Hangang "Study Martial Law of 1979 a Lot... 2024 Martial Law Shocking" (Comprehensive)

2024 Nobel Literature Prize Award Commemoration Press Conference

Author Han Kang said on the 6th (local time) at a press conference commemorating the Nobel Prize in Literature held in Stockholm, Sweden, that she was deeply shocked by President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law on the 3rd.

Han Kang said, "I was greatly shocked that a martial law situation unfolded again in 2024," adding, "Force should not be used to suppress the people." She said she, like others, watched the martial law situation in shock.

Han Kang said, "I spent a lot of time studying the martial law situation of 1979 to write the novel 'The Boy Who Escaped'," and added, "It was very surprising to witness a similar situation unfolding in real time before my eyes in 2024."

Han Kang, the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate, is holding a press conference on the 6th (local time) at the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm, Sweden.
Photo by Yonhap News

However, she said, "What is different about the situation in the winter of 2024 is that everything was broadcast live so everyone could watch," and mentioned, "I saw people trying to stop armored vehicles with their bare bodies, people trying to restrain armed soldiers by hugging them with bare hands, and people trying to endure in front of soldiers approaching with guns."

She also said, "The attitude of the young police officers and soldiers was impressive," recalling, "I think many people felt this too?that they were trying to make judgments in an unexpected situation, feeling internal conflict, and moving as passively as possible."

Han Kang expressed her view, saying, "From the perspective of those who gave the (martial law) orders, it might have seemed passive, but from the viewpoint of universal values, I think it was an active act of thinking, judging, feeling pain, and trying to find a solution."

When asked if she was worried about the future of freedom of the press, Han Kang said, "Whatever happens in the future, the truth will eventually come out."

Han Kang also expressed her position on the controversy over her novel 'The Vegetarian' being designated as harmful literature for teenagers.

Han Kang said, "I sometimes think it is the fate of this book," but added, "However, it was heartbreaking as the author to see this novel stigmatized as harmful literature and discarded in libraries."

She also added, "'The Vegetarian' once received an award from high school students in Spain in 2019," explaining, "High school literature teachers in Spain created a recommended reading list for students, and after long discussions, the students selected this book."

Han Kang, the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate, is holding a press conference on the 6th (local time) at the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm, Sweden.
Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding the role of literature, she emphasized, "Literature is an act of constantly entering into the inner world of others, and through that process, deeply delving into one's own inner self, and by repeatedly performing such acts, an inner strength is formed."

When asked about the conditions needed to nurture a 'second Han Kang' in Korea, she explained, "I think education is needed that allows students to read at least three or four literary works at school from a young age, discuss them, talk about them from various perspectives, and develop a kind of muscle for reading literature."

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