Chosŏn munhak 조선문학 (1977-2015)
Introduction
Photo credit:“Chosŏn Munhak , January 1977.” Retrieved from 영광찬란한 새해에
Chosŏn Munhak (조선문학, 朝鮮文學)
조선문학 Chosŏn Munhak is the leading monthly literary magazine published in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). Established in 1948, it serves as the official publication of the Central Committee of the Choson Writers’ Alliance. Since 1953, the magazine has been published under its present name and is produced by the Munhak Yesul Chonghap Chulpansa (General Publishing House for Literature and Art).
As the only comprehensive literary magazine in North Korea, 조선문학 Chosŏn Munhak features a wide selection of works including poetry, short stories, serialized novels, literary criticism, essays, and reviews. The magazine also regularly includes articles explaining and supporting the cultural and ideological policies of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Its content reflects North Korea’s political and social environment, as well as developments in the country's literary trends and artistic expressions.
Due to its long publication history and unique position, 조선문학 Chosŏn Munhak serves as an important resource for understanding North Korean literature, culture, and state policy. The magazine is actively used for research on the evolution of literary forms, ideological themes, and the relationship between literature and politics in North Korea.
Chosŏn Munhak [Choson Literature]. Pyongyang: Munhak Yesul Chonghap Chulpansa, 1948–present. Official monthly journal of the Central Committee of the Chosŏn Writers’ Alliance.
“Chosŏn Munhak.” Wikipedia. Last modified August 2025.
The Academy of Korean Studies. “Chosŏn Munhak (조선문학, 朝鮮文學).” Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. Accessed August 13, 2025.
Cornell University Library. "North Korean Literature: Chosŏn Munhak." Accessed August 13, 2025.
Library of Congress. "Chosŏn Munhak: Bibliographic Information and Holdings." Accessed August 13, 2025.
Kim, Seong-Su. "Toward a Shared Literatures of North and South Korea." Positions Politics. Accessed August 13, 2025. https://positionspolitics.org/toward-a-shared-literatures-of-north-and-south-korea/.
Kim, Seong-Su. 남북한 문학의 소통을 위한 북한 문예지 『조선문학』 연구: 1946–2019 한글 요약. Seoul: Positions Politics, 2021.
Nam, Won-jin. “Chosŏn Munhak.” 20th Century North Korean Arts and Culture Dictionary. National Institute of Korean History North Korea Database. Accessed August 13, 2025. http://www.nks.ac.kr/Word/View.aspx?id=2979.
Summary of holdings: Chosŏn Munhak, 1977–2015, missing issue no. 11 (1978)
How to Use
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Choson Munhak(1977 to 1982)
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
Choson Munhak(1983 to 1988)
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
Choson Munhak(1989 to 1994)
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
Choson Munhak(1995 to 2000)
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
Choson Munhak(2001 to 2006)
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Choson Munhak(2007 to 2012)
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Choson Munhak(2013 to 2015)
