South Korean author Han Kang wins Nobel Prize in literature: Video

The Swedish Academy recognised Han, 53, for her “intense poetic prose” that confronts historical traumas and captures the fragility of human life. 

Han's work often explores the intersection of mental and physical suffering, with her writing blending brutal realism with a lyrical and sometimes surrealistic tone.

Best known internationally for her novel ‘The Vegetarian,’ which won the 2016 Man Booker International Prize, Han has written across multiple genres, including short stories, novels, and poetry. Her 2014 novel ‘Human Acts’ - inspired by the 1980 Gwangju Uprising in South Korea - delves into the violent crackdown by the South Korean military and the toll it took on the nation, particularly the younger generation.

Chair of the Nobel Committee for Literature, Anders Olsson said, "Her major international breakthrough was the novel 'The Vegetarian' from 2007, a harshly effective yet poetic portrayal of the violent consequences that proceed from the protagonist's refusal to eat meat."

Anna-Karin Palm, Nobel Committee member told AFP that, "One of her main themes is survival, how to survive with dignity the losses and the pains and the wounds that all of us carry. And whether she writes about this on an individual level or if she writes about the great historical events that can traumatise a whole generation, she does this with the same care and compassion and it's a very low-key but intense voice."

Despite being blacklisted during the presidency of Park Geun-hye for her political criticism, Han's literary prowess gained widespread recognition globally. Her Nobel Prize win, though unexpected by some observers, was a nod to the depth and intensity of her work.

The Nobel Prize includes a $1 million cash prize, a gold medal, and a diploma, which Han will receive at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10.