Jangheung County to Greatly Expand 'Nobel Literature City' Exploration Program

Promotion of the Literary Tourism Special Zone for Elementary, Middle, and High Schools Nationwide
Expansion of Themes Including Restoration of Han Seungwon’s Birthplace and Creation of a Literary Street

Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Kim Sung) announced on the 11th that it plans to significantly expand its literary exploration programs starting this year in order to enhance its status as the only Literary Tourism Special Zone and Nobel Literature City in Korea.

Jangheung-gun is a region that has produced numerous literary figures and possesses abundant literary tourism resources where literature and nature are harmoniously blended. In 2008, it was designated as the nation’s first Literary Tourism Special Zone and has recently been gaining even more attention as a national literary tourism destination.

He is explaining the writing studio and Haesanto Cave of writer Han Seungwon to tourists. Provided by Jangheung County

Last year, interest in Jangheung surged as the number of literary tourists increased nearly fourfold compared to the previous year after novelist Han Kang, daughter of Jangheung-born novelist Han Seungwon, won the Nobel Prize in Literature. In response, Jangheung-gun is implementing a variety of plans to vitalize its Nobel Literature City programs.

To begin with, literary exploration guide materials have been distributed to elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide as well as to the Jeonnam Human Resources Development Institute. On the 13th, 19 trainees from the Jeonnam Human Resources Development Institute are scheduled to visit Jangheung’s representative literary landmarks and major tourist attractions.

In addition, the county plans to expand opportunities to share literary sensibilities through various programs such as “Traveling Jangheung, the Nobel Literature City, for a Month” and “Literary Tour Courses Linked with Literary and Educational Organizations.”

There are also plans for extensive expansion of literary infrastructure, including the restoration of Han Seungwon’s birthplace, maintenance of literary walking trails, establishment of a book cafe, creation of a Nobel Literature exhibition space within the Cheongwan Literature Museum, construction of the Lee Cheongjun Literature Museum, and the formation of a literary street within the Milky Way Road.

Governor Kim Sung stated, “We plan to widely promote the value of Jangheung as a Literary Tourism Special Zone and Nobel Literature City nationwide, and to operate various programs so that future generations can easily engage with literature. We will do our utmost to establish Jangheung as Korea’s leading hub for literary exploration.”