Since 1989, when Korea Gallup began analyzing the newspaper industry in Korea, the Chosun Ilbo has retained the number one position in both household subscription rates and readership.
In September 2001, three polling agencies; Korea Gallup, AC Nielsen Korea and TN Sofres, confirmed the Chosun Ilbo as the people's preferred newspaper, far ahead of its rivals.
In addition to this, despite an anti-Chosun Ilbo campaign by some newspapers, broadcasting companies and some civic groups following the announcement of the results of a controversial tax probe in June 2001, subscription and readership rates actually increased sharply. Thus showing the people's faith in the newspaper.
