Book Line

Poet Ko Un to discuss his work

Ko Un

Korea’s legendary poet Ko Un will meet his fans on Saturday at the Seoul Global Culture and Tourism Center in Myeongdong, Seoul.

During the meeting, Ko plans to read his poems, sign his books and take questions from the audience.

Brother Anthony, a renowned Korean literature translator and emeritus professor at Sogang University, is the guest moderator for the event from 2-4 p.m. The meeting will run in an interview format and the conversation will be translated simultaneously.

Since 1958, Ko has published nearly 115 volumes of literary works such as an autobiography, dramas, essays, travel books and more. His major works include the poem collections “First Person Sorrowful,” “Ten Thousand Lives” and “Songs for Tomorrow.”

The poet also won the Golden Wreath Award at the 53rd Struga Poetry Evening in Macedonia on Aug. 24.

The event is sponsored by 10 Magazine, and publishing company RH Korea is supporting the gathering.

‘Touch Me Not’ English edition published

The House of Sharing, a shelter for comfort women survivors in Korea, published an English edition of "Touch Me Not."

The book written by Yoon Jung-mo, originally released in Korean in 2008, tells the tale of young girls who were coerced into servitude in Japanese military brothels during World War II. The book also includes 14 drawings by the comfort women survivors which portray the despair and harsh life of the sex slaves.

The House of Sharing translated the book into English in cooperation with the Museum of Sexual Slavery by Japanese Military.

Ahn Shin-kwon, director of the House of Sharing, said, "We hope this book will help more people to embrace the comfort women, who braved their past. We began working on the English edition last May and it was completed with help from volunteers," Ahn said.

The comfort women facility will distribute the book internationally including the United States.

For more information, visit www.nanum.org or call (031) 768-0064.