Earlier in the day, the father, 85-year-old Han Seung-won, who is also a writer, spoke at a press conference in Seoul.
– She said that given the global turmoil – such as the conflicts in Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, where people die every day – it didn’t feel right to celebrate, said the father and elaborated:
– She did not want to appear insensitive to all suffering. So she decided not to hold the press conference.
The father said that he himself is both proud and happy, and wanted to celebrate his daughter’s success. But Han Kang put an end to the plans.
– I was supposed to have a party at my house, but she said I didn’t get it. She said that the Nobel committee’s intention in awarding the prize is not to indulge in the moment, but to remain calm and composed, says Han Seung-won.
“The most prestigious award”
Han Seung-won also said that the Nobel Prize in Literature is the most prestigious thing a writer can receive. Partly because of the high prize sum of SEK 11 million, but also because the Nobel Prize rewards the collective authorship, not just an individual book.
– When I think about why they chose my daughter, I think it is because of the fine-tuned, beautiful and at the same time melancholic tone in her literature.
