에스닉 미디어는 동포의 재난을 어떻게 보도하는가-관동대지진 이후 한인학살에 대한 『신한민보』의 보도를 중심으로

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the coverage of the The New Korea(Shinha-Minbo), a Korean newspaper, on the massacre of Koreans following the Kanto Earthquake in the networks of the United States, Korea, and Japan. The U.S. media coverage of Koreans after the Kanto Earthquake can be categorized into three patterns depending on the timing. Firstly, the reports in early September, immediately after the earthquake, depict Koreans as deviant and violent beings. Subsequently, in the coverage after Japan’s official announcement of the Korean massacre at the end of October, innocent Koreans become the predominant representation. Lastly, in the reports from late November to early December, following the request for an investigation into the massacre by the Korea Friendship Association, Koreans are portrayed as extremely powerless. In summary, regardless of regional and political affiliations, most newspapers generated a similar image of Koreans. This trend was formed as a result of various newspapers reproducing news from news agencies. Despite the news agencies prioritizing neutrality and objectivity, these values were not fully implemented due to the strong media control by the Japanese government. The New Korea’s coverage of the disaster also underwent changes depending on the timing. Throughout September, The New Korea conducted disaster coverage by referencing articles from local newspapers for a month. As a result, coverage related to Koreans was carried out at a very limited level. However, The New Korea expressed resentment towards the Japanese government and sympathy for “compatriots” through the use of “Bugi(付記, opinion pieces)” and headlines. “Bugi” and headlines were consistently utilized as a means to express these sentiments while relying on the local press. Starting from October, The New Korea adopted a method of reproducing articles from Donga Ilbo. Although this approach enabled in-depth coverage of the economic situation of Koreans, it came with the drawback of publishing less timely articles and being unable to confront the empire’s censorship challengingly. After the Japanese government acknowledged the massacre of Koreans, around November, The New Korea’s coverage once again underwent a transformation. The nature of the text diversified in terms of length, genre, and every aspect. The New Korea focused on the Korean massacre through various forms of text, including brief news, editorials, translations, letters, and contributions. This paper seeks to discuss the significance of tracking the process of production, dissemination, and adaptation of The New Korea’s coverage of the Korean massacre. It aims to highlight the characteristics and limitations of The New Korea as an ethnic media by doing so.