[Deputy Editor's Column] Apology from an 'Old and Declining' Publishing Company

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] A "worn-out and declining publisher." Munhak Sasang referred to itself this way in its apology statement.

The publisher repeatedly mentioned words like sorry, apology, and reflection about ten times, acknowledging its mistakes. The apology stated that it failed to recognize the spirit of the times and the sensitivity demanded by the era, and admitted a lack of awareness regarding copyright.

It also said it could not abandon the bad customs that had continued as practices. Reading the apology, it was difficult to decide how to judge it. On the other hand, the image of a general offering his neck before the sword also came to mind.

Despite the clear mistakes, it was hard not to feel a sense of regret. At the phrase "worn-out and declining," it seemed as if a "thud" sound was heard somewhere. It felt like something huge, built up like a tower over many years, was collapsing.

I thought the fundamental cause of the Lee Sang Literary Award incident might stem from the decline in the value of literature, and furthermore, sentences and writing, which writers and publishers have pursued, and that made me feel sorrowful.

In a world where speed has become important, and where seeing has become more familiar than reading, how difficult it has become to publish books and make people read them. At the end of last year, the cultural magazine Samto, boasting a 50-year history, practically announced its closure just before its 600th issue. Fortunately, help was offered from various places, and on the 9th, Samto's 600th issue was published. Kim Sung-gu, CEO of Samto, called it a "miracle."

In difficult conditions where publishing and maintaining books over a long time has become a miracle, I also thought that Munhak Sasang might have made a "mistake" amid the confusing boundaries of authority and power.

At least, I felt great regret because I believe Munhak Sasang contributed, through writing over many years, to delivering even a small warmth in an increasingly harsh world. Ironically, on the afternoon of the day I received the apology email from Munhak Sasang, rare snow fell this winter, and the next day was the coldest day of this winter. Irrationally and foolishly, I thought once again about the warmth of the world.

At the same time, my doubts grew about whether writing can truly regain its value. In an era where speech precedes writing, as someone who has taken on the job of writing?something I cannot even fully handle?I wondered if I am truly writing or merely using words...

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.