Daesan Foundation Holds Certificate Ceremony for "Creative Fund" and "Korean Literature Translation, Research, and Publishing Support"

Held at Kyobo Building in Gwanghwamun on August 28
10 Million Won Awarded to Each Daesan Creative Fund Recipient
200 Million Won Provided for Translation, Research, and Publishing Support

On August 29, the Daesan Foundation announced that it had held the "2025 Daesan Creative Fund and Korean Literature Translation, Research, and Publishing Support" certificate award ceremony on August 28 at Daesan Hall in the Kyobo Building in Gwanghwamun.

Commemorative photo for Daesan Creative Fund. Recipients by category (front row) and judges (back row), Shin Changjae Chairman (far right in the back row). Daesan Cultural Foundation

The Daesan Creative Fund is a program designed to discover talented emerging writers, encourage their creative ambitions, and strengthen the foundation of Korean literature. Recipients are selected from among writers with less than ten years of experience across five genres: poetry (including sijo), fiction, drama, criticism, and children's literature (including children's poetry and fairy tales). This year, a total of 852 applications were received, and nine works were selected for support. The foundation awards each recipient in their respective category 10 million won and a certificate. To date, the Daesan Creative Fund has supported 337 recipients, and 298 books have been published as a result.

Commemorative photo for Korean Literature Translation, Research, and Publishing Support. Recipients by category (front row) and judges (back row), Shin Changjae, Chairman of the Board (far right in the back row). Daesan Foundation

The Korean Literature Translation, Research, and Publishing Support program provides assistance for the translation, research, and publication of Korean literature in foreign languages in order to introduce Korean literature to a global audience. Each year, a diverse range of Korean literary works are introduced and distributed in various languages, establishing an important foundation for Korean literature to be read by readers worldwide. This year, 120 applications were received, and approximately 200 million won will be provided to support 15 selected works. Since the program’s inception, 668 projects have received support, and 408 titles have been published overseas.

Shin Changjae, Chairman of the Daesan Foundation, stated, "The global interest in Korean literature has transformed the foundation’s long-held belief-that excellent works and outstanding translations together can move readers around the world-into a conviction," adding, "With our vision of being a 'cultural foundation delivering the most valuable literary experiences,' we will continue our efforts for the advancement of Korean literature."

Recipients of the Creative Fund who attended the ceremony included: for poetry, Kim Seokyoung and Ji Gwansoon; for fiction, Lim Sunwoo and Lim Jiji; for drama, Lee Sehee; for criticism, Lee Heewoo; and for children's literature, Park Soi and Yoon Seulbit. Recipients of the Translation and Research/Publishing Support included: for English, Bae Soli, Jung Eungwi, and Paige Morris; for French, Kim Simon; for German, Yoon Sanga; for Spanish, Alvaro Trigo Maldonado, Paola Diez Sidoncha, and Han Seoa; for Japanese, Makino Mika and Park Kyunghee; and for Italian, Maurizio Riotto.

Judges for each category and language of both the Daesan Creative Fund and the Korean Literature Translation, Research, and Publishing Support programs also attended the ceremony.

The selected works for the Daesan Creative Fund are scheduled to be published as standalone books within one year, while the works supported by the Korean Literature Translation, Research, and Publishing Support program will be translated within a year and introduced to overseas readers in their respective countries.