It’s essential for artists to play an active role in ensuring peace – Yang Geum-Hee
[Our interviewee is the renowned Korean poet and writer, Yang Geum-Hee, who is based in Jeju Island, and is — editor of New Jeju Ilbo newspaper, special researcher at the Institute of Social Sciences of Jeju National University, Vice President of the Jeju Regional Committee of the Korean PEN Center, Executive Director of the Jeju Korea Unification Institute, and Executive Director of the Korea Ethics Association]
Interviewed by: Jakhongir Nomozov | Uzbekistan
— Do you remember the first poem you wrote in your childhood? What kind of emotions does it evoke in you now?
— The very first poem I wrote in childhood was about birds and flowers. Though it wasn’t particularly well-crafted, I remember the deep sense of satisfaction it gave me. From a young age, I loved writing so much that I would often send countless letters to my friends. I had once heard that keeping a diary could improve one’s writing skills, so I began writing in my journal every day. As I did so, the dream of becoming a poet gradually took shape within me. The emotion and joy I felt when that dream finally came true remain vivid to this day.
Now, as someone who lives the life of a poet—one who captures in verse the phenomena of nature unfolding around me, the details of the world, and the subtle emotions and philosophies that arise from understanding humanity—I find each day filled with a profound sense of gratitude and wonder.
— You were born on Jeju Island — how has the island’s nature and spiritual atmosphere influenced your creativity?
— Jeju Island, located in South Korea, is a truly beautiful place where mountains and the sea exist in perfect harmony. Even among Koreans, visiting Jeju is a source of great pride. As a travel destination, it remains one of the most beloved spots for both domestic and international tourists. Jeju captivates visitors with its breathtaking natural beauty, a gift of nature.
Living in a place where I am surrounded every day by Hallasan’s majestic presence and the ever-changing sea across four seasons, I consider myself truly blessed. I grew up in an environment that naturally nurtured a love for nature. I feel a deep sense of belonging to Jeju’s mountains, seas, flora and fauna, wind, folklore, myths, legends, and culture. Naturally, many of my poems are imbued with the spirit of Jeju—the wind, the mountains, the sea, and the island’s seasonal landscapes. As such, most of my works are grounded in a careful observation of natural phenomena.
Nepalese poet Rupsingh Bhandari wrote in the preface to my poetry collection The Nest of Birds:
“Her poems are like rare scriptures of nature, sacred as an unclimbed Himalayan peak. As one who belongs to the land of the Himalayas, I can feel the beauty of her heart and the natural poetry she writes from her hometown, Jeju. After reading her poems, readers will undoubtedly long to visit Jeju at least once in their lifetime.”
In addition, Nepalese poet Rupsingh Bhandari wrote of The Nest of Birds:
“She discovers the unrecorded laws of nature, its ineffable mysteries, and invisible dimensions. Through her attentive observation, she unravels these enigmatic qualities of the natural world in a tone of humble melody. She calls upon humanity to reassess its priorities and to rediscover the self within nature. Through her poetry, readers are invited on a journey to experience the unseen grandeur of nature. We live within the providence of nature, which we must regard as our guide and spiritual teacher. The mysteries of nature cannot be fully expressed through poetic language alone. In the face of nature’s grandeur, we must yield, living in harmony as part of it.”
— What is the current situation like for women poets in Korea? Are they given enough opportunities and recognition?
In Korea, female poets are given equal opportunities for creative work, just as their male counterparts are, and their literary activities are remarkably active. I believe they are receiving ample opportunities as well as due recognition.
— In your opinion, what role should poets and writers play in establishing peace in the world?
— Poets and writers must actively participate in the realization of world peace. History has consistently shown us that the story of humankind has been one of war and conflict. Periods without war amount to no more than a few short decades. For this reason, humanity has long yearned for peace—yet, tragically, wars continue to erupt across the globe even today.
The consequences of war are not confined to the nations directly involved; they ripple outward, affecting even those far removed from the battlefield. Soaring prices of raw materials, crude oil, and grains, along with increasing instability in the global environment, have created a climate of uncertainty that endangers both the present and the future. In such a world, no country remains untouched by the impact of war.
South Koreans, in particular, feel this deeply. As a people who have lived through war and continue to live in a divided nation, our longing for peace is perhaps stronger than that of any other. I live on Jeju Island, which has been officially designated by the Korean government as the “Island of World Peace.” Jeju has hosted international summits attended by world leaders and continues to hold the annual “Jeju Forum,” where esteemed global figures gather to engage in ongoing dialogue about peace. I believe this is a most fortunate and meaningful endeavor.
As an editorial writer, I have long contributed opinion columns to a leading newspaper in Jeju. Through these writings, I have consistently emphasized the importance of recognizing and cherishing the value of peace. I firmly believe that even an imperfect peace is better than any war. I am deeply grateful for the peace we are able to enjoy today, and as a poet, I am committed to actively participating in the creation and preservation of a peaceful world.
— How do you think a female writer or poet can reflect and defend the realities of women’s lives in society?
