Newspapers in South Korea
Newspaper distribution in South Korea is large (393 newspaper excl. Per 1,000
inv., 1996). Since the 1980s, a strong expansion has taken place in the press,
primarily in Seoul. The number of newspapers increased from 25 1984 to 97 1994.
The largest ones with an edition of about 2 million copies. each is Choson Ilbo,
Chung'ang Ilbo and Han'guk Ilbo, which also publishes English-speaking Korea
Times (about 100,000 copies). The newspapers are usually privately owned. Since
the late 1980s, government restrictions on the press have diminished, but in
some matters control is still strict.
Radio and TV are partly state-owned. Han'guk Pangsong Kongsa is the
state company for radio and television and Munhwa Pangsong Kongsa the
commercial. In addition, there are the private broadcasters Seoul
Broadcasting System (SBS, founded 1991) and Jeonju Television
Corporation (JTV, founded 1997). There are also a number of religious radio
channels, as well as a radio and a TV channel for the US troops stationed in
South Korea. There are 1,033 radio and 364 TV receivers per 1,000 residents
(2000).
Culture
South Korea's culture is largely
characterized by the country's history as a link between
China and Japan. In connection with the liberation from
China in the 300s after Christ, Korea experienced a
cultural golden age with aesthetic impulses from
Buddhism. The finds from this period mainly include
stoneware and jewelery.
A new cultural flourishing period began at the end of
the 6th century. Then the Chinese influence was great in
sculpture and architecture. During the Koryo dynasty
(918–1392), a number of Buddhist temples were erected,
some of which remain today. Also famous is the stoneware
with celadon glaze, a porcelain-like ceramic with pale
gray-green surface.
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Countryaah:
Latest population statistics of South Korea, including religious profiles and major languages spoken as well as population growth rates in next three decades.
The painting had a great time during the beginning of
the Choson dynasty from the late 1300s. The paintings
are, as in China, mainly done in ink and colors on paper
or silk. At the same time, a national literature was
also developed. Since the Korean alphabet Hangul became
widely known, literary works could also be distributed
to social groups that did not master Chinese writing
characters. During the 16th century, the most famous of
the Korean poetry forms, Sijo, flourished with
three-part verses constructed according to very strict
rules. Sijo is still a popular poem form today.
In the early 1900s, Korean literature was strongly
influenced by Western currents.
A traditional drama form is Pansori, where a soloist
together with a drumming musician tells a story with
song, speech, dance and pantomime. Drums, like the
hourglass-shaped changgon, feature Korean music.
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Songaah: List and lyrics of songs related to the country name of South Korea. Artists and albums are also included.
 After the end of the Korean War in the early 1950s,
the work of the cultural workers by the National
Security Act was circumvented (see Political system).
Artists and writers were imprisoned for works that were
considered North Korea friendly or leftist. When the
military regime ceased in the late 1980s, however, the
cultural workers were given more freedom.
Modern popular culture is active. Korean pop
musicians are popular in much of Asia and
internationally known under the collective term K-pop.
South Korean soap operas have also been widely
distributed abroad.
At the end of the 2010s, a South Korean film received
a lot of attention worldwide. Thriller comedy Parasite
by Bong Joon-ho won both the Gold Palm from the Cannes
Film Festival 2019 and four Oscars, including for best
film in 2020.
2012
December
First female president
Park Geun-Hye from the Saenuri Party wins the
presidential election. For the first time ever, a woman
becomes South Korea's president.
October
Development of missile systems
South Korea agrees with the US to extend the range of
the ballistic missile system to 800 km in response to
North Korea's missile test in April.
August
Visit to disputed island
President Lee is the first South Korean president to
visit the small archipelago of Dokdo (in Japanese
Takeshima). Japan, which also claims the archipelago,
responds by bringing home its ambassador to South Korea.
Dokdo is located between South Korea and Japan.
July
Move to Sejong City
Some ministries are moving to the new city of Sejong
City twelve miles south of Seoul. A number of ministries
and government agencies will be based in Sejong City
over the years while some will remain in Seoul.
June
Park Geun-Hye is in the election
Park Geun-Hye of the Saenuri Party confirms that she
will run for office in December.
April
Disappointment for the NFP
The ruling Saenuri Party (NFP) goes back in the
parliamentary elections but retains its majority in
parliament.
February
Party name change
Big National Party (GNP) changes name to Saenuri
Party.
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