KOREA FOUNDATION

In 1990, Russia and Korea established a diplomatic relationship, a significant event that symbolized progress from the Cold War towards co-existence and peace. The two countries have since expanded exchange in such diverse fields as politics, economy, and culture.

In the busy street of Sogong-dong in the heart of Seoul stands a symbol of bilateral exchange—a statue of the Russian poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin erected in 2013 in front of the Lotte Hotel Seoul. The great literary figure is well-known to Koreans for his poem titled “If by Life You Were Deceived.” The statue was presented by the Russian Writers’ Union; the bustling business district has been renamed Pushkin Plaza. Every year, a poetry reading event is held here in commemoration of Pushkin’s birthday, and most Russian visitors to Korea stop by the monument.

In 2018, to repay the favor from the Russian Writers’ Union, Korea sent a statue of novelist-poet Pak Kyong-ni to Russia. On the statue, erected in Saint Petersburg, the city of culture and scholarship, one of Pak’s poetic lines is inscribed. It reads “Why do we feel joy and sorrow so intensely,” excerpted from her poem “Life.” While she earned high acclaim for her epic novel Toji (Land), Pak has left many beautiful poems, too.

The statues of the two great literary minds exchanged between Russia and Korea bring the peoples of the two nations together to reflect on and celebrate the lives of the two poets. Sharing common impressions transcending differences in time and language, the two peoples are expected to continue such exchanges as a routine practice even after the 30th anniversary of Russia-Korean amity.

Written by Kim Moonyoung
Illustrated by EEWHA

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