“Starting today, with the publication of this new newspaper on a new printing press, let us develop new knowledge and invigorate new ideas… May we restore our national sovereignty and enjoy the blessings of freedom ten million times over.”
— The Korean News (Kongnip Sinbo), November 1905, 9th year of the Gwangmu Era –
The Early Korean Community and Its Publishing Activities
The early Korean community, though small in population and faced with numerous challenges, demonstrated remarkable activity in media and publishing. Although there were no dedicated media companies, newspapers and magazines were financially supported by various organizations and institutions. All publications aimed to enlighten Koreans, inspire the spirit of anti-Japanese resistance, and serve as a medium for exchanging news to promote the economic development of the community. Newspapers published in America were well-received not only in the U.S. but also in Korea and other countries, becoming national publications sent back to Korea. Even as Koreans were scattered across different labor sites, they gained strength and stayed informed about their homeland through newspapers, which served as their primary communication channel.
The Korean News (Gongnip Sinbo)
November 1905 (Gwangmu Year 9)
Founded on November 20, 1905, The Korean News was the official publication of the Korean Public Association (KPA) in San Francisco, established by Ahn Changho. Upon his return to Korea in 1907, Ahn founded the New People’s Association (Sinminhoe), with The Korean News functioning as the overseas sister publication to Daehan Maeil Sinbo, the association’s domestic newspaper. Initially lacking printing facilities, the publication was handwritten by Song Seokjun and duplicated for weekly distribution. On April 26, 1907, a printing press was purchased, and starting with Volume 2, Issue 1, the publication adopted Korean script and clearer typography.
The first printed issue included the following hopeful statement:
“With this new newspaper printed on a new press, let us develop new knowledge and invigorate new ideas… May we restore our nation’s sovereignty and enjoy the blessings of freedom.”
Initially published biweekly with four pages in four columns, the newspaper transitioned to a weekly schedule on May 31, 1907, with issues released every Wednesday.
Advocacy and Focus
The publication exposed Japan’s acts of aggression in Korea to regions across the U.S. and beyond, condemned the illegality of such actions, and emphasized the necessity of independence warfare. Articles and editorials focused on education, vocational promotion, and preparations for the independence movement, playing a leading role in patriotic and enlightenment activities.
On November 15, 1907, the newspaper adopted a four-page, seven-column format. The sections included:
- Editorials: Articles promoting Korean duties, responsibilities, education, and economic initiatives.
- Association News: Reports on general and local meetings, member activities, and financial transparency.
- Regional News: Updates on Korean communities in the U.S.
- Domestic News: Reports from Korea to maintain connections with the homeland and provide accurate insights into late-Joseon era events.
- World News: Coverage of international developments to foster global awareness.
- Contributor Articles: Submissions from Koreans in the U.S., Korea, and other regions like Vladivostok.
- Advertisements: Ranging from association notices to private business, stock company investments, and dormitory student recruitment ads.
The first issue printed on a press was distributed to branches in Los Angeles, Riverside, Redlands, and Korea (Pyongsan and Jinnampo).
In the expansion statement dated October 26, 1907, The Korean News emphasized the importance of newspapers in modern nations, asserting that they educate citizens on politics, law, military, commerce, agriculture, industry, and communication. However, the paper lamented the lack of press freedom in Korea due to Japanese oppression and worked to establish branches to expand its reach.
Challenges and Legacy
In 1907, Japan enacted the “Gwangmu Press Law,” intensifying control over newspapers published both in Korea and abroad by Koreans. Despite these restrictions, The Korean News reached a circulation of 3,500 to 4,000 copies. Over its first three years, the paper raised $12,118.44 in funds and revenues. However, from Issue 74 (March 18, 1908), it faced confiscation in Korea 18 times, including 55 seizures after it was renamed Shinhan Minbo.
On August 12, 1908, all Korean branches of The Korean News were closed, leaving only 14 branches in the U.S. and Russian territories. After publishing 117 issues over three years and two months, the newspaper transitioned into Shinhan Minbo, the official publication of the Korean National Association, on February 10, 1909.
The main contributors to The Korean News included Bang Hwajung, Lim Chiseong, Song Seokjun, Jung Jaegwan, and Choi Jungik as chief editors, with typesetting by Bang Hwajung, Lim Chiseong, Lee Gyodam, and Kim Hyeongpil.
