Poet Ko receives honorary doctoral degree

Poet Ko Un, a Korean literary colossus often cited by local news media as a likely Nobel winner, is to receive an honorary doctoral degree in literature from Chonbuk National University.

The university said Sunday that the degree recognizes his contribution in letting the world know the beauty and literary value of Korean poems as well as his strong sense of history and active participation in social matters.

The degree presentation will take place on the university campus in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province on Wednesday.

Born in Gunsan, North Jeolla in 1933, Ko published many volumes of poetry, portions of which have been translated into English. Among his translated works are “Ten Thousand Lives,” “Songs for Tomorrow: A Collection of Poems 1961-2001,” “Abiding Places, Korea North & South” and “Flowers of a Moment.”

He is a recipient of major literary awards including Griffin Poetry Prize Lifetime Recognition in 2008 and Cikada Prize in 2006.

(swchun@heraldcorp.com)