(LEAD) Renowned Korean American author Lee hails Han Kang's Nobel Prize win

▲ This photo, taken on Nov. 23, 2022, shows Korean American author Min Jin Lee speaking during a meeting with readers in Bucheon near Seoul. (Yonhap)

▲ This file photo shows South Korean author Han Kang. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Han Kang-US author comment

(LEAD) Renowned Korean American author Lee hails Han Kang's Nobel Prize win

(ATTN: ADDS photo, more info in last para; CHANGES photo)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (Yonhap) -- Renowned Korean American author Min Jin Lee on Thursday congratulated South Korean author Han Kang on her historic win of the Nobel Prize in literature this week, saying Han deserves "this global recognition."

The Swedish Academy announced Han as this year's laureate, recognizing the 53-year-old "for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life." She is the first Asian female winner in literature and the second South Korean Nobel laureate after former President Kim Dae-jung was awarded the peace prize in 2000.

"Han Kang is a brilliant novelist who reflects our modern condition with courage, imagination, and intelligence. She is worthy of this global recognition," Lee said in an email response to a request for comment by Yonhap News Agency.

Lee herself has gained international recognition with a series of works, including her book, "Pachinko," an epic historical fiction. She is the winner of the Fitzgerald Prize for Literary Excellence this year and many other awards.

The Nobel Prize award ceremony takes place at the Stockholm Concert Hall in the Swedish capital each Dec. 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death. The Swedish Academy recognizes achievements in literature, science, medicine, economics and peace.

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