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A Study on the Correlation between the Distribution of Catholic Books and the Reading Culture of Korean Books from the Late 18th Century to the 19th Century

Lee, Min Heui 1

1강원대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study aims to examine the distribution and publication of KoreanCatholic books, and to connect this phenomenon with the increase ofKorean users, with view to considering the relationship between the rateof literacy and the frequency of media exposure. In particular, this studyfocuses on examining the meaning of using the Korean alphabet and thereading of Korean books by believers of Catholicism, which is an topicthat has tended to be overlooked in relation to the issue of the formationof Korean readership. The Korean education of Catholicism throughKorean Catholic books brought about an increase in the literacy rate ofthe lower classes and women. Catholic books developed from manuscriptform, into wooden-block print form, and finally into printed book form. The mass production of these Catholic books was required by the Catholicfaith. It eventually led to an increase in the number of Korean readers. The manuscripts, distribution, and publications of Korean Catholic booksbecame a form of power that increased the number of literate people andplayed a leading role in the distribution culture of Korean novels.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.