Han Kang: "Hatred Is a Challenge We Must Overcome... The Growing Consensus Is Encouraging"

First Public Remarks at the Avignon Theatre Festival

On the Paichai High School May 18 Hate Controversy: "We Must Confront Our Failures"

Novelist Han Kang recently commented on the Baehjae High School baseball team’s disparaging cheer incident involving the 5·18 Democratization Movement, which has sparked significant controversy in society. She stated, “Overcoming hatred is a task that we must face,” adding, “It is a hopeful sign that a consensus is forming to recognize this as a problem.” It is unusual for Han Kang to publicly address a domestic issue since winning the Nobel Prize in Literature last year.

Writer Han Kang is holding a meeting with Korean reporters in Avignon, France, on the 15th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the 15th (local time), during a press conference held at the Avignon Theatre Festival in France, Han Kang was asked about the Baehjae High School incident. She responded, “This is an important event that should not simply pass by in shock,” and emphasized, “We need to reflect on how we ended up making such a mistake.”

She further stated, “Hatred is not an issue unique to Korea, but a phenomenon that is deepening worldwide,” and described it as “a challenge we must overcome.”

However, she also expressed optimism, saying, “On the other hand, it is promising that there is a growing consensus to recognize it as a problem.”

These remarks were made during a press conference held as part of Han Kang’s official schedule at the Avignon Theatre Festival in France, where she was invited as a special guest. Earlier, Han Kang also participated in one of the festival’s main programs, the “Café des Idées,” engaging in discussions with the audience on topics such as literature and history, as well as violence and memory.

During the conversation, Han Kang stated, “For me, personal writing and political writing are not separate.” She explained that while 'The Vegetarian' is both a personal story and a political novel, 'Human Acts' deals with social events while also being a deeply personal work.

Meanwhile, the Baehjae High School baseball team stirred controversy recently during their cheering at a national high school baseball tournament by using expressions disparaging the 5·18 Democratization Movement and Gwangju. The school has issued an official apology and initiated disciplinary procedures for the students involved, while the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education is verifying the facts and taking follow-up actions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.