The Chosun-ilbo ("ilbo" means daily newspaper. It is often used interchangeably with word "sinmun"). Is both the premier newspaper and the most conservative of the mainstream newspaper. It is also the most senior newspaper publication still in print, as it was established in 1920 during relative thaw in the Japanese colonial period. Its publications dominate the Korean media, since its Monthly Publication "the Wolgan Chosun" (meaning "Chosun Monthly") is viewed as both the Foreign Affairs and the Economist of South Korea. Currently in close relationship with the conservative regime of Lee Myung-Bark, its positions are pro-Japanese, pro-American, pro-Business and anti-Left. The paper supported Korea's sending troops to Iraq (though not the war itself) and is considered to be pro-Israel paper in the country.
Among the Korean's the newspaper is viewed in drastically different ways. The paper was notorious during the last years of the Japanese colonization as being stuffed with Collaborators, and even with Independence of Korea in 1945, many retained their jobs and outlook. Since then it earned additional black mark for supporting the Military dictatorship until 1980s. It added to its reputation by being lukewarm about the trial of Dictators in 1995 and the investigation about the Japanese Collaborators in 2007. However, conservatives laud the paper for its forthright position, willingness to admit error, and its spirited prose and editorials.
Along with the Chosun-ilbo, it was established in 1920, being the second oldest paper in Korea (it was established about Month later). While among the Big 3 of the Korean newspapers, the general consensus is that the it lacks the influence that its eternal rive, the Chosun-ilbo has. However, the paper's refutation is not as extremely divided as its rival. The paper is known more for its cultural and literary content than the political content, and is considered to be superior than Chosun-ilbo on those matters.
Once the favored of the mainstream liberals in the 80s and 90s, the golden days of this paper has passed. Regrettably, the paper today is in uncomfortable place, with no clear distinctive voice to distinguish from its rivals.
Compared to the two senior papers, the Joongang-ilbo is much younger paper, established in 1965. From the beginning the paper was closed linked with Samsung, its founding company. Even now, many of senior members of Samsung's leadership also sits in the board of directors in the paper. Until the 90s the paper was not in the same league as the other two papers, who dismissed it as Samsung's Mouthpiece but during the 90s onward, the paper aggressively experienced with new formats, talent and Internet, thus gaining influence and readership. The fact that Sansung's emergency as THE preeminet corporation in Korea also played its part.
Compared to the two rivals, which has long history and positions. The paper is notable for changing holding no clearly held position in many matters (aside from its defense of Samsung). Its positions tend to be center left.
The paper is also notable for being connected to Washington Post, it is not a exaggeration that much of the overseas news in Joongang-ilbo is product of Washington Post.
Hankyoreh's size and circulation cannot be measured with the abovementioned papers. It only is only a fraction of their size. But in influence they are equal to each one of them. Hankyoreh is loved by the left in Korea, it is the paper which gave voice of protesters durning the 80s, it was the voice for liberalism in the transitional period in the 90s with the democracy. It is the paper which is not afraid to be left. It tends to be anti-American, pro-Iran, anti-Israel and pro-North Korea.
Understandably the conservative media like the Chosun-ilbo is not found of this paper, calling it a puppet of China and North Korea. But it is the one paper which tend to give more than cursey look at the outside world, and it is the one paper where the reality of Korea's many problems seem to be squarely, with all its rawness (sometimes too raw) shown in print.
There will be other papers. But these are main characters in our journey.
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