Translation institute chief reappointed

Kim Seong-ko

By Yun Suh-young

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reappointed Kim Seong-kon, the current president of Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea), to lead the organization for three more years.

Kim was reappointed to the position on Tuesday, a position he had held for the past three years. His tenure is from Feb. 17 this year to Feb. 16, 2018.

Kim was recognized for his high understanding of the Korean literature scene and his achievements in globalizing Korean literature.

During his former tenure, Kim had published 25 books on Korean literature with Dalkey Archive Press, an American publishing company, and expanded the education program fostering native-speaking translators at “LTI Korea Academy,” a subsidiary translation academy under the institute.

“We hope President Kim will further expand our overseas market for K-books and Korean publications and enhance the quality of our literature publications in general,” said culture minister Kim Jong-deok upon appointment.

President Kim received a doctoral degree in English literature at the State University of New York and completed the doctor’s course in comparative literature at Columbia University. He is a professor at the Department of English Language and Literature at Seoul National University since 1984 to the present.

He is also author of several books including “Literature Crossing over Boundaries,” “Literature of the Global Age” and translated Korean classics such as “The Square” by Choi In-hun.