2024 Nobel Literature Prize: Han Kang Refuses to Celebrate Award while People Die in Wars

NOBEL LAUREATES, 14 Oct 2024

The Korea Times - TRANSCEND Media Service

Han Kang, the Korean recipient of 2024 Nobel Literature Prize.
The Atlantic

11 Oct 2024 – Han Kang, the first Korean to win the Nobel Prize in literature, has declined to hold a press conference; she cites the global tragedies of the Ukraine-Russia war and the Israel-Palestine genocide.

Her father, the renowned novelist Han Seung-won, 85, conveyed her message during a press conference at the Han Seung-won Literary School in Jangheung, South Jeolla Province.

“(Han Kang) told me, ‘With the war intensifying and people being carried out dead every day, how can we have a celebration or a press conference?’ She said she won’t hold a press conference,” he said.

After the Nobel Prize in literature was announced yesterday evening, Han Seung-won spoke with his daughter and advised her to select a publishing house to hold a press conference.

Initially, she agreed, saying she would “give it a try,” but changed her mind overnight.

“Her perspective has shifted from being a writer living in Korea to a global (writer’s) consciousness. I, however, could not shake off the feeling of being the father of a prizewinner living in Korea, so I ended up arranging this press conference,” he said.

Han Kang also discouraged her father from holding a celebratory banquet at the literary school.

Her father said, “I was planning to throw a party here for the local people, but my daughter told me not to do it. She said, ‘Please don’t celebrate while witnessing these tragic events (referring to the two wars). The Swedish Academy didn’t give me this award for us to enjoy, but to stay more clear-headed.’ After hearing that, I was deeply troubled.”

Novelist Han Seung-won, father of Han Kang, meets with reporters in Anyang-myeon, Jangheung County, South Jeolla Province, to share his daughter’s reaction to winning the Nobel Prize in literature, Friday. Yonhap

Novelist Han Seung-won, father of Han Kang, meets with reporters in Anyang-myeon, Jangheung County, South Jeolla Province, to share his daughter’s reaction to winning the Nobel Prize in literature, Friday. Yonhap

After receiving news of her award in a phone call with the Nobel committee on Thursday, Han Kang expressed that she was “very surprised and honored,” but has not made any further statements.

Multiple publishing houses, including Changbi Publishers, which published her notable novels “Human Acts” (2014) and “The Vegetarian” (2007), and Munhakdongne Publishing, which published her poetry collection and novel “The Wind Is Blowing” (2010), had suggested holding a press conference, but as of Friday afternoon, she had not responded.

_____________________________________________

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

Go to Original – koreatimes.co.kr


Tags: , ,

Share this article:


DISCLAIMER: The statements, views and opinions expressed in pieces republished here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of TMS. In accordance with title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. TMS has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is TMS endorsed or sponsored by the originator. “GO TO ORIGINAL” links are provided as a convenience to our readers and allow for verification of authenticity. However, as originating pages are often updated by their originating host sites, the versions posted may not match the versions our readers view when clicking the “GO TO ORIGINAL” links. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

There are no comments so far.

Join the discussion!

We welcome debate and dissent, but personal — ad hominem — attacks (on authors, other users or any individual), abuse and defamatory language will not be tolerated. Nor will we tolerate attempts to deliberately disrupt discussions. We aim to maintain an inviting space to focus on intelligent interactions and debates.

4 × 5 =

Note: we try to save your comment in your browser when there are technical problems. Still, for long comments we recommend that you copy them somewhere else as a backup before you submit them.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.