Gachon Museum Publishes Catalog "A Window to the Times, First Issues" on 120 Years of Korean Magazine History

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] The Gachon Cultural Foundation will publish on the 26th the catalog "A Window to the Times, First Issues (創刊號)," which contains the 120-year history of the founding of Korean magazines, the first of its kind in Korea.

This is the first time in Korea that only first issues have been collected and published as a catalog. The catalog includes the historical background of the magazines' founding era, the nature and main contents of the magazines, and the significance of their founding. Among the 20,657 first issues held by the Gachon Museum, 364 precious editions founded between the Korean Empire period and 1979 were carefully selected.

The catalog, consisting of 416 pages in large format, is organized chronologically and allows readers to explore various aspects of society and culture through literary magazines, student magazines, school journals, professional magazines, academic journals, and institutional publications.

Advisory committee members include Kim Jong-gyu, Chairman of the Cultural Heritage National Trust; Lee Seong-nak, Honorary President of Gachon University; Choi Won-sik, Professor Emeritus at Inha University; Park Sang-guk, Distinguished Professor at Dongguk University; and Noh Byung-sung, President of the Korean Publishing Society.

Yoon Sung-tae, Chairman of the Gachon Cultural Foundation, stated, "The first issues held by the Gachon Museum embody the history of the Republic of Korea, which has overcome numerous ups and downs over more than 120 years. We hope this catalog will provide an opportunity to look back on the time Korea has passed through. The significant role of Founder President Lee Gil-yeo in collecting such a large volume of first issues was crucial. We express our gratitude to President Lee Gil-yeo and other donors who recognized the importance of record culture and collected and donated these first issues to the Gachon Museum."