They were called sōshi [ja] (壮士) by the press, which literally meant "manly warrior", but developed the connotation of "thug".

[3][a] An article in the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture notes that Adachi had little prior experience in journalism, and describes the paper as more of an impromptu activist group than a newspaper.

[1] However, sentiment eventually turned against the Kanjō shinpō as it began publishing more and more pro-Japanese narratives that advocated for Korea's takeover by Japan.

[3][1] The politically active Queen Min (posthumously styled "Empress Myeongseong") became a focal point for sōshi frustration.

[11] According to Orbach, a mix of racism, sexism, and political agendas led to members of the Kanjō shinpō taking the lead in plotting her assassination.

[4] Ultimately, the new Japanese emissary Miura Gorō recruited all of the Kanjō shinpō's staff in a plot to kill the queen.

[13] The paper later reported on the assassination, and falsely claimed that it had been led by the Korean Heungseon Daewongun, a rival of the Queen's, and executed by the Hullyeondae.

The April 19, 1896 issue of the paper contained a children's song that ridiculed Gojong for this, which led to public outrage.

[16] Kikuchi Kenjō (菊池謙讓), one of the assassins of Queen Min and former correspondent of the Kokumin Shimbun [ja],[17] became editor-in-chief of the Kanjō shinpō upon his return to Korea.

[14] Kikuchi published daily articles that portrayed in graphic detail the brutality of Russian conquest north of Korea, which stoked anti-Russian sentiment in the Korean court.

[14] Kikuchi began keeping the Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pak Chesoon, personally up to date on developments there.