Yonhap

Yonhap News Agency, known in Korean as Yonhap or 연합뉴스, is the national news agency of South Korea and the country’s largest wire service. Based in Seoul, it collects and distributes domestic and international news to newspapers, broadcasters, online outlets, and other clients. Yonhap publishes in multiple languages, with Korean and English as its core offerings, and also provides content in Japanese and Chinese. It operates text, photo, and video services and maintains a digital platform for subscribers and partners.

History and role

Yonhap was established in 1980 through the merger of two preexisting news agencies, created to centralize and systematize the transmission of news within South Korea. Since its founding, it has served as a primary source of national and global news for Korean media and an expanding set of international clients. The agency supplies timely reports, photographs, and multimedia packages to a broad audience and maintains an online presence for on-demand access.

Operations and scope

The agency runs a network of reporters and editors in Seoul and across international bureaus, providing round-the-clock coverage. Its offerings include written articles, photographs, and video reports, along with archives and digital services. Yonhap distributes content not only to domestic outlets but also through licensing and partnerships with international media organizations, contributing to the global news ecosystem.

See also

Media in South Korea; News agencies; East Asian media landscape.