Share the article on SNS and quote only three sentences
Do not express your own opinion separately
British translator Deborah Smith, who translated the works of Han Kang (54), the first Korean novelist to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, and won the Man Booker Prize, shared Han Kang's remarks mentioning the war on her social media. On the 13th (local time), Smith shared an article from the Korean English daily The Korea Times on her X (formerly Twitter), quoting three sentences from the article. However, she did not add her own opinion.
Deborah Smith (left), who translated Han Kang's novel The Vegetarian. On the right is novelist Han Kang. [Photo by Asia Economy DB]
The sentences quoted by Smith were, "How can we celebrate when the war is intensifying and people are dying every day," "Please do not enjoy this tragic event," and "The Swedish Academy gave the award not to celebrate but to be more sober." These were words spoken by Han Kang's father, writer Han Seung-won (85), on the 11th in Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, when he conveyed Han Kang's intention not to hold any award ceremonies or press conferences.
Smith, who translated "The Vegetarian" in 2016, is a co-recipient of the prestigious British literary award, the International Booker Prize. Above all, she is regarded as the primary contributor to introducing Han Kang's works to the global stage. She began learning Korean through self-study, pursued Korean studies for her master's and doctoral degrees at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, and was the first in the UK to recognize and promote the appeal of "The Vegetarian." Due to Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature win, public attention has also focused on her. Previously, Smith retweeted a post by translator Paige Morris, who co-translated Han Kang's "Human Acts" with Lee Ye-won, on the 11th.
Morris's post, which Smith retweeted, expressed gratitude to journalists who put translators at the forefront of conversations about the Nobel Prize in Literature, but also requested, "Please show basic empathy and respect when contacting translators." After Han Kang's Nobel Prize win, Smith remained silent without any separate response and showed a "quiet approach" without much external exposure.
Meanwhile, regarding Deborah Smith, Han Kang said at the time of receiving the 2016 Man Booker International Prize, "I felt a connection of hearts and came to trust her." In response, Smith said at the Man Booker International Prize ceremony, "Translating Han Kang's novel is one of the most wonderful things in my life." At that time, Boyd Tonkin, the chair of the judging panel, praised Deborah Smith's translation as "excellent."
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