Enhancing the Value of Human Translation in the AI Era... Discussion on Establishing a Graduate School of Translation

Policy Forum at Modu Art Theater at 2 p.m. on June 25
Discussion on Training Translators to Support the Overseas Expansion of K-Content
Participation from Writers, Translators, Educators, and Content and Publishing Professionals

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on June 25 that, together with the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, it will hold a policy forum on the establishment of a graduate school of translation under the theme "The Future of Literary Translation: The Value of Human Translation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)" at 2:00 p.m. on June 25 at the Modu Art Theater in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.

This forum is part of the strategy to realize President Lee Jaemyung's campaign pledge to make Korea one of the "Global Soft Power Big 5 Cultural Powerhouses." It will focus on the value and importance of "translation" as a key tool supporting the overseas expansion of Korean literature and content, as well as plans to foster professional translation talent.

First, Kim Hyuntaek, Professor Emeritus at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, will deliver the opening presentation, discussing the need for specialized translation education institutions suited to the AI era and presenting a vision for cultivating advanced professional translators and local cultural exchange experts capable of conveying Korean literature and cultural content in depth. In the second presentation, Choi Aeyoung, Professor at the Literature Translation Institute of Korea's Translation Academy, will introduce the direction and differentiation strategies for an integrated translation curriculum that encompasses advanced translation skills, AI utilization capabilities, and international cultural communication competence.

In the subsequent panel discussion, writers, translators, educators, and experts from the content and publishing industries will discuss topics such as: strategies for coexisting with machine translation and strengthening the expertise of human translators; changing translation demands and educational innovation in the digital content era; and strategies for industry-academic cooperation and international collaboration.

Panelists will include Cho Yongkyung, a translator who recently gained attention for translating the Netflix drama "Trauma Center"; Lee Guyong, CEO of KL Management, who played a key role in exporting Korean literature such as Han Kang's novel "The Vegetarian"; and Lee Jaewon, Head of the Tapas Web Novel Business Team at Kakao Entertainment, who oversees the North American webtoon and web novel platform "Tapas." Drawing on their field experiences, they will offer insights into the expanding demand for translation across K-content, including not only literature but also webtoons, video subtitles, and performance scripts.

A policy official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated, "Although machine translation is becoming increasingly sophisticated due to advances in AI technology, the delicate interpretive skills and cultural sensitivity of human translators remain essential. The scope of translation must also expand beyond literature to encompass all areas of K-content, such as webtoons, video subtitles, and performance scripts." The official added, "With the revision of the Literary Promotion Act last year providing the legal basis for establishing a graduate school of translation, we will systematically nurture professional translation talent in cooperation with domestic and international universities and industry, building on the 20 years of educational achievements of the existing Translation Academy."