exhibition commenced on April 20, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by notable figures, including Culture Minister Yu In-chon, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, and was visited by the public.
Such a powerful visual exhibition serves as a significant platform to highlight the work of Korean press photographers, offering the public a visual narrative of the nation’s events and stories through compelling imagery. And, it collectively offers a comprehensive view of Korea’s dynamic photojournalism and artistic photography scenes, providing insights into the nation’s culture, events, and the photographers’ perspectives. In addition, such exhibitions are typically held in accessible public spaces in Seoul and are open to all.
Since 1964, the Korea Press Photographers Association (KPPA) has been organizing its annual press photo exhibition in Seoul.
All photos taken by Bereket Alemayehu.
