Daesan Cultural Foundation 30th Anniversary... "We Will Share Precious Literary Experiences"

Daesan Cultural Foundation 30th Anniversary
Chairman Shin Chang-jae "Will Share Valuable Literary Experiences"
New Mission: "Growing into Mature Global Citizens through Diverse Literary Experiences"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] “We will transform into a cultural foundation that delivers the most precious literary experiences.”

Shin Chang-jae, Chairman of the Daesan Cultural Foundation, which he has led for 30 years, revealed the foundation’s new vision on the occasion of its 30th anniversary (December 29). He also stated that the foundation’s new mission is “to help everyone grow into mature global citizens by understanding themselves, others, and the world through diverse literary experiences.”

The Daesan Cultural Foundation was established in 1992 as the only private literary support foundation, founded by Kyobo Life Insurance in accordance with the wishes of Daesan Shin Yong-ho, the founder of Kyobo Life Insurance. Before joining Kyobo Life Insurance, Shin was a professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine and took on the role of chairman of the Daesan Cultural Foundation in 1993. This was in line with his late father’s belief that “to manage well, one must first learn how to spend money wisely rather than just earn it.”

The Daesan Cultural Foundation has been recognized for enhancing the cultural capabilities of Korean society and laying the groundwork for Korean literature to reach the world through various literary support projects such as promoting creative culture, globalizing Korean literature, and nurturing youth. In 2017, Shin was honored as an honorary poet by the Korean Poets Association for his contributions to the globalization of Korean literature and the development of poetry. In the same year, he was awarded the Legion of Honour by the French government for his efforts in literary and intellectual exchanges between Korea and France.

In 2018, following his late father Shin Yong-ho (who was awarded the Gold Crown Cultural Medal in 1996), Shin received the Silver Crown Cultural Medal for his contributions to the development of Korean literature and the popularization of the humanities through the Daesan Cultural Foundation, Kyobo Bookstore, and Gwanghwamun Picture Board.

Chairman Shin emphasized, “I have operated the Daesan Cultural Foundation with the belief that literature is for members of society and ultimately for all humanity. The value of literature does not fade but becomes increasingly important to people.” He added, “Supporting arts and culture requires patience and consistency, so I will continue on the path we have walked for the past 30 years.”

Over the past 30 years, the Daesan Cultural Foundation has invested 58.2 billion KRW in literary-related projects. Through the Daesan Literary Award, the largest comprehensive literary prize in Korea, 147 writers have been honored, and through the Daesan Creative Fund, a support program for emerging writers, 310 writers have been encouraged in their creative activities.

Additionally, the Daesan University Literary Award has discovered 113 new writers, invigorating the literary world. Notable emerging writers nurtured include novelist Kim Ae-ran, author Yoon Go-eun who won the 2021 UK Dagger Award for translated crime fiction, as well as Kang Dong-ho, Kim Yeon-deok, Jeon Sam-hye, Jeong Han-ah, and Jo Woo-ri, all active in the Korean literary scene.

In particular, the foundation’s Korean literature translation and publishing support projects have played a pivotal role in introducing Korean literature worldwide. Works by representative Korean authors such as Park Kyung-ni, Hwang Sok-yong, and Lee Seung-woo have been translated into various languages and published overseas, expanding the horizons of Korean literature. The foundation supported the publication of Han Kang’s The Vegetarian in the UK, helping her become the first Korean to win the Man Booker Prize, one of the world’s top three literary awards.

The foundation also provides opportunities for youth to reflect on themselves and set future visions through youth development projects such as the Daesan Youth Literary Award, the University Student Asia Expedition, and the operation of the Seoul Youth Cultural Exchange Center.

Moreover, through international events like the Seoul International Literary Forum and the East Asian Literary Forum, the foundation facilitates communication with renowned global authors such as Le Cl?zio, Orhan Pamuk, Kenzaburo Oe, and Mo Yan, creating opportunities for Korean literature to engage with the world. It also conducts various literary and humanities projects accessible to the general public, including the Kyobo Humanities Lecture Series, literary art exhibitions, and Kyobo Humanities Field Trips.

Chairman Shin stated, “The foundation will continue to focus on delivering diverse literary experiences deeply. Through this, we aim to help all of us understand each other well as members of the world, empathize with shared universal values, actively participate in solving common problems, and grow together.”