The Korea Daily, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has become “The most-read Korean American newspaper published in the U.S.” thanks to the steadfast support of our community. We are deeply grateful and remain committed to honoring our readers’ generosity and loyalty.
Looking ahead, the Korea Daily is committed to standing at the heart of the community, working to preserve our identity while embracing bold changes. Our strategy for the future is centered on one clear goal: leveraging the strength of our Korean-language newspaper to drive new growth in digital English media. We aim to significantly expand our readership, especially among younger generations.
We will achieve this transformation through three key areas.
First, the platform. While maintaining the prominence of our Korean-language newspaper, we will focus on expanding our digital English media presence. Our target audience includes Korean Americans who are more comfortable with English, as well as the mainstream audience interested in Korea and Korean American topics.
Second, language. As the number of second- and third-generation Korean Americans more proficient in English continues to grow, the need for English media in our community becomes more urgent. Our existing platforms, including koreadailyus.com, the Katchup Briefing newsletter, Instagram, and TikTok, are all featuring English content. We will continue to improve the quality and expand the volume of these offerings.
Third, content. This is central to our competitiveness. Our focus will be on highly localized stories that provide a deeper connection to the community, covering the meaningful, everyday stories that mainstream media often overlook. Los Angeles is vast and diverse, and local news from our neighborhoods has the potential to draw national attention. This is where we can differentiate ourselves from large, mainstream media by delivering local news that resonates with minority communities.
We are also strengthening our editorial capacity, aiming to meet the standards of mainstream media. We are pursuing the prestigious Pulitzer Prize, America’s top journalism award. This year, we submitted two articles from our English media, marking the first time a Korean American media outlet has entered the Pulitzer Prize race. The articles covered the efforts of Asian American descendants to preserve and restore the forgotten legacy of their immigrant ancestors.
Although we didn’t win, we gained valuable insights into how to resonate with mainstream audiences and better understand the differences between English media narratives and Korean-language journalism. We have already begun working on articles for next year’s submission, which will be published on koreadailyus.com in the coming months, so please keep an eye out for them.
This project is not just about a prize but about growing our fundamental competitiveness and breaking into new markets. For large mainstream outlets like the LA Times or NY Times, winning a Pulitzer may be an annual routine. But for a small ethnic media like ours, it’s a dream—a dream within reach. Just as Korean cinema has reached the stage of the Academy Awards, Korean American media can also rise to the same heights. We believe koreadailyus.com can make this dream a reality.
With elections approaching, many people are talking about the need to strengthen Korean American political representation. Considering the achievements of our community, we believe it’s not far-fetched to imagine a future where a Korean American will run for Governor, Senator, or even Vice President or President of the United States. To accelerate this vision and elevate the community’s influence, we need the support of a powerful media voice. A stronger media presence will significantly contribute to political empowerment. In this context, our pursuit of the Pulitzer Prize goes beyond competing with mainstream media; it is a meaningful endeavor that reflects the aspirations of the entire community.
We are fully committed to being more than a news provider; we will set strong agendas for the community and lead with balanced perspectives. We will transcend the role of a Korean-language newspaper and become a media platform that mainstream Americans listen to. We will take your voices from narrow alleys to broad squares, from whispers to powerful speeches, delivering your messages to the mainstream. As the saying goes, “Though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great,” koreadailyus.com is dreaming of a bright future.
Today, we emphasize that the Korea Daily, together with the Korean American community, is taking a bold stride toward the mainstream. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support. Thank you.
Yoonho Nahm / CEO of The Korea Daily
