Korean Literature Translation Institute Hosts Diaspora Literature Exchange Event in LA, USA

The Literature Translation Institute of Korea, together with the Korean Cultural Center in LA, is hosting the diaspora exchange event "Hangul Literature Beyond Borders" in Los Angeles, USA, until the 14th. The event aims to expand Hangul literary creation and strengthen the creative community network. Thirty-seven publishers and editors from 21 Hangul literary magazines are participating in seminars, workshops, and diaspora literature roundtable discussions.

On the first day of the event, the 13th, writer Jo Hae-jin will meet readers at the Ari Hall of the Korean Cultural Center in LA. Jo, who has continued diaspora writing based on a warm perspective on social others through works such as "Simple Sincerity" and "I Met Logiwan," will share opinions on the diaspora identity embedded in her works. In the following roundtable, publishers and editors of literary magazines Ko Gwang-i ("Oeji"), Kim Hee-bong ("Berkeley Literature"), Lee Hyun-sook ("Jaemi Essays"), and Yeon Gyu-ho ("Miju Korean Novels") will discuss the category of diaspora literature and explore cooperation methods with the domestic literary community.

On the following day, the 14th, a seminar titled "2023 Multicultural Era, Identity and Direction of Diaspora Literature" will be held. Twenty-one Hangul literary magazine organizations from the Americas and Oceania regions will participate. In the afternoon, a workshop will be held to introduce the publication status of each literary magazine and exchange information. The Translation Institute plans to introduce the webzine "Neomeo" and gather opinions to activate it as a platform for the global Hangul creative community.

Kwack Hyo-hwan, president of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, stated, "This event is significant as it is the first occasion to share the achievements and identity that diaspora Hangul literature has built," adding, "I hope it becomes a public forum where we can put our heads together and seek direction."

Jung Sang-won, director of the Korean Cultural Center in LA, also said, "We are pleased to hold this meaningful event with the Literature Translation Institute of Korea on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of Korean immigration to the Americas," and added, "We will continue to strive to establish a creative foundation for Korean and Hangul literature and to activate literary exchanges between Korea and the US."