The Origins and Early Stages of the Formation of National Media in Korea

Abstract

The study examined the origin of Korean print media. Korean media in general; and particularly the Enlightenment Period of Korean history are poorly represented in Russian academic research. Despite the large number of studies, most of the works of Korean scholars devoted to this period describe individual facts or events of that time which lacks holistic perception of the era. In the current study the author has filled this gap by referring to the description of general trends in the functioning of Korean media from 1883 to 1910. At the same time, we also analyzed the origin of the newspapers and their role in the society considering the political situation at the time. The objects of the study were state owned newspapers (Hansungsunbo, Hansungjubo) and private newspapers (Dokripsinmun, Jeguksinmun, Hwangseongshinmun, and Taehan Mail Shinbo). Newspaper content, tone, main readership, and circulation were described and classified. The primary journalistic figures of the time are also highlighted. The main functions of the newspaper were to inform the population about the transition to a new form of government in the country and to promote independence of Korea. Additionally, newspapers helped the government to explain policy to the general public but also criticized it in cases of discrepancies with state policy. This positive influence of newspapers on society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries sets the benchmark towards which modern media should strive.