KROwnership & classification
Founded: 1988
Ownership
The Hankyoreh was founded on 15 May 1988 by journalists who had been purged from The Dong-A Ilbo and The Chosun Ilbo under South Korea's authoritarian governments. It is owned through a distinctive citizen-shareholder model: initial capital of about 5 billion won was raised from over 27,000 small donor-shareholders, and the company now has roughly 60,000-62,000 individual shareholders, none holding more than about 1% of the stock. The company is deliberately kept unlisted to prevent any single owner or hostile takeover.
Funding
It is financed by reader subscriptions and newspaper sales, advertising, and its broad base of citizen shareholders; it takes no state or single-owner subsidy and is intentionally not stock-listed.
Affiliation & stance
The Hankyoreh is a progressive/liberal-left paper, founded as an explicitly independent alternative to outlets seen as government-influenced, and it is editorially sympathetic to the South Korean progressive camp. Because no party, state body or oligarch controls it, ownership being dispersed among tens of thousands of citizens, it is INDEPENDENT (with a LEFT lean, matching the site's guess).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Left
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Leftbased on 71
80/100
Factual
69/100
Objective
87
Articles
87
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
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Recent coverage
In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the
[NBS] Lee holds steady at 58% approval
The article reports that President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating remains stable at 58%, according to a recent National Election Commission (NEC) survey. The headline highlights the consistency of his approval rate, suggesting continued public support despite ongoing challenges. The report does not provide additional context or analysis beyond the numerical data, focusing solely on the stability of the approval rating. As there are no cited sources with accompanying URLs, the information is based on the NEC's published findings. This update reflects the current state of public opinion regarding the president's leadership.
Korea pushes back against US House report’s ‘one-sided’ claims about Coupang
The South Korean newspaper Hankyoreh has criticized a recent U.S. House of Representatives report for making 'one-sided' claims regarding the South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang. The report reportedly accused Coupang of engaging in unfair business practices, but Hankyoreh argues that these allegations lack balance and fail to consider the broader economic context. The newspaper emphasizes that such reports risk undermining South Korea's technological innovation and international reputation. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between U.S. regulatory agencies and South Korean businesses, particularly in the digital economy sector.
US Republican lawmakers claim Korea’s NIS coerced Coupang
The article reports that U.S. Republican lawmakers allege that South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) coerced the e-commerce company Coupang. The claim suggests that the NIS may have pressured Coupang into taking actions that align with South Korean government interests, potentially undermining corporate autonomy. The allegations highlight concerns about state influence over private businesses and raise questions about the boundaries between national security operations and commercial activities. While the article presents the claims made by U.S. lawmakers, it does not provide evidence or further details supporting these accusations.
Police refer Morse Tan to prosecutors on suspicion of defaming Korean president
The South Korean police have referred Morse Tan to prosecutors on suspicion of defaming the President of Korea. Morse Tan, likely a foreign individual or citizen, is alleged to have made remarks that could be considered derogatory or false regarding the country's leader. The case highlights ongoing tensions around freedom of speech versus national dignity in South Korea. Authorities are now considering legal action against Morse Tan based on these allegations.
Student athletes suspended from competitive play after mocking Gwangju massacre
Several student athletes have been suspended from their sports teams after they were caught mocking the Gwangju massacre, a significant historical event in South Korea. The incident has sparked discussions about respect for historical tragedies and the role of students in upholding social values. The suspensions were imposed by the relevant educational institutions as disciplinary action against the students' behavior. This event highlights ongoing sensitivities around historical remembrance in Korean society.
Lee and Moon send message of unity to divided Democratic Party
The article reports that Lee Jae-myung and Moon Jae-in, both prominent figures within South Korea's Democratic Party, have sent a message emphasizing unity amid internal divisions within the party. The piece highlights their efforts to address factional tensions and promote cohesion ahead of upcoming political challenges. While the article does not provide specific details on the nature of the divisions or the exact content of their message, it underscores the significance of maintaining party solidarity in a politically fragmented environment. The focus is on the leadership's attempt to unify the party despite ongoing internal conflicts.
[Column] Does profit-driven investment by chaebol make them ‘national heroes’?
The article is a column published by Hankyoreh, a South Korean news outlet, titled '[Column] Does profit-driven investment by chaebol make them ‘national heroes’?' The piece questions whether the profit-oriented investments made by South Korea's large conglomerates, known as chaebol, should be considered beneficial to the nation. It explores the societal perception of these corporations, which often receive praise for their economic contributions despite criticisms regarding their influence over politics and labor practices. The author suggests that such investments may not necessarily align with national interests and raises concerns about the ethical implications of treating corporate success as synonymous with national heroism.
After Starbucks, anti-Gwangju mockery rears its head at high school baseball game
The article reports on an incident at a high school baseball game where spectators mocked the city of Gwangju, following recent controversies involving Starbucks and other issues related to the city. The event highlights growing tensions and public sentiment toward Gwangju, though specific details about the nature of the mockery or broader context are not elaborated in the provided text.
Chip boom drives S. Korea into $100b monthly export club
South Korea has become the fourth country globally to achieve a monthly export value exceeding $100 billion, reaching $102.25 billion in June 2024. This marks a significant increase of 70.9% compared to the previous year, driven primarily by a surge in semiconductor exports, which rose 199.5% to $44.8 billion. The country's export success is closely tied to its leadership in AI-related technologies, with semiconductors accounting for 43.8% of total exports. Additionally, South Korea achieved a trade surplus of over $30 billion, maintaining a continuous surplus for 17 months. While this milestone highlights the nation's economic strength, analysts note that its export concentration in semiconductors differs from the more diversified models of Germany and China.
[Column] Stuck in Strait of Hormuz, US can no longer pivot to Asia
The article argues that the United States is increasingly constrained by its military commitments in the Persian Gulf, particularly around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which limits its ability to fully implement its 'pivot to Asia' strategy. The column suggests that ongoing regional tensions and the need to maintain stability in the Middle East are diverting U.S. resources and attention away from its broader strategic goals in the Indo-Pacific region. It highlights the growing complexity of global security challenges and questions whether the U.S. can effectively balance its priorities across different regions. The piece emphasizes the geopolitical implications of these constraints and their impact on U.S. foreign policy.
[World Cup] Star-studded team not enough to save Korea from humiliating elimination
The article discusses South Korea's performance in the World Cup, highlighting their failure to advance despite having a star-studded team. It describes the team's elimination as a 'humiliating' outcome, suggesting that their talent was insufficient to secure victory. The tone of the piece emphasizes disappointment and underperformance, focusing on the gap between expectations and results. While the article does not provide detailed match analyses or specific player performances, it frames the loss as a significant setback for Korean football. The narrative leans toward critical assessment of the team's ability to translate star power into success.
One in 3 new doctorate holders out of work
In South Korea, one in three newly graduated doctorates are unemployed or economically inactive, according to government data. This reflects a shrinking entry-level job market influenced by AI automation and a declining college-age population. Among those with doctorates under 30, 51.1% are unemployed or inactive, compared to 44.2% for those aged 30-34. Universities are reducing faculty hiring due to expected enrollment declines and shifting focus toward strategic industries. Income disparities exist, with business and law graduates earning significantly more than those in the arts and humanities.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
