Silcheon Munhak Publishing "Deep Apology... Suspension of Supply for Ko Un's Poetry Collection"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] Silcheon Munhaksa, which has been embroiled in controversy over the publication of poet Ko Un's poetry collection, has announced its intention to suspend the supply of the poetry collection. Yoon Han-ryong, CEO of Silcheon Munhaksa, issued an apology statement.

On the 20th, Yoon Han-ryong, CEO of Silcheon Munhaksa, stated in a position paper, "As the representative of the publishing company, I deeply apologize to those who were concerned by this incident." According to Silcheon Munhaksa, the supply of Ko Un's poetry collection to bookstores has been suspended since the 17th. The quarterly magazine 'Silcheon Munhak,' which features Ko Un's poems, will be published normally until the Spring 2023 issue and will then be on hiatus until the end of this year.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

CEO Yoon said, "I deeply apologize to Chief Editor Koo Hyo-seo and the editorial advisory committee members for not properly communicating in advance regarding the decision to publish the poetry collection without sufficient consensus and the 'Kim Seong-dong Memorial Special' (a memorial poem by Ko Un) published in the Winter 2022 issue of 'Silcheon Munhak.'"

Regarding the publication of Ko Un's poetry collection, he mentioned "the constitutional fundamental right to freedom of publication that any natural person possesses and the inherent relationship between poet Ko Un and Silcheon Munhaksa." Silcheon Munhaksa publishes the quarterly magazine 'Silcheon Munhak,' which was founded in 1980 by the Freedom Practicing Writers' Association (currently the Korean Writers' Association), with Ko Un and others as central figures.

Ko Un, who had suspended official activities following sexual harassment allegations revealed by poet Choi Young-mi in 2018, resumed activities last month by simultaneously publishing 'Song of Nothingness' and the interview collection 'Conversations with Ko Un' through Silcheon Munhaksa. However, there was significant public criticism due to his return without an apology.

Internal opposition also arose as Ko Un's poems were published in the quarterly 'Silcheon Munhak' without consulting the editorial advisory committee. On the 19th, Lee Seung-ha, a poet and member of the editorial advisory committee of 'Silcheon Munhak,' published a contribution urging a sincere apology to poet Ko Un and Silcheon Munhaksa.