Daedong Gongbo (The New Korean World)
1907 – A Publication of the Daedong Bogukhoe
Daedong Gongbo was first published on October 3, 1907, in San Francisco as the official newspaper of the Daedong Bogukhoe (The Great Unity Patriotic Association). The driving force behind its creation was Kim Marisa, a patriotic woman and senior member of the association. On October 18, 1907, The Korean News (Gongnip Sinbo) reported on the launch of Daedong Gongbo:
“The Korean community in San Francisco has begun publishing an official newspaper titled Daedong Gongbo. Though unable to use a printing press, they have handwritten and lithographed the first issue with great enthusiasm. The members’ dedication is commendable, and the content is inspiring, fair, and enlightening, leading the Korean diaspora in their pursuit of progress.”
The paper used handwritten lithographic printing for issues 1 through 14 (up to November 14, 1907). From November 21, 1907, it transitioned to printing in Korean script. Moon Yangmok served as publisher, with Choi Youngman as chief editor. The paper had sales outlets in 14 U.S. locations, 11 in Korea, and one in China.
Despite financial difficulties, the publication was briefly suspended on December 5, 1907, but resumed with financial support from Korean immigrants in Sacramento and San Francisco. However, after issue 25, it was again discontinued on April 9, 1908, due to financial challenges. It resumed publication later and continued until January 23, 1909, when it merged with Shinhan Minbo on February 10, 1909. In addition to Choi Youngman, Jang Kyung and Moon Yangmok also served as chief editors.
Daedo (Korean Evangel)
A Monthly Publication for Missionary and Educational Purposes
Daedo was a monthly magazine first published on December 21, 1908, by the Korean Methodist Church in San Francisco. Supported by the Methodist denomination, it aimed to reach scattered Korean communities in the U.S., Korea, and East Asia to promote missionary and educational efforts. While grounded in Christian values, it was not exclusively for Christians. The magazine provided a platform for ideas envisioning a new society based on Christian principles.
The Correspondence section featured news from Korean communities in Korea, China, and beyond, as well as updates from the church. Edited by Lee Dae-wee, the magazine was published monthly and sold for 15 cents per issue, with six-month subscriptions at 80 cents and yearly subscriptions at $2.50. It was also mailed to Korea for 50 cents per subscription.
In the first issue, editor Lee Dae-wee wrote in the inaugural message:
“Jesus said, ‘I am the Way (道).’ May our fellow countrymen come to understand God’s truth, and may this monthly publication grow to bring the Great Way to our 20 million people, granting them salvation.”
The stated goals of Daedo included:
- Promoting moral values through ethical writings.
- Encouraging education by publishing useful articles.
- Advancing Korean literature through scholarly and entertaining works.
- Expanding the horizons of readers with practical and literary content.
- Supporting industries with essential reference materials.
- Providing global and church-related news to broaden awareness.
The publication contributed to the development of writers and the enhancement of awareness in Korean communities in the U.S. and beyond. It featured sermons and teachings in sections like Ethics and Education, and even offered a Q&A section with the invitation:
“If you have any questions, ask freely. We will answer them all.”
Sections such as World News covered global events, while Church News provided updates from the Methodist Church. The Community News section shared personal updates, including visits, studies, deaths, marriages, and hospitalizations.
Later, Yang Jusam became editor, while Jeon Seongdeok managed printing. The printing was done at the Gongnip Sinbo press, and the publishing office was located in the Korean Methodist Church in San Francisco. Subscription prices were 50 cents per issue, 80 cents for six months, and $1.50 per year. It was also distributed to Korea for 50 cents per copy.
Contribution to Korean Society
Daedo served as a comprehensive cultural magazine, featuring articles such as:
- “The Character of a Civilized People” (Choi Jungik)
- “Christianity and Culture” (Park Yongman)
- “The U.S. Constitution” (Yang Jusam)
- “The Scale and Progress of American Farmers” (Baek Ilgyu)
- “The Necessity of Art” (Lee Jongchan)
- “The Meaning of the Taegukgi” (Baek Ilgyu)
- “The Need for Industrial Education” (Yoon Byeonggu)
The magazine’s mission to enlighten and educate Korean readers continued for three years, fostering a sense of identity and purpose within the diaspora while connecting them to global and local developments.
