The first English-language newspaper in South Korea (note – South Korea) was the Korea Times. Not the modern Korea Times but a one-or-two-page A-3 sized newspaper that began printing on September 5, 1945. It was a short lived paper – only five issues – but it is amazing because it came out so quickly after the fall of Japan. But it wasn’t the only one. The Seoul Times (same format as Korea Times) began publication on September 6, 1945. Its two editors – Min Won-sik and Palk Nam-chin, were educated in Europe (France and Germany). To put the accomplishments of these newspapers in perspective we must consider that on:
September 2, 1945: The capitulation of Japan ceremony was held on the U.S.S. Missouri at Yokohama at 9:00
September 4, 1945: Twenty American officials arrive in Korea aboard two B-25s.
September 6, 1945: Brig. General Harris arrives in Korea.
September 8, 1945: American troops land at Chemulpo (Incheon). Lt. General John R. Hodge arrives as well.
September 9, 1945: Japanese capitulation in Korea ceremony was held at 4:00 in the Government Building.
These early newspapers mainly contain information for the incoming allied troops – i.e., basic Korean phrases, interesting places to visit in Seoul, and the explanation as to the meaning of the Korean flag. Of course, there are also cute little slogans and welcomes such as:
“Thanks Yanks!! Now watch the Fords go by!!”
Over the next couple of days I plan on transcribing some of the articles from these newspapers in the hopes that you – the reader – might find interest in them.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Do it, man!
I look forward to this Robert.
Some of you may know of “Daniel” Lee Kie-hong, who was the publisher a few years ago of the English monthly Korea Business World. As a young man, he was walking along the street behind Doksu Palace with a copy of that short-lived Korea Times under his arm when a GI spottted it and called out “Hey man, do you speak English?” That encounter led to a job as the only Korean on the staff of the American military governor, education at Amherst, a job in the Ministry of Reconstruction, and eventually the World Bank. I think it was through thousands of such personal stories that the South Koreans saw out their old lives under the Japanese and began their new lives under a wholly different and ultimately more wholesome influence that has brought us to where we are today.
Mr Neff: It occurred that with both these papers being printed BEFORE the bulk of US occupation forces arrived on the peninsula, that some of them may have been distributed (sold?) to the several thousand US and allied POWs who were being held in (mostly) Incheon and Seoul, and maybe even sent down as far as Busan. Maybe they were some of the first readers?
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