천관우 千寬宇
Journalist and historian of ancient Korea; editor-in-chief of Chosun Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo; pen name Huseok
| Life | 1925 ~ 1991 |
| Era | 대한민국 |
| Clan | 영양 천씨 |
Life & career
Cheon Gwan-u (千寬宇, 1925-1991) was a journalist and historian of the Yeongyang clan, pen name Huseok. Born on 10 August 1925 in Jecheon, North Chungcheong, he died in Seoul on 15 January 1991 at 65. He graduated from Cheongju high school, took a degree in history at Seoul National University in 1949 and completed a journalism course at the University of Minnesota.
He entered journalism in 1951 as a foreign-desk reporter at Daehan Tongsin, became editorial writer at Hankook Ilbo and in 1958 editor-in-chief of Chosun Ilbo, where he created the column Manmulsang. He later served as editor-in-chief and chief editorial writer at Segye Ilbo (Min'guk Ilbo), Seoul Shinmun and Dong-A Ilbo. He was detained by the Central Intelligence Agency over a Shin Dong-A article in 1968 and held no press post after leaving the Dong-A board in 1971.
He is regarded as a nationalist scholar who devoted his life to ancient Korean history; major books include Gaya-sa yeongu and Hanguksa ui jaebalgyeon. He took part in founding the National Council for the Defense of Democracy in 1971, led the 1973 statement on the times and signed the 1974 Declaration for Democratic Restoration. Becoming head of the National Unification Council in 1981 and taking advisory posts under the Chun Doo-hwan government, however, brought criticism as a betrayal from former colleagues such as Song Geon-ho and left him isolated. He received the Gold Crown Order of Cultural Merit, a publishing culture award and the Oesol Prize.
As a Journalist
Cheon Gwan-u entered journalism just after the Korean War, rose to editor-in-chief of Chosun Ilbo and is known for starting the column Manmulsang. He was detained during activities to defend press freedom under military rule.
Study of Ancient History
His Gaya-sa yeongu is counted as a study squarely addressing Gaya history, and through works such as Hanguksa ui jaebalgyeon he helped bring ancient history to the public. Assessment of specific theories was not confirmed here.
Divided Assessments
Unlike his earlier years in the democracy movement, his advisory posts in the early 1980s are judged differently. Wikipedia notes he was criticized by former colleagues for this.