I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Novelist makes literary comeback 5 years after #MeToo apology
Novelist and poet Park Bum-shin / Korea Times file
By Kang Hyun-kyung
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Novelist Park Bum-shin, 75, unveiled his new poetry book, “Grumble Grumble, Now in the Seventies,” Feb. 20, five years after he offered a public apology for alleged sexual misconduct.
Under the themes of joy, anger, love, pleasure, hatred, desire, what's beyond and novel, the book has a total of 140 poems written by the veteran novelist.
“I've lived as a writer for 48 years. In retrospect, every moment was so real and lively,” he wrote. “When I was falling apart, I felt dark. When things have gone well, I was excited. My everyday life has been the repetition of those two extreme emotions. I wish I could get older quietly and elegantly without bothering others with my grumbling.”
“Grumble Grumble, Now in the Seventies” is his second book of poetry.
The novelist made a literary comeback with it, five years after the allegation that he had inappropriate physical contact and made sexual jokes with women who were with him during dinner. One of the participants revealed this on social media. Her post spread quickly, creating an uproar about the novelist.
Days later, Park offered an apology on social media. “My apologies to people who were hurt by me. There were probably many mistakes that I made in my past. I've been gripped by deep sorrows. I hope there are no others who were hurt because of me. My family, readers who showed their unwavering support for me, I offer my sincere apologies to them.”
Unlike the United States, the #MeToo movement in Korea began in the literary circle.
The allegations surrounding Park triggered a sequence of revelations from alleged sexual violence victims in almost all sectors, and saw several high-profile figures fall from grace.
Debuting in 1973 after his work “Debris of Summer” won the JoongAng Daily newspaper's literary contest, Park has released numerous short and long fiction novels. He is the winner of the Manhae and Kim Dong-ri literary awards.