S. Koreans elated after Han Kang wins Nobel Prize in literature

▲ South Korean author Han Kang (Yonhap)

Nobel Prize-reaction

S. Koreans elated after Han Kang wins Nobel Prize in literature

SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Koreans reacted with joy and excitement at news that author Han Kang had been awarded the Nobel Prize in literature Thursday.

The news came as a surprise to many, with some saying they did not expect a South Korean to win the coveted prize and could not hide their emotions at the announcement.

"As soon as I saw the news after work, I screamed in the streets," said a 33-year-old office worker, surnamed Lee, who lives in the central city of Daejeon. "I got tears in my eyes."

Kim Ji-hye, a 23-year-old college student, said she rushed to a bookstore in Seoul right after hearing the announcement of the winner during a live YouTube broadcast.

"I was falling asleep while watching the broadcast, but I was jolted awake by the announcement of Han Kang as the winner so I came here to buy her books," she said. "I had been disappointed after hearing that the winner was likely to be a Chinese or Japanese author, so I'm really proud."

Han is the first South Korean to be awarded the Nobel Prize in literature and the second South Korean to win any Nobel Prize after former President Kim Dae-jung, who was awarded the peace prize in 2000.

Han is also the first Asian woman to win the prize in literature.

Some South Koreans said they hope Han's achievement will lead to the further development of South Korean literature and more recognition for the country's literary works.

"It's absolutely a splendid achievement for South Korean literature," said a 28-year-old office worker, surnamed An. "There had been concerns that the local literary circles were not producing young bestselling authors, so it's incredibly moving that a young author was recognized by the literary world like this."

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