The New Korea (Shinhan Minbo)
The Korean National Association Central Assembly, headquartered in San Francisco, took over Gongnip Shinbo and Daedong Gongbo to publish the inaugural issue of Shinhan Minbo on February 10, 1909. On January 27, 1909, Gongnip Shinbo announced, “The name of this newspaper will be changed to Shinhan Minbo starting next month, with the suspension of the current paper, rearranging the type for the next issue, which will be published on February 10.”
The editorial on February 10 stated that Gongnip Shinbo and Shinhan Minbo shared “one purpose, one location, one organization, and one structure.” It also described Shinhan Minbo as “a new newspaper for our people, renewing Korea as reflected in its name.” The paper urged readers, “Dear readers who cherish this paper, abandon indifference and rekindle your passion, discard fear and strengthen your courage, relinquish dependence and renew self-reliance, abandon servitude and foster independence.”
As a newspaper representing progressive right-wing and centrist cooperation, it focused on eradicating illiteracy among compatriots, promoting adult education, and inspiring patriotism. Articles about national sovereignty restoration were frequent, along with domestic news, which positioned it as a leader in anti-Japanese nationalist journalism both domestically and abroad. After liberation, it pursued the unification of North and South Korea and the freedom and happiness of the nation.
The paper covered the lives and news of the Korean diaspora in California in detail and was published weekly. After the March 1st Movement in 1919, it shifted to biweekly issues starting March 20, quickly delivering news from Korea and overseas. Published overseas, free from Japanese surveillance and censorship, it freely covered anti-Japanese and independence movements. Consequently, both Gongnip Shinbo and Shinhan Minbo were widely read and influential among Korean communities in Primorsky Krai and Northern Manchuria. It was also cherished domestically but often confiscated by Japanese authorities. Between 1910 and the establishment of Dong-a Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo in 1920, there were no newspapers for Koreans under Japanese rule. Even after their establishment, restrictive conditions hindered accurate reporting, leaving Shinhan Minbo as the only paper capable of freely reporting on Korea from abroad.
For these reasons, Shinhan Minbo is a valuable resource for studying the March 1st Movement, the Japanese colonial period, the history of independence movements, modern Korean history, intellectual history, cultural exchange, and immigration history.
Initially, movable type was used for six years until March 11, 1915, when it adopted an Intertype machine invented by Yi Dae-wi.
Key editors included Jeong Jae-gwan, Choi Jeong-ik, Yi Hang-woo, Kang Yeong-dae, Park Yong-man, Yi Dae-wi, Kim Hyun-gu, Kim Ryeo-sik, Baek Il-gyu, Shin Du-sik, Hong Eon, Seo Jeong-eok, and Choi Jin-ha. English editors included Kim Yong-jung, Park Sang-yeop, and John Allen. Typesetters were Kim Hyeong-pil, Kim Jong-im, Jeong Do-won, Jeon Seong-deok, Choi Eung-seon, Kim Yeong-pil, Yoon Seong-hyun, Han Gui-dong, and Yu Philip. The editor-publisher, Choi Jeong-ik, operated from the Shinhan Minbo headquarters at 2928 Sacramento St., San Francisco. Yi Dae-wi, Baek Il-gyu, and Hong Eon significantly contributed to the paper’s development.
In December 1909, An Seok-jung and Lee Won-gil from Southern California’s Redlands region issued a proposal for constructing a building for Shinhan Minbo. They called for 500 donors of $30 each, emphasizing the necessity of establishing a sustainable Korean-American newspaper. On October 1, 1909, fundraising efforts in California resulted in purchasing a property at 232 Ferry Avenue, San Francisco, for $3,500, celebrated with a grand ceremony. In May 1910, Yi Hang-woo, who had been in London, came to San Francisco to edit Shinhan Minbo and establish an English edition. However, due to excessive costs, it was discontinued, and Choi Jeong-ik resumed editorial duties.
In 1911, Park Yong-man, who founded the Korean Military School in Nebraska, became the chief editor. Financial difficulties caused periodic suspensions of the paper, at times for over six months. On October 26, 1917, the office temporarily moved to the David Hewes Building at 419 Market St. to replace the typesetting machine.
