The Korea Daily News was an English-language newspaper published in the Korean Empire between 1904 and 1910. It also published editions in Korean mixed script and Hangul under the name Taehan maeil sinbo (Korean: 대한매일신보; Hanja: 大韓每日申報).
Overview
The newspaper was founded by British journalist Ernest Bethell, along with Korean independence activist Yang Gi-tak. After a few trial issues under the name Korea Times, the newspaper formally launched as the Daily News on 18 July 1904. It was published as a daily broadsheet with its headquarters in Seoul, Korean Empire.
Historical Significance
The Korea Daily News is notable for its sharp criticism of the Empire of Japan's rapid encroachment on Korean sovereignty. After Japan began indirectly ruling Korea through the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905, Bethell—as a British citizen—was one of the only newspaper publishers able to write critically about Japan, as he was not directly subject to Japanese censorship. The newspaper became a key platform for Korean independence activists.
On 21 February 1907, the newspaper published a letter that launched the National Debt Repayment Movement, a grassroots effort to pay off Korea's debts to Japan. The newspaper also sheltered Ahn Chang Ho's New People's Association under Bethell's immunity from Japanese persecution.
Circulation
At its peak in May 1908, the newspaper's circulation reached 13,256 copies across all language editions (8,143 in mixed script, 4,650 in Hangul, and 463 in English), surpassing all other newspapers in Korea combined.
Decline and Closure
Bethell was arrested and tried by the British authorities twice at the request of the Japanese government. He died in 1909, reportedly with the last words: "Even if I may die, The Korea Daily News will live on and help the Korean people." In May 1910, the paper was secretly sold to a former employee under pressure, and Korean independence activists resigned in protest. The newspaper ceased publication on 28 August 1910, changing its name to Maeil sinbo (매일신보), after which it became an organ of the colonial government. Following the 1945 liberation of Korea, it was seized by the United States occupying force and reorganized into today's Seoul Shinmun.
