Han Kang, the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate, holds a press conference at the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm, Sweden, on December 6 (local time). (Yonhap)
STOCKHOLM, Dec. 7 (Korea Bizwire) —On December 6, Han Kang, the acclaimed South Korean author and recipient of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature, expressed her shock over the resurgence of martial law in South Korea in 2024.
Speaking at a press conference at the Nobel Prize Museum, Han reflected on the parallels between recent events and the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, a tragedy she explored in her novel Human Acts.
“I fervently hope that we do not regress to controlling society through force or censorship,” she remarked. Han noted the stark contrast between past and present martial law scenarios, emphasizing how the real-time broadcasting of recent events exposed both acts of resistance and moments of humanity.
She recounted the courage of citizens trying to pacify armed soldiers, adding, “It was deeply moving to see people standing their ground or even calling out to soldiers as if they were family.” Han also highlighted the restraint shown by young police officers and soldiers, observing that their hesitance suggested a profound inner conflict.
While martial law commanders may have viewed this hesitation as defiance, Han argued it represented “active engagement with universal values.”
A woman buys Nobel laureate Han Kang’s books at Kyobo Book Store in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on Oct. 15, 2024. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Literature as Resistance
Han also addressed broader concerns about freedom of expression in South Korea. Responding to questions about her controversial novel The Vegetarian, which faced censorship and was labeled harmful literature, Han admitted the situation caused her great pain.
“To see my work branded and discarded from libraries was heartbreaking,” she said, noting that the same book received a student-selected literary award in Spain for fostering thoughtful debate.
Han reiterated her belief in the resilience of language, stating, “Attempts to suppress words often fail. The power of language will remain unyielding.”
She underscored the transformative role of literature, describing it as an essential act of delving into the inner lives of others and oneself. “Literature is not a luxury but a necessity,” she declared.
Cultivating Future Writers
Asked how South Korea might nurture future Nobel laureates, Han emphasized the importance of early literary education. “Children should read and discuss at least a few literary works in school to develop the ‘muscle’ for engaging deeply with texts,” she said. “Every writer is first an impassioned reader.”
Nobel Prize Lecture
Han’s Nobel Prize lecture, set to be livestreamed on December 7, will delve deeper into her literary philosophy. On December 10, she will formally receive the Nobel medal and diploma at the award ceremony in Stockholm.
The Swedish Academy described Han’s body of work as “poetic prose that confronts historical trauma and reveals the fragility of human existence,” a sentiment that resonates profoundly amid the contemporary challenges facing her homeland.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
