Korean writers' association hails Han Kang's Nobel Prize win

SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Yonhap) -- A Korean writers' association on Friday welcomed Han Kang's winning of the Nobel Prize in literature as "a blessing for literary language."

Han, 53, was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature on Thursday for her "intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life."

She is the first Asian female winner and the first Korean winner of the prestigious award.

Her win is "a blessing for literary language embracing fragile life," the Writers Association of Korea, a leading literary association in the country, said in a statement.

"This honor reminds us of literature's fundamental role in exploring human existence, going beyond the significance of a Korean national author winning the prize," the association said.

It commended Han for her ability to transform historical events into "fictional truths," giving voice to forgotten or marginalized individuals.

Noting that literature represents the cultural capacity of a national and language community, the association described Han's win as "a landmark moment" that firmly establishes Korean literature's place on the global stage.

sshim@yna.co.kr
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