English journalism has played a unique role in Korea. Before the Internet age, its role was limited to helping foreigners in the country keep informed of what was happening in the country. Foreigners abroad had to wait until newspapers reached them to receive information on Korea and things Korean.
Now times have changed completely. Both Korean and foreign readers can access information on Korea instantly thanks to the Internet and other social media devices.
The Korea Times and other English-language media can communicate with 800 million English-speaking people both at home and abroad. As times have changed, this daily seeks to redefine its role on the occasion of its 61st anniversary today.
This paper seeks to overcome limits many Korean-language dailies have faced. As the first English daily in Korea, it tries to stand above the ideological spectrum of either conservatism or liberalism. Its editorial policy emphasizes globalism and international outlook. This would embrace and broaden readers who think globally and act globally. The international outlook will help Koreans overcome their big-frog-in-a-small-pond mentality. This would bring non-Koreans closer to Korea through sharing an agenda through the common denominator of a global outlook.
The Internet and social media age have brought a noticeable downturn in the printed media worldwide. English journalism in Korea is an exception to this trend as English dailies have become an exportable item through communication with the world. More than 700,000 daily visitors to The Korea Times homepage testify to this. An expanding readership has demanded a more responsible role and mission of this daily.
In addition, The Korea Times will continue to become the soul of Koreans so that it best reflects the sentiment and pride of Korean citizens. The paper rejects communism, anti-capitalism, irrational nationalism, xenophobia, religious bias and racism.
No less important than the stated missions is to help Koreans learn standard English with ease. This daily has bolstered its education section to help Koreans learn English without wasting money and time.
Koreans ranked lowest in such English proficiency tests as TOEFL and TOEIC. This testifies to the government's failure in English education. The poor record demands that Koreans change their current method of studying English. Currently, Koreans use foreign content for learning English. The time has come for English learners to study through Korean content. Koreans have difficulty in learning English because, for example, they learn the history of Napoleon Bonaparte and later talk about Joseon Dynasty Admiral Yi Sun-sin in English.
The Korea Times stands behind policymakers who try to strengthen the English News in Education (ENIE) program in schools. This is the English-teaching model that Finland and Malaysia, top scorers in TOEIC and TOEFL tests, have been successful. Experience has proven that learning English through local content is one of the effective methods.
Befitting its tradition of Korea’s first global daily, this paper will strive to help Koreans and foreigners become global citizens. We will help readers live ``in the Korea times.’’