The Korea Economic Daily
Overview
The Korea Economic Daily (한국경제신문사, The Korea Economic Daily) is a leading economic daily newspaper in South Korea, first published on October 12, 1964. Its headquarters is located in Jung-gu, Seoul, and it provides news and in-depth analysis across various fields including economy, finance, industry, international affairs, real estate, and securities. The Korea Economic Daily has the longest history and influence among domestic economic media, growing into a comprehensive media group through digital transformation and new business expansion. It currently operates subsidiaries and platforms such as Korea Economic TV, Hankyung.com, Hankyung Global Market, and Hankyung Academy, diversifying into economic education and data services.
Main Content
Founding Background and History
The Korea Economic Daily was founded in 1964, during the full-scale implementation of the Five-Year Economic Development Plan. As demand for information on economic growth and industrialization surged, it took its first steps as an economic specialty newspaper with support from the government and business circles. In its early days, it focused on economic policies and corporate trends, and through the 1970s and 1980s—a period of heavy chemical industry promotion and export-led growth—it established itself as essential reading for economic actors. In the 1990s, it provided in-depth coverage of economic liberalization and financial opening, and during the 1997 foreign exchange crisis, it analyzed the causes and solutions, enhancing its credibility. Since the 2000s, it has actively invested in digital innovation, fully revamping Hankyung.com in 2005 and launching the comprehensive programming channel Korea Economic TV in 2011.
Page Composition and Editorial Direction
The Korea Economic Daily is a morning newspaper published five days a week, consisting of various sections including economy, finance, international affairs, industry, securities, real estate, politics, society, culture, and opinion. Notably, the 'Hankyung Money' section provides wealth management information for individual investors and asset managers, while 'Hankyung Global Market' offers in-depth analysis of overseas stock markets and economic trends. Its editorial direction emphasizes fact-based accurate reporting along with analysis and forecasts of economic phenomena. Editorials and columns maintain a liberal perspective valuing market economy principles and entrepreneurship, actively engaging in policy criticism and proposing alternatives.
Digital Transformation and Platforms
The Korea Economic Daily accelerated its digital transformation from the late 2010s. In 2018, it launched the paid digital subscription service 'Hankyung Premium,' offering in-depth articles and exclusive content, and in 2020, introduced an AI-based news recommendation system. In 2022, it unveiled the metaverse platform 'Hankyung Meta,' hosting economic forums and exhibitions in virtual spaces. As of 2024, Hankyung.com boasts over 15 million monthly unique visitors, making it the largest domestic economic media platform. Additionally, through 'Hankyung Data Lab,' it provides big data analysis services including corporate financial data, industry statistics, and real estate prices, targeting the B2B market.
Education and Talent Development
The Korea Economic Daily has expanded beyond media into economic education. Founded in 2015, 'Hankyung Academy' operates practical online and offline courses for office workers and university students on topics such as wealth management, stock investment, real estate, and entrepreneurship. In 2023, it launched the 'Hankyung Global Internship' program, offering hands-on experience at overseas financial institutions and companies, contributing to nurturing economic talent. It also holds the annual 'Hankyung Economic Essay Contest' to enhance economic literacy among youth.
Social Role and Criticism
The Korea Economic Daily emphasizes its role as a journal of opinion for economic democratization and market economy development. However, some critics point out its favorable reporting tendencies toward business and government. In the 2020s, it has expanded coverage of climate change and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) issues, leading discussions on sustainable economy. Through the 'Hankyung CSR Forum,' it also introduces cases of corporate social responsibility and shared value creation.
Latest Trends
In 2024–2025, The Korea Economic Daily is actively adopting AI technology to enhance news production efficiency. In March 2024, it introduced an 'AI Reporter' system using generative AI to automatically generate breaking news and market data-based articles, while reporters focus on in-depth analysis and interviews, establishing a hybrid editorial system. In early 2025, it launched the 'Hankyung AI Newsletter,' offering personalized economic summaries for subscribers. Additionally, to mark its 60th anniversary in October 2024, it unveiled the 'Hankyung 60-Year Data Archive,' digitizing all articles from 1964 to the present and providing them free of charge to researchers and the public. It is also strengthening the 'Hankyung Global' brand, establishing additional overseas offices in New York and Singapore in 2025 and expanding content for the English-language economic news service 'KED Global.' In terms of revenue model, digital subscriptions, data sales, and education businesses now account for 45% of total sales, reducing reliance on traditional newspaper advertising.
Related Topics
- [[Maeil Business Newspaper]]
- [[Seoul Economic Daily]]
- [[Korea Economic TV]]
- [[Economic Daily Newspapers]]
- [[Digital News Innovation]]