Writer honored for 50 years in literary world

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Writer honored for 50 years in literary world

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Lee O-young speaks during an event celebrating his involvement in the literary world on Nov. 27 at the National Theater of Korea in Jangchung-dong, central Seoul. By Kang Jung-hyun

Lee O-young, a 75-year-old professor emeritus at Ewha Womans University and a senior adviser to the JoongAng Ilbo, celebrated a half-century of literary work on Nov. 27 at the National Theater of Korea in Jangchung-dong, central Seoul.

Placards showing the cover of each book that Lee wrote during the last 50 years were displayed at the theater’s entrance and along an inside wall, and another one with a dedication in Chinese characters by eminent writer Jin Hak-jong hung from the ceiling above the stage.

Lee is one of Korea’s most prominent public figures, known for his versatility as a literary critic, essayist, cultural commentator and motivational speaker.

He is best known for his role in planning the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games before he was appointed Korea’s first culture minister.

His first book, titled “Literature of Resistance,” was published in 1959, while his latest book - “The Thinking” - debuted this year.

The event to celebrate Lee’s work began with two traditional Korean dances, the Jindo Drum Dance and the Chaesang Sogo Dance. Later on, fans Jo Sun-hui and Kim Min-si read a dedicatory letter, and poet Kim Yong-hee recited a poem dedicated to the guest of honor.

Lee was also appointed as the honorary chancellor of Nara Prefectural University in Japan at the event. The author wrote several of his books in Japanese and presented numerous special lectures there over the years.

“Many eminent Korean people came to Japan in the past and contributed to the establishment of the country by spreading Chinese characters, Buddhism and construction and engineering methods,” Shogo Arai, the governor of Nara Prefecture, said during the ceremony. “I want to express my sincere gratitude toward Lee, who gained the admiration of people from the prefecture and across the country.”

Lee said he was honored by the ceremony.

“I thought I was all alone, but I realize that I have spent the last 50 years with these people who came to congratulate me,” Lee said. “I sincerely thank all the people who supported and encouraged me.”

The ceremony ended with a performance of samulnori, or traditional Korean percussion, led by Kim Deok-su.

Some 600 distinguished guests were on hand including Lee Hong-koo, adviser to the JoongAng Ilbo; Yu In-chon, the minister of culture, sports and tourism; Kim Moon-soo, governor of Gyeonggi Province; Park Maeng-ho, head of the Minumsa Publishing Group; Kim Jong-kyu, head of Samsung Publishing Company; Kim Jae-chul, chairman of the Dongwon Group; Lee Bae-yong, president of Ewha Womans University; movie director Lim Kwon-taek; and poet Lee Keun-bea.


By Lee Kyong-hee [smartpower@joongang.co.kr]
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