Recent books

Tsunami: Never-Ending Warning

Ryu Seung-il; Fir Forest: 264 pp., 13,800 won

On March 11, Japan’s northeastern coast was peaceful as usual until the most powerful earthquake with a 9.0 magnitude hit the region, triggering a massive tsunami.

All eyes were fixated on Japan with great concern over the damage to nuclear power plants and snowballing destruction.

Photographer and author Ryu Seung-il captured the scenes from the disaster zones from March 14 and unfolds the stories behind the disaster. He tried to capture despair, frustration and sorrow through his lens.

Some victims became aggressive in front of their houses that had turned into ruins while others tried to find hope amid the chaos. The book focuses on the human stories of the victims who tried to overcome the disaster and struggled to be calm.

The photos reveal a vivid record of ghost towns in which only the frames of houses are left. Just severed railroads and flooded playgrounds remain.

The writer released the book in the hope that the disaster should not be forgotten by Koreans who tend to forget tragedies easily and quickly.

— CHUNG AH-YOUNG