S. Korean professor receives award from Saudi Arabia

SEOUL, March 10 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean professor received a translation award
from Saudi Arabia for his achievements in Arabic literature, the scholar said
Tuesday.

Choi Young-kil, who teaches Arab studies at South Korea's Myongji University, was
presented with the International Award for Translation bestowed by King Abdullah
bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia for his translations of roughly 30 books from
Korean to Arabic. He was also awarded US$133,000 in prize money.
Choi was one of five scholars to receive the honor, which has been given annually
since 2006.
"When I heard I was picked as the winner of the award, I was so happy that I
couldn't express it in a word," Choi said.
The 60-year-old scholar hoped the award would draw more attention to Arabic
literature and lead to a boost in translation works in South Korea.
(END)