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Original Works

We provide information on Korean literature titles (classical, modern and contemporary) in multiple languages.

Printed/Published Work Korean(한국어)

판문점

About the Original Works

Original Title
판문점
Title Romanization
Panmunjeom
English Title(Printed)
Panmunjom
Classification

KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 20th century > Short Story

Author
Lee Ho-cheol
Co-Author
-
Published Year
1977
Publisher
범우
ISBN
-
The Series
Bumwoo Library of Novels 38
Main Characters
Jinsu, female reporter
Subject/Theme
Panmunjom; inter-Korean relations; heterogeneity; ethnicity; love

About the Author

  • Lee Ho-cheol
  • Birth : 1932 ~ 2016
  • Occupation : Novelist
  • First Name : Ho-cheol
  • Family Name : Lee
  • Korean Name : 이호철
  • ISNI : 000000008101560X
  • Works : 32
Plot

A news agency reporter, Jinsu, takes part in a tour of Panmunjom, along with a number of foreign reporters. While the latter group, overtaken by curiosity, are busy photographing the site, the South Korean and North Korean reporters greet each other warmly, having already met at various press events. Jinsu strikes up a conversation with a female reporter from North Korea. At first, both are hesitant, all too aware of the differences that divide them, but as they begin discussing a variety of topics, they soon become friendly.

Descriptions(Languages 2)
  • Korean(한국어)
  • English(English)

1961년 3월<사상계>에 발표한 이호철의 단편소설이다. 같은 해 현대문학사의 신인상을 수상한 작품이다. 2013년 '바이링궐에디션시르즈(26권)'로 출간되기도 했다. 작품은 기자가 판문점에서 열린 회담을 취재하러 가서 보고 느낀 이야기다. 남북의 사상과 체제가 달라서 만들어진 이질감, 경계하는 시선들 그러나 같은 민족이기 때문에 갖게 되는 묘한 동질감이 작품 전체에 깔려 있다. 동시에 작가는 분단상황을 해소할 수 있는 다른 어느 것도 아닌 민족에 대한 사랑이라고 말하고 있다.

This short story by Lee Ho-cheol was originally published in the literary magazine Sasanggye in March 1961. That same year, it won the Hyundae Munhak Award. It was also published as a standalone book as volume 26 of Asia Publisher’s Bi-lingual Edition Series in 2013. The story describes the experiences of a reporter who goes to Panmunjom to cover a summit. Underlying the work is, on the one hand, a wariness and sense of difference – brought about by the diverging ideologies and political systems of the two Koreas – that characterize the relationship between the reporter and his North Korean colleague, and on the other, a strange sense of unity that comes from belonging to the same ethnicity. In this way, the author insists that it is only the love of a shared identity, and not anything else, that can resolve the division of Korea.

Translated Books3

  • English(English) Book Available
    Panmunjom And Other Stories
    Lee Ho-cheol et al / LEE HO-CHUL / 2005 / KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 20th century > Short Story
  • German(Deutsch) Book Available
    Koreanische Erzählungen
    Lee Ho-cheol et al / Lee Hochol / 2005 / KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 20th century > Short Story
  • Japanese(日本語) Book Available
    板門店
    Lee Ho-cheol et al / 李浩哲 / 2009 / KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 20th century > Short Story
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