Lawyer Shinpyeong publishes 'Sigolsari Dureundureun'... A Guide to a Happy Life

“On a spring morning field bathed in sunlight, I felt truly happy with a single yellow dandelion.”

Shinpyeong, a lawyer famous as the ‘farming lawyer,’ has published a book titled Chatting About Country Life, which calmly weaves together his over 30 years of rural living through poetry and prose.

This book has a somewhat unique format. It sequentially captures the changes of the four seasons?spring, summer, autumn, and winter?while the prose takes the form of monologues reflecting on the related poems. It is not an explanation of the poems.

The poems and prose in this book contain a lyrical yet realistic consciousness of country life. They reveal vivid scenes of living through farming, the thoughts held deep within, and the perspective toward the world. The lyricism expressed by the author through poetry and prose does not transcend reality to remain in a pure vacuum. Rather, it is realistic and factual. It contains lyricism born from the time and experience of facing the realities of the poet and our society with integrity.

The author persistently questions, “How should we truly live well?” He also explores various conditions of what constitutes a happy life. The sky, clouds, stars, branches swaying in the wind, delicate grass paths, dragonflies, and butterflies all come together to help find the answer.

Based on a clear insight and deep experience, the author adds warmth toward the world to comfort the merciless wounds our lives sometimes endure. Furthermore, he offers wisdom to calmly soothe those of us hardened by a rough life. One can sit by a tranquil waterside and gaze upon the image of happiness emerging through tears. This book is a guide and manual toward the path of happiness. Additionally, through numerous illustrations reflecting the emotions of poetry and prose, readers can see the beautiful landscapes of country life. It is a bonus for the readers.

The author, Shinpyeong, graduated from Seoul National University College of Law and served as a judge for ten years. Afterwards, he conducted research at Cleveland State University in the United States, Renmin University and Zhengfa University in China, and Hitotsubashi University in Japan. He also worked as a foreign judicial researcher at the Supreme Court of Japan. He has served as a professor at Kyungpook National University Law School, president of the Korean Constitutional Law Association, president of the Korean Educational Law Association, and chair of the Amnesty International Lawyers’ Committee. He founded The Asia Constitution Forum by bringing together constitutional scholars from various Asian countries including Japan and China. He has received awards such as the Republic of Korea Legal Award, the Speaker of the National Assembly Commendation, and the Cheolwoo Press Law Award.

Currently, he serves as chairman of the Fair World Research Institute, a public interest corporation, and is active as a member of the Korean Writers’ Association. He debuted in the literary world in both poetry and essays and received the Ilsongjeong Literary Award. Chatting About Country Life, newly published, is the author’s fourth poetry collection.

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