On January 1, 1942, in accordance with a resolution of the Korean National Association Representative Assembly, Shinhan Minbo began publishing a fourth page in English, handled by the Youth Division of the Korean National Association, and labeled as the “Official Publication of Young Koreans.” It continued publication through the liberation period and the Korean War, maintaining its steadfast anti-Japanese nationalist stance and its ultimate goal of achieving complete independence for Korea. The paper supported policies of both independence warfare and capacity-building for mutual reinforcement. On March 21, 1946, it ordered a Hangul typesetting machine.
Significant Events Related to Shinhan Minbo
- June 23, 1909: Issues of Shinhan Minbo and Daedong Gongbo were confiscated in Korea as public disturbances for publishing a fundraising statement for Jang In-hwan.
- December 5, 1914: A plea was issued for more subscriptions to the Student English Supplement, noting that without further support, the supplement might cease publication.
Editorial Guidelines for Shinhan Minbo Contributions
- Submissions are welcome.
- Content must align with the association’s principles and policies.
- Submissions should not exceed 1,000 characters.
- Accuracy in reporting date, location, purpose, and reason is required.
- The editorial team reserves the right to edit submissions.
- Submissions should include the author’s name and address.
- Violations of rules 2 or 6 may result in non-publication.
- Rejected submissions will not be returned.
The Korea National Herald (Kukminbo)
The Korea National Herald (Kukminbo) originated when Han Sang-gyo, a special correspondent for the Korean National Association, traveled to Manchuria and reported on the activities of the association’s overseas branches. This marked the beginning of Kukminbo, the weekly newspaper and official organ of the Korean National Association, which was supported by talented editors like Park Yong-man and Kim Hyun-bu.
Major Newspapers Published in Los Angeles
Korean Independence (Dongnip)
Korean Independence was a weekly newspaper first published on October 6, 1943, by the American branch of the Korean Democratic Revolutionary Party (Joseon Minju Hyeongmyeongdang). The party was associated with leftist independence movements in China, including figures such as Kim Won-bong. Founders included Kim Seong-gwon, Byeon Jun-ho, Choi Neung-ik, Kim Kang, Lee Gyeong-seon, Shin Doo-sik, Kim Hye-ran, Choi Bong-yun, and Hwang Sa-yong.
Initially, the newspaper consisted of three Korean-language pages and one English-language page, later transitioning to two pages in each language. The publication emerged during a pivotal period following the end of World War II when the status of colonized nations became a central issue, necessitating the Korean people’s struggle for self-determination. However, severe conflicts among overseas independence organizations hindered efforts to achieve international recognition for the Korean Provisional Government.
The first issue of Korean Independence emphasized that it was not created to advocate for the interests of any particular group, declaring its guiding principles to be fairness, impartiality, and justice. The newspaper included editorials, domestic and international news, war updates, advertisements, and various contributions.
However, starting in September 1945, the publication began to display a bias, criticizing U.S. policies on the Korean Peninsula while praising Kim Il-sung and Stalin. By 1946, it openly glorified Kim Il-sung, and by 1947, the majority of its articles focused on North Korea. This shift ultimately led to its shutdown in December 1955, as the U.S. government intensified its measures against communist activities. Korean Independence represented Christian socialism, progressive leftist views, and radical leftist ideologies.
The Korean American Times (Bukmisi-bo)
The Bukmisi-bo was a weekly newspaper launched in February 1943 by the North American General Assembly of the Korean National Alliance (Dongjihoe). The alliance, established in Honolulu on July 21, 1921, had a complex relationship with the Korean National Association and actively participated in the independence movement under Syngman Rhee’s leadership.
The newspaper was created to strengthen the alliance’s activities in North America and to support the independence movement. On February 15, 1946, Bukmisi-bo expanded its operations by acquiring typesetting equipment. It also included English-language sections, not only for the benefit of the Korean community but also to promote awareness of Korean issues among foreign audiences—a key mission of the newspaper.
Representing conservative right-wing views, Bukmisi-bo continued publication until December 15, 1946. Its role as a communication medium was integral to supporting the independence movement and spreading awareness of Korea’s plight to the international community.
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