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Han Translates Epic Novel ‘Land’ Into German

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By Kwon Mee-yoo

``Land'' written by Park Kyong-ni is an epic novel that touched the heartstrings of Korea. It now reaches German readers with a translation by Han Jung-hwa , 45, a freelance translator/interpreter.

Han moved to Germany in 1978, after graduating from Yeonhui Middle School, where her mother worked as a nurse. She has lived in Germany for about 30 years, but she still speaks Korean fluently and even teaches Korean in Berlin while studying for her doctorate at Humboldt University.

``I first read `Land' when I was in high school,'' Han said. Han's favorite character from the book is Gil-sang. He was originally a servant who marries his mistress. Then