Currently Korea’s famous English newspapers are Korea Times and Korea Herald. Also, many universities’ English newspapers are published biweekly or monthly. Many Koreans are now interested in English newspapers and we can see people reading English written materials in classrooms, subways, buses, etc. With the popularity of studying English increasing, the popularity of English newspapers went up accordingly. Let’s find out the history of English newspapers in Korea.
History of English Newspaper.
In November 1st, 1950, during The Korean War, the first issue of ‘Korea times’ was published. Korea Times was the first daily English newspaper in Korea. Dr. Helen Kim (1899-1970), the first Korean Dean of Ewha Women’s University, thought that publishing English newspapers would be a great help to Korea’s diplomacy. Her plan to publish English newspapers could have been proceeded under President Lee Seung-man who experienced American education. The first issue was published with 2 pages of tabloid. The editorial of the first issue was titled “A Really New Start” saying a nation should make an effort to provide better public service and strive to have a good relationship with many countries in the world.
Korea Times, as an English newspaper and as a form of media, played a huge role. Since the first issue, it played a role as a surveillant. of a dictatorial government and a devoted media. In 1964, it included an essay column ‘Thoughts of the Times’ in the form of personal journalism. This put the voice of housewives, scholars, diplomats, doctors, missionaries, businessmen, reporters, and other people. After that ‘Thoughts of the Times’ became a medium of communication between Korea Times and the readers. In 1974, Korea Times were published in both Seoul and Gyeong-gi province. With more readers, Korea Times introduced the CTS printing system. This system was a major mechanical innovation of Korea Times. Korea Times published 12 pages of newspaper every day except Monday. With a computer updated manufacture system, it became the pioneer of Korea’s media. The appearance of CTS ended linotype’s era which had been used 30 years since the 1950s. Dynamic publishing of newspapers potentiated improvement of English newspapers in Korea. Because of that, Korea Times became the official newspaper of some international sports competition in The Seoul Olympic Games in 1988. “The Seoul Olympian” which is the official newspaper made by Korea Times, after it was appointed during the 88 Seoul Olympic Games, became the foundation of English newspapers. Korea Times published continuously during the games, and it helped Seoul to host the international event successfully. After The 1988 Seoul Olympics, the world noticed Korea and many diplomatic acts were made in 1988 thanks to The 1988 Seoul Olympic Game’s official newspaper Korea Times.
Korea Times introduced Korea to the world and helped Korea to make an impression that Korea can host international events. After that, Korea Times was recognized as the “Right Messenger”. Due to the image of “Right Messenger” Korea Times became the official messenger of Winter, Summer, and Asian games, the APEC Summit in 2005, and the PIFF (Pusan International Film Festival). As an official messenger of those events, Korea Times has been at the head of promoting Korea worldwide. Korea Times is celebrating it’s 58th year already. Korea Times went through Korea’s toughest time together –from The Korean War to The IMF. Through those times, Korea Times grew as a leader of Korean English newspapers, and played a huge role as a media where people could get information about politics, economics, international affairs, science, technology, sports, entertainment, etc.
On August of 1953, another English newspaper in Korea ‘Korea Herald’ was published under the name of ‘Korean Republic’. ‘Korea Herald’ played a huge role not only as a Korean media, but also as a medium that effected English education in Korea. In 1954, Korea Herald hosted the 1st ‘Student English Speaking Contest’ and became popular. Also in 1975, Korea Herald first introduced the Computerized Type-setting System in Korea – even before Korea Times. With CTS, Korea Herald’s reporters wrote articles more effectively. In 1995, with the boom of the internet in Korea, Korea Herald opened its website (www.koreaherald.com). After that, Korea Herald’s publishing became more computerized. In 2000, Korea Herald’s improvement increased at high speed. In 2004, Korea Herald decided to publish Junior Herald which is for elementary school students. Junior Herald’s publishing was a great success to Korea Herald. From the start, it became popular, and schools and private institutions used Junior Herald as an educational resource.
Korea Herald, as mentioned above, not only concentrated on English newspaper itself, but the general English education in Korea. Starting from December 2004 in Seoul, to September 2006 in Ansan, December 2006 in Mokpo, March 2008 in Gangjin, July 2009 in Geoje island and Busan, Korea Herald built English Village. English village provides an atmosphere where people can use English everywhere. Also English village provides American culture, so that students not only learn English but also acquire culture which can be very helpful when learning a second language. English village made by Korea Herald, increased Korean’s attention toward practical English. In 2010, Korea Herald made a smart phone application, so smart phone users can enjoy Korea Herald wherever, whenever. As you can see, Korea Herald followed and became the trend of Korean media, and contributed to English education in Korea.
History of English Newspapers in Korean University
In1957, Chung-Ang University’s English newspaper Chung-Ang Herald was published first in Korea. That was the start of English Newspapers in Korean University history. After that, Ewha Women’s University’s ‘The Ewha Voice’, Korea University’s ‘The Granite Tower’, Yonsei University’s ‘The Yonsei Annals’, Hankuk University of Foreign Languages’ ‘The Argus’, and other universities in Korea created English Newspapers under the media source department.
Chung-Ang Herald, Chung-Ang University’s English newspaper, is the first university English newspaper published in May 20th, 1957. The purpose of publication was to make CAU students interested in studying English, and improve their English skills. CAH was first published in tabloid form. First it was issued one per two months, but with the increased interest and quantity of articles, it started issuing more frequently –one a month. On March of 1994, the form of newspaper was changed from tabloid to magazine. On June, 1994, it celebrated its 400th issue for the first time in Korean university English newspaper history, and on May of 2007 it celebrated its 50th year, reporting history. In May of 2012, it is celebrating its 500th issue.
As Korea Herald did to English education in Korea, CAH is contributing a lot in CAU student’s English learning. The Monthly magazine ‘The Chung-Ang Herald’ is not only reporting campus news and people, but also news from the world regarding politics, international affairs, and culture with various contents in English which help readers to study English by just reading a newspaper. Also, every November, it is hosting English Essay contests where CAU students can practice and show their English writing skills. In addition, with the help of CAU’s broadcasting system UBS, every Friday morning and evening CAH’s English broadcastings fill the campus with English and pop songs. For 55 years, many reporters in Chung-Ang Herald worked hard to write the best articles, and give the student precise information with firm opinions. With CAH, Chung-Ang University student’s English improved a lot and it will continue to play the role of media and English education in the days to come.