Han Kang (Changbi Publishers)

Winning the Nobel Prize in literature means that Han Kang and "The Vegetarian" are now acknowledged, legitimized and confirmed forever in the canon of the greatest writers and books ever published in the world, said Barbara J. Zitwer in an interview with The Korea Herald on Thursday.

Zitwer, founder of her eponymous New York-based literary agency, is one of the pioneers in introducing Korean literature abroad. As the agent who championed "The Vegetarian," she previously mentioned that it took almost a decade for the book to reach international audiences. She sold the novel in over 20 countries, and the book went on to win the 2016 International Booker Prize.

Zitwer also sold rights for Han’s "Human Acts" in 2017 and "The White Book," which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2019.

"It’s the ultimate (recognition). A thousand years from now, people will still be reading 'The Vegetarian' because it won the Nobel Prize," she said.

"And I feel very hopeful and excited because Han Kang's great achievement will sprinkle over all great Korean writers and help other Korean writers become published and read as well."

Another key figure in this recognition is Deborah Smith, the translator of "The Vegetarian," "Human Acts" and "The White Book," and co-translator of "Greek Lessons."

In 2010, Smith began learning Korean on her own and expanded her knowledge of Korean culture through her master’s and PhD studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. Just three years after starting her Korean studies, she encountered Han’s "The Vegetarian" and began its translation.

Smith later founded Tilted Axis, a non-profit publisher in the UK specializing in Asian and African literature. In a social media post, the publisher said "this win is a huge win for translated fiction and independent presses."

“This is a major breakthrough for Korean literature, which has secured a significant place in world literature. The Nobel Prize is not awarded for a single work but for a writer's lifetime achievements," said Kim Seong-kon, professor emeritus of English literature at Seoul National University and a visiting scholar at Dartmouth College.

Explaining some of Han's works, Kim said, "The Vegetarian," for example, depicts the problems of modern society by addressing personal, institutional and invisible violence faced by marginalized people. "Human Acts," which offers a poignant portrayal of the physical violence that oppresses humanity, is widely recognized.

Renowned novelist Kim Young-ha also celebrated Han’s achievement on social media, saying, “This is joyous news for everyone who speaks and writes in Korean. As we all know, the Korean language was once threatened with extinction during the colonial period."

"The question of whether we could hold a proud place in world literature with a language that had such a fate has haunted our collective sense of self since liberation. Han Kang has clearly shown that Korean literature can, and already has, become a language for global citizens.”

The Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea), a government-affiliated organization dedicated to promoting Korean literature and culture globally also delivered congratulations to Han.

Han’s works have been translated into 28 languages with the support of LTI Korea, resulting in a total of 76 published books worldwide, said an LTI Korea official.

"The Nobel Prize win for Han Kang is a significant moment that reflects the successful international recognition of Korean literature,” said Chon Soo-yong, president of LTI Korea and emeritus professor of English Literature at Ewha Womans University.

President Yoon Suk Yeol also congratulated Han on winning the Nobel Prize, calling it "a monumental achievement in the history of Korean literature."

"You have sublimated the painful wounds of our modern history into a great literary work," Yoon wrote on his Facebook page. He is currently in Laos to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.

"I extend my respect to you for elevating the value of Korean literature," he added.