The Intersection of ‘America’ and ‘Crisis’ in Korean Newspapers: Focusing on the Dong-a Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo from the 1920s to 1930s

This study analyzes how the concepts of ‘crisis’ and ‘America’ intersected in the Dong-a Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo between the 1920s and 1930s. Using co-occurrence analysis and quantitative linguistic tools such as t-score and mutual information, it traces shifts in media discourse during the colonial period. In the 1920s, crisis discourse centered on diplomacy and international tension, with America often portrayed as a mediator in global instability. By the 1930s, the focus shifted toward economic depression and financial crisis, positioning America as a dominant economic force and, increasingly, a military power in East Asia. This transformation reflects a broader change in how colonial Korean media perceived the global order. The findings suggest that Korean newspapers were already framing America as central to world affairs, anticipating its growing role in international conflicts. This study offers insights into the historical construction of Korean perceptions of America and global crisis, shedding light on the discursive foundations of Korean-American relations.