The Korea Times

Founded on November 1, 1950, during the height of the Korean War, The Korea Times emerged as a critical lifeline for foreign diplomats, military personnel, and expatriates needing accurate news about the conflict. Dr. Helen Kim, a renowned educator who also founded Ewha Womans University, established the publication to ensure the international community received reliable information directly from the ground. This wartime origin story set the tone for decades of service, transforming the paper from a simple newsletter into the oldest continuously published English-language daily in South Korea.

Today, the organization operates as a private media entity and functions as the sister paper to Hankook Ilbo, one of the nation's largest Korean-language dailies. This unique relationship allows The Korea Times to maintain an ecosystem where local affairs are covered through an international lens. It caters primarily to English-speaking residents, business leaders, tourists, and global observers interested in the peninsula. While some historical confusion existed regarding its circulation size compared to American counterparts, it firmly holds the distinction of being the premier English-language news outlet within South Korea.

The publication has evolved significantly over seven decades, adapting from print-only formats to a robust digital presence anchored at koreatimes.co.kr. Its content strategy now spans specialized sections including Economy, Politics, Entertainment, Lifestyle, and Foreign Affairs. Recent coverage from August 2026 highlights its active role in reporting on diverse topics ranging from AI automation impacts on young workers to political leadership races within the Democratic Party of Korea. By maintaining this broad scope, the newspaper continues to educate generations of foreigners about Korean culture, politics, and society while acting as a cultural ambassador. [edit]

To provide accurate, timely, and comprehensive news coverage of South Korea and global events to an English-speaking audience. The organization strives to bridge cultural divides by offering an international perspective on domestic issues while fostering understanding between Korea and the rest of the world. [edit]

The journey began in the chaos of November 1950 when Dr. Helen Kim launched the paper to support foreign nationals observing the war. Initially functioning as a weekly newsletter, it quickly adapted to the demands of a rapidly changing landscape. As the conflict stabilized and South Korea entered a period of rapid industrialization, the publication expanded its frequency to daily operations. By the 1980s, it had solidified its position as the go-to source for English speakers in Seoul.

The late 20th century brought significant technological shifts. The newspaper embraced the internet age early, launching its digital platform to reach a global diaspora and international readership beyond the physical borders of the country. This transition allowed it to cover major national milestones like the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the subsequent democratization movement with greater speed and depth. Throughout these changes, the core mission of connecting Korea to the world remained constant.

In recent years, the organization has faced the challenges of the modern media landscape while maintaining editorial independence. Coverage has expanded to include deep dives into social issues such as the rise of Gen Z Buddhism, legal efforts to recover assets from pro-Japanese collaborators, and the impact of technology on the workforce. These stories demonstrate the paper's commitment to addressing contemporary concerns alongside traditional reporting on politics and economics. [edit]