The Evolution of Typography in North Korea's Literature and Art Magazine: 1946-1968

<ns5:p>This study examines the fundamental principles of North Korean magazines, focusing on their definitions, characteristics, types, and classifications. By analyzing major magazines—particularly their inaugural issues—the study traces changes in publication within a genealogical framework. To clarify the evolution of text typesetting, three classification criteria were established based on the publication period. The first period, corresponding to the Soviet occupation, featured a combination of vertical typesetting using Chinese characters and Korean, followed by a transition to both vertical and horizontal typesetting in Korean. The second period, coinciding with the establishment of the North Korean government, marked a shift to exclusively vertical typesetting in Korean. The third period, known as the stage of socialist construction, introduced a horizontal typesetting system in Korean, reflecting the developmental trajectory of North Korean typography. Each magazine was published in B5 format, with design modifications in the table of contents beginning with Chollima magazine. The cover title evolved from Gothic type to a flowing cursive style, the body text changed to Ming type No. 5, and the headlines were adjusted to Gothic type No. 2. Overall, this research catalogs the historical transitions of North Korean literary magazines from the Soviet occupation period to the socialist construction era, alongside the evolution of their typography. Each magazine adheres to B5 size, with design modifications in the table of contents beginning with Chollima magazine. The cover title evolved from Gothic to a flowing cursive style, while the body text transitioned to Ming type No. 5, and headlines were adjusted to Gothic type No. 2. This research catalogs the historical transitions of North Korean literary magazines from the Soviet occupation to the socialist construction era, along with the evolution of typography.</ns5:p>