Han Kang amplifies anti-war message through silence
Visitors and tourists crowd an independent bookstore operated by author Han Kang in Jongno District, Seoul, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Chung Da-bin
Nobel laureate Han Kang is delivering one of the most powerful anti-war messages through her deliberate choice to remain silent after receiving her Nobel Prize.
Han Kang, through her father, novelist Han Seung-won, explained Friday her decision not to hold a press conference. She emphasized that with ongoing wars and the daily loss of life in places such as Palestine and Ukraine, it would be inappropriate to celebrate by participating in such an event.
Apart from a brief written statement expressing her gratitude, Han has remained silent, even five days after the announcement of her award.
As a novelist and poet, Han's profession centers around writing. However, her intentional silence has become a striking act of resistance against war, garnering widespread media coverage in Korea and abroad.
Ukrainian media outlets like Ukrainska Pravda and UNN also reported on her decision, and Deborah Smith, who translated Han's "The Vegetarian," shared Han's sentiments on social media, amplifying her message.
Many see Han's silence as an embodiment of the ethical responsibility of both the writer and literature, praising her for her dignified stance. Comments on related articles describe her decision as "a beautiful and honorable choice" and "a literary statement in itself."
Despite this, some publishers are hoping that Han will eventually speak out, fueling the "Han Kang phenomenon." There are those who believe that a direct message from her could further aid war victims, expressing disappointment that she hasn't taken a more public stand.
There is speculation that Han may speak at the Pony Chung Innovation Award ceremony in Seoul on Thursday. Last month, Han was named this year's recipient of the award, established by the Pony Chung Foundation to honor the late Chung Se-yung, honorary chairman of HDC Group, and to support the humanities.
A person is carrying a book by Nobel Prize-winning author Han Kang after purchasing it at Kyobo Bookstore’s Gwanghwamun branch in Seoul. Yonhap
Prioritizing legacy over glory
Han Kang's reserved approach reflects a broader shift among Nobel laureates in recent years, where recipients are increasingly using award platforms to address global issues rather than celebrating personal glory.
This trend contrasts with the past when international awards like the Nobel Prize were often accompanied by displays of personal triumph.
One of the most famous cases is French philosopher and writer Jean-Paul Sartre, who became the first person to refuse the Nobel Prize in literature in 1964, rejecting the bourgeois and Western-centric nature of the award.
Similarly, musician Bob Dylan, after being announced as the 2016 Nobel laureate in literature, remained silent for some time before eventually accepting the honor, though he did not attend the ceremony.
Earlier this year, several prominent American writers refused nominations for a PEN America literary award in solidarity with Palestinians suffering from Israeli attacks on Gaza.
This growing trend of using or even rejecting prestigious awards to spotlight social issues is particularly noticeable in popular culture.
For example, in 2021, the Golden Globe Awards were boycotted by actors and directors protesting the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's lack of diversity, with Tom Cruise even returning his awards.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.