The Korea University (KU) Research Institute of Korean Studies hosted a symposium in celebration of the foundation of the Center for Korean Classics Translation (CKCT). Held on Wednesday, May 14 in the conference room B203 at the Research Institute of Korean Studies building, the symposium was led by the center’s appointed president Professor Choi Byung Heon (English Language and Literature, Honam University), an expert with experience translating Korean classic literature works into English. The symposium followed a distinct order in which the presenter Professor Choi described the need for the proliferation of Korean classic literature to other nations, and then allowed participants to freely discuss about the issue.

 

According to his presentation, the successful implementation of proliferation would add depth to the nation's international image created by Korean mainstream and pop culture and build a stronger, more solid national identity. Meanwhile, the Professor Choi stated that the main obstacle in achieving this mission was the feeble support of proper traditional Korean studies and Korean history by the education system, and further emphasized the importance of the translation. “There are many English-translated papers on Korean culture and history, but only a bare few truly voice the opinions of the original writer.”

 

Nina Cai (’14, Business), a transfer student at the university, relayed her feelings about Korean classic literature and its translation. “I think Korean classic literature has a special charm. It would be nice if there were Chinese translations of them so that people like me can better understand Korean culture.”