With the advancement of democracy in South Korea, gender equality has made significant strides. Women’s rights are now protected and upheld by law, and Korean women actively take the lead in shaping their own lives and engaging in all areas of society. In fact, statistics have shown that the rate of university entrance among women has surpassed that of men, reflecting both the high value placed on education and the growing drive for social participation among Korean women.
Across various sectors—business, politics, academia, and literature—countless women are making remarkable achievements and becoming leaders in their fields. Korean women are not only striving to claim their rights but are also supported by a society that increasingly recognizes and safeguards those rights. Nevertheless, many women still perceive inequality in certain aspects of social life. These challenges, however, are gradually being addressed as democratization continues to deepen and as women persist in their efforts to assert and expand their rights.
One encouraging sign of progress is the way women poets and writers in Korea are actively portraying the realities of women’s lives through literature. They are raising their voices boldly, both in society and within the home, advocating for change through creative expression. A powerful example is author Han Kang, who received the Nobel Prize in Literature and brought global attention to the inner struggles and autonomy of women through her acclaimed novel The Vegetarian. Her work powerfully illustrates the existential and social challenges faced by women in contemporary Korean society.
In this sense, Korean women today are not only reflecting the lived experiences of women through literature but also becoming strong advocates for justice and equality. Through the written word, they are helping shape a more inclusive and conscious society—one that listens, responds, and evolves.
— As the head of the Jeju PEN organization, what opportunities are you creating for young writers today?
After being elected as President of Jeju PEN, I organized gatherings with senior writers to share their valuable literary experiences. These conversations provided meaningful insights and inspiration. At the same time, I have been actively working to create more opportunities for younger writers to publish and present their work, supporting the growth of new literary voices.
— What kind of works do you think contemporary writers should focus on writing?
In the greater sense, the world is one.
In countries where democracy has advanced, citizens are institutionally guaranteed fundamental rights such as human rights, equality, respect for life, property rights, and the pursuit of happiness. Yet even in these nations, shadows of social inequality persist in many forms. In societies where democracy has not taken root, such inequalities are often even more severe.
Writers must not turn away from the suffering of those who live under such conditions. We have a responsibility to bear witness through our words. In particular, I believe that the pain endured by women—often among the most vulnerable in society—is especially profound. Their rights must be equally protected and fully respected.
From the perspective that the world is ultimately one community, we must recognize ourselves as members of a shared global home. As such, we must strive to ensure that all people—regardless of where they are born—can enjoy the universal blessings of peace, human dignity, equality, mutual respect, and compassion. I believe that it is the calling of our time to kindle the light of human solidarity and let it shine across the world.
— Which Korean or foreign writer has inspired you the most regarding the creative power of women?
The writer who has inspired me greatly is Pearl S. Buck, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938. Having lived for decades in China alongside her missionary parents, Buck drew deeply from her vivid personal experiences to write The Good Earth, published in 1931. She also had a strong connection to Korea. Pearl Buck visited Korea multiple times to collect materials and wrote The Living Reed, a novel set in Korea.
Read: Literature has the Power to Unify the World and People
Beyond her passionate literary work, she devoted herself to social and human rights activism. She cared deeply about the discrimination faced by Asian Americans and African Americans, as well as women’s rights in the United States. Furthermore, she founded and managed the Pearl S. Buck Foundation both in Korea and worldwide to support children orphaned by war and poverty. I deeply respect her for living a life of service as a humanitarian and social activist, and I have drawn immense inspiration from her example.
— From your perspective, how is the voice of Korean literature resonating in today’s global literary landscape?
This year’s Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to the writer Han Kang has ignited explosive interest in ‘K-Literature’ both among the Korean public and readers around the world. It can be said that a bright beacon for the globalization of Korean literature has been lit.
Alongside this, the development of the internet has greatly facilitated active exchanges of Korean literature with people worldwide. Poetry, as the noble language that poets wish to convey to the world, is no longer confined to Korea; through devoted and high-quality translations, it has been introduced to a global audience and now communicates in real time with the world’s greatest poets who have earned international acclaim.
In this dynamic flow, international exchanges of Korean literature continue to deepen. For Korean literature to elevate its status as a cultural powerhouse and be beloved worldwide, the passion and support of Korean readers must also be sustained. This heightened global interest in Korean literature is expected to have a positive impact on its further globalization.
– As a writer who has witnessed many cultures around the world, how do you harmonize the national identity and universal human essence in literature?
Meeting diverse people from around the world and experiencing their cultures firsthand has been an incredible journey. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit Uzbekistan among many other countries. Through these travels, I believe I have gained a deeper understanding of the world’s peoples and cultures.
Visiting dozens of countries, I have been amazed time and again by how, despite differences in language and customs, kindness and compassion create a powerful connection and open channels of communication. These experiences taught me that literature does not always need to emphasize strong ethnic identities. Works that kindle the light of humanity and universal love have been cherished for generations—and will undoubtedly continue to be so.
As a member of our shared global community, I am committed to writing poetry that seeks harmony and mutual understanding, grounded in universal human values, to foster empathy and connection across cultures.
Read: The Absence of a Tree
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Jakhongir NOMOZOV is a young poet and journalist from Uzbekistan. He is also a Member of the Azerbaijan Journalists’ Union.
