Novelist Han Kang on Nov. 9 speaks with Korean correspondents at Editions Grasset's office in Paris after winning the prestigious Prix Medicis of France in the foreign literature category. (Yonhap News)

By Jung Joo-ri
Video = Editions Grasset's official YouTube channel

Novelist Han Kang is the nation's first winner of France's prestigious award Prix Medicis for foreign literature for her book "I Do Not Bid Farewell" (2021).

The French daily Le Monde and other international news media on Nov. 9 reported on the honor's selection committee releasing the list of this year's winners.

Established in 1958, the Medicis is one of France's four major literary prizes along with the Prix Goncourt, Prix Renaud and Prix Femina. The foreign literature category was added in 1970 to recognize fresh and experimental works.

"I Do Not Bid Farewell," Han's first novel in five years since her magnum opus "The Vegetarian" (2007) earned the Man Booker International Prize in 2016, recounts the tragedy of the 1948-49 uprising on Jeju Island from the perspectives of three women: Gyeong-ha, In-seon and Jeong-sim.

Under the title "Impossibles Adieux" (Impossible Farewell), the French-language edition was translated by Choi Kyung-ran and Pierre Bisiou and released by French publisher Editions Grasset in August.

In 2017, Han was shortlisted for the foreign literature category of the Medicis for "Greek Lessons" (2011).

In an interview that day with Yonhap News at Editions Grasset's office in Paris, Han said, "I thought that being a finalist itself was something to be happy about."

"Like its title 'I Do Not Bid Farewell,' the book depicts a warm heart reaching out with endless love and never has to bid farewell," she said. "I really hope that my readers feel this sentiment."

Jointly sharing the honor in the same category with Han's work was Portuguese writer Lidia Jorge's "Misericordia" (Mercy).