A poem etched one letter at a time on milk carton foil in a prison where even pen and paper were restricted. The handwritten poems of Kim Nam-joo, a poet who lived through the tumultuous periods of modern Korean history, will be examined for their cultural heritage value beyond mere literary records.
The Haenam County government announced on the 19th that it will host a national academic symposium titled "The Language of Scratches, The Poetics of Etching: Foil Inside Milk Cartons and Kim Nam-joo" at the Tanggeun-sun Literary Museum on the 31st at 1 p.m.
This symposium aims to comprehensively explore the literary significance and media characteristics of Kim Nam-joo's "foil poems" created during his imprisonment, as well as their preservation value as national heritage.
Born in Samsan-myeon, Kim Nam-joo is regarded as a prominent poet who articulated resistance, democracy, and human freedom through poetic language in modern Korean literature.
Particularly, following the posthumous awarding of the National Medal of Merit in June and his exoneration in the September retrial of the "Namminjeon Incident," there has been a renewed interest in his life and literature.
The "foil poems" being highlighted in this academic event are handwritten manuscripts created by Kim Nam-joo using the foil from inside milk cartons while incarcerated.
The method of scratching letters into the foil with sharp tools, due to restrictions on writing instruments and paper, distinguishes these works from typical literary manuscripts.
The significance lies not only in the content of the poems but also in the materials and methods used, which serve as records of the conditions of his imprisonment and creative environment.
The symposium will feature literary researchers and experts in national heritage who will analyze the literary achievements and historical significance of the foil poems from various perspectives.
The event will be moderated by poet Baek Ae-song and will open with a poetry reading performance by the Saegyeol Theater Company.
Following this, a discussion titled "Meeting Kim Nam-joo" will feature poets Kim Hyung-soo, Ko Hyung-ryeol, and Kang Hyung-cheol, who will reflect on their memories of the poet and revisit his literary world and life trajectory.
A keynote speech will be delivered by Do Jong-hwan, a poet and former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
In the second part of the symposium, academic presentations will focus on the value of Kim Nam-joo's poetry and handwritten materials from three perspectives.
Researcher Ko Young-jik will discuss the "Socio-Cultural Significance and Value of Kim Nam-joo's Poetry in the 1980s," examining the meaning of his literature within the historical context of that era.
Researcher Lee Eun-kyu will present on the "Media Characteristics and Literary Value of Kim Nam-joo's Foil Poems," analyzing the literary significance of the unique recording medium and the conditions of creation in prison.
Researcher Lee Soo-kyung will explore the "National Heritage Value of Kim Nam-joo's Handwritten Manuscripts," discussing the historical significance, rarity, and potential for preservation and utilization of related materials.
After the presentations, a comprehensive discussion will be held with panelists Jang Eun-young, Yang Soon-mo, and Kim Seon-ki, moderated by Professor Oh Chang-eun from Chung-Ang University.
Following the symposium, the Kim Nam-joo Literary Festival, organized by the Kim Nam-joo Memorial Association, will take place on the outdoor stage of the literary museum, adding to the significance of academic discussions and literary remembrance.
Another notable aspect of this event is that it will be held at the Tanggeun-sun Literary Museum, which houses Kim Nam-joo's personal belongings.
The museum received over 600 items, including six foil poems, from the poet's family, led by Park Kwang-sook, in 2024, and is responsible for their exhibition and management.
The symposium aims to expand the materials previously introduced through exhibitions into serious academic research and establish a foundation for systematic preservation and utilization in the future.
It is expected to serve as a starting point for future research, discussing not only the literary value of the foil poems but also the necessity of preserving the original materials and their cultural heritage significance.
Hong Soon-geun, head of the Cultural Arts Division of Haenam County, stated, "Kim Nam-joo's foil poems are valuable literary materials with historical significance, rarity, and unique creative methods. Through this symposium, we aim to systematically clarify the value of the foil poems and establish an academic foundation for future preservation and utilization."
Meanwhile, anyone interested in Kim Nam-joo's literature and cultural heritage is welcome to participate in this national academic symposium. For more details about the event, inquiries can be made to the Tanggeun-sun Literary Museum in Haenam.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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