[Editorial] On the Occasion of The Hankyoreh's 2nd Founding

The Hankyoreh Sinmun, which came into the world with a historical mission, has arrived at its 17th anniversary. When we began with great hope as a "newspaper with the people as its shareholders," something unprecidented in world media history, some quarters were doubtful and questioned whether we would survive more than a few months. It was because of the passionate support of our shareholders, readers, and the people that we were able to overcome the many adversities that came along the way, and now amidst changes in the times and social climate and in the media we commence on our second founding.

Beyond Democratization and On to Reconciliation and Unification

17 years have passed but the feelings of that day repeat themselves even now. When on May 14, 1988 in a small corner of a neighborhood of factories in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo the Hankyoreh’s first edition came out of that old, used printing machine, employees and all who had sought the birth of "true media" (cham eollon) shouted with jubilation. We were a new newspaper based on the values of "independence from power and capital" and one by one we removed factors that had been considered sacred during the Cold War and the dictatorships. We established the use of the terms terms "North Korea" and "China" instead of "Northern Puppets" and "Red China," and exposed the dark sides of that time in history such survelience of private citizens by intellegince organizations, the brutal suppression and blacklisting that existed for labor, suspicious deaths and other violations of civil rights.

The Hankyoreh's history has been eventful but that history has clearly been together with the whole democratization of society. Ironically, however, as democracy permeates more of society the Hankyoreh finds itself with less of a role. The difficulties come from three directions. To begin with, the dismantlement of authoritarianism has meant there are fewer areas left unexposed. The discourse we essentially monopolized during our lonely fight is now shared my numerous media. Then there is how the dichotomy of "democratic versus anti-democratic" has collapsed and members of society have come to have wonderfully diverse interests. The moral superiority of the democratic forces that resisted dictatorship began to lessen under the "Government of the People" [the official name of the Kim Dae Jung government] and the trend has changed to one where collective interest in social issues has become more internalized and individualized. Finally, the power imbalance in the media has resulted in extremes of spoliative behavior in the newspaper market. The Hankyoreh failed to establish a systematic strategy and wandered in the face of rapid changes in the media climate resulting from quantity-based competition for offline sales and the diversification of the new media.

On the occasion of our 17th anniversary we ask ourselves whether we have engaged in truly painful innovation with which to step up to the challenges of the times. We wonder if maybe we haven't in effect taken comfort in taking sides as the result of the influence of old habits and ways, if maybe out of a desire to care for the economic and socially weak we have neglected to make note of their wrongs, if perhaps while advocating an "open press" we have supplied the news in a "one-way" direction instead of engaging in communication on an equal level with our readers and with civil society.

Rebirth as a First-Class, Multifaceted Medium

We have no intention of hiding behind the excuse that we have done the best we can in extremely disadvantageous conditions and with limited resources. We roll up our sleeves and wave the flag of our second founding because the slogans of 17 years ago, "independence from power and capital" and "freedom to the people, unification for the Korean nation" are still as valid as they were then. While it is true that the Hankyoreh has achieved much through constant effort for the sake of democratization and reconciliation, there remains much to be done.

As a multifaceted medium, a high-standard progressive medium, we aim for four things.

The first would be to be a medium preparing for the reunification era. As seen in the heightened nuclear crisis, the Korean peninsula is in a crisis situation that could flare up at any time. It is of urgency that domination of old-establishment forces in Korea and abroad is obstructed, that the road to military conflict is blocked, and that the base on which peace will be established is made sound. We believe that if there is energy behind the campaign for peaceful resolution unification will be within sight within the not-so-distant future. Secondly we seek to be a medium that plays a leading role in the peace and prosperity of Northeast Asia. Peace on the Korean peninsula is inevitably and directly connected to peace and cooperation on in Northeast Asia, but as seen in the history debates and the controversy over facing up to the past, the road to true reconciliation is a long one. We will be supporting the effort of citizens who seek a way of mutual prosperity that is free from intolerant nationalism in our region.

Seeking to be a Newspaper that Breathes Together with its Readers

Thirdly, we will be a medium that furthers the fruits of democratization while preparing for the era that comes following democratization. People say that there has been much progress in democratization, but our society still has classes and minorities that remain alienated. On the harsh other side of the prominent accomplishments of world-class conglomerates are people pushed out into the street and irregular workers. We will lead the way in achieving a community-oriented life and finding ways to intelligent ways to relieve the conflicts that exist between classes, groups, and regions.

Finally, we will be a medium that communicates with its readers while providing information that has depth. We will gradually be introducing means for interactive communication and play the role of compass for readers drowning in the sea of information. We hope for plentiful support and criticism from our shareholders, readers, and conscious citizens so that these goals we have set for the Hankyoreh may be realized.