Who will acquire troubled JoongAng Ilbo?
With JoongAng Ilbo entering a workout following a liquidity crisis, attention is turning to who will acquire one of Korea's leading newspaper publishers, with construction firms emerging as likely buyers, industry officials said Monday. As construction companies increasingly expand into the media sector to diversify their business portfolios and strengthen brand recognition, JoongAng Ilbo's decision to put management rights up for sale has fueled speculation that they may seek acquisition. Among the names most frequently mentioned are Hoban Group and Booyoung Group, both of which already have media holdings. Hoban is viewed as a potential purchaser as it acquired national daily Seoul Shinmun, technology newspaper Electronic Times and business news outlet EBN in 2021, though it later sold Electronic Times in 2023. Booyoung has also emerged as a potential buyer. The group owns regional newspapers Incheon Ilbo and Jeju-based Halla Ilbo through its affiliates, and holds a 5.5 percent minor stake in broadcaster TV Chosun. "Construction companies have increasingly viewed acquisition of media out
7/13/2026 12:37:03 AM