The Kyungnam Times, an English journal of Kyungnam University (KU), will mark its 200th issue with its March 2024 issue. To commemorate this meaningful publication, let’s learn about the history and composition of The Kyungnam Times (KT), major articles that have been published so far, domestic and foreign schools and universities where KT is distributed, and future visions.
History of KT
KT was approved for publication under the name The Kyungnam Pioneer on June 10, 1977, and the first issue was published on November 25, 1977. On December 1, 1981, it was approved for publication by the Ministry of Culture and Information as The Kyungnam Times, and on March 9, 1982, it was renamed KT and resumed publication. In October 1987, KT won the gold medal at the '3rd National English Newspaper Congress' hosted by The Korea Herald. In January 1996, KT, which had been published as a newspaper three, four, six, and nine times a year, was changed to a magazine and has since been published four times a year.
On March 2, 1999, KT published its 100th issue. On November 25, 2007, the 30th anniversary of KT’s foundation was celebrated. In June 2019, the KT internet homepage was launched (kutimes.kyungnam.ac.kr). On November 25, 2017, KT celebrated its 40th anniversary.
The March 2024 issue will mark its 200th anniversary, and on November 25, KT will mark its 47th anniversary.
The Distribution of KT
KT focuses on producing articles covering news from KU as well as major global topics. In order to make these articles accessible to readers through various channels, KT began publishing articles on its Internet homepage starting from issue 180, in addition to publishing articles in a magazine format. Furthermore, KT utilizes platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to promote its content domestically and internationally.
To spread awareness of KU both nationally and internationally, KT is distributed for free to various locations both within and outside the university. Within Korea, distribution includes high schools in the Kyungnam region, middle schools in Changwon, and the English newspaper agencies of various universities. Internationally, KT is primarily distributed to sister schools in countries such as the United States, Canada, the Philippines, and Russia.
Construction of KT
KT consists of 12 sections and covers topics with varied and focused contents according to the theme of each section. The sections cover the following contents
- Campus News: major events, incidents and related news from KU, the University of North Korean Studies, and the Institute for Far Eastern studies.
- Spotlight KU: the KU President, Park Jae Kyu’s major interviews, articles and achievements related to inter-Korean relations, as well as major university events and awards.
- Information on KU admission: the introduction of new departments at KU and of overseas sister schools, KU events or majors that new students may be interested in, and free programs that help them get a job and live their lives meaningfully.
- Feature and Focus of the Month: big events to be featured, the most recent KU event, and major domestic and international news.
- Now & Here: topics regarding nature conservation, environmental pollution, global warming, and various social phenomena and issues to encourage readers to think with awareness and form an opinion.
- Faculty Column: professors’ life experiences, suggestions and advice on how to live a life without falling into frustration.
- Beyond KU: the achievements of KU graduates who bring distinction to the school at home and abroad, as well as activities and events involving current students collaborating with the local community, such as opera or musical performances.
- Argument & Fact: pros and cons on a controversial topic, calling the reader's attention to the given topic.
- English Use & Usage: useful English expressions, grammars and structures that appear in English literary works.
- Catch the Words: famous sayings and quotations from both domestic and international sources, providing explanations and wisdom for living.
- Letters to the Editor: comments that KT readers write about articles they read with interest.
Major Articles in KT
Throughout its publication, KT has reported various significant news and information, including major domestic and foreign incidents and articles related to inter-Korean relations, in addition to news related to KU. Here are some key articles that have been featured in KT.
“Return of the Terauchi Collection” covered the story of KU president, Park Jae Kyu’s successful negotiation with Japanese officials to bring back some of the Terauchi Collection from the Yamaguchi Prefectural University as part of the celebration for the 50th anniversary of KU.
“Korean Red Cross Gala Initiated by Kim Sun-hyang, Chairperson of the University of North Korean Studies” dealt with the history and achievement of the Korean Red Cross Gala, which was initiated by Kim Sun -hyang during her tenure as the Vice President of the Korean Red Cross.
“KU Embarks on Nurturing Super-Giant AI Industry 2023” covered the story of KU being selected as a software-centric university in 2023 and its benefits, as well as its future vision and goals regarding super-giant AI.
“KU LINC 3.0 Project Team” talked about the activities of the LINC project team, which aims to foster future talent and promote industry-academic cooperation in the region, discussing ongoing projects and future directions.
“KU: Mecca of Democracy” highlighted the sacrifices and efforts of KU students who participated in the Busan and Masan protests, known as the Bu-Ma Uprising against the former authoritarian regime, portraying KU as a beacon of democracy.
The Vision of KT
Jung Eun-sang, the director of the Center for University News and Press and professor in the School of Liberal Studies wished to impart the following messages to congratulate KT on the publication of its 200th issue: “First and foremost, the publication of this 200th issue of KT marks a significant moment showcasing the growth and development of our university's English community. This journal is the result of the collective efforts and passion of our students and faculty members. Through this, we can proudly showcase the academic progress and creativity of our university to the world. Regarding our vision for the future, by creating an environment where more students can participate and contribute actively, we will fill our journal with even more diverse and rich content. Additionally, by introducing innovative ideas and new approaches to promote academic exploration and discussion, we will demonstrate how dynamic and creative the English community of our local university can be. We express our gratitude to everyone who has contributed, and we wish for continued success in the future. Thank you.”
