Azalea 16: Journal of Korean Literature and Culture

In this issue of Azalea, special section “The Long Korean War in Recent Korean Literature,” sheds light on the powerful and ominous forces that shape South Korean society. While the Korean War may appear as a distant historical event to younger generations, seventy years after the armistice, its impact persists in the lives of South Koreans in ever-changing and menacing forms. The legacy of the war lies at the root of enduring ideological confrontations, provides the rationale for past dictatorships, and fuels present-day social tensions. Korean literature serves as a potent platform for preserving the memory of these historical legacies that continue to reverberate in thepresent.

Renowned artist Kang Yo-bae, whose paintings grace the pages of this issue, has been widely acknowledged for his groundbreaking work in bringing attention to the Jeju Island massacre through his art. Through his depictions of the tragic events of 1948, readers will witness the power of Korean culture to breathe life into historical experiences, ensuring that the victims of erasure are remembered and that voices will be heard once more.

The issue also features Ch’oeInhun’s “Kŭmosinhwa (New Tales of the Golden Turtle),” translated by Boston University Korean literature professor Dennis Wuerthner and his students, providing an excellent example of bridging the language divide and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

• Young-Jun Lee, Editor