Recent from talks
Tongnip sinmun
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Tongnip sinmun
Tongnip Sinmun (Korean: 독립신문; Hanja: 獨立新聞), also known by its translated title The Independent, was a historic newspaper published in Korean and English between 1896 and 1899. It was the first privately managed daily newspaper in Korea and the first to print editions written exclusively in Hangul, rather than being interspersed with Hanja, as was the common practice.
The newspaper was founded in July 1896 by the Korean intellectual Seo Jae-pil (later known as Philip Jaisohn).
Both language editions were initially published every other day, but the Korean edition later became a daily publication, while the English edition appeared weekly. The newspaper's average circulation per issue has been estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000 copies.
Tongnip Sinmun is registered as a National Registered Cultural Heritage of South Korea.
After participating in the failed Gapsin Coup of 1884, which aimed to reform the Joseon bureaucracy, Seo Jae-pil sought refuge in the United States. While in exile, he learned from Pak Yŏnghyo that he had been pardoned of the charge of high treason in March 1895, and that his Gaehwapa (개화파, lit. "reformist") associates had come to power during his absence. As a result, he decided to return to Korea in December of that year.
Upon his return, Prime Minister Kim Hong-jip persuaded Seo to join the cabinet as Oemu hyeoppan (외무협판), a position roughly equivalent to the modern Minister of Foreign Affairs. Seo declined the offer, arguing that grassroots enlightenment was a more urgent priority than participation in the national cabinet. He viewed the lack of public support as a major factor in the failure of the Gapsin Coup and believed that the success of the Gabo Reform (1894) depended on gaining the backing of the general populace. To achieve this, he considered the establishment of a progressive newspaper to be essential as a means of public education.
In January 1896, Seo Jae-pil and Yu Gil-chun agreed to establish a non-governmental newspaper company and to publish Korean and English editions beginning March 1 of that year. The Kim Hong-jip cabinet strongly supported the plan, promising Seo a government subsidy of 300 won per month and appointing him as an adviser to the Jungchuwon (중추원; 中樞院), or Privy Council.
Although the collapse of the Kim Hong-jip cabinet resulted in the loss of support from several key figures, including Yu Gil-chun, Seo later received renewed approval for the project from the succeeding Pak Jung-yang cabinet. The Pak cabinet allocated 3,000 won for the newspaper's establishment and an additional 1,400 won for Seo's living expenses. Seo purchased printing equipment and type from Japan, rented a government-owned building in the Jung-dong district of Seoul, established the Tongnip Sinmun company, and published its first issue in April 1896. The newspaper was thus the product of cooperation between Seo Jae-pil and the government under both the Kim and Pak cabinets.
Hub AI
Tongnip sinmun AI simulator
(@Tongnip sinmun_simulator)
Tongnip sinmun
Tongnip Sinmun (Korean: 독립신문; Hanja: 獨立新聞), also known by its translated title The Independent, was a historic newspaper published in Korean and English between 1896 and 1899. It was the first privately managed daily newspaper in Korea and the first to print editions written exclusively in Hangul, rather than being interspersed with Hanja, as was the common practice.
The newspaper was founded in July 1896 by the Korean intellectual Seo Jae-pil (later known as Philip Jaisohn).
Both language editions were initially published every other day, but the Korean edition later became a daily publication, while the English edition appeared weekly. The newspaper's average circulation per issue has been estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000 copies.
Tongnip Sinmun is registered as a National Registered Cultural Heritage of South Korea.
After participating in the failed Gapsin Coup of 1884, which aimed to reform the Joseon bureaucracy, Seo Jae-pil sought refuge in the United States. While in exile, he learned from Pak Yŏnghyo that he had been pardoned of the charge of high treason in March 1895, and that his Gaehwapa (개화파, lit. "reformist") associates had come to power during his absence. As a result, he decided to return to Korea in December of that year.
Upon his return, Prime Minister Kim Hong-jip persuaded Seo to join the cabinet as Oemu hyeoppan (외무협판), a position roughly equivalent to the modern Minister of Foreign Affairs. Seo declined the offer, arguing that grassroots enlightenment was a more urgent priority than participation in the national cabinet. He viewed the lack of public support as a major factor in the failure of the Gapsin Coup and believed that the success of the Gabo Reform (1894) depended on gaining the backing of the general populace. To achieve this, he considered the establishment of a progressive newspaper to be essential as a means of public education.
In January 1896, Seo Jae-pil and Yu Gil-chun agreed to establish a non-governmental newspaper company and to publish Korean and English editions beginning March 1 of that year. The Kim Hong-jip cabinet strongly supported the plan, promising Seo a government subsidy of 300 won per month and appointing him as an adviser to the Jungchuwon (중추원; 中樞院), or Privy Council.
Although the collapse of the Kim Hong-jip cabinet resulted in the loss of support from several key figures, including Yu Gil-chun, Seo later received renewed approval for the project from the succeeding Pak Jung-yang cabinet. The Pak cabinet allocated 3,000 won for the newspaper's establishment and an additional 1,400 won for Seo's living expenses. Seo purchased printing equipment and type from Japan, rented a government-owned building in the Jung-dong district of Seoul, established the Tongnip Sinmun company, and published its first issue in April 1896. The newspaper was thus the product of cooperation between Seo Jae-pil and the government under both the Kim and Pak cabinets.
Recent media