Analysis of South Korean English-language media’s reporting pattern on North Korea’s forests: focused on type, tone, and frame of articles

Abstract

This study analyzed how North Korea's deforestation issues are reported in South Korea, through the lens of English-language newspapers. “Valid” articles from the period January 2001 to August 2012 were thoroughly researched and verified. Framing theory and cultivation theory were adopted to analyze articles based on their frames, perspectives, and tones with regard to deforestation issues. The majority of valid articles were found to be positive, factual, and relating to economics; a phenomenon that likely derives from forest conservation issues being associated with economic costs and benefits. Other topics included the impact of climate change on the environment, increasing flood damage to local communities south of the 38th parallel caused by worsening deforestation, interest around forest resources in relation to greenhouse gas emissions trading, and ecological conservation on the Korean Peninsula.