The Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea), which has led the globalization of Korean literature, unveiled a new vision for its next leap forward as it marks the 30th anniversary of its founding.
LTI Korea said Tuesday that it held its 30th anniversary commemoration event Monday at the Nine Tree Premier Hotel Lokaus in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. About 100 people attended the event, including novelists, poets, translators, and officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the institute.
In a special lecture, Kwon Young-min, professor emeritus at Seoul National University, said, "Thirty years ago, Korean literature was no more than a dot on the periphery, but thanks to the institute's countless efforts, it has been able to reach out to the world." He added, "The institute must transform itself beyond translation and publication support into the world's only specialized literary education and research institution that conducts translation education and research together." His remarks lent support to the institute's ongoing push to establish a graduate school of translation.
Author Han Kang said in a congratulatory video, "I sincerely congratulate you on the 30th anniversary of the institute's founding," adding, "I send my heartfelt words of support to everyone at the institute who has worked hard over the past 30 years and is still working hard at this very moment." Attending the ceremony were novelists Kim Kyung-uk, Chung Serang and Hwang Bo-reum; poets Ra Hee-duk, Do Jong-hwan and Shim Bo-seon; children's and young adult literature writer Hwang Sun-mi; and translators Darcy Paquet and Brother Anthony of Taizé.
Founded in 1996, the institute has supported the translation and publication of a total of 2,404 Korean literary works through last year. Annual publication numbers remained in double digits from 2001, when statistics began to be compiled, through 2013, before reaching 110 for the first time in 2014 and consistently staying in triple digits thereafter. Last year, the institute translated and published 194 works, setting an all-time high. The number of language regions has also gradually expanded, starting from eight in 2001 and reaching a total of 44 language regions for translation and publication last year.
The institute has also hosted more than 1,500 overseas exchange events, including literary events, literary festivals and international book fairs, raising the profile of Korean literature in the global literary market. The Translation Academy, which has been operated since 2008, has produced about 1,700 graduates to date.
"Next year, we will convert the Translation Academy into a degree program to provide systematic education and enable graduates to advance as professional translators, researchers and cultural and arts planners both at home and abroad," LTI Korea President Jeon Su-yong said.
