Han River "It's an amazing honor..."The writers' hard work and strength inspired me".

Novelist Han Kang (53), the first Korean to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, said on the 10th, "It's so amazing and such an honor."

In a telephone interview with the Nobel Committee after the announcement of the winner, Han said, "It's an honor, and I really appreciate your support."

Regarding how he felt about receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature for the first time in Korea, he said, "I grew up with books from an early age and grew up with Korean literature," adding, "I hope it will be good news for Korean literature readers and fellow writers."

Asked by which writer he was most inspired, he added, "When I was young, old writers were collective beings, and all their efforts and power became my inspiration," adding, "So it's very difficult to pick some writers who inspired me."For readers who have just learned about

{Writer Han Kang>, he recommended the most recent work, 'I don't say goodbye', as well as 'White' and 'The Vegetarian'.

Han Kang said, "When I just finished dinner with my son at home in Seoul, I heard about the award on the phone," adding, "Of course, I was very surprised."

Asked how he would celebrate winning the Nobel Prize, he added, "I didn't drink, so I want to celebrate quietly tonight with my son over tea."