Curious about Korean news outlets and their political biases?
Here are the major Korean news outlets and their American equivalents.
Quick Summary
- Conservative Newspapers: Chosun Ilbo, JoongAng Ilbo, Dong-A Ilbo (collectively, Cho-Joong-Dong)
- Neutral Newspapers: Seoul Shinmun, Hankook Ilbo, Newsis
- Liberal Newspapers: Hankyoreh, OhmyNews, Kyunghyang Shinmun
1. Chosun Ilbo – Fox News Equivalent
Chosun Ilbo is one of the most widely read and influential daily newspapers in South Korea.
Founded in 1920, it has a strong conservative stance and is known for its pro-business, pro-American, and pro-conservative government perspectives.
* FYI: Ironically, Korean conservatives are pro-American and pro-Japanese, while liberals are pro-Chinese and pro-North Korea.
Similar to Fox News in the U.S., Chosun Ilbo features strong right-wing perspectives.
The paper has been criticized for sensationalism and controversial editorial lines, particularly during politically charged times.
Like Fox News, it has a loyal conservative audience and offers bold opinions on national issues.
2. The Hankyoreh – MSNBC Equivalent
The Hankyoreh is another major newspaper in South Korea.
It was founded in 1988 as an alternative to the conservative newspapers with dismissed journalists from Chosun Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo.
It takes a progressive, liberal stance on political matters similar to MSNBC in the U.S.
The Hankyoreh focuses on human rights, social issues, and the need for a more progressive society, often challenging the established political and economic powers.
The Hankyoreh is the direct opposite of Chosun Ilbo.
3. The Korea Herald – The Wall Street Journal Equivalent
The Korea Herald is a leading English-language newspaper in South Korea, offering a broad mix of news stories.
It was founded in 1953 by the government to introduce stories from Korea to the world in English and to strengthen global cooperation.
It’s a sister publication company of the Herald Economy, which is conservative and represents the interests of conglomerates and large corporations.
Similar to The Wall Street Journal, it skews conservative and a bit right-wing.
The Korea Herald covers everything from Korean politics to cultural events, making it a popular choice among expats in South Korea or Koreans who wish to study English.
4. YTN – CNN Equivalent
YTN (Yonhap Television News) is a 24-hour news channel in South Korea, much like CNN in the U.S.
YTN is known for its rolling news coverage, breaking news updates, and live coverage of political events.
It provides constant news updates on both domestic and international stories, making it a go-to source for Koreans looking to stay informed in real time.
While its political stance fluctuates a bit, YTN has a reputation for reliable and timely news, similar to CNN.
It’s especially popular during times of national crisis or major events like the recent martial law case.
Let me know your favorite news network in the comments!
