Shin Kyung-sook

By Kim Ji-soo

Renowned Korean novelist Shin Kyung-sook will serve as goodwill ambassador for Unicef Korea.

The Korean Commission of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) made the announcement Wednesday.

Shin, 49, is a popular author whose most recent work “Please Take Care of Mom” sold more than 2 million copies in Korea. It has been translated into various languages around the world including English for the United States, and also won the Asian Man Booker Prize.

Shin made her debut in 1985 with the novella “Winter’s Fable” and found continued success with “Where the Organs Lay”, ”Deep Sorrow” and “A Lone Room.” She is the second novelist to become a goodwill ambassador after the late Park Wan-seo, who died last year. In her new role, Shin will write stories for children, visit children's facilities and appear in public advertisements.

Korean actor Ahn Seong-ki and cellist Chung Myung-wha are currently serving as UNICEF Korea goodwill ambassadors while conductor Chung Myung-whun and figure skater Kim Yu-na are international ambassadors for the U.N. agency.