Famous North Korean Writers

Kang Chol-hwan is a prominent figure in North Korean affairs, known for his experiences as a defector and former prisoner in the Yodok concentration camp. He is the founder and president of the North Korea Strategy Center, an organization dedicated to promoting human rights in North Korea. Kang is also a published author, having co-written the acclaimed book "The Aquariums of Pyongyang." His expertise on North Korean issues has been recognized through his work as a staff writer focusing on the region for The Chosun Ilbo.

Jang Yeong-jin is a writer who began his professional life working as a wireless communications official in Chongjin, North Korea. After fleeing the country and settling in South Korea, he worked as a cleaner before fully focusing on writing. In April 2015, he published his autobiography "A Mark of Red Honor," which was later translated into English. Jang also expressed his intention to write a fictional novel about women in North Korea. He continues to pursue his passion for writing and in 2021, planned to marry his partner Min-su.

Jang Jin-sung is a North Korean poet and former government official who defected to South Korea. He worked as a psychological warfare officer in the United Front Department of the Korean Workers' Party, specifically in the Literature section creating propaganda to garner South Korean sympathy for North Korea. Under the pseudonym Kim Kyong-min, he crafted poetry in a South Korean style for distribution. However, he was sentenced to six months in prison by a South Korean court for a sexual crime against a former female coworker.

Bandi is a pseudonymous North Korean writer known for his dissident literature. He began publishing his early works in North Korean publications in the 1970s. After experiencing personal loss during the famine that followed Kim Il-sung's death, Bandi became disillusioned with the North Korean regime and started writing critically about it. With the help of a friend who defected to China, Bandi's dissident writing made its way to South Korea, where it was published. Despite his desire to defect, he remains in North Korea due to family ties.

Cho Ki-chon was a Russian-born North Korean poet known as a national poet and the "founding father of North Korean poetry." He was dispatched by Soviet authorities to Korea in 1945, where he played a key role in shaping the cultural institutions of the new state based on the Soviet model. Cho significantly developed socialist realism in North Korean literature and arts. He contributed to Kim Il Sung's cult of personality through works like "Mt. Paektu" and wrote wartime propaganda poems during the Korean War, ultimately perishing in an American bombing raid.

Park Taewon, known by his art names Mongbo and Gubo, was a Korean writer who transitioned from South Korea to North Korea during his career. He made a significant impact in the literary world with his works and contributions to Korean literature. Park Taewon's writing style and themes resonated with audiences, showcasing his talent and versatility as a writer. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of writers and artists, leaving a lasting imprint on Korean literature and cultural history.

Lee Hoesung, known by his pen name Ri Kaisei, is a prominent Zainichi Korean novelist based in Japan. He achieved significant recognition in 1972 by becoming the first ethnic Korean to win the prestigious Akutagawa Prize for his captivating story "The Woman Who Fulled Clothes." His literary contributions include acclaimed works such as "Unfulfilled Dream" and "Travellers of a Hundred Years." Lee Hoesung's career is characterized by his compelling storytelling and unique perspective as a member of the Zainichi Korean community in Japan.

Hong Myong-hui was a Korean novelist during the colonial period and later became a North Korean novelist and state official. He played a significant role in the 3.1 Movement in 1919 and served as an editor of Donga Ilbo in the 1920s. Hong was a member of the Korean nationalist group Singanhoe and later founded the Democratic Independent Party in 1947, where he became the chairman. He held various important positions in North Korea after the Korean War and is buried in the Patriotic Martyrs' Cemetery in Pyongyang.

Han Sorya was a prominent Korean writer, literary administrator, and politician known for his significant contributions to North Korean literature. He held key positions such as head of the Korean Writers' Union and Ministry of Education. Through his career, he navigated factional strife within the Workers' Party of North Korea, eventually becoming a member of the Central Committee. Han's influence extended to shaping the cult of personality of Kim Il-sung. Despite being purged in 1962, his impact on North Korean culture endures, notably through works like the anti-American novella Jackals.

Pak Se-yong was a prominent figure in North Korea, known for his contributions as a poet and politician. He is most recognized for his work in writing the lyrics of "Aegukka," the national anthem of North Korea. Throughout his professional life, Pak Se-yong used his skills to communicate powerful messages through his poetry and played a significant role in shaping the cultural and political landscape of North Korea. His legacy continues to be celebrated for his lasting impact on the nation's identity.

Seong Hye-rang is a North Korean defector and accomplished author known for her insightful writings about life in North Korea. Through her work, she sheds light on the harsh realities faced by North Korean citizens under the regime. Seong Hye-rang's professional life is dedicated to sharing her experiences and advocating for human rights, drawing attention to the oppressive conditions in her home country. Her courage in speaking out and sharing her story has made her a prominent voice in the defector community and beyond.