Manhae Han Yong-un's Literary Magazine 'Yusim' Relaunched... "Literary Spirit Needed in a Devastated World"

Founded in 1918, ceased publication due to Japanese oppression the following year
Revived in 2001, republished after 8 years since 2015 closure
Publisher Professor Kwon Young-min · Editor-in-chief Poet Shin Dal-ja
"Committed to advancing and popularizing Sijo literature"

The Buddhist magazine "Yusim" (惟心), originally founded in 1918 by Manhae Han Yongun (1879?1944), will be relaunched as a quarterly poetry magazine on the 1st of next month. Yusim, one of Korea's earliest literary magazines, was published up to its third issue but ceased publication around the time of the March 1st Movement in 1919 due to Japanese colonial oppression. It was revived in 2001 by Seorak Musan Monk Jo Oh-hyun (1932?2018) but was discontinued again after the 92nd issue in 2015. After eight years, it will be relaunched to continue its legacy.

From the left in the photo: Editorial board member Lee Soong-won, Professor Emeritus at Seoul Women's University; Publisher Kwon Young-min, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University; Editor-in-chief Shin Dal-ja, poet; Editorial board member Shin Cheol-gyu, poet. [Photo by Seorak·Manhae Sasang Silcheon Seonyanghoe]

The Seorak-Manhae Ideology Practice Promotion Foundation (Promotion Foundation) held a press conference on the morning of the 29th at their office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to announce the relaunch of Yusim. Kwon Young-min, professor emeritus at Seoul National University and the publisher, said, "The relaunch was driven by the consensus that in a harsh and impoverished world, a profound literary spirit is necessary to restore humanity." Shin Dalja, the editor-in-chief and poet, stated, "Yusim will become a magazine that embraces others as ourselves under the concept of coexistence."

The comprehensive magazine 'Yusim' (left), founded by Han Yong-un Manhae in September 1918, and the cover of the quarterly 'Yusim,' reborn as a poetry and literary magazine this coming September. [Photo by Seorak·Manhae Sasang Silcheon Seonyanghoe]

The relaunch issue features poet Moon Tae-jun as the invited poet, introducing seven new poems and one essay. It also includes new poems by 15 distinguished mid-career and senior poets such as Hwang Dong-gyu, Jung Ho-seung, Oh Se-young, Kim Seung-hee, and Kim Eon. The section "Rereading Manhae Han Yongun" will publish a newly translated version of Manhae’s "Theory of Reform in Korean Buddhism" (조선불교유신론).

The Promotion Foundation will reorganize its literary awards in conjunction with the relaunch of Yusim. The "Yusim Works Award," which has been presented annually to writers in their 30s and 40s, will be expanded and developed further. Additionally, to inherit the literary spirit of Musan Jo Oh-hyun, a new "Musan Award" will be established next year to honor senior artists aged 50 and above.

To commemorate the relaunch of Yusim, the Promotion Foundation plans to hold a traditional tea culture festival and poetry recital concert at Musan Seonwon in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, on the 23rd of next month. The relaunched September issue of Yusim will be distributed free of charge to approximately 1,700 small and medium-sized public libraries nationwide.

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