Kwak Hyo-hwan, president of Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea), speaks during a recent interview with The Korea Times at the institute in Gangnam District, Seoul. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
In recent years, Korean pop culture has come under the global spotlight through K-pop, film and television. Riding along the tide, Korean literature has only recently begun grabbing the attention of global audiences with nominations and accolades in international literary awards.
The Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea), a government-affiliated organization focused on literary translation, has been behind the phenomenon, promoting Korean literature overseas without rest.
Kwak Hyo-hwan, president of LTI Korea, has shown a firm belief that, despite challenges, Korean literature has a lot more potential for success on the global stage, especially along with the expanding and improving translation sector.
"The reason Korean literature lagged behind is not because it's inferior. Fundamentally, when one culture is passed on to another culture, the most intact and definite way that it can be transferred is literary texts … But to be transferred, translation is an inevitable process that is most useful and important, but also the translation process takes the most time," Kwak said during a recent interview with The Korea Times at the institute in southern Seoul's Gangnam District.
"Literature encapsulates the essence of an era or population. It best shows how life or the spirit of that time was … The time we've spent so far has been dedicated to overcoming the challenges (of bridging the cultural gaps). But these firmly rooted texts will not fade away. And in that regard, systematic, consistent and coherent assistance to translation and publication is crucial."
2023 was a landmark year for Korean literature on the global stage, with about 13 translated works being nominated for various global book awards. Notably, seven of these translations received support from LTI Korea, highlighting its vital contributions to these successes.
Author Han Kang made history last November with her novel "I Do Not Bid Farewell" (2021), becoming the first Korean winner of France's prestigious literary award Prix Medicis for Foreign Literature. Film director and novelist Cheon Myeong-kwan was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize with his book "Whale."
Kwak noted that these successes became possible with the improved quality of translation that delivers the essence of the original texts more clearly.
"I believe the biggest significance of Korean literature is that its writers engage closely with social realities without compromising artistic integrity ... It's been a long tradition in Korean literature to continuously put effort towards responding to the questions that the era or society has thrown, leading to discourse," he said.
"The amount of Korean literature introduced abroad has grown significantly … (and) its quality has improved a lot. Translations used to be done by Koreans majoring in foreign languages or missionaries, which led to considerable debate about whether they properly delivered the texts … Then, the highly skilled native speakers with a profound understanding of the original texts started to emerge, leading Korean literature to receive major literary awards."
The winners of Literature Translation Institute of Korea's 2023 Korea Translation Award pose during a press conference in Seoul, Dec. 6, 2023. They are, from left, Jean-Claude de Crescenzo, Kim Hye-gyeong, Oh Young-a and Lia Iovenitti. Courtesy of LTI Korea
LTI Korea's efforts covers a wide range of tasks related to supporting translation of local literature for international publications. In late 2022, it launched an online platform, KLWAVE (Korean Literature Wave), to act as a hub for local and overseas publishers and global readers.
The platform provides comprehensive details on Korean literary works and author and translator profiles, as well as a library of classic literature free of copyright restrictions available for translation and updates on the translation progress of recent works.
KLWAVE is one of the four key goals Kwak has vowed to achieve during his term. The others include converting its translation academy into a graduate school and nurturing a new generation of writers, translators and scholars in Korean literature around the world, with the intent of enriching diasporic culture and fostering a sense of community.
The institute is in the process of getting certification for a formal graduate school, waiting for final approval.
"This is a system for cultivating translators in the long term. Our task is not just about simple translation but is about systematically building Korean literature or Korean studies education. And if we can turn our translation academy into a graduate school and grant master's degrees, it will open up more opportunities for the students," Kwak said.
"I believe this is an excellent system to efficiently foster individual professionals in the field of hallyu (Korean wave). So it not only cultivates translators but also helps prepare for the future of Korean culture as a whole."
KLWAVE, an online platform run by the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, was launched in November 2022 to help global publication of Korean literature. Courtesy of LTI Korea
Despite the institute's efforts, it has faced a cut in its annual budget for 2024.
"Korean literature is on a rising tide. And when the water comes in, we should be paddling the boat, but the government is cutting the flow, which I find quite regrettable and unfortunate. It's inevitable that the amount of the support will decrease because the budget was cut and the applicants are skyrocketing," he said.
"And if we don't respond to the increasing calls for assistance, we are concerned that it might jeopardize Korean literature's path in the global market … The plan is to focus more strategically on the languages that have more demand, find emerging publishers interested in Korean literature and actively support them."
Kwak is an established poet and also served as managing director at the Daesan Foundation, a Kyobo Life affiliate dedicated to literary support projects. His deep understanding and practical knowledge of the trajectory of Korean literature accumulated over three decades have been instrumental in shaping the direction of LTI Korea.
Reflecting on his career, the president expressed appreciation for the institute's staff for the accomplishments it has made throughout his term.
"Back in 2004 and 2005, I remember trying to publish a book in Germany and chasing after the publishers to have a meeting … This year, we had an exchange program with foreign publishing companies, where they had to visit Korea for a week. And the publishers (who avoided us back then) came. That's how Korean literature changed over 20 years," he said.
"Being in this field since 1992, It's not just a matter of personal preference but I have a deep understanding of the trajectory of Korean literature, where it stands now, and where it should be heading, like a technocrat with practical knowledge. I have diligently worked in this capacity, and I believe our staff's trust in me has played a crucial role in bringing us to where we are today."
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