Detail

`The year 1983 marks a significant point in our modern history, the centennial year of the publication of the Hansong Sunbo, the first newspaper that has been published in Korea. The Hansong Sunbo, a news report issud three times a month, was first published by government office Pakmunkuk on October 1 on the lunar calendar, 1883 (the 20th year of King Kojong`s reign). As well as serving as an official gazette, the paper directed its main efforts towards enlightening the general public on the rapidly changing world. It was not, however, util April 7, 1896 that the Tongnip Shinmun, the first nongovernmental newspaper in our country, made its appearance. This paper, which was inaugurated by So Chaepil and others, was issued every other day, with an English translation on page four. Published at the time when foreign powers were competing for influence on our country, the Tongnip Shinmun devoted itself to enlightening the nation, inspiring the people with the spirit of national independence and democracy. Unlike The Hansong Sunbo, which used Chinese characters, the Tongnip Shinmun used only Hangul and thus made it possible for the general public to read its articles. By enabling the people in this way to keep up with what was happening inside and outside the country, it contributed greatly to turning our society from a closed to an open communication one. The Ministry of Communications issues this postage stamp in commemoration of the centenary of the Korean newspaper publication, congratulating it on its own development and its contribution to the development of the country, and expressing the national expectation that it will continue exerting itself to do the task imposed on it by the times.`