Eom Yu-jeong's "Feuilles" is this year's winner of the Golden Letter, the grand prize of the international book design contest Best Books from All Over the World hosted by Germany. (Korean Publishers Association)

By Lee Kyoung Mi and Kim Minji

A Korean-made work has been named the world's most beautiful book this year.

The Korean Publishers Association on June 1 said, "Eom Yu-jeong's 'Feuilles' has won the top prize Golden Letter at the Best Books Design from All Over the World, a Germany-based global competition for book design.

Released in September last year, the book has as its title the French word for "leaves" and contains 112 paintings of plants by Eom.

Germany's Stiftung Buchkunst (Book Art Foundation) and the Leipzig Book Fair, the contest's two cohosts, said in a statement, "It begins with a pencil drawing on fine and delicate paper but with each page turn, the lines and paper thicken in showing ever-changing details."

"The sense of touch guides readers to experience the works."

The contest began in 1963 and Korea made its debut there this year.

The first-round selection of about 500 books from 30 countries on May 7 was cut to 14 books from 10 countries. The honors consist of the grand prize Golden Letter, one gold, two silver and five bronze medals, and five honorary awards.

"Feuilles" will be permanently stored at a book museum in Leipzig and featured at the Weltformat Graphic Design Festival slated for October in Lucerne, Switzerland. The book will also be displayed at an exhibition of the Seoul International Book Fair opening in September.

km137426@korea.kr