Woori Bank is committed to promoting the literary legacy of the late Park Kyung-ri, with whom it has had a longstanding relationship since its days as a commercial bank.
On August 19, Woori Bank announced that it has signed a cultural cooperation agreement with the Land Cultural Foundation and provided a donation to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Park Kyung-ri's birth.
Park Kyung-ri has a unique history, having worked as a bank employee at the Yongsan branch of the commercial bank, Woori Bank's predecessor, in 1954 before her literary debut. She published a long poem titled 'Sea and Sky' under her birth name, Park Geum-i, in the bank's internal magazine, 'Cheonil.' Even after leaving the bank, she continued to contribute short stories, including 'The Reincarnation Record,' to the magazine.
Woori Bank will support the English translation and publication of 'Land,' a representative epic novel that captures the twists and turns of modern Korean history, ensuring it reaches readers worldwide. This year, the Park Kyung-ri Literary Prize will also present a special award to individuals who have contributed to the advancement of Korean literature.
Additionally, a special exhibition titled 'Park Kyung-ri Special Exhibition' will be held at the Woori Bank History Museum, 'Woori 1899,' located in the bank's headquarters. The exhibition will showcase early works and personal artifacts from Park Kyung-ri, which can be viewed for free until September 18.
Jung Jin-wan, president of Woori Bank, stated, 'We will actively support the literary legacy of Park Kyung-ri, which has a special connection to Woori Bank, so that it can resonate widely in our society.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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