English translations top list of Korean literature published overseas

SEOUL, Dec. 27 (Yonhap) -- English translations have topped the list of Korean
literature published overseas in the past five years, a local agency said Sunday.
Out of 331 Korean literary works published overseas from 2004-2008, 69 were
translated into English, followed by 61 in French, 43 in German and 35 in
Chinese, according to the Arts Council Korea's 2009 literature yearbook.
Spanish translations increased the most, with 10 last year compared to three in
2004, the report showed.
However, the number of literary works translated into Japanese totaled only 13,
despite the fact hundreds of Japanese novels have been successfully introduced to
Korean readers in recent years, it noted.
"While the introduction of Japanese literature to Korea has been decided by the
market's own judgment, Korean literature has barely made its way to Japan,
supported by grant programs," Shin Seung-yeop, director at the Society for Korean
Literary History, said. "We will have to prepare measures to overcome this
seriously unfavorable condition soon."
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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