"Ugly Publishing"... Cold Literary Circles React to Ko Eun's Return Without Apology

Publication of Poetry and Interview Collections Five Years After Sexual Harassment Allegations

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Poet Ko Eun, who halted public activities after being embroiled in sexual harassment allegations in 2018, has returned after five years with a new poetry collection and an interview book. He has not issued a separate apology or explanation regarding the allegations. The literary community and the public have responded coldly. Online, a boycott movement is spreading not only against Ko Eun's books but also against the publisher.

The "Room of All," an exhibition space at the Seoul Library highlighting the life and literary world of poet Ko Un, is being dismantled on March 12, 2018, amid the poet's sexual harassment controversy. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Publisher Introduces Ko Eun's Books as "Recommended for General Readers and Writers"

Publisher Silcheon Munhaksa released Ko Eun's poetry collection Song of Nothingness and an interview book Conversations with Ko Eun with a Canadian poet consecutively last month. Silcheon Munhaksa described Song of Nothingness as "marking the 65th anniversary of Ko Eun's literary debut, the depth of the poetry has deepened, and the sensitivity of the poems whispers intensely yet subtly with the original voice."

Regarding Conversations with Ko Eun, the publisher said it is "a book worth keeping by the bedside like a scripture," and "while it will be a good book for general readers, it is especially recommended for writers." The publisher also included a memorial poem written by Ko Eun in the winter issue (No. 146) of the quarterly magazine Silcheon Munhak, dedicated to writer Kim Seongdong.

Ko Eun's sexual harassment allegations became known in 2018 through the revelation by poet Choi Youngmi. Ko Eun denied the allegations and filed a damages lawsuit against Choi and others, but lost both the first and second trials. At that time, the court judged that "Choi's testimony was specific and consistent," recognizing the sexual harassment allegations against Ko Eun as factual. Ko Eun did not appeal.

However, Ko Eun has not issued any apology or explanation regarding the sexual harassment allegations since then. Even with the recent publication of two books, there was no special mention.

'Song of the Void' 'Conversation with Ko Un' cover. Photo by Silcheon Munhaksa

Choi Youngmi Calls It "Futile"... Literary Community Calls It "Anachronistic"

On social media, a boycott movement against Ko Eun's works and Silcheon Munhaksa's books is spreading.

Many critical comments appeared in reviews and 100-character evaluations of Ko Eun's books on online bookstores such as Kyobo Book Centre and Aladin, including remarks like "This is exactly ugly publishing" and "We see the active practice of secondary victimization," criticizing the publisher.

The literary magazine Newspaper conducted a survey from the 7th to the 9th on the "appropriateness of Ko Eun's return to the literary world." The survey included 172 writers and 1,817 readers, and 99.2% (1,973 people) responded that they oppose the return. Only 16 people (0.6%) supported the return.

Poet Choi Youngmi posted on Facebook, upon hearing the news of Ko Eun's book publication, saying "It is futile," and "Literature practicing hypocrisy."

Literary critic Heo Hee criticized Ko Eun's return to the literary world as "anachronistic." He argued, "Although Ko Eun has left achievements in Korean literary history, apart from that, a clear apology for the sexual misconduct must be made before discussing his return."