By Bernard Rowan
I want to write this column in praise of The Korea Times on its 70th birthday. I had every hope of visiting Seoul to celebrate with the staff, but COVID-19 has conspired against me. I look forward to visiting in future.
Benedict Anderson writes in "Imagined Communities" about the importance of print material in forming national identity. What he wrote about as the possibilities of freedom against European and colonial authorities also applies to South Korea and The Korea Times.
Do we doubt that South Korea could rise to become one of the world's most advanced nations and overthrow a legacy of antidemocratic leadership without the existence of newspapers such as The Times? Producing papers in global vernacular languages has had an inestimable effect on the progress of South Korean politics, society and culture.
The existence of a daily paper also serves valuable international purposes. Having solid news and information marks Korean society, in no small part because of the existence of a wide variety of newspapers read and discussed by citizens. Non-Koreans also share more widely in Korean society through The Korea Times.
The capacity to share thoughts and opinions on a wide variety of topics has created many links for Korean leaders to build on. A quick scan of a typical Times paper shows that people of many nations and points of view share to an English-speaking ― and English learning ― audience their contributions. The Korea Times continues promoting international dialogue and works to better South Korea, the region, and the wider world.
On a personal level, The Korea Times has provided columnists and opinion writers a platform through which to share their thinking and ideas with a broader audience. This means a lot to me. Serving as an opinion columnist has helped me learn to communicate better in English! Former editor Lee Chang-sup suggested several years ago that I use editing software. It has helped me avoid passive constructions, jargon, glue words, and other foibles of writing. My writing may still want greater brevity, but The Times has helped me grow! The Times helps writers to better their craft.
This year I've spent some time learning about the stories of Korean War era children, now mature adults, and their experiences. I learned of the Korean Declaration of Independence and the role of newspapers in this movement. I also learned for the first time about Yoon Dong-ju and his poetry, taken as a representation of resistance to Japanese colonial oppression and a forefather of the spirit of Korean freedom!
Newspapers and print media are a fundamental technology for human civilization and bulwark against injustice and corrupt government. The human spirit of freedom requires a means of publishing to wider audiences. Writing aids in perpetuating memories and meaning and in the conduct of debate by reason. The Times and its archive are a rich repository for generations to come.
The Korea Times also shows the many virtues of Korean society. The dedication to lifelong learning, celebration of knowledge as the basis for leadership, and cultivating international understanding all mark South Korea's ascent and advancement. The pages of the newspaper record countless collaborations between South Korea and international partners as a developing society. Nowadays, they record South Korea's provision of expertise in advanced technologies to other societies.
I wish all colleagues at The Korea Times congratulations and offer my thanks for being a part of this wonderful institution. All good wishes for success for centuries to come!
Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University.
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Benedict Anderson writes in "Imagined Communities" about the importance of print material in forming national identity. What he wrote about as the possibilities of freedom against European and colonial authorities also applies to South Korea and The Korea Times.
Do we doubt that South Korea could rise to become one of the world's most advanced nations and overthrow a legacy of antidemocratic leadership without the existence of newspapers such as The Times? Producing papers in global vernacular languages has had an inestimable effect on the progress of South Korean politics, society and culture.
The existence of a daily paper also serves valuable international purposes. Having solid news and information marks Korean society, in no small part because of the existence of a wide variety of newspapers read and discussed by citizens. Non-Koreans also share more widely in Korean society through The Korea Times.
The capacity to share thoughts and opinions on a wide variety of topics has created many links for Korean leaders to build on. A quick scan of a typical Times paper shows that people of many nations and points of view share to an English-speaking ― and English learning ― audience their contributions. The Korea Times continues promoting international dialogue and works to better South Korea, the region, and the wider world.
On a personal level, The Korea Times has provided columnists and opinion writers a platform through which to share their thinking and ideas with a broader audience. This means a lot to me. Serving as an opinion columnist has helped me learn to communicate better in English! Former editor Lee Chang-sup suggested several years ago that I use editing software. It has helped me avoid passive constructions, jargon, glue words, and other foibles of writing. My writing may still want greater brevity, but The Times has helped me grow! The Times helps writers to better their craft.
This year I've spent some time learning about the stories of Korean War era children, now mature adults, and their experiences. I learned of the Korean Declaration of Independence and the role of newspapers in this movement. I also learned for the first time about Yoon Dong-ju and his poetry, taken as a representation of resistance to Japanese colonial oppression and a forefather of the spirit of Korean freedom!
Newspapers and print media are a fundamental technology for human civilization and bulwark against injustice and corrupt government. The human spirit of freedom requires a means of publishing to wider audiences. Writing aids in perpetuating memories and meaning and in the conduct of debate by reason. The Times and its archive are a rich repository for generations to come.
The Korea Times also shows the many virtues of Korean society. The dedication to lifelong learning, celebration of knowledge as the basis for leadership, and cultivating international understanding all mark South Korea's ascent and advancement. The pages of the newspaper record countless collaborations between South Korea and international partners as a developing society. Nowadays, they record South Korea's provision of expertise in advanced technologies to other societies.
I wish all colleagues at The Korea Times congratulations and offer my thanks for being a part of this wonderful institution. All good wishes for success for centuries to come!
Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